Lunch and dinner, outdoors
Garden dining.
The full Café Grill menu, served on the terrace, with the Solent in front of you and your table for the afternoon.
Chef Robert Thompson MBE, Ryde seafront
RT Café Grill.
Modern European cooking with a 180° view of the Solent. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch.
Relaxed, never careless. Robert’s most relaxed kitchen, on the Ryde seafront.
Seasonal menus, an open terrace for the summer and the Solent through the dining room windows. A good steak and a second glass, a lunch that deserves a little time, dinner with people you’re pleased to see.
- Best New Restaurant in the UKBritish Restaurant Awards 2024
- Best UK ChefChef Robert Thompson MBE, British Restaurant Awards 2025
- Listed in the MICHELIN GuideChef Robert Thompson MBE
OutsideSummer only, weather permitting
Out on the terrace.
Open all summer for lunch, dinner and afternoons spent with a glass of something cold. Two ways to enjoy it.
Drinks, snacks, slow afternoons
The garden bar.
Cocktails, sharing platters, English sparkling by the bottle. Settle in, watch the boats pass, stay for another. Reservations welcome, walk-ins too.
Garden dining and the garden bar depend on the weather. If the forecast forces us indoors, we’ll be in touch the day before.
When we’re open.
- June, July and August
- Tuesday to Sunday
- September to May
- Thursday to Sunday
One to seven guests book online, up to two months ahead. Eight or more, call 01983 526118 and we’ll arrange the right table, or ask about The Cellar for a room of your own.
Walk-ins are welcome at the bar and terrace for drinks and bar snacks.
Also at Royal Maritime House.
Afternoon tea by the window, Robert’s tasting menu on selected dates, and two private rooms downstairs.
Good to know.
The questions we’re asked most. Anything else, call the team on 01983 526118.
Do I need to book?
For a table in the restaurant or garden dining, yes, ideally: tables for one to seven book online up to two months ahead. The bar and terrace take walk-ins for drinks and bar snacks.
What kind of food is it?
Modern European bistro cooking from Chef Robert Thompson MBE and the team: grills, plates and classics on an à la carte, plus grill specials, a breakfast menu, puddings and a Little Adults menu for children. Menus are written seasonally.
When is breakfast served?
From September to May, 8.30am to 11am Thursday to Saturday, and 9am to 10.30am on Sunday. We open Tuesday to Sunday in June, July and August.
Can we eat outside?
In summer, yes. Garden dining serves the full menu on the terrace; the garden bar does cocktails, platters and English sparkling. Both depend on the weather, and we’ll be in touch if the forecast looks doubtful.
Can we book for a large group?
Eight or more, call 01983 526118. For a room of your own, The Cellar has two private dining rooms for 8 to 36 guests.
Are dogs welcome?
Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome in the restaurant. Mention you’re bringing one when you book so we can find a suitable table.
Is there parking?
No on-site parking, but there are two large public car parks within a two-minute walk, one directly opposite the restaurant.
Where are you and how do we get there?
Royal Maritime House, 17 St Thomas Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2DL, on the seafront. From the mainland, the FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head takes 22 minutes; the hovercraft from Southsea lands at Ryde Esplanade. The boats, the timings and the last one home, or get directions.
Is RT Café Grill Michelin-starred?
Chef Robert Thompson MBE is listed in the MICHELIN Guide and held Michelin stars at Winteringham Fields (2007) and The Hambrough (2009). RT Café Grill is his relaxed restaurant; his tasting menu is served at Thompson’s on selected dates.
Postcards from Ryde.
A few frames from the terrace, the table and the sands below the house.
See you by the water.
Breakfast to dinner, and Sunday lunch. Book online, or just turn up for a drink.