Ever tried getting a fairly healthy hot snack/light meal at about 5pm in Newport? It would seem that everywhere is closed for tea! That is except Morrisons! Cheap and hot and healthy - that's the food not the staff.
Handy if your deaf or have ear defenders - as the PA system is set on max in the cafe.

We'd love you to try our Stables Restaurant located in oun family run pub The Crab and Lobster Tap, Grove Rd., Ventnor.tel 852311 see us at IOW tourism wbsit/eating out printed guides/ Island Food and Craft assn. webite. Your website is a great innovation and can be so helpful to small operators such as ourselves whose budgets do not run to press advertising. jackie

Love your website. When you get the chance, could you review the rest of the Yarmouth restaurants please? Blue Crab, Salty's, On the Rocks (dinner only) Sian Ellin and the brasserie at the George. I'd be really interested to read your thoughts on all or any of the above. Many thanks.

My wife and I are regular visitors to the Island, and never miss the August bank holiday with the highlight watching the thousands of Lambrettas at the international scooter rally. Now we have another highlight as we have found a superb family run restaurant we would like to recommend called Ganders in St Helens, the restaurant itself is small with a homely / romantic atmosphere, the staff are all very pleasant and informative, the menu has a good selection with the seasonal specials chalked on the wall.
We had pan fried fillet of local sea bass with Isle of Wight crab mash, followed by a large portion of home made raspberry pavlova with clotted cream. ( heaven )
I hope that my wife and I become regulars at Ganders and hope they maintain their high standards and excellent food unlike the Crab and Lobster ( Bembridge ).

There are a couple of "fine dining" Restaurants where I would appreciate your ideas
The Hambrough Ventnor and The Pond by the same time rarely left me disappointed, same goes for the upmarket pup The Red Lion in Freshwater, some of my friends commend Mozarts in Cowes and I certainly had pleasant food in Both Lugleys Retaurants... Burrs in Newport and D@Bs in Cowes certainly would deserve Reviewing...
Looking for breakfast I think the Waterside in Gurnards stands out, for food and drink later the day The Woodvale....
Very happy that same ISlanders take up this task
Btw- it would probably be worth to add good quality suppliers of Local Produce to the Recommendations for these days you want to cook yourself
Thank You

Oh!!you have to visit Kimbos in lake!it's really good! but I wouldn't go on saturday it's jam packed then! and on Sundays they're closed!It's brilliant!
BTW-It's a chinese take-away!

I have great difficulty finding places to eat that serve fresh cooked food in an accessible venue with level access and room to move around between tables that is also non smoking.

It would idealy have an accessible toilet too.

I would love to find somewhere on the Island that serves cooked meals of fresh organic veg and meat dishes eg; roasts etc. there doesnt seem to be one place that serves organic food on the Island.

Its bad enough getting up and down kerbs but getting in and out of eating places is awful.
Take a look at this website to see how hard it is just to find an accessible venue to eat etc.
www.wight2access.co.uk

After trying several places that were not suitable in Newport I found Hong Kong Express to have level access and totally non smoking too.
Other wheelchair users were using this venue and the food was lovely but far to large portions for me, the staff were so friendly clean and helpful and the lovely fresh food was quickly served with a smile.

West Wight Sports Centre Cafe Moa is good too and very accessible.
The End of the Line in Freshwater is another good venue but not very accessible hard to get in with a small power chair without an assistant.

The Bear Cafe at Lake is good too not always a great choice but freshly cooked food.
The Toilet is good but the door access is a bit difficult without assistance.


MATT & CAT RESPOND: Thanks for your thoughts, Carmelle. We are very aware that accessibility is an issue in pubs and restaurants, and welcome your comments and suggestions. We hope that Wight2access becomes a big success!

For coffee and cake or something more substantial try Tintos in Ventnor , made extra nice by the very friendly staff

The Waterfront at Totland has to be one of the best places to view the sunset in West Wight and enjoy great food and drink. I always take friends visitng the Island there. Sitting in the sun with a glass of wine (or three!) wonderful food and excellant views. Check out the music too. Highly recommended.

Hi

Have noticed a restaurant in Blackgang (on the roundabout by Blackgang Chine) called Merlins Bistro. Can't find a website for them, only contact details. We'd love to know what it's like and whether it's any good.

Think it might be an Indian Restaurant.

