Smuggler's Haven in Isle of Wight

We arrived at 3.30pm for tea and light snacks en route back to our holiday cottage. 4 adults and two dogs. We were at first impressed by the lovely views and sat down to peruse the menu. A man called Paul arrived at our table and immediately looked at his watch and said you having got a lot of time to order any food , I enquired what the last time for ordering food was and he said he would have preferred we had arrived earlier, as 4pm was the sort of time they wanted to stop food. We were there at 3.30pm prepared to spend about £50.00 with snacks and drinks but his face looked angry as he shrugged his shoulders when I reminded him it was only 3.30pm. So annoyed at their overpriced snacks and tea at £2.80 per person we decided that this establishment did not warrant our custom or money beyond a drink as I was with my 82 year old relatives who needed a drink. We had the tea and left. Paul if your cafe is doing so well that you can turn trade away then thank god you have a view as there would be nothing else to bring tourists to your cafe / team room. Give this place a miss , they don’t need the custom and your not missing anything either.

Great place! Views amazing and food was fantastic. Brilliant friendly staff. Good stop for motorbikes and cyclists. Take a visit - you won’t be disappointed.

Friendly staff and lovely bagels. Our new go to cafe. The new owners are lovely, friendly and capable. Highly recommend for the food and the view.

What an absolute hidden gem. Do not drive by but call in. The views are stunning and service was lovely and friendly.

Been going here for around 20 years when we can , Always consistent sandwiches and cream teas with a beautiful view.

Such friendly staff who really made us feel welcome. I had the veggie breakfast and my friend had the full English, delicious. Views are stunning and unspoilt - highly recommend in fact can’t wait to go back for a cream tea ❤️

We visited here during May half term. It was the new owner's second day of opening. We had a fantastic lunch of sandwiches and cakes. The owners and staff were super helpful and friendly - especially as my youngest had fallen and injured himself on the walk there, providing much needed dressings and antiseptic. We will be back again!

So happy that this lovely little tearooms has reopened. It’s just so quaint and peaceful, and of course the view is beautiful! New owners who are just lovely and friendly. We only had coffee and cake today, but both were delicious and we will be back now we know it’s open again! Wishing them good fortune

We came across this absolutely picturesque setting today. The lattes were made to perfection and a decent size. Beautiful selection of cakes (coffee and pecan was delicious). The menu offered a good choice and very reasonably priced. You can't ask for a better place to sit and look out to sea. The roses by the patio seating smelt divine. There was seating under the trees which offered a cool shady spot. Unbelievable that the new owners have only been open 4 days! It has such a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Dogs are most welcome and very likely to be offered a treat and a fuss! Will definitely be visiting again. Good luck for your first season.

Just re-opened with new owners and magnificent. Friendly, welcoming staff and a great breakfast and coffee. Views are magnificent!

Just opened today under new ownership. Really friendly and delicious cakes on offer at reasonable prices. Slightly out of town but beautiful terrace to relax a while and enjoy the sea views.

The best toasties we have ever had, excellent coffee, and a delicious cream tea with the most wonderful home cooked scones. Friendly staff and one of the best views on the Island make this a must visit for a special lunch or just a lovely coffee !!

Superb cafe in a superb setting. One of the finest cream teas I can remember! Well done to you all! We will be back .

This is a little gem of a place to find drinks and food. Everything is served to perfection. The owners are first rate, highly skilled proprietors of this lovely eating establishment. The homemade scones with jam and cream are the best you would get anywhere as is every item on the menu. You are always made to feel welcome and nothing is too much trouble. The sea views are splendid. I would highly recommend visiting Smugglers Haven. Hopefully will be back next year.

Friendly staff, superb views matched with delicious food. The cheese toasted sandwiches were yummy and the scones with clotted cream and jam were divine. Check the opening times before you visit.

Friendly owners & staff, lovely sandwiches & cakes with the added bonus of a beautiful sea view . A little gem! We had a smoked salmon sandwich & toasted tea cake which were lovely. Great selection of cakes.

You have a wonderful location and good food however only issue I have is that the food is on the dear side so you are basically paying over the odds for what you get.

