Hillside Restaurant in Isle of Wight

Pictures don’t do this hotel justice. It’s absolutely stunning inside and out! We had a fantastic stay! The breakfast was excellent and the hotel facilities were great. Thank you Hillside Hotel we can’t wait to return.

Absolutely PERFECT !!!! Wonderful hotel. Stubning !! Gorgeous room, fantastic location and beautiful hotel grounds. Andrea Manager is a delight. 10/10

Fantastic small hotel. The room we had was off high quality and had great views over the village to the sea. The breakfasts were excellent and the croissant some of the best that I've had (not sure if they were produced on site or bought in). The owner/manager was very sociable and informative and easy to talk to, wanting to talk to his guests. Would go again and recommend.

Very nice hotel. Excellent service and ideally situated to explore Ventnor and the rest of the Isle of Wight

Beautiful Hotel. With well kept gardens. Lovely clean bedrooms with crisp white sheets. Food amazing with friendly staff and Andrea look after us well. Would love to go again.

Located above the town with views over the rooftop’s to the sea. The front door says by appointment only , a little odd for a hotel & restaurant. A Lovely modern interior with a large conservatory with comfortable sofa’s at each end. Our table was booked for 7pm all was ready after a cocktail . It is a set menu with one choice take it or leave it . Tuesday night was trout that became salmon as the fish monger had no trout . It was very tasty and plenty of it . Glazed Lemon brulée tart, flavoured with thyme glazed and served with raspberry sorbet was superb. A very nice way to spend an evening

We had a wonderful child free break and this hotel couldn't have been more perfect. So quiet and relaxing and the setting is beautiful. The gardens are gorgeous and a fabulous place to relax with a wine in the evening. The food was great and I think the breakfast was the best hotel breakfast I have ever had. The staff were so lovely and accommodating. I find it so surprising how many negative reviews there are over there not being coffee in the room, didn't bother us in the slightest and there are so many lovely areas to sit and enjoy a coffee if you wish! We will definitely be back!

Awful experience. The owner is one of the rudest people I have ever encountered in my life. He shouted at me and stormed off upstairs because I asked if my partner could have a coffee in her room. He then ignored us the following morning when we said good morning. To top it off he asked to look inside our bags when we returned home at 9.30pm to see if we were trying to "sneak" food into our rooms. Truly shocking. You are not allowed food or hot beverages in your room. Lights out by 10 pm. It does not feel like you are staying in a hotel, more like someone's house who doesn't want you there. We were not offered the dinner service or wine the following night after asking for a coffee. We paid for the most expensive room in the hotel. Dead Insects under the be. The Double bed was two singles pushed together. No Bath. Dirty windows. The office is outisde of room 12 (our room). Constant ringing from the phone, tv being played past 10 pm. We paid £800 for 3 nights. It wasnt even close to being value for money. I tried to voice my concerns to the manager on check out who had just returned that day from holiday. He wasn't bothered in the slightest. He just said the owner gets complaints all the time so they try and keep him away. Wow! A lovely island with fantastic places to visit but a awful house(hotel).

We had a wonderful stay. The hotel is simply beautiful and the host; Gert is marvellous. Our room was immaculate, beautiful and tasteful. The breakfasts were lovely. We will be back.

Lovely place in a great setting - such good views. Relaxed downstairs area for reading / having a cup of tea. Gardens looked great as well alas the weather precluded us using them! Hosting was super attentive. In short - recommended as its lovely!

We had a lovely stay at this excellent hotel. A very interesting building with lots of contemporary art on display and excellent staff. Very well located also.

Great hotel and views from the room. The staff are very nice and professional and made this an amazing stay

Fantastic dinner, exceptional service with a bit of theatre. Relaxing, fun with stunning views. Though as my wife pointed out we don't get out much! We will definitely be back. Thankyou for a lovely evening.

But I visited hillside house on the opposite side of the road?!

Wonderful. Calm, elegant, wonderful views. Goid food. Relaxing.

Very good place to stay first class breakfast

A true treasure of a hotel. I have stayed at Hillside on 4 occasions and some of my fondest memories are in this charming bed and breakfast. A wonderful place to relax, rejuvenate & enjoy the sea. Hope to make my fifth visit soon.

Gorgeous evening, beatiful place, Very attentive staff...food wonderful, with a fabulous bottle of wine...

