The Spyglass Inn in Isle of Wight

Had a lovely meal with my gorgeous wife

Didn't stay in the rooms so can't comment. Just popped in for food on a Tuesday night. Food was really good, there's a good range of options, a specials board that's updated and a good offer for vegetarians (who have their own section on the menu). It's good pub food, done well. Service staff are polite and attentive.

Always good food and friendly service. A sea view from outside or in.

Lovely views whilst enjoying your lunch .. the best crab sandwich I've ever tasted 😋... would highly recommend 👌

Lovely pub, great atmosphere and the food is amazing

Great atmospheric pub with great food, music and one of the best sea views on the island!

Great value lovely staff. Brilliant old school pub food and good beer, and live music. I have been here many times and it keeps getting better.

We had a lovely lunch at the Spyglass. The baguettes are lovely, fresh and crusty but soft bread with generous filling (we had ham and mustard mayo). The ploughman's has very generous helping of tasty ham, cheese, pickled onion etc. Lovely staff and great sea views too!

Great place which we stumbled across. The pub had a really cosy feel to it and we loved our visit. We had lunch and the food was good quality and tasty. Well worth another visit!

There's a lovely feeling to this place,even out of season. However....I had the 'famous' fish and chips and was very disappointed. It was a meal of two halves. The fish was absolutely lovely with batter that was just right. However the chips were clearly cooked from frozen. The tell tale sign is not only their even shape but also that as the meal cools, the chips become soggy and tasteless. For the price paid, I expected much better quality.

fantastic location right by the coast

Just had two cups of coffee at the Spy Glass on this horrible cold, wet and windy day. We sat in the conservatory and had fantastic view (though marred by poor visibility). The two cups were produced quickly. The coffees were amazing! Tasted just like I remember coffees in the ‘olden days’. Don’t know they’re secret, but I wish I could replicate at home. Staff were very nice and the fire places were roaring with open fires on this cold day. Was it the milk? Was it the brand of coffee? But I would have paid double for the quality and quantity we received. May seem a bit over the top to write a review on coffee, but honestly the whole experience was superb. If I lived on the IoW I would be here for morning coffee every day.

The food is out of this world. Half a chicken, REALLY is half a large chicken. I think the other half was in the tikka masala our other member had! Never seen such big chunks in a pub curry. The ragu and aubergine was exquisite. The decor is full of what I would describe as an antiques shop with swords, lamps and even a skeleton!

Absolutely brilliant friendly staff service was great. Food well out of this world well worth the money. Very large portions. Will recommend and come back again

Never fails to amaze me. Foods always great and the staff are awesome. Definitely a place to visit but it does get busy!!!!

Dog friendly which is what we were after

Love the fish and chips and the fisherman's pie!! Would definitely be back for drinks and food. Great atmosphere with the deco and nice sea views

Brilliant pub, we had live entertainment, which was good, hated the walk back up the hill, bleddy steep, no taxis available as off season

My father came to visit me on the island. I've only been here since July and I want to try a new place every time I eat out. I had seen the great reviews about the spyglass inn and thought this would be the perfect place for eating. I was not wrong. The food was good. However, don't go here if you have a small appetite because the potion sizes are on the large side 😉

Lovely friendly pub, excellent food and pianist at lunchtime

When the chicken is served with a steak knife, and you still struggle to cut through its time to give up serving food. The garlic chicken was actually inedible and the fish pie came with complimentary hairs.

I'm probably a bit biased, it's very nostalgic as I grew up here and get back to the Spyglass each time I visit family back home, but then why wouldn't you. Great venue, great food, great music..

My wife and I had a wonderful meal in the Spyglass Inn My wife had the half roast chicken which was fantastic I had the breaded place which also was fantastic the chips were amazing The place is very beautiful and lots of little parts to the building staff are wonderful

Came on recommendation. Well themed and laid out. Excellent views from some of the tables. Cosy space. Lunch was okay - wouldn’t rave about it but in combination with experience overall it was worth a visit. Fairly priced. Expect it to be busy. Parking very minimal.

Great location, service and good pub food. It's been a few years since we visited and we hope to rerun.

Great location with great views! Delicious pub grub. Friendly staff. Worth a visit!

Asked for a mermaid gin and lager .. as she’s pouring the lager I said can you put lime in that she said yes poured it in the gin then argues that it’s my fault ? I said lager and lime not gin and lime cordial the attitude was shocking I come regular but unless it’s summer I won’t be back dealing with “joe”

A lovely old fashioned pub, good ales and what a view from the outside seating!! Sat and watched the waves crashing oncthe rocks below and the beautiful golden beach

Good variety of food on the menu at reasonable prices and good sized portions. Often live music. You can't book but usually a good chance of getting a table especially if able to sit outside.

What a fantastic little pub on the edge of Ventnor beach. We only had a drink here but the views across Ventnor were fantastic from the pub garden. The decor inside was also a great addition to the location with old boat and vessel memorabilia up on the walls. The staff were very welcoming and we never felt like outsiders walking into this pub.

had a lovely time in this atmospheric sea side pub ,the food was very tasty , half roast chicken , ordered by the bar , served at your table and washed down with a tasty pint of doom bar

Beautiful coastal setting. Just had drinks, friendly bar staff.

