Guidebook for Oxford
Food Scene
The secluded walled courtyard of this ivy-covered 17th-century parsonage is the perfect, tranquil spot for afternoon tea. The restaurant, featuring charcoal walls hung with numerous artworks and a gentleman’s club feel, is equally popular with diners. The ‘very high tea’ option includes fresh finger sandwiches, feather-light scones with exceptionally good jam and a delightfully squidgy brownie, served with loose leaf tea from a silver pot. Afternoon tea from £25.
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Old Parsonage Hotel
1-3 Banbury RdThe secluded walled courtyard of this ivy-covered 17th-century parsonage is the perfect, tranquil spot for afternoon tea. The restaurant, featuring charcoal walls hung with numerous artworks and a gentleman’s club feel, is equally popular with diners. The ‘very high tea’ option includes fresh finger sandwiches, feather-light scones with exceptionally good jam and a delightfully squidgy brownie, served with loose leaf tea from a silver pot. Afternoon tea from £25.
Set in a Georgian building near the Bodleian Library, this social enterprise serves a menu of simple dishes based around local ingredients, like chestnut mushroom risotto with baby leaf spinach. Bare wooden tables and chairs give the dining room a rustic atmosphere. The good-value Sunday lunch is a popular choice for families. Mains from £6.50.
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Turl Street Kitchen
16-17 Turl StSet in a Georgian building near the Bodleian Library, this social enterprise serves a menu of simple dishes based around local ingredients, like chestnut mushroom risotto with baby leaf spinach. Bare wooden tables and chairs give the dining room a rustic atmosphere. The good-value Sunday lunch is a popular choice for families. Mains from £6.50.
There isn’t a more romantic or tranquil setting in the city. Dine al fresco on the banks of the River Cherwell, enjoying crowd-pleasing dishes like rump of lamb and Cornish sea bream, and watch the punts drift by from this converted Victorian boathouse. The award-winning wine list offers plenty of opportunity to splash out for a special occasion. Mains from £17.75.
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Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant
Bardwell RoadThere isn’t a more romantic or tranquil setting in the city. Dine al fresco on the banks of the River Cherwell, enjoying crowd-pleasing dishes like rump of lamb and Cornish sea bream, and watch the punts drift by from this converted Victorian boathouse. The award-winning wine list offers plenty of opportunity to splash out for a special occasion. Mains from £17.75.
Gee's Restaurant & Bar
61-63 Banbury RdPortabello
7 S ParadeMamma Mia Pizzeria Summertown
9 S ParadeExcellent pizza with a good family atmosphere
Joe's Bar & Grill
260 Banbury RdXI' AN OXFORD
197 Banbury RdThe Bicycle Shed
204-206 Banbury RdJacob's Inn
130 Godstow RdLoch Fyne Restaurant
55 Walton StBranca
111 Walton StThe Ashmolean Cafe
Beaumont StreetWorth a visit for its lightness and view from the rooftop!
Brasserie Blanc
71-72 Walton StThe Perch
Binsey LaneThe Trout Inn
195 Godstow RdFinish up here after a lovely walk along The Thames!
Drinks & Nightlife
Simply stepping into Angels Cocktail Bar is a heady experience. The fully stocked bar wraps around one half of the room against a wall decorated with intricate vintage wallpaper. A steep staircase leads downstairs to a second bar and drinking area, just as atmospheric and intimate as the first, with dim lighting and closely crowded tables. The bar serves a range of drinks and cocktails to set the tone for your evening, from an elegant Vesper Martini or Sidecar, to a decadent Black Star Liner, made up of espresso, Mozart Dark chocolate liqueur and Patron XO Café tequila.
Angels Cocktail Bar Oxford
55 Little Clarendon StSimply stepping into Angels Cocktail Bar is a heady experience. The fully stocked bar wraps around one half of the room against a wall decorated with intricate vintage wallpaper. A steep staircase leads downstairs to a second bar and drinking area, just as atmospheric and intimate as the first, with dim lighting and closely crowded tables. The bar serves a range of drinks and cocktails to set the tone for your evening, from an elegant Vesper Martini or Sidecar, to a decadent Black Star Liner, made up of espresso, Mozart Dark chocolate liqueur and Patron XO Café tequila.
