Just what the Island's been crying out for. Good beer, great food and good service. Could have done with an extra person behind the bar this Sunday when it was busy. I only wanted a pint to go with my lunch and had to wait about 10 mins while people were ordering meals. But it's a lovely pub that would do well anywhere, let alone up against often mediocre competition on the Island.This is my favourite pub on the island. Beer is perfectly kept and served with a choice of 3/4 locals. Food is seriously excellent (but you need to ask for the children's menu). Loved the addition of stuffed toy fabric chickens as table numbers this year!
Often the bar nearest the main door is closed during the day which CAN make it feel a little odd when you first walk in, but other than that, great beer, great food and service and top of my island pub list for the 3rd year running!Excellent beer (had two pints of Taverners brewed on the premises) and a very nice steak.

Attractive pub with an interesting interior full of bric-a-brac.Ok beer from Adnams etc.In early August 2010 we were staying in Yarmouth and decided to make the difficult journey by bus to Ventnor to eat at the Crab & Lobster Tap. We had been there before several times and had a pleasant evening and meal so thought the journey could be worth it. On arriving about 7 pm there was a board outside advertising meals so we walked in and ordered drinks and asked to see the menu. After serving the drinks the person behind the bar said, much to our surprise that, he would see if the there was any food on that evening. He disappeared for a few minutes then came back and told us they couldn't be bothered to do any food that night, but if we cared to come back the following day we could have a meal. We obviously know when our custom is not appreciated so we will not be bothering going there again.Very friendly, lots of locals and a good selection of well kept ale, even try befor you buy. Lovely!

UPDATE: The Yarbridge Inn will re-open at 5pm on 24th December 2010 (Xmas Eve). This has given us a little more time to prepare the bar area. We look forward to seeing you all when we open.THE YARBRIDGE INN WILL RE-OPEN UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT ON SATURDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2010 AT 5PM.

Paul and Shelley will look forward to your custom and provide you with a warm welcomeWhat a shame , it was a great pub, and the beers were alway fab. thank paul.

Was very hot and stuffy when we visited a couple of months back and the ale selection was rather lacking in inspiration bearing in mind it's location,6.5/10Ok 'Spoons, although I called in on a midweek afternoon so can't vouch for it at weekends or evenings.Looks nice outside, typical JDW inside with the usual suspects drinking the cheap beer and food on offer. Fair enough pub, almost worth the walk up the hill from the hover/ferry terminals.

Top pub. Very good ale and the food was superb. Highly recommandVisited twice and enjoyed excellent service, first rate food and some wonderful London Pride. The menu offered a wide range of food cooked to perfection. Popped in here after visiting Amazon World (highly recommended) on the Isle of Wight. I was really impressed with the commitment here to honest and fresh LOCAL ingredients that resulted in a wonderful lunch and good ale at our visit to the Fighting Cocks. My oldest son had a burger which you could taste was freshly made (eg: not pre-prepared) with good quality beef and even the relish was made with fresh tomato and herbs. I sent my compliments to the kitchen for a fine lunch. The bus even stops outside to take you back to Newport. First rate - would go back.

Fabulous Pub ! Had a great few days visiting IOW and this was the best pub we found - and we tried a few ! The food was amazingly tasty especially the pie, and plenty of choice on the menu and special board. Staff were very friendly and cheery, beer was very good and pub was very cosy. Could not have asked for more.The pub is lovely and the staff nice, the beer is great and the food totaly unpalatable. We spent £40 on over cooked, dry cajun chicken, and a blue cheese and leek lasagne with zero blue cheese and 100 awful, neither of us could finish it. We have eaten here 3 times and each time has been bad. Pity as a drinks are great and the pub its lovely its just the food thats awful. I have a friend who is due to visit the island & asked for my pub recommendations. I have just noted the recent comments on the Crown & as I take notice of serious reviews it will sadly no longer figure among my top ten.