Thanks!

Hi I wondered if you have thought of trying Pettigrews (Abingdon Lodge Hotel) West St Ryde. ??

Recently in the County Press I read an article on JUDES FISH BAR in Carisbrooke. It apparently came 2nd in Chip Shop of the Year? I would be very interrested to see what you think about this chippie. I only visited it once when I heard it was in new hands and maybe it was an off day but for the goodness of my health I darent go back until someone else is brave enough to eat there! I would be grateful if you could try it out.

Matt and Cat respond: thanks, Bob, you've really sold it to us. We'll be along there... really... soon...

Hello
Brilliant website - are you guys really fat??!!
I was told to try The Essex at Godshill by some visiting London friends who thought it was excellent. You should go there - we tried it out and had an experience!
Pretentious, over ambitious, staff who try too hard, bland decor etc etc. Im sure it was a lovely place before the current owners stripped the charachter out of it and tried to run a 'foodie restaurant' which frankly doesnt work. 2/10

I would be interested to see a review of Lugley's. My wive is an ex resident of the Island so fortunately we visit quite often and have never been dissapointed here

I visited Lugley's in Cowes over the weekend and much to my disappointment is wasn't a patch on their Newport restaurant. I ordered pheasant with braised cabbage, and I could probably say it's the worst thing I've ever eaten out. My wifes meal of Rump of Lamb was overcooked and dry, the service was sloppy (I was asked if I wanted to see the desert menu 3 times?).

Lugleys in Newport is still once of the best on the Isle of Wight, but don't get it confused with the one in Cowes.

As a suggestion to visit, I recommend the Fat Cat at Freshwater Bay, their latest menu is fantastic and at great value.

Try the BLACK CAT Restaraunt in shanklin Old Village.
Great food, reasonable price, Excellent service.

Sort of Thai, full of flavour, no need for sauces or condiments, beautifully served.

My wife and I ate there recently. 1 starte each, 4 maincourses + 2 drinks each, under £44.

Absolutely fantastic!!

Steve

Our family are big fans of Mai Thai in Holyrood St, Newport. We have never had a bad meal there and have taken friends and family along too. We think it deserves a review and would be interested to know what you think.

Would love for you to review The Small Talk Tea Rooms in Shanklin, i had a lovely home made meal there, beef in red wine casserole with crusty rolls, my children enjoyed enormous sandwiches which were packed with salad and came with a huge side salad as well.

I really think you should visit the Four Seasons restaurant in Wroxall. My family visit the island every year and always eat there two or three times during our stay. We have always received very good value for money there and the staff are friendly too.

(Blimey - this writing's small!)
I can endorse the comments about the Black Cat in Shanklin. Really excellent Thai food, with pleasant service and atmosphere. The food took some time to arrive, but they were quite busy and it was clearly made to order. The starters were just right, too - enough to fill the (by then) aching void, but not so much as to spoil the main course. We had one of the set meals for two and it was beautifully presented, although my other half reckoned that her pork dish was minus the advertised pineapple. Were we supposed not to notice? Recommended though, as everything else was just right.

We can also recommend the Culver Haven (on top of the cliff), which we have visited on two consecutive Sundays. Order a roast beef or pork baguette and it will have almost as much meat in it as the normal roast lunch! We had one of those too, and it was very good, with a conspicuous absence of overdone vegetables or soggy potatoes. They were pretty busy (so worth booking) but still managed to serve us quickly. Like swans on the lake, all was serene on the surface but a lot was happening underneath...

Have you been to the Rex in Ventnor since it has been under current management?

We go to the Isle of Wight every year with my in laws who have been going for 20 years!! Two of our favourite places to eat are the Steamer Inn on the front at Shanklin and Pavarottis in Shanklin old village opposite the Crab Inn (which also do nice food). I would be interested in your reviews of these places.

There is also a nice little chippy called Chubby's Chips in Shanklin new village that do excellent cheesy chips!!!

A new Italian has opened on the High Street in Sandown. Main meals about £10.00. Give it a try:

Steaks, fish, pasta and veggie options

Great site for choosing a new restaurant to try! Please could you review DB's on Bath St in Cowes - I've heard it's very good.

Please always describe whether your restaurants have: vegetarian options, and are child friendly (child menu).

