The Watch House Barn And Coffee Shop in Isle of Wight

Lovely breakfast, friendly staff, would visit again. Made to feel very welcome at this gem of a cafe. Nothing too much trouble. One of the best breakfasts on the island. Ask for the trains to be switched on and see them, it was lovely.

Now called the Place to Eat. Very pleasant and friendly service. Food is freshly prepared,tasty and is very good value for money

Tasty food very friendly and helpful staff would definitely recommend and return. The owners even brought my dog a sausage out for him very thoughtful.

Called in on a whim, Cowes High street was wet and miserable on the final shopping Saturday before Christmas. Very friendly staff and our dog was welcomed warmly. We decided to have the two course turkey roast followed by Christmas pud. The food was delicious, hot with plenty of beautifully cooked vegetables, potatoes, red cabbage, puréed swede, sprouts, cauliflower, a decent portion of very tasty turkey served with optional cranberry sauce. I was really impressed, I think it was £8.50 for the two courses, total bargain. The pudding was very good as well served with custard or brandy sauce. I’ve only had coffee and cake ( always a good selection of home made) on previous visits. Arriving home, I had a nice afternoon snooze, the mark of a good roast 👍🏼

We have stopped here before when visiting from the mainland but only for coffee and snacks, this time my husband wanted something more so we opted for the roast pork lunch. I am wary about the quality of meat in places I have not previously eaten but this was excellent - the pork was tasty and tender, the roast potatoes great, the veg was FRESH (carrots, red cabbage, cauliflower and swede), yorkshire pud with lots of hot thick gravy; it was no trouble for the staff to give us extra gravy when we asked. The place is a little tired and could do with some freshening up but the food and staff make it a place that we would not hesitate to come back to.

Had a very decent lunch here. Typical English cafe fare. What we saw that impressed us was the roast dinner on the specials. 2 courses for £7.85! It looked just brilliant value with fresh veg and good portions. We would definitely vo back there for that next time!

Its like going back in the past. Such a lovely traditional cafe with home made food and a great mug of tea. We go for early morning breakfasts.

Not the best place to eat quality wise but this is reflected in the price. The service is brilliant and we can’t speak highly enough of the staff...they are the reason we come in here. Keep it up

If you just want some old fashioned reasonable food, at sensible a price this is the place to go. Foody snobs will hate it! I love this place as unlike some of the businesses in Cowes, this is open all year. Please support this great old fashioned cafe. Bacon Bap and a mug of tea for the price of a ‘posh’ latte !

Called in here for lunch we asked for toastie when it came it was massive with salad and coleslaw cheese and onion toastie was delicious and also very reasonably priced well done

A bit grubby in the area to the toilets. Needs a good clean everywhere. Waitress seemed to think something I said was amusing and laughed with the other lady back at the till area and looked back at me. Not good customer service to laugh at customers expense in full view Food very average. The panini was soggy and inedible even by a very hungry teenager. Bland chilli. Wish had gone elsewhere

Pass on by! The carpet was filthy heavily and stained. The toilets were filthy, reached by steep stairs and passing grubby kitchen appliances, which appear to be unused (hopefully). If had seen these before ordering would not have eaten here! The staff were friendly and the food was not good, I think my chicken had been humanely killed (died of old age) table sticky. A good deep clean would help, or failing that send in the health inspectors!

We went in a large group and well received. Quick service to kick out 16 cooked breakfasts, and to a bery pleasong standard. Great little cafe for breakfast and really good value for money too

We only stopped in for a coffe and found the staff very helpful and pleasent Coffee was acceptable and it was nice to be able to order a simple black coffee (Costa please note) Loved watching the train running around the cafe and found the sea mural and model ships on the stair way fascinating Cant comment on the meals as we did not eat

Stopped by to try their Mega Breakfast, and was given a cheap and nasty catering quality, overcooked offering, which wasn’t helped with the equally cheap catering quality instant coffee. This at getting on for £13 for it and two coffees, made it very expensive for what it was. For what was served to me, it was exceptionally poor value for money and very disappointing especially as I have been here in the past when it was much better. For a Café the surroundings were good enough, and the service okay, it was the food that was at fault. Unfortunately all in all, it was quite a let down.

