I do adore the Alternative Tuck Shop. The food products are all tasty and well made, but more importantly, the staff are kind. They are kind on the day you're jet-lagged and can't quite formulate the word "doughnut." They are kind when you're thinking about something else and don't notice that it's your turn to choose something. And they are kind when you don't know what a "yum yum" or a "bakewell tart" is. read more

A local's spot and a hidden gem. I ended up here on a whim and can't have been happier. When there's only enough time to do so much but you're hungry, you'll be in and out of the Alternative Tuck Shop in no time. The shop is TINY and there's only room for a few people in there at a time. I suggest grabbing a menu outside and then deciding before you make it inside. I had the Chicken Curry sandwich and it was so delicious I dove straight in and didn't even take a photo. Portions are generous. One thing you should plan ahead for is a place to sit if you choose not to walk and eat. Unfortunately, the Alternative Tuck Shop doesn't have any seating indoors or outdoors. Highly recommend this spot!! read more

Alternative Tuck Shop - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oxford, OXF

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Popular, efficient, and darn cute. Not to mention delicious. We stumbled upon this shop while roaming around Oxford, with a little line. It moved quickly. Inside the tight quarters, the choices were well marked so ordering and payment was easy enough. After ordering they bring it out to you back outside. The street wasn't busy so people spilled out to the street. I can how this is probably both a student and tourist haven. read more

NASTY, DIRTY KITCHEN BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR- SEVERE HEALTH HAZARD! I saw their filthy kitchen through the half-opened green door - it was absolutely disgusting, unsanitary, and appalling. When I attempted to photograph the kitchen conditions, they wrongfully aggressively violently blocked me! In order to make informed decision on what to eat, you must have a look at the terrible conditions lurking behind that green door! read more

Alternative Tuck Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oxford, OXF

Super popular little deli shop across the way from New College. So popular and beloved, in fact, I spent an entire summer thinking its name was "The BEST Alternative Tuck Shop" when it is in fact simply the Alternative Tuck Shop. That's just what my instructors, who visit every year, called it. An in-and-out sort of eatery, it's fun to grab a sandwich and take it to any of the nearby green or historical spaces Oxford has to offer. I recall them having a fairly large selection of sandwiches, some with international flair, on fresh, crusty bread. They're very popular so it's not uncommon to see a line winding out onto the street, but they handled all my orders quickly and professionally, so it's generally worth the wait -- it probably won't be as long as you imagine, anyway! read more

I've only just recently tried this place and I've been back 3 times within the past 3 days! This place always has amazing food, and the customer service is fantastic. They are always kind and the food never disappoints. read more

My family and I popped in here for a few sandwiches on an exceptionally hot august day in Oxford 2022. This was a location recommended to me by my brother who studied in Oxford in 1994-5 and I think the fact that this location is still in business, selling sandwiches says all you need to know about the quality. In terms of the value, we were able to get four large sandwiches and drinks for about 8 pounds each which says quite a bit about the value. I can't recommended this place enough. read more

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Staff are super friendly and quick and efficiently serve. I have been going here for the past 4 years and have never had any problems with my food!! I would recommend going on a quieter period to try this as the lunchtime rush is crazy, but the queues prove how good the sandwiches are. read more

My friend comes here often for a quick bite for lunch and I can see why. There was a long line coming out the door but the employees are so quick, efficient, and friendly in taking your order without pencil and paper and assembling your sandwich that they keep the line moving. My husband and I ordered the tuna panini with sweet corn and the turkey and brie panini. Both were exceptionally tasty and filling. At 3 pounds or $5, it was a steal. Also, their sweets are equally delicious. read more

Woah. Can we TALK about the Alternative Tuck Shop? This place is probably the cheapest place you can find for a good meal in Oxford. It used to be cash only, but now there's a minimum £5 to use your card (which means you have to get more than one thing to use your card, but that's no big deal!). I've actually come here and paid with CHANGE for a filling meal! That's wild! Although the queue is long and daunting, it moves by fairly quickly. This sandwich shop deserves all the love. I highly, highly, recommend this place for a cheap, tasty, and filling lunch! Of note: there isn't anywhere to sit here, but you can always walk towards the city centre or University Parks on a sunny day and find a lovely area to sit and enjoy your meal! read more

The mango chutney and chicken tikki panini here is... so.. good. The texture of the bread in the panini is wonderful-- the bread confuses me because it's shaped like a baguette but it tastes closer to plain white sandwich bread. The people working are all so lovely and the lines are long but move quite quickly. I'm not a huge fan of the desserts they sell (I've tried the brownie and the donut) but you can't argue with the prices they have. Bring cash if you just want a sandwich or otherwise spend an extra pound or two and pay with card! read more

