RestaurantsOxfordshireOxfordOX4

Harden's says

A little slice of Spain in Oxford; this tapas bar is run by Rufus Thurston of Oli's Thai and Ben Whyles of Door 74 (Arbequina occupies the space that was previously Door 74).

survey result

Summary

£55
   ££
3
Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

A chemist’s shop has made way for this highly rated and hip tapas spot, established in 2016 by the crew behind oversubscribed local Oli’s Thai. Grab a spot at the long zinc bar, or enjoy cocktails and a “very Spanish wine list” at the dedicated bar, which now sits alongside the premises at no. 72.

Summary

£53
   ££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“The best tapas ever” insist aficionados of the “short and interesting menu” at this “exceptional” former chemist’s shop. “Yes, it’s a little pricier than average, but let’s face it – this is by no means run-of-the-mill tapas!”. Top Menu Tips – “stunning aubergine, crispy chickpea and the baked cauliflower dishes”.

Summary

£52
   ££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

With “superb tapas in a buzzy and fun setting” (“the salt-cod croquettes are to die for!”) and a “lovely selection of wines to accompany” the food, this diminutive former chemist’s shop “never disappoints” despite its casual set-up (you eat at stools at the bar, or perch at small tables).

Summary

£40
    £
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Top tapas in the somewhat unlikely environment of the Cowley Road” – this “small and noisy” former chemist’s shop is “not a place to linger” with its “stools not chairs, where you sit at the bar, or at very small tables”. All reports acclaim the quality of the small plates and interesting wine: “the meal didn’t take much more than an hour, but we left feeling much happier”.

For 33 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 Arbequina?

74 Cowley Rd, Oxford, OX4 1JB

Restaurant details

Yes
20
No dress code
12

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£6.30 £16.30 £0.00 £7.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £26.50
Filter Coffee £3.00
Extras  
Bread £5.50
Service 10.00%
74 Cowley Rd, Oxford, OX4 1JB
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
WednesdayCLOSED
Thursday5 pm‑10 pm
Friday5 pm‑10 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 4:30 pm‑10 pm
SundayCLOSED

Best Spanish restaurants nearby

Pompette
French restaurant in Oxford
£73
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
Thames Lido
Spanish restaurant in Reading
£66
  £££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good
Pluma
Spanish restaurant in Amersham
£86
 ££££
3
Good
2
Average
2
Average

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

PizzaExpress
Pizza restaurant in Oxford
£57
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
Wagamama
Japanese restaurant in Oxford
£58
   ££
1
Poor
1
Poor
2
Average
PizzaExpress
Pizza restaurant in Oxford
£57
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good