Holidays on the Isle of Wight cater to all manner of interests, whether you love marvelling at historic houses that ooze royal charm or walking along the coastline, soaking up reaching sea views as you go.
Naturally, whether you’re lacing up the walking boots or charging up the camera, there’s one thing that calls out to every visitor to the Island during their stay… Food, glorious food! Oh yes, the Isle of Wight – known far and wide as the Garden Isle – is a sea-locked powerhouse of culinary delights, including button-popping Sunday roasts, toothsome vegan eateries, and oh-so-tempting farm shops that make full use of the Island’s natural larder.
For those wanting to celebrate something special, or just enjoy a top-notch dining experience, the Island is ready to cater to your every need with a selection of Michelin recommended restaurants that are sure to whet and then utterly satisfy your appetite.
Diners are in for a superb selection of options, from mouth-watering a la cartes to tasting menus that give guests the chance to eat their way through an epic love letter to the Island’s home-grown produce.
Feeling hungry? Here’s our guide to the great Michelin restaurants on the Isle of Wight…
The Hut, Colwell Bay
Colwell Chine Road, Colwell Bay, Freshwater PO40 9NP
Providing an easy-going atmosphere and food totally deserving of a Michelin recommendation, The Hut is one of the most sought-after restaurants on the Isle of Wight. The sea views are unmatched, with nothing between you and the azure waters but the glass of the windows. The interiors match the calming blue of the waves with a maritime décor that pairs perfectly with the seafood-focused menu.
Speaking of… You can look forward to a mouth-watering array of dishes that really make the most of this stunning coastal location. Octopus, fish tacos, and lemon sole are just some of the spectacular seafood dishes on the menu, while the likes of burgers, spicy Korean poussin, and rib-eye steak offer something for the landlubbers. A dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu is available too, offering green-fingered guests dishes such as Indonesian curry and mushroom risotto to name but a tasty few.
The Rooftop Bar is quite literally next level and serves up incredible cocktails, mocktails, and crisp wines and beers all with unbeatable views. Come along for a dreamy lunch, romantic dinner, or waterside cocktails with friends – this chilled eatery does it all. As such, it is highly in demand so we recommend booking far in advance – it’s absolutely worth the wait!
The Terrace, Yarmouth
Quay Street, Yarmouth PO41 0PB
Perched on the harbour in Yarmouth, with views that make the most of the waterside locale and Yarmouth Castle, The Terrace is a masterclass in seaside ambiance and style, which has earned it a place on our list of the best places to eat on the Island. Giving the Michelin recommended eatery its name, you’ll find two fabulous terraces here where you can sink into the Bridgman furniture and soak up the peaceful surroundings – beautiful glass shelters are on hand too to ensure you can enjoy your visit whatever the weather. Dogs are welcome in both areas so you can bring your pooch for an evening of pampered dining. For a cosier setting that still boasts exceptional views, the sleek dining room is ideal for year-round feasting.
What’s on the menu, you ask? What isn’t on the menu, as a whole host of creative dishes vie for your attention at The Terrace. Seasonal produce and daily catches are at the heart of the restaurant, meaning the menu is an ever-changing celebration of local produce. Garlic (the island even has its own garlic festival!), crab, lobster, and fabulously fresh tomatoes are just some of the ingredients to come from on the Island, with a veritable smorgasbord of cheeses being made mere minutes from the door. When it comes to the dishes themselves, you can expect the likes of fresh crab with a crispy potato terrine and an apple and fennel salad to start, steamed mussels or roast pork chop with roasted fig, garlic courgettes, sautéed potatoes, and a dreamy sage and walnut butter to follow, and a vanilla panna cotta with port poached pear and a ginger crumb to finish.
If you can’t wait for the evening for your epic feed, make the most of their tempting breakfast, brunch, lunchtime, and light bites menus, which promise days full of bubble and squeak, ham hock terrine, and sticky ginger cake for good measure. Of course, whether you visit in the light of day or the cosy cast of night, you can wash your toothsome meal down with a glass of something special. A menu of 40 classic and quirky wines will ensure there’s the perfect pairing for your meal, while a host of gins, beers and deliciously warming hot drinks cater to every fancy or time of day.
Smoking Lobster at Foresters Hall, Cowes
30 Sun Hill, Cowes, PO31 7HY
Enjoying a prime position in one of the Island’s bustling waterside towns, the Smoking Lobster has made a name for itself as a friendly and colourful place to eat for locals and visitors alike. Boasting a beautifully modern decor, with some exceptional international art adorning the walls, the Smoking Lobster promises a wonderfully laidback atmosphere in which to dine on some lip-smacking Mediterranean-inspired dishes. On sunny days, the pretty stone terrace beckons for sun-soaked dining - the most authentic way to enjoy a bowl of freshly made pasta!
