The great restaurants in Oxford include modern pan-European fine diners, riverside terraces, and traditional pubs that have served locals through to Britain’s elites for centuries. And with a diverse population that includes some of the world’s brightest students, Oxford offers you the chance to indulge in an exceptional food scene that can cost a little or a lot.

Whether you want to enjoy a feast on a rustic boathouse, a terrace with city and spire views, or in a centuries-old country inn just outside the city centre, one of Oxford’s great restaurants promises you an unforgettable dining experience.

  • 1

    Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant

    British treats and Sunday dinners on a rustic boathouse

    Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant
    • Food

    Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant serves a creative menu of European bites and quintessentially British treats. Situated inside a rustic boathouse on a tranquil spot on the River Cherwell, it’s one of Oxford’s most popular diners for traditional Sunday dinners. The restaurant managers are happy to recommend fine wine pairings. 

    Meat delicacies at the Cherwell Boathouse include the leg of Wootton lamb and longhorn beef ribs. Order from the tasting menu to sample treats such as venison loin paired with a Volnay and slow-cooked pheasant egg with a glass of 2007 Meursault.

    Location: Bardwell Rd, Oxford OX2 6ST, UK

    Open: Monday and Thursday from noon to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 8.30 pm, Wednesday from noon to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 8.45 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 2.15 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm, Sunday from noon to 2.45 pm and from 6 pm to 8 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 552746

    Map

    photo by Jeremy T. Hetzel (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 2

    Vaults & Garden

    A popular lunch venue in a historic building

    Vaults & Garden
    • Food

    Vaults & Garden is one of Oxford’s top spots for breakfasts, organic lunches and afternoon teas. The interior dining area occupies a 14th-century building with a vaulted ceiling and wood finishes. During the warmer months, you can enjoy tasty bites in the garden while taking in views of the iconic Radcliffe Camera library.

    Menu favourites at Vaults & Garden include slow-roasted lamb shoulder with red currants, chicken Panang curry, and carrot and nutmeg soup. If you're visiting for afternoon tea, treat yourself to the restaurant’s homemade scones. The quietest time to visit is between 8.30 am and 10 am.

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 279112

    Map

    photo by Jeremy T. Hetzel (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 3

    Quod Restaurant & Bar

    An upmarket bar and brasserie with a terrace

    Quod Restaurant & Bar
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Quod Restaurant & Bar has been a hallmark of Oxford’s fine-dining scene since 1998. Housed inside a former bank with views of the Radcliffe Camera and Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Quod serves an all-day brasserie menu, and there are plenty of tasty drinks stored behind its white onyx bar to pair with your meal.

    Some of Quod’s standout dishes include white crab meat with avocado, beef carpaccio, and sea bass with leeks and romesco. Reserve a table by the ceiling-height windows for the best views of Oxford’s High Street. Afternoon teas are best enjoyed on the Italian-inspired terrace.

    Location: 92-94 High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ, UK

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 202505

    Map

    photo by Bex Walton (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 4

    Kazbar Restaurant

    Spanish and Moroccan bites in a North African-inspired diner

    Kazbar Restaurant
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Kazbar Restaurant features a North African souk-inspired décor complete with kilims, lanterns and mosaic tables. For a unique dining experience in Oxford, try Spanish and Moroccan tapas at this well-loved venue. It also serves creative cocktails, sangria, and a selection of Spanish wines.

    Classic tapas and mezze dishes at Kazbar include Ibérico pork ribs, merquez (spicy sausage), braised butter beans, and octopus in tomato sauce. You can also order family favourites such as meatballs and pizza. Almost every dish goes down great with one of the restaurant’s signature mojitos.

    Location: 25-27 Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1HP, UK

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to midnight, Friday from 5 pm to 12.30 am, Saturday from noon to 12.30 am, Sunday from noon to 11 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 202920

    Map

    photo by allispossible.org.uk (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 5

    The Perch

    Tasty pub grub in a historical inn

    The Perch
    • Food

    At The Perch, you can dig into traditional British pub fare in a 17th-century country inn that features a thatched roof and a large riverside garden. Its scenic location makes it an excellent place to escape the bustle of the city, as it’s only a 10-minute bike ride away from the High Street.

    The Perch sources local ingredients to create a simple but delicious British menu. There are plenty of draft ales on tap. Visit on a Sunday to enjoy a delicious traditional roast dinner. You might want to reserve a table if you want to dine over the weekend.

