The Lifeboat - East Cowes

Si M. (. S.

I came here for a colleagues leaving party. Only the organiser had been here before so no one knew what to expect. After our experience here today, we have all started planning when we can come again. The team were very friendly, the atmosphere was great and the food was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the food and can't wait to bring my wife here in the near future.

Phil S.

Great place to go before a ferry ride home to the main land. Nice little car park, fog friendly and great selection on craft beers and ciders. Service was great, we will definitely be back on our next break away.

Nicholas J.

We have been visiting the Isle of Wight for a few days away as a couple before Christmas and I had researched a couple of nice places to eat including a visit to the Lifeboat.

Based on the other google reviews I had read, we were excited for a great experience. Unfortunately the Lifeboat didn’t live up to its reviews.

Our server didn’t seem very interested in us at all, we had pre-ordered our food (as requested when we booked) but that seemed to mean the server regarded that their job was already done.

The largest concern was the lack of any confirmation or interest in my wife’s allergy’s. I had listed them on the pre-order but along with the lack of concern we were shown throughout our visit we decided it would be safest to skip dessert as it was the most likely course to contain nuts.

When we informed the team at the lifeboat of this it seemed to completely blow their minds. The concept that a customer might not want a dessert after awful service didn’t seem to register with them.

It was made clear to us, many times, by a manager that we would be required to pay for the deserts even if we didn’t eat them.

To be honest, this review was always going to be written based on our experience, but it was going to be 3 Star - the managers confrontational reaction has dropped it to a 2 Star review. Another customer may have even found the managers remarks inflammatory rather than mitigative.

We appreciate that everyone has an off day, but our legitimate concerns about the lack of care and attention shown by the Lifeboat to its patrons during our visit fell on completely deaf ears.

I think this all goes to show that the food is just one part of a visit to a restaurant, and that the experience side of things is as important, if not more so.

To finish it all off, the server in question and the manager then ignored us themselves and sent over a young lad who had nothing to do with the situation up until now to actually take our payment - we had to ask him the names of the server and manager as neither had introduced themselves to us at any time (Server: Nicky & Manager: Cheryl)

Credit to him, he tried his best to apologise for the situation (more than the manager did) and he promised that on our return we would have a better experience.

After spending a £20 deposit and a further £40 on the check, at this moment I cannot fathom a reason why we would choose to return.

I should also say that two adjacent tables to us also complained during our visit…

Pros:

The starters were nice, my wife especially enjoyed her gyozas.
The overall restaurant is very nicely done.
The car park and restaurant are very accessible.
In an attempt at mitigation our drinks were taken off the final bill.

John P.

Good location overlooking the Medina. Large pub seating about 250 across inside and outside area. Standing area around bar for those not wishing to be seated. Small parking area adjacent to pub. Food service quick and friendly. Good range of cocktails made with Mermaid gin/rum/vodka products. Excellent range of tapas for those who prefer that style of eating. Can get very busy. Specials board. Also opens for breakfast, but no eggs Benedict options , just traditional English, rolls/baps, toast and granola, although garlic Mushrooms option looked good. Will return again for lunch / dinner.

Sireesh P. R.

This is must stop if you are in visiting the Isle of Wight and in the East Cowes area and are hungry for some proper english pub grub. They have a likable atmosphere with ample indoor and outdoor seating.However if you want indoor seating my advice is to book a table in advance. The food was served in a decently quick fashion was piping hot and refreshing.
Highly recommended if you want a well satisfied tummy.
Ambience is pub like to the notch and the outdoor patio opens into the boat docks against the sunset so you get excellent evening pictures.

Outdoor seating is not suggested if you have dinosaur toddlers as the patio has low lighting and is very close to the harbour with limited barricades.

Paul V.

Warm and cozy in the inside. Would love to dine outside by the marina but it was cold and has scattered rain during our time. It's a 15 minute walk from the Red funnel ferry. Service was great and the food was large enough for your apetite.

Nikki A.

Amazing food, my steak was absolutely delicious, lots of lovely doggies there as well, just wish the weather had been nicer so we could have sat outside.
Staff were friendly and attentive, even though they were very busy
Will definitely be returning on a sunny day

Carla M.

Being veggies we’ve taken advantage of the Vegan & Vegetarian Weekend menu and have not been disappointed. Harissa roasted cauliflower steak was to die for. Wonderful flavours, perfectly al dente tenderstem broccoli with a generous serving of pine nuts! And before the meat eaters get jealous, they’re serving the normal menu alongside 😉