Call It What You Want in Isle of Wight

Cracking evening. Great food. Great atmosphere. Very unique. Make sure you book ahead! Highly recommend

Really great restaurant in the centre of town. Cool setup with the menu being a fixed, sharing style, delicious food and great portions... Service is also excellent. Have been several times and would always go back when in Cowes.

Honestly incredible - would totally recommend to anyone visiting the Isle of Wight. Visited with my girlfriend, my sister and her fiancé and advised in advance that we were all vegan. The flavours that they managed to get out of the vegetables was unbelievable, and the broccoli was so, so smoky - seriously impressed. Not only this, but the owner was one hell of a laugh and really made the entire experience top tier. One of those places where the ambience and premise completely reflect the character of the owner. Can't wait to come back.

Food was great. Service great. The atmosphere was spoilt by sharing the table with some very loud women and it was a tad cold. I loved the ethos and not having a choice. A quirky and enjoyable experience.

What can I say about this place?? Firstly it is fantastic, the food is next level absolutely amazing, Mark and the team do an amazing job, I was made to feel welcome as soon as you walk through the door. It's not your average place to eat, no menu, no pre cooked BS, heart and soul goes into the food. They serve what they are cooking that day and the meal is priced per head and arrives as a platter style so you just dig in. My wife who tends to be a tad fussy when it comes to food said it was the best meal she had in years and I would have to agree. Went there for my birthday and so glad I made the effort to travel there from Ryde.

We visited this restaurant as a family early in 2024, and by far it’s the best restaurant experience that we’ve shared in several years. With no menus, leaving the owner, Mark, to serve a huge array of beautifully cooked food to the table, served in a large skillet, we were blown away by both the quality and quantity of the food provided. And don’t get me started on the drinks options, but just to say they were rare, special and plentiful. Thanks Mark. We loved our visit and will be back next time we visit the island (we may even make a special trip over just to visit your place - it’s that good!!)

Great fun and a delicious meal. My wife & I had a short break in Cowes and chose this based on comments from the web. No menu, red or white wine - all pared back to the basics. The food was tremendous. The 'starter' was rare roast beef in a sort of pickled salad. The main was a platter of various meats cooked using Caribbean type spices - sticky and wonderful. Rum shots for dessert! And the owner was gregarious and charming. We thoroughly enjoyed it!

Quirky...I'll say. Paper plates, no menu but exceptional food, friendly and attentive service (I'll just pop out and get something fizzy for you !!) amazing wines -red, white and rose but best of all....they opened up just for us. A mass birthday trip to the island and they accommodated our table for 11 with a little advance discussion. They gave us a clear indication of the likely costs and were perfect hosts. The guys in the kitchen were happy to share their secrets and all together the experience was just brilliant.

Unique service, excellent food - absolutely cannot fault it at all

Quirky experience with amazing food. The chicken is to die for !!

Popped in on the off chance as I saw a review extolling the virtues of the restaurant. Although he was due to be busy shortly he managed to find a table for the two of us. First impressions, bearing in mind I had read the word ‘quirky’ in a review, was that it was an old butchers shop and retained that vintage charm with original floors, walls and fittings, and add two rows of bench type tables within to sit at. We were sat and asked what drinks we would like, I went for a rum and my other half just a water. We were further asked if we ate everything. My partner does not eat pork and this was not a problem as we were informed the pork products would be served on a separate plate for us. There is no menu, which makes things much more exciting but our host mentioned ribs, chicken, and brisket. I would imagine we were waiting about 15 minutes before the food was brought out. A very large dish full of breaded chicken, brisket, mushrooms in a garlic(?) sauce all sitting on a bed of delicious rice and tender stem broccoli all in portions large enough to set in mild panic that I wouldn’t be able to eat much of it. In a separate dish came a large portion of cauliflower and broccoli cheese and another bowl containing the ribs and belly pork as promised. I don’t know where to start or what was my favourite. The pork was cooked to perfection with a great taste but so was the chicken and brisket. The mushrooms were just divine and the rice perfectly flavoured and cooked. I’m not a fan of cauliflower but did take a few spoons of the sauce and it was also lovely. The food was also piping hot throughout. We ate from paper plates and my partner half joked it was good for the environment, the host retorted that it was simply to save on washing up. Fair enough! 😆😉 Our plates were cleared away when we were full (and there is certainly enough served to fill up the hungriest person) and my partner asked to pay. A figure was tapped in to the card machine and with my rum it came to a very respectable £55. While yes, you could get a meal for that price anywhere, I challenge you to find unique, home-cooked food for that, especially that amount of food and with the personal level of service. I was more than happy with the price, and I felt that when I was shown the price the host was asking me if that’s what it was worth! Two very satisfied customers, thank you so much for great food and the experience. People - do book in advance, seats are limited and we were just lucky. You’re not going to be disappointed!

