Cantina in Isle of Wight

Well, what can I say except BLOOMING DELICIOUS! Managed to grab a table last minute on a Saturday night. The little restaurant, about 8 or 9 tables, was full apart from a table for 2 which we bagged. The menu is small but packs a gastonomical sucker punch to the taste buds. We started with the grilled asparagus, gabiche (a sauce made with hard boiled egg yolk, mustard and oil) with parmesan and some garlic bread. The starter was so delicious, the asparagus cooked to perfection and topped with the sauce was so full of flavour, never had anything like it but would definitely order again. And the garlic bread really complimented it. For the main course my husband went for the Ventnor wild garlic radiatori (little radiator pasta shapes) with cashew pomegranate and I chose the sea bass. We shared the dishes and both were equally excellent. Not a morsel left on our plates and our tummies fully satisfied. We washed it all down with a bottle of rose, chosen by the owner, Dita. Dita is attentive and so knowledgeable, happy to explain each dish fully and help with choosing the food and or wine. The service was impeccable. This little restaurant is a must if you're visiting Ventnor. Perfect for every taste; meat eaters, pescetarians, vegetarians and vegans. Do book though as it does get busy. Cannot recommend it highly enough. Go see for yourself!

Gorgeous lunch at Cantina on Mother’s Day. You can tell they care so much about what they put on your plate. I definitely recommend the garlic mushrooms on sourdough - sounds simple? Not so, very flavoursome, perfectly cooked mushrooms and topped with a beautifully poached egg and green shoots. Quality ingredients, beautiful presentation and, of course, excellent service. 10/10.

Always a very tasty dish served at Cantina. Along with the warm welcome everyone receives, this is a lovely place to have a meal.

Lovely celebration dinner here, food interesting and quality and service was friendly. Great little bistro atmosphere for cosy excellent meal. Will be back.

Never disappoints. Our food was chosen from a creative menu and was absolutely delicious! The service was superb, the team being knowledgeable about the dishes and menu. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.

Lovely breakfast, excellent coffee, friendly, helpful service - we would recommend Cantina very, very strongly and will definitely be coming back.

Great food. They organised a table for us without any fuss. Nice to have some different breakfast options as well as the traditional ones.

Really great new Winter's menu. As always the food options and quality is excellent. The staff were so friendly and attentive as usual.

Absolutely stunning, food wonderful service and vibes to die for. What more could you ask for. Dita and Stuart couldn't do enough for you and their wine and music choices compliment a great visit every time. Thank you.

Cantina are running a fantastic offer at the moment - 2 courses £25 or 3 courses for £30 including a glass of wine - (we had to have the rest of the bottle as it was so good) So we just had a really fantastic meal - crab rarebit followed by the short rib ragu and finished with the apple crumble - all just delicious and full of exactly the right flavour and taste - this chef knows a thing or two! Very friendly, professional service with super music and a lovely ambiance Book, go and enjoy and surely repeat!

A really great dinner in a lovely restaurant 3 courses for £30 including a delicious glass of Shiraz ( so good we bought a bottle ) We enjoyed a tasty starter of mortadella sausage with Parmesan and truffle mayo farinata and pickle followed by a gorgeous short rib ragu with capunti followed by frangelico expresso ice cream with hazelnuts …… a perfect end to a most enjoyable meal and very friendly service Thank you for such a wonderful evening

Deta provides a varied menu, and the food is always nicely presented and the menu offers a good number of options. The coffee is also great

A fabulously creative selection of choices as well as a full English option. All cooked to order and fresh, the quality was superb and the staff friendly and knowledgeable about the menu ingredients. Good coffee too - not an easy thing to find.

Service was amazing from the moment we walked in we were immediately welcomed (by a lovely lady called Paris I believe) Gorgeous food, and not as issue when we wanted to alter a dish , we shared two great dishes and they were both beautiful, brilliant vibe, service and food. A must visit!

Dropped in for a quick coffee and stayed to have breakfast. What a delicious choice Full English or a wide selection of different items (Shaksuka) well cooked and served with a smile.

