The Bandstand in Isle of Wight

Amazing restaurant with great views! Would definitely recommend!

Food is not satisfactory at all, can’t handle a proper breakfast menu in order. Try another spot.

Some of the waiting staff including a waitress and the manager are extremely rude. If you’re not a morning person don’t serve breakfast with a frown on your face scolding paying customers. Avoid!

This place has a huge ownership issue. Imagine a restaurant that is owned and managed by someone who lacks hospitality. Otherwise it is a nice cafe, food is tasty, the employees are friendly and polite. - Instead of ice cream could we have maple syrup with the pancake? - No (First time experiencing this and I cannot imagine how they'd expect ppl to eat pancakes without maple syrup) - Could I have the cherry tomatoes fresh instead of cooked? - No (How is this "more" trouble?) I would recommend the owner to transfer ownership to someone who understands the place and importance of hospitality in food industry. Being angry at customers for no reason cannot be good for his health, not that I care about it but there you go.

Incredibly rude management, they were visibly disappointed by our presence and verbally confirmed so when we asked. The food was also substandard.

Asked to leave because we had only ordered drinks. This was around 12pm on 07/04/2024, we were told that there we could not sit in to have drinks even though there were lots of tables available both inside and outside. We were told we could order our drinks to go but could not sit in if we were not eating. I recommend finding somewhere probably cheaper and with better customer service.

Best food we had on the Isle of Wight

Really disappointed with the attitude of staff, quite dismissive and pretentious. Didn’t feel it was family friendly, despite high chairs being available, possibly just for show! Maybe just a bad day, but won’t be visiting again.

Great first visit! We'll be back in the Summer. Visiting the IOW and heard about the fireworks in Sandown. We booked the bandstand for it's fantastic beach spot and views, and other than the windows needing a bit of a clean (from the sea elements) we weren't let down. The waitress who served us and "managed" to get us Marshmallows for the kids was excellent, and the food and general decor matched. Homemade burgers for the kids 👍🏻 We will return, and would recommend to others.

Nice Restaraunt with amazing sea views. Recommend booking a table in advance as on holidays this place can get crowded. You wana sit by the window. Can have a romantic date here. Staff is nice. We got a dish which had eggs In it. My wife cannot eat eggs. But the staff happily replaced the dish with a different one. They didn’t charge us for the quiche - the one with eggs.

Given our bill and asked to leave as there were block bookings. Having spent nearly £180 in here, we weren't any trouble, weren't loud, just came for a quiet meal. Quite literally after finishing our mains, we were handed our bill. The waitress then came back to ask us if we asked for the bill. We hadn't, she walked off and then returned informing us that there is a rotation policy. There were people in there before us who were not asked to leave. I asked if we had time to order dessert for my children and a cocktail. The waitress disappeared again to see if we could order as she said we needed to leave in 20 minutes. Within that 20 minutes, she never returned so we were left feeling rushed and confused as to what is happening. We ended up leaving and grabbing an ice cream up the road. Service is slow, but everything else just feels rushed in The Bandstand. Food is fairly overpriced, and it's trying to be the upper marker of Sandown, it's fairly average too. I had catch of the day, which is not the days catch as it was tough round the edges having dried out. So definitely not fresh. The menus is a nightmare to navigate. Otherwise just an average restaurant, that rushes you out of the door like a conveyor belt.

The Bandstand has been on my list of places to eat for a while. With it being under new ownership I thought it would time to try it out. I was slightly worried to start due to the menus. It was well designed but difficult to navigate. Once our food came I was blown away. Fresh and super tasty. I could tell that there’s been a lot of thought into the meals. For a restaurant that has just opened I was very impressed with the food and service.

Visited today Very good food . Service was excellent Wrll worth a visit

Lovely place, friendly staff and fabulous food.

Sadly sign on door says CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 😥

Lovely food every damn time ! We love the view you get whilst eating your meal, you do need to request specific tables for a view though or you get stuck in the middle trying to catch a glimpse through someone’s hair ahuh! Food is delicious , never misses - staff could be a little more helpful and friendlier but all okay other than that

Bumped into this cafe on a trip to the IOW, it was lunchtime and we just wanted a light bite, got the last table available, ordered Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Sandwich and Goats Cheese. Absolutely fantastic, very slightly expensive but great quality and content, staff and management polite and helpful. Will definitely return

Great restaurant with a fantastic sea view and really nice staff. Food was good but a few things, like the chips, was a little salty.

