Last updated: 29 July 2023
Are you looking for a weekend trip from London where you can explore a unique and exciting island which is home to a relatively unknown foodie paradise? Well, look no further than the Isle of Wight. Just a quick 2 hour train journey from central London, the Isle of Wight is fast becoming the latest destination for succulent seafood, delectable desserts, and craft beers aplenty.
Isle of Wight Restaurants
We recently partnered with Red Funnel Ferries and I visited the Isle of Wight to explore the burgeoning foodie and restaurant scene. I did make sure that I packed my comfy slacks….
Let’s Talk Breakfast: The Garlic Farm
This family-run farm and restaurant has been growing garlic on the Isle of Wight for over 50 years. The Garlic Farm is not only famous on the Isle of Wight, it has an international reputation for being the home of all things garlic; from amazing garlic-infused food, varieties of garlic-laden products, and pretty much everything else you can think of when it comes to garlic.
If you’re the type of person who loves the taste of garlic and appreciates its healthy life producing properties then you’re going to love a visit to The Garlic Farm. However, if you’re not so much of a garlic fan then not to worry, there’s definitely something on offer to enjoy during your visit.
We visited for breakfast and it’s a good thing that we brought our appetites because there was plenty of choice on offer. From the traditional full English breakfast with a garlic twist to scrambled eggs and salmon on toast to the vegetarian breakfast, there’s something on the menu to tingle all taste buds.
I’m not one to pass up a big breakfast so I ordered The Garlic Farm Breakfast which included toast, eggs, bacon, garlic mushrooms, baked beans, and a sausage. Was there something missing? Yes, indeed the black pudding. Now, those of you who appreciate black pudding will be happy to know that it’s included in the Breakfast Scotch Egg so the option is there if you want it…
For those of you who know me are aware that I appreciate a good serving of tomato sauce (ketchup) with my breakfast and the garlic-infused ketchup on offer was the perfect accompaniment. Yes, garlic-infused ketchup.
The Garlic Farm restaurant where we enjoyed our breakfast was a large open space surrounded by glass windows looking out over the green (and misty) farm lands of the estate. We sat a table which had windows overlooking the kitchen courtyard which turned out to be a popular meeting place for some large peacocks; yup, breakfast and a show.
Take Home Some Garlic With You
Once you’ve finished breakfast, head back towards the restaurant entrance and explore the interior of the Garlic Farm gift shop. The perfect place to pick up a variety of garlic-infused products, some of which are delicious like the garlic chutneys and condiments, and others which definitely raise an eyebrow (garlic beer, anyone?)
A Walk Along The Farm
The Garlic Farm is actually a working farm and it’s something that the owners are very proud of and encourage their customers to explore. The farmlands are well sign-posted which means that you’re free to explore and enjoy the sights of the farm and the surrounds. One of my highlights was visiting the large enclosure of the highland cows, I know that if Roma was there then she would have been so excited “ermahgerd they’re so fluffy”
The Essentials
- Location: Mersley Lane, Newchurch, Sandown PO36 0NR
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm (public holidays may differ)
- Cost: £8.95 (Garlic Farm Breakfast)
- Russell’s Recommendation: Explore the farm grounds, it’s really interesting
Looking for Lunch: Thompson’s
The name Thompson’s is synonymous with the highest standard of food preparation, delectable dishes, and an experience which continues to draw crowds across the Isle and the mainland. Owned and operated by Chef Robert Thompson, the youngest British chef in history to be awarded a Michelin star at the age of 26, a visit to Thompson’s is a must-have experience whilst on the Isle of Wight.
Located in Newport (a quick 15 min drive from Cowes), Thompson’s is open for both lunch and dinner throughout the year. We visited Thompson’s in December to dine on the popular Lunch Menu, a menu which can be experienced as a Lunch Tasting Menu (£49) or separately in a 1, 2, or 3 course option. If you’re interested in the full experience then it’s worth taking the matching wine flight option (£79).
Roasted Local Squash and Miso Soup
Roasted Orkney Scallop with Glazed Chicken Wings
Pan Roasted Fillet of Stone Bass
Slow Cooked Dingley Dell Pork Belly & Roasted Loin
Glazed Gypsy Tart with Orange, Clove, & Anise
By the end of the meal, I was close to falling into a food coma. If we didn’t have existing plans to visit the Cowes Christmas Market then I may have just given in to the urge to nap… The entire meal was cooked to perfection and was easily one of the best meals I personally have had in a long time. I cannot recommend a visit to Thompson’s highly enough, you won’t be disappointed.
The Essentials
- Location:11 Town Lane, Newport PO30 1JU
- Opening Hours: Tues – Sat 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm / 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Cost: Lunch tasting menu £49 with matching wine flight £79
- Russell’s Recommendation: It’s a must visit! Don’t miss out
Where to Dine for Dinner: The Coast
When visiting Cowes and searching for the best place to go for dinner, you can’t go past The Coast, a modern restaurant which serves a variety of locally sourced and freshly seasoned modern meals, such as Hake, Venison, and Rib-eye Steaks.
We visited on a Saturday night in December and as you’d expect, the place was full of customers celebrating their Christmas parties and doing their best to get the holiday season underway. The first thing that I noticed was that despite the restaurant being full, I didn’t feel as though my personal space was being encroached upon, always a great outcome.
There were plenty of choices for the starter and I almost ordered one of the many seafood options on offer but I just couldn’t resist the Chicken Liver Parfait, it looked too good to pass up.
I completely get that pate isn’t for everyone, in fact I am pretty sure that Roma and I have this discussion every time I order it. What can I say? I’ve acquired the taste for it and it was a good decision in this situation, it was full-bodied and flavorsome.
You expect that a restaurant located on an island will focus on serving up succulent seafood and in the case of The Coast, you’d be correct. The moment I saw that fresh mussels were on the menu, I was sold. I knew exactly what I would be ordering for my main course.
When my main course arrived I thought there had been a mistake, I thought I’d accidentally ordered the sharing platter, the serving was enormous! I affectionately referred to my plate as Mussel Mountain, as mountain climbers would often stop to catch their breath on their way to the summit, I did so whilst working my way through the gargantuan portion.
After conquering Mussel Mountain, I needed a break. Actually, what I felt I really needed was a hammock in a quiet corner of the restaurant but instead I ordered a nightcap, a Bulleit bourbon neat, the perfect way to wind down a wonderful meal at The Coast.
The Essentials
- Location:15 Shooters Hill, Cowes PO31 7BG
- Opening Hours: Everyday. 9 am to midnight. Fri/Sat open til 1 am.
- Cost: The menu is available here
- Russell’s Recommendation: Order the mussels. You won’t regret it!
Final Thoughts
The Isle of Wight is the perfect location for a weekend trip from London, an island full of history and culture but also where you can delight your taste buds with fantastic meals at a variety of top restaurants and unique experiences.
Have you visited the Isle of Wight? Did you enjoy it?
Let us know in the comments below!
Disclaimer
In the interest of full disclosure, we partnered with Red Funnel Ferries during my visit to the Isle of Wight. I was given full creative control to create a post on any experience provided over the weekend. This post contains some affiliate links to third-party websites. Some of you may ask what’s an affiliate link? They are links to select third-party websites. If you purchase anything using the links provided (at no extra cost to you), we earn a small fee, which helps keep the lights on and the content flowing at roamingrequired.com