We headed here for brunch whilst staying in Ventnor and loved it so much we went back again the following day. Cantina is a lovely little restaurant, with a rustic but trendy decor and super friendly staff. We were greeted with a huge smile on both occasions and served very quickly. The food was absolutely incredible and definitely the best vegetarian ‘full English’ I’ve ever had. I opted for the banana bread french toast the next day, which was perfect and like nothing I’d had before. Wish I lived closer so I could visit more often!

Cantina is delightful. It's unpretentious, friendly, serves imaginative, good quality food in a totally relaxed atmosphere. On a 4 day visit to Ventnor we went twice.

What a little gem of restaurant. Whether for a coffee whilst passing, lunch or an evening meal. This place is fantastic and ran by equally fantastic staff. The food, drink and ambiance never disappoint. Can’t recommend this place enough.

We LOVE Cantina! It’s a fantastic, cosy restaurant that offers a brilliantly varied menu and the most amazing food. The service is always exceptional and the lovely Dita always greets us with a smile. It’s one of our favourite places in Ventnor - and on the island as a whole! 🙏❤️

First of all, full disclosure - I used to work in Cantina, for many years, and know the owner personally. But this is precisely why I chose to write this review. Having worked there, I know exactly what it entails, and I also know that’s it’s not possible for visitors to know what is going on in the background, what the reservation diary looks like and what mental plan the front of house staff constantly have in their heads. So I’m curious to know how David B knew that his needs could have been fully accommodated. Entitled much? If he’s as fiercely loyal as he claims then he should understand the workings of what is a small space, and also know that the staff go above and beyond to accommodate people whenever they can - and if they can’t, there is always a good reason. So just move on, don’t take to TA to whinge about it. Don’t make assumptions. Don’t slate hardworking people in a local business. Don’t make it all about you. If anybody reading this has been to Cantina you will know what a fantastic place it is, and the service is second to none. And if you haven’t been to Cantina, ignore David B and his non review (and also check out his other reviews) and go and see for yourself. Satisfaction guaranteed.

We had yet another amazing breakfast at Cantina this morning. Food and service absolutely superb. The quality and choice of food is first rate and always a warm and friendly welcome from Dita and her team. Booking is essential at busy times to avoid disappointment, especially at weekends. Best Full English anywhere !!

What a great place. It ticks all the boxes. Dita is an incredible host. The food is healthy but with a real twist making it like no other Restaurant. All the staff are friendly and if it offers superb value for money . 10/10 for this place easily

Delicious food and wine at this super friendly restaurant. Sea bass was excellent, service first-rate and the red wine fantastic. Highly recommended.

Smashing Food. Cosy friendly atmosphere. We came for the day to Ventnor (live on the island in Seaview). Happened upon this great little gem on the High St. Dita welcomed us, and we took a table for 2. Water and drinks served quickly and our brunches soon after. Happy to swap a poached egg for a Mushroom for me. He had the Crab Rarebit on Sourdough. I had the smoked salmon. Both delicious. You know that "I could eat that again, right this minute 😋 " felling as soon as you empty your plate . We left full and happy. Great place. Highly recommend to book, or if you see a table free, just go in.

We love eating here - Dita is always friendly and welcoming, food is delicious and good coffee. My favourite is the vegetarian breakfast but Shaksuka is also great!

I visit Dita at her Cantina restaurant for both brunch and evening meals. My partner, friends, and I love the friendly atmosphere, delicious cocktails and fresh food! We/I will continue to recommend and return to anyone staying in or passing through Ventnor.

A must have for your itinerary! Love Cantina - I first came here with my partner in October and had such a warm welcome and delicious food that I knew I just had to come back on my next visit. I’ve only been here for a few days and visited Cantina twice! First visit I just had to have the banana bread breakfast (I love how a dessert has been described as breakfast - right up my street 😂). Today I went for the full English (which would normally be something I’d steer away from as too greasy) and it too was delicious, high quality produce - with delicious beans and sourdough bread. The food is amazing, but it’s the lovely staff and overall ambience of the venue that really make it. I also got lots of advice regarding running/walking routes - always great to get helpful, local knowledge. Wasn’t eavesdropping, but I did hear the couple next to me ask what was in their Bloody Mary as it was like nothing they had ever tasted before and it was amazing. She explained how it’s her favourite drink and she experimented to find the perfect recipe! Everything here is made with love! I’ve seen lots of places close in Ventnor - Cantina, please never close! And… with just 2 members of staff and the place runs like clockwork!

