Courtney Kelly
20 December 2023
As one of the places that gets the most sun in the UK, the Isle of Wight is the ideal holiday destination for those taking their dogs along with them. What better way to pass the time is there than enjoying a countryside or coastal walk and finishing it with a cold pint (or bowl of water) in a sunny beer garden?
It’s only 4 miles from the mainland but life on the Isle of Wight can seem a world away from the humdrum of everyday life. And spending time with your dog on the Isle of Wight is a great way to while away any day.
Continue reading to discover our 10 favourite dog-friendly pubs on the Isle of Wight or read about some of our top dog-friendly cottages on the island.
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Best dog-friendly pubs with views
The Hideaway, Shanklin
You won't find many better views on the Isle of Wight. Let alone somewhere where you can sit back and relax on the garden furniture with a pint of cold beer in your hand and your faithful pup by your side.
The Hideaway in Shanklin is perched atop a cliff and offers stunning views of the ocean from its beer garden. Alternatively, you can settle down inside the nautical-themed bar and restaurant – dogs are welcome in both areas! Grab a freshly prepared bite to eat or, if you just fancy a drink, choose a local ale or a Mermaid spirit that has been distilled here on the island.
The Met, Ventnor
Photo credit: Instagram The Met
Perhaps falling more into the bar category, rather than a pub, The Met nevertheless merits a mention thanks to its fantastic wine, tapas and coffee menu. All this without even mentioning its enviable location on the seafront in Ventnor.
This positioning offers two-legged and four-legged customers the chance to people-watch as they go about their business and also gaze out at the horizon beyond the sandy beach with the rotunda bandstand to the left and the craggy headland to the right. Order a cocktail and a plate and just relax.
Open: Sunday and Tuesday 10am to 5pm; Wednesday to Saturday 10am until 10pm; closed Monday
Why not try: Mixed charcuterie, tempura torpedo prawns with a tall glass of Ventnor Breeze
Stay nearby: Starfish | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
Best dog-friendly pubs with events
Bargeman’s Rest, Newport
Sometimes all you want is some honest home-cooked food whilst a man with a moustache plays the double bass and another man with a beard plays the ukelele! Luckily, at The Bargeman’s Rest, you can have all that and more. Located at the point where the River Medina meets the Lukely Brook, this welcoming pub has been serving those who use the river for business and pleasure for nearly 25 years.
Sit inside amongst all manner of river-faring memorabilia or take a seat outside under the umbrellas and watch the vessels pass by on the water with your pup by your side. The pub has live music most weekends to accompany your meal so you can tap your feet as you finish your dessert. ‘Knot’ too shabby at all!
Open: Daily from 10.30am
Why not try: Bargeman’s Fish Pie
Stay nearby: Photo Finish | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
The Cow Co. Restaurant & Bar, Yarmouth
Make a day of it at Tapnell Farm by visiting the animals, having a go at axe throwing or archery, getting wet at the aquapark and trying for a hole-in-one at FootGolf. After all this excitement, you’re bound to have built up an appetite, and that’s where The Cow at Tapnell Farm comes in.
This dog-friendly bar and restaurant is housed in a converted Swiss barn but the terrace is an equally appealing spot for a bite of lunch, utilising a menu that includes award-winning burgers. The views from said terrace and the mezzanine level are top-notch and dogs are welcome everywhere mentioned except for the farm park attraction due to the animals present.
Open: Times vary, please check the link above
Why not try: The weekly quiz and charity bingo nights
Stay nearby: Field Cottage | Sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Best dog-friendly pubs with good food
The Yarbridge Inn, Sandown
Making the most of local produce and staying sustainable are among the most important things to Mamma Fox, the proprietor of The Yarbridge Inn. That’s why the pub’s excellently crafted menu comprises meals using the award-winning Isle of Wight Cheese Company, and even neighbour Keith’s vegetables and salads that he grows in his allotment.
The coffee served is freshly ground by the I.O.W Espresso Co. and the spirits on offer come from the Isle of Wight Distillery. This family-run pub with its adjoining restaurant may be small but they do things right. There’s even a beautiful terrace to enjoy on sunny days, and as we know, the Isle of Wight gets more than its fair share of sun.
Open: Daily 11am to 11pm
Why not try: Grilled breast of duck, honey and orange sauce, gratin potatoes, vegetables
Stay nearby: Alverstone Ponds Willow End Lodge | Sleeps 2 + 1 dog
The Bonchurch Inn, Bonchurch
When a pub says that the lasagne served will change your life, well, we just have to include it. Known for its excellent Italian menu and quality real ales, The Bonchurch Inn has two bars and three outside spaces: the lovely courtyard, the sun lounge and the patio. Dogs are welcome in all these spots, so long as they are on a lead.
