YOU can watch the boats during sunset while enjoying dinner and a drink on Cowes High Street, as alfresco dining at The Summer Garden has returned this week.

Started three years ago to help the landowners Island Sailing Club utilise the space during the Covid pandemic, owner Jack promised to put ‘bums on chairs’ with his alfresco dining idea.

Since then, the venue has grown in popularity, launching his full-time High Street restaurant, The Garden, in October 2022, alongside his takeaway and delivery venture, Captain Pizza.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Cowes venue can seat around 200 peopleThe Cowes venue can seat around 200 people (Image: Captain Pizza)

Even though it is tucked away behind the Sailing Club, Jack has had no hard trouble luring people off the High Street and down the alleyway leading to the airy 200-seater venue.

Described as a ‘pop-up version’ of The Garden restaurant, The Summer Garden offers a BBQ with Island meat sourced from Isle of Wight Meat Co at Cheverton Farm in Shorwell, as well as his very own pizzas and sharing and slush cocktails.

Hosting regular events, the eatery boasts live music all summer and kid’s activities, including Punch and Judy.

Jack said: “We are all about alfresco dining. The Summer Garden has the only restaurant with outside seating offering uninterrupted views of the Solent at the entrance of the River Medina.

“We’re open from 11am for tea, coffee, cakes and cream teas, through to 11pm for pizza, BBQ and cocktails.”

Open every day through Easter, The Summer Garden will be open at weekends and bank holidays through April and May before opening every day from June.

Jack’s other businesses are also gearing up for the busy Summer season, with a food truck stationed at Northwood House’s Lawn Bar, pizzas available at Tapnell Farm and Captain Pizza delivering directly to the seafront.