Being greeted as you park the car and escorted into the house was a wonderful touch . The house is beautifully presented with great attention to detail , with strong Scandinavian influence in the clean white decor and carefully chosen furniture , the conservatory is delightful and has great views out over the English Channel . The service was charming and the 3 starter 3 main 3 desert menu was tempting , the dining room is stark but very functional and easy to relax in . The wine list is outstanding in both choices and pricing is wonderfully reasonable , such a welcome change in the world of rip off prices . The crab starter the beef and fish mains and the deserts were delicious and good portions well presented . Unpretentious high quality food at a very sensible price served with a smile . It would be hard to find any fault here and we all agreed a real find and we will be back for more at this reasonable prices . Well done all round .

You never disappoint...from the greeting to the drinks to the food, always a lovely experience,so enjoyable.

Superb establishment and great hosts.

Hillside is a top class small Boutique hotel in a good location and with a great view. Danish owner Gert is very engaging and welcoming and clearly the hotel and restaurant is his special heartfelt project based on high standards, great attention to detail and a very strong customer focus. The restaurant fully reflects Gert’s philosophy. The setting is light, modern and attractive and the whole service ethic is friendly, relaxed and efficient. The food is excellent and Gert’s own choice imported wines are interesting and good value Well worth a visit

Beautiful scenery, lovely staff, excellent food

These people know how to create a warm atmosphere, we were extremely well looked after at Hillside. The wine list is excellent, with an interesting menu and great service - we can't wait to visit again.

Excellent staff and a beautiful place. Food was superb and a very relaxing friendly environment.

Beautiful restaurant, lovely staff, great food. Will definitely be back!

My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at this wonderful restaurant. Very helpful and friendly staff and superb modern cuisine. The hotel is Danish-owned and decorated with lovely artwork on the walls. The food is very reasonably priced and with fixed prices for 2 or 3 courses there are no hidden extras for vegetables. The wine list is good and again very good value. The only drawback I could find was that parking is very limited. To balance this, the waiter rushed out with an umbrella and some much-needed parking assistance. We enjoyed our visit immensely and our only regret is that we weren't staying in the hotel which has stunning view over the sea. We will be back!

We came here this evening to celebrate my sister's engagement. We had a really delicous dinner, with engaging and thoughtful waiting staff. They made a massive effort with the vegan options for me, and made it a truly memorable evening for us all. Can't recommend enough!

Hillside is in a good location and is very well furnished and decorated to create a peaceful atmosphere. Our meal was from the £28 three-course menu and was well-presented but ( for me) not very warm. I had duck and my wife had plaice, and we were actually doubtful that this was plaice- it didn't have the usual markings on the skin and it was thicker than plaice usually is. Overall it was something of a let-down given its reputation.

Such a gorgeous hotel, fab staff. Great staff! Comfy bed. Amazing view!

Away from the town centre and seafront you can find this little gem. Only us and another couple were dining which was a shame but we enjoyed our intimate dinner. Arrived early for drinks in the peaceful garden as the weather was very warm. Our waiter was attentive and respectful. Three courses for £28 was very good value for the fine dining we encountered. Many of the ingredients sourced from their garden with the baby beets particularly tasty.

We had a delightful dinner at Hillside last week for the first time in a couple of years. For ambience, personal service, views and cuisine it cannot be beaten on the Island. Why this isn't number 1 in terms of Tripadvisor reviews is beyond me. It's a beautiful location, with superb modern Danish interior design and art that should be featured in Wallpaper Magazine. The gardens are stunning: great views over the Channel, amazing tropical planting with sheep, doves and chickens too. Paul Noakes is now chef and doing great things in the kitchen with fresh herbs, veg and salads from the hotel's kitchen garden and IOW foraged food. His bitter orange creme brulee is to die for! Gert is a charming host and - as well as being responsible for five star service and ambience - he has curated a wonderful (but surprisingly good value) wine list with classy house wines sourced directly. The whole experience is informal yet elegant and perfect for special occasions, but at a fraction of the price of Relais & Chateaux comparables on the mainland. Amazing value. Just go!

Lovely food (especially the lamb!) and friendly staff. Would definitely recommend to others and will go again

Not our first visit and most definitely will not be our last. The new menu was fresh and exciting, all presented beautiful and tasted amazing. Staff were very friendly and attentive and we were made to few very at home.

What a find! When buying a house in IOW, we were told Ventnor is the foodie capital of the Isle and this place takes the crown. When it comes to fine dining it is much more contemporary than the Royal hotel (which is great in its own right). The menu consisted of 5 starters and and 5 mains, with great options for vegetarian. The food was very tasty - we had the butternut soup and goat cheese dishes to start, followed by a seasonal garden salad with feta. Choc tart with white choc ice cream was rich but delicious! Great and affordable wine selection and above all great service. An absolute gem! Highly recommend.