The pub doesn’t go into much detail about how the lasagne will change your life, so we guess you’ll just have to try it and see what happens. If lasagne, spaghetti and cannelloni don’t do it for you, your visit needn’t be a ‘pasta-trophe’ – there are steaks, fish dishes and pizzas on offer too, all created with Italian passion.
Open: 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm (closed Sunday evenings and Thursday lunchtimes)
Why not try: Besozzi's Life Changing Lasagne – need we say more?
Stay nearby: Gilmerton | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog
To find out more about some of the best places to eat on the Isle of Wight, read our guide.
Best dog-friendly pubs for a country feel
The Pointer Inn, Newchurch
If you’re interested in pubs that win accolades and awards, head to The Pointer Inn. It’s one of the island’s oldest pubs but it’s only recently that it has started to get the recognition it deserves. It won the Fuller’s Country Village Pub of the Year Award for two years running, whilst also receiving the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in consecutive years. Suffice it to say, Mark, Luci and the team know what they’re doing.
This pub is even named after a dog breed, so it’s fair to say they cater to canines well. Dogs will love the large beer garden that leads onto a field where your puppy pal can stretch his legs. There’s even a heated veranda so Fido can snuggle at your feet as you order another local ale.
Open: Sunday to Tuesday 12pm to 9pm; Wednesday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm
Why not try: Homemade vegan Wellington with a choice of potatoes, vegetables and gravy
Stay nearby: Squire Thatchers Barn | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
The Red Lion, Fresh Water
A pub that could have easily slotted into our pubs with good food category thanks to its Isle of Wight Dining Pub of the Year awards, or into our pubs for winter category thanks to its roaring log fire, The Red Lion is a pub that has many whiskers to its mane.
A traditional dog-friendly country pub in a quiet location, this inn is perfect for those looking for fine dog walks, finer golfing opportunities (minus the dog) and the finest food. Even though you’ll be in a glorious rural setting, you’re only 2 miles from Yarmouth Harbour, therefore you can make the most of the coast and the countryside on the island.
Open: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Why not try: Red Lion suet pastry steak and ale pie
Stay nearby: Meadow Glade | Sleeps 7 + 2 dogs
Best dog-friendly pubs for the winter
The Taverners, Godshill
A pub brimming with history and character, The Taverners is an extremely welcoming spot with oak beams, exposed stone walls, flagstone flooring and open fireplaces throughout. All this culminates in making this 17th-century public house a lovely pitstop throughout the winter and there’s even a large beer garden for those warm summer months.
The staff are bound to make a fuss of your four-legged friend and may even have a treat or two to idly drop at his furry feet. If you’re looking to settle in for the evening, the pub has live music, quiz nights and even a cute little shop where you can purchase beautiful crockery amongst other things.
Open: Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 10pm; Sunday 11.30am to 5pm
Why not try: The Taverners’ ale battered fish and thick-cut chips, buttered garden peas and lemon tartare
Stay nearby: Christmas Cottage – Godshill | Sleeps 9 + 3 dogs
Highdown Inn, Totland
The Highdown Inn fits easily into our country-style category for dog-friendly pubs on the Isle of Wight owing to its traditional interiors. However, its roaring log fire swayed it for us and it nestles comfortably in our dog-friendly pubs for winter. That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit in the warmer months, the beautiful garden with its gazebo is magnificent when the summer sun is shining.
The pub is perfectly positioned for taking refuge after a bracing winter walk along Alum Bay, taking in the resplendent sight of The Needles and the Old Battery. Alternatively, head east and hike the coast along Freshwater Bay; whichever way you decide to stroll, beautiful sights abound.
Open: Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 10pm; Sunday 12pm to 10.30pm
Why not try: Goan-style fish curry with cod, salmon, mussels and king prawns
Stay nearby: Tennyson Wing Cottage | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Special mention
Buddle Inn, Niton
Historically one of the best dog-friendly pubs on the Isle of Wight, The Buddle Inn was closed for refurbishment at the time of writing. We couldn’t therefore comment on the interior and exterior layout or the offerings they provide. Please check back in 2024 if you’d like to visit this new and improved dog-friendly pub.
Self-catering dog-friendly cottages on the Isle of Wight
After spending time supping cocktails on an outdoor terrace or sinking pints of ale by an open fire, you (and your four-pawed wonder) will need a place to rest before doing it all again tomorrow.
Luckily, we have a wide range of dog-friendly holiday homes on the Isle of Wight for you to choose from.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.