Recently stayed at the Royal with my wife for our wedding anniversary. The room was very well appointed and spacious, but the main draw for us was the outstanding food! We ate in every night!

www.royalhoteliow.co.uk
Belgrave Road, Ventnor, Isle Of Wight PO38 1JJ
+44(0)1983 852 186
Google map: bit.ly/p6CJHt

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The Wightlink catamaran crossing to the Isle of Wight only takes 15mins, but stepping onto Ryde pier is like rewinding the clocks fifty years. The church spire piercing the sky, the streets stacked like books. Sweet shops, fish and chips, tea rooms.... Despite the Islands attempts to re-invent itself for the 21st Century with Dinosaur museums and two of the summer seasons best music venues ( Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival) it still retains its old fashioned charm. Days of digging sandcastles, the best sand at Sandown naturally, sipping tea, try the Cameron Tearooms in Freshwater, and for an ice cream to lick all others then Minghella’s is a must. Chase waves at Cowes week and Vampires at the Garlic Festival. Catch a steamtrain at Havenstreet and re-live that glorious bloomer waving scene from The Railway Children. Just don’t expect to get anywhere in a hurry, take your time round those looping lanes and seafront promenades.

The Island is bright and vibrant in the summer season but off season it becomes windswept and bleakly beautiful. Walking Tennyson Down, or down to Steephill Cove, for those who like their holidays wrapped in fleeces and hoofed with stout shoes. Enough bracing sea air to have a meal at The Spyglass Inn in Ventnor without needing to loosen your belt.

To quote Jane Austen, ‘She thinks of nothing but the Isle of Wight, and she calls it the Island, as if there were no other island in the world.’ Pay it a visit and judge for yourself.

Google map: tinyurl.com/35n2bmg

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This small restaurant, serving Thai food, is a great pick. The menu offers a wide choice of dishes and having tried a few different ones, I have to say they are all equally delicious.

The food is always perfectly cooked and offers exceptional value for money. The atmosphere is very friendly and the staff are delightful. An absolute must for those who enjoy Thai food. It is best to book ahead however, as they do get very busy.

Black Cat
83 High Street
Shanklin, PO37 6NR

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The Tiffin Room is a bit of an anomaly - a classy Indian restaurant in the land of cream teas and ice-creams, otherwise known as the Isle of Wight.

It's attached to Bonchurch Manor, a B&B housed in a smart Victorian house with sea views but you don't have to be a guest to eat there. The food is delicious - the masala dosa was the best I've tasted and sea bass cooked in coconut, tamarind and coriander was fantastic.

Standard curry house fare is often too rich and heavy but this food - cooked by B&B owner Shuba Rao - is light and delicately spiced.
The wine list - chosen by Shuba's husband Mark - impressive too and amazingly good value.

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Seafood and steak restaurant in a simply stunning location, right on the waters edge at the eastern end of the Solent. We visited for lunch in midsummer and moored up just off the beach on one of their mooring buoys (free of charge!) Had moules mariniere followed by local lobster, crab and seabass - all washed down with an extremely agreeable bottle of wine. Wow! such fabulous food and impeccable service in a perfect location! Indeed so nice was it that we stayed overnight and went back for full English breakfast. Highly recommended - insanely popular.

The Waterfront, St Helens, Isle of Wight 01983 873259

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An excellent fish and steak restaurant on the beach at St Helens. When I went I had fantastic mussels. I recommend cycling there if you can.

Duver Road, St. Helens, Isle of Wight;
tel: 01983 873 259

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