11 Great Places for a Roast

If wholesome food and hearty portions is what you like, look no further than Crown & Bear. A friendly family run business in the heart of Brading, tuck into a traditional homecooked roast with all the trimmings. Enjoy a trio of pork, chicken, beef or a veggie option, accompanied by a mountain of roast potatoes, yorkies, veg and pigs in blankets to feast on in house or as an impressive platter to take home.

Admire the resident peacocks on the way to this cosy farm kitchen, serving up local produce seasoned with garlicky goodness. Sunday lunch at The Garlic Farm is one not to be missed, offering locally sourced meats and veggies for a true taste of the Island. Breathe in the sweet smoky scent of garlic in the air and enjoy the warmth of a crackling log burner, as red squirrels play outside the restaurant window. Don’t forget to visit the farm shop before you go.

If you like hearty portions with a home cooked feel, The Portland is the place for you. This family run village pub in Gurnard serves up a tasty Sunday lunch with melt in the mouth meats, plenty of roasties, roasted carrots and parsnips, Yorkshire pudding, red cabbage and a cheesy broccoli gratin. If you’ve got any room left for pudding, try the sticky toffee pudding. Just a short walk from the pub you’ll find Gurnard green and beach, the perfect spot to work up an appetite – or walk off your lunch.

An award-winning family run pub in the heart of the Island countryside, The Blacksmiths plates up a tasty Sunday lunch packed full of flavour. Savour thinly sliced meats, the pub’s signature Newchurch Pie or a vegetable strudel, golden roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and roasted veggies, served up in a stylish rural dining room with spectacular views of the countryside. Dogs and families are very welcome, with a great play area for kids outside, a large decking and garden area for summer and footpaths surrounded the pub for pre and post roast walking. The Blacksmiths picked up Gold for Best Roast and Bronze for Best Pub in the 2024 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards, as well as Gold for Best Pub in 2023. 

Cosy up with a roast by the sea at this charming character pub. One of the Island’s oldest inns, The Buddle is steeped in smuggling history and is just a stone’s throw from St Catherine’s lighthouse on the most southerly tip of the Island. Nestled in the undercliff, enjoy glittering views of the channel from the terrace on a sunny day, or cosy up by the fire when it’s chilly. On a Sunday, tuck into a choice of tender pork, lamb, beef or a tasty vegan strudel complimented by tasty homemade Yorkshires, fluffy roasted potatoes and a good selection of local seasonal veg with lashings of gravy. Muddy boots and paws are very welcome at The Buddle, with footpaths from the gate of the pub following the “Smugglers Trail”, through the undercliff and down to the iconic lighthouse and Castle Haven.

For those who can’t decide, head to the bountiful carvery at The Chequers Inn and have a bit of everything! Choose from a trio of meats, or opt for all three, with a choice of potatoes, plenty of vegetables, giant Yorkshire puddings and a rich and tasty gravy to finish of your carefully curated plate. Whether you like plenty of meats or a heap of delicious veggies, at The Chequers you can build your own roast exactly the way you like it. Family friendly, the pub offers a large children’s play area outside and plenty of seating inside. As further testament, the Chequers Inn scooped Silver for Best Roast in the 2024 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards. 

Tuck into a home cooked roast with all the trimmings at this family run restaurant. You’ll find Mama Fox in the kitchen creating a mean roast to make your Sunday, with a choice of meats, crispy potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and fresh veggies direct from the neighbour’s allotment. The Yarbridge Inn offers a relaxed and comfortable dining experience, with the entire operation being a real family affair. Popular with locals and visitors, this pub is at the heart of the community, and won accolades for ‘Best Restaurant’ at both the 2023 & 2024 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards. 

A firm family favourite, the Fighting Cocks offers a great roast for a great price at just £12.95 for an adult dinner. Expect heaps of food on your plate, inclusive of all the roast dinner essentials – meats, potatoes, Yorkshire, veggies and more. For roast lovers or those with a larger appetite, why not opt for the MEGA roast and eat until your heart is content! Family friendly, the Fighting Cocks offers plenty to entertain the kids in the garden with a large outdoor play area, go-karts, bouncy castles (summer months) and more.

This cosy country pub oozes rustic charm with traditional stone floors, open fires, and tastefully decorated interior. Recently mentioned in the Michelin Guide AND awarded an AA Rosette, The Red Lion take pride in serving up high quality food using local produce and fresh ingredients - they even have their own vegetable and herb garden! Enjoy tender meat in a rich, silky gravy with perfectly cooked veg, creamy cauliflower cheese and crispy roasties, all washed down with a local Island ale. 

A traditional pub and the perfect place to cosy up by the log fire, soaking up the ambiance as live music plays from 1pm - 3pm every Sunday. Devour delicious meats such as beef brisket, roast pork with crackling, lamb rump or a juicy half chicken, accompanied by roasted root veggies, giant Yorkshire puddings and fluffy roast potatoes - with a tasty vegan wellington on offer for non-meat eaters. Follow up with a rich dark chocolate fondant, Autumnal Eton mess with pears, glazed figs and toasted pecan nuts, or sumptuous sticky toffee pudding. 

Recently crowned the Isle of Wight's 'Pub & Bar of the Year' in the 2024 National Pub & Bar Awards, this charming establishment sits right on the waters edge, offering sweeping seaside views, high quality dishes, and local tipples. Choose from roast sirloin of beef with yorkshire puds, slow-cooked pork belly with apple sauce, chicken supreme, or a tasty walnut and parsnip nut roast - all served with traditional trimmings. With dog-friendly areas and a children's menu, The Old Fort will provide a satisfying dining experience the whole family can enjoy.