On my first day in the UK, I only managed to find a slew of Caffe Nero locations that disappointed me greatly. Though they do not exist in the states, I was admonished for going to a chain instead of the local shoppe right around the corner from my friend's flat. We went for breakfast the day before yesterday, each of us having a smoked salmon bagel and coffee. The bagels were not too dense and had just the right amount of every ingredient with just a hint of lemon and black pepper to finish the flavors. Yet the coffee was quite spectacular. The espresso in my nonfat cappuccino wasn't over-roasted but had the perfect subtle flavors (slightly earthy, slightly acidic). The line moved quickly as everyone seemed to be a regular and all the workers moved quickly to get through the line (though it looked much longer by lunch time a couple hours later). My bagel and coffee came out to a little over 4 quid. It's reasonably priced for a student (and at least the exchange rate isn't as bad as it used to be...) Lovely neighborhood shop that I may have to try again at lunch before I leave Oxford. read more

Love it. Lunchtime rush hour means that every student who is in walking distance crams themselves into the close quarters of this sandwich heaven, but for the Alternative Tuck Shop (or ATS, if you're hip) the wait is totally worth it. Options there are seemingly limitless and include paninis, baguettes, and a create-your-own-sandwich menu in the back. Yum! read more

This is one of the best establishments in Oxford. Fantastic ciabatta, extremely friendly staff, and delicious sandwiches. Definitely get the chicken cheddar avocado sandwich, or the sausage. Good hummus, as well. The pastries are hit-or-miss (the tiffin is amazing), but they also sell Kettle Chips, sodas, juice, and chocolate bars. They also offer coffee and tea, which is usually quite good. Very inexpensive place, overall. Quick service (except for paninis), and gets very busy around lunchtime. They usually run out of ciabatta during/after lunch, so you will be stuck with baguettes or paninis, but both of those are still great (albeit not quite on the same level as the ciabatta). One of those places you could easily go to every single day for a sandwich and not get bored or be disappointed. read more

Perfect for a meal on the go. The paninis are worth the wait; I always get the tomato and brie, and it's spectacular. The most filling and delicious vegetarian sandwich I've ever had. I've never had brie on a sandwich before but it's unbeatable. Staff is friendly and efficient. I'm here for the summer and I've never seen a queue-- though there's often one or two people there-- so if you're here when the students are away don't be intimidated by other reviewers' mention of long queues; definitely check it out. read more

My favourite place to have lunch - I ate from here most days whilst in the area. A huge selection of hot and cold sandwiches, cakes, crisps, sweets and the best coffee in Oxford. There's nowhere to sit in here and the queue can be a bit squashed, but the length of it proves how great this place is. Head over early at 12 or later on, avoid 1pm as the queue is huge! Having said that, don't be put off if there is a queue as you'll definitely only be in it for 5 minutes before you get your sandwich - the guys in here work at lightning speed! The staff are very very friendly and always smile, even when the place is heaving. The sandwiches are to die for - a selection of fresh breads (you can see them baking it on site!) and a HUGE range of fillings, with salad or not and a choice of dressings. My favourites include the chicken satay, turkey special (christmas dinner on a sandwich, stuffing and all) and turkey, sausage and cheese. Always best to say yes when they ask if you'd like a dressing, as they're all carefully matched up and taste great. You won't have much room left after - they stuff their sandwiches full to the top! My favourite place to have lunch. I recommend grabbing a sandwich from here and having a walk round the University Parks for a lovely lunch break. read more

First breakfast in Oxford was just some takeaway from this lovely shop. It saved us! Yummy, things, friendly staff, what more could you want? I wanted to try all there things but only went twice during our stay. Just got bagels and pastries some mornings but enjoyed the chai I got there. I also tried what they called a pecan pie. Not really a pie, more like a shortbread with the normal pecan pie filling and nuts on top. Pretty good. But the secret for making good pecan pie type things is to scorch the top just a bit. Looks bad but tastes 100X better. I suggest they give this a try the next batch they make up. Fresh breads and sandwiches are available as well. Closed on Sunday but their other opening times are very convient for a breakfast on the way in or a quick lunch. read more

A queue out the door is always a good sign. There are so many options available here, I am impressed it all fits into the tiny little shop! They have just about every possible filling for a sandwich, plus a slew of sweets! The guys that work behind the counter are efficient and always on the ball. Oh and their baguettes are really good -- makes the sandwich every time. read more

