The Isle of Wight has eight Indian restaurants, all in the main towns. From my various informants I gather that the first one to open on the island was in Ryde about 30 years ago but has long gone, leaving the oldest still functioning Indian restaurant as the Nabab in Newport which opened about 25 years ago (although whether it opened under that name I don’t know, as it is not now under the original ownership). The original owner of the Newport restaurant opened a second in Cowes which, I understand, still operates as the Cowes Tandoori although again under different ownership from the original. Since those early days further restaurants, and a few take-aways, have sprung up - some only to close while others survive. The current eight restaurants are as follows:-

Cowes: The only town on the island to boast two Indian restaurants, both within a few doors of each other in the High Street. The longest established is the Cowes Tandoori at number 40. A smart looking high street restaurant which I understand seats about 60 but looked smaller from my view from the window (it was closed when I visited). Perhaps there is further seating at the back. The other is the Bahar Tandoori at number 44. This is much more recently established, opening in April 1997. It seats 34 in the main restaurant with a further three tables in a small back room. There is a large photograph in the window of the owner - Abdul Bahar - with Richard Branson who visited in September 1997, together with a signed note from Mr B saying "Delightful. Thank you". There used to be another called the Bombay Palace in Shooters Hill but this has now closed.

Freshwater: This small but rather sprawling town has a small Indian restaurant - Fatima - at 45 School Green Road (next to the library) at the Eastern side of town. A small (seats only 24), unpretentious and well used looking place has been there for about three years and clearly caters for local trade other than holiday-makers. It has no licence but you are welcome to BYO.

Newport: Only one Indian restaurant in the island’s capital (excluding take-aways) but it is the longest established. Nabab is a very pleasant restaurant in Upper St James Street seating 54 diners. Although not staying in Newport it was the one I chose to visit when I was on the island and a full report is provided separately.

Ryde: The Tandoori of Ryde at 45 Union Street (a smart modern looking but fairly smallish restaurant with wooden tables). There is a take-away (Curry Garden) in the high street the other end of town.

Sandown: The Taj Tandoori in the High Street (about 50 seats in modern looking restaurant with deal topped tables). There used to be another - Akash - nearby but that has now closed.

Shanklin: Maharaja at 55 High Street is fairly long established - 10 to 15 years I was told - and a large restaurant which looks to seat about eighty. I noted it serves draught Cobra and offers a number of evening special offers including a half price Thali on a Wednesday night. (The nearby Balti House take-away looked distinctly closed on a permanent basis).

Yarmouth: This very small and attractive town has Indian Cottage in the high street, right opposite the police station. Another small restaurant (again seats about 24) under the same ownership as Fatima in Freshwater and similar in style (unpretentious and well used look) as well as size.

In addition to the above restaurants there are a sprinkling of take-aways, all in the towns with the exception of one called Balti King which is in the small village of Wootton Bridge on the Ryde/Newport road.