British, Modern Restaurants in Oxford
1. Cherwell Boathouse
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
Bardwell Road - OX2
The “gorgeous setting by the river” is one perfect ingredient for a “romantic lunch” in the heart of north Oxford at this veteran fixture – a working boathouse, with punts gliding past on the Cherwell – and its “super wine list” is another. The “mainly good” food and “friendly service” also make a contribution, if sometimes in a supporting role.
2. The Vaults and Garden Cafe
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Radcliffe Sq - OX1
“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”.
3. The Oxford Kitchen
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
215 Banbury Rd - OX2
“The food is imaginative and amazing” according to fans of chef Paul Welburn’s noteworthy gem, buried on Summertown’s main shopping street, and “recently M-starred”. Feedback was more uneven this year though, with quite a few reporters disappointed, albeit acknowledging that the trip wasn’t all that bad (“dishes were technically accomplished, but they felt like they each could have lost a few ingredients – too many competing flavours…”; “might have been one of those evenings, but service was up and down…”; “the food was good, but the wine pairings were odd…”).
4. Gee’s
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
61 Banbury Rd - OX2
“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.
5. Ashmolean Dining Room
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
Beaumont St - OX1
“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.
6. Quod
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
92-94 High St - OX1
“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”.
7. The Magdalen Arms
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
243 Iffley Road - OX4
“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.
8. Turl Street Kitchen
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
16 Turl St - OX1
Bang, slap in the heart of the town, this almost “rustic” spot with “wooden floors and bare tables” is part of a social enterprise, with a dining room opening off a very busy coffee shop. “There’s a limited choice, but always something of interest” – “simple dishes, simply served” by “sweet staff”. Not a particularly foodie hotspot, but “there’s nothing not to like here”.
9. No.1 Ship Street
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
1 Ship Street - OX1
“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.
View full listings of 29 British, Modern Oxford Restaurants
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