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Eating Out On A Budget On The Isle Of Wight (2024 Guide)
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.
Most of the cheap and cheerful places to eat are the big chains, rather than the proper local pubs and restaurants where you might get some local food and a bit more of a dining experience.
If you're trying to impress someone, I would go for one of the Isle of Wight's restaurants with a sea view instead.
Most of the cheap and cheerful places to eat are the big chains, rather than the proper local pubs and restaurants where you might get some local food and a bit more of a dining experience.
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. 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 £8-12 and there's free parking available.
I occasionally spot gift cards for Stonehouse being sold on Amazon at a discount of about 15-20%. Just don't buy more than you need!
You can get a discount at The Sloop Inn if you have a Blue Light Card.
I occasionally spot gift cards for Stonehouse being sold on Amazon at a discount of about 15-20%. Just don't buy more than you need!
You can get a discount at The Sloop Inn if you have a Blue Light Card.
2. 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 from time to time. For example, when I checked they were doing lunch and a drink for £7.
There's not much free parking around but there are some pay and display ones nearby (or see our guide to free parking in Newport).
It's not especially cheap when at full price, but they do decent offers from time to time. For example, when I checked they were doing lunch and a drink for £7.
There's not much free parking around but there are some pay and display ones nearby (or see our guide to free parking in Newport).
3. Hogshead, Newport
Hogshead offers daily deals which can be good value. It has a studenty feel to it, even though the Isle of Wight doesn't have a university. Go figure.
When I checked, they were a burger with a drink for around £10.
When I checked, they were a burger with a drink for around £10.
4. 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.
Have you read our guide to discount Isle of Wight ferry travel or holiday parks?
5. Fast Food Chains
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.
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
6. 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.
7. Pizza Hut, Newport
I wouldn't say Pizza Hut is mega-cheap nowadays, but these big chains often lure you in with special offers. Their standard weekday lunchtime all you can eat buffet is also quite good value. When I checked, it was about £11 for adults, which isn't bad for an all you can eat menu.
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.
8. 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 £5) and offers on different days such as steak club and curry club.
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 £5) and offers on different days such as steak club and curry club.
They appreciate it if you shout 'My compliments to the microwave' as you are leaving. Honestly, give it a go, they'll love it.
9. Whitbread Pubs
We've found some good deals turn up if you sign up for mailing lists for pubs in the Whitbread group. There's a Beefeater in Newport called Medina Quay and a Cookhouse and Pub called Sandown Cliffs. I think you can figure out where that one is.
There's an ongoing offer for 25% off Beefeater with a Blue Light Card.
There's an ongoing offer for 25% off Beefeater with a Blue Light Card.
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.
