Black Pepper corns — Local services in Isle of Wight

I recently had the unfortunate experience of ordering a takeaway from Black Pepper Corns on the Isle of Wight, and I feel compelled to share my concerns in the hope that others might avoid the same mistakes I did.

To begin with, when I placed my order over the phone, I was told the food would be ready in an hour. Understanding that Indian cuisine can take time to prepare, I arrived at the restaurant after an hour and a half, expecting my order to be ready. Shockingly, I was made to wait an additional half-hour, despite the restaurant not appearing to be busy at all. This lack of time management and customer care was my first red flag.

However, the real issue was the food. As a qualified Indian chef with extensive experience in authentic Indian and Kerala cuisine, I was appalled at the quality of the dishes served. Most of the food we received was inedible. The meat was undercooked, and certain dishes that should have been made with coconut milk—a key ingredient in traditional Kerala curries—were instead made with corn starch. This substitution not only drastically altered the flavor but also showed a complete lack of authenticity.

In my professional opinion, most of the curries we received appeared to have been frozen—perhaps for a long time. The taste and texture were completely off, leaving me concerned about the freshness and hygiene of the food. Freezing curries for long periods is an unhealthy and potentially dangerous practice that could lead to contamination. I am genuinely shocked that no one has yet raised a formal complaint about these practices, or perhaps the clientele lacks the knowledge of authentic Indian cuisine to recognize the severe flaws.

One of the most surprising aspects of this experience is that Black Pepper Corns has a 4.8-star rating from 35 reviews on Google. Quite frankly, I have serious doubts about the authenticity of these reviews. There is absolutely no way this restaurant deserves such a high rating based on the quality of food and service I received. In my honest opinion, it seems highly likely that many of these reviews are from people associated with the restaurant itself, as the food quality does not align with a 4.8-star experience in any way. If there were an option to give zero stars, I would not hesitate to do so.

Let me be blunt: these people are taking advantage of customers who may not be familiar with authentic Indian or Kerala cuisine. They are charging for subpar, pre-prepared, and likely frozen food, which is far from acceptable. This isn’t just a matter of poor taste; it’s a matter of customer safety and food hygiene. It was one of the worst culinary experiences I’ve had, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

If you care about the quality and authenticity of your food, avoid Black Pepper Corns at all costs. Frankly, you’d be better off skipping a meal altogether than subjecting yourself to this poor excuse for Indian cuisine. The blatant disregard for quality and hygiene is unacceptable, and I sincerely hope that others will steer clear of this...

We had an Exquisite Vegetarian Feast at Black Pepper Corns, Isle of Wight! ( they also served non veg so hopefully they would have done the best)

Our group recently enjoyed an absolutely fantastic buffet experience at Black Pepper Corns on the Isle of Wight, and the highlight was undoubtedly their exceptional vegetarian spread. From the first bite to the last, the food was a triumph in every aspect – quality, flavour, and generous quantity.

The culinary journey started perfectly with the starters The vegetable pakoras were incredibly moreish – crispy, golden, and packed with flavour. The gobi (cauliflower) pakoras/manchurian (whichever style it was) were equally impressive, showcasing perfectly cooked cauliflower with a deliciously spiced coating. These set a very high standard!

Moving to the main event, the curries were simply superb. Rotis with The mutter curry (peas in a rich sauce) was a standout – vibrant, fresh peas in a perfectly balanced, aromatic gravy. The dal (lentil curry)was equally comforting and flavourful, cooked to creamy perfection with beautiful depth of spice. It was the kind of dal you keep going back for. These paired magnificently with the fragrant jeera rice, infused with just the right amount of cumin seeds.

The grand finale was pure bliss. The carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa) was divine – wonderfully sweet, rich with ghee, and packed with tender carrot shreds. Served alongside cool, creamy ice cream, it created the perfect textural and temperature contrast, ending the meal on an absolutely heavenly note.

What made it excellent:

Uncompromising Quality: Every single dish tasted fresh, homemade, and prepared with care. Authentic & Robust Flavours:The spices were well-balanced, aromatic, and truly satisfying without being overpowering. Generous Portions (Quantity):The buffet was plentifully stocked, ensuring everyone in our group could enjoy ample servings of everything they loved. Perfect Menu Flow:The selection offered a wonderful progression from crispy starters through flavourful mains to the decadent dessert. Ideal for Groups: The buffet format worked seamlessly for our group, allowing everyone to try a bit of everything at their own pace. Overall Impression:

Black Pepper Corns delivered an outstanding vegetarian buffet that far exceeded our expectations. The attention to detail in each dish, the vibrant flavours, and the sheer abundance made it a truly memorable dining experience. Our entire group left thoroughly impressed, satisfied, and absolutely raving about the food. If you're on the Isle of Wight and crave top-tier, authentic Indian vegetarian cuisine (or even just excellent food in general!), Black Pepper Corns comes with our very highest recommendation.We will definitely be returning!

Highly Recommended! Raghav...

Walked in to order takeaway after a long day at work. When the gentleman was taking my order, he told me most of the items I wanted to order were either not available or were dishes that need to be pre-ordered a day in advance. There is no mention of this anywhere!

I pointed on the menu to the dishes I wanted to order and was told there would be a 45-minute wait. They took an hour and 10 mins, and there was no apology or acknowledgement of their delay, nor did they keep me updated. I was not given a receipt for my food nor any gesture of goodwill for the delay.

After driving 25 minutes home, I found my order was incorrect. I called the takeaway, and the person who answered the mobile was absolutely awful. I explained the situation, and instead of giving me a solution to their negligence, I was told I did not order what I said I did. He read my order back to me, and even that was not matching up to what I had been given. After being told I was in the wrong a few times, I gave up.

Was looking forward to trying this after reading other google reviews, but the food was mediocre, and the service was...