Yarmouth punches above its weight where food is concerned. I counted six pubs, two bakers, four cafes, two general stores and at least three ice-cream shops. This is in a town of three streets!
The Isle of Wight is developing a reputation for gastronomy and so it wasn’t a surprise to me that there’d be excellent food – cooked and ready to prepare – available.
We visited
The hotel is under new ownership. Previously it had a one Michelin star restaurant and the new owner told us that she’s hoping to win that back soon. The bistro opens out onto a garden that slopes down to the Solent and is a fantastic place to spend a sunny Summer afternoon.
We were visiting in the Autumn and there happened to be a special dinner comprising a private tour of Yarmouth castle, talk on the history of the castle followed by a five course tasting menu. We were able to enter the castle from the grounds of the hotel rather than the traditional entrance and enjoyed fantastic canapes and Prosecco on the roof of the castle whilst we watched the sun set. The talk was interesting and covered the full history of the castle’s commissioning by Henry VIII through to the decommissioning after the end of the second World War.
Yarmouth Castle looking to the Solent by Kathryn Lewis
The dinner was interesting and an opportunity for the chef to try out a range of dishes on a supportive audience. He can cook. The meal was good but not much different from other aspirant Michelin starred restaurants. I hope this talented chef develops the confidence to make the dishes unique.
Grace’s Bakery
A lovely bakery that looks over the harbour. Fresh bread, cakes and pastries all locally produced.
The Delicatessen
On the Market Square there’s a great delicatessen selling everything you’d need for a picnic or to cook up an evening meal for the crew. We stocked up on vegetables and a picnic lunch to take with us on our walk to the Needles.
Wish List
If we’d stayed longer we’d also have tried out the following:
King’s Head Pub – great evening meals especially if the crew fancy a relatively cheap night out.
Salty’s – traditional fish and chips
The Bugle – also a good pub and food option
Gossip’s Cafe – for tea, coffee and ice cream looking out over the Solent.
On Land 