Beautiful setting for this novel concept restaurant, as a vegetarian it was nice that my meal had as much attention lavished on it as the fish and meat. Great idea to combat the waste problem that most restaurants encounter and love that so much is local. Sit back relax and enjoy whatever the chef makes you.....

Excepcional cena con los visitantes de Estados Unidos e Irlanda, todos impresionado por los mariscos frescos, hierbas directamente desde el jardín, cheesecake rico y sabroso jengibre y buen vino. Kir royale para comenzar en el jardín, y té/café en el salón, rodeado de arte interesantes...

We had a wonderful meal in relaxing and tranquil surroundings. The restaurant is intimate with just a few tables and looks out onto the gardens. The food was delicately prepared and delicious. A great place for a special intimate meal.

On an evening with diversions and hail scouring the roads as we entered Ventnor, Hillside beckoned like nothing else. Our host, Gert, umbrella at the ready, was there to guide us to a parking spot as we swung in the gateway. What a welcome! Once safely inside, as we had looked at the online menu and pre-ordered, there was every reason to have drinks before the meal in a cosy side room. Food and service were excellent with an ambience that was delightful. Nothing was too much trouble (not that we were troublesome, of course) and our dinner guests were equally as enthralled as were we. Fine dining indeed, excelling on the Island in best culinary fashion. You could, from our experience, have put a pin anywhere in the menu and come up with a winner.

Good quality food, especially the locally caught fish but all the food needs more seasoning. The rice pudding desert is extraordinarily different and wonderful - come from the danish owner's homeland! Excellent service and very friendly hosts

Best food we had in Ventnor. Produce from the garden and a good chef. Also great service so definitely worth a visit

We visited this restaurant in March 2015 and were more than happy with our meal. As we were visiting my Sister who lives on the Isle of Wight she asked would we like to visit again. Looking forward to it we arrived and were shown to the conservatory for drinks. We ordered our food and the starter of Butternutsquash risotto was the worst thing I have ever tasted. It tasted like the chef had a basic risotto on the go, but had forgotten to add anything else. We asked the waiter who was very apologetic and he mentioned it to the chef. The chef then offered to replace the starters for the two of us. When the second order arrived I have to say it was worse. I am not sure what went wrong but we sent it back. We then ordered the steak which was good but the vegetables were not good. My husband had the fish which he said was nice but again no taste to the potatoes or vegetables. I was upset as my Sister and her Partner were treating us to this meal so we decided not to stay and have a sweet and coffee which was disappointing. I didn't want them to pay more money when if it had just been myself and my husband we would have left before the main course. The restaurant is also in my opinion badly spaced out as the two ladies who sat there right next to us listened to every word of our conversation even though they only ordered the main course !. The bill was £120 + which honestly was poor value for money. The next time we visit the Island to see my sister we will be looking elsewhere for dinner or to be on the safe side stay in and eat.

Whilst we have been here just once before writing an excellent review on that occasion, we were all totally disappointed with our meal tonight. The Butternut squash risotto ordered by two of our party was totally tasteless and for this reason, we asked that it was replaced. The replacement was not much better and was not finished by either of them My meal was edible although the absence of a decent amount of crab in my risotto with sea bass was obvious. One member of our party had crab cakes, again very little crab. The fillet steak for two of our family members was however very nice.Disillusioned, we left without having desert or coffee, £122 lighter for very little dining satisfaction.Once home, I had to rush to the toilet, where I suffered from a quick bout of D and V! No more Hilside for me thank you, disappointing because I previously thought we had found a gem.

Having got married on the Isle of Wight my husband chose the Hillside for our wedding night and we weren't disappointed!!! The room was beautiful, the whole hotel was immaculate and the breakfast was amazing and very high quality. Our host Gert was a great guy and nothing was too much trouble. We thoroughly enjoyed our 2 night stay and would be more than happy to return one day :o)

from the moment we arrived & the owner served us tea on the patio overlooking the wonderful gardens, the town & the sea there was nothing to dislike.The ambience, the food, the staff & the decor was brilliant ,it was even fun paying the bill!!

We visited this restaurant mid week with a couple of friends to take advantage of the 3 course set menu.We all found the food to be absolutely superb and perfectly cooked to our tastes. It was a pleasure to find that the set menu now has a wider range of choices. Previously (a few years ago) there were only 3 choices of main course although these were all great,The views from the restaurant are great and the service as exemplary. For Ventnor this is an expensive restaurant but it is worth it if you enjoy fine dining.