Cash only! But as long as you've got a few pounds, you can get a fantastic sandwich here on your choice of breads. I've been here many times and never disappointed. Highly recommend! read more

This place is the star of Oxford. Take all the photos you want of the camera, chapel, or college, but right behind New College lies this real gem. If you walk too fast, you might miss it. On a street during the summer, you might be tempted to opt for the crowded covered market. Don't. Go here and you'll notice it's where all the students eat. It's cheap, it's quick, but most of all it's delicious. I paid about £3 for a hearty sandwich and I shamelessly ate it on my walk back. There's no place to sit. It's more of a grab and go deli. As for ordering, you can't go wrong. Get what you like - if there's any chutneys/sauces to add, get them. It completes the sandwich. I'm so happy I was able to hop in. If I'm ever back, I know where I'm going. read more

I love popping in here to grab a quick lunch on the move. The name makes me feel all nostalgic for school tuck shops and it's a real treat to get one of their yummy cakes. The staff are always friendly and it's a nice alternative to chains like Subway and Pret a Manger. My favourite sandwich: roast veggie and humous on ciabatta Also recommended: bagels (£1 - £2) and hot sandwiches (£3ish) Portion size: Huge appetite needed! Save room for: Flapjack! There's a tempting array of muffins, flapjacks and cakes (yummy chocolate cake!) which seem a bit expensive, but are definitely worth it. Don't let the queue put you off - give it a go for a lunchtime snack. Take your sarnie to the steps of the Sheldonian or the cross on St Giles Street and watch Oxford go by. read more

My friend at Teddy Hall recommended this place. As we approached at lunchtime I was dismayed to find a large line snaking out of the door. The wait, however, was surprisingly short, mostly due to the inhuman speed of the workers and due to the fact that most of the people knew exactly what they wanted. The food was fantastic and my friends couldn't stop talking about it for the rest of the day. And economically priced for university students! read more

The ATS is an Oxford institution. Legendarily friendly service, delicious big sandwiches, pretty decent prices, and you can customise things more or less however you want. My favourite is the chicken satay on olive ciabbata. The only warning is that it's not always open out of term-time. You can't blame them, as they're right in college-ville and aren't on the beaten track when the students disappear. Plus they must make a mint from such amazing sandwiches. I'd second the suggestions about going just before or after normal lunchtime to beat the queues, but queueing out the door for the ATS is almost part of the experience, and they really know how to bust through a horde of customers in rapid time. read more

Great sandwiches. No place to sit. This is place for you to grab and go. They also have samosas and pasties. I was there on a very cold day so eating outside was a challenge but that is not their fault obviously. My daughter doesn't like paninis but had one and really liked it which was a surprise to me. Service is fast. read more

I don't even live in Oxford, but I stop in here every time I'm in town. I'm obsessed with their chicken tikka panini with mango chutney. It's only 3,20£ and really hits the spot for late-afternoon cravings. I usually spill some on myself while I eat it walking down the street. Sometimes I get strange looks from scholarly types as I wipe sauce off my scarf. But I don't even care a little bit because good food = happiness, and this is good food. read more

The staff is friendly and works a a impressive rate. Sandwiches are the best in Oxford! Try the grilled veggie panini- the combination of textures and flavours is amazing. I had a lot of trouble adjusting to UK food while studying abroad, but this place made it a lot easier. read more

Used to come here regularly to grab a quick sandwhich for lunch. The bread options are amazing (all the ciabatta options are tasty) and usually quite filling. The staff is always friendly as well. Note to the muslims, most of the chicken options are halal. read more

