Kusina RestoBar
RestaurantsNewport
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Quick info
About Kusina RestoBar
Kusina RestoBar is a Filipino restaurant on Holyrood Street in Newport on the Isle of Wight, run by a Filipino chef-owner with her husband also working in the restaurant. A vegetarian menu gives meat-free diners versions of dishes from the main menu, so they can eat Filipino food without the meat. The Kare Kare comes in a pork version, cooked crispy and served with a peanut sauce. Main dishes arrive with a salad and rice, and portions are large. Everything is cooked fresh, and the kitchen can remove ingredients on request, for example because of allergies. The drinks list includes cocktails and beer, and the dessert menu features Ube cake.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid street parking · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ube cake, kare kare, sisig and beef lumpia.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ube cake, kare kare, sisig and beef lumpia.
Customer Review Summary
Ube cake is the dish reviewers single out most, with diners calling it an excellent end to dinner and one buying a slice to take away. Close behind is the pork Kare Kare, described as crispy with a rich peanut sauce, and reviewers also name the Sisig, Kaldereta, beef Lumpia, Poqui Poqui and a chicken BBQ that reminded one diner of chicken inasal. Mango ice cream is called refreshing. Many describe home-cooked, flavourful Filipino food, a vegetarian menu with meat-free versions of the main dishes, and a chef-owner and team who chat with guests and make first-timers feel welcome. Mains arrive with salad and rice, which one reviewer found a refreshing change. The complaints are about service. One diner arrived to a near empty room, waited for a menu and then an order, was told the cocktails were unavailable, never received a replacement beer, and left. Another felt the server was not knowledgeable about the dishes and brought cutlery before offering a drink. Still, several say they plan to return, and reviewers note that huge portions can be boxed up to take home.
Customer Review Summary
Ube cake is the dish reviewers single out most, with diners calling it an excellent end to dinner and one buying a slice to take away. Close behind is the pork Kare Kare, described as crispy with a rich peanut sauce, and reviewers also name the Sisig, Kaldereta, beef Lumpia, Poqui Poqui and a chicken BBQ that reminded one diner of chicken inasal. Mango ice cream is called refreshing. Many describe home-cooked, flavourful Filipino food, a vegetarian menu with meat-free versions of the main dishes, and a chef-owner and team who chat with guests and make first-timers feel welcome. Mains arrive with salad and rice, which one reviewer found a refreshing change. The complaints are about service. One diner arrived to a near empty room, waited for a menu and then an order, was told the cocktails were unavailable, never received a replacement beer, and left. Another felt the server was not knowledgeable about the dishes and brought cutlery before offering a drink. Still, several say they plan to return, and reviewers note that huge portions can be boxed up to take home.
Featured reviews
- Daniel Bignell
“Odd experience especially in the light of so many good reviews. Arrived to a near empty restaurant and got a menu after 5 minutes. Liked the decor and range of food choices. But that's where the positives end. The service was poor - I think the one guy they had on was swamped for some inexplicable reason. He came back after 10 minutes to take our order - we ordered two cocktails and one beer and two food choices. Took another 5 minutes to tell us we couldn't have the cocktails so we ordered another beer, which we never got. By this time we saw people on another table struggling with unappetising food and we asked another table how long they'd been waiting, which was 40 minutes. Called it, paid up for the one beer we got and left. Am hoping it's a one off but this is not how you run a restaurant. Good luck to them if they can sort themselves out but I'd caution against choosing this place.”
- Darren Fuller
“The food was great, not spicy but well flavoured. The beef Lumpia were packed with minced beef and the pork Kare Kare was crispy as advertised. The peanut sauce accompanying the generous lump of pork was rich, with a hint of fish sauce, delicious. Dishes came with a salad and rice, this is included in the cost of the main dish so made a refreshing change. The only thing stopping me giving an overall 5 star rating was the service. We received cutlery before being offered a drink and the person serving didn't seem very knowledgeable about the food on offer. It would have been nice for them to have given some suggestions on dishes to try. They definitely could have upsold the experience.”
- Helen
“The food at Kusina is always delicious - home made and bursting with flavour. Portions are huge, and you can take food home if you can't manage it all! The service is friendly, cocktails are lovely, and the prices are very reasonable. Nothing not to love!”
- Benny Yau
“I don't often leave reviews but I had to for Kusina. What an incredible experience! The chef and owners were so friendly and welcoming, and the food was absolutely amazing too. I went here twice in 3 days during my short stay on Wight, it was that good! I'd recommend the Kare Kare for sure, but I have no doubt that everything on the menu is delicious and you can't go wrong with anything you order. They also have a vegetarian menu with meat-free versions of their best dishes, so something for all dietary requirements. As everything is cooked fresh, the chef can remove ingredients on request too eg due to allergies. I'd say come to Kusina hungry, and you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to visit again the next time I visit the island. Thanks Cris and the team!”
- Alice Chai
“I’ve been going to Kusina in Newport religiously, and I can honestly say I’ve never had a single bad dish. Everything I’ve tried has been so good that I’m literally working my way through the whole menu. The flavours, the freshness, the portions — everything is spot on every single visit! But what truly makes this place special is the owner. She is the warmest, kindest lady, and you can genuinely feel how much love she pours into every dish. She always takes the time to chat, recommend things based on what you like, and everyone who works there will make you feel welcome the second you walk in. It’s the kind of hospitality you just can’t fake. And the value for money? Unreal. With the quality, freshness, and generous portions you get, it’s honestly such a rare find. You can taste the passion behind the food. I was actually there when the lady left that one-star review on Google Maps, and it felt completely unfair. The owner handled the whole situation with so much patience and kindness. Anyone who’s ever been here knows how much heart she puts into this place and how warm the atmosphere always is. Kusina has become one of my favourite restaurants in the UK, and I feel so lucky to have found this little spot while working away from home. It’s genuinely become my second home. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone — whether you’re Filipino and craving something familiar or trying Filipino food for the first time. If you want great food made with love, this is the place. ❤️”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“KUSINA RestoBar. Whether you’re on a spontaneous getaway or a planned holiday, the Isle of Wight is one of the go-to escape havens from the busy motorway and lifestyle of the mainland. It’s as if the Isle of Wight is the perfect place to lay your restless soul with its splendid scenery, and as you cruise, crossing the solent, every whiff of the cool breeze makes your heavy shoulder lighter. Aside from the reason that the Isle of Wight is blessed with beautiful beaches, there are a lot of things to do, one of which is to explore the food. Visit KUSINA RestoBar as additional experience-- from the Island of Southeast Asia Cebu Philippines, to this beautiful island of Southern England, The Isle of Wight.”
- Great dessert
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegan options
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Paid street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Coffee
- Offerings· 7
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Dining options· 5
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Parking· 1
- Parking
- Highlights· 1
- Great dessert
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Restaurants near Kusina RestoBar
- Correo Lounge4.47340.2 mi
gluten free options, vegan menu, tapas selection
- The Coast Bar & Dining Room4.61,1704.1 mi£20–50Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
goats cheese pizza, burger, chicken and salmon
- Corries Cabin4.35694.1 mi
cod and chips, medium cod, crispy real potato chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kusina RestoBarVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.7153 | — | £20–30 | ube cake, kare kare, sisig |
| Correo Lounge | 4.4734 | 0.2 mi | — | gluten free options, vegan menu, tapas selection |
| The Coast Bar & Dining RoomOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.61,170 | 4.1 mi | £20–50 | goats cheese pizza, burger, chicken and salmon |
| Corries Cabin | 4.3569 | 4.1 mi | — | cod and chips, medium cod, crispy real potato chips |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
