A glorious boozer which in the hour we spent there hosted a very colourful (literally) array of…read morepunters ranging from bikers (unexpectedly, discussing the upkeep of irises), psychedelically dressed hippies and a bunch of visiting golfers in smart shorts. A great place to stop off to experience a slice of Ventnor town life. They have an ample, varied and well-kept selection of ales on tap, and a 8% cider. There's also a fair range of whiskeys and decent looking wine (I saw a cotes du rhone).

So you get bored of the seafront pubs and bars in Ventnor and you want to search for a decent pint…read more Head for the Volunteer, a TINY pub in the backstreets of Ventnor, a block away from the cliff. Sit quietly in the corner and enjoy the local conversation with a pint of something real - always 4 or five real ales on (or at least whenever I've been there), usually including at least one from the local Ventnor brewery. Repeat.

Bonchurch Inn is a quaint old multi-roomed pub with some decent wine (house white was French…read moreburgundy) and some local ale on tap. Food wise the garlic bread was yummy but I was disappointed with the bland crab spaghetti, although as bf rightly pointed out seafood pasta always disappoints! I would recommend instead the lasagna which was much more tasty. The zablaglione dessert was sensational - it basically tastes like hot liquid boozy meringue and don't get it if you don't have a (very) sweet tooth, but for those who do it is a must try! Staff were very friendly and it's a convivial place to spend an evening, I imagine it's especially cost in winter.

I would like to put a shout out for the Bonchurch Inn for doing a great job of accommodating us…read morevegans without any advance notice! We went there knowing the menu didn't have much that would work, but my brother was staying at the Inn, so we figured we'd eat chips or something. Anyway, the cook's sister-in-law happens to be vegan, so he was used to thinking up ideas. He created 4 "vegan surprises" for us. They were delicious. Curried quinoa with jackfruit. (I mean, who happens to just have jackfruit kicking about the place?!) Really tasty, and great, personable service. The others seemed happy with their pizzas and stuff, too, but mostly I wanted to share about our positive vegan experience. Nice little Inn, a good local beer from the barrel, and good selection of wine and kids' drinks.

We stopped in Godshill for dinner after an afternoon sightseeing (Orborne house and grounds, and…read morethen the Brading Roman Villa), because I'd seen it recommended on Yelp. We parked down the street and walked here, and it was pretty busy around 4pm. I'd wanted to try some local cheeses while in the UK, so I ordered a cheese platter (6.95 pounds) as an appetizer and the Duck platter for my main. The cheese plate included crackers, some fruit paste, apple slices, and three local cheeses. I wasn't a huge fan of the crackers, which reminded me sort of like communion wafers in taste. The cheese was tasty, but I neglected to write down which cheeses we ate, so I can't really remember those. The Duck plate... Holy cow! Delicious! It came with gravy, on a bed of (red?) cabbage. I remember the way the salty, tender meat went together SO WELL with the gravy, combining the savory with the mild tang of the cabbage. As I was eating it, I was actually surprised by how flavorful the meal was. I can't say I eat duck a lot, but the way they'd prepared it really brought out the salty, savory taste. PROS: -Delicious, hearty pub fare. -Lots of locally sourced ingredients, from the meat and cheese, to the vegetables. -Cozy atmosphere, with a lot of exposed bricks and wood. CONS: -I wasn't a huge fan of the provided crackers... they reminded me of communion wafers, though I imagine there's some specific reason for that lack of flavor (to really highlight the taste of the cheese, perhaps?). -Small parking lot; I could see this place easily getting packed. THE VERDICT: This was the perfect place to stop for a meal after our long day. We arrived hungry, and left satisfied. The food proved to be delicious, simple fare, made from local ingredients and seasoned oh-so-perfectly. A fairly happening spot when we were there, I would definitely consider coming back here again if I was ever in the area.

