Harden's survey result
Summary
It's “not somewhere to linger and have an elegant time” and “there isn't really any service as such”, but this ethical/organic church-crypt café remains a “regular refuelling stop” for its “great selection of hot and cold food served up generously, canteen-style” (“come hungry”). “Outside tables offer a spectacular outlook over the Radcliffe Camera and Radcliffe Square.”
Summary
“A great Oxford institution” set in the “fifteenth-century vaults of the university church” – this ethical and organic café makes an “excellent stop-off point during a busy day in Oxford” – whether you’re shopping or studying texts next door in the Bodleian Library. “Superb coffee, decent food and a very civilised atmosphere, despite sometimes being crowded”.
Summary
“A great Oxford institution” set in the “fifteenth-century vaults of the university church” – this ethical and organic café makes an “excellent stop-off point during a busy day in Oxford” – whether you’re shopping or studying texts next door in the Bodleian Library. “Superb coffee, decent food and a very civilised atmosphere, despite sometimes being crowded”.
Summary
“A great location in central Oxford” is a unique selling point of this quirky café – part of the University church on the High, with a medieval vaulted interior, and gorgeous outside seating in the churchyard. “The choice of fare is limited” (breakfasts; plus simple dishes such as curry, tagine, and soup) but adequately nourishes its clientele of students, clerics and tourists.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Vaults and Garden Cafe?
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £17.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Radcliffe Sq, Oxford, OX1 4AH
Opening hours
| Monday | 9 am‑5:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am‑5:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am‑5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am‑5:30 pm |
| Friday | 9 am‑5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am‑5:30 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am‑5:30 pm |
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