Enjoyed all areas of this characterful establishment many times over the years. On this occasion a family gathering in the adjacent "boatshed" was just the ambience we needed away from the (enjoyable though it was) bustle of the bar. Good pub grub in generous portions, and well kept local ales. The staff were all so accommodating to any dietary foibles, and were exceptionally friendly and welcoming (as were other customers too). I nearly forgot to mention the stunning sunset views across the sea. Not much out there until you reach the Caribbean. Look forward to returning.

Fun pub with very nautical them. Great view across Ventnor Bay.

Certainly a place that is well worth a second or even a twentieth visit. The clientele was very friendly. It's always a great bonus. 👍

Wonderful place at the end of Ventnor sea front easy to park lively atmosphere very busy but food was still amazing very good service definitely worth a try

Excellent pub great views of the sea lovely food also have live music. Gets very busy

Such a lovely pub with a great atmosphere. Staff we very friendly and accommodating. The service was fast and efficient and the food was good and great value . A really lovely old fashioned pub with amazing decor. We will definitely be returning.

Lovely meal in a fantastic location. Well worth visiting if you are in this part of the island.

Very pleasant stuff Good ales Very good foot A lovely terrace A awesome view to the sea

Enjoyed a couple of meals here while staying in Ventnor. Great location, nice atmosphere and decent pub grub, including surprisingly good salad.

Spent 2 nights here on Monday and Tues this week. Stayed here 3 times before & will always return. Location, rooms, food, views and staff are just amazing. Nothing like it on the Island in my opinion

Great pub right on the see front. Food looked great although we only ha a quick drink.

We were out so stopped here for lunch, very nice chicken curry, with mango chutney and rice and beer battered cod with mushy peas. Food was hot the staff were lovely and the sun was out what's not to like, waves crashing were spectacular. Late in the season but worth a visit.

Best crab sandwich on the island x

Great traditional English pub in a superb location next to the sea on Ventnor Esplanade, good pub food, great beers, cosy bar or sit outside with plenty of seating looking at the sea!!

The Spyglass Inn is in a fantastic location overlooking the esplanade. Our suite was comfortable and we really enjoyed having a balcony overlooking the sea. Generous portions of food was provided for us to cook our breakfast and the kitchen contained all the utensils required. We had an evening meal in the attractive, cosy bar and the food was excellent. At times it was busy but the staff were friendly and helpful. Had a great stay and would highly recommend the Inn.

Lovely pub and really good live music

Super tasty plentiful food good service and drinks , amazing view out to sea

Fantastic location on Ventnor seafront and nice maritime and nautical bric a beach in the pub. The food ia standard pub fare with (unexpectedly) more fish, over the quality and taste is very good. A trustworthy and no fuss option if in Ventnor

2021/2022 Would recommend the cottage pie. It was absolutely 💯 delicious 😋 Update 2023 Food is still delicious 😋 and generous portions served 2024 Had the beef lasagne. It was delicious 😋

After a nice long walk we walked in to Heaven its fantastic the location and Fantastic Ale . The Staff where also very Special. We had a wonderful time in your beautiful pub. Thank you. Mr & Mrs Howkins. Buckingshire.

It has been a long time since we were here last. The roads being closed for months made our trip a bit of a detour. But the waves were crashing into the rocks below us, and the spray was spectacular, but the noise was very calming. So we enjoyed the beer and the sun. Next time we will get the bus here.

outstanding location at the sea side - specialises in crab and seafood - worth it

The food here is off the scale, and delicious. So much choice for all appetites and requirements from a vast menu. Friendly professional staff, cheerful and welcoming. Fish pie,Steak & kidney are delicious. They could with doing light bites as the portions are large. Really oldy worldy pub with lots of memorable artifacts and pictures, a real fisherman's pub from way back when. The view are breathtaking all round the pub. A wonderful place in all seasons ❤️

The food was not good. Lots of frozen cooked chips. The fish looked like cardboard. I did complain about the food, but was told that is how they have been cooking for years!! No excuse for a pub with a great location. We will not be coming here again. Don't bother with the food unless you just want cooked frozen food.

Pub is lovely. Great food and portions. Cannot comment on rooms as were not staying there

Only stoped for a meal with a beer,good food and beer. Views of the channel.

Food very good and very pleased

This is a great pub with atmosphere to match well organised which it needs to be as it a very very busy pub in great location

Great views. Lovely place to chill.

Came here for lunch with the wife and Bella our Akita, what a lovely place to eat and drink at. The staff were polite and friendly, service was quick,or as quick as cooking fresh food can be. Food arrived as ordered and piping hot. I must mention the view's are stunning from the outside and even more stunning as the tide was in and breaking on the rocks below. will definitely be back here again.

Great service, good food, fabulous sea view.

Love this place. Been coming here for quite possibly over 25-30 years on and off and it’s not changed much. The location is unbeatable and the atmosphere is always good the food the same. Staff are great. So if you are looking for good food and a great sea location you can’t beat it. Great in the winter much nicer in the summer sitting outside. But a great place.

