“Which Isle of Wight café or restaurant would you recommend to someone visiting for the very first time?”

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The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor

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Yarbridge Inn, Brading

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Blacksmiths, near Newport

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The Steamer Inn, Shanklin

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The Wight Mouse Inn, Chale

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Dairyman’s Daughter, Arreton

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Gossips Café, Yarmouth

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Harvey Browns, Arreton

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The Garlic Farm, Newchurch

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Long John Eater, Ryde

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Smoking Lobster, Ventnor

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St Clare

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Spyglass Inn outside seating

We asked, you answered: Recommended by the people who know the Isle of Wight best the ones who visit, live it, love it and never stop finding delicious new corners of it!

The Isle of Wight's top 10 nost-recommended places to eat

Isle of Wight

Where to eat

Wightlink

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newtown creek nature reserve 976x656

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Vegan food (Canva stock)

slomo-sauna

SloMo sauna

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Dog-walk-on-Appley-Beach-1170x720-1024x630

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Amazon-World-Explorer-Image-Lisa's-Photo-774x434

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Kristian-and-Bex-on-Headon-Warren-with-dog-1170x720-1024x630

Beat the January blues with a winter trip to the Isle of Wight. Explore beaches, wildlife, saunas and cosy pubs — the perfect start to 2026

Things to Do on the Isle of Wight in January 2026

Things to do

Curtain up for 2026: new museums and cultural experiences

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A sign for Kings Coastal Path

Go wild: coastlines, peaks and starry skies

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A group of friends walking across a bridge in Manchester

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Peaky Blinders Pub Birmingham

Britain on screen: 2026 film & TV highlights

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Cardiff Castle - A DJ using music decks on a stage overlooking a crowd in the grounds

Tastes of 2026: new flavours and spirited openings

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London's Southbank at night

Discover Britain’s biggest events and openings in 2026 – from new museums and festivals to scenic trails. Sail from the Isle of Wight with Wightlink.

Mainland Adventures 2026 – New Openings & Events | Wightlink

Mainland

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New Forest

Panto Fun – Aladdin at the Kings Theatre & Snow White at New Theatre Royal

Christmasville - Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

A Palace House Christmas – Beaulieu, New Forest

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Spinnaker Tower Santa

Santa’s Toymaker Workshop - Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

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Longleat Christmas illuminations (2)

Festival of Light: British Icons with Wallace and Gromit & Friends – Longleat, Wiltshire

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Aerial view of a grand palace exterior courtyard.

‘The Palace of Oz’ – Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Walking in the Air: The Snowman™ Live Tour – Nationwide

All aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ – Various UK locations

Santa – The Visit – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Twilight Tales – Winter Island, Manchester

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Group of friends observing an immersive art installation with glowing jellyfish and tree like structures

The Last Sprouts – Wake the Tiger, Bristol

Luminate Light Trails 2025 – Various UK locations

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Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, Hampshire, Great Britain 29th November 2024 Press preview Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Light Up Festive light art installationsRuns Thursday 28 November 2024 – Wednesday 1 January 2025*,

Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens – Hampshire

A Royal Christmas at Highgrove, near Tetbury, Cotswolds

Sail from the Isle of Wight for festive fun you can’t find at home. From light trails and steam trains to THE POLAR EXPRESS™ and The Snowman™ Live, discover the best Christmas days out on the mainland with Wightlink.

Mainland Adventures This Christmas – Festive Days Out from the Isle of Wight for Islanders with Wightlink

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James Rayner

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Wight Whisky - Wight Garden can

Wight Whisky - Wight Garden (250ml) x 12 - £45

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Grace's giftbox hamper made up with scones, cheese, chutney and tea

Grace’s Bakery - Savoury Afternoon Tea - £28

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Festive Food from the Isle of Wight 2 (2)

Island Leaf - All Day Breakfast - Loose Leaf (90g)  - £4.95

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South Island Pale Ale

Goddard’s Brewery - South Island Pale Ale (12 bottles) - £33.60

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Vampire Relish - Garlic Farm

