The Crab and Lobster

Restaurant

The Crab and Lobster at Bembridge occupies a prime position near the harbour and lifeboat station, with views across to the eastern Solent and the constant movement of boats and shipping. The restaurant specialises in fresh seafood, much of it landed locally by Bembridge fishermen, and the menu changes with the seasons and the catch. Crab and lobster feature prominently, as the name suggests, but the kitchen also handles fish, shellfish, and non-seafood options competently. The dining room is light and pleasant, with nautical touches that suit the harbour setting, and there is outdoor seating for warmer weather when the views are at their best. Bembridge is the easternmost village on the island and has a strong sailing and fishing heritage stretching back centuries, which gives the restaurant a natural context that cannot be manufactured. Booking is advisable in summer, when the village fills with visitors and the harbour is busy with boats of all sizes. The restaurant has built a solid local reputation over the years and is considered one of the better seafood options on the island. Prices are moderate by restaurant standards. The walk along the harbour wall and out to the lifeboat station makes a good pre-dinner or post-dinner stroll, and the nearby Bembridge Windmill, the last surviving windmill on the island and managed by the National Trust, is well worth a visit.