Fresh and fillings sandwiches served with fresh salad and crisp which is a lovely touch. My daughter loved her desert and even asked for more. The range of food offered her is incredible and they cater for all our families allergies with dignity

Great location, good food, very polite and attentive staff.

Delicious food..really lovely staff.

Delightful breakfast at the Bandstand. It was warm so the windows were open and stunning views of Sandown and Shanklin beaches.

Great food 😋 beautiful position 😀 right on the beach ⛱️🏖️ fab.

Beautiful views over beach. Food and service excellent. Mussels from specials board outstanding. Perfect will def return

Haven't been there yet- just checking menu and prices.

It's a very popular place and all for good reason. Great service and staff and the hot chocolate was awesome 💯 Well worth a visit next time you are passing.

A brilliant cafe and restaurant. We stopped for a late lunch and had brilliant service and delicious food. You can't beat the view!you could easily be on the Med.

Our 2nd visit for lunch on our weeks holiday Excellent service , the staff are so helpful, beautiful food . The fish and chips are amazing. Definitely worth a visit . Even the kids menu is really good .

Highly recommend confit duck leg ! So many layers of flavours ! And great side mushrooms and braised red cabbage . Will return for that dish . The sea bass was slightly overpowered by the tomato ragú. Very relaxing environment and great service . Parking available nearby. Book in advance!

The visit here was just delightful! Relaxed atmosphere. Lovely staff, fabulous view and the food was excellent, freshly cooked and so very tasty.

Lovely and clean with friendly staff. Lovely views over the sea. Toilets were immaculate

Absolutely fantastic experience..very friendly polite helpful staff. Beautiful food and amazing view of the sea.. prices are unbelievable on reflection of the amazing menu. Will definitely return and highly recommend. We returned for a Christmas meal and wasn't disappointed..again super tasty food ..lovely generous portion sizes...very reasonable prices and always friendly staff. ❤️

Just had the most amazing Christmas special at The Bandstand. Yes, we are regular customers, but we were not expecting such a creative festive menu - perhaps we should have, knowing the restauarant as we do. Anyway, if you want something slightly different, and superior, check out the Turkey or Vegan Stack. Exquisite. Lots more to choose from. Love this place !!

We come to the Isle of Wight 2 or 3 times a year to stay with relatives & always make a point of visiting this place. Had lunch there today & it was excellent. I had the confit duck leg & my partner had the blade of beef. Both were perfectly cooked, beautifully presented & full of favour. Call for a coffee & cake, a sandwich or a main meal. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, & the sea views from The Bandstand’s slightly elevated position are spectacular. Highly recommended.

The food is ok in terms of taste and portion. The view is awesome. Not for foodies

Shame our favourite dish had been taken off the new menu -chicken,bacon and monterey jack cheese panini but had something else similar which was ok. Love the skinny fries and lovely staff.

Visited this restaurant today to celebrate our daughter's special birthday, and we all had extremely enjoyable meals. We had the lamb, and it was wonderful. Excellent service and food, at a competitive price. We will definitely return here for a meal in the future.

Had a great Sunday lunch there, having two of the choices on the specials board. Good food, friendly staff and a terrific view over the beach and sea.

My elderly mother and I had a wonderful breakfast at the Bandstand. The breakfast was absolutely delicious, especially the home cooked beans and the bubble. The service is excellent as everyone is so attentive and polite. Great location, great view, and similar prices to anywhere else in the Isle of Wight. Terrific breakfast place, I highly recommend.

Very good food, friendly staff and wonderful views.

Visited in September 2022 when on holiday in Sandown. Very small restaurant and the staff were welcoming of our last minute booking. When I asked about dairy free, they were good to provide me with the allergen matrix. The food was good, if a little basic. I think some of the dishes were trying to be more than they were - this restaurant would have benefitted from picking either simple food or an elevated menu. The blend they have attempted does not work. The service, whilst at first was attentive, seemed to disappear when a large table came in half way through our meal. This was disappointing as we then spent a while trying to get the attention of the team and to order more drinks. We did not have dessert due to the wait for service. Overall, a good meal. Would rate 3.5 if I was able to. We would return, but I think the team needs to work on service and I would probably order a different dish.