We were looking for a meal late morning and popped in here for breakfast. It seemed to be nicely decorated but the back rooms and upstairs toilet were rather shabby.

Just don't visit. We should have turned on our heels and walked out, but I had my elderly parents with me and there was a disabled parking bay outside so it was convenient.

On a quiet Monday morning, me my wife and our 1 year old daughter attempted to visit here!

Great place for breakfast if you are staying in one of the marinas . Large breakfast menu, quick and pleasant service , reasonably priced

Yesterday 18 August 2017 see board outside roast Chicken and sweet £7.95 yes i went in a great meal had 4 veg with a execlent amount of meat the sweet was apple and blackberry crumble with custard first class and the staff very busy but had time to be chearfull its makes such a change to so many long faces I see my home area yes I am on hoilday but will be back next week keep up the good work

It looked nice from the outside, so me and my friends decided to go in and have some lunch, before...

Great ambience, attentive staff, very pleased to sit down in the middle of Cowes week and have a glass of wine at £3, probably the cheapest place to get a glass during Cowes week! Food was definitely home made and was like something like your Granny made, a bit "rustic". Reasonable prices made it ok and the little train set was interesting

Excellent food, masses of it with fresh cooked vegetables (not frozen or tinned). Top value for money and friendly, helpful staff.

We decided to stop for lunch and were not disappointed. The food was well prepared and hot when served. Staff were attentive and pleasant.

Needed a quick and reasonable place to stay in cowes. Found this on booking.com unfortunately the room was uncomfortable, the bed had half the slats missing, it smelt of stale smoke, I had to collect the keys from the local bar where they were not entirely aware of my stay. Draws with doors hanging off. Not impressed

We called in today for a late lunch. 3 of us had a panini and 1 a toasted tea cake. All the food was lovely but going to the bathroom was an experience, clean but doesn't look like you would want to use it. Other than that would definitely recommend

Two of us were staying nearby needing breakfast. We were the only customers and their breakfasts were lovely. I had a Breakfast Bap with Fried Egg, Hash Brown and Bacon and my friend had a Full English. The service was friendly. I'll happily return.

This is our regular restaurant for breakfast when we visit the Isle of Wight. The food is freshly cooked to order and the portions are very generous. Don't be put off by the outside, go inside and we guarantee you won't be disappointed.

The WHB is an old fashioned, slightly jaded cafe that always produces generous sized british classics that are value for money. Always friendly with quick service, they also offer an eclectic selection of amazing looking cakes that will satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.

Dropped in by chance and noticed on the specials board Roast duck in orange sauce followed by apple pie for £7.50. It was all home made and delicious! And needless to say unbelievably good value. We will definitely be back and will certainly try some of the home made cakes next time. It's only small but a great little find :)

Visited late on Friday 2nd December afternoon on a very cold and raw day. Had spent the day Island exploring and were en-route back to Sandown from The Needles. We needed a little thawing out so popped in for a steamy coffee and cake.Hot coffee did the trick and the portions were large and the cake was divine. We did notice the model railway decorations high up on the walls, but it is clear they are not working models.Good spot for refreshment, but we did get the impression that we were a little late and keeping them from closing.

delicious and plentiful set christmas lunch at a tremendous value point to - £7-50 per person including a tasty crimbo pud !

We were here for breakfast, and it was absolutely lovely - attentive and fast service, delicious freshly-cooked food, and hearty mugs of fresh tea.

Love this place, staff are friendly. The have no doubt the best roast dinner in Cowes. The price is very reasonable as well. Just like your mum makes roast. They give you extra gravy without asking which I like. And the do a roast every day of the week. We have the chicken mostly so succulent. I am now looking forward to trying there xmas roast special.