Many thanks for some inspiration, and advice to avoid some of the worst places.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your comment, Luisa. Glad you;re inspired! Keep writing comments to tell us what you think. Check out our review categories - currently there are 87 reviews of places that we consider to be 'family friendly'. Click here to see those reviews.

We have considered having a 'vegetarian' category but decided it probably wouldn't be very useful as w we're not veggies so we wouldn't often assess the quality of veggie food. If a venue offers exclusively vegetarian food, we would probably mention that, and although we try to give details of menu choices in our reviews to give our readers some idea of what they can expect we don't list everything on the menu.

Anyone know where we can get good vegan food, day or evening? We are visiting at the end of August 07

Pauline, re vegan food suggestions: the Quay Arts Cafe, Quay Street, Newport, has really nice vegan as well as vegetarian food. And I think the menu at Dimbola Lodge, Freshwater includes some vegan, as well as vegetarian options. A lunchtime snack I had at the Orrery (Union Street, Ryde) - falafel - was vegan. Also, I think Pizza Express in Newport marks its vegan dishes. I'd be interested to see what anyone else comes up with.

Caulkheads Sandown IF you like good food served hot your wine chilled dont mind a little wait then this is well worth a vist there are many places to eat on the island every year we find a good place. only to find it has changed the next. But the Caulkheads has remained the same good value honest cooking. Try their two steak meals plus a bottle of wine for £21 this was a excellent meal All meals are large portions so dont have the starter or you wont have room for one of their deserts

We ate at The Essex in Godshill last friday, the meal was superb, we would definitely go there again, it was pricey but well worth it for a special occasion, as well as the food we ordered we were given a pre-starter starter and a pre-dessert dessert. The decor is simple but stylish and the staff very attentive and helpful, there was also a discreet spanish guitarist on the night we visited, well worth a visit by Matt and Cat. The only downside is there isn't much room for parking outside so you may have to park in the main car park along the road

Grand View Te Gardens near to rylstone Gardens Shanklin. Terrifiv views over Sandown Bay,well tended gardens good service,lovely sandwiches all served with unusually good sidesalads.
Reasonable prices. Excellent on a nice day!

You really must try the Black Cat in Shanklin.Excellent Thai food and charming service. See what you think.

we went out in ryde on saturday night having not been out there for a few years. i was astonished to find that everywhere was the same just in case that joes was full you could go and eat at libertys and just in case that was full the nice man who owned joes in the first place has opened up another 1 (just to be original!)we ended up there and to be honest it was awful we had over cooked spitroast chicken we couldnt order a starter as it would arrive with
our main course (how strange is that)anyway we wont bother again

Don't worry this won't be long! Saltys in Yarmouth was a huge surprise - Cuban music, lively atmosphere, lots of lovely seafood choices ( I had the burger - sorry Saltys) but it was lovely, clearly homemade with proper unprocessed beef. Far too many chips though.
Also Pendletons in Shanklin. Could give Morgans a run for it's money. Very good imaginative food, good wine, friendly staff. Very family run. Definately worth a shot. The Crab and Lobster in Bembridge. Good wholesome seafood. Crab cakes - more like Maryland cakes, good lobster. Shame about the vegetables.
IOW food has improved so much since my last visit and I will definately be back next year. There is so much to try. I will be very interested in the Hambrough reviews, as we were told by too many people not to go, but I really was to!

Enjoyed reading your reviews. Have you tried Ferrets in Shanklin. It was a really unusual dining experience, but great fun and brilliant food. But be prepared to try something different we had Water Buffalo and Zebra bothreally tasty. Check but when we went you had to take your own wine because of no license. It is not cheap about £25 per head but in my opinion well worth it.

What a Fantastic web site, I enjoy reading your reviews keep up the good work. A friend of mine took me a walk on the downs recently and we ended up having lunch in the white horse at Whitwell. although they have a large menu I found the food to be good quality and well presented, the staff were very friendly and informative and the meal was well worth the money. I would look forward to reading your comments if you decided to visit here in the future.

Matt and Cat respond: glad you like it. The White Horse? Been there, done that.

The Boathouse at Victoria Fort in Yarmouth is the place to go if you want good honest food cooked from scratch by an excellent chef, Breakfast there is a must with an excellent view over the Solent.The Sunday lunches are fantastic with the best Yorkshire puds you'll ever taste. They have also just started to introduce a curry night to which we went and were not disappointed. Give it a try.