The Bear Inn has the proud distinction of being Oxford’s oldest surviving pub, whose history can be traced back as early as 1242. The site has undergone many physical reincarnations and the pub, as it currently stands, was rebuilt in the early 17th century as the residence of the coaching inn’s ostler. As well as being recognised for its impressive historical record, The Bear Inn is also known for its somewhat unexpected yet impressive collection of old ties, representing sports teams, colleges and university clubs, as well as the large number of global visitors who have dropped by, eager to contribute to the collection.
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The Bear Tavern
6 Alfred StThe Bear Inn has the proud distinction of being Oxford’s oldest surviving pub, whose history can be traced back as early as 1242. The site has undergone many physical reincarnations and the pub, as it currently stands, was rebuilt in the early 17th century as the residence of the coaching inn’s ostler. As well as being recognised for its impressive historical record, The Bear Inn is also known for its somewhat unexpected yet impressive collection of old ties, representing sports teams, colleges and university clubs, as well as the large number of global visitors who have dropped by, eager to contribute to the collection.
Located in the old Frank Cooper jam and marmalade factory, a beautiful early 20th-century brick building purpose-built for the company’s jam producing needs, The Jam Factory has since been converted into a contemporary restaurant, bar and art gallery. The venue is now dedicated to supporting artists and promoting the local cultural scene through exhibiting art works, running classes and workshops, and offering a free space for live acts to perform. The bar, meanwhile, offers an extensive drinks menu, from craft beers and real ales, to a varied wine selection to suit everybody’s tastes, making The Jam Factory an excellent spot to relax over a few drinks in an unusual yet beautiful setting.
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The Jam Factory
4 Hollybush RowLocated in the old Frank Cooper jam and marmalade factory, a beautiful early 20th-century brick building purpose-built for the company’s jam producing needs, The Jam Factory has since been converted into a contemporary restaurant, bar and art gallery. The venue is now dedicated to supporting artists and promoting the local cultural scene through exhibiting art works, running classes and workshops, and offering a free space for live acts to perform. The bar, meanwhile, offers an extensive drinks menu, from craft beers and real ales, to a varied wine selection to suit everybody’s tastes, making The Jam Factory an excellent spot to relax over a few drinks in an unusual yet beautiful setting.
ocated in Oxford’s trendy Jericho area, The Old Bookbinders is an excellent example of the traditional Oxonion pub, cosy, quirky and welcoming. The atmosphere is eccentric and full of character, with an old toy train set suspended from the ceiling and the walls and ceiling covered with music posters and memorabilia. The pub continues this theme in its events, holding regular open mic nights for locals, students and visitors to come and perform. Although The Old Bookbinders eschews the term gastro pub, preferring to keep its image and menu down-to-earth and simple, its French-influenced pub fare is undeniably delicious.
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The Old Bookbinders Ale House
17-18 Victor Stocated in Oxford’s trendy Jericho area, The Old Bookbinders is an excellent example of the traditional Oxonion pub, cosy, quirky and welcoming. The atmosphere is eccentric and full of character, with an old toy train set suspended from the ceiling and the walls and ceiling covered with music posters and memorabilia. The pub continues this theme in its events, holding regular open mic nights for locals, students and visitors to come and perform. Although The Old Bookbinders eschews the term gastro pub, preferring to keep its image and menu down-to-earth and simple, its French-influenced pub fare is undeniably delicious.
Entertainment & Activities
Oxford Punting
High StreetFerry Leisure Centre
Diamond PlaceArts & Culture
I-Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont StreetMuseum of Art and Archaeology
Parks & Nature
Izindawo zezifundo
South Parks RoadCutteslowe Park Playground
63 Pennywell DrShotover Country Park
Old RoadPort Meadow
Walton Well Rd