Quod Restaurant & Bar

Somewhat hard to find secret :-) well worth the time and its history. Expect mostly small rooms…read moreinside (but cool in the summertime) and lots of outside tables. Covers a fair amount of rooms/space in between the buildings etc. It's however a Greene King owned location now so perhaps not the flexibility of drinks as others. I don't try the food in this trip, but tried the Greene King IPA (the defacto US "Budweiser" sold beer in over 2500 pubs owned by them, but better than an US mass sold beer), and then a local Reggie's Turf beer. You can use the Greene King (GK) mobile app to order (QR code on each table), and there is an open bar area (with a low ceiling) to order some locals that are not in the GK app. Service is friendly and courteous! What I have experienced so far is that the WiFi is the same in any Greene King (GK) owned location :-)

OLD, OLD, OLD. So much history. Even though I'm sure lots of tourists weave their way through…read morealleys to get here, nothing about this bar felt touristy. We sat in the beer garden, and around us college kids chatted, a couple next to us was maybe on a first date?, just people of all types. And we drank. Drank in the warmth of the early fall day. Drank in welcome gulps, or quiet glugs. Drank away the beginnings of what would be a long day. Drank away the start of what would be a long night. Just a fun as hell kinda place. And old too. Some parts of the building have been there since the 1300s. And if you love history, or Hollywood, it's said that C.S. Lewis , Stephen Hawking, and Bill Clinton used to hang out (not together LOL). And where Billy boy allegedly "didn't inhale." Ahhh the 90s, am I right?

Inside March 2025

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1381 Ale

White Horse

4.0(45 reviews)

Great spot to pop in for some drinks. Loved the outdoor seating and the bartender (Alexa? Alexis?)…read morewas fabulous!

The White Horse pub first opened as The Mermaid in 1591, changed its name a handful of times, but…read moresettled on White Horse ever since the 1830's. Thanks to its central location and tons of history, it seems like this pub has suffered at the hands of tourists like myself in recent years. The interior is smaller than other pubs I visited, but could be downright cozy if it weren't for the people coming in, looking around, and then leaving after taking a photo or two. (Maybe I just caught a tour bus day) They have 8-10 beers on tap, offer wine, and was told that the fish & chips are tip top, though we just had a few pints on our visit. Service at the bar was friendly and prompt, and we snagged one of the few tables available to sit and people watch. Overall White Horse is a fine small pub and well worth a visit if you love historic buildings/businesses. You can be the judge of the rest.

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The Ivy Oxford Brasserie

4.0(27 reviews)

0.1 mi

The Ivy is always a pleasure regardless of location. Very special decor, excellent menu, great…read morevegan options and a wonderful children's menu. Definitely a special experience for the whole family.

Food was very nicely prepared, fresh ingredients and thoughtful presentation. The service was…read moretouch and go with the original waitress 'disappearing (not to be seen again after taking order). Bread was delicious and a full baked loaf which made for a nice following day breakfast add on. Though this was meant to be as a starter for table, it was the last item brought to table after mains were started to be eaten; the floor manager (?) apologised and offered to remove from bill. All in all a nice dinner after the matinee play.

Toliet

Tomato Salad

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Beautiful interior

Côte Brasserie

4.1(28 reviews)

0.4 mi

I went there for my boyfriend's birthday. It is well located (canal) and the food is really good! I…read morefind the food better there then café rouge. The atmosphere was great, service quick and food delicious. I will definitely go there again ;)

A gem in the city centre. Authentic, delicious food, and the servers were very attentive. Went…read morethere last night for dinner and will go again before I return stateside.

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The Royal Oak

4.2(25 reviews)

0.7 mi

Charming, cozy tavern on Oxford's Woodstock Road…read more We came for a proper Sunday Roast and a proper Sunday Roast is what we found. The Sticky Toffee Pudding with ginger ice cream was a really good variation from the usual vanilla ice cream.

We stopped in at The Royal Oak for dinner and drinks with a group of 4 adults and 2 kids and had a…read moregreat time. The pub was busy but not packed by any means, and the majority of the patrons seemed to be locals and students, besides us American tourists of course. There's so many room layouts and seating options that you're bound to find a spot that seems just right. We found a table and ordered some pints and plates at the bar. Drink wise, they have the ales, beers, ciders and wines you'd expect, if not more, but I also spotted a chalk board listing out various cocktails to boot. Their menu offers the standard pub fare, fish & chips, pies, bangers & mash, etc. but there was also a handful of more exotic choices. We shared a bite of each others' plate and this was probably my favorite pub food stop of our trip. I had the Steak & Ale pie, and it was one of the best I've had. Great pub!

