The Bestival Good Food and Drink Guide

Thank goodness food and drink at festivals isn’t limited to dry burgers with a hint of meat and warm cans of beer anymore and nowhere is this more evident than at Bestival. Handpicked to provide culinary and liquid pleasure, the food and drink at Bestival itself is worth making the trip for alone – please remember to check out yet another amazing performance by one of the superb artists on stage though whilst you are getting stuck in. Eating and drinking at Bestival is like the festival itself; quality artistry, delightful to look at, great theatre, always enjoyable and fun and full of variety. Tuck in folks.

The Hurly Burly - powered by the sun (to reduce environmental impact) serving breakfast, lunch, high tea, dinner and midnight feasts. It’s all vegetarian, made from scratch on site using quality raw ingredients. Performances happen regularly throughout the day, with both spontaneous floor shows and scheduled performances. The crew say they can do 3 things very well…they can cook, they can make music and they can dance! We suggest you try and experience all three.

The Thali Cafe - The Thali Cafe and its travelling sibling have been keeping the city of Bristol and festival goers all over the UK well fed and happy for a decade. Famous for colourful, delicious, authentic northern and southern Indian Cuisine all served in a vibrant sit-down café, a great place to eat and watch the people go by. (Also a top tip for their veggie breakfast)

Pure Pie - Arguably the finest handmade pies in the world and space too. We’re salivating just thinking about Steak with Horseradish and Ale, Lamb with new potato & fresh mint, Oak smoked haddock with parsley & mustard, Chorizo sausage with butterbeans & mozzarella, Spicy butterbean with mixed vegetables & mature cheddar, Thai Chicken with Lemon grass & ginger plus loads more… all served with mash, peas and gravy if you are feeling especially peckish. Delicious!

Pizza Express - Pizza Express has ventured outdoors this Summer with its pizzeria on wheels. Find them in the Stardust Field next to the Big Top and in the Green Campsite next to the Psychedelic Worm for individually handmade pizzas, including classic favourites American Hot and Sloppy Giuseppe. Tweet them @pizzaexpress

Kellogg’s Tunes & Spoons - They’ll be serving up your favourite breakfast and some of your favourite tunes every morning, during the festival, from 6am. As well as delicious cereal, they’ll be serving Kellogg’s snacks, hot drinks, fruit juice and whole fruit. Make sure you get the perfect start to your day with a bowl of Kellogg’s cereal, ready to hit the festival. Find them next to the Freestyle Sports Park on the edge of the Green Campsite under their big red tent.

Alpro - Alpro and friends are hosting a 'Breakfest' extravaganza at Bestival this summer. Why not come down and join the Alpro team for some festival goodies, tasty breakfasts and afternoon treats at their Breakfest bar – all on the house! Alpro’s full range of dairy-free delicious milks, yogurts and desserts will be on show this summer to help fellow festival-goers feel lighter all round. Packed full of plant goodness, Alpro is naturally low in sat fat and tastes great – and because plant proteins use fewer of the Earth’s resources, it’s lighter for the planet too. Alpro truly is lighter all round.

Citroen H Crepe Van - taste of France all served up from a 50 year old van, crepes and other delights. Ooh la la madames et monsieurs.

Glaceau vitaminwater - The great tasting, soft drink from New York is available in 8 delicious flavours with added vitamins and minerals, that you may need throughout the day’s dancing, moshing, or raving. Try essential in the mornings. Try revive after a looooong night. Or spark to get keep you moving. So pick up a bottle and find your spot on the field. To complete the superstar look get yourself down to the Glaceau vitaminwater memory maker photobooth and capture yourself at your most festival chic!

Philippine Village Fast Food - acclaimed for its quality and variety of tastes, don’t pass the opportunity to get a taste of the variety of noodle & rice dishes.

Chapati Man - Spicy Indian wraps that will charm the taste buds, perfect for outside the Big Top.