Outstanding food, excellent friendly service

Popped into the Bandstand after wandering a sunny but very windswept beach in Sandown. I had the tagliatelle with spicy tomato sauce, prawns and red peppers. It was delicious - more prawns than I normally find you get with a pasta dish. The sauce had a little bit of a bang but not overpowering. Washed down with a delicious glass of Rose and too full for a dessert. Definitely worth dropping into - if you manage to get a table in high season. Family owned and run restaurant that really is special

Beautifully refurbed building w/ uninterrupted panoramic views of the beach/sea. You can also see the history/development of the building documented on the ground floor w/ images of it in it’s prime in the early 1900’s, we passed by for a coffee/breakfast sandwich. Also within a stones throw of gardens/children’s dinosaur park.

Only popped in for a coffee but brilliant service and friendly helpful staff. Definitely be back!

Great meal with a large table. All meals served together, generous portions, tasted great.

Love this restaurant, a great spot for a delightful brunch with amazing views. Definitely worth a visit

Location is good but food and ambience is just average.

Had great breakfast/brunch here. Small menu but something for everyone, very nice and tasty food, great service, and best flat white I've had in a very long time. Beautiful views of the seafront. Will definitely come back when ext on the Isle 😊

The excellent food and very good service!! Delicious, delicious and delicious!!

It was an amazing place, with great seaview, nice service and the food was fresh and delicious.

We were late to for our resvervation due to a accident closing sevral roads, the restaurant phone to chck were were still comming and held our table untill we arrive, the staff were freidley and helpfull, the food was superb and the resaurant itseldf was quiry but great

Excellent breakfast , had the eggs Benedict with a side of salmon was absolutely amazing 10/10 , fab service and food. Definitely be back :D

A space that has clearly had good investment and quality finish, but unfortunately the welcome was poor with chefs hanging out the back door and staff uninspiring as we entered. The latte was closer to hot milk than coffee and the teacake is no better than what you can buy in a supermarket. Potential isn't being realised.

Quality food in the best location, stunning views across the bay . The service at The Bandstand is first class and the menu offered is quality

Been coming to island for years, couldn’t decide where to eat today. I called the Bandstand and they had a table for lunch. I am so pleased we chose to eat here. The food was so good, warm artisan bread and trio of dips, duck...

Very nice cake and coffee with super Sea View. Friendly staff

Really good. Nice staff, good food, good views

We visited the bandstand restaurant this week on a weeks holiday to the IOW Sandown. We walked passed the restaurant several times and decided to book in one night. It was the best food we had all week, my wife even said it could be...

Excellent service, great food, lovely location. We managed to get a table booked last minute and despite being busy, the staff were friendly and helpful and very efficient. Great food, with specials and enough for vegetarians to have a choice.

We took my mum 92 and auntie 90 on a visit to the island for dinner. The staff were excellent professional and so friendly. We had a table in the window overlooking the calm sea which was a bonus and very nice. The menu, not...

We popped in for lunch, didn't book so had to wait a few minutes, the staff kept apologising to us for keeping us waiting (it was our fault). The food was good and reasonably priced. The staff were still very welcoming even though it was...

Just finished having fish and chips wife had confit of duck with sauté mushrooms and crispy noodles, It was busy when we arrived 6.10pm But they fitted us in Food was excellent and staff brilliant Couldn't fault anything Definitely recommended.

Staying on the Island at Bembridge & chose the Bandstand as the lamb with dauphinoise potatoes sounded perfect ... & did not disappoint!! The lamb chump was superb & the dauphinoise probably the best I've ever had! The veg were cooked to perfection too ......

Excellent position. Good menu. A little on the pricey side but you get what you pay for. The views from the glass restaurant are gorgeous. Visited a few times and have never been disappointed!

Expensive. Not much on there menu, no matter what time of day. Vegans, there is not much choice.

Visited for an early dinner. The fish and chips was tasty, with a generous portion of fish and nicely presented. Washed down with a pint of Yachtsman. Nice staff made us feel welcome. Would really recommend The Bandstand.

Visited for a friends birthday whilst holidaying on the island. Booked in advance for the evening, and was given a great table with a sweeping view of Sandown Bay and the pier. Plenty of menu choices and very reasonably priced. Food was amazing, great quality...

Great lunch and sea views. Good attentive service

Excellent food and fair prices. The view over Sandown Bay is amazing.

Visited midweek following a fiercely contested game of crazy golf next door. Foolishly we hadn't booked but they were able to squeeze us in. Food was very good, slow cooked beef and sea bream cooked and presented extremely well, both were very tasty. Tropical fruit...

Great restaurant with great food, service and location, we love it. This was the second time we have visited and it didn’t disappoint

We visit the island 2-3 times a year and always come here.. I had the sea bass which was the best meal I've eaten for a long time! Staff are so polite and helpful. I would highly recommend.