Sticky toffee pudding with ginger ice cream

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Sunday roast

Boswells Tea Room & Cafe

4.5(2 reviews)

Excellent tearoom, overlooked. They have a big range of lovely cakes. Good selection of teas…read more(although would like to see camomile) and soft drinks as well as wines. Afternoon tea very good value & sparkling white wine also an option. Breakfast and lunch set menu options that also offer good value that I am yet to try but is certainly on my list! Staff very friendly and go out of their way to be helpful and make you feel welcomed.

Visiting Oxford on our way back to New York, my cousin made sure we had tea and scones at Boswells…read more Lovely room. Excellent scones. Historic establishment.

Some of the comfy seats

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The Chequers

4.0(1 review)

This was a pleasant stop after walking around Oxford. This pub is one of the oldest pubs in…read moreOxford. The server told us it used to be a monks monastery and then a brothel in it's hay day! They have a very nice outer courtyard.

Their courtyard

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The interior

The Eagle and Child

3.8(142 reviews)

0.4 mi

I expected to encounter difficulty in finding a table on a Tuesday afternoon (traditionally when…read more"The Inklings" would meet for their weekly congregations). Yet within minutes, my friend and I were escorted and seated at a table directly underneath several artifacts, photos and letters adorning the walls behind us, that once belonged to the literary giants (such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and others) that once frequented this charming tavern. Once again (as was a frequent occurrence during my tour of the UK), I partook of the Shepherd's Pie and a glass of tomato juice (confession: I'm not much of a beer or ale imbiber; apologies for my ignorance to those who are true connoisseurs of the hopped and malted brews, and for the offense of ordering such an abomination in a pub...haha!). In truth, coming here was more of a pilgrimage for a life-long Tolkien aficionado, than anything having to do with drinking or eating. And yet, in raising a glass in toast to my literary heroes, in the hallowed halls where they once gathered, I felt warm sense of kinship, and thankfulness, for such an amazing opportunity.

It's a historic Oxford pub known mainly for its previous patrons, JR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Lewis…read moreCarol. The pubs is well lined with photos of the authors and it's a nice place to pause and wonder what these illustrious minds would have been drinking in their time. There are better pubs with better bears like The Turf Tavern, but still, the atmosphere makes this a great spot to pause, gather your thoughts and drink some real ale.

Fish and chips

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Golden Cross Cafe

4.5(2 reviews)

Place: It's a quaint location for our lunch--a large house, blue windows, hip servers, nestled in a…read morecorner a little off the main streets. There's an upstairs as well. I loved the decorations. The whimsical, romantic details were perfect for a quiet date, as evident by the couple in the corner opposite from us. If I live in the area, I can see myself grabbing coffee there with friends. I love the quotes on the wall and the humor in them. I love the books in the corners, the windows that allow plenty of chances for people watching and the lighthearted atmosphere. The service was great and friendly. 5 stars. Food: Portions were generous and prices were decent. The presentation was nice. The food wasn't anything to write home about. I recognize that I'm a little biased and prefer more creative(?) food, so the favors were a bit too tame for me. I prefer a little more kick in my food. For what we paid, I think it was fair. If I were looking for a wow experience, this wouldn't be the place. I'd give the food 3 stars.

This is the first place my boyfriend and I stopped once we arrived. Excellent location - just off…read moreof Cornmarket Road - quiet, peaceful, and delicious delicious DELICIOUS coffee and sandwiches. Couldn't have picked a better early morning stop!

Order at the counter

Sandwiches and tea

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Zanzibar

Oxford's Grill

4.9(11 reviews)

0.5 mi

•£

We went back today and ordered the moussaka and prawns. Still perfect. Gosh how I wish he would…read moremove to the US and open a restaurant near my home. For those of you Oxford dwellers, you don't know how lucky you are. You should grasp the opportunity and try his food, my friends. I wouldn't presume to know if the dear Chef had served us authentic Turkish cuisine or not, but I must tell you, authentic or not, it tastes wonderful. Once you've had his food, it will be hard for you to not miss it. For the days to come, I shall await with alacrity our next visit to Oxford, and most definitely, to Oxford's Grill. Teşekkür ederim!

