Where to eat on the Isle of Wight, according to a local garlic producer

Where do you go to source fresh produce?
We have some amazing delis and farm shops on the island. Briddlesford Lodge Farm [in Wooton Bridge] produces beautiful milk and other dairy products. Our neighbour, Harvey Browns, is a farm shop, butchery, kitchen and food emporium. We’re also close with Isle of Wight Tomatoes, just next door to our farm — we even joined forces with them and Mermaid Gin to make an ultimate Isle of Wight Bloody Mary. Garlic and tomatoes are the most famous produce here, but cheese, especially from the Isle of Wight Cheese Co, is great, too. 

What are some of your favourite places to eat on the island?
I like heading to the seaside. There’s Smoking Lobster, with branches in Cowes and Ventnor, which serves high-quality, Asian-fusion seafood dishes. It does a platter with everything on it, including incredible lobster and crab. In Ryde, Pickle and Dill is a deli that serves beautiful homemade lunches like smoked salmon sandwiches or an Isle of Wight cheese board. And then there’s It’s About Thyme deli in Shanklin, which has a good range of organic products and its own butchery offering free-range pork. 

How about street food?
The Isle of Wight does festivals really well, and that’s when street food really comes to life. In the summer, we have events like the Garlic Festival, which offers amazing food with a massive garlic twist. There’s garlic mushrooms, garlic bread, garlic sausages, garlic burgers, garlic beer, garlic ice cream… all the garlicky things you could possibly imagine. The local crab is also amazing. The Crab Shed in Ventnor is right on the beach and is a great place to try it. The Isle of Wight has around 60 miles of coastline, so there’s plenty of opportunity for fresh seafood and seaside dining. Ventnor Haven Fishery, for example, is superb. 

Where would you recommend for a special meal?
Chef Robert Thompson has a brilliant restaurant in Ryde called RT Café Grill, and his food is always top notch. Last time, I had oysters and a grass-fed beef burger, but there’s something new each time we go. The Hut in Colwell Bay is another one and it’s accessible by boat. It has a DJ and a bit of a party atmosphere. There’s also Braai, an annual summer pop-up restaurant [on Nunwell Estate] which is exceptional. It’s in a massive barn and they cook on a barbecue in front of you. 

Does the island have any standout beach cafes?
Traditionally, seaside cafes were places for chips and ice cream, but there are a few located along  the stretch between Sandown and Shanklin that have really raised the game. There’s a coastal path between the two towns, so you can walk from one to the other. One of the first cafes you’ll come to from Sandown is Fins Beach Cafe — it’s mostly outdoor seating and they do lovely coffees and smoothies. Further along is Tradewinds Beach Cafe, which has gorgeous sausage rolls, cakes and smoothie bowls.