The Aqua is now luxury apartments, ive stayed here for the past 3 months while working on the island.
I found that the owners are just as lovely as the apartments are. This is a great location and would highly recommend a stay at The Aqua to anyone visiting Shanklin.
I had not been here for several years, but the surroundings were re-assuringly the same, and the quality of the experience was just as good if not better!
Staff were welcoming, helpful and pleasant, and there was a good range of food choices. The atmosphere was great, and suitable for people of various age-groups. Those with mobility issues were well catered-for.
The main course was really an object-lesson in how to concoct something without being elaborate or pretentious, but really fits the bill by carefully blending subtle flavours in a totally satisfying way. Beautifully prepared and cooked as well.
A big thanks to all involved!
A must for lunch ! We both had crab salad . A mountain of fresh leaves home made slaw and fresh crab on top served with crusty bread. Lovely
Sea front table uninterrupted views out to sea
This place looks nicer from the outside than it is. It's a serviceable pub but nothing special. Would recommend the Crab and Lobster Tab nearby as a nicer venue with a bit more atmosphere
I have been to the Portland several times over the years when visiting family on the Island. It’s a fantastic pub and the owners are perfect hosts. We met up with family (Rob & Julie) for supper last night and it was exceptionally good. A varied and interesting menu and clearly some talented staff in the kitchen. Definitely one of the top 3 pubs on the Island. Thoroughly recommend a visit (and the Portland Fish Board if it’s on the specials board).
Very friendly welcoming place with homemade food and lovely helpful attentive staff. I brought my elderly relative in a wheelchair and she had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on brown toast.very generous portion and delicious, and I had the excellent home made quiche and salad.
Stumbled upon this place by chance while driving and looking for somewhere to eat—and what a great find. The view alone was stunning and set the tone for the visit. At first glance, the menu seemed a bit pricey, so I was a little hesitant. But the food completely exceeded expectations.
We ordered the chicken burger, tempura prawn poke bowl, and a couple of bao buns. Everything came out quickly, and every dish was top-notch. The chicken burger was honestly one of the best I’ve ever had—juicy, flavorful, and paired perfectly with an awesome slaw. The poke bowl tasted incredibly fresh, and the tempura prawns were crisp and light.
I’m genuinely impressed by how they manage to serve such high-quality food so quickly from what looks like a small kitchen. A hidden gem that’s well worth a visit. Keep it up folks.
We came here on a Monday lunchtime in April after a long walk. We found a table and got my husband’s mobility scooter in through the door the staff helped.
Went to the bar and ordered some drinks and sat back down to look at the menu which is excellent a really good selection. We finally decided that the liver and bacon was good and the fish and chips with mushy peas . So we ordered at the bar, the girl behind the bar was friendly and very helpful a lovely lady. After a short time our food came out which was absolutely delicious both of them. The staff are brilliant and the food was delicious and hot the drinks were great too. We will be back soon an absolute pleasure and wonderful pub. No parking it’s on the high street there’s paid parking outside if you’re lucky enough to get a space.
Ordered some sweet potato fries to go with my burger and when I got home discovered that they were burnt, so I went back and they re-did them. Today I ordered another portion and asked to make sure they weren't overdone. This did this and very quickly too. Unfortunately it was a very mean portion. I couldn't be bothered to take them back. :-(
Bacon sandwich extortionate price no frills .coffee was awful .
Took one back as boiling hot why have a nice coffee machine if you don’t know how to use it ! Won’t be coming back even though we are islanders .
Average at best. £12.50 for 4 prawns on skewers as a sharing plate. The Moroccan chicken skewers with Cous Cous was below par and although presented relatively well it did not lend itself to the so called exciting dishes as advertised! The menu choices are not good and quite frankly sparse. The choice of desserts was disheartening, although reasonably priced. The drinks are expensive £3.50 for a half of Coke and £10 for a glass of wine is quite honestly too much. The Good friendly service from the front of house staff can’t be faulted.
Average food at an above average price. Will definitely NOT be going back.
Great takeaway on BB a Saturday night - Chicken Delicious, Sally Lamb, naan and pilau rice. Tasty and full of real spices ie cinnamon, curry leaves and fresh coriander. Ready in 15 minutes.