My wife went here on a Friday night because she was on the Cowley Road and everywhere else was…read morefull. She liked it so much we went together the next day for lunch! The place doesn't look like much from the outside but the staff are friendly, the place is clean and the food is great! Cheap too! The free humus and bread is amazing! The moussaka is incredible! Can't wait to return and try the rest of the menu.

Moussaka

Goats.cheese (starter)

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Very yummy mezze

Quod Restaurant & Bar - british - Updated November 2026

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Gees Restaurant & Bar

An Oxford classic. Class exudes every aspect of this place, from incredible service the moment you…read morewalk in, to a wonderful atmosphere and world-class food and wine. Find time and the occasion to visit this place.

Excellent cocktails and dinner in a beautiful conservatory room! Sea bass with samphire and…read morepeperonata was delicious. And pavlova was a perfect ending. Service impeccable.

Honey espresso martini

Pavlova

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Bladebeef - menu Item

Parsonage Bar & Grill

We came here for a celebratory dinner with reservations for 11 people. We were immediately greeted…read moreand seated in a private room. Our server was very attentive and did a wonderful job with recommendations and tending to everyone. She helped with wine selections and kept everyone's glasses filled. We had some dietary restrictions in our group and she was able to ensure GF and DF menu selections were properly handled. Everyone was happy and we had an enjoyable experience. The room we were in was well decorated with artwork and felt cozy.

What a lovely, old-fashioned (in a good way) restaurant and pub. It's so homey and nice and the…read morestaff is wonderful. It really feels like you're in their home. The bar and restaurant areas are very inviting. A friend of mine was staying in the hotel and we came by a few times to eat and drink. One of my favorite places in Oxford for sure.

Mushroom and cheese omelette

Afternoon tea

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Malmaison Oxford

I effing love this hotel. LOVE…read more Everyone has said it...there is something about staying in a posh hotel that used to be a prison that is...wonderous and weird and all kinds of things, but that is only part of the charm. The people that work here go above and beyond to make your stay with them amazing. The food is great, service is awesome, beds are HOLY CRAP AMAZING, showers are HOT, hotel is quiet, scenery is gorgeous...I mean, REALLY, I could go on and on. And the location? I had never been to Oxford, and this could not be a more perfect location. Minutes from the main streets and the Thames. Just perfect. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone.

Absolutely outstanding on all fronts. I came here from the US with my whole family including our 5…read moremonth old baby, which is obviously a heightened degree of difficulty for travel. The hotel was extraordinarily accommodating, ensuring that we had everything we needed. Nearby rooms to be closer to nana and grandpa? Done. Baby cot? Right away. Freezer for breast milk? They were on it. The non-baby-related facets of the experience were excellent as well. The location is right in the center of Oxford and convenient to everything. The hotel restaurant had very good food. Even the artwork was funky and enjoyable. I will absolutely stay here again the next time I'm back in Oxford.

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Joes

Joe's is a casual spot that is laid back. The staff is friendly and down to earth…read more The restaurant is clean and there is ample seating, with good spacing between tables and booths. There is also an outside dining area on the patio at the entrance of the restaurant. I ordered the burger, which is char broiled and served on a ciabatta bun, with mayo, and cheddar cheese. The pan fried salmon was not available for dinner today. I had to go with the backup plan! Lol! I have dined here 2X for dinner and the food was delicious both times. This restaurant has been serving the Summertown community for 27 years! Cash/Credit/Debit are accepted here.

Came here for lunch. Chose their soup deal which was a Mediterranean fish soup with mussels &…read moregarlic crostini. It was nothing like I had expected. The soup was bland and watery and I suppose all the ingredients were just run in the blender. I'm not sure if it had mussels or not. The garlic crostini ended up being a couple of white bread slices and a chunk of butter, nothing with garlic. I don't think I will return. It's a shame, since the atmosphere was nice and relaxing.

Chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream.

Char broiled burger with fries and cheese and mayo.

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Photo via http://www.joesrestaurants.co.uk/

The Trout Inn

Had a lovely experience at The Trout! Went on a Saturday afternoon; the inside seemed busy but…read morethere were plentiful seats outside. It did take us a while to figure out that, when outside, you need to go in to the bar to order. But the location right on the river is lovely! They had several vegan options; the panzanella salad was great, especially the sweet potato hummus, and the plant-based burger was good as well. Coconut milk latte was delightful! The padron peppers (which have honey) were yummy too. A great stop during our long walk through the countryside!

