What’s it like eating in Ryde? Overall, pretty damned good—but let’s be honest, it’s very much a tale of two cities, or rather, two seasons. Summer Ryde is packed with open-air dining, candy shops overflowing with kids high on sugar, and seagulls that will rob you blind. Winter Ryde? A little quieter, a little greyer, and a lot more “hope you like fish and chips, mate.”
I found myself sampling the local cuisine while visiting my sister between my trips to Libya and South Sudan, because nothing screams adventure like swapping conflict zones for a Wetherspoon’s breakfast.
What the Ryde Isle of Wight?
For those unfamiliar, Ryde is the gateway to the Isle of Wight, largely because it’s where the ferries dump you. With a long Victorian pier (the oldest in the UK), a seafront promenade, and more chip shops than you’d think necessary, it’s the kind of place that reminds you of what Britain used to be like before we discovered quinoa. The town is a mix of grand old buildings, winding backstreets, and pubs that probably haven’t changed since the 1800s.
Ryde has a weirdly long esplanade, complete with sandy beaches and a constant sea breeze that smells vaguely of fish and nostalgia. There’s even a hovercraft service to the mainland—because apparently, normal boats just weren’t exciting enough.
The Esplanade – Where the Action Is
The seafront is where you want to be for classic British nosh. And when I say classic, I mean fish and chips, because Ryde has no fewer than four chip shops within spitting distance of each other. The two most famous are The Codfather and Esplanade Fish & Chips, which sit right next to each other, proving that competition is alive and well. The Codfather is particularly famous for its policy of “frying anything,” which I both respect and fear. Just behind the promenade, there’s also Chipmunks, which gets points purely for the name. Oh, and in peak season, a fourth chip shop mysteriously appears, presumably summoned by the gods of battered cod.
Aside from fried delights, the esplanade is home to candy stores (most of which are closed in winter, because apparently, people only eat fudge when it’s warm) and a handful of cafés that bravely soldier on through the off-season.
Click to read about how to eat Fish and Chips.
Takeaways in Ryde – Because Sometimes You Can’t Be Bothered
If you fancy something other than deep-fried goodness, Ryde actually has a surprising number of takeaways. You’ve got your bog-standard Chinese and Indian options, which do the usual business of feeding locals who don’t want to cook. But the real legend here is RFC—Ryde Fried Chicken.
Now, I hate these lazy KFC knock-off names, but in the interest of journalistic integrity, I had to to try it. The verdict? Anything other than the Colonel is cheating.
Eating in Ryde – The Pubs
Ryde has an absolutely absurd number of pubs. Seriously, it’s like they built the town around them. A quick stroll from The Wetherspoon’s (The Man in the Moon) along the promenade will take you past at least eight boozers if you take a few backstreets.
Some of the highlights:
- The King Lud – Probably the most famous pub in town. Old-school, full of character, and once the setting for a Morris dancing event where I actually saw blackface. Questionable choices aside, it’s a great spot for a pint.
- The Crown – A bit more traditional and full of locals who have probably been drinking there since birth.
- The Star – Does exactly what you want a pub to do: serve beer and not ask too many questions.
- The Castle – A solid choice if you want a proper pint without any fuss.
- The Solent Inn – Has live music and a decent selection of ales, but service can be a little rude.
- The Wishing Well – Slightly out of town but does a mean Sunday roast.
- The Railway – As the name suggests, near the train station. Does anything beat drinking near old trains? Trick question.
- The High Park Tavern – A little off the beaten track but a local favourite.
Most of these pubs serve food, and frankly, you could eat like a king just by pub-hopping your way through town. If you like your meals served with a side of strong ale and loud opinions about the ferry service, Ryde’s pub scene has got you covered.
Restaurants in Ryde – Beyond the Boozers
If you fancy a proper sit-down meal, Ryde does have a few restaurant options that don’t involve beer-stained carpets. Michelangelo’s is the go-to spot for Italian food, and it’s actually pretty solid. Three Buoys is a bit fancier and serves up modern British cuisine with actual effort put into presentation. Ada Mediterranean Cuisine does Turkish food, because nothing says Isle of Wight like a good kebab.
If you’re after a curry, Bengal Palace and Ryde Tandoori both do the job, with Bengal Palace winning the award for “most old-school curry house vibes.”
Cafés by the Beach – The Unsung Heroes of Ryde’s Food Scene
Finally, Ryde’s food scene is rounded out by a surprising number of cafés scattered along the beach walk, in the alleyways, and on the promenade. The Chocolate Apothecary does great coffee and, unsurprisingly, a lot of chocolate-based stuff.
The Dell Café is right on the beach and serves up great breakfasts with a sea view, which is ideal if you like your eggs with a side of windburn. The Captain’s Table is another solid spot, offering hearty food and a welcome break from all the deep-fried madness.
Final Verdict: Eating in Ryde is What You Make of It
So, what’s it like eating in Ryde? It depends when you go. In summer, it’s a vibrant mix of fish and chips, pub grub, and candy shops selling enough sugar to give you diabetes on the spot. In winter, it’s a little quieter.
That is not to say it is not without its charms though, with that whole out of season cold breeze beach style sleepy vibe making all the bit more English….