Stopped for a coffee which was very nice and ice cream on costal walk. Ice cream turned out to be vegan ie made with coconut oil and full OF fat when I pointed it out to the owners that it is advertised as being dairy...

We stopped for an early lunch after walking up from the Devil's Chimney. The gardens are beautifully well-kept, there's no shortage of outdoor seating and the views are spectacular on a sunny day. There's a small, but good choice of homemade cakes hi-ordered and asked...

The views at the top of the downs was worth the long walk so we decided had earnt a relaxing treat. Stopped here for salmon sandwiches and cake. The views here are fantastic (see photos) - Recommended.

Just returned to the mainland following a long-term visit to the isle. As the wife loves a nice coffee we tried quite a few places but she assures me this is the best on the island ! As I'm not really a tea/coffee lover I...

delightful views over the well groomed gardens with a selections toasties and cakes. well work a visit on a sunny day

This tea room has just reopened after lockdown and we stopped for a cream tea. Fantastic. Super friendly proprietors and tea served the way it should be - a large pot plus extra hot water plus an extra tea bag if necessary. Cream tea with...

Me and my family were walking to shanklin and stumbled across this little gem!!! Amazing views and fabulous scones and cakes. We had a great afternoon and we will visit again very soon.

I have spent a lot of time working in the desert and it is not an over statement to say the scones here were drier.We visited in 2019 and stopped for a cream tea. It was not cheap, I seem to recall about £7 for a scone and tea. The scones were dreadful, I wish we hadn't wasted our money.If you want to make the most of it then bring your own and a flask and sit out on a bench, there are so many nice places between Ventnor and Shanklin that you can do that. If you want the experience of being out then go to the tea gardens next to Appley steps in Shanklin (not Rhylstone Gardens, the tea gardens on the opposite side of that road).

"What can I say the best cream tea I have ever tasted" nice people and location to boot. I would recommend Smugglers Haven to anyone looking to relax and enjoy the view.

Read through previous reviews and gave Smugglers Haven a go... glad we did as scones were gorgeous and served with clotted cream. Two of us for under a tenner. Will be back.

A perfect spot....fabulous views,friendly welcome, great selection of cakes and the cream teas looked spot on.

The beautiful views are really what make this place, and the cakes are nice too. Parking can be a bit difficult at busy times, prices were fair. One thing we found is the scones take a long while to come out, where as the cakes...

Tranquil spot. Lovely coffee and cake. Coffee and walnut was lovely and light. Short walk down to devil’s chimney.

This place had so much charm but that has been swept away by the new owners, it looks very stark inside, hopefully they will rectify this next year and add some character. Be warned, do not come here if you are hungry, they seem to...

Visited for lunch, however only cake and drinks on offer, no light bites. I suppose it is a tea garden and not a cafe but I would have expected a few more options on the menu. Whilst most of the staff were warm & friendly I cannot say the same for the man on the till, he reminded me of Scrooge, absolutely no front of house skills, no customer interaction, and only there to take the pennies. All said and done the view from the garden was pleasant and on an inclement day you can sit inside. The Smugglers had plenty of hand sanitiser on offer, and regular cleaning of outside tables was seen. Sadly an average rating on this occasion, room for improvement.

Great little tea garden , , fabulous view and sitting area , great home made cakes and pots of tea , very nice owners. And spotlessly clean

Very friendly staff, and the best cream tea. Scones really fresh, nice jam and so much proper clotted cream, with a few sweet strawberries. Nice garden with view. Will be going again.

The location of the Smugglers Haven Tea Gardens is enviable to say the least, the views are outstanding!I visited with my wife & parents last year, parking is available in two areas, both are pretty uneven though, so take care. It had been a while since I’d last been, the views really are fantastic, there’s a choice of seating areas, we sat on the raised upper decked area, there is other seating inside & on the grass too.We didn’t eat, we only stopped for coffee, I wished we hadn’t. I asked for a cappuccino, sadly all they do though is place a cup/mug under a machine & press a button, there’s no cappuccino machine, no ‘proper’ coffee machine, and the coffee wasn’t good at all, in-fact it was pretty dire.If you want to go for the view, please do, but unless they’ve installed a ‘proper’ coffee machine for 2020, don’t go for the coffee, it’s awful.