Open till 2pm this lovely cantina serves delicious food that can be whatever you want it to be. Breakfast, brunch, elevenses, lunch. It’s not about muffins and pastries but hot nutritious imaginative dishes with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. The cafe is filled with warmth and the welcome second to none. Can’t wait to return.

We were not sure from the outside but when we went in we where welcomed like old friends. Great atmosphere (70's /80s disco) and friendly host. As for the food, brilliant. We had the vegan breakfast and Shakshuka. Both beyond expectation. Definitely recommend and will be back.

Superb quality brunch - great ingredients, excellently cooked and friendly service. Good quality, well-made coffee too. And good value for what you get. Had the vegetarian breakfast and Spanish eggs, both delicious. Our second visit and we look forward to going back again. Worth booking at the weekend.

Went for dinner with friends. We had fabulous food and cocktails. The service was superb - so friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the food. We had a lovely evening and will definitely be returning on our next visit to The Isle of Wight.

This is my favourite restaurant, this was our second visit, the host creates an amazing atmosphere and is so friendly. The food is incredible and they were very accommodating with allergies (nut and shellfish). I will be back!

The restaurant is small but the welcome and service by Dita the owner was exceptional creating a lovely atmosphere. The dinner was first class, my fish stew was very tasty and my wife said her sea bass was one of the best she has ever had. Luckily we still had room for desserts and the blackberry and apple pie I had was great and my wife enjoyed her Rasberry and Limoncello Frangipane Tart. Highly recommend this restaurant but you need to book in advance as very popular.

Lovely brilliant place with great decor, a welcoming and attentive host and great music. We had the crab rarebit and poached egg with feta, chilli mayo, avocado and tomatoes with a side of bacon that they didn’t even charge me for. The non alcoholic Bloody Mary was out of this world and probably the best I’ll ever taste. Will definitely visit again.

Lovely food, great for veggies, great service- very attentive. Would return in a heartbeat! Loved the Swedish hash, smoothies, coffee and unusual international cuisine.

So glad to have enjoyed another first class meal at Cantina recently. Warmly greeted by Dita. All food and wine was exceptional - Dita explained the food we chose with enthusiasm and the flavours were superb. A great evening. Cantina has a 100% recommendation from us but be sure to book in advance it's such a busy little restaurant.

How to describe Cantina? Small. Friendly. Great atmosphere. Amazing, stunning, perfect, succulent, moreish food. Breakfast at Cantina is not a meal, it's an experience. The Swedish Hash, has such a range of flavours that every mouthful is different. The Bubble & Squeak special with bacon and kale is finished with lemon & garlic oils that pulled the flavour together perfectly. Someone certainly knows their flavours. Do go to Cantona. You really should book, it's a small place, and you don't want to be miss out.

An amazing menu and amazing well cooked, flavoursome food. All the dishes from the kitchen looked amazing and the general feeling from other diners was the food is great and varied with so many flavours

The atmosphere is friendly, the decor and displays interesting and the menu unique. The food itself is superb and the staff incredibly nice. We go here frequently and always want to go again.

This is possibly the best breakfast/brunch spot in Ventnor. We ate here twice whilst on a visit to the IOW. Great food, great service and the owner allows well behaved dogs in. The breakfast/brunch menu offered a good choice of dishes. I had an English breakfast with a bit of a twist - oven baked vine ripened tomatoes and spicy beans (rather than the more usual baked beans). They were delicious and the sour dough toast was fab. Definitely one to return to.

We came here for breakfast which was excellent. Food was fresh and delicious and excellent service. We will definitely be returning.

Fantastically original brunch selection plus traditional options and good vegetarian choices, cheerful service, comfortable surroundings and a disco soundtrack. Best brunch in ages!

