Sarah’s guidebook - Isle of Wight
My favourite restaurants
Most of these are in Ryde and the surrounding areas, but I have included a couple from further afield that I think are too good to miss!
Please try to call and book ahead of visiting, and often on the Island the opening hours of places can vary and the popular places get full quite quickly.
Wonderful food in a warm and intimate setting, all dietary requirements catered for and a focus on local produce.
Try and get a table upstairs if you can as there is an open kitchen to watch.
Heron
2 Castle StreetWonderful food in a warm and intimate setting, all dietary requirements catered for and a focus on local produce.
Try and get a table upstairs if you can as there is an open kitchen to watch.
Wonderful views across Appley Beach in any weather, this cafe is a 20 - 25 minute walk along beautiful Ryde beach from our place.
In summer time they also stay open in the evenings on weekends and often have live music so it is a great spot for a sunny evening drink with excellent sunset views.
Very good cafe food, this place gets very busy due to its location so booking is advised in summer.
24 Einheimische empfehlen
Dell Cafe
Wonderful views across Appley Beach in any weather, this cafe is a 20 - 25 minute walk along beautiful Ryde beach from our place.
In summer time they also stay open in the evenings on weekends and often have live music so it is a great spot for a sunny evening drink with excellent sunset views.
Very good cafe food, this place gets very busy due to its location so booking is advised in summer.
Recently renovated, great location, we haven’t been since the renovation but have heard the food is great!
25 Einheimische empfehlen
The Old Fort
EsplanadeRecently renovated, great location, we haven’t been since the renovation but have heard the food is great!
Good coffee and amazing cakes, plus lots of local art and gifts for sale.
Monkton Arts and Lounge Coffee Bar
11 East StGood coffee and amazing cakes, plus lots of local art and gifts for sale.
Chocolate Apothecary
7 EsplanadeExcellent hot chocolate! Warm and cosy atmosphere.
A hidden gem and local favourite - wonderful food in a stunning location.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
The True Food Kitchen
Castlehaven LaneA hidden gem and local favourite - wonderful food in a stunning location.
If you love seafood particularly shellfish this is probably the best place on the Island.
24 Einheimische empfehlen
The Best Dressed Crab Ltd
Embankment RoadIf you love seafood particularly shellfish this is probably the best place on the Island.
Wonderful pub with some of the best food on the Island, great character, a must-eat!
36 Einheimische empfehlen
The Taverners
High StreetWonderful pub with some of the best food on the Island, great character, a must-eat!
Very popular seafood restaurant right on the beach. Booking in advance is advised as it gets very busy.
104 Einheimische empfehlen
The Hut
Colwell Chine RoadVery popular seafood restaurant right on the beach. Booking in advance is advised as it gets very busy.
Looks a bit run down from the outside, but very clean and has the best fish and chips in Ryde.
Wights
41-42 High StreetLooks a bit run down from the outside, but very clean and has the best fish and chips in Ryde.
Lovely cafe set in the grounds of this monastery, very peaceful and tranquil, great local food.
34 Einheimische empfehlen
Quarr Abbey
Quarr RoadLovely cafe set in the grounds of this monastery, very peaceful and tranquil, great local food.
The Pier, Gotland - Brand new for 2024, we haven’t been yet but it’s an amazing location and the food looks fantastic.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Totland Bay
The Pier, Gotland - Brand new for 2024, we haven’t been yet but it’s an amazing location and the food looks fantastic.
Ada Mediterranean Kitchen
55 Union StAmazing pizza, including takeaway
Great pizza takeaway - the best in Ryde in my opinion.
Note that they do not allow dogs if you are dining in.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Restorante Michelangelo
30 St. Thomas StGreat pizza takeaway - the best in Ryde in my opinion.
Note that they do not allow dogs if you are dining in.
I recommend the bar here (not the restaurant) for excellent pub food in a cosy atmosphere, especially the crab ramekin.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
The Seaview Hotel
High StreetI recommend the bar here (not the restaurant) for excellent pub food in a cosy atmosphere, especially the crab ramekin.
Really picturesque little fishing cove, a lovely spot to wander down to for an ice cream, or there’s a tiny cafe at the end that serves a fantastic crab pastie!
70 Einheimische empfehlen
Steephill Cove Chalet
Steephill RoadReally picturesque little fishing cove, a lovely spot to wander down to for an ice cream, or there’s a tiny cafe at the end that serves a fantastic crab pastie!
This place is a beautiful spot right on the beach at Bembridge, and does great seafood platters and desserts!
18 Einheimische empfehlen
The Beach Hut
Forelands Field RoadThis place is a beautiful spot right on the beach at Bembridge, and does great seafood platters and desserts!
Cosy pub - a good place to stop for a drink. A half hour walk along Ryde Beach from our place - very cosy in winter as they usually have a lovely warm fire burning, and in summer the garden has nice sea views.
120 Einheimische empfehlen
The Boathouse
Quay RoadCosy pub - a good place to stop for a drink. A half hour walk along Ryde Beach from our place - very cosy in winter as they usually have a lovely warm fire burning, and in summer the garden has nice sea views.
The Crossing cafe
Lovely little cafe - great for breakfast / brunch
Paseo Tapas Restaurant
New for 2024 - tapas and cocktails
Ryde Tandoori
45 Union StNo64 Ryde
64 George StLagom Coffee Ltd
Excellent coffee and home baked treats
Loaph
New for 2024
Thai Journey Restaurant
Wonderful Thai food
A great old fashioned pub right on the seafront with lots of atmosphere.