Memories of childhood Worth the walk/ climb but don’t expect Disney! Fresh air and great views plus a bit of history

Group of 6 of us went for an afternoon tea. Great views out to sea. We sat outside and it was all lovely and clean. It is quite basic in terms of facilities and menu (like going back in time) but it was all cooked lovely, home made cakes, and really friendly staff. Choice of sandwiches, toasties, scones, egg and chips, etc

Not been here for a few years. It hasn’t changed and remains good value and wholesome. The food is varied and without frills but good value. It’s been run by the same performance many years and the have it absolutely right. It’s cash only. Well worth the detour off the coastal path between bemoans shanklin.

The best crab sandwiches I've ever tasted. Beautiful tranquil location, really friendly staff, would highly recommend a visit.

Lovely little tea house tucked out of the way. All homemade cakes and very friendly staff. We arrived right near closing time and we were still welcomed.

Small car park serve this venue, but the view if you sit outside is great provided the weather is OK.

All the good reviews here say all the things I'd like to say.Been coming here for years. My Kate mother in law lived the scones and clotted cream and the serene view. As do I. Parking can sometimes be a problem cos it's popular. But it's worth it.

Nice place to come have a cup of tea after you've had a energetic walk.polite staff reasonably priced.lovely views and surroundings.

Walked from Shanklin to Bonchurch and the Smuggler's Haven was a great place to stop before continuing the walk - as we were gasping for refreshments after our route took us up numerous steps!! Situated parallel to the main Shanklin to Ventnor road with its own car park and nearby bus stop, there's also a public (payable) car park nearby. Outside seating with lovely views, some seating inside as well. Only seemed to be two staff on when we visited but they coped admirably with a large walking party who called in. Only had a coffee (£2.00 for a very decent mug) so can't comment on the food, although friends had the rock cakes which they enjoyed and there were also nice looking cakes on offer. Sign saying only cash accepted, not sure if that is all the time or only when we visited. Enjoyed our short break there.

Charming little place run by charming people. We had sandwiches, cakes and coffee, and all the food was fresh and very tasty. The cafe was very clean, the service very friendly, and prices were reasonable, too. Not to mention the stunning views from the terrace. Plus, you can watch the red squirrels come to munch off the bird feeders. A true gem, highly recommended!

Smugglers was the best place we visited on the Island! The views are out of this world, the staff were very friendly and the food was delicious too. We started with breakfast which was served quickly and cooked to perfection. We then decided to treat ourselves to a cream tea afterwards as we didn’t want to leave and it was a decision we didn’t regret! The scones were freshly made and the portions of jam and cream were generous. We left feeling very full and very content. I will be back!

Called in on Easter Monday afternoon for a cream tea. The scones were ok, not fantastic, but the jam had no flavour, I couldn't taste it at all and just looked really cheap. The tea pot leaked badly, so when I tried to pour the first cup, I lost a lot of it. They are tiny cups and weren't exactly generous with the tea. This wasn't the dearest cream tea we have ever had, but it certainly wasn't the cheapest and was definitely the worst, (taste wise). Felt very disappointed and ripped off and won't return. Such a shame as the location is lovely and that is why we went there on a lovely sunny day.

Fabulous little place - no frills but the sandwiches were superb!! The staff were helpful and friendly. Shame you can’t take dogs inside but understand they’re not everyone’s cup of tea! Weather was sunny enough to sit outside and enjoy the view! Toastier we’re scrumptious!!

If you fancy a lovely cream tea in a relaxing setting this is worth a visit. Beautiful on a sunny day looking out over the sea. 😊

A word of warning if you're walking and planning a pit stop - don't rely on this place being open when they say they are. Large signage states open until 4:30 but doesn't say that they may decide to close early if business isn't great. My wife and I arrived at about 4:15 having walked from Shanklin via Wroxall and Ventnor. We were in need of refreshments and anticipated a warm welcome, coffee and scones. Sadly, as the door was locked and there was no-one present, we had to make do with our own provisions. This was a glorious sunny day - Tuesday 25th Sept - so to close early seems bizarre. On the other hand, having since read other reviews of this place, it seems that we may have had a lucky escape ! Those seeking nice scones should try Pencil Cottage in Shanklin - clotted cream, not whipped and the homemade jam is well worth the extra few pence.