Matt and Cat respond: been there too.

Hi would be interested what you think of the refurbished White Hart in Havenstreet. (if you can get passed the road works)
Also the Old Smithy Godshill, for lunch or cream cake.

Hi have you thought about doing a review on Pearly Boise ice cream parlour? it opens april-oct and does the best home made italian style ice cream with over 27 flavours, you really have to try it, they also have a cafe section serving fresh paninis and proper coffee, but you have to see the ice cream! i recommend watermelon sorbet.

Matt & Cat respond: remind us again in April, eh?

Dalverton garden centre (Honnor and Jeffrey), Newport Road Sandown is well worth a visit for a coffee break.Their cheese scones are to die for!!

Suggest you try the Piano Bar in Ventnor. It is in a restored art deco building and serves stylish lunches and dinners. We have been twice and enjoyed both meals. We have no connection with the owner

Thanks for the reviews! Very informative and amusing.

after reading the comments from bob about judes fish bar, i would like to say how pleased i have been every time i have visited. not only do they sell fish and chips it also has a good range of other meals including vegetarian,burgers(which are 100% beef)chicken nuggets(which are 100% chicken),also they always have a good range of special deals. so please pop along and sample the food for yourselves. i am sure you will enjoy it.

Hi!
A new restaurant has opened in Ryde. It's under the Abingdon Lodge Hotel West Street. The name: Zachs Restaurant and Bar. Tel: 566722, booking is advised, open Tuesday- Saturday 6.30-9.30. Open Sunday for Sunday Luch 12-2.30.
Hope to see you there!

My wife and I are frequent visitors to the Isle of Wight,usually by taking our boat to Cowes. However, this weekend we decided to drive and stop over.We were sat in the Pilot at Bembridge when we saw an ad for a fish restaurant, in the local paper, namely the Loaves and Fishes at Godshill. So off we set. Strange place. The person behind the bar, didn't know how to open a bottle of champagne, let alone pour it and we found ourselves asking for a bucket all of which we had to carry to the table, ourselves. We ordered Whitebait which was advertised with crusty bread.A French stick cut up! into rounds. No one topped up the glasses. I had Lemon Sole, with "cold" peas and my wife had mackerel fillets with "cold" peas. No garnish no lemon wedge. We both opted for the cheese which was pretty ordinary and put on the table with no expalnation of the varieties. The lady of the house seemed to want to serve everybody and the gent behind the bar, even when busy just stood there.I then had to go to the bar and get the bill. All in all pretty average and not worth the money. Wine list included JP Chenet Chenin Blanc! at 11.99 a bottle. I wouldn't even cook with that. Having dined all round the world, what annoys me are people who profess to run a restaurant and haven't got a clue. Loaves and Fished welcome to that club.

Try the Bowsprit on Gurnard seafront, great starters, amazing main courses and wonderful puddings. Friendly service and warm atmosphere...always booked up!

A fantasitic web site found it whilst looking for something else. As someone who enjoys a good evening out for a dinner and entertaining a guest. I would like to put forward a few that I have found but not on here. White Horse - Whitwell, Lugleys - Newport and Valentinos - Carisbrooke as I have been to these locations a few times by and had nothing but good service at each of them as well as some excellent choices of food.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your feedback Andrew. We had some lovely food at the White Horse, Whitwell. Read our review here.

Please go to Oggies fish and chip restaurant in St Thomas Square, Newport. Good food - plenty and not greasy (lovely batter) but the star of your visit must be the spelling mistakes on the menu! Pinnapple, Sayaloy, vegtables and many more! Well worth a visit.

Have you tried On the Rocks in Yarmouth? It was full of yachties on the night we went (last summer), but we all enjoyed our meal and the idea (cook your own food at the table) was novel. Would be interested in knowing what Merlin's Bistro (at Blackgang) is like, as we often drive past, but haven't yet ventured in. Also we'd be interested if anyone knows whether the Rex piano bar in Ventnor is any good. Keep up the good (reviewing)work - we've visited a couple of places you recommended!
Matt and Cat respond: glad you like it, thanks for your input. We also tried to get into On The Rocks but couldn't be accommodated - whatever it's like, it certainly is popular. Maybe next summer...