Great ambiance.Concise and interesting menu. Well presented food with realistic prices and wine list

We dined here to celebrate my wife's birthday and really enjoyed our dinner and the lovely surroundings. This is a beautiful looking small hotel with gorgeous grounds and is very tastefully furnished and decorated internally, which you are encouraged to explore. The menu is simple and very reasonably priced, but the quality of ingredients is outstanding and many of the vegetables etc are sourced straight from their own garden. The beef fillet was fantastic and the organic Beaujolais wine exceptional!The owner is obviously very proud of this lovely establishment and rightly so and all the staff are very friendly and proficient. We very nearly left without eating after discovering our 'electronic booking' had been 'lost', but after this initial 'mix-up' was sorted we had a lovely time and will return when we visit Ventnor again. Thoroughly recommended!

Dinner was a very relaxed affair - this is NOT fast food, thankfully. We were able to ask questions about the dishes and be guided on what would suit us best. Lovely wine too. Not just a meal but an experience in the wonderfully peaceful surroundings.

My sister in law and I were fortunate enough to have dinner here last Friday evening. From the minute you are welcomed through the front door you feel relaxed and taken care of. Having pre-dinner drinks in the lounge whilst choosing from the menu was a great start to the evening. We were invited to wander around the lounges, conservatory or gardens before sitting in the restaurant. Although the menu is limited to 5 starters, mains and desserts we could have chosen everything on the menu! What we did choose was well cooked and to a very high standard. The staff were attentive but also left us be whilst eating. They were on hand if we had needed assistance. The decor in the restaurant is calm and comfortable. All in all, we would highly recommend Hillside. The prices are extremely reasonable which tops off a wonderful evening. We will definitely be back again!

I booked this restaurant online from a recommendation given by the owner of the B&B we were staying at.When we arrived both owner and waitress searched about for a couple of minutes trying to track down our reservation to which they couldn't find it. However they did say they were able and happy to accommodate for us and we were shown to a room to wait in.After sitting around for ten minutes we were eventually given some food menus to look at. Another ten minutes went by and the waitress came back in and asked if we would like some drinks, although we hadn't been shown that menu so that took a couple more.The drinks then arrived and we were left again to the point we had almost had enough time to finish our drinks. The waitress then joined us yet again to take our food order and went away, yet again. More time passed and it started to feel like we were forgotten about. Finally we were joined again and told we could be shown to the table.There were only two other tables occupied in the room both with couples just like we were so I wasn't sure why it all took so long, however there might perhaps be another dining room(?) as there were many other

Eight of us were having a reunion, 40 years since first sharing a flat in London. We spend the week-end on the Isle of Wight and our first evening was spent at this lovely restaurant. Firstly there was a warm welcome into the bright, light and very Scandinavian atmosphere of this hill top restaurant. (Not surprising as the owners are Danish!). The view from the terrace over to the sea is wonderful and puts you in the right mood for your meal!Everything was beautifully prepared from the sea bream to the melt in the mouth steak. Service was efficient and friendly. The only slight negative is that due to wooden floorboards that look lovely, the sound level is quite high.

Loved the setting. Very friendly and accommodating staff. The food was delicious. The only thing we could say we didn't like was that they placed the tables too close together and we were on our own, as a couple for a romantic dinner and did not want to be over heard. However this was remedied quickly and without fuss and we were moved.

Visited the Hillside Restaurant with my family to celebrate my Birthday whilst staying on the Isle of Wight. We have been coming to the Island now for over 12 years to visit Family and thought we would try the Hillside. We were not disappointed. We received a very warm welcome when arriving, the house is immaculate and tastefully furnished. The starter of Butternut Squash Risotto was to die for I only wish I could have your recipe ! My Husband enjoyed the Rabbit Terrine, whilst my Sister enjoyed her favourite Crab. The main course Guinea Fowl was excellent, whilst my Sister and Husband had Fresh Fish - gorgeous. The food on the plate was just enough and such excellent quality, there was room for Sweets. I had the Rhubarb Crumble with Ginger Ice Cream , my Husband the Cheese Board. I believe the Wine recommended by the Owner was also excellent. The price for the four of us was very reasonable. Having eaten in top quality restaurants in London and been charged the earth, I can honestly say this was some of the best food my Husband and I had eaten at a Restaurant. We regularly visit my Sister on the Island so will be back for sure, hopefully in the Summer when we can enjoy drinks in the Conservatory overlooking the Sea. Thank you Hillside for a lovely evening.

A total experience, starting from the greeting at the door, through pre dinner drinks in the art filled reception rooms, to a stunning dinner of freshly picked salad, fruits and seasonal home grown vegetables. The service was amazing, with a wonderful selection of wines, nothing was missing. Very much looking forward to more of the same this year. Thank you Team Hillside!

