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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.
1. Use a Tastecard or Gourmet Society Card
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 several Isle of Wight restaurants (sevenlast 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. You don't seem to be able to search by location unless you're a member but at the time of writing (late 2017), there looks to be seven 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. You don't seem to be able to search by location unless you're a member but at the time of writing (late 2017), there looks to be seven locations that offer discounts on the Isle of Wight (usually 2 for 1 or 25% off).
2. The Folly Inn, Whippingham (PO32 6NB)
The Folly regularly does offers and the portion sizes are big enough to even satisfy a Dad who is giving-the-diet-a-break-because-we're-on-holiday. It has great views of the River Medina and it has a shower for sailors. Some meals are expensive, but there's usually an offer available with main meals for around £5.
It's worth checking which offer is on as they often stop them during high season - if you want to book the number is 01983 297171. Parking available.
It's worth checking which offer is on as they often stop them during high season - if you want to book the number is 01983 297171. Parking available.
Have you read our guide to discount Isle of Wight ferry travel or holiday parks?
3. The Crab, Shanklin (PO37 6NS)
This pretty thatched pub right in the centre of Shanklin is part of the Old English Inns chain and regularly does offers for meals around £5.
4. The Sloop Inn, Wootton Bridge (PO33 4HS)
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 £6 (2018). Parking available. The phone number is 01983 882544.
5. Pizza Express (PO30 1XB) Newport
Standard priced Pizza Express is a bit pricey in my opinion (£12 for an average pizza served with...nothing). However, they often do offers and you can often get 2 for 1 with Tastecard or Gourmet Society. The best offer around is swapping Tesco Clubcard points for Pizza Express, where your £10 becomes £30.
Not a lot of free daytime parking nearby but you could combine it with a visit to nearby Morrisons. The car park near Newport bus station is free in the evenings.
Not a lot of free daytime parking nearby but you could combine it with a visit to nearby Morrisons. The car park near Newport bus station is free in the evenings.
6. Hare and Hounds, near Arreton (PO30 2NU)This decent quality pub, near Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens does offers pretty regularly with meals for about £5. Nice views from the beer garden as well.
They have their own car park. |
7. The Fountain, Cowes (PO31 7AW)
Cowes is a nice town for a wander.
Another one which does offers with meals for about £5. This one is right in Cowes Town Centre, by the red jet (passenger ferry) terminal.
Not a lot of parking nearby so you may have to walk in.
Not a lot of parking nearby so you may have to walk in.
8. Prezzo, Newport
Prezzo is similar to Pizza Express, in that its 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.
9. Slug & Lettuce (PO30 1SS)
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).
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).
Not much free parking around but there are some pay and display ones nearby.
10. Hogshead, Newport (PO33 1SS)Hogshead 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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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, PO33 2LF (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.
12. 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.
13. Fast Food Chains
Yummy
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 (PO30 1LB) and one on the outskirts of Ryde (PO33 1QG). Newport also has a KFC with a drive-thru (PO30 2TA).
Are you satisfied now? I'm angry that you even suggested it.
Well, there are two McDonalds on the Isle of Wight - one in Newport town centre (PO30 1LB) and one on the outskirts of Ryde (PO33 1QG). Newport also has a KFC with a drive-thru (PO30 2TA).
Are you satisfied now? I'm angry that you even suggested it.
14. 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 corner shop. See our guide to best beaches.
15. Pizza Hut, Newport (PO30 2TA)
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 at around £7.
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.
16. Besty and Spinky's, all day breakfast, Ventnor
My brother standing on Ryde at Ventnor paddling pool
Most things on the menu are a pretty standard price but their all day breakfast is fantastic value at about £5 (last time I visited), plus £1 for a cup of tea if you want it. 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.
There's a nice walk along the Bonchurch coastal path if you want to burn off the bacon.
The-Isle-of-Wight-Guru-Don't-Blame-Us-Disclaimer™ The information on this website is correct, as far as we know, but please do check opening times and details with restaurants directly if you are planning a long journey - and please contact us if you find anything inaccurate.
