Matt and Cat\'s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide
Pavarotti’s, Shanklin
There was a time, back in the early nineties, when Pavarotti’s was the go-to restaurant in Shanklin. Cat enjoyed many a work do or birthday party in this trattoria; with its lively atmosphere and traditional Italian menu, it was the place of many happy memories. Fast forward thirty years... Read more
Dimbola, Freshwater

Dimbola, Freshwater

Reviews 1

We are often asked where the best place is to eat. That, of course, depends on the circumstances. You might not want to hold your toddler’s birthday party in a venue which is mostly populated by vertical drinkers yelling football-related expletives at Sky Sports on a muted telly. Similarly,... Read more
New Inn, Shalfleet

New Inn, Shalfleet

Reviews 0

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that British people regulate their lives around meal times. Breakfast is essential, according to Dr Kellog and the Egg Marketing Board, which cannily boosted sales of the ovoid foodstuff with Fay Weldon‘s famous ‘Go to Work on an Egg‘ slogan. And, throughout the day,... Read more
Stripped, Ventnor

Stripped, Ventnor

Reviews 0

Stripped is, and long has been, one of our favourite places to eat, ever. It has been years since we first stepped into the former Midland Bank in Ventnor and enjoyed what was, and remains, the Island’s best burger. When it was trading from a mobile van we pursued... Read more
Artisan Cafe, East Cowes
The attractions of East Cowes are well-known, but for us as food reviewers they have historically been relatively few. Not to say there haven’t been highlights. We’ve enjoyed the classy food at the Albert Cottage, the cheerful atmosphere at hipstery pizza joint Prego, and even nodded in approval at... Read more
Snacks and Ladders, Newport
Back in the day we were involved in a project to get young people, particularly boys, away from their computer screens and outside in the fresh air. There was a presumption that too much time spent alone in a stuffy bedroom manipulating his joystick would be detrimental to a... Read more
The Garden, Cowes

The Garden, Cowes

Reviews 0

It never ceases to amaze us that so many people are willing to step forward and open new dining-out venues on the Isle of Wight. Admittedly there is a strong tradition of hospitality on our Island but even so, in the current difficult economic climate, it is a delight... Read more
The Fighting Cocks, Hale Common
The pub Sunday roast is a tradition that is still very much alive. Even though we’re all cutting down on our eating out expenditure, certain classes of dining seem to be weathering the storm, and Sunday roast is one of them. Perhaps we’re just craving the comfortable, safe feeling... Read more
The Bakery, Bembridge
We’re often asked where is the best place to go for a specific type of meal; a roast dinner, say, or a cream tea. The other top request is breakfast. Cat’s – and the hipsters’ – particular favourite is smashed avocado and poached egg on toast, a surprisingly difficult... Read more
Red Lion, Freshwater

Red Lion, Freshwater

Reviews 2

Food eh? You push it into one hole and squeeze it out of another. Gravity and peristalsis assist it on its journey until, released from us human tubes, it bobs its way to Sandown for processing – but hopefully not out to sea (that’s a whole other article of... Read more