We booked a meal at this restaurant as a last night on holiday treat. Food was very tasty. We had beef and prawns ...wow, just delicious melt in your mouth. Lovely atmosphere. Great customer service. Highly recommend for a nice meal but you must book...

We were on holiday from Northern England. Lovely food. Nice relaxed atmosphere and staff. The restaurant is located overlooking the bay. Very reasonably priced and good portions (esp of deserts) drinks also pub, rather than restaurant, prices. You need to book as it gets fully...

Went here, waited as a sign said to wait however i understand staff being busy but my whole family was totally ignored for about 15 odd minutes. We wanted to ask if the menu had gluen free options as my dads other half has celiac disease. We would of been totally okay if they had said they would be with us soon. We ended up walking out. Was very didsapointed as we heard good things. Wont be going here again with such terrible customer service.

What amazing service from start to finish. Booking was efficient. I asked for assistance on the stairs as my sight and balance is poor. They were so kind helping me up and back down. My mobility aid was safe downstairs. The food was amazing. I had the falafel with vegan haloumi which was delicious. My husband had the chicken supreme which he said was devine. The views were amazing and the whole meal was a good price too. Thank you so much for a great evening

Fabulous meal, friendly service, value for quality food. Well done!

Had chef spls sea bream, tagliolini pasta and vegan falafel....pasta quantity was medium...falafel and halloumi kebab was gud...

Had a really delicious dinner! We had the teriyaki style whole sea bream special, the prawn tagliatelle and the vegan falafel. There was also a great view of Sandsdown beach, would definitely recommend.

Best food in sandown. Service is bit slow but very beautiful ocean view with food

Absolutely gorgeous we all had the sea bass it was delicious, lovely staff , highly recommended

We had a lovely breakfast here. The staff were nice and professional and the restaurant and views were great. Head and shoulders above unprofessional and unpleasant dives like Driftwood, down the road.

We came on a late evening (8pm) and on arrival were told that they had just turned off the ovens! It was a bit of a rush, but fortunately we got what we wanted to order and really enjoyed it! The views of the beach...

Great food with lovely friendly service

Food and service very high and helpful would recommend.

amazing food, friendly staff, amazing location. five star.

Food was delicious, staff very attentive and so accommodating with our son, only downside was the table was needed back within a couple of hours which was difficult when the mains and desserts took a while to come out and then felt rushed to finish our meal or be moved to another table.

A perfect evening out. Efficient & friendly service, very nice food, reasonably priced, lovely view all around.

Very good service staff are friendly especially sophia our waiter Food drinks was nice and well presented

Beautiful food with lovely views

On each of our 3 previous Isle of Wight holiday's The Bandstand has been our favourite restaurant & we were looking forward to our 4th visit. Unfortunately the Loaded Fries (my favourite) , which used to have a smoky cheese sauce, now just had grated cheese which was already set & not even warm. Their reason, they can no longer source the sauce from Austria. I suggested the chef could make a rue & make a cheese sauce but apparently that would take too long... My partner ordered Chicken & Bacon Salad, the chicken was hard, tasteless & dry and clearly over cooked, & the Bacon was also almost tasteless. We were assured everything was fresh but it was hard & tasteless so there you go. Our kids had a Cheese Burger & Chicken Strips - both very tasty and cooked well, although the burger was the size of a Rich Tea biscuit & came in a bit of Baguette. To be fair to the restaurant, they listened to our issues & we were not charged for our 2 meals which was nice of the owner but ultimately we didn't want a cheap meal, we wanted a good one!

We had lunch after a morning on the beach. The staff were friendly and made the effort to get the children’s food order on while us adults were still deciding (anyone with children knows the faster they get food the better 😆) The food came quickly and tasted great! We were sat by an open window, looking out over seafront on a 25 degree day - what’s not to like? Would recommend.

Great staff very attentive, food was amazing a full menu a great night

Great experience all round - friendly staff, lovely views, excellent food, quick service. Well worth booking a table.

Excellent quality, fresh, flavoursome food in a superb beachfront location with outdoor dining 🍽

Great location, food and service

Great food and what amazing views. The cheese board was lovely

Excellent place for dinner. With the all-round view through the large windows and the view of the beach and the bay, it is simply beautiful to sit here. In addition, the service is super friendly. And really delicious food. We enjoyed our stay and would come again.

Delicious food. We had dinner the slow cooked.beef special was amazing. Good value and lovely service. Great views