Now I quite like Heinz soup, but I usually prefer home made soup. Pretending the former is the latter means they consider opening a tin and heating the soup up to be home made. Got to admire their efforts! The mushroom omelette was over cooked and burnt, but the chees toastie was good. Couldn't get the sugar out of the dispenser as it was solid. But I liked the Heinz soup as I knew I would and my partner enjoyed the chips, so not all bad. Not going back though.

Popped in after spotting the 2 course special for £7.00. Was not disappointed. The roast pork and vegetables were complimented by the gravy and Yorkshire puddings. Well worth a stop.

My Husband and I decided to pop out to Cowes for some breakfast but what we got was very disappointing. We ordered poached egg on toast , Welsh rabbit and two teas.The tea was very nice but the poached eggs were very over done, so much so it was like eating hard boiled eggs and left most of it. When the lady came over to clear our table she just picked the plates up , not asking if everything was OK , seeing that I had left most of it...so I told her that my eggs were to over done, she just went Oh and carried on clearing the table.I didn't find the staff very friendly, it's a shame because it's in a nice position and could be so much better.

Popped in with family one rainy Saturday. Made to feel very welcome. Grandchildren loved the trains. Food was good. Service excellent and fast. Great value for money as well. Will be returning on our next visit to the island I'm sure.

I live on the island, my daughter & I went yesterday on Cowes week, just fancied a sit down for a while & a chilled wine or a beer, ordered it & a coke, to be told 'you can't have wine or beer unless you have something to eat' NOWHERE on that menu said we had to order food to have a drink! Then, the toilet was filthy, then after my coffee & daughter's coke had to pay 50p for paying by card, had to walk behind the counter of cakes to put my pin number in the machine, quite frankly, anyone could put anything in the cake cabinet, shocking, will never go again, can't speak for those staying there

Got charged £13.50 for 3 fried eggs on single bits of toast for kids, the overall quality of food was very poor unless you like everything on your plate burnt. Staff were unhelpful and moody. I won't go back again... Plenty of competition through Cowes who are much better priced especially when with kids.

Very average food. Jacket potatoes were good but the cod and chips was fried to within an inch of its small life and the addition of a hair not an ideal bonus. Better places for your money!

The atmosphere in this place is very relaxed, a cafe that is quite cheap compared with other places in Cowes. If you want quick sandwiches, baked potatoes and pub type grub then this is a good stop.

Stopped by here with friends to get out of the rain. Staff were friendly and there is a good choice of food on the menu however food was very cheap quality, cutlery was dirty, toilet upstairs was dirty the whole place just needs a spruce up! Friend ordered soup but said it was tasteless and clearly from a can, sat near the door as only seats at the time and wish we hadn't as it kept opening and blowing the cold wind and rain in. Wasn't the worst but definitely wouldn't return as there's other better places to try. I'm sure some of the food is fine just not really what we were expecting. Be careful using the toilet upstairs too as the lock is dodgy and an old lady walked in on me whilst I was sat on the loo!

We came in sins the place does feel fun and friendly. However the food was really poor quality for the price we paid, it was mainly low quality stuff from cash and carry which was so disappointing. The baked potato I ordered was soft and clearly reheated in microwave with tuna mayo that looked past it's best. Side salad was as fine but we have eaten out in a lot of cafés with same prices, even in London, but this food was seriously disappointing. Such a shame as the place, location and granny/train collector decor promises so much more.

It's like having tea at your nans. The staff were very friendly. Fair choice of food and drink. Breakfast roll was lovely went down well with a latte. It's the sort of place you look at and move on from but base it on all the positive reviews and give it a go and you'll not be disappointed.

Lovely friendly staff make you feel like you are popping round a friends or family members for lunch. The food is not out of this world but it is very nice. The sort of meals your grandma used to cook. Give the macaroni cheese a miss (it's not good) but everything else is worth a try.