    Location: Binsey Ln, Binsey, Oxford OX2 0NG, UK

    Open: Friday–Saturday from noon to 9.30 pm, Sunday–Thursday from noon to 9 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 728891

    Map

    photo by Peter Trimming (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 6

    Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant

    A trendy restaurant with city views and pan-European delights

    Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant
    • Food

    Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant is a modern diner with rustic touches and a menu of pan-European delights with British flavours. If you’d rather mingle than dine in private, you can sit by the central sharing table. During summer, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea on the rooftop terrace with views of Oxford’s spires.

    Butternut squash risotto, smoked mackerel, bavette steak, and pork belly are just some of many highlights at Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant. Reserve a table on a Thursday to enjoy your meal to the sounds of live jazz. After your meal, we recommend treating yourself to a couple of gin tastings.

    Location: Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH, UK

    Open: Daily from noon to 5 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 553823

    Map

    photo by Sarah Casey (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 7

    Gees Restaurant & Bar

    Mediterranean dishes served in a flower-filled conservatory

    Gees Restaurant & Bar
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    At Gees Restaurant & Bar, you can relish a rustic Mediterranean dining experience in a Grade II-listed Victorian glasshouse or on the terrace. Sharing plates and grilled delicacies are the restaurant’s culinary highlights. Through the venue’s floor-to-ceiling windows and glass roof, you can take in views of one of Oxford’s historic conservation areas.

    Popular dishes at Gees Restaurant & Bar include 55-day aged sirloin, olive oil-poached cod, paprika-roasted poussin, and the catch of the day. Roasts with tasty meats from local producers are served every Sunday for lunch, which is an opportune time to treat yourself to a Bloody Mary.

    Location: 61-63 Banbury Rd, Park Town, Oxford OX2 6PE, UK

    Open: Daily from noon to 10.30 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 553540

    Map
  • 8

    The Folly Restaurant

    A British riverside dining experience

    The Folly Restaurant
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    The Folly Restaurant is one of Oxford’s most popular central restaurants for modern British cuisine. The indoors features chandeliers dangling below a glass roof. During summer, the best place to dine is on the terrace that sits above the River Thames. After dinner, you can rent one of the restaurant’s boats to enjoy a river cruise.

    Many locals head to The Folly Restaurant for afternoon tea with homemade sandwiches and cakes. Dinner menu highlights include slow-cooked pork belly, classic meat cuts such as sirloin and lamb rump, and crab and prawn linguine. You can expect to wait up to 15 minutes for a table without reservation.

    Location: 1 Folly Bridge, Oxford OX1 4JU, UK

    Open: Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sunday–Friday from noon to 9 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 201293

    Map

    photo by generalising (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 9

    The Ivy Oxford Brasserie

    An art deco brasserie serving modern British and global delicacies

    The Ivy Oxford Brasserie
    • Food

    The Ivy Oxford Brasserie serves an eclectic mix of international dishes and modern British comfort food. Here, you can eat delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It's also a great place to enjoy one of Oxford’s best afternoon teas.

    On the menu, you’ll see dishes such as lobster linguine, yellowfin tuna carpaccio, and chicken Milanese, plus a full selection of juicy steaks and vegan delicacies. Characterised by its vibrant art deco interior with sophisticated furnishings, you’ll find The Ivy Oxford Brasserie on the High Street, just across from the Covered Market.

    Location: 120-121 High St, Oxford OX1 4DF, UK

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 8.30 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 416333

    Map
  • 10

    Turf Tavern

    Traditional British classics in a historic pub

    Turf Tavern
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Since 1831, Turf Tavern has been delighting a varied clientele (including politicians, celebrities and presidents) with classic British pub grub and real ales. Inside, this traditional pub has retained its historic character. When the weather allows, you can enjoy drinks and nibbles in the beer garden.

    On top of delicious daily specials, Turf Tavern’s menu options include Suffolk pork sausages, gourmet burgers, and West Country cheddar mash. There are also international dishes such as Thai curry and salmon with lobster sauce. The bar area can be crowded in the evening, but there’s usually plenty of space to sit in the charcoal-heated courtyard.

    Location: 4-5 Bath Pl, Oxford OX1 3SU, UK

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +44 (0)1865 243235

    Map

    photo by Steve Daniels (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

Joshua Saunders | Contributing Writer