Choose from fine dining overlooking the bay, contemporary a-la-carte, al-fresco cafés, seafood, Chinese, famous fish and chips, Italian, or even take-away on the beach. Cowes has more than fifty cafés, restaurants, take-aways, bars and bakeries.

Meet friends for brunch at Madcowes Café and Foodstore on the Esplanade (get there early for an outside table and watch the boats sail past on the bay).

Of course, you could take the short drive to Rhyll for arguably the state's finest fish and chips - or perhaps Churchill Island where you can enjoy lunch on the verandah overlooking Western Port, then stroll around the restored 1801 homestead and gardens (a great place to take friends who are visiting the island).

Afternoon tea? Hard to beat the Jetty Shed - right on the water. Enjoy an espresso while watching the anglers try their luck from the jetty.

For dinner, you could enjoy the nearby Fig and Olive, Japanese dining at Youki’s or perhaps the Foreshore Bar and Restaurant at Rhyll. Of course, you may just want to get a seriously good pizza from Pino's, stroll down to the beach, and enjoy it as the sun goes down over the bay.

walk to the beach

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active lifestyle

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community involvement

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less than two hours' drive from the city

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