AJ's Diner, Ryde in Isle of Wight

I had an hour or two to kill in Ryde, so I decided to visit the Royal Victoria Arcade. I was drawn in by the Bohemian vibe, but stopped in my tracks when I arrived at the doomed ceiling and it's Devine frescos. They are truly stunning and worth a look. There are two shops that share this naturally lit central space at the end of the Arcade. Victoria Lanes is a well curated, nostalgic collection of memorabilia and paraphernalia from those Rule Britannica colonial times. The second establishment made me reach for my Canon. AJ's Diner has the most authentic 50's décor that I have seen this side of Route 66 and North of the Dixy Highway. Spotlessly clean and sanitised, Buddy Holly on loud, I settled in to the best cooked Full English that I have had in ages. Super heated under the salamander, just like on the Dixy Highway, I can assure you that AJ's breakfast is in a league of it's own. Well worth a visit next time you're lucky enough to be in Ryde

Been to this cafe a few times now and have really enjoyed the food. But that being said went in today for lunch and ordered a bacon burger with fries sadly the bacon was son over cooked I could cut the burger in half let alone chew it. The fries were also so over cooked couldnt eat them. Such a shame as I've always enjoyed the food. Was a different lady cooking to the normal lady so will give them another try but this time look to see who's cooking

Brilliant decor really recalls 50s US diners. Soundtrack to match . We had a couple of drinks and a pancake . All top notch and served by great staff,

Found this cafe by chance and so glad I did! The service and food was perfect and the 50's diner theme is spot on. Being fussy with food they were absolutely amazing and had no issue creating my full English breakfast the way I like it. They also have decent coffee which is a massive bonus for me as I can't stand cheap coffee.

A good quality breakfast, very reasonably priced. Cooked fresh so served hot. Sat outside as l had my dog with me. Dog bowl available with fresh water. Toilet facilities not in immediate vicinity.

Dreadful. I feel totally ripped off. Chilli cheese dog had no cheese, a frankfurter from a tin and the chilli aspect was just some cheap chilli sauce… all served in a hot dog bun. The wife had a sausage bun which consisted of two anaemic sausages in a crappy bun. Cheesy chips were edible but cheap and nasty. Even the tap water had a funny taste. I can see why they charge you before you eat and the waitress looked guilty when taking the payment. “Chef” spent most of his time outside and an ambulance was called for a customer who was taken ill. This was unlikely due to the food as said person arrived after us and the food takes forever to come out. Avoid this place at all costs!!!! It’s a liberty to charge what they do for the most substandard food I’ve ever paid for. And I watched them make a coke float from a Mr Whippy machine… WTF!!

What a lovely 😍 place . Photos of singers of the 60s Betty boop figurines coffee was lovely going back for lunch in a few days

They now accept Visa/Mastercard (and cash as before), went for decent milkshake, waitress could be a bit happier/customer service orientated

Lovely place, with fantastic theming, perfect for a touch of the 50’s. Breakfast was really delicious and the milkshakes were thick and creamy, would definitely visit again for the pancakes and hotdogs! Also excellent value for money

Perfect 1950's style food with lovely service - the retro decor is great and being set in the beautiful arcade adds to the overall ambience

Lovely food and cheap compared to other establishments. Great service. Very enjoyable experience would definitely go back

Ordered and paid for chicken burger and fries, was told several minutes later that they had no chicken burgers! Decided on a jacket potato with cheese. Service was very slow, when our food arrived my husband's cheese burger was tough and inedible, my jacket potato had been too long in the microwave and was like a rock at the bottom, with no butter and little cheese and came with the fries that I'd originally ordered with the non existent chicken burger!!!! Why would I want a jacket potato with a side of fries??Awful, service and food, and I had to ask to be refunded for the difference between meals. Would definitely not recommend.

Each time I am on the Isle of Wight, this is our place to visit. The food is ALWAYS fresh, sometimes, too hot because it literally comes off the grill. The milks shakes are proper milk shakes with ice cream, too. The only accept cash and it can take some time to cook your food from scratch.

We loved this retro style cafe. Just what we needed to have a drink and a little food, really nice place, staff were so nice too. Great, and ideal for kids.

Very simple, don’t bother! The food was a very good price, which is why we decided to eat here. It took ages to arrive and my chilli burger was simply horrible. I’ll not be back.

Wandering through the arcade and stopped off for some lunch. Pleasant atmosphere Good food Value for money

Visited for a coffee and breakfast and politely asked if they were dog friendly. Told yes definitely are, so I gathered my family together and entered. Then was told not dog friendly inside just outside where the workmen were sanding down their work area. Lovely!

Great quality food at a great price and with a friendly smile, plus looked very clean. Whilst being on the Isle of Wight we have eaten at a number of places and not been overly impressed. High prices and unhappy staff. We stopped here for...

Unfriendly service, blah food. For the order wrong several times, cutlery not properly cleaned. Not blueberries for the pancakes, but the ice cream had quite a lot of blueberries (chocolate was ordered). Recommendation: avoid.

Myself and my wife went in to try somewhere different, when we arrived there were some tables occupied with people either just drinking tea and coffee or had finished eating, we ordered two lattes and a small and medium breakfast which we then had to...