Went for "Christmas Dinner" with a group of friends. Really unique experience. Food is served in a wok for a group and there are layers of flavour. The base was a rice dish that was topped with slow braised beef, two types of ribs, pork belly and southern fried chicken and topped off with a cabbage coleslaw and tenderstem broccoli. There were two Christmas themed side dishes, a cauliflower, leek and sprouts cheese dish to the left, and to the right we were served a plate of turkey and stuffing topped mash. All delicious, and watch out for those shots!

Could not be happier with our choice of restaurant. We were sceptical about cajun food in the UK but everything was perfect. Trust the chef - he knows how to put together a great menu.

How this is number 1 in Cowes is a mystery. Maybe the owner is writing his own reviews! Positive; vegetarian meal was tasty. Negative; no menu, no price of food or drink. Paper plates Owner constantly offering rum shots, how much were they? Made up a price at the end on calculator. £43 for a vege meal, 2 beers and 2 shots. Outrageous

Food is out of this world! Mac and cheese was the best I have ever had! What makes this place even more great is the owners hospitality! Don't think it's possible to say anything bad about this place! MUST TRY !

Unique dining experience..most excellent food and service from the front of house.. go visit and enjoy.. we did and shall return without a doubt.. most enjoyable.. keep up the Unique experience... Pete and Michelle

Mark, we love your place & always visit every time we stay at our house in Cowes. This time was different - we sadly lost our Labrador after a long illness & needed to try & have a bit of fun. You came up trumps & we enjoyed a fabulous evening & met some lovely new friends. The food was exceptional as ever, but its your hosting and putting the right people together that makes CIWYW so special. Thank you! xx Nicky & Dave

We visited this place a few weeks ago, I can only describe what we ate as a death-row-meal to me, and we tipped like it was… incredible foods. I’m almost sad that most places will never match this quirky place, already planning our next visit over new years - thanks for a lovely eve!

The host Mark was a character and did his best to entertain 18 people, the food was very tasty.

Fantastic & very friendly, great food and desserts were great too. Service was out of this world. Five star. Great wine,great food, great service. Doesn't get any better.

Not like any other experience I've had before. Loved the ambiance. Lovely down to earth owner , relaxing experience and very welcoming to our dog Winston. Price was good too.

The food, service and atmosphere were amazing. Catered to our needs and gave us some amazing delicious food. It was an experience- loved every minute

Without a doubt our favourite place to go to eat. We’ve been coming for around a year now and have NEVER been disappointed. I have ARFID so eating out can be a bit of a struggle for me but I’ve always loved every single thing that I’ve eaten here. The service is so much fun, if you’re looking for a relaxed place to drink eat or have fun then this is your place to go!

An incredible restaurant with a very different vibe to the usual. The food was fantastic and delicious. The owner was welcoming and great fun, pouring us a variety of drinks from the moment we arrived and joining in with us. Great atmosphere, could have stayed all night chatting and drinking with friends. I absolutely would recommend this place and will definitely call again next time I'm over on the island. Thanks for a great night (and the rum!)

Excellent food and genial host. Turn up hungry, no menu just amazing food. Make sure you try the tequila and spiced rum shots 😝

Wonderful food, and a great atmosphere! An amazing place to visit for hearty food, good beer and a place for great conversations.