Lovely staff, food, drinks, building and terrace. Really enjoyed it. 😉

Classic pub food cooked to an excellent quality. If the weather is good sitting outside is amazing with great views of the sea. Went back two nights in a row as there was more I wanted to try!

Lovely food, beautiful location

Nice afternoon pint in the sun

For many years this has been the go to place for a drink by the South Coast. Still now the higgledy piggledy, pirate era pub interior with its nautical paraphernalia is a highlight of an island pub visit. Outside there are many many tables although on the sunniest days it can be a wait. Every table outside has an amazing sea view. Many real ales and gins to try, but the consistent pub grub is worth paying for. Fish pie recommended. Quick winter lunch visit. Still no beating the Spyglass.

Great meal, very busy but luckily got a table. Nice beer choice too. Loved the atmosphere inside.

Beautiful interior and oceanside exterior. Beautiful food, and a great experience.

Great place to eat with amazing views good food.

Nice pub down on the coast of Ventnor. Great spot!

Great food, massive portions by the sea what more could you ask for.

Very good pub grub, great range of beers and good atmosphere. 👍 Consistently excellent.

A great pub in a fantastic location, overlooking the bay - good pub menu, served quickly and most delicious.

Food and srin with a fabulous view.

Had fish and chips the fish was very good

Had a wonderful evening meal !! A double cheeseburger and chips with a burger sauce which reminded me of a wimpey burger sauce !! It was delicious 😋

The spyglass Inn is a treasure trove of marine antiques and artefacts. I love this place. The food was really good, they have several vegetarian and vegan dishes. My favourite was the vegan sausages with onion chutney. If you’re in the area, give this a try.

Fabulous pub! Great views, top-notch food and well-kept beers. Highly recommended.

The service came with a smile and witty banter, I don't have words for how flawless and quickly we were helped. The food was really good, with the portion size just as great (see photo's). All this with an amazing view of the sea, and beach. I can't comment on the rooms as we didn't stay overnight.

The Spyglass Inn is a perfect spot to celebrate special occasions like Birthday, Anniversary etc. Service is friendly and attentive, making it a perfect spot for a memorable meal by the sea, whether you're a local or a visitor.

The food was very disappointing.

Whenever we're on the island we always try and get to the spyglass for a meal or a few drinks. Great location and love the theme! Food is delicious too!!!

If you like pirates, the sea, and seats in porches you'll love the spyglass inn

Great choice of food and drink and the Inn itself is set right on the beach with lovely views. As has already been said on these reviews, it is a shame they don't have some kind of table service, either traditional waiter or App ordering system, instead there is a long queue at the bar for each drink round and food course, as a result, we only had 1 round of drinks and 1 food course and it was my Birthday, where we would normally over indulge and spoil ourselves

Great pub, great food and a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

Absolutely a little gem. Lovely rooms with Seaview & balconys. Lovely homecooked food had the lobster Absolutely amazing

Very nice food but it does take a very long time to place a food order so make sure you have plenty of time.

It's hard to pick a favourite eatery on the Isle of wight because there are so many great options. However, the Spyglass is an amazing place for views, food and atmosphere. Food is great, the service is great and reasonable price. Highly recommend.

Lovely lunch. Really good service. Highly recommend

Really lovely, one of the best fish pies I have ever had , great location overlooking the sea, but my favourite was all the nautical items inside. Staff polite, we had a chat with a young lad and told him it was our first time on IOW and we had popped over just for the day while on holiday in Dorset, he was a really lovely chap and wished us a happy holiday.

Awesome food great people and amazing views. Anything on the special board was fantastic !!

Fantastic location, reasonable prices, good service.

The sea front location is straight out of a brochure and definitely adds to the dining experience. Absolutely beautiful. The pub itself is steeped in history and character and the staff on duty were kept busy during what was a very busy Friday evening. The fact you cannot book a table in advance adds jeopardy to a visit, and the lack of table service detracts from the experience. Having to queue at the bar for 20+ minutes to place a food order is one thing, to have repeat this to order a dessert course was far from ideal. A few more staff on the premises to manage the tables would alleviate a lot of these issues. The food was great, the choice of drinks and real ales was top drawer also.

Great service and rxcellent views. Food very disappointing. Fish pie was made with scraps of fish and far too stodgy. Too much solid mash potatoes and little sauce. The cheese topping was simply grated cheese uncooked. Served with baked potatoes (or chips) so total carb overload. Would haven more suited to fresh vegetables as accompaniment not even more potatoes. All very stodgy I’m afraid.

Location and view amazing quick food although it said longer fish and chips and chicken very nice, but steak couldn't be any further from rare which is what I ordered. Made it a let down for me I'm afraid, shame as looked nice

Great pub, good beer & lovely accommodation. I will return! Have returned. 7th year. I'll be back

This place just gets better with each visit, great food and drink selection, prices now getting a bit high £12.95 for an Aperol Spritz ( £8 most other places on the island), but stunning views, great staff, great service, even if it’s expensive, would we visit again…….Hell yes we would.