78 Einheimische empfehlen
The Spyglass Inn
EsplanadeA great old fashioned pub right on the seafront with lots of atmosphere.
Tramezzini
14 High StWonderful food
Food scene
Pickle & Dill
51 Union StExcellent delicatessen selling local produce
Order online and get amazing cocktails delivered to your door, they are located nearby, and are happy to deliver on short notice (same day) - just let them know when you order that you are staying at the East Street Beach House!
Isle Of Wight Cocktail Co
54 The StrandOrder online and get amazing cocktails delivered to your door, they are located nearby, and are happy to deliver on short notice (same day) - just let them know when you order that you are staying at the East Street Beach House!
Captain Stan's Bembridge Fish Store
5 High StGreat locally caught fish shop
The Farm Shop and No.8 Café
8 High StGreat local produce
Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop
Briddlesford RoadGreat local produce
Heron Lounge
2 Castle StreetWonderful little cocktail bar just a few minutes walk from our place
Useful places
Just a few essentials
St Mary's Hospital
Parkhurst RoadThe only Hospital on the Isle of Wight
LloydsPharmacy
West StreetThis Pharmacy is a 2 minute walk from our place
Hampshire Police
31 Station StThe local Police station in Ryde
Nisa Local
6 Monkton StThe closest convenience store / newsagents to our place
Launderette
125 High StreetThere is a launderette two doors down from the Nisa Local shop on Monkton Street
Sainsbury's Local
23-23A Union StSmall supermarket 10 minute walk from our place
Co-op Food
125 Queen StLarge supermarket 15 minute walk from our place
Wonderful Thai massages, a lovely holiday treat, this place is run out of someone’s house so don’t be put off by the location, they are lovely and friendly and you can book a couples massage.
Little Buddha Retreat Thai traditional massage & Spa
77 St David's RdWonderful Thai massages, a lovely holiday treat, this place is run out of someone’s house so don’t be put off by the location, they are lovely and friendly and you can book a couples massage.
Kids activities
Ryde Beach Sand Playground
23 EsplanadeVery close - a playground a couple of minutes walk from our place.
A 15 minute walk from our place this is a larger sandy playground that is a favourite with smaller children
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Appley Park
Garden WalkA 15 minute walk from our place this is a larger sandy playground that is a favourite with smaller children
The beautiful flat sandy beach here in Ryde is the main draw for children - we do have buckets and spades available for you to borrow on request!
Be aware that at low tide it is a long walk out to the sea so do check your tide times to plan your beach trips.
32 Einheimische empfehlen
Appley Tower
Garden WalkThe beautiful flat sandy beach here in Ryde is the main draw for children - we do have buckets and spades available for you to borrow on request!
Be aware that at low tide it is a long walk out to the sea so do check your tide times to plan your beach trips.
Good fun for smaller children with a helter skelter, carousel, crazy golf and other small rides, but can get expensive - they do however offer wristbands for multiple rides on Saturday afternoon which are good value.
Outside of the funfair the other side of the small park there are also trampolines and an inflatable slide.
Peter Pan Funfair
23 EsplanadeGood fun for smaller children with a helter skelter, carousel, crazy golf and other small rides, but can get expensive - they do however offer wristbands for multiple rides on Saturday afternoon which are good value.
Outside of the funfair the other side of the small park there are also trampolines and an inflatable slide.
Waterside Pool
EsplanadeThey open the roof on sunny days which is nice.
The Canoe lake is pretty with ducks, swans and geese to feed - also at the Eastern end there is a paddling pool for small children open in summertime.
On Sunday mornings you often see pond yachts racing on the lake.
Canoe Lake Road
Canoe Lake RoadThe Canoe lake is pretty with ducks, swans and geese to feed - also at the Eastern end there is a paddling pool for small children open in summertime.
On Sunday mornings you often see pond yachts racing on the lake.
Ryde Superbowl
25 EsplanadeJust over the road from our place behind the bowling alley.
Especially good for family entertainment on rainy days! Just over the road from our place.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Ryde Superbowl
25 EsplanadeEspecially good for family entertainment on rainy days! Just over the road from our place.
There is a nice park in and around the remains of an old fort, as well as tennis courts, crazy golf and another playground.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Puckpool Park
There is a nice park in and around the remains of an old fort, as well as tennis courts, crazy golf and another playground.
Excellent local surf school for all ages and abilities
iSurf - Surf School (Mainly for schools and groups and Paddle Boarding)
Avenue Road SlipwayExcellent local surf school for all ages and abilities
Antique Shops
We enjoy a good rummage in a junk or antique shop so I list a few of our favourites here...
Jacks
75 Union StDeja Vu
17 Union StUnion Street Ryde
Wild Oak Farm IOW Ltd
New for 2024 Farm shop & emporium, and coffee shop
Tipps für Reisende
Nicht verpassen
Go Eats app - https://www.goeatsuk.com/
https://www.goeatsuk.com/
This app gives you access to local takeaway and delivery services, and even delivers convenience supplies/shopping to your door.
They also have an app for booking taxis - https://gotaxis.co/
Nicht verpassen
Car Boots facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/isleofwight.carboot.sales/
The best place to learn about local car boot sales and markets