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Eating out on a budget on the Isle of Wight
Fed up of being ripped off in some bar in the Costa Del Grot because you can't convert pounds to Euros? Come to the Isle of Wight where the locals are friendly and the food is (sometimes) cheap. Here is our guide to cheap pub and restaurant meals.
If you're trying to impress someone, I would go for one of the Isle of Wight's restaurants with a sea view instead.
If you're trying to impress someone, I would go for one of the Isle of Wight's restaurants with a sea view instead.
1. Use a Tastecard or Gourmet Society
These require an investment but once you've got one you usually get 50% off or 2 for 1 as long as you don't eat on a Friday or Saturday. You can get a special offer when you join Taste Card which then entitles you to deals at some Isle of Wight restaurants (there were two last time we counted). The list changes regularly but you can see most of them on the Tastecard website.
Gourmet Society offer a similar deal and there are free trials available. There looks to be two locations that offer discounts on the Isle of Wight (usually 2 for 1 or 25% off).
Gourmet Society offer a similar deal and there are free trials available. There looks to be two locations that offer discounts on the Isle of Wight (usually 2 for 1 or 25% off).
Have you read our guide to discount Isle of Wight ferry travel or holiday parks?
2. THE SLOOP INN, WOOTTON BRIDGE
The word 'carvery' will either make you salivate or carry on driving to the next pub. Assuming it's the former then the Sloop is worth a go. It's a Stonehouse Pizza and Carvery (formerly a Crown Carveries). The carvery is about £7-10 (2020) and there's parking available.
3. Prezzo, Newport
Prezzo's full price menu isn't especially cheap but they frequently do special offers. One of the best deals is with Tesco Clubcard, where you can swap £10 in vouchers for £30 at Prezzo.
The Newport Prezzo used to be the main post office, so the building has got a bit of character.
The Newport Prezzo used to be the main post office, so the building has got a bit of character.
4. Slug & Lettuce, Newport
Slug & Lettuce replaced Yates in Newport, in what was the cinema building when I was growing up.
It's not especially cheap when at full price, but they do decent offers. At the time of writing, that includes 50% off on Mondays (though don't blame me if that's finished by the time you visit).
There's not much free parking around but there are some pay and display ones nearby.
It's not especially cheap when at full price, but they do decent offers. At the time of writing, that includes 50% off on Mondays (though don't blame me if that's finished by the time you visit).
There's not much free parking around but there are some pay and display ones nearby.
5. Hogshead, NewportHogshead do meals for about £5. It has a studenty feel to it, even though the Isle of Wight doesn't have a university. Go figure.
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6. Supermarket cafes
Well, I did say 'budget' didn't I? In Newport, Morrisons (PO30 1JQ), Asda (PO30 2QH), Sainsbury's (PO30 5ZB) and Marks and Spencer (PO30 1XL) all have cafes (although they like to call them restaurants). In Lake, Morrisons has a cafe (PO36 9PA). The full supermarket guide is here.
Personally, I like the M&S cafe, the others remind me of a school canteen.
Personally, I like the M&S cafe, the others remind me of a school canteen.
7. Fast Food Chains
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Crumbs...this guide is going downhill (although, to be honest, I love a McFlurry).
Well, there are two McDonalds on the Isle of Wight - one in Newport town centre and one on the outskirts of Ryde. You'll find KFC in Newport and Lake. The Isle of Wight's first ever Burger King opened at the end of 2019, right next door to a gym. Are you satisfied now? I'm angry that you even suggested it. |
Yummy
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8. A beach picnic
That's more like it, much more civilised...until you bite into a sausage roll full of sand. Anyway, if you fancy it then there are plenty of supermarkets on the Isle of Wight, or you could always support a local food shop. See our guide to the best beaches.
9. Pizza Hut, Newport
Pizza Hut is another one which does offers and vouchers regularly. Their standard weekday lunchtime all you can eat buffet is also quite good value.
I've been generous and avoided bunching it with the fast food section above.
I've been generous and avoided bunching it with the fast food section above.
10. Besty and Spinky's, all day breakfast, Ventnor
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Most things on the menu are a pretty standard price but their all day breakfast is fantastic value at about £7 (last time I visited). There's a vegetarian option and a meat-eaters option. It's right next to the Ventnor paddling pool in the Ocean Blue Quay building on the seafront. There's a pay and display car park nearby or esplanade parking is free in winter.
There's a nice walk along the Bonchurch coastal path if you want to burn off the bacon. |
My brother standing on Ryde at Ventnor paddling pool
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11. Wetherspoons
Not exactly unique to the Isle of Wight but there are Wetherspoons in Ryde and Newport. The Ryde branch of Wetherspoons is on Union Street (the main shopping street) while Newport's is called Man in the Moon, which is in a former church.
Wetherspoons usually do good value breakfasts (around £3-5) and offers along the lines of 2 meals for £7.
They appreciate it if you shout 'My compliments to the microwave' as you are leaving. Honestly, give it a go, they'll love it.
Wetherspoons usually do good value breakfasts (around £3-5) and offers along the lines of 2 meals for £7.
They appreciate it if you shout 'My compliments to the microwave' as you are leaving. Honestly, give it a go, they'll love it.
The-Isle-of-Wight-Guru-Don't-Blame-Us-Disclaimer™ All the information on this website is correct, as far as we know, but please do check details directly - and please contact us if you find anything inaccurate. Here's our full disclaimer.