Serving lunch Friday to Sunday and dinner Thursday to Saturday, Smoking Lobster makes full use of local suppliers, from locally sourced seafood to wine from Cowes’ own highstreet. Start your Michelin recommended meal with the likes of beef cheek cannelloni or pan-roasted scallops, followed by wild mushroom risotto or poached pollock, and finish your feast with warm treacle tart or a selection of British cheeses with chutney and crackers. On Sundays, an extended lunch service provides a fabulous end to the week, with a selection of Sunday roasts filling the menu and plates, from roast venison to sirloin of beef - with all the trimmings, of course! A range of bar snacks are on offer for those who are looking for something tasty to nibble while they enjoy a glass of something refreshing, with locally-made Gallybagger Gougeres a particular favourite.
The Hambrough, Ventnor
Hambrough Road, Ventnor PO38 1SQ
Enjoying uninterrupted views of Ventnor Bay, The Hambrough delivers jaw-dropping views with a menu to match - more than earning its spot in the Michelin guide. Alongside the sleek and welcoming dining room, the garden room offers a space for celebrations, from private parties to intimate weddings, when you can also enjoy exclusive access to the glorious garden. On sunny days, the secret garden provides an oasis of tranquillity where you can enjoy a cocktail (or two), a relaxed lunch, or a sun-soaked afternoon tea. If you’re simply looking for somewhere to wet your whistle while soaking up the sea views, the bar is open daily for tea, coffee, cocktails, or a glass from their extensive wine list, all with the glittering sea as your backdrop.
Award-winning Executive Chef Matthew Tomkinson certainly knows how to put on a good spread, with a menu that features locally grown and reared ingredients wherever possible. To start in the evenings, you can dine on a Cornish crab salad with Isle of White tomatoes or a lasagne of slow cooked oxtail with fresh saffron pasta. Mains range from the rich flavours of roasted venison with game and herb sausage and caramelised local squash, honey roasted guinea fowl with stuffed Roscoff onion and a crisp croquette, or a roasted hispi cabbage with a red onion falafel and smoked aubergine puree. When it comes to dessert, you can finish your culinary journey with peach sorbet with Grey Goose vodka for a more refreshing end, or you can go classic with The Hambrough’s famous apple tart. And if you have any space, a coffee with some homemade chocolate ought to do the trick!
Lunchtimes are equally appetising, with a choice between slow cooked heritage beetroot with whipped feta or home smoked salmon chowder for starters, Isle of Wight lamb with minted vegetables or grilled stone bass with cauliflower puree and roasted local cabbage for main, and iced praline parfait or Calamansi lime cheesecake for dessert – you might not need dinner after a lunchtime spread like this!
Aquitania, Seaview
High Street, Seaview PO34 5EX
Not only does Aquitania boast a Bib Gourmand, but it has also held two AA Rosette’s for six consecutive years alongside a selection of other accolades, so you know you’re in for a truly delicious treat! A wonderfully intimate restaurant, Aquitania is perfect for a romantic meal with your loved one or a cosy celebration with friends and family. If you want to really make the most of your visit, we recommend checking out the Pump Bar for a drink before your meal. Boasting a cosy and quirky setting, it’s the ultimate place to wet your whistle before tasting your way through the award-winning restaurant.
Combining a modern British menu with an Island twist, you’re in for a culinary treat when you book in at Aquitania. Seared scallops with homemade black pudding and chorizo jam catch the eye amidst the starters, while the sautéed herb gnocchi with crispy kale and butternut squash has our taste buds tingling from the mains – although a spot of Isle of White surf and turf always hits the spot too. Finish off your foodie experience with a divine limoncello panna cotta or indulge in a warm dark chocolate fondant with all the chocolatey trimmings. With a real focus on seasonal produce, you can enjoy an ever-changing menu that really shines a light on the Island’s bounty. A lip-smacking wine list featuring a heady mix of whites, reds, rosés, and sparkling wines ensures every plate is perfectly accompanied.
The Red Lion, Freshwater
Church Place, Freshwater PO40 9BP
Traditional to its core and with three Isle of Wight Dining Pub of the Year awards under its belt, it’s of little wonder The Red Lion now finds itself in the Michelin Guide. Cosy vibes and classic chic can be found throughout the welcoming pub, with a fireplace keeping the dining room toasty in the winter and a beer garden for those gloriously sunny days. Visit for a refreshing local pint after a breathtaking coastal walk with the dog (four-legged friends are welcome inside and out) or settle down for a lip-smacking feast worthy of its Michelin recommendation.
The menu boasts seasonal, local food wherever possible, with plenty of herbs and veg grown in their very own garden. Feast on seared scallops, beef crumpets, or rosemary and butternut squash risotto to start, confit pork belly, Isle of Wight sirloin steak, or truffle cauliflower mac and cheese for mains, and lemon and raspberry tart or a belly-popping Red Lion cheese board to finish off.
Alongside this ever-changing (and delighting) menu, you’ll find a variety of refreshing beers and fine wines to choose from - not to mention the many spirits that line the traditional bar. If you’re looking for a thirst and soul-quenching spot in Freshwater, this cosy Island inn is the perfect place to unwind in relaxed style.
Browse our welcoming collection of holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight and start planning your food-filled, Michelin-approved escape - there’s no better way to get a taste of Island life!