Hillside Restaurant is located in beautiful surroundings and provides great food of high quality - some of it grown in Hillside garden located just in front of the hotel. The food and service was great and we enjoyed the stunning panorama sea view while we were eating.

We were visiting from London, staying with friends in Ventnor who regularly dine at Hillside. We were warmly greeted by Gert and shown into the conservatory, where we enjoyed a pre-dinner drink. After admiring the view (including the impressively neat vegetable 'patch') and learning a little about the history of this stunning thatched property, we took our seats in the dining room. On Gett's recommendation, 3 of our party ordered the lamb - and we were not disappointed. The food overall was extremely good and service was attentive throughout. After dinner, we took our drinks into another sitting room, where we relaxed, unhurried, before going home. Gert's passion for his establishment was evident in his attention to detail and enthusiasm for sharing details of where he had sourced furnishings etc. For a special occasion, Hillside offers something different and I would certainly recommend it.

The food and quality of service at The Hillside are fantastic. The host arranged a special Vegan menu for my wife with delicious vegetables grown in the hotel garden. Pricing is very reasonable and I would encourage people to give it a try.

From the moment we walked in to the hotel, we were made to feel welcome and the staff are friendly and helpful. Food was superb. The beef was the best beef I've ever had and my girlfriend, whose birthday we were out celebrating, said that, at 46, the dessert was the best she'd ever had. Good value too and very glad we went. Will certainly go back again....and again. Thanks hillside for a lovely evening.

The food was absolutely amazing, tasteful and beautiful presented. We had the crab as starter, the beef as main and the cheese for dessert - all a great combination of local and own garden produce. The view is stunning.

Food comes in quite cold and it isn't that great. My partner found a piece of plastic in his food too. Not great value at £30 either.

Apart from being the only restaurant open on a Monday night in Ventnor, this little gem is well worth a visit.The staff are friendly, the food was excellent and the ambiance great. You'll need to book in advance to be sure of a table as they don't have a huge amount of covers but you'll not be disappointed....we'll certainly be back!

Lovely fresh food prepared with attention and thought. The location is really good too with a great view and Scandinavian clean decor. If the food and service are this good then huge B&B must be great too- we will definitely be back next time.

This has to be on the top of the list for an excellent foodie experience. We received a very warm greeting by the owner and the staff. The log fire and comfortable designer furniture were a joy to experience while having a pre dinner drink. The dining room had equally comfortable designer seating and we enjoyed the current exhibition of contemporary paintings around the walls as we savoured our food. We will definately be returning.

Dined at the HIllside Restaurant yesterday evening and can't recommend it highly enough. The meal was absolutely delicious, the welcome warm and the service excellent. My husband is not easily pleased but both of us agreed this was easily the best restaurant meal we've enjoyed so far this year. Thanks to all concerned at HIllside. I hope we'll be back one day.

I enjoyed a Valentines meal in Hillside restaurant and it was glorious from start to finish. The food is well sourced and tastes divine, The wine to suit our meal was excellently chosen by the owner Gert and we were well looked after from start to finish. The restaurant is well set out so although there were other guests, it still felt very intimate for a nice romantic meal. I very much look forward to eating there again.

Superb from the moment we entered till we left. Food second to none, attentive service. excellent wine and champagne, an experience never to be forgotten.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a celebration meal here in the Hillside Restaurant. To put everything in context, this is what most would call a boutique hotel: a comfortable, designer, exquisite and striking venue - distinctly Scandinavian - and very welcoming! We had a particularly warm welcome, canopies and drinks before our meal that were splendid, and then a full, and most beautifully presented meal that could not be faulted in any of its many courses - I did especially like the Isle-of-Wight cheese board, a lovely touch. Friendly and fantastic I would summarise the experience and I know that the couple who were hosting the event had a Diamond wedding celebration beyond comparison! We non-islanders really enjoyed the great view as well. All I can add is, well done Hillside!

My wife was recovering from a shoulder operation so a little bit of TLC was required. Well at Hillside we got TLC+ nothing was to much trouble but then the food was ************** fantastic+, my mouth is watering just writing this review. We will return when we are looking for some more TLC

I tried the Hillside Restaurant, which is really recommendable! Next time Im going to Isle of Wight, I'll definitely come back to Hillside Ventnor, and then visit Hillside Ventnor Bistro!

Brilliant restaurant just off the High St. Small and intimate serving phenomenal food with an open kitchen so you can see the chef at work. A must visit on any trip to Ventnor

I have just come back from having a meal here and I must say it was very good, the food was excellent and I would recommend this to any one on the Island to go and try it.

