Oxford is a fantastic city of foodies; there’s everything from top notch Italian pizzerias to the cutest local, family-run haunts. If you’re looking for something off-the-beaten-track, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Oxford.
Eating out in Oxford - the best places off the beaten track for dinner, small plates and dates
Looking for a great restaurant in Oxford? Discover Oxford’s best restaurants with our handy guide to the best places to indulge in the city – and a few off-the-beaten-track options
Yeti Nepalese Restaurant
Yeti Nepalese is a small, family-run business that serves up the most delicious Nepalese and classic Indian dishes. The restaurant uses only fresh ingredients, with a focus on quality and variety – meaning each dish simply sings with flavour. Come here for the Chef’s Special Naspati Chicken, where chicken is cooked with tomatoes, coriander and spices. For veggies, try the Bhanta Aloo; a sumptuous dish made up of aubergine and potatoes cooked with herbs and spices.
The Folly
For something quintessentially English, head to The Folly. This restaurant in Oxford has the most beautiful location, occupying a unique riverside position, overlooking the stunning natural beauty of the city. What’s more, the restaurant provides simple, excellently cooked dishes with the freshest seasonal ingredients. You can enjoy everything from Sunday lunch to Saturday cocktails here, and dine al fresco on their terrace in the summer months. Enjoy goat’s curd cheese with beetroot, roasted butternut, garlic aioli and hazelnuts, pan roasted sea trout with heritage tomato vierge, avocado mash and charred courgette, and beer battered fish and chips for the big kid in you. Glorious!
Vaults and Garden Cafe
For a lunchtime spot, Vaults and Garden is a beautiful, hidden cafe housed in Oxford University's Old Congregation House of 1320. It’s the place to come for healthy goodness, with a beautiful, seasonal menu. When the weather is nice, their garden is one of the finest spots in Oxford to sit in, surrounded by architectural treasures, flowers and aromatic herbs. If it’s cold, then they have hot water bottles and blankets for ultimate cosiness! The lunch menu is simple but delicious, with classic such as beef lasagne with cheddar béchamel sauce, and, for the veggies, goats cheese and puy lentil gratin with courgette and tomato. Don’t leave without trying one of their homemade cakes, the lemon drizzle is a firm local favourite!
Oli’s Thai
Oli’s Thai may be a 30-minute walk from central Oxford, but it’s so worth it. Students love Oli’s Thai and for budget eats, you cannot get better than this. There’s a short daily menu, which changes often, featuring delights such as aubergine curry, chicken with garlic and coriander, and pork belly with rice. There’s lots of delicious Thai dishes for vegetarians, including papaya salad, chickpea salad, and tofu with yellow bean, ginger, chilli and lime. What’s more, you can eat like a king on less than £10 here, so your tummy will be happy, as well as the wallet. Grab a macaron to go – they are so, so good.
Pierre Victoria
If you’re in the mood for some French fancy, Pierre Victoria is for you. Pierre Victoria is Oxford’s most loved independent French restaurant. Since opening in 1996, Pierre Victoria has strived to create a space to enjoy traditional French food, with great chefs and accessible prices for all. The menus change often, with as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. You can expect French delights such as deep-fried lightly battered squid with a homemade sauce tartare, slow-roasted duck leg served on a potato and onion rösti with a cherry and kirsch sauce, and mousse au chocolat to finish. French perfection.