We came with a group of friends and thoroughly enjoyed every single morsel, drop and minute. This food is for sharing

My friends and I (group of 6) recently had the pleasure of dining at this unique restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we knew we were in for an extraordinary experience. This place offers something truly special: no menu and no price tags. We were fully prepared for the bill to be on the higher side, but let me tell you, it was worth every penny. The three of us are drinkers and were served what I believe to be in-house rum, while the other three received non-alcoholic beverages. Now, let's talk about the food. It was served in charming skillets, and the portions were incredibly generous. The flavors were out of this world, and it's clear that the chefs here are masters of their craft. Whether you're a fan of chicken, fish, or vegetarian options, there's something to satisfy every palate. What truly sets this restaurant apart is the owner's charismatic presence. He's not just a restaurateur; he's an entertainer. His engaging conversations, personal touches, and even sharing shots with us at the table created an atmosphere unlike any other. It felt as though we were at a lively gathering, where different customers mingled together, fostering a sense of community that's rare to find in dining establishments. Now, onto the only minor hiccup of our evening. The owner, in his persuasive and somewhat pushy manner, convinced us to enjoy one more shot each of tequila. While we waited, we couldn't help but appreciate his clever way of keeping the good times flowing. It's evident that he's a master at selling the experience, and we fell for it hook, line, and sinker. In the end, after a long wait we received a bill of £216 (food was charged at £120 and the rest for beverages – 6 rum shots, 3 tequila shots, 3 non-alcoholic beers, 1 diet coke). For a unique, entertaining, and delicious dining experience, this restaurant is well worth a visit. It may not be an everyday indulgence, but it's an excellent choice for special occasions and celebrations. We're giving it four stars because, despite the minor pushiness at the end, the overall experience was fantastic. We'll definitely be returning for another unforgettable evening. Note: he generously gave us 3 shot glasses and 1/4th remaining bottle of rum.

A unique and superb eating-out experience. Truly outstanding. Go if you like chaos, unpredictability and outstanding, messy, powerful food and drink. Don't go if you like your meals quiet, carefully explained, and understated.

This is an experience like no other, and if there is another place like it please let me know. I would issue a disclaimer that if you are fussy about food I would recommend going elsewhere. How it works: - You book online, if reservation is accepted you get emailed with a calendar invitation. - Arrive on time and get shown to your seat. - You do not get to choose what you eat, everybody eats the same thing unless you have special dietary requirements or vegan / veggie. - As there is no menu, its not clear what the price is until the end. The host was very personable, laid back, but attentive. He looked after every table with the same level of care. Food came out quickly, and you can tell the place was brimming with passion for creole food. On my visit we were served fried fish with a tequila curry sauce, and a platter of meats (brisket, ribs, pork belly, and fried chicken) on top of rice and Mac n cheese. I'd highly recommend visiting here, I'll definitely return when I'm next on the island.

Awesome and unexpected. From the welcome to the service, quality of food and the price. Owner/matre d/waiter was the highlight. Great evening

Don't know where to start with this...an absolutely brilliant experience! Met Mark outside CIWYW on a Tuesday night when walking down the high street when we weren't able to eat. Explained situation with kids bedtime and if they could do a takeout, Mark explained they couldn't but if we booked the later in the week he'd open at 6 so we could as a family! True to his word we got to go on the Thursday evening and had a brilliant time, unreal food and drinks, got to meet some great people sat together and had the best "dessert' on the island, don't turn down the shots! Plenty of laughs and the kids were catered for perfectly too. Thanks again Mark and family! 🥃💪

Food was absolutely FANTASTIC, but nothing compares to the owner's service! 15/10 if I could give this 6 stars I would.

Amazing food, I mean - really amazing.. Much enjoyed the atmosphere and front of house experience, even the music was fab. Won't be visiting the Isle of Wight in the future without a meal out here. 👍

I would call it great !!!! What a fun experience coupled with lively conversation great tasting food mixed with rum tequila and Nick . Thoroughly recommend a visit if you like the unconventional !!!!

I’m not sure what just happened… but we did just have an evening we’ll never forget, how many beige restaurants can you say that about. Just go if you enjoy good food and drink and an irreverent host and fancy a night that will be forever remembered.