Just returned from a long weekend at the wonderful Hillside Hotel. During our stay we dined in the Hillside Restaurant twice. Excellent food and service – and beautiful surroundings! We definitely recommend the Hillside Restaurant!

I enjoyed an intimate wedding at this hotel. I could not say enough about the host/owner and staff, serving drinks as soon as we arrived and then through the wedding lunch which was delicious, plus the champagne toast. Then as photos were being taken. The service was super. The grounds were lovely as this was in July and the weather could not have been better. A perfect setting for a lovely wedding. I have no idea how far the beach was from the hotel.I cannot comment on the value, sleep quality or rooms as I did not stay here.

We stayed at Hillside for 2 nights in August and ate in the Hotel on the secoond night.We were recommended a delicious rose wine served on on the terrace followed by fantastic steaks with an even better chateau Margaux 2007. The cheese board was english but as good as any french one we've had and the deserts were brilliant e.g cherry clafoutis with hand made cherry ice cream!Absolutely scrummy!

Excellent food. Recommend rissotto and seabass. Homemade produce - bread and butter accompanying meal. Excellent service.

As someone who lives on the island and wishes success for all island businesses I felt I must respond to the last review. We had a similar experience on what should have been a special occasion with a very indifferent meal. The soup was ordinary, the fish bland and the vegetarian course inedible. Probably the worst vegetarian meal I have ever been served. Although my dish was collected almost uneaten no one bothered to ask if everything was satisfactory. As it was a treat from someone who lives abroad I did not wish to spoil the evening by complaining; indeed I should not have had to complain. The entire experience was some how dispiriting, the sweets were unmemorable, the cheese board not worth eating, with hard brie a shame when there are delicious island cheeses available. Not a good advert for the Isle of Wight

This restaurant just would not survive anywhere but the Isle of Wight and this is because the people on the Island are so forgiving. The owner is appallingly rude to his customers, the service was dreadful with plates getting cleared before people had fininshed eating. The vegetarian main course was inedible and clearly so, however, the owner did not bother to ask what the problem was.. he just did not care.If this were a sketch show based on Fawlty Towers it would have been funny however, paying a substantial amount of money for average food and awful service with an angry owner prowling around the table made it less than amusing. After being hurried and harried we left and wanted to leave the car overnight (the restaurant was closed so we weren't blocking anyone or stopping anyone from parking there) in order to collect it early the next morning, as one can do in any other restaurant when one has been drinking, but this was not allowed by the owner. He did not give a hoot for the fact that his customers had been drinking and were not allowed to drive he just wanted the cars off his premises. Luckily some of us were not drinking and therefore able to move the cars. We laughed about the rudeness of the owner of the restaurant, but if you don't like people and don't want to be with the public you ought to get into another line of work and he is in the wrong line of business.I have no idea what this man's problem is; whether it was just on this evening or whether he is always sullen, rude and insists on clearing tables when people are still eating, or indeed whether he was having this secretly filmed for some bizarre reality television programme. Luckily, the people I was with were a delight and we made light of what could have been a very upsetting evening. After leaving we went to the beautiful Ventnor Arts Club; the host was delighful, the staff were lovely and we all had a good laugh about the extraordinary experience at the Hillside.

Strange experience all round:Booked for large party and paid £10 per head deposit, two weeks before advised that only 50% of people coming. However on receipt of bill the deposit was not refundable although clearly they had filled the places as there would have been no room had the original numbers turned up!As with most per ordered menus there is always one who can't remember what they had ordered, there was a lot of raising of eyebrows and tut tuting from the staff. Plates were cleared before we had all finished and again raised eyebrows that someone had the audacity to still be eating. 2 members of the party smoked ( dreadful habit) and there is a strict no smoking policy on the site. Therefore as no pavements on that side of the road they had to stand across the road from the restaurant , slightly undignified. One could suggest that it was their fault for having such a disgusting habit however another guest sat in the gardens just outside the conservatory area smoking a rather smelly cigar, when we mentioned this to the staff they seemed quite non plussed and clearly were not going to challenge him, perhaps his custom was more important than ours?Some members of our party were staying overnight. As we have been experiencing some fabulous sunny weather the room was a little airless so they opened a window. Mistake ....as was told to close it and if they were too uncomfortable the staff woudld get them a taxi to take them elsewhere!!! Food was great, my steak was delicious, the veggie option was disappointing. Car parking a big problem as staff seem to take up valuable customer spaces.Overall left feeling I had been a great inconvenience to them, wont go back and such a shame as feel passionate about supporting local business.

