The Red Lion in Freshwater is the best foodie pub on the island at the moment, situated in a very picturesque setting at the end of an hour’s walk alongside the River Yar (or a much less pretty five minute drive). The church next door is mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1086) and the origins of the Red Lion are also 11th century (although the current building is much later).

As well as being one of its oldest pubs, the Red Lion is the only pub on the island to appear in the Michelin Guide. The setting is truly idyllic, with a lovely garden if the weather is clement, the food is pretty amazing, and dogs are most welcome.

Afton Marsh Local Nature Reserve

Circular River Yar walk

Just around the corner from Yarmouth Harbour, The Wheatsheaf Inn is a historic coaching inn with a modern twist. This pub has a quirky interior (think Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen with a chainsaw and some old suitcases), a now modest craft beer selection, beer 'tasting' room, hidden courtyard and excellent food. 

Unfortunately the reality of pub economics has constrained the landlord's noble efforts to bring craft beers to Yarmouth, but the Wheatsheaf is still a firm favourite for locals in the West Wight for both drinks and food.

Harvey's

Yarmouth Castle

Perched on the seawall at Totland Bay, the Waterfront is one of the Isle of Wight's most distinctive and best-located pub restaurants. Originally built as the village's first church in 1869, the building was moved to the beach a few years later and transformed into a reading room for holiday-makers, before eventually becoming the traditional pub food restaurant of today. This is another very popular venue with the locals, for whom "I'm off to watch the sunset" has become a more wholesome way to tell the other half that they're off for a pint.

The Waterfront is about an hour's walk away anti-clockwise on the IOW coastal path, and about an eight minute drive. If you want to do neither, there is the number 7 bus.

Headon Warren

Colwell Beach

Another spectacularly located pub, but much more a rural than a coastal setting, nestled in the pretty foothills of Tennyson Down. The Highdown Inn is one of West Wight's most characterful country pubs and restaurants, with a cosy — when it's busy it can be a bit too cosy — welcoming atmosphere and traditional charm. The food is generally pretty good, and the vegan/vegetarian options are usually better than many pubs can be bothered with.

The Tennyson Monument

Stoat's Farm Shop