The Village Taverna in Sandown sounds like an interesting venue (@ least after the last CP review) Greek Polish fusion-sounds adventurous to sai the least apart from that they have not been not reviewed anywere else so far (islandfood and drink remains offline)and do not have a website. Friends liked it a lot and I will try to pop there soon (albert Road, Sandown) Are these the same people who used to run the sadly demised premises in Newport and Cowes (aka Island Oliver Company)??? Had very good food there

Have you tried the Griffin in Godshill? We heard wonderful things about this place so with great expectations we thought we'd try it. I don't know if we caught them on a very "off" day but our meat was 50/50 gristle the veg over done but the chips were great. We have not been back but we would like to hear the view of others and if they are OK we'll give them another chance.

you were misled...you discovered the standard service available

Try Tilley's Family run Cafe Bistro in Ventnor. Excellent food and very friendly staff. Good value for money and if you've got a young family, they do half portions of almost everything on the menu. Kids don't always want burger and chips or chicken nuggets and chips.

Went to On the Rocks at Yarmouth last night. Had heard good things about it but had never seemed to manage to get there. I was concerned about what was to come after a bit of confusion over the booking on first arrival, but it turned out to be a fantastic night! Great concept, great food, and good fun experience. Would love to know what you think?

We tried Loaves and Fishes in Godshill recently hoping it is as good as The Essex was, but were disappointed. It appears to be trying to be upmarket but we felt was missing the mark completely with choices like Moules and Chips on the menu. The loaves are not homecooked and appear to be part-baked baguettes that can be bought in any supermarket and the rest is all fish as the name suggests. The majority of dishes on the menu include garlic which is very restricting if you do not like or cannot eat it. Saying all that, the food that we ordered was well cooked suggesting a good chef but was definitely let down by a poor menu.

If you get the opportunity. I would strongly recommend you give the Three Bishops another visit. They have finished their long awaited refurbishment and wow, what a difference. Spacious and homely with stone floors and real fires. It feels like a proper old fashioned real pub, not one of these mock ye olde pubs. As for the food, very tasty, incredibly good value and obviously home made. By the way, love the website. Keep up the good work. It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it.

Have you tried Pendleton's in Shanklin Old Village. I had dinner there last night and it was delicious. Pan Fried chicked with Pesto. They also stay open all year which alot of the others didn't seem to.
If you are ever over that way give it a try.

Enjoy Fish and seafood with a good selection of wines; then try the Loaves and Fishes restaurant in Godshill. (The old Essex). The welcome is warm, the food great, and the prices reasonable. It has only been open for a few weeks and I've booked my 3rd visit for next week.

We've just had an excellent impromptu meal at Barnabys in Sandown. It's in Pier Street, about 50 yards up the hill from the, er, pier. It's unpretentious and, not surprisingly, a bit seasidey, but they have a menu to suit all tastes, without over-reaching itself. I had a simple 'breakfast in a bun' which was just bacon and fried egg in a bread roll, but it was very well done, with the egg cooked to perfection. We could have had anything from a cream tea to a roast dinner, and there was a tempting range of puddings. I'd be interested to know what you think...

have you tried judes fish bar at carisbrooke yet.the foods delicious

Try the Royal Hotel in Ventnor. Open to non-residents.
We had a fantastic stay there.
Excellant food. The evening menu was superb and they did a great breakfast.
Lovely for a special occasion.

Has anyone tried the carvery at Holliers in the old village in shanklin?
I can really recommend it; choice of three
meats around 6 different fresh vegetables
(not soggy) stuffing etc. Probably the best carvery on the Island. Very friendly staff
& nice setting on the patio outside watching the world go buy with a bottle of wine after
lunch

Ocean View Fish & Chips, Ventnor The proprietor claims that Islanders travel from as far as Bembridge as they only cook to order so fish is fresh. it is within walking distance (up 108 steps!) of our house so have enjoyed their produce. It is good and you should give them a try when you in a chippy mood - a lot better than Fat Harry's sounds, so I was prompted to let you know. Address is 1 Newport Road also super views from seats outside while you are waiting. Thanks for the reviews

Well I travel from Shanklin to use them and have always been very satisfied

Hello Cat and Matt

Fine site - keep up the good work.