This is a great concept, there is no menu, there’s no price list, we were welcomed with a shot of very smooth spiced rum, a nice bottle of rose followed. You are sat at a communal table. The food was stunning, southern US state fell to it - amazing ribs beef brisket, creole style, some monkfish with a lovely curry sauce. The vegetarian in the party had an amazing platter of food. The spicing and flavour of the food was awesome. We ended up having two bottles of wine and three rounds of shots - the host is great. This is a truly unique dining experience, not sure what’s not to like about it - will definitely return. Thanks

Quirky spot and great concept! The host is great fun and really accommodating, as he did his best to squeeze us in on the day. Food was delicious, full of flavour and would throughly recommend for dinner on the Island!

Different fun night out. Great food and atmosphere. Busy time, so set but varied menu. Will go again.

Great restaurant! Amazing food! Love the desserts…

Fantastic experience. Fantastic food. Fantastic booze. We all really enjoyed our evening here, would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a unique and interesting dining experience. 2 of our party were vegetarian and both that and the meat options were delicious. 10/10!

This place is absolutely different to any other restaurants I’ve ever been. It’s not posh by any stretch, consisting of two long bench tables that sat you next to people who you don’t know a bit like a canteen. There were no menus no price list , no starter and no desert. The meal itself consisted of chicken breast coated with a Kentucky style coating, ribs in a Jerk sauce with Caribbean rice and a sort of macaroni cheese with a separate dish of cod soaked in a type of curry. The food was plentiful and fairly enjoyable. The guy serving finished us off with a shot of Caribbean brandy. The cost for a bottle of beer and a rose wine with the food came to £60 that he made up in his head. Was it good value? Not sure! Would I return ? Probably not. Would I recommend? Well I’ll leave that with you.

Had a truly memorable dinner here. Very quirky venue with a quirky host! The food is unbelievably good, incredible flavour - can’t praise it high enough. Better than anything with had when visiting New Orleans in fact. Definitely would go back. Highly recommended.

Mark is the best. The stable door is just a novelty, the food and wine are great and no menu required! So authentic! Would definitely recommend

Very tasty food. Irreverent service, a bit like being served by Jack Dee. The opposite of flashy. Definitely worth dining there. You are offered dishes, there is no menu. Vegetarians are well-catered for. Highly recommended for a fun night out.

Amazing food, delicious as h*ll and amazing bloke who runs the place. First time visit by accident but if I could (tourist) I would instantly return here for dinner. Defo recommend!!!

Have to say this was an unusual idea, no menus, eat what you are served, different parties sitting along side each other on long tables. Mark made us welcome and explained how it worked the served drinks and brought the sharing plates of food. we had ribs, buttermilk,chicken,pork belly, curried fish, Mac & cheese and Jambalaya, plenty of food for the four of us. Only thing was when it came to paying we really had no idea how much we had to pay until we asked for the bill and a quickly calculated amount asked for. Marked atmosphere down as the background music kept going off and when no music the place became a bit quiet as not many people in when we were eating.

The best restaurant I’ve been to. Food, atmosphere, everything.

My partner chose this restaurant last minute for my birthday meal with our friends and we were all blown away! The owner Managed to squeeze us in, was the best host with a great sense of humour and even did a couple birthday shots with me which just brought the best start to my evening. We cannot wait to eat here again and I have already been talking about my experience yesterday with all my family as it’s just brilliant. An absolute must try! This will be your new favourite restaurant without a doubt :)

First visit, really enjoyed it, no menu you get what's available. Fish and meat combo with rice, great flavours.

This place is the opposite of fine dining, which is a good thing. No starters or desserts, just Antigua spiced rum. Mains were curried fish and a big dish of rice with various meats, all delicious. Communal dining on a couple of big tables. Just the place for a hungry and thirsty crew

Amazing hosting, beautiful and delicious food, great atmosphere, I so delighted. Totally recommend.

What a great place, if you expect to sit and select off a menu, this is not for you but you are missing some brilliant food, wine (2 reds, 2 white and blush) and atmosphere. Mark, the owner, will keep all his customers entertained. Food...

Very entertaining evening with flavourful food and fun ambience. The premise of just having what you get was refreshing and also meant service was at a good pace. Main point would be to list what prices are for the evening menu / drinks so that you have some visibility going in.