We visited the Smugglers Haven in Bonchrch on an early Friday afternoon in August. We had come across to the island that morning at Yarmouth and after a drive along the Military Road and a walk up St Catherine’s Down, we had planned to come here.

Heading out of Shanklin, on the road to Ventnor careful you don't miss this treat. Tucked away on the left side of the road, fantastic views from the terrace and excellent food. Also very friendly and accommodating staff

Visited on a dreary day which was starting to clear, we were after a cream tea! Got a cream tea but far from the best! Great views and very friendly staff but strange having nutmeg/cinnamon in and being served with whipped cream! If you’re going to offer them do it the right way!

Visited today with grandparents and children for a cream tea. The view is fantastic but that’s about all I can say positive. The scones have cinnamon in them. It’s whipped cream not clotted and there’s hardly any jam for two scones! The tea tastes as though it had UHT milk in it. We sat at plastic tables and my husband’s chair actually broke whilst he was sitting on it sending our food and drink flying. We weren’t offered an apology or replacement food for our three year old. Awful attitude from the man clearings tables. Don’t visit here. Give it a miss!

Lovely views out to sea and although a little dated, the whole place was very clean including the toilets.

Outstanding View but the food was average which was a disappointment. Staff just going through the motions.

Just popped in for a quick stop. Ended up all having a sandwich and shared a cream tea. Lovely location, lots of seating outside with lovely views over the channel. No frills just good solid food and beverages. Scones were lovely. Definitely worth a stop.

Having visited many times in the past was disappointed with a half empty glass of milkshake. I queried it and was told it was half a pint, that’s what you get - if you have ice cream as well (extra 60p) the glass would be full.

Stopped here for tea & scones after a walk.What a lovely cafe & nice owners.We sat outside in the shade. it was a really hot day.Tea was good with plenty of extra hot water, scones were excellent.

This is a nice little place that is close to a walking path, nice view over sea / nature. good scones. parking available.

I have been here a few times and it is always a relaxing,positive experience.The tea rooms/cafe has a wide range of food and drinks at good value and well presented and my double egg and chips was perfect.

If we could give this place 100 stars we would! It is just the kind of place we like - quiet, very clean, set in stunning countryside. The staff were so kind and friendly to us and tried to help us get a picture of the elusive red squirrel :) quaint and cute toilets, and a lovely garden walk. The whole place seems set back in time - but we loved this. We all had a ploughman’s and it was delicious. Just simple food, but presented beautifully and with care. We all agreed that this was the best meal we’d had on the holiday. Absolutely lovely and perfect in every way. Thank you lovely kind staff!

Wonderful views from the terrace and an Older Worlde feel. Delicious cakes and drinks plus crab sandwiches and cream teas

We're a family of walkers who stopped off at the Smuggler's en route from Shanklin to Bonchurch for some much needed refreshment before we climbed up onto St Martin's Downs. The location is so pretty with beautiful views out to sea and there was a lovely timeless quality about the place as we enjoyed milk shakes and chocolate sponge cake just as people must have done there for years. A real "Haven"! On our next visit we may try climbing up the 'Devil's Chimney' - an old smugglers' route.

Cash and counter service only but you are rewarded with a laden tray to carry onto the terrace or out to the garden. Plenty of furniture and parasols, its a sun trap!

Pull into the free car park on the left as you drive from Shanklin, just by the "Ventnor and Bonchurch" sign and walk through the pleasure ground, or walk up from the coastal path if you want to find this hidden gem.

What a lovely older couple who run a tea room serving a lovely range of light lunches, hot drinks and cakes. The view is tremendous, looking over the cliff down to the sea, and to top it all off there's a stair well down in between the rocks that takes you all the way down to a lovely little shingle beach that's very quite.

Love the view, so quiet and peaceful, great rock cakes, we know people who would sit here with a cup of tea and beans on toast and be the happiest they could be! Mike and Sandra are spot on and know what their customers like. Red squirrels on the nut feeder if you are lucky, too.....