Wow! There are no words!!! The food, the service it was all excellent. Our host (the owner) was so helpful, funny and made our evening. The food was delicious and plentiful. A great place to eat in Ventnor! Highly recommended

Magnificent breakfast served by friendly staff and accompanied by 70’s disco music. What is not to like?

The warmest of welcomes awaits you in this cosy informal restaurant. The eclectic menu, makes choosing something quite a conundrum ( I could have tried them all!) but once achieved the well sourced ingredients are cooked to perfection and served with delicious homemade breads. Coffee...

We managed two visits to Cantina during our early season stay - a brunch last Sunday and a evening meal on Friday. The welcome from the hosts on both visits was wonderful- and the food was delicious! The pictures show the quality of the presentation...

Cantina is great. Went for Sunday brunch. Lovely friendly welcome. Good choice on the smallish menu. Great food and very good coffee.

Have had breakfast lots of times here Dita is fantastic and the food is gorgeous personal favourite is the Swedish hash. Also the dinners are lovely there and with Dita’s cocktails and charisma and the lovely food we are never disappointed, a must go in...

Amazingly Dita agreed to open La Cantina exclusively for our party celebration of my parents' golden wedding anniversary. She was so accommodating and easy going and flexible. The menu had just a few dishes to choose from but every one was so very delicious. Really...

The great food is complimented by the warm welcome. Fresh, tasty food is what you get, and nice cold water to sup whilst you look at the food and drinks menus.

Visited with my wife and two of our friends for brunch, and we all agreed, it was the best breakfast we’ve ever had. The food was amazing and the service was top class. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a lovely spot for brunch...

Wonderful food served by the lovely friendly owner, brunch and dinner were excellent. Would highly recommend a visit.

Early on during our holiday in Ventnor our 5 early and middle teen children noticed the brunch menu and were keen to go to the restaurant. As a treat we decided to let them go on their own. One of them booked the restaurant. On...

Having been a regular here a few years ago, it was a delight to return and find that quality was every bit as good as previously! A warm welcome with helpful approach throughout, and miraculously good quality food, in a great atmosphere - what is...

We were recommended this gem by friends and were not disappointed. Eventhough its a small menu everything is prepared to order. The hosting was relaxed but so knowledgeable and faultless. And so was the food. My sea bass was cooked to perfection with the sides...

The evening service is exceptional. Wonderfully fresh food cooked expertly. The welcome on arrival was effusive and from then on we were very well looked after.

We walked in as a group of four without a reservation and were very lucky to get a table. We tried a variety of starters and mains including the garlic bread, olives, hummus, duck, seafood stew, and the pastas. All of the dishes were delicious...

Whilst on holiday, we booked dinner at Cantina at short notice and we were fortunate there had been a cancellation. We were very warmly greeted and made to feel very welcome. The small menu and ingredients were explained to assist in making our choice of...

Lovely lively small restaurant. Service was excellent. Dita really looks after you. Adam’s food was lovely. The seafood stew was great as was the sea bass with crispy skin. Could not ask for more. Highly recommended.

The interesting menu drew us in and we were so glad it did! Lovely, warm service and clearly passionate about their food. When my coffee arrived I had a feeling we were in for something special - we were. I'm pretty fussy, but my coffee...

Managed to get in here at last, got a call to say that we could be accomodated following a statement saying fully booked. We were far from dissapointed, food, service & drinks perfect, small menu which is great, every option is catered for, loved it,...

Amazing meal here tonight. Dita was an absolute pleasure as always front of house. Fantastic food, drinks, music…what more can anyone ask for?

Still salivating over our dinners here 3 days ago, absolutely delicious and absolutely excellent service, with a smile and a half! So rare these days to find such a gem that ticks all the boxes...warm, friendly welcome, which lasted til we left, 2 exceptionally tasty...

Lovely welcome! Super friendly staff couldn't have welcomed us any better. Small menu but enough choice for me and my son veggie and pescetarian to chose from. Husband had seafood stew which was delicious I had sea bass which was lovely my son had pasta...