Garlic Farm - Vampire Relish - Hot Tomato Salsa - £4.95

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Festive Food from the Isle of Wight (5)

Frostbite Bakery - Boris The Beast - £180

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Festive Food from the Isle of Wight (2)

Isle of Wight Distillery - Mermaid Pink Gin (70cl) - £41

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Briddlesford - A cheese, tomato and rocket sandwich on white bread is on a chopping board alongside a packet of cheddar cheese

Briddlesford Farm Dairy - Cheddar Cheese - £5.40

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Jaspers Coffee espresso machine

Jasper’s Coffee - Single Origin Colombian Coffee (200g) - £15.95

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Isle of Wight Tomatoes Romesco sauce with plate of food

Tomato Stall - Romesco Tomato Sauce - £4.50

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Festive Food from the Isle of Wight (3)

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Festive Food from the Isle of Wight 2 (3)

Isle of Wight Grain - Strong White Flour - £3.50

Food and drink from the Island’s talented farmers, makers, brewers and bakers. Perfect Christmas gifts for the foodie in your life.

Festive Food Guide - Isle of Wight gifts for foodies

Shopping

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Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (10)

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Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (7)

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Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (4)

Christmas Stocking Fillers from the Isle of Wight

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Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (9)

The best gifts for everyone this Christmas, made on the Isle of Wight

Gifts for a Wight Christmas

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Moble Sauna in Wales

Pause, breathe, repeat: wellness and mindful retreats

Trails, peaks and moonlight views: nature and scenic exploration

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Two friends eating bowls of food on a mezzanine

From forage to feast: innovative food and drink experiences

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A group of people practising yoga on a beach

Escape the everyday this January with Wightlink. Sail from the Isle of Wight for wellness retreats, foodie adventures and scenic trails across the mainland.

Mainland Wellness & Winter Escapes This January | Wightlink

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The Christmas Imaginarium Ryde

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Tapnell Farm Park - Santa-1

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Santa-Special-snow_Ian-Pratt-1920x1280

Festive Specials at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

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A close up of a Christmas tree - blog image

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Woman shopping with paper bags at Christmas

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Southern Vectic Christmas Lights Bus tour 1

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The-Cow-Tapnell-Farm-Christmas-Wreath-Making-decorations-2021

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Chilly-Hilly-Ed-Garbett-photo-3

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Battered food on a wooden board - credit Canva

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Aerial view of Osborne House - blog image

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Ventnor Beach, Isle of Wight

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Santa-at-IWSR-1920x1280

Plan your perfect Isle of Wight Christmas 2025 – visit Santa, explore festive markets, enjoy cosy pubs and make magical memories by the sea.

Christmas on the Isle of Wight | Your 2025 Festive Guide

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Darragh Gray

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The Ale House in Cowes - Darragh Gray

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The Star Coffee and Ale House in Ryde - Darragh Gray

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Newport’s Castle Inn - Darragh Gray

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The Griffin in Godshill - Darragh Gray

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Beers at Bembridge’s Pilot Boat Inn - Darragh Gray

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Fisherman’s Cottage in Shanklin - Darragh Gray

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The Volunteer in Ventnor - Darragh Gray

the-buddle-inn-darragh-gray

The Buddle Inn - Darragh Gray

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The Red Lion - Wightlink Dog Friendly

Discover 12 of the cosiest pubs on the Isle of Wight — from smugglers’ inns to seaside taverns. Perfect spots for autumn walks, log fires and great beer.

The Isle of Wight’s top 10 most-recommended places to eat

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in January

What’s new on the Mainland? Events and Adventures in 2026

Mainland Adventures This Christmas – Festive Days Out On The North Island

Festive Food Guide – Isle of Wight gifts for foodies

Gifts for a Wight Christmas

Mainland Moments – start the new year with a winter escape

Dreaming of a Wight Christmas: your festive guide to the Isle of Wight

Cosy Isle of Wight pubs for cooler months

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in November

The Dark Side of the Wight

Spacious Stays for a Magical Christmas on the Isle of Wight