The best fresh crab sandwich I've ever had, this lovely quaint little cafe has stunning views from the terrace, freshly made sandwiches, good choice of cake and unusual knick knacks should you wish to buy them. Local people obviously use this and that, for me, is a very good reason for trying the cafe. We went on a wet afternoon but had a look around and it must be fab on a hot day. Please get rid of the spiders webs around the really funny but clean loos. I did laugh tho. :))

Quite simply the best place for cream teas on the island. Highly recommended for couples, family and friends. We are regulars and enjoy the views and the generous and delicious servings.

Paré aquí durante nuestro paseo costero de Ventnor de Shanklin. Si quieres alta cocina y servicio, estrella michelín, entonces éste no es para ti. Pero si estás buscando una taza de té con tonterías el mejor queso sándwiches tostados en la ciudad, entonces éste es...

Nos encontramos con esta pequeña y pintoresca tienda de té durante sus vacaciones cerca de Ventnor, y decidimos parar para nuestro té de la tarde. Hay un gran aparcamiento gratuito y los aseos. Una vez dentro de la tienda de té, había una gran variedad...

Si estás en la costa este de la Isla de Wight, es casi imprescindible que visite Smuggler's Haven! En un día soleado se puede disfrutar de unas vistas extraordinarias del mar desde la sala de estar agradable. Los bollos, pasteles y bebidas están realmente bien, y lo hace bien merece una parada. Hay también una selección de helados, por lo que es ideal para los niños y, por tanto, ofrecer una gran experiencia para toda la familia. Recomiendo encarecidamente Smuggler's Haven, y continuará de visitar el café en su preciosa ubicación.

visited this tea room whilst going to the devils chimney. my partner ordered a cream tea and was asked which scones he wanted. he asked for fruit scones and was then told he had to have one fruit and one plain as there weren't many left! She was obviously saving them for something as they were on display in front of us!Our party of four were the only people ordering and he was the only one who wanted fruit scones! We will not visit again which is a shame as the cakes were nice

Just in a perfect spot if you've ascended through the devil's chimney! Friendly staff and pleasant food. Lovely views.

This is a wonderful tearoom with stunning views and great service. We have been going here for years and Michael and Sandra a great hosts. We have tried many things here and they are all super but my favourites are the prawn sandwich (overflowing with prawns) and the bread pudding. Looking forward to our next visit.

I first visited Smugglers' Haven many years ago and always return when on the Isle of Wight. For me, part of its charm is that it hasn't changed over the years - it's a lovely place to go back to and I always look forward to my visit! It's a quiet, scenic spot for a cup of tea, a light lunch or cream tea while enjoying the beautiful sea view. The staff are friendly and helpful and the cream teas are excellent!

We've been here a few times when visiting the Island but it's always been raining! Today, though we were fortunate, it was wonderful. The view from the garden is quite incredible. We had tea and cake today, hot water with tea which did three plus cups. We've eaten here many times; the food is simple but perfectly acceptable and staff are amenable to go off menu. It's not a 'high class' afternoon tea spot, it's a traditionally styled tea room. Lovely!

A simple & quirky venue with great views overlooking the sea. We had Afternoon Teas with tasty homemade scones & rock cake. Helpful & friendly staff/owners.Impressed there was a toilet block which was kept clean during our visit.Lots of footpaths nearby & parking.Will definitely be back!

Built overlooking the coast in an enviable position the cafe is entered by step steps. Usual leaky tea pots and miserly amount of milk in dated crockery although not dated prices. Outside plastic furniture circa 1960's which you land up sticking to dirty and well worn. The worse though we're the toilets whether they belonged to this cafe or the council located adjacent to the cafe are an absolute disgrace. Pink again probably 60's looked like they hadn't been cleaned for years. Filthy stained toilet ware, tiling and flooring. What makes me laugh is that these people want £2 for a small pot of tea for one and don't appear to be reinvesting into the business just appear to be settling back grabbing what they can from poor unsuspecting customers.

Visit regularly when out walking, great stop off view great views, decent mug of tea and great home made cakes.

We followed the coastal path here on a sunny weekday. It was early enough for us to freely choose a table with a parasol - they went quickly after that. I wondered about the review here on TA that complained about the lack of a view, as there was a lovely sea view. While we were there, other guests came and sat on the lawn. The food was very nice. I had the crab sandwich, followed by a scone and tea. The rest of my group had toasted sandwiches. I would be happy to return.

quaint little place for scones tea and jam- sandwiches too.friendly staff- you can see the sea through a gap in the trees. nice place for a break- not open all year round tho.

