Oxford, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

At the heart of the Varsity, this famous old Victorian hotel emerged in September 2021 from a major revamp. Not least amongst its reinvented form – this new all-day dining restaurant (78 covers) serving classic British dishes, as interpreted by Chris Emery (ex head chef of Jason Atherton’s The Clocktower in New York, et al). The venture is a collaboration between hotel owners Graduate Hotels® and White Rabbit Projects (Lina Stores, Kricket, Island Poké). Lewis Carroll used to drink nearby – hence it’s named for his famous literary creation – hopefully the afternoon tea will involve flamingoes...

A 'hyper environmental' seasonal restaurant, wine bar and wine shop in the upmarket Jericho area.

“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”.

“Just on the edge of central Oxford”, this “lovely” listed Victorian conservatory (“twinkly in the evenings”) has been a local favourite for many years and is a natural choice for romance. Even fans, though, concede it’s “not cheap” to an extent that’s a turn-off for one or two reporters.

“A lovely spot to enjoy rooftop views of Oxford” – this better-than-average venue on the top floor of the museum has a “competent but limited menu that’s good if rather pricey”, and also serves afternoon teas. It opens out into a rooftop cocktail bar with deckchairs in the summer, but gets crowded in all seasons – so make sure you book to avoid being shunted into the basement refectory.

“Right in the heart of Oxford”, this “busy” and well-known bistro (part of the Old Bank Hotel) with a “lovely courtyard”, has a solid reputation for “cooking that’s not fancy but reliable and decent value”. Attractions include “an excellent breakfast with first-rate coffee”.

“Sunday roasts are legendary, with care lavished on the ingredients”, say fans of this well-known varsity gastropub – “a busy place” (some would say “too noisy to be enjoyable” when it’s “packed out”: i.e. often), which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. But while it’s rated consistently well, even so it can seem a case of “much hype about nothing”, and its albeit good ratings are not in the same league as its famous stablemate, London’s Anchor & Hope.

“At last Oxford is getting some good restaurants” say fans of this very central Gallic-tinted British brasserie, est. 2017, who praise its “super” food and a well-appointed interior (green walls, copper tables) that “feels special” – partly due to fancy additions like the dedicated cocktail and Champagne/oyster bars. It did, though, also inspire the odd ‘off’ report.