Please don't be put off by first impressions, give it a try. We have eaten breakfast at The Watch House Barn twice now and each time we have not been disappointed. You get a friendly welcome, there is a wide variety on the menu and the portion sizes are very generous. You are left alone to eat your meal but if you require anything extra the waitress is attentive and helpful. I do recommend you try it.

We came across this "no frills" café when looking for somewhere for a midweek lunch whilst visiting Cowes. It was quite busy, and we were made very welcome. It had a good range of snacks and meals to choose from and we selected some sandwiches. Whilst waiting for the freshly made food, we were entertained by the model railway travelling round the perimeter of the café just below ceiling level. The good quality sandwiches represented good value for money, and the service was pleasant and friendly resulting in an overall very good experience.

One rainy day on holiday in August went to Cowes poped in for a cup of tea and ended up having a Bacon bap and tea special offer. I have never had as much bacon in a bap before their was at least 4 rashers had a lovely flavour and a good mug of tea. Also had some lovely looking cakes!

it was a welcome sight steak pie with 3 veg and a sweet also a glass of wine all for under a tenner on a chilly day I could not say no i swaped my wine for tea the food first class and hot goood service and pay AFTER the meal yes I will visit again and i do advise you to have a meal there

Stopped off her on a wet and grey august morning and found a gem of a place. We had the cooked breakfast and what a feast it was and so tasty. My husband said it had to be the best breakfast he has ever tasted and he has had a lot of excellent ones. The staff were lovely and nothing was too much trouble, we will definitely be going back.

We have been using the Watchouse Barn for about 6/7 months, I use a mobility scooter and have to leave it out side. But I don't mind in the least as the food is great, its a funny layout as there is the main area which has about 7 or 8 tables then there is the side bit which has about 3 or 4 tables, Then last of all there is a room at the top of the stairs. I think it has 6 or7 tables, I have only been up there once and that was to use the loo. If you are hungry go for the big breakfast or a roast, but all dishes are what we would call large, the good old mug of tea 10 out of 10. but the pot of tea is great as you can get about five cups out of it. there is no flash about it but the woman and girls are very pleasant, even when it gets full up. I wish I didn't have to watch my weight, then I would be able to go there more often. So if you are anywhere near Cowes pop in you will not be disappointed, we will always use this café even if we have not in Cowes.

We were in Cowes about 4pm on a Sunday, not much open. Popped into this café, lovely lady serving, made us a tea and coffee and we had a cake each me a muffin, hubby a iced bun. Just what we wanted and very nice too.I agree with other reviews it has a tired décor and it will be very busy this weekend for Cowes week. Hopefully they will make a good profit and be able to brighten it u a bit for next season but the cake and tea were just what we wanted and were well satisfied with the service and price.

We just called in here for a quick cuppa and some cake. We ordered a tea and a milkshake and 2 slices of cake the while the drinks were fine the cake was not don't be fooled by the cakes in the cabinet as they don't taste how they look. We had a slice of Victoria sponge which was grainy in texture and had some jam that definitely wasn't strawberry and wasn't that fresh and we had a chocolate orange slice which also had a really dry almost stale texture to it the best part of it was the 2 chocolate orange slices on the top which were obviously terry's and nothing to do with the making of the cake. For not far off £9 it was poor .

It has a great location and a good selection of sensibly-priced food. I ate here twice last year and gave it a good review but visiting again this year the food offer is just as good as it always was but I really noticed how tired the decor was. I can understand this at the end of the season but there's no excuse in July. It's a shame as the scruffy interior is holding it back where its competitors have raised their game. And what's the idea of the high-level shelf holding a model railway? I dread to think how much dust is lurking up there.

We stopped here for lunch. I had a ham and salad sandwich. Decent bread. Lots of filling. Staff very friendly, highly recommended.

