Farmer Jacks: Sherried Isle of

Bring me the banana bread

It’s not all bottomless lunches and cocktail dinners at Ventnor’s latest – Drunken Lobster serves its morning menu from 9am until noon, Tuesday to Saturday. There are freshly squeezed juices and AllPress Espresso coffee (naturally) and options like Chia Pudding and Almond Granola to eat in or take away. But if we’re taking anything from 2020 forward into the New Year it has to be banana bread. And Drunken Lobster’s Banana Bread is something else: this one is jazzed up with hung yoghurt, pistachios and Isle of Wight honey. @drunkenlobsterbar, Ventnor

Queen of breakfasts

It’s impossible to think of another dish that so readily says ‘Brunch’ like a classic Eggs Royale – rich and decadent, just ordering it feels like an occasion. Here at Bembridge’s recently refurbished Spinnaker, Head Chef Shane Burt serves his own poached (egg) to perfection take on this quintessential dish – with smoked salmon, Hollandaise sauce, toasted muffin and shaved gherkin. @TheSpinnakerIOW, Bembridge

Briddlesford brings home the bacon

Sometimes, only a full English breakfast will hit the spot. Clearly, only the finest high-quality local ingredients can do that – which means going straight to the farm. The almost legendary Full English breakfast at Briddlesford Farm’s Bluebell’s Café includes sausages from their in-house butcher, bacon and eggs from Brownriggs, Isle of Wight Tomato Stall tomatoes, served with multiseeded granary toast from Grace’s Bakery – buttered, of course, with Briddlesford’s own butter. (Not pictured but equally delish: Briddlesford’s vegetarian and vegan breakfast offerings.) @briddlesford_farm, Wootton

There is comfort in warm porridge

Nothing in this world is at it seems. Except, possibly, porridge – so said Stephen Fry at least. But Caffe Isola’s porridge is a porridge less ordinary. Offering welcome warmth on cold crisp winter mornings, this super-starter is made with Briddlesford Farm milk for extra creaminess (oat, almond, and soya can be ordered) and served with a range of traditional (banana, cinnamon and sultana) and tasty (fresh berries with seeds and honey) toppings. Our personal favourite is spiced chai porridge with plum compote. Suddenly, the world makes sense. @caffeisola, Newport