Restaurants I love: Oxfordshire
Updated: Jun 6, 2021
This will be an ongoing blog post that I'll add to every time I discover a new place. These are all genuine reviews and I'll only be posting place I think are worth a visit. I haven't included any restaurant chains in this list, these are all independent pubs and restaurants (after all, they need the promotion more!)
Oxford
Famous for their Sunday roast, the Magdalen Arms is a brilliant pub located on the outskirts of Oxford. Their menu varies day by day and they source high quality, seasonal and local produce. They have been known to feature Hampton Gay beef on the menu so we know they like to serve the best (not that I'm biased of course!). I've visited on many occasion and each time their menu is full of wonderful surprises, the last time I went I had spinach and ricotta rotolo. My dad had been into the pub earlier that week to drop their meat off, and saw the 3 Italian ladies hand rolling out the pasta sheets for that days service. The pub is also known for their sharing Sunday lunches, order one large pie to feed the table (a real feel at home vibe but restaurant quality standard).
Another Oxford restaurant that I just can't keep away from. The restaurant sits just on the canal so you can watch punters go by while you wait for your food. Better yet, you can rent a punt from the restaurant for a leisurely meander down the canal after your lunch or for an early evening punt just before supper. Another restaurant I love due to their focus on seasonal produce. Their menu changes regularly and is always full of fresh, exciting dishes.
The Punter
A vegetarian restaurant that really impressed me. As a fussy eater, I usually find vegetarian restaurants difficult but I was blown away by the variety of vegetarian dishes. If you go, you must go for the blue cheese and walnut soufflé (don't be put off by the blue cheese, I am not a fan of it either but it is very mild). One of the best things I've ever eaten and I would go back just for the soufflé.
Sitting on top of a bike shop in the centre of Oxford, this light and busy (pre-covid of course) cafe is a brilliant place to catch a mid-week brunch. I went for brunch with a friend who was studying at Oxford at the time and really enjoyed the lively atmosphere and good food. The tapas evenings are really popular as their good value for money and the cocktails aren't badly priced either.
Oxfordshire
This is a totally unbiased view of the Royal Oak as I do happen to be their marketing manager but I think the food is incredible. The menu changes daily, but you will always find the pub classics on the menu. They have really struck the balance between restaurant and pub. All the ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, including local brews and English wines and they have some fabulous rooms upstairs. I have sampled a lot of the menu, from visiting the pub myself as well as for photographing content for their website. Every time I am blown away!
I think I'm obsessed with pubs... But another worth a visit! The Swan serves exceptionally good English pub grub. The menu is centred around locally sourced, seasonal produce. A modern twist on quintessentially British dishes like toad-in-the-hole and jaffa cakes! One of my favourite things a restaurant can do is to have a great range of starters. I am all for a starter and the Swan ticks that box. The 'for the table' section has some delicious sharing items and the local sourdough is incredible.
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