We stopped here as very little other cafés open . We had mugs of tea and a cappuccino which was just ok. Tea or coffee and cake £2.50. There is a train running overhead which is quite relaxing. The place could do with a makeover. Staff were very nice people. It was busy which is a good sign.

have eaten in the WHB many times with the family through the years, over the top cakes being a favourite of the kids on many visits. Today was about hangover reduction and they didnt disappoint, 7 different bespoke variations of breakfast were served up and enjoyed. this cafe needs a make over but you cant fault the food, friendly service or value for money. will always return when in Cowes

Don't let that put you off though. The cakes are homemade and really scrummy. I had the mocha/choc cake.....deeeelicious! The food is honest, homely and really good value for money. The trains are a lovely touch too.

Had snacks and drinks here on a stop over on our coach tour. People are friendly and nothing to fault the food and drink, but we had also noticed (see earlier reviewer) that the stairs to the toilets need a good clean or preferably a new carpet. A bit of re-decoration would save this place from negative comments. It is after all an eating place and should be reflected in a clean fresh environment throughout. If people use toilets first they may well not stay for their food and drink.

Whilst on holiday called into the wate house barn coffee shop for lunch. Although a typical english cafe the food was wholesome and good value for money. The cooked roast was well cooked but far to much in one sitting unable to get a tradional pudding down.Look for the working railway circulating around the top of the cafe, they will put it on for you if you want.The negative point was the tables are too close together for this popular cafe but staff are friendly and don't bite!

We went to this place recently whilst staying in Cowes. They do a great breakfast and all the variations and great kippers, all in a small traditional cafe (Cowes can be a bit pretentious) with a really friendly server. Prices are competitive too. The bonus is that the owner is obviously a model train lover and there is a model American train on track above you, and if you ask they put it on - brilliant! Highly recommended

I used to come here a lot when I first moved to Cowes, but over the last seven years the number of other really good cafés and restaurants has increased. Other excellent places have opened and established places have upped thier game. Sadly the watch house barn is being left behind. This place seems to be a firm favourite of retired coach trip visitors and certainly caters to the tea and cake market with massive elaborate looking cakes. It provides traditional English cafe food and full English breakfast at reasonable prices so if you are craving stodgy comfort food such as macaroni cheese from a tin or a generously filled but slightly stale baguette then this is the place for you. It really does need a huge overhaul though because the inside is truly horrid, dirty and greasy and the route to the loos (practically through the kitchen) is quite frankly off-putting. I get the feeling that business here is probably not bad and the owners are operating on the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" principal, but I will probably not be back unless it gets a full refurb.

Had a fine meal here this afternoon. Myself parents and sisters (and her baby) had lunch nothing was to much trouble my sister was pushing a pram but that was no bother. Me and my parents had hot meals my sister had a toasty all in £27.70 can't fault them. It was the 1st time we've had lunch there we always use it for breakfast but will be back.

The cooked breakfast was absolutely amazing and was excellent value for money. The staff were very friendly and extremely helpful.

Nothing special at all, in fact a greasy spoon cafe would have been more favourable, as you would know what to expect.Bacon flavourless, sausages cheap and deep fried, eggs overcooked. It wasn't expensive, but I would have far rather paid more and got decent ingredients cooked properly. The people on next table were heard to say they had tinned mushrooms and the waitress got quite defensive and argued the point with them.

Watch House is a delightful place on the high street in Cowes, we went into the smaller cafe section for a breakfast.The ladies who we're serving were excellent and very attentive. They allowed us in with our small dog and we took a seat at the window. We ordered the breakfast which was a good healthy portion that included tea/coffee and orange juice. The food was very nice, well cooked and not at all greasy. Overall we were very pleased, one of the best places we found for a breakfast and it was unfortunate we found it on our last day of the holiday as we'd have happily gone back for dinner!