Have you ever tried out Ganders in St Helens? First impressions aren't that promising - the decor is a bit ye olde tea shoppe and somehow the descriptions of the food on the menus aren't that inspiring. However: the food is great. I had a risotto the last time I went, which is not something I would normally go for, but it was superb. Mark, the chef/owner over at the St Helens Restaurant on the other side of the green, rightly gets a lot of plaudits for his food, but I think it would be nice to 'big up' Ganders as they seem to get overlooked. And if they get a bit busier, perhaps they'll be able to afford to replace those nasty pub chairs...

I recently visited The Bistro at Island Harbour, Binfield and i highly recommend it. The Food was all freshly made from local produce, and my boyfriend ate some bass that was caught that day. I found that there were plenty of choices for vegetarians, and had a delicious bowl of homemade chunky vegetable soup and fresh bread.
Apart from the gorgous homemade food, the atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed.
We sat outside and could of spent all afteernoon looking over the harbour and at the beatuiful surrounding counrtyside.

I just noticed in your review of The Square that you've run out of places to review in Newport! You put me to shame. I always tend to play safe and opt for old favourites; you've even reviewed more eateries in my own area (SW Wight) than I've been to myself.

But back to Newport: have you tried that little coffee shop in Gray's Walk (opposite the back of BHS) with the Italian sounding name? Looks like it might be alright for a light lunch, though so far I've only popped in for a drink - the service was friendly.

Matt & Cat respond: thanks Wendy, we'll give that a go. Actually, we've only run out of places that appear in the yellow pages - and we think there's one more there yet. There are quite a few others that are not in the book - and new ones opening now and again! So we don't think we'll ever catch up...

You really should get round to trying Lugleys (Newport or Cowes). Newport is especially good at lunchtimes in the summer, as it has a very attractive walled garden in which you can sit and eat - a rarity in Newport. Maybe a weekday lunch hour...?

You should try The Reef on Sandown esplanande. We went there recently and the food was delicious, atmosphere was great and there's a gorgeous little sun terrace where you can sit out at the fromt and watch the world pass by with a drink and lovely food. Excellent for a balmy summer day!

Great venue, glorious weather and view superb. Daily menu with excellent, delicious sounding choices. Alas, it didn't come together for us. Please, please, please give this a try to see if it has improved with the new 'London' chef. We'd really like to sit on the deck again, watching the fisherfolk at the pond, but cannot bring ourselves to do so after THE ABSOLUTE WORST PUB MEAL EVER! We foodies love being out and about and trying new dishes and places but wouls love someone else to tell us that Rookley Country Park has improved. A simple complaint sufficed in us not paying for all three meals, but that's not really the point is it?

Rookley Country Park has improved beyond all measure, even the Sunday carvery is alright (and I usually hate them)

Re: Cask and Taverners in Godshill

We have just had an excellent lunch here. Potted duck with pickles and home made ciabatta, pork pie with home made picalilli and the best thrice-cooked chips as seen on TV demonstrated by Mr Blumenthal I think. The new couple are passionate about local food and the short, competitively priced menu reflects the best the Isle of Wight seasons offer. We are hopefully going back this week to try the dinner menu.

Hi Matt and Cat,
Great site well done, we recently went to the Hermitage restuarant at Bourne Hall Country House Hotel Shanklin,now under new ownership and it was wonderful. The 4 course table d' Hote menu was the best we have had in over 30 years on the Island.
enhanced by the tranquil setting of the Hotel & the more than courteous staff.
I am sure you are going to get lots of reviews about the Hermitage,you should give them a try they deserve it.

lin

we tried the village taverna,greek restaurant at sandown.fantastic,the food was great so the service.you must try it.regards jack.

Hey Matt & Cat, with Isle of Wight Festival starting today, how about a section on festival food? Don't know if you're going mind you? I know it's temporary, and it'll be different every year, but just one or two decent food outlets make all the difference to the whole experience to me.
Bestival definitely had the edge last year, with plenty of variety and a good local presence (I even found your sushi lady Tomo Bentou there). I became a fan of Pie Minister pies there, and now get my Bristol-based friend to bring me some down when he visits. I'm hoping there'll be some decent nosh on offer this weekend. I'm quite picky - it has to be veggie or fish, and I hate anything bland & stodgy (which rules out about 90% of it!).