Have been going to this spot for years when Klaus run it. Now his old manager, Dieter (sic) owns and runs it. They’re doing breakfast, lunch and supper now. She’s doing a great job and serving fab food. I had the most delicious mushrooms on...

Perfect hosts perfect ambience perfect food. What's more to say? A perfect start to our week break - loaded hummus, fish stew and desserts to die for! Thanks to Dita and Adam for their welcome and expertise in culinary delights! Go there - you won't...

We usually visit the IOW twice a year and Cantina is always on our must visit list for us and our children. Interesting menu, delicious fresh ingredients and wonderful and friendly staff. Thanks so much!

Excellant all round, a selection of starters including delicious homemade Humous , Garlic bread, and fantastic Crab pate pots with chilli and spices. Amazing Confit Duck dish to die for, along with the most delicious vegtables cooked to perfection. Well worth a return visit again...

Date night! Noticed a last minute cancellation advertised through Instagram, so thought we would take advantage & taste the new menu. For starters - Hummus with garlic bread & Welsh rarebit - both to die for!! Delicious & great portion sizes. Followed by fennel sausage...

We had a perfect evening at Cantina. The welcome from Dita was lovely - we ordered our wine and food and waited. We were treated to a wonderful meal - the seafood stew, fennel sausages and pappardelle and bream were all cooked to perfection and...

We had a great meal here and the service was perfect. We all had something different from the menu and all the options were delicious. Lovely relaxed night and we will definitely return

Just stopped by here to grab some and was far from disappointed. I loved the atmosphere and feel of the place and WOW, the food was incredible. LOVED every mouthful. Would definitely look to come back in the area and anyone staying nearby - don't...

Awesome, brekkie, coffee and service well worth a visit New owners keeping same quality but with a little bit more, I'm sure this will be a massive success

Great wine list, friendly service and comfortable atmosphere. Perfect for a drink before or after dinner!

We visited Cantina in September 2020 - we understand it was a restaurant before Covid, but it is now a bar. There is a great wine list with lots of choice, including by the glass. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, Jo makes a great espresso martini. The bar has a friendly atmosphere, and we enjoyed many a conversation with other customers. In your in Ventnor definitely pop in here for a drink (or two!)

Arrived, ordered breakfast, one hour later we were still waiting for it to arrive. While we were waiting, other customers had arrived, been served, eaten their meals, and left. In the end, we just walked out, which I suppose was in fact what they wanted us to do all along. So what did they have against us I wonder? Not young enough? Not good-looking enough? Not local enough? Who knows?I'll not be back.

WOW what a fantastic little place! We went for brunch today and we were very nicely surprised by the food and service. The food was exceptional, the quality of the food speaks for itself and nothing more could be done. The service was fantastic and could not be faulted, we would highly recommend and will be back!

We visited Cantina on a Friday evening in March for dinner as we were over visiting friends who live in Ventnor. What a great place, it’s compact and bijou with 6 or so tables, it’s got a lovely atmosphere and a varied menu catering for all from confit duck leg to a vegan pizza. The homemade houmous was silky and delicious and the salt baked beetroot with walnuts, blue cheese and poppy seeds was particularly good too. My husband said the confit duck leg was excellent. They’re really accommodating and the staff are super friendly and helpful, our waitresses Molly and Jo were knowledgeable, attentive and fun. We enjoyed our evening so much that we went back today (Sunday) for breakfast. Cantina do the best looking and tasting home baked breads, quiches and baked goods. The mocha with oat milk was really good and my avocado, tomatoes and scrambled eggs on sour dough was a great choice. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re over, thank you to the Cantina team.

Last minute booking, just popped in on the off chance and they were more than happy to accommodate. Beautiful pizzas and great starters to choose from. Both of us vegetarian and there was enough to choose from. Friendly owner/manager was happy to chat or leave you to eat peacefully and was good at reading which you wanted. More than happy to help with decisions, knowledgeable on local foods and more than happy to discuss the menu should you have any questions. Next time we are over the island we will eat here again!

Make it your business to visit its worth the effort . The food combination s and. Tasty ideas are great.