I love this quaint little tea house, we always visit when we are on the island. Cream tea with homemade scones with cream & jam. Lovely and charming staff, with amazing views too. Most definitely recommend a visit.

After a nice long walk visited the Smugglers for a cuppa and a tasty homemade rock cake,nice friendly owners and stunning views over the ocean.Varied menu from cooked food to homemade cakes.Well worth a visit!

Stopped here on the way back to our holiday home, we all had the cream tea, which was delicious. And the views are amazing. After we finished, we took a stroll round the garden, and it was very peaceful.Highly reccomended

A relaxing tea garden with a beautiful aspect. Enjoyed the home made cakes and fresh milk shakes (we didn't sample the sandwiches). Well worth stopping for on your way between Shanklin and Ventnor.

We visited here on a walk back from Shanklin along the coast path. Plenty of tea with an extra tea bag and more hot water and very nice cakes as well. Add to this a table on an outside terrace and sea views; what more can you want.

Many things don't change on the IOW and this cafe is a good example. It's a straightforward venue with a standard menu and a great view. The fruit cafe was good, the can of drink was fine, the loo was needed and I continued on my walk. Apart from the change in prices it would have been same 40 years ago when I had a summer job on the island and that's fine.

This is a a really great cafe with lovely food and marvellous views. Never had less than great service. Cannot fault it at all. Look forward to each visit. Nowhere else like it on the Island.

Three of us visited for a cream tea. We sat outside but there are seats under cover too. Note that this establishment is not open all year round. There is a wonderful view over the Channel, with well tended gardens including a large sloping lawn, so child friendly too. There is also parking for eight or so cars.The café is family owned and run, and they are very helpful. The tea included two largish scones each (choice of plain or with currants), choice of jam, and cream. The latter is whipped rather than clotted, so no five stars.... Butter is offered if wanted. The scones were warm and very light - delicious. Again, a choice of teas, and served in individual pots with milk in separate jugs. Extra hot water was not a problem. You order at the counter, and they bring the food to you.Other food is on offer - sandwiches, cake, snacks, but this is a café not a restaurant. Thoroughly recommended.

The Smugglers Haven is in a beautiful setting with very friendly staff. The prawn and crab sandwiches are the best I have ever had. Highly recommend.

Beautiful location. Very friendly staff. Affordable. Right next to Devil's Chimney. Food was nice, not amazing. Would recommend as a stop over spot.

This hideaway tearoom is like a time shift back to the 1960's. If you visit the Landslip this place just has to be visited. A wonderful relaxing place to have a snack on a sunny afternoon or to hide in if you are unfortunate to need to shelter from the rain. Lovely views across the channel and if you are luck you have a red squirrel or two come to share your cream tea or a toasted sandwich.

My husband and I found this place quite by chance after pulling into a lay by. We went for a walk and as we walked down the path here is this beautiful coffee shop with fantastic sea views. We had a cup of tea and some delicious cake. Part of me didn't want to write this review because I want to keep this gem all to myself!

From the moment we arrived at Smuggler's Haven we knew we had picked the right place to come for a cream tea. The view over the English Channel was beautiful. The owners, Sandra and Michael were so welcoming and friendly. The fruit scones were delicious! I especially enjoyed the hint of cinnamon and they were accompanied by an incredibly generous helping of cream and jam. All in all a wonderful place that I couldn't recommend enough. I can't wait to come back!

Hidden away with a lovely outside terrace and magnificent views over The Channel. It has charm and a nostalgic atmosphere of bygone times ! Owners have been here years and are very friendly. It's one of our regular stop offs for a cuppa and eats at lunchtime. A MUST VISIT !!!

We went there for afternoon tea there scones are cooked the same day so very fresh, have been there about 10 times so would highly recommend everyone to visit there & you get a lovely pot of tea

Back on the isle of Wight again a this is one of my favorite places to visit. Good home cooking is served at sensible prices with a beautiful views over the sea. Recommended to everyone.

Very good value and an excellent view. We dropped in for lunch. The weather was lovely so we sat on the terrace overlooking the sea.