Probably the best meal I had while in the UK. Lovely setting next to the Thames on a lovely warm…read morefall day. Sat outside and ordered at bar. Staff was fantastic, I got there early and was never rushed. Hope to be back in a year or two.

Outside

Green chips?

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The Perch

"Traditional pub meets modern world"…read more Wow! Loved The Perch and everything about this 800 year old setting. To get here we walked along the Thames River and Port Meadow sloshing through puddles, mud, and green meadows. Oh how fun! The treat at the end was the gorgeousness of The Perch and being able to sit outside on a sunny yet cool February afternoon under the heaters. The menu is farmhouse with classic British. We enjoyed Quails' eggs, Wild mushroom and tarragon pâté, and a delicious salad with ricotta and citrus. Our server was incredibly kind and helpful. He was knowledgeable about the menu and beer/wine selection and helped us in making selections. He was attentive when needed. Since we dined outside, I only went in to use the loo so I definitely want to return to spend more time inside.

We came for desserts, or pudding as it is called in the UK and we're not disappointed. My panna…read morecotta with rhubarb compote and pickled ginger was excellent, the mango sorbet one person in our party had was think and creamy like eating "solid mango" and hubby's ginger pudding was also excellent. The location is with a garden setting and right on the walking path of the River Thames.

Beer Garden

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Bistro

Broad Face

Happened on this place by the river, we were actually going somewhere else, no complaints…read morewhatsoever, good food, good service , we will be back

The Broad Face is a great place to know if you're stuck in Abingdon for a week. I ate there twice -…read moreonce for Sunday lunch and once for dinner during the week. It's a true gastro pub with great, good value food that goes a little beyond the ordinary, coupled with a great pub atmosphere with at least 3 different real ales to go along with the full range of fizzy beers, wines and liquors. Finding somewhere to eat Sunday lunch at 3.30pm having arrived at Heathrow around noon was a pleasant surprise, but to find somewhere with such a well cooked, well presented menu was a real treat. Between our group we tried each of the roasts - pork, lamb and beef. Each came with a different set of accompaniments and the whole team agreed they were excellent. The beef was cooked just right, just the right shade of pink. The pork crackling crackled and the lamb was tasty and tender. The deserts were really good, with gastropub classics like sticky toffee pudding done really well, including some excellent custard. With a fixed price for 2 or 3 courses it's a really good deal. As a starter we all had mussels which were very well cooked in a tasty broth. They also have a good range of other main courses if roast meat isn't your thing. Dinner during the week was a more conventional a la carte affair but again excellently put together. I had calves liver, which was delicious with mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked vegetables.

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Côte Brasserie

A gem in the city centre. Authentic, delicious food, and the servers were very attentive. Went…read morethere last night for dinner and will go again before I return stateside.

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The Cape Of Good Hope

Down to earth bar staff, an awesome open mic, and a decent cider, ale and wine selection. What more…read moredo you need? Located at the roundabout just after the High St bridge, this place is conveniently located on the edge of the wonderful music community OX4 has to offer. There's an outdoor patio in the back with picnic tables, the interior has a cozy feel to it, and the regulars aren't half bad either. In need of a new place to frequent? Check this place out!

Well, this is one of those pubs that I trundled over to visit, namely because I had driven past…read morehere the last time I was in Oxford (which was something like ten years previously), but I hadn't managed to actually visit all that many (and I wasn't taking notes either). Well, yeah, I'll say that this one actually wasn't all that bad, probably because it happened to have a nice beer garden out the back, and that there also happened to be some decent beers on tap. Oh, it also happened to be located just outside of the main town, so it was much quieter than the other places.

Bistro

Poutine Fries & Calamari

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Outside

The Anchor

This is our local, and how lucky are we! A great selection of beers in a comfortable and modern…read moresetting but thus a ton of visual throwbacks to classic pub feeling and life. Pet-friendly, child-friendly. Really nice food with a surprisingly diverse group of starters and bar food. It is very economical and great value. Also a full dinner seated service is available. We come here all the time. Highly recommend it to all.

The best steaks and wines in Oxford. By a long, long shot…read more This is a seriously classy pub, just tucked away enough from the town centre. Definitely worth booking, and definitely worth visiting for some proper food.