The Hut — Restaurant in England

There are few places in the world where every visit feels like the first,fresh, exciting, and yet comfortingly familiar. The Hut in Colwell Bay is one of those rare gems. Time and time again, my family and I find ourselves drawn back to this extraordinary seafront sanctuary, never tiring of its breathtaking setting, flawless service, and exquisite cuisine.

From the very moment we arrive, we’re greeted with the warmest of welcomes. The meet-and-greet reception, led by the ever-attentive Evie, Millie ,Ameerah, and their wonderful team, is always a seamless balance of professionalism and genuine hospitality. We are guided to our table,always with a view of the sea—with polite nods and friendly exchanges as we pass the bar, greeted by familiar faces like Brad, Keelan, Jacob, Pete,Ester, and others who radiate charm and positive energy.

James, the restaurant manager, is a consummate host—ever-present and genuinely welcoming. Senior team members Pippa and Rhys, both serving as Assistant General Managers, lead by example, embodying the kind of calm, capable professionalism that quietly defines excellence.

The waiting staff deserve their own round of applause. From Hannah, Ben, Charlene, Alex and Phoebe to newer team members like Olly and the second Phoebe, each one plays a vital role in delivering a consistently elevated experience. Their attentiveness, warmth, and seamless coordination are testament to the high standards upheld throughout the restaurant.

And then, of course, there’s the food,an experience unto itself. The menu is a seasonal celebration of coastal cuisine, thoughtfully crafted to cater to a range of tastes while showcasing the best of local bounty. The ever-popular popcorn shrimp is a playful delight this season, while my personal favourite,the delicately cooked lemon sole,is simply unmatched. The famed Big Fish Board is a showstopper, proudly displaying the daily catch: fresh lobsters, John Dory, sea bass, pink bream turbot and more, all brought in that morning and prepared with masterful simplicity. Whether you’re a devoted seafood lover or simply craving a well-executed classic, the menu at The Hut satisfies every appetite with flair.

For discerning diners who crave that elusive blend of style, substance, and soul,the kind you read about in glossy magazines or watch unfold in films,The Hut delivers all that and more. The sunsets here are nothing short of spellbinding. As the sky shifts into its golden hour symphony, the rhythmic beats from the speakers infuse the air with a vibrant, infectious energy that makes you sway without realising. It’s pure escapism.

Even the boat team,Russ, Ellie, and their ever-smiling crew,add a touch of magic to the experience, offering seamless tender services to and from moored boats, all with a wave and a friendly grin.

You might think that returning to the same restaurant over and over again would risk monotony. And yet, The Hut defies that logic. Instead, it draws you in deeper,like a faithful partner,with each return visit strengthening the bond. It’s more than a restaurant. It’s a ritual. A love affair with fine food, sea air, joyful atmosphere, and the people who make it all so effortlessly memorable.

To George, Matt, and general manager Steve,my sincere thanks. You have championed a true admiral among the fleet of restaurants on the island, and long may The Hut continue to sail with the same impeccable spirit and standard.

Harold...

With guests flying in all the way from California, Florida and New York, we were all looking forward to celebrating a special birthday in the “best restaurant” in the Isle of Wight. Imagine then our surprise, when we walked up to an absolutely packed place, where people were dancing on benches, and we were told to wait outside because our table wasn’t ready yet. 30 guests and a months long planing. I actually walked upstairs and the table was ready. I think the problem was lack of staff. Eventually we were told to take a seat in the upstairs dining room that had a very nice view of the ocean. As soon as we sat down on our chairs, we knew there was a problem. We were all cramped together against a glass wall with no space to move. The chairs were extremely close together that when somebody in the middle of the long table wanted to leave to go to the restroom, we all had to get up and move out to let them through. We were told that there were two other birthday parties in the same room. Clearly someone had grossly overbooked the dining room. The staff had very hard time getting to our table at all , it took a very long time to order all drinks, as well as the already pre-ordered food. It was impossible for some guests to get a waitress for a repeat order of drinks. They were all busy running around the other tables. We tried to make the best out of the situation, but really the restaurant absolutely failed to meet our expectations and their promised service. It was impossible to check if all the paid for ordered meals had been served as we couldn’t see that far and we couldn’t walk around to check. The main person in charge was apologizing several times and mentioned that she took a video of the dining room to let the scheduling team know that they had overbooked the place. The food itself was fine, even though it was difficult to eat due to the limited individual space. Be aware that the parking is about 10 minutes walk and it’s a paid public parking. I doubt we will...

UPDATED APRIL 2023 Another wonderful meal at The Hut - this time a late lunch. Beautiful sunny April day so the roof was open and it was out with shades.

We tried a few of the Tapas' style starters, the Asian Pork Belly was so tender and melt in the mouth delicious, but who knew that Anchovies with smoked butter on sourdough could just knock it out the park!

Staff were exceptional as was the general relaxed vibe. Food as ever was delicious, well cooked and presented.

Another meal where memories were made - many thanks to the whole team who work so hard to make it seem to effortless.

MARCH 2022 Visited The Hut back in March of this year for lunch. What an incredible experience, this wonderfully stylish laid-back beachside restaurant took our breath away - the views out across the Solent are spectacular - from pretty much every table. In the summer they can open the whole restaurant up to the elements. A great place to watch the sun setting while having dinner.

The service was second to none, with well informed, warm and friendly staff who really understood both the menu and wine list and anticipated our needs without our needing to say a thing.

We both started with Gambas a la Cazuela - Prawns cooked with Chorizo, Piquillo Peppers and Tomato Ragu - I knew I had just gone to food heaven!

Crab Gnocchi with Lobster bisque, Crisp Capers and Sea Lettuce was rich and deeply flavoured and Lemon Sole cooked and served to perfection washed down with a delicious Rose wine.

Booking is essential and I cannot recommend this restaurant more highly - just wonderful (sorry it took so long to write a review) and I wish you continued success. We will definitely...