This page provides suggestions on places eat, drink and things to do Oxford.
Sit-down Restaurant
Café/Quick Eat
Bar or Pub
Vegetarian Option
Oxford is a historic city with beautiful and varied architecture, gleaming spires, and vast green spaces. There are plenty of places to eat and drink. We have compiled some of our favourite places on the above interactive map.
On this page, you will find:
- The best places to eat in Oxford across the City Centre, Jericho and the Cowley Road, three of the most interesting and lively parts of Oxford.
- Vegan and Vegetarian options, reflected the city’s diverse food scene.
- Helpful pointers for gluten free choices.
- The best spots for a tipple, whether that’s traditional pubs, or more contemporary bars.
Key areas of Oxford
City Centre
The Conference is taking place in the city centre so this is where you will likely spend most of your time. You’ll find the typical and iconic Oxford colleges and cobbled lanes, alongside more modern amenities like the new Westgate Centre. The Covered Market is populated by dozens of independent cafes, delis, and restaurants, as well as a number of fantastic desert spots.
Broad Street and Cornmarket host the majority of the foot traffic, and are lined with a plethora of food options. But it is the historic pubs, independent cafes and bookshops, and small but succesful pop-ups and food vans that really make the City Centre what it is.
Places to eat in the City Centre
Colombia Coffee Roasters – Great coffee, good food, reasonable prices, and just up the road from the Examination Schools.
No.1 Ship Street – Modern British food in a sleek yet cosy interior. Known to also have very good cocktails.
Najar’s Place – Best falafel warps in the city (possibly the country!), suitable for vegans/vegetarians. Short walk from Wadham College, perfect place to go for a bite to eat between panels.
The Varsity Club – Sleek and stylish bar with rooftop views of the city, delicious and reasonably priced cocktails, right at the top of the High Street.
Donburi Inn – Quaint little hole-in-the-wall in the middle of the Covered Market. Fantastic selection of Japanese/Chinese cuisine; a short walk away from the Examination Schools.
King’s Arms – Old and famous pub in the centre of Oxford with antique interior. Pints are reasonable for its location, located right outside Wadham College.
Jericho
Just to the north of the city centre, about a 15 minute walk from the Examination Schools, lies the small canal-side suburb of Jericho. Home to some of the most vibrant nightlife, brilliant food, and picturesque victorian redbrick streets and walkways in Oxford. Whether you are looking for a full sit-down dinner service at a top quality French restaraunt, some contemporary and delicious Japanese food, or the (second) best brunch in the UK, Jericho has it all. Additionally, it is home to some of the most integral University buildings and institutions, such as the Blavatnik school of government, Oxford University press, and the new Schwarzman centre for Humanities.
Places to eat in Jericho
Jude the Obscure – Rustic, cosy, hub-of-community style pub. Family friendly, reasonable prices.
Oxford Wine Cafe – Pleasant, spacious, ‘cafe style’ interior. Home to a vast selection of wines from across the world, as well as ‘picky bits’.
KIBOU – Japanese restaurant & bar. Contemporary Japanese food, fantastic hearty broths
Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria – A classic Oxford Pizzeria; tasty and affordable, offer a cheap selection of authentic pizzas as well.
Brasserie Blanc – More expensive option, delicious food, fantastic interior. The menu changes frequently.
Love Jericho, cocktail bar – A bar that prides itself on fantastic cocktails; slightly less ‘sit down’ than other venues. Great atmosphere and not ‘seedy’.
The Jericho Cafe – Best place for Brunch in Oxford; in fact they have won multiple awards, and were named the ‘Second best Brunch in the UK’ in the Times.
Cowley Road
If you follow the High Street away from the Exam Schools, out of the City Centre, you will arrive at the diverse, multicultural and arterial ‘Cowley Road’. Known for its vast array of culturally distinct restauraunts, this is the most varied street in Oxford for selection of cuisine. Whether you want Jamaican, Persian, Turkish, Korean; this road has it all! It is also home to a number of Music venues, including the O2 Oxford, and is often perceived as the cultural hub of the city.
Places to eat in Cowley Road
Antep Kitchen – Turkish Mezze and kebab house. Best kebab you can have in the United Kingdom, bar none. Completely different experience to your typical greasy kebab, stay away from all sea-food options though, they are quite lacklustre
Spiced Roots – Fantastic Caribbean food and music – often bustling in the evening time (Cowley road)
Arbequina – Renowned tapas restaurant, fantastic cocktails and deserts. Warm ambience, chill music
The Library – Cowley road pub, quaint onthe inside, flagrant on the outside. Leans into street culture, serves drink and seats dinner and lunch services
Jojo’s cocktail and Pizza bar – Really good, varied, cocktails – with picky bits and tacos on the menu as ‘bar snacks’
The Oxford Blue – Fantastic Pub with authentic feel, brilliant food coming in ‘small plate’ format, a really cosy Oxford pub
Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten free options
Though Oxford isn’t a massive city, it is lucky to have a vast plethora of available options for those who have dietary requirements. Below are just a few of our favourite Vegatarian/Vegan and Gluten free options. If you forsee yourself having serious issues eating suitable food over your stay, or have severe dietary restrictions, please let us know.
Vegetarian food in Oxford
Najar’s Place – Best falafel warps in the city suitable for vegans/vegetarians. Short walk from Wadham, perfect place to go for a bite to eat between panels.
Chickpea – One of the best vegan and veggie restaurants in Oxford – Falafel in Pita or ‘Bowls’
The Coconut Tree Oxford – Classic Sri-Lankan food, specialising in Vegan/Vegetarian dishes. Cocktails optional, interesting setting just by the hill of South Park.
Lula’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine – Authentic Ethiopian food in a deli/cafe setting. Quick service, fantastic hearty food. Multiple vegetarian/vegan/gluten free options
If you would like to learn more about the vegan and vegatarian food options in Oxford, please click the following link for a helpful guide.
Gluten free food in Oxford
Art Cafe – Hearty gluten free breakfast right in the City Centre. Suitable options clearly marked on the menu, adaptations are permitted.
Bbuona – Best gluten free pizza in Oxford; never dissapoints.
Lula’s Ethiopian Cuisine – Authentic Ethiopian food in a deli/cafe setting. Quick service, fantastic hearty food. Multiple vegetarian/vegan/gluten free options
The Rusty Bicycle – Gluten free options on the menu, fantastic, friendly pub.
The White Rabbit – Have a number of staff who understand what coeliac disease is, and produce gluten free pizzas and other foods with this in mind
If you would like more information on gluten free options, there is a useful guide available here.