Green Pepper & Red Tomato - From cacciatore to lasagne, get the wonderful taste of Italy made with the care and the passion you’d find in a great ristorante in a beautiful piazza of Roma, Firenze or Napoli.

Puschka Grill - For all meals of the day, perfect filling festival food with grilled fresh meat, fish, veggie delights and fresh salads.

Flaming Cactus - from the West of the Americas to the Isle of Wight, these super hermanos and hermanas provide great Latino food so add the salsa and guacamole and get ready to vamos

Souper Stew - Naturally healthy and hearty gourmet soups and stews, these folks approach of one-pot cooking produces deeply rewarding food for the soul, body and mind.

Vegetaria - Family-owned vegan and vegetarian food specialising in Mediterranean food. Their signature dish is handmade Falafel. And each meal is packed full of food and flavour so you have the energy to party on ‘til the break of dawn.

The Sea Cow - Where better to eat fish & chips than surrounded by the sea on the island. Get your binoculars out and you might be able to spot the local fishermen bringing in the catch of the day. The menu includes tempura prawns with sweet chili, whitebait with lime mayo and good-old minted mushy peas.

Fine Burger Co - Beautiful gourmet burgers, a festival favourite.

Harbour Seafoods - offering a wide range of great sea food for the discerning Bestival foodie including paellas, fish curries, prawn wraps and surf ‘n’ turf for those who like an extra bit of meat.

The Moroccan Barbecue - Imagine the aroma-filled fervour of Marrakech’s Djemaa el Fna then grab a taste of lamb, chicken and vegetarian kebabs Moroccan style.

Chimichurri Argentinean Steaks - The classic tangy Argentinean steak and chorizo flavoured dishes. Grab the nearest sultry and mysterious looking person and Tango over there right now.

Shaken Udder Dairy - In the main field, these folks might not need their milkshake machines when Madness get everyone jumping so dance your way over and see the folks for a lovely shake whilst the ground quakes.

Poco Morocco - From the lively souks of North Africa, Moroccan food invokes snake charmers, tantalising street food and colourful street performers – tagine-tastic.

Asian Grub Foundation - serving traditional Punjabi style curry learned from family recipes passed down from generation to generation.

Smooth Criminals - The smoothie kings bring the fruit that will make you moonwalk around the site.

Liberty Grill - Organic, farm assured gourmet burgers served up from a shiny airstream. Liberty Grill uses biodegradable material where possible and bio fuel to go green when preparing, serving and travelling. That gets a big Bestival thumbs up.

Paellaria - Spanish Paella, a wonderful meal at the best of times and these amigos produce it in a style befitting the Bestival style and spirit. Josie da Bank says ‘the chicken and chorizo paella is possibly the best thing I’ve tasted at a festival!’

Pizza Express - Sloppy Giuseppe, American Hot, Veneziana, Padana and Il Padrino make their once again at Bestival – pass the black pepper and parmegiano reggiano.

Drambuie Nail Bar - come on over, relax and enjoy the cocktails on offer.

Barefoot Wine - Californian wine with a good dose of the legendary laid back central coast style.

Bollywood Bar - next to the amazing Bollywood tent where things get out of this world, get your drink, relax or get back to the action.

Farmer’s Market - not to be missed with Fresh lobster and Calbourne classic ice cream, get there early to avoid not getting your hands on some fresh local produce.

The Thali Express - Amazing fish curry and plenty of other goodness for you to sample in true Bollywood style – a great place to eat at Bestival.

Smoky Tentacles - The finest shisha to smoke, fairly traded teas, coffee, chai all making this a place to diffuse minds, lounge back and meet new friends, by day or night.

Rodigan's Reggae Food Shack - new to Bestival this year and bringing the truly wonderful taste of Caribbean food. Jerk Chicken, rice and peas and ting.

La Vache - Handmade, freshly cooked burgers and steak sandwich that cannot be beat. The real deal.