Found this place whilst visiting a very packed Cowes during Cowes Week. We were looking for a quick place to eat for a rather late lunch with four kids (2 teens). The service was excellent, staff very friendly and helpful and the food plentiful. Shame we weren't there for afternoon tea as the cakes on display were so yummy!

Excellent offer 2 steak meals and bottle of wine for £25 the steaks were huge and delicious, could not eat it all had to leave room for a slice of one of the great homemade gateaux. This was my 2nd visit I remembered a good home cooked meal from last year

We found the Watch House to be a good honest cafe with sensible prices, which was quite a surprise among the rather top-end establishments in Cowes. Yes, it could do with a face-lift but the food was excellent. Keep thinking 'cafe' rather than 'bistro' and you won't be disappointed. A vast range of food is on offer, from breakfasts, light snacks and teas through to main meals, with some really scrummy cakes on offer. The staff were very friendly throughout. It has a handy location on Bath Road (great for people-watching) and the Union Inn next door is pretty good too!

Six friends renting a nearby house needing a breakfast and feeling lazy. Perfect.No frills but fantastic friendly efficient service. No problem with ordering off menu. My personal judge of a cafe, is arm I allowed just hot water for my own unusual tea choice I carry with me, and yes, no problem and no charge. Well done The Watchhouse.

We had visited Cowes today - the first nice day of the spring. As it was so nice, this restaurant had a lot of competition. We were drawn in by the attractive and fair priced menu. We ordered the dish of the day-trout with seasonal veg, roast pork and scampi and chips. All main courses "come with dessert of the day". Today it was chocolate sponge. My mum didnt want chocolate sponge so they gladly served ice cream when askedAs other reviewers have said, the food is good. Lovely big portions and HOT!. But the restaurant could do with a good tidy up. The carpet could probably be removed to reveal floorboards. The tables were sticky. I did see a waitress cleaning another table with a cleaning spray but maybe they need to change the brand! I am confident the kitchen is clean as it had a 5 out of 5 score from the local council for food hygieneProbably not very pushchair or wheelchair friendly due to small space but I get the impression that the waitresses - certainly those ladies serving today - will do all they can to helpI am not sure I would visit again as there are lots of other similar establishments in walking distance

Went to watch house barn for Christmas dinner, which also included Christmas pudding and a glass of wine the cost was very reasonable at 7.50. The food was cooked well and was filling with better than average wine. It holds around 20 people and has a train which circles above the room. Staff seemed helpful and pleasant.

Decent enough food and pleasant service, but the place is very grubby, especially the toilets, and smells strongly of grease. I spent most of my time there wanting to leave.Can't recommend due to the number of other cafes in walking distance. I would likely not return unless a peek through the window suggested they'd cleaned the place up a bit.

We were passing through Cowes on our way back to the ferry and looking for some afternoon eats. We'd missed the closing of most eateries but found the Watch House still open.It's an "Only in Britain" type cafe. Somewhat grubby - particularly when you have to head to the loos. However the kitchen must be in better nick as they have 5 out of 5 on the health inspection certificate.We did not get off to a good start when my daughter and I ordered thick shakes. What turned up were two glasses of weak milk with grit in them. I pointed out they were not quite right, which resulted in our surly teen waitress (Isle of Wight seems to have a lot of surly waitresses for some reason) said, "don't you want them?", snatched them away and disappeared, never to be heard from again.I was able to flag down one of the more mature ladies working that day, and it was like chalk and cheese. She was very helpful, put things to right and had personality to spare. You won't go hungry here. My wife had coronation chicken baked spud, my daughter had lasagne and chips (lots of chips) and I a home made steak and kidney pie with another mountain of chips. We rounded off with some cake - not quite as moist as it looked, but again plentiful and certainly edible.So the place is not fine cuisine, but there's plenty to choose from on the menu and the prices are reasonable. If you've a hunger to fill and don't mind some frayed edges to your dining experience then head to some unpretentious British Grub at The Watch House.