The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor Esplanade.     See pictures and more information

Medium sized pub with a lot of character in an excellent location with sea views.  Highly geared up for food and it can get very busy with a large amount of outdoor and indoor seating available on two sea terraces and a Boathouse suitable for families.  Nice views out to see and across Ventnor bay, however the lower of the two terraces is not suitable for small children due to a reasonable drop beyond onto rocks. Seafood.  Large portions! Also good to just have a drink in. 

Open all day.  Very, very small car park so go past the pub up the hill and park in the car park above or on The Esplanade itself.  Homemade Fisherman's Pie is highly recommended for taste and is a filling meal.  Quite good for families in The Boathouse or inside the main pub.  Winner of several awards including the overall Best Island Pub 2005 by Wightlink.

See   http://www.thespyglass.com/

The Chequers Inn, Rookley {just outside Rookley on The Chequers Inn Road}. 

Recently extended large pub also highly geared up for food and very popular with families.  Several outdoor tables on a recently extended patio dining area with a large lawned space split into large and small children's play areas, with climbing structures, slides and swings.  Large menu.  It is always windy here!  Good for families.

The White Horse, Whitwell. 

This has also had a recent extension with a large room now dedicated to food with another small bar and it gets quite busy.  Size of the meals here were one of the largest we have experienced - however this is slightly reflected in their prices, so make sure you are really, really hungry.  Outdoor lawned area with limited amount of outdoor seating.  Good menu.  Medium sized car park and alternative car parking possible nearby.  Not open all day.  Good for families.

The Steamer Inn, Shanklin Esplanade.     See Picture 

Located near to the end of The Esplanade with sea views and a generous amount of outdoor seating catching the best of the sun, and the beach is just a few yards away. Seafood.  Large single roomed pub with no children's play areas, also good just to have a drink outside!  Owned by The Spyglass Inn proprietors and has a similar menu.  www.thesteamer.co.uk/index.html

The White Mouse Inn {Clarendon Hotel}, Chale.      See picture.

Recently totally refurbished and extended this is vast inside and out.  Large amount of outdoor seating available with a children's play area and a children's barn sometimes with supervision provided.  The evening sun catches all of this very large garden and yet it has quite a remote location with large car parks especially at the rear.  Very busy in August, although the surrounding area is quiet.  Good for families.

The Sun Inn, Hulverstone.     See picture 

This recently extended thatched old pub has excellent views from it's large amount of outdoor seating area which is part patio and grass.  This is in a small and quiet village location and if the weather permits is a gem to sit outside and the road adjacent to the pub is not busy.  Food all day.  Quite a large car park behind the pub.

The Yardbridge Inn, Yardbridge near Brading. 

A friendly welcome can be had from this family run pub which sells quite a few real ales to wet the palate.  This is a railway enthusiast pub that has many memorabilia from the past when the Islands Railway used to be three times the size it is now, and present.  Outdoor seating area on raised decking, medium sized car park.  Food also at reasonable prices.

Good for families - This comment refers to the outdoor area/facilities/amount of outdoor seating for which children can stretch their legs or have a play at the pub, just because a pub does not have this comment does not mean it is not good for families inside, as ALL pubs featured here in this 'recommended for Food' section are suitable for families inside whilst eating.