With a Germanic decor, and often a few Germanic or other international dishes, Cantina offers some great standard dishes with the chance to try something different. My favourites are the duck leg dish, and their pepperoni pizzas - always great!

I have been here twice now and I’ve only had the chorizo hash so obviously it is quite nice and it’s spicy so it makes a difference to my everyday breakfast. I don’t like the salt and pepper pots because any customer can just stick their fingers in and I find that quite unhygienic and after working with good for years I am really aware of the hazards of those, to say the least.I think it’s flavourful but the prices are high compared to the portions in my opinion.

A group of two couples stopped here for breakfast. The food and service was good but our enjoyment was spoiled by a loud hum and drumming noise coming from the music system or from the equipment. Suggest the bass was on full and there was no treble making it impossible to pick out a tune.

I regularly travel from Cowes for a Farmers breakfast and builders tea! Always delicious and a great hangover cure! Friendly and welcoming.

recently open in the evening, so tried & was not disappointed. small interesting menu, superbly cooked & presented. Reasonably priced wines which is always a plus as many restaurants really stick it on.

Lovey brunch with friends. Great coffee and brilliant menu. Highlights were cheesy beans, avocado & poached egg on toast. Wonderful cooked breakfast. Service friendly and efficient.

We stayed near Ventnor for two nights and ate breakfast in Cantina, the menu was great with many vegetarian and vegan options, the were happy to take dogs which was good. The food was delicious and the service was very friendly and efficient, I would highly recommend it.

Had breakfast here after one the day before at nearby Tramezzini. Both cafes do a good, quirky breakfast and for me were on a par. Apparently, Cantina is run by the same people as Stripped, round the corner, but the feel is probably cosier here. Plenty of breakfast choice in Ventnor, anyway

We had a lovely breakfast here. The food was excellent and original. The egg and soldiers were superb

We visited on the back of a recommendation and wasn't disappointed. Friendly staff and an interesting menu that will suit everyone's tastes. Definitely worth a visit.

Came across Cantina purely by chance, looking for shelter on a very wet morning in Ventnor. Ducked in to ask if they were dog-friendly, and thankfully they were. Really wished we hadn't eaten breakfast beforehand - because I would have LOVED to have eaten there. The food on the tables all around us looked and smelt DIVINE. Enjoyed some delicious coffee though. The service was wonderful (the two of us - plus our four-legged friend were made to feel very welcome) and the place has such a lovely ambience/vibe. Next time we're in Ventnor we'll be going back there for sure, but this time with empty tummies!

We were staying in a nearby hotel with breakfast inculded in the price. I very much expected to be going for a traditional fry up style breakfast at the Cantina but I couldn't be more wrong. They have an excellent range of dishes and combinations you wouldn't normally expect for breakfast. I had a spicy breakfast hash which was delicious and filling. Good service and all the dishes are cooked from scratch. Worth a visit for sure.

Breakfast and coffee was fantastic. Service was very friendly and helpful, can definitely recommend.

It was busy but they accommodated 5 of us and our dog. Lovely food and coffee. The avocado dish was delicious. When my daughter’s eggs weren’t runny they replaced them with an apology - not an issue at all. Great breads.

Arrived this morning for brunch (family of 4), were told one not available at that time but to return for ours in an hour which we duly did tables free but were informed they had subsequently been booked for someone else so completely wasted time waiting and 2 hungry children.Very poor practice maybe not a very child friendly establishment?

Worth booking, although we were lucky to get a table (the brilliant waitress will take a number and call you back if full- which they may be as they are that good!) great choice for veggies and carnivores alike. The chocolate pancakes were brilliant, and the full veggie was great I am told.

As a local I’ve watched this place develop and get even better. Offers a unique and varied choice which is executed very well. Their new project Stripped down the road is also equally as good.

The menu is really imaginative, the food will WOW you and the staff will make you feel at home.

The only early morning breakfast. Opens at 7.30. Very nice diverse breakfast. Challenge yourself and have something different.

A group of us popped in for brunch. This place is relatively small inside with an open kitchen area. We had fortunately decided to book.