Malinkeys - originally a Bedford horse box, this venue is one to savour and the views from the top deck will be worth the trip and then there’s the great food and service. Get your table and order quickly.

Byron Burgers - the award-winning London restaurant group will be providing 'proper' hamburgers from its shack (look for the life size model cows grazing on the roof). This kind of quality in a field is not just a challenge, it's a necessity!

Smooth Criminals - The smoothie kings bring the fruit that will make you moonwalk around the site.

Flaming Cactus - from the West of the Americas to the Isle of Wight, these super hermanos and hermanas provide great Latino food so add the salsa and guacamole and get ready to vamos.

Pure Pie - Arguably the finest handmade pies in the world and space too. We’re salivating just thinking about Steak with Horseradish and Ale, Lamb with new potato & fresh mint, Oak smoked haddock with parsley & mustard, Chorizo sausage with butterbeans & mozzarella, Spicy butterbean with mixed vegetables & mature cheddar, Thai Chicken with Lemon grass & ginger plus loads more… all served with mash, peas and gravy if you are feeling especially peckish. Delicious!

The Sea Cow - Where better to eat fish & chips than surrounded by the sea on the island. Get your binoculars out and you might be able to spot the local fishermen bringing in the catch of the day. The menu includes tempura prawns with sweet chilli, whitebait with lime mayo and good-old minted mushy peas.

Chunky Chips & Wicked Dips - Freshly made chips and delicious homemade dips for welcoming lips.

The Shisha Lounge - Inspired by their travels, The Shisha Lounge is a wonderful Moroccan eatery set in a series of yurts fronted with a charcoal grill serving locally sourced lamb and fresh mackerel. Simply great.

The Black Dahlia - a great place to unwind and relax during the day and look across the magical fields of Bestival, the best cocktails on site are also served making it an essential place to visit during the weekend.

Roaming Rotisserie - Whole chickens, pork ribs, lamb and beef joints flavoured with unique rubs and marinades, cooked on rows of rotating spits – delicious.

Eat Fat Pig - Free range hog roast cooked over a hot fire. Indulge.

Mash Shack - Fantastical mash for the fire field.

The Wonderland Inn - Bestival’s own local boozer a place to relax, drink and be merry in with old and new friends.

Fine Chicken Company - Rotisserie chicken and chicken burgers plus much more.

Cowboys Relish - Imagine cowboys and you’ll no doubt see amongst your images the countryside and flame-grilled good ol’ eatin’. Burgers that are a perfect marriage of meat and flame heat all served up with relish, super for a day riding with your fancy-dress horses or kicking back and shooting the breeze under the stars. Yeeeee haw.

The Whole Hog - voted best hog roast in the land and has catered for Gordon Ramsey so it must be pretty f****** good.

Mr. Tea's - There’s nothing quite like a good brew to get things lifted and the selection here is great and they’ve got cakes too – perfect.

Goodness Gracious Healthy Foods - A great vegan & vegetarian whole food venue that takes its food and environmental impact very seriously – big thumbs up for that.

Battersea Pie Station - Pie & Mash served up good and proper. Try the Winstone Steak and Kidney – ‘you looking at my pie?’

Citroen H Crepe Van - a taste of France all served up from a 50 year old van, crepes and other delights. Ooh la la monsieurs et madames.

Strumpets With Crumpets - Crumpets & Hot Drinks with a difference from these glamorous ladies – a British classic served up with a bit of sauce and spice, well when it comes to the Bloody Mary Crumpet at least. Go on, you know you want to taste.

Gaymer’s Garden - Somerset Cider over in the Magic Meadow, sing-along now ‘I’ve got a brand new combine harvester…’

Local Farmer’s Market - don’t miss out on the local produce, especially the fresh lobster and Calbourne classic ice cream, perfect with your pint of Bestivale.

The Pub - did we mention Bestivale, a fine drink produced on the island available for one weekend a year only.

