What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than enjoying a candlelit meal with your loved one?
It may be a cliché but treating yourselves to some delicious food and taking the time to appreciate one another’s company for a few hours really is the ideal way to spend the most romantic evening of the year.
To make the best impression, choose a fine dining restaurant for fabulous flavours and attentive service.
These sought-after establishments will get booked up quickly though so to avoid disappointment, get your reservation in early.
So, whether you’re celebrating with your other half, the family, your best friend or simply offering yourself some love, here are Tripadvisor’s hottest tables for February 14, on the island.
READ MORE
- AA Restaurant Guide 2022: Best Isle of Wight restaurants revealed. See the list
- Freshwater, Isle of Wight among “coolest” places in UK
- Isle of Wight cottage with tea rooms and restaurant for sale on Rightmove
Top 5 Isle of Wight fine dining restaurants
Thompson's
Where: 11 Town Lane, Newport, PO30 1JU
Rating: 5/5
Number of 'excellent' reviews: 555
Customer review: Great meal delivery service
"We used to visit the Isle of Wight four times a year at least to eat at Thompson’s.
"We now get great meals prepared by Robert Thompson and his team delivered regularly to Cornwall.
"We have had Christmas and Valentine’s delivered amongst many others. The meals arrive in perfect condition with comprehensive instructions.
"Part of me really wants the restaurant to reopen when safe to do so, but another part of me does not want UBChef to stop. This is a real dilemma and I hope it has a solution.
"My message to people reading this report is to try UBChef and have Robert’s amazing food in your own home until things sort themselves out and even after things return to ‘normal’."
Book your table via Tripadvisor
The Royal Hotel Restaurant
Where: Belgrave Road, Ventnor PO38 1JJ
Rating: 4.5/5
Number of 'excellent' reviews: 288
Customer review: Super meal with highest standards in service
"What a lovely experience we had at The Royal! Lovely atmosphere— very special.
"The food and wine options sounded wonderful. And they really were!
"But what made it so terrific was the service. Truly top drawer! Highly recommend!"
Book your table via Tripadvisor
Smoking Lobster
Where: 127 High Street, Cowes PO31 7AY
Rating: 4.5/5
Number of 'excellent' reviews: 38
Customer review: Overwhelmed by the quality
"If I look back on 2021 I will remember visits to Moor Hall, Aughton and The Angel at Hetton - and to the Smoking Lobster in Cowes, which places it in very high compnay indeed.
"A delightful, open and light room looked promising and when the menu arrived we were overwhelmed with innovative options.
"The food turned out to be as good as the words on the page; the starters were a particularly fine 'nod to the East', the main courses more fusion but just as good.
"There's obviously a very skilled team in this kitchen, judging from what appeared; I was excited by their use of spicing and their obvious mastery of tempura - judged perfectly, for once.
"The wine list was good and offered some really different choices, the staff attentive, friendly, helpful and fun.
"I'd love to have a branch of the Smoking Lobster down the road from me! Go."
Book your table via Tripadvisor
Horizon
Where: 5 Queens Road Inside Brunswick Hotel, Shanklin PO37 6AN
Rating: 5/5
Number of 'excellent' reviews: 22
Customer review: You really must visit this restaurant
"Was recommended to visit here and had a lunch there with a business friend.
"Pretty quiet on a Thursday lunch in January but we couldn’t fault anything about the meal, the service or anything else.
"I think this is absolutely one of the best 2 or 3 restaurants on the Island. Everything we ate was really delicious and presented beautifully.
"Maybe because it’s within a hotel you don’t think of eating there as a non-resident? I probably wouldn’t have without a recommendation but I’d really encourage you to check it out.
"Absolute hidden gem really worth a visit."
Book your table via Tripadvisor
READ MORE
- Valentine's Day: Flowers from Moonpig, InterFlora, Bloom and Wild and more
- Valentine's Day: Heart-shaped jewellery from Pandora, H Samuel and more
- Valentine's Day chocolate gifts you can buy for your loved one including Hotel Chocolat
The Hambrough Restaurant and Bar
Where: Hambrough Road, Ventnor PO38 1SQ
Rating: 4/5
Number of 'excellent' reviews: 152
Customer review: Fabulous setting and wonderful food
"We booked in advance for lunch at this restaurant and it was fabulous. A beautiful setting overlooking the sea.
"Really lovely staff, a great atmosphere and the food is out of this world. Cannot recommend enough.
"We were lucky enough to get a dinner reservation later in the week and again were not disappointed.
"Fabulous Chef & team producing some excellent food.
"Will definitely return when back on the island."
Book your table via Tripadvisor
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here