We ate there three nights. What we liked was * the inexpensive lovely wines - patic the Bondera and any of the Dr Loosens * the steak and dauphinoise potatoes, the crayfish linguine, the cheeseboard and the creme brulee * the service - perfect timing and delivery

We visited the restaurant at this hotel to dine - we weren't staying there. The building is immaculate and the service was very good. The owner/maitre d is charming and clearly cares about his reputation as a top quality establishment. The food was good but not outstanding and the service was warm and friendly. The only crititisism would be that we felt rather rushed with out pre-dinner drinks as were were ushered to our table when we'd only just started the drinks.

Excellent food & service in a lovely light dining room with beautiful paintings looking out to sea with a delightful conservatory in which to have coffee or tea. There was a choice from 4 starters, 4 main courses & 4 sweets on the menu which we booked the night before. I would have liked to have had a seafood main course choice on the menu every day. There was a good choice of wines and the service was excellent.

If you want great food, pleasant efficient service, beautiful clean relaxing surroundings with fantastic sea views well, you can't go wrong here! You need to book because they don't take walk-ins - this is because they send you the menu prior to your booking so that you can choose each dish beforehand. This is a great way of dining because we were all relaxed from the moment we got there - it didn't matter how much we needed to chat because all the boring reading and decision making was done! This way, the kitchen is totally prepared and allows them to concentrate on your chosen menu.

Book this restaurant before you go - you'll have trouble getting a table otherwise. This is a great restaurant, the staff are so nice and completely professional whilst making you feel so relaxed. The decor is very simple and clean. The food is very good, local produce is used where possible and all very well cooked and fresh. The wine list is perfectly suited to the food offered. There is only one sitting per evening, and so when we went for a 7 pm dinner reservation we were invited to stay for a long a we liked. We sat in the conservatory and watch the night fall over the sea. Gert, the proprietor, brought us out a pot of single bean coffee which he has imported from El Salvador, and roasts on the island which was absolutely delicious. When my husband asked for a brandy, he brought out a choice of four brandies and highlighted the good points of all four. We eventually left at 10.30, paying what was a very reasonable bill. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a very different dining experience.

This is not your average, 'run of the mill' high class restaurant (if that makes sense). This places is special, feels special right from the first step inside and lives up to that through out the experience.Very high quality furnishings, decor and a superb view. Top that with with very good food and excellent service.This is a place for special occasions and to impress, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.A top find!

I read the other reviews on trip advisor and was a little sceptical as every comment was so complimentary but it's all true! As soon as we arrived, a gentleman (I'm assuming the owner)from the Hillside greeted us and made us feel very welcome. Before our meal we relaxed in the lounge area with a nice bottle of wine and unlike restaurants in London, they didn't rush us at all. We opted for the 3 course meal for £28 which was great value for money considering the quality and high standard of food. The owner really made us feel special from the time we arrived to the time we left and the overall experience at the Hillside made my trip to the Isle of Wight very memorable!

Living on the Island its always nice to try and find some where new. We had heard about the hillside so decided to venture over to Ventnor.Greeted by the owner Gert he gave us a tour of the lounges and outside terrace and we took a seat in one of the lounges with a good bottle of wine and took the artwork and great atmosphere in.The food was of a quality that you would expect from top London restaurant's, the atmosphere was great and the views across Ventnor and the British channel all made for a very special evening.Will be going back again and again no doubt. Not a bad word to say.Perfect!David

My wife and I and our 2 friends went to the Hillside for a meal last night.It was a very cold evening but we were very pleasantly surprised that our host and owner Gert was waiting outside the front door to show us in.He has made the Hotel and Restaurant into a very smart establishment indeed.A mix of the modern with a touch of the old..Beautiful rooms to have a pre meal drink and one had a raging hot log fire.We were shown into the dining room by very nice staff which during the meal were attentive but not over so.We had chosen our food some days before on the internet and the food turned out to be everything that we had expected.Well cooked fresh and very tasty.Gert is very nice with a nice dry sense of humour.My wife Christine had developed a cold in the last 2 days and when Gert realised this he gave her his secret drink to cure this with and the bonus so Gert swore was true an added bonus that it prolonged life by 25 to 30 years.We have yet too see if this is correct.The bill came and we were pleasantly surprised that it worked to be about £25 each for our wonderful 3 course meal.Drinks were extra.In conclusion I would recommend the Hillside as a Restaurant for a special occasion or otherwise, a warm feel to the place and will be defiantly hopefully going for a meal again.