Visited here on the 14th of March Ordered 2 skinny Minnie breakfasts Quick friendly service Would visit again

We wait for our food about 45 minutes.Then my husband and son food arrived , m still my beans and toast .. very simple! 10 minets later no beans and toast. My husband and son finish breakfast I'm asked money back.not recomend this place.very slowly.its...

called in for a drink and very clean and staff very friendly, it just looks like the 1950's. good standard and good service.

Service was slow but the waitress was polite. Had a shaky bacon burger , long tall doggy and a jacket potato. The burger mass very tuff and chewy very poor. The sausage looked like it had been taken out of a tin and just placed...

Arrived with a hungry 6 year old craving a burger and a 4 year old who was just hungry. Seemed to have a comprehensive menu featuring the required food and there was a nice vibe to the 1950's theme, including a waitress in costume. This...

Another visit to this little jem of a diner for breakfast, which was to its normal high standard and really enjoyable 👍😀, friendly staff, clean , and good value for money 👍

What a amazing place to visit great atmosphere and good food had a lovely breakfast this morning Defo worth the visit staff were very friendly will definitely be returning

Great little find! Amazing atmosphere, music & staff. They fit right in wearing their uniform hahaa. So glad I found this diner :)

We arrived for lunch, was told no card payments so had to go and get some cash. We then were told to sit and wait as order would be done at table. We waited 10/15 minutes before finally ordering. Another 10/15 minutes before the drinks...

More people need to try this lovely little diner. So truly American in every way. Great music, good food at reasonable prices. Waitress looked amazing dressed as would have been in the 60's. Very helpful. Would recommend.

Called in at the Diner during a shopping stop off in Ryde. Cafe looks very appealing with photos and a good menu. Waiting staff are friendly and helpful but then it kind of falls apart. Service is slow and inconsistent - we got our meals...

Heard varied reviews on AJ's and have to say I'm for the No team. Burger and chips with coffee £9. I wouldn't mind price if it came up scratch. Staff looked the part and music was great, if a tad loud....although guessing it's to draw...

I popped in for lunch with my daughter and had a lovely meal in the most charming little diner! The staff are so friendly and helpful and the food was delicious, I highly recommend the strawberry milkshake!

This is a lovely 50’s style diner with a great ambiance. The owner and staff are friendly and welcoming while still managing to keep COVID friendly

Ordered some snacks and drinks, paid and waited ten minutes only to be told they had no cheese for cheese on toast! Music is ok and the place feels ok but I ask you - to run out of something so basic????? Refund and apology...

Excellent service in this 50s stlye dinner, warm and welcoming staff, great food and drink. 10/10 definitely visit again

Good if you like a 1950s vibe. Food disappointing. The chilli dog was loaded with tasteless cheese with a pot of cheap shop bought chilli sauce. Waitress was serving some people and some including myself were told to order at the counter.

Wow! what a place!!! Amazing atmosphere, great 50's music and american diner decor. I visit Isle of Wight on holiday every year and the owner, Anne always makes me feel welcome. Lovely coffee and food, plus the milkshakes are stunning! Top notch, my new favourite...

A charming setting with excellent music and pictures on the wall from Little Richard to Betty Boop to make you feel like you’re back in 1950s America. Good food and lovely service too.

Tucked at the back of this lovely Victorian arcade is this stylish eating house. Lovely home made soup warmed out tummies on a cold and wet February day.

Friendly staff and excellent full English breakfast. Just what you want from a cooked brekkie. I would definitely go back.

We popped in as it looked so inviting with its American diner theme. And we weren't disappointed. Friendly service, great food and good prices

Excellent customer service and one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. Would come back again

Rotten!! We had x 3 tea cakes and as I went to pay for them the lady took them out of the freezer and cooked them on the griddle same time as bacon was cooking. I told her about this. She said she was defrosting...

Thought we would give this a try as went years ago & enjoyed what I had! wish we hadnt now! Was worst breakfast I've actually had,waited nearly an hour for our food & actually wasnt many people there! the eggs were solid & asked to...

Amazing nostalgic cafe. Just like the old coffee bars of the 60's. Typical US decor with photos of old rock and roll stars. Excellent food choice and very tasty. Friendly helpful staff. Only small but well worth a visit.

Found this lovely little diner tucked away in the arcade in the high street of Ryde. With its 1950s music. Betty boop here and there. Very clean. And coffee and food very tasty. Reasonable prices. Outside seating. Very nice. Will definately be back when next...

With lots of Betty Boo and Rock n Roll memorabilia, AJ's Diner is going for that American themed diner expereince. It's small and a bit of fun, making the most of a limited kitchen space. Kids will enjoy it and oldies will find it nostalgic....

Me and a friend popped in for a teacake each and a cup of tea. It was brilliant. The food was lovely, as was the tea. I love these kinds of places to eat and chat with friends. They are so cosy and the lady...

We have visited AJ's a few times now and keep returning. Good quality food and excellent hygiene standards. We are always made very welcome. See you soon! Thanks, Martin & John.

I ordered a Shakey Bacon Burger and is was incredible , definately would recommend to anyone. Great place for the family to go and have a relaxing meal.

I ordered the Whole Lotta Luvin’, and can honestly say this is the best fried bread I have had. Excellent value for money, friendly staff and brilliant atmosphere