What an experience. The setting is vibrant and lively. The culinary experience you’re treated to is nothing but extraordinary. Many thanks from a lonely swede

My birthday celebration with girlfriends. Such a brilliant find. Such a relaxed atmosphere, with fabulous food and an amazing host

Incredible. Booked on a whim last minute as staying in the area and reviews looked good - I can confirm it lived up to/exceeded expectations from the reviews and I will come out of my way from the mainland to visit again in the future!! The host was fab, a really friendly guy with a great sense of humour, and the food was amazing, perfect portion size for us with incredible flavours and an all round 10/10 experience. Thank you SO much :-)

The owner could not have been more accommodating, squeeze a large party in with little notice. Looked after us incredibly well and made sure that all had a great time. I will definitely be returning.

It was like angels dancing on my tongue

Worth coming back to the Isle of White just to eat here!!

Would definitely recommend this restaurant Good food, great experience, the host is one of a kind,

Such a great total experience. Funny Proprietor and no menu. We got served what they were cooking and it was delicious. Somewhat of a Cajun style. Food is served family style with paper plates and because venue is small, we sat right next to another...

My Wife found this place by reading the reviews. I was quite sceptical as I’m wasn’t a fan of Cajun food. The thought of no actual menu was also a worrying factor. I booked, mainly to keep a quiet life, and am absolutely glad I...

Perfect food absolutely unreal! And there’s an old bald man look after us whole night bless him he’s seems really nice thank you 🥹❤️

very fortunate to being able to indulge in a captivating dining experience at this extraordinary and awe-inspiring restaurant. partake in a delightful feast that surpasses expectations. the food served is nothing short of exceptional, leaving you spellbound with its exquisite flavours and presentation. immersed myself...

very fortunate to being able to indulge in a captivating dining experience at this extraordinary and awe-inspiring restaurant. partake in a delightful feast that surpasses expectations. the food served is nothing short of exceptional, leaving you spellbound with its exquisite flavours and presentation. immersed myself in the ambience of this unique establishment, where every detail is carefully crafted to enhance the dining pleasure. the food, what a serendipitous feast, embrace culinary surprises! had the opportunity indulged in a unique dining concept where choice takes a back seat. enchanting restaurant, leave behind preferences, allergies, and pickiness. the talented chefs craft a personalised menu for each guest, inviting you to surrender to culinary adventures. whimsical setting, embrace the joy of surprise as savour unexpected flavours and textures. a delightful revelation.

You’ve never been anywhere like this! Equal parts insane to brilliant, food was great - highly recommend!

The name makes sense once you go :) Something different - a set dinner, but a good one. Spiced well, not for the faint of palette.

Superb evening, thanks for turning out some extraordinarily delicious food and putting up with us Mark!!! Lots of love, James’ Stag Do x P.s hope you plan on opening up in South London!!!

Amazing dinner we had as a large group. Was a little worried at the no-menu situation but everything they brought out was delicious. All the wine we had was great too and incredibly reasonably priced. Mark was super welcoming, the atmosphere was great and I will definitely be back next time I'm in Cowes.

A brilliant experience and food. No idea what we about were to eat but trusted the experience and vibe. We loved the food ...flavoursome and memorable. Loved it.Thank you for the treat.

I can't recommend this absolute gem enough. The food is insane, the alcohol is awesome, the atmosphere is superb and as for the owner; I can't say enough good things about him. The perfect owner who could not have been a better host. Get booking now

Great food, host and atmosphere. Good value. Would definitely go again. We kinda knew what to expect from reading reviews and it didn’t disappoint. Kids enjoyed it too and they can be fussy sometimes :-)

Again fantastic!! Food, beer and shots delicious... See you soon xxx

Food was out of this world full of flavour and just the right amount of spices , the no menu idea is great as it takes any hassle out of trying to pick off a set menu as you just sit and eat what is...

Amazing atmosphere and hosting from Mark as well as some tasty food and drink! You helped make my birthday something special so thank you! Enjoying good food and multiple shots as well as getting to know the rest of the people on our table!

Call it what you want? ‘Fantastic food venue’ ‘It’s like dining with your favourite boozy brother’ ‘Come with an open mind, leave with a full belly’ Reading previous TA reviews, it’ difficult to say something different than the already excellent (but totally truthful) reviews. We...

