Matt and Cat\'s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide
Castle Inn, Newport

Castle Inn, Newport

Reviews 1

A town pub can go one of two ways. A few weeks ago we found ourselves in London, enjoying a drink in one of the city’s many street-corner hostelries. The Victorian pub was a single small room with a bar, and that was about it. No food was served,... Read more
White Lion, Niton

White Lion, Niton

Reviews 0

Niton used to have two pubs, the White Lion and the Buddle. After some prevarication the White Lion closed for good, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst the Crab-Nitoners. Left without a pub in the village itself, drinkers were faced with a steep walk down... Read more
Crown Inn, Shorwell

Crown Inn, Shorwell

Reviews 3

There’s nothing we like better than a nice surprise. It’s a treat that never gets old when we wander into some venue anticipating an indifferent meal, and our unambitious expectations are blown away. Perhaps the best example of this in recent years was the tragically short-lived fried-fish wagon of... Read more
The Star Inn, Wroxall
The Star Inn, Wroxall has had several iterations over recent years, including a short spell as the optimistically-named Four Seasons. Undoubtedly there will be some local trade for the only pub in Wroxall. However, you want to know if they are doing anything in the kitchen to make it... Read more
Joe’s Bar, Niton

Joe’s Bar, Niton

Reviews 1

You must have heard us blather on about how folks on the Isle of Wight orientate themselves by where the post office used to be. One of Cat’s first experiences of being given directions followed a trail of landmarks that were no longer there; “Past where that old copper... Read more
Crab and Lobster Tap, Ventnor
Cat’s got an elderly relative who’s convinced that B-Day (Brexit Day, EUletide, or whatever you want to call it) will bring not only that mythical £350m for the NHS but also a welcome return to pounds and ounces. In some deep recesses of the Island we have been known... Read more
The Chequers, Rookley

The Chequers, Rookley

Reviews 0

You know The Chequers, right? One of those big, rambling family road pubs that you took the kids and grandparents to. The kind of place where a large car park and play area are adequate compensation for the generic pub grub menu. If that’s still your idea of the... Read more
Devon Food Movement at Kynges Well, Brading
We’re used to our favourite bands going on tour, and comedians have been doing the circuit for years. But what about chefs? Chef/founder of the Devon Food Movement, Luke Fearon, doesn’t have his own kitchen. Instead, he make guest appearances at existing venues, and this week he brought his... Read more
Blacksmith’s, Carisbrooke
Is pub grub an actual genre of food? It probably is. Leave aside the rather chummy and dated feel of the word ‘grub’, and the conveniently rhyming description gives a clear expectation to the prospective diner. Sizeable portions of hot food, usually a focus on meat and chips, and... Read more
White Lion, Arreton

White Lion, Arreton

Reviews 0

One of the great things about having mainland visitors is proudly showing off the Isle of Wight to them. Whether they are staunch monarchists, transport buffs or competitive children, you will find something to impress them. And so it was when we took recent guests to Osborne House, the... Read more