I'm pretty much a regular at the Tuck Shop on Hollywall street. I like their food and wide selection of unusual sodas. But, naturally, since I go so often to the normal Tuck Shop, it wasn't long before I heard about its awesome indie equivalent just down the road from it, Alternative Tuck Shop. The first way you can tell Alternative Tuck Shop is alternative is because everyone who is a regular doesn't call it Alternative Tuck Shop, they call it ATS. I think they do this because they want to make sure that ATS stays Alternative. After all, if too many normal people knew about ATS, it would probably be just like the TS (Tuck Shop). Do you want there to be two of exactly the same store on the same street? That's what I thought. The second way you can tell that ATS is alternative is because even the people who go there are alternative. I say this because they listen to what they like, wear what they like and clearly eat what they like--irregardless of what anyone else has to say. And they aren't hypocritical non-conformists either. They do what they think is right not just so they can be interpreted as different or cool or whatever. They do it because they aren't afraid of being different while at the same time they aren't afraid of being NOT different. The third way you can tell ATS is alternative is because of there ingredients. Some things on the menu are so obscure even I haven't heard of them. So the first time I went in I asked to have most of those things on a bagel. The man told me it wasn't a good idea because it would cost more expensive if I got all the ingredients individually. But he should know that part of what it means to be alternative is to do what you want irregardless of what anyone else has to say. So he put on the bagel all the things I didn't recognize by name or if it looked funny. Immediately I felt confused because even though I KNOW what a pickle is he put something else called "pickle" on the bagel. This was nothing like a normal pickle. It looked like three or four normal pickles cut up and drenched in steak sauce (And that's sort of how it tasted, now that I think of it). Then I asked for something off the menu called "gerkins". This was even more bewildering because he then just started to put pickles in the bagel and I said "Oh, pickles!" and he told me they were something else. Finally he put something called "chutney" on it, "horseradish", and "capers", which I think are a kind of moist salty bean. Overall I think the man respected me for my avid curiosity and refusal to conform to stereotypes. The bagel cost nearly 4 pounds, which I thought was pretty good value. But the reason I can't give ATS a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" rating is because my bagel tasted amiss and the service could have been more friendly. I guess that's part of what makes it Alternative! . . . PS what is a "tuck"? read more

Sent me into a spiral of "what if" philosophizing and fantasy. What if in America, the land I soon returned to after a pleasant but comparatively brief time in Oxford, we became equally enlightened on the subject of panini? What if we also had the proper excellent long ciabatta, and felt bold enough to fill it with chicken and mango tikka masala, or perhaps pesto and cranberry and turkey, or other delightful but extremely solidly considered combinations? What if we kept it simple, direct, straightforward, but remained confident in the way we made and desired our panini? Well, there would be an Alternative Tuck Shop, at least one, somewhere here then, I'd wager. I guess we'll have to give that some time. In the mean while, you'll just have to visit Old Blighty to get all that. read more

CHEAP, but good. I love dropping by here for a quick sandwich or some breakfast on my way to class in the mornings.

I'm totally impressed by this place's food and efficiency. When I came for lunch, the line was out the door and wrapped around the inside of the restaurant, but the guys behind the counter still managed to have me in and out in 5 minutes flat! The Alternative Tuck Shop has a great selection of delicious sandwiches and pastries, and was the least expensive place I ate at while in the UK. I had a tuna panini and tried the turkey and brie panini but everything on the menu sounded awesome. The Alternative Tuck Shop seems to be an Oxford favorite and for good reason: great food, great prices and an amazing staff make this place a great choice for students or anyone who wants a good sandwich. read more

The staff is friendly and quick, the sandwiches are delicious, and the cookies and pastries are great too. Perfect for a snack on the run!

This shop is located just around the corner from my department/faculty building, so I love it for the sheer convenience. When I can't write anymore fluff in my academic papers or process anymore academic ~high-level~ writing, I take a quick break here for some coffee or a panini (I usually go for the chicken, roasted veg, and sundried tomatoes panini. But I have a feeling everything else is a-ok too!) Oh, and they are super fast with getting through a long line, so don't despair if you see one snaking down Holywell! read more

It's been a while since I was in Oxford, but I still miss the Alternative Tuck Shop. Their little chocolate donuts and perfect coffee featured prominently in my British life. I can't say enough about the great service at ATS: the guys working there deal with the big crowds quickly and politely, and they're really nice people. Their sandwiches are always fresh-tasting, and the samosas? Siiigh. read more

Absolute favorite lunch spot in Oxford. Their paninis are amazing and they have plenty of vegetarian options. The prices are great but take note that they only accept cash! read more

Delicious hummus and falafel wrap! I want to go back tomorrow, it was so good!

Really nice sandwiches especially the chicken satay, and cakes. Queue can be really big at lunch though.

This is my go-to lunch stop in Oxford. I basically reroute all my walks to incorporate a stop here. Their bagels are excellent, the pastries are delicious, and they serve customers remarkably quickly even when the place gets packed around lunch time. Do yourself a favor and add a jam donut to whatever you order. Well worth 60p. read more

mostly because of its proximity to holywell manor i wouldn't dream of going anywhere else for my lunch baguette. i can't explain why, but i think things here are just a little better than the other sandwich shops in oxford? also their samosas make a really stellar afternoon excuse to take a break from revising. read more

World-class sandwich shop. Ciabatta is excellent and the sandwiches are great. Baked goods (i.e. pastries) are alright. Chips (i.e. crisps) are also very good. My second favorite lunch in Oxford (after the Vault & Garden cafeteria). read more