Matt and Cat respond: Hi Wendy! Thanks for your suggestion. Alas we are not going to the festival this year so will not be able to comply. However, there's nothing to stop you commenting on this site if you think any of the food stalls are worth a special mention (for whatever reason - good or bad!), particularly if they are run by a local business. BTW, we had a delicious Tomo Bentou lunch today - Tomo has a stall at the Friday Food and Craft market in Newport.

Update: thanks Wendy for your feedback - we've made a whole new review out of Wendy's food reports, and you can see it here.

Why not have a shufti into Flanagans, on Pier street in Sandown. This year seems to be the best yet, it's local to me and have had good honest pub meals there before. But sat outside a few weeks ago, on a warm(ish!) summer evening I had a the greatest chicken breast stuffed with stilton and celery, in sauce with saute spuds and decently cooked veggies. I recommend! We were a party of four,all with nice clean plates at the end. They've got couple of tellies for the footie and loos that need a slap of paint, but if you like a tasty and reasonably priced meal, ignore the plastic Elvis and this could be a winner.

Hi matt and cat

As a regular visitor to the Island I find you reviews most useful. Have thought of expanding to food shops, I was over this weekend I had the misfortune to visit Ratseys deli in gurnard - very poor selection, overpriced and too much washing liquid and far too many christmas puddings than a shop should have in June!

I think one of reviews would have kept me safely away!

Keep up the good work :)

Great site. This is exactly the sort of thing I have had in mind for my webpage although I haven't got nearly as much done as you have. Really good work, I will add a link to your site.

There are some notable places missing though. For example there are reviews for several places in Bembridge but not the Crab & Lobster Inn why is that? Couldn't see the Crown Inn in Shorwell either.

Good luck with your eating adventures, and I'm missing the Isle of Wight already.

Matt and Cat respond: thanks! Try here, and here for your missing reviews. Good luck with your webpage!

Interesting website! Being a West Wighter, I don't get mush further. I would like to recommend the Highdown Inn at Totland. I go there regularly because it's the best grub around. It's all freshly 'home cooked' and much is sourced locally. You can choose from the extensive 'board' or from a standard menu. I can recommend the Lamb Shank or, for special occasions, the Sea Food Platter (wow!) and for pud, Raspberry Pavlova. You can eat in the pub bars or in the smart comfortable restaurant.
Prices are very reasonable. The beers are good. Friendly atmosphere. Kids and dogs are welcomed. Great place to visit if walking on Tennyson Down.

The Fighting Cocks has a board outside declaring "under new management - local fresh food". It might be worth another try soon.

Hi Matt and Cat

Recently visited the cafe at Newport Nursery, Aquatics & Pets in Watergate Road and thought you might be interested in the experience. My own comments are in the form of a poem.

Matt and Cat respond: thanks for that, what an entertaining medium for a review. Perhaps we'll try it... the poetry, that is, possibly not the cafe!

The Beach Cafe at Steephill Cove - excellent "Crab Tea" consisting of Crab Sarnie,
& Salad (no raw onion!) decorated with shell-on prawns, tea/coffee, and stawberry and
raspberry Pavlova to follow, all for under a tenner. It was high-tide, but we were not charged extra for the wave which showered our table with sea - great fun!.

You will enjoy a visit to Manuel's in Shepards Wharf in Cowes. Not just "another" Mediterranean Restaurant but probably the "only" Portugese place in the South of England, Portugese Family owned and enthusiastically run.
Nice small menue with fresh ingredients and a ! on perfectly prepared steaks and grills at a for the "yachty" venue affordable price (even for wines).
Also exceptional the allday and late opening (we were served a full dinner at 10 pm without having a prior booking), the very personal service by the proprietors and the probably best designed and cleanest WC on the IW.
Defenitely one of my new favourites- I hope they keep their enthusiasm up...
Try to get there before Cowes Week to see the design as long as it is new and fresh....

The Reef on Sandown Esplanade always seems to serve up a good spread, we have eaten there 3 times in the past 5 weeks. Normally I stick with the same dish but have been steadily working through their menu and haven't been disappointed yet!

Guinness on Draught as well which is always nice to see in a restauranty type establishment. (Apologies for my customised use of the English language!)

Worth booking a week or two ahead if you want to sit indoors as they do seem to be getting ever more popular.

Love your site! Have you ever reviewed Michelangelos in Ryde? Been going there ever since it opened, never disappointed.

Keep up the good work!

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your comment Gemma. Read our review of Michelangelo's here.