We booked the Hillside for our annual WI birthday party. The service we received was second to none from the planning of the menu to the wonderful afternoon we spent with Gert and his team. The welcome was warm and sincere and everyone appreciated the lovely food, whichever dish they chose (particularly recommend the ham hock). The décor and position of the restaurant are stunning with beautiful views out to sea. It was unanimously voted that we make a return visit.

Cozy bar, plain dining room but who cares. The food, wine and service were superb. Outstanding value for money

Having pre booked here some time before our honeymoon we were slightly disconcerted to discover the booking had been mislaid when we arrived. The owner Gert could not have been more helpful however. He asked us to come in and have a glass of wine whilst he spoke to the Chef to see what they could do.What followed was a wonderful meal including the best Sole I have eaten. Very impressed with tis establishment we will be staying here in the future. Booked aa table at their Bistro in Ventnor for Thursday so we will see how that goes

This restaurant came highly recommended and is beginning to make a name for it's self on the Island, it is located on a hillside as the name suggests just outside the town centre.When we arrived we were met from the car park and shown into the hotel to basically have the run of the downstairs enabling us to browse the contemporary art and the grounds, the atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed without being too informal.The restaurant was laid out in such away a view out of the window is possible from pretty any of the tables.I had the starter of Isle of Wight rabbit terrine which was very pleasant and beautifully balanced with the Melba toast and chutney, my wife had the grilled goats cheese which worked well with accompanying pear, walnuts and dressing. The main course was the lamb rump was to be honest a little disappointing as it was over cooked and as with all the courses lacked finesse you would expect for a £28 pp meal. My wife had the poached haddock, which while was very tasty, however it felt more like top-end pub food rather than a fine dining experience.The dessert for both of us was apple and rhubarb tart tatin, which provided a very pleasant end to the meal.We finished the evening by having coffee in one of the rooms while looking through coffee table books.In summary I totally enjoyed the Hillside experience however the food needs some work to compete with the likes of the Hamborough which is also in Ventnor. I will be back however I would be very disappointed if the food hasn't improved.

I wanted to take my partner for a meal to celebrate her birthday and as the Hillside was the only one of the better restaurants on the Island that we hadn't visited I thought that we should give it a try. We weren't disappointed! Every course was perfection and we were made to feel very special. After our meal we took our coffee in the conservatory looking out over the rooftops of Ventnor to the Channel, watching ships pass in the night. The owner brought our coffee and we had a very pleasant conversation with him and finished the evening with a complimentary glass of port each. We both agreed that it was the best meal that we've had on the Island.

This was the last night of our honeymoon so we wanted somewhere nice. FrOm the moment we tried we were treated like royalty. Beautiful garden to sit I and lovely minimalist decor in the lovely house. Food was fabulous. Home cooked rolls with a tomato and red pepper soup. I had the salmon which was delicious and my husband had the ham hock. Only one siTting an eve but it worked beautifully and the whole evening felt very special.

They only serve at 7.00pm. They were supposed to be open six nights of the week, but were closed for four during our week's stay. Food is mediocre - some reasonable recipes, but with very poorly cooked vegetables, and on all three nights the starters were imbalanced and poorly seasoned.

We have now dined at the Hillside restaurant twice and on both occasions my husband and I have had what can only be described as the perfect evening. The food was fantastic and the service was faultless. If you are visiting the Isle of Wight this is a must do.

What a lovely evening we had. We were treated to a lovely evening when we had dinner out at The Hillside. The staff were exceptionally welcoming and we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks outside. The food was lovely and service was just right - making just the right amount of conversation to be helpful and feel welcomed, but not too much to be interfering. We were not staying at the Hillside that night, but we were able to relax and enjoy the place after the meal, either outside (with blankets provided) or in one of their lounges. A lovely evening out in a place that we would highly recommend.

Cannot recommend this highly enough. Arrive early from time invited to enjoy drinks on terrace before dinner to take in the breathtaking sea view and enjoy the unique design of the rooms after dinner too. Food always delicious and will accommodate food intolerances and allergies in advance.

My meal at the Hillside Restaurant was second to none, the french cheff prepares the whole meal using localy sourced ingredients and that is something which is clear whilst eating the food, the night is well structured, which makes the set menu, that much more enjoyable, at 7 oclock the Hillside team present the everyone in the Restaurant with there starter almost simultaniuslly, this continues for the rest of the evening, making every customer feel equal, and givng everyone the chance to feast on some of the islands finest food.

Das Restaurant besitzt die schönste Aussicht aller in Ventnor. Das angebotene Menu war sehr gut. Die Bedienung aufmerksam. Die Preise waren fair. Alles in allem eine runde Sache.