Best lunch on the Isle of Wight! A coastal dining experience at Freshwater Bay 

From the moment we stepped on the ferry, it felt less like going out for lunch and more like going on holiday. The journey is part of the experience, this was our first time travelling with Quay 2 Quay, and I loved the idea that the journey itself becomes part of the day.

There are 2 boarding areas at Lymington for the crossing to Yarmouth, The Quay & Harbour Masters pontoon, you can sit outside as we did in the sunshine or there is a covered area when the weather is not so kind. The trip across the Solent is short, just 30 minutes or so and it goes by fast as you pass the yachts and small boats bobbing about in their moorings, the sparkling blue water ripple and enjoy the free tea, coffee or hot chocolate on board. Or treating yourself to a glass of fizz, before arriving on the Isle of Wight. There’s something about this journey that that immediately switches you into holiday mode, especially when we have been blessed with this fantastic summer weather.

Once we arrived in Yarmouth, we were collected and transferred over to The Rock at The Albion in Freshwater Bay, making the whole experience wonderfully easy with no stress about how to get there.

Lunch on the terrace overlooking Freshwater Bay

The Rock at The Albion sits right on the water’s edge at Freshwater Bay, surrounded by golden cliffs and spectacular sea views. We were lucky enough to sit outside on the terrace, where the setting really did steal the show.

The sea stretched out in front of us wrapping around the bay, people were enjoying the water, paddleboarders, little boats and swimmers and for a while I thought I had gone abroad. The smell & sizzle of freshly cooked lobster coming from the BBQ made it feel like the ultimate summer escape and we were hungry by this point.

Whilst waiting for lunch we sipped some summer cocktails in the sun and a glass of cold prosecco, this is exactly how a summer day in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight should feel.

And then there was the food…

The starters included mussels, Korean ribs, crispy fried chicken and a warm Isle of Wight tomato salad.

The tomato salad was a particular celebration of the island itself, while the Korean ribs and crispy chicken brought plenty of flavour to the table. The mussels were absolutely huge & could have been a small meal for one if you weren’t that hungry.

Then came the main event.

BBQ surf & turf – we had been watching this be cooked by the chefs outside on the terrace with us so already knew we were in for a treat and the BBQ surf & turf was every bit as impressive as we’d hoped, with lobster served alongside fillet steak.

We also chose salmon served with crushed new potatoes and seasonal veg, alongside a selection of sides for the table, everything felt generous, relaxed and perfect for a long lunch where you’re in absolutely no hurry to leave. None of us could fault anything at all, everything was cooked perfectly and my son in law said it was the best steak he’d ever eaten. I tried lobster for the first time and it was delicious.

Save room for dessert

This is where my advice is simple: do not skip dessert, we finished with a trio of desserts and, honestly, they were completely out of this world. I chose the summer roulade, which was very tasty, but it was my husband’s chocolate dessert that caused me serious food envy. Chocolate Delice served with butterscotch & salted caramel, decorated with edible gold leaf it was a masterpiece, I’m going to have to come back and order it for myself. The third dessert was a cheesecake crowned with berries and coulis – yum – you cannot leave with trying at least one of these.

It’s more than just lunch, what I loved most about this experience was that it wasn’t simply about going somewhere nice to eat, It was the whole day. The ferry ride from Lymington, arriving on the Isle of Wight and the hassle free transfer to Freshwater Bay.

Getting home was just as simple with the transfer being dropped back to Yarmouth for the return ferry and with a sunset if you time it right.

The coastal summer dining offer makes getting to the restaurant part of the experience, rather than simply a means of getting there, please check the website to see what seasonal offers are running. The Quay to Quay runs independently so you can arrange your own transfers if you want to arrange your day slightly differently.

The package we had includes:

• ⁠⁠Return passenger ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth with Quay 2 Quay
• ⁠⁠A complimentary drink on board
• ⁠⁠Shuttle transfers between Yarmouth and The Rock
• ⁠⁠A delicious three-course meal
• ⁠⁠A bottle of house wine
• ⁠⁠Return transfer to Yarmouth for the ferry home

This was our first time crossing with Quay 2 Quay and our first time dining at The Rock at The Albion, but I already know it won’t be our last. I think for us all it will be one of our favourite days out this summer.

In my opinion this trip is perfect for: a special lunch date, couples, birthdays, celebrations, summer days out or anyone wanting to turn a meal into a mini escape.

The highlight: Without a doubt, the combination of the ferry journey, the spectacular Freshwater Bay setting and the BBQ lobster. Especially if you’re looking for something that feels more memorable than simply booking a restaurant.

Top Travel tips: 

Arrive in Lymington early, parking is limited and in the summer quite busy,

Arrive at Quay to Quay around 15 minutes ahead of your journey.

Pack a swimming costume if you want a dip in Freshwater Bay before or after your lunch

If you’re choosing between lunch and dinner, consider the return journey, a later sailing around sunset could make an already beautiful day even more magical.

By Sarah Bourne

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Images by Sarah Bourne & Canva Pro