(Please note that The Crab & Lobster Tap in Ventnor is now under new ownership.)
OUR TEAM is now operating the refurbished Richmond Arms and renamed THE ALE & OYSTER at Richmond House on Ventnor Esplanade. Our specialities are seafood platters, island fillet steak, all dishes and without exception produced by our chefs. Menu varies with the season and some daily changes to reflect the local market availability. We look forward to your review!

Hi Matt & Cat,

Firstly, what a great site! We always refer to it when wanting to try out somewhere new and have added a link to our website.

We've just come back from the Island Harbour Bistro and have to say we were quite disappointed. The menu was quite limited, with nothing for vegetarians, and having vegetables included amongst the side orders at extra cost seems a cheek. My partner had the fish and chips and although it said the chips were homemade, they certainly didn't look or taste like it. They looked distinctly like frozen chips and were apparently on the hard side. I had a chicken schnitzel which came on its own so I'd ordered some new potatoes and vegetables. Prior to our meals being served, and about after 20 mins of us having ordered, we were told that as the potatoes were only just being put on, did we want to wait 15 mins for them or just have chips. As I didn't want chips we decided to wait.

My "vegetables" actually turned out to be a dishful of brocolli so no variety there. Desserts were actually quite nice, although my partner felt his chocolate fudge cake was bought in and not homemade.

We both felt that for the prices they charge and the fact they call themselves a Bistro, they really need to try harder. A shame really, because the setting is lovely.

We loved the bistro. We skipped along the river path with our Golden Retriever and enjoyed the best seafood pasta and gorgeous salads. And then they lost their chef. We had such lovely meals there and it went from beautiful to dire in a nanosecond. We contacted the manager and she denied that the chef had left but sadly, this was not true and his name is now gone from the website and now no-one wants to take credit for the horrible cuisine. Our inedible meals were prepared by a couple of teenagers with dirty aprons. It's so sad.

Matt and Cat respond:Thanks for your comment Dave. We assume that you are referring to the Island Harbour Bistro. Looks like we'll have to see if it's as bad as you say it is...

We completely agree with the comments re the Island Harbour Bistro. The chef HAS changed because I saw the advertisement in the paper for a new one! We had lunch there under the old chef and it was gorgeous so went there again a few weeks ago for a repeat. However we were told that we could only order sandwiches as the chef was "cleaning the kitchen". We both ordered sandwiches which were advertised as being served with salad and chips. Payment was taken at time of order. We were then told that there were no chips because of the kitchen cleaning. I asked for a refund of part of the cost and was refused, being given an additional drink instead (which we did not want). However we thought it was an off day and went there again last night for our wedding anniversary. Starters were all but one fish, we were told that the fish and chips and steaks were off the menu, however we both ordered the special, Beef Wellington. We waited over an hour for our meal, two people came in and sat at the next table to us and had their main courses and puddings and were paying their bill as our food arrived! Like the other reviewer, veg consisted of broccoli only (have they bought a job lot!) although the Wellington itself was very nice. If we had not had to pay at time of order again we would have left. Pudding a real disappointment, crumble and custard which was far too tart and microwaved until the custard bubbled and dried out, yuk! We will NOT be going there again.

We can heartily recommend the Khrua Thai Orchid Restaurant in Seaview. We have had several great meals there & the take-away service is excellent as well. The food is fresh, flavoursome and extremely reasonable and the restaurant itself is cosy and welcoming.

The Hambrough welcomes Michelin Starred Robert Thompson as Chef Patron-
says the website and the IW Country press- so I will be very interested to have a look and find out- but I may be biased because I think that was so far already the best fine dining experience on the island so change can always be for the good or for the worse- interesting how prices will develop too and I would love to see what M&C think, I shall post my 5p's worth as soon as I know more

Why don't you give the Culver Haven Inn a try? Choose a night where you can watch the sunset or if you prefer a night where you can watch amazing thunder storms. For a party of six sit in the octagon conservatory.

Matt and Cat respond: Thanks for your comments. We reviewed the Culver Haven on 21 April 2007. Read our review here.

Hello Mat and Cat

Yes, there are numerous eateries in Cowes and as an East Cowes resident have made a number of visits to the newly opened 'Manuels' near the Floating Bridge. Would you consider giving it a review? The food is Portuguese, which I regard as an interesting twist on European cuisine.