After a day out sightseeing and driving around the countryside, we decided to stop into The…read moreTaverners to partake of happy hour. The interior is welcoming with a definite quaint, homelike feel, from the rustic beams to the uneven floor (fear not: cardboard coasters are provided with the express purpose of steadying any wobbly tables or errant chair legs). An interesting feature is the large blackboard on the wall indicating via colored dots what is at the peak of its taste and freshness (meat/fish/fowl) according to the season. There is a lot to see here, including pet-owners bringing their dogs to this pup-friendly pub (note: there is a container of dog biscuits at the ready). It seems like this pub also has an international following, as at one point I heard a group of tourists speaking English (but not quite) at a neighboring table. I later found out that they were visiting from Canada. Surprisingly for a pub, the wine list is comprehensive, even rivaling that of some restaurants. As happy hour was quickly morphing into the dinner hour, we decided to take a look at the menu. I appreciated that the offerings were accessible and local/seasonal in nature as it is often tricky navigating a menu in an unfamiliar country. After some deliberation, I decided on the dover sole (excellent and very moist with the bone still in) and my Aunt had the roast with seasonal vegetables. This was a leisurely meal, with none of the rushed feeling or hovering that often evidences itself in dining establishments. I wish that I could magically transport The Taverners to a corner near me so that it could become a new favorite watering hole, especially as the cold winter months approach. For now, I will just have to content myself with filing it away as a quality eating and drinking option for the next time I am in England.

Fabtastic food, the ultimate burger sure lives up to its name. The service is absolutely brilliant,…read morethere was a very friendly young waitress called scarlett who had a constant smile on her face. Lovely location, lots of seating inside and outside and a beautiful view looking out to sea.

I love this pub. I lived in the Isle of Wight for 7 months and out of all the places I tried (and I…read moretried many - research, of course) this was my favourite. I ran a B&B and would often send my guests here to sample their food while overlooking the beautiful countryside that surrounds this gem. The food isn't exquisite but it's reasonably priced for what you get and it's usually well cooked. The staff are friendly and there's plenty of seating both inside and out on the patio overlooking the sea should it be a nice enough day. There's plenty to entertain the kids with an indoor play area in the garden and some swings. If you're in the Isle of Wight I highly recommend you visit Chale. The scenery is stark and beautiful with the rolling hills complimented by the cliffs and sea for as far as the eye can see. Driving along the coast you can regularly see all kinds of birds of prey including hard-to-find Merlins. If birds don't take your fancy, keep your eye out for the kite surfers which can occasionally be seen out to sea. Great fun to watch, particularly if they're show offs and perform all their best tricks, which most of them do. All in all, this is a great day out no matter your age or interests. I hope to return soon.

This unique thatched pub nestles on the beach at the foot of the picturesque Shanklin Chine, and…read moredates back to 1817. They have regular live entertainment throughout the season. It is the ideal place to bring the family - dogs and children are welcome - relax and sample the varied menu and their range of good real ales. Open: Mar - Oct, times vary throughout the season.

Charming and quiet, with boaty beach side tables. Inside a bit odd; like you've just walked into…read moresomeones house only to discover they have put a small bar in the living room.

Nice services waiters were very friendly but I asked for my steak medium rare and it came well…read moredone, took quite a while for food to come out. But overall a good meal. Ambiance is nice good overall vibe.

Roast dinner was good. Only thing I would say was sayThe meal I recently enjoyed was quite…read moresatisfying overall. The quality of the food was certainly up to par, and the flavors were well-balanced. My only suggestion for improvement would be to increase the portion of gravy served. A little extra gravy would have elevated the dish to an even higher level of enjoyment. Overall, it was a positive dining experience.

Went for lunch on Sunday there were five of us Booked for…read more1:30, however recieved call and told us could only do 2:30. Needed to impress a non local visitor. Sunday lunch was cold so ordered new but was reheated instead. Gravy good but rest was an abomination. Potatoes were not roast and had never seen an oven. Veg was blanched and needed a stake knife to cut. Chicken was yesterdays leftovers and was very tough. I am sad, for many yrs it was my local pub. Ordered a doggy bag but food made dog ill. Asked to pay 7% service charge; NO WAY.

A wonderful find. This oldy worldy pub is a true delight, particularly on a dreich rainy winter…read moreday with its glowing open fire. We stopped in after a bracing coastal walk for some lunch and the food is excellent. Decent portions, a varied menu plus daily specials, welcoming and friendly staff. Dog friendly too. Serves lunch until 2.30pm. Highly recommended.