WI - perfect fresh cups of tea and a lovely selection of cakes, a touch of the village green fete from these wonderful ladies of the island.

Pieminister - Scrumptious pies in flavours like Thai Chook, Minty Lamb and Wild Mushroom & Asparagus with mash. They are renowned for their sensational gravy, which is a closely guarded secret recipe – maybe some of the little fairies and wizards on site could sprinkle magic and open the recipe book! Some even claim that their pies are the secret to eternal youth. Well you never know until you try them do you?

Chip Shed Revolution - Chips with dips that will give you an uprising of energy to last the distance.

Dr. Bean's Flying Coffee Machine - Laid back Isle of Wight based provider of great cups of espresso coffees, speciality teas, hot chocolate, chai and assorted snacks.

we Are Toasted - all manner of toasted based products for your enjoyment.

Saint Valentines Liquorice Co. - Lovely local liquorice confectionery from just down the road in Shanklin.

Mediterranean Kitchen - Mediterranean food bringing a taste of sun-soaked beaches and fantastic vistas overlooking crystal clear blue sea.

Ostrich Burger Company - great tasting and super low in fat Ostrich burgers lean rich-tasting Kangaroo meat and gamier Wild Boar all served with delicious garnishes.

Loxley Farmhouse Sausage - a variety of sausages served upv for your meal morning or night.

Starfish Café - offering local organic food, a taste of the countryside from your tent’s doorstep.

Georgcharlies - wonderful hog roast to be enjoyed outdoors overlooking the Bestival fields.

Cafe al Fresco - jacket wedges & dips in the heart of the tented village.

Tea & Toast - you need a snack anytime of the day, what do you need? Toast and a cup of tea…aaaahhh, that’s perfect.

Roast Mistress - Roast chicken or beef served up with mash, peas and red wine gravy. Big Breakfasts also served.

Le Café Crepe - Savoury or sweet crepes made in the traditional way, perfect at any time of the day.

Quenchers Smoothies - lovely fresh smoothies to replenish and refresh.

Oak Tree Farm Carvery - Tasty free range pork carvery.

French Crepes - Organic French crepes made traditionally, also serving soup and to top it all of fresh lemonade.

The Electric Lemon - solar-power produced lemonade for family members of all ages. Using the power of the sun too, which we hope stays out all weekend of course.

The Funky Forest - Hearty breakfasts and a sit-down café for a relaxed lunch & dinner too.

Gill's Fruit Fusions - Real Fruit Smoothies, Milkshakes & Fruit Kebabs, need we say more than that.

Great British Sausage Co. - supplying Bestival goers with premium speciality great bangers.

Latino Feast - A Latino feast means meat, great tastes and just a hint of chili, check it out friends.

Dr. Juess - Breakfast baps, bangers and mash, duck egg omelets and smoothies.

Swift Feasts - Mediterranean and Thai inspired wraps and baps, a pretty appealing combination for us.

Lunched Out Lizards - Chai, hot drinks, cakes and lemonade to refresh parched minds, bodies and souls.

Ajs catering - Baked potatoes with a variety of toppings.

The Grill - BBQ Breakfasts for those who need it hearty.

Coffee & Cake - Luscious handmade cakes, coffee, toasties, smoothies, Marvelous.

Goodness Gracious Healthy Foods - More vegan & vegetarian whole food prepared and served in an environmentally friendly way.

Robert Groves - Hog Roast served with apple sauce in a bap – always a winner.

Tea & Toast - you need a snack anytime of the day, what do you need? Toast and a cup of tea…aaaahhh, that’s perfect.

Great British Sausage Co (I LOVE SAUSAGE) - they love sausage and so do we, speciality sausage BBQ and that sounds just like an invitation to stick the fork in the pork.

Will Groves - bacon rolls and burgers to keep you going when you need it most.

Plus there’s plenty more to add to all these that you can discover once your tent’s up and you’re ready to go...