Mark and the kitchen team love food and music, the job is their passion and they really love what they do! Fantastic food and great drink. Not always in the form you might expect and it leads to a fantastic experience and I would recommend it to anyone! Ed and Kate are excellent in the kitchen and front of house Mark is an excellent host and entertainer. The concept of having no menu helps you try new things, making meals exciting and interesting as you try new things. There's no shortage of things on your plate so I'm confident there's something for everyone.

Mark and the team are exceptional. The food is absolutely spot on, service is a cut above the rest. Only the best drinks and the most delicious food, all in a very relaxed welcoming environment. Cannot recommend this place enough

A fantastic choice for dinner. Fresh, homemade, high quality food in a friendly and relaxed setting. Each booking was given their own personalised service and the host went above and beyond. As vegans it can be very difficult to find dinner options let alone ones we actually enjoy. It was one of the best vegan meals we've eaten out and worth traveling across the island for if you have to. You could tell that the alcohol on offer was very carefully selected and complimented the food and all tastes. A must do on the island.

A fantastic choice for dinner. Fresh, homemade, high quality food in a friendly and relaxed setting. Each booking was given their own personalised service and the host went above and beyond. As vegans it can be very difficult to find dinner options let alone ones...

Simply amazing . Thankyou for the great evening we had ,it couldn't be any better . Will be back soon

Firends had been here before and couldn't wait to get back - they reported that the American, Cajun & Creole spiced dishes were amazing and that the "No-Menu" dining was terrific. Having sailed over after a training session we were ready for anything and that's...

Wow, this was amazing! Fabulous host and service and excellent food. The food had so much flavour. Definitely will recommend and will be back

What a great restaurant. First time trying it but what can I say, so unique it will blow your mind. Anything goes in there. Great host and great food and drink. Will definitely be returning with more guests.. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Quaint little restaurant serving spicy creole food. The host was fabulous

What an amazing place! The owner was the perfect host!! Love the starters…. And the mains well, I’m not a fan on anything with some spice but last night has converted me. No menu!! Genius idea and the tell me when to stop wine! Fantastic....

Absolutely delicious, and plenty of food. Just relaxing a trusting the chefs to serve us something tasty made for a really exciting discovery when we ate. Highly highly recommended.

My wife & I were visiting the IoW for a weekend away without children. We looked at where we wanted to eat & came across CIWYW. We we’re excited by the fact there was no menu & that the need to choose your dinner had...

Another visit over to the island, another fantastic meal. Came over to the island to take friends specially to this restaurant for the evening. Once again, the food and atmosphere was fantastic. You rock up, sit down, get some drinks in and soon after your...

Some people will love it, some will not be sure and others will hate it. But the food was sensational, not seen fried chicken like that in years. What makes the place is the owner who is part of the experience. Will be honest would...

Absolutely love this restaurant, visit every time we visit family on the island! Best food, atmosphere and service!!!

Characterful place. Delicious food. We can’t wait to go again. A real must. No disappointments here.

Wow!! When you’re gifted half a bottle of tequila and 2 shot glasses from the restaurant….♥️ We weren’t sure what to expect. There’s no menu, no prices and no measures (!!) 👏🏼👏🏼 Greeted by Mark who is very much the character and soul of the...

We had a fantastic experience here. Family of 4, children aged 5 & 10. First and foremost we were served delicious food, packed with so much flavour. Delicious ribs with an amazing spicy rub, pulled meat and deep fried boneless chicken thighs on a bed...

I can't recommend this place enough. Best food I have had on the island by far and really good value. The owner clearly cares about everything being top class, whether it's the drinks on offer or the dishes. I honestly can't fault it.

CIWYW is an absolutely fantastic evening out, full stop. Don’t be put off by the lack of menu, the food you will be served is seriously tasty, the atmosphere fantastic and the host brings it all together with ample shots of some fantastic rum! Don’t...

Top good top service and love the guys that run this place x. So so good delicious food nom nom nom x for meat lovers everywhere! This is a must visit if you’re in Cowes

I really don’t want to post this review as I’d like to keep the place a secret. I’ve eaten here several times now and never had a bad meal or poor service. In fact every time it gets better and better. The food is always...

This is what the phlebotomist said when I was having blood drawn in the local hospital, said we had been given gift certificates for our birthdays and were going there. I can't say it better.