Oxfordshire’s top restaurants & bars for outdoor dining
Here we are, after a long winter in lockdown Oxfordshire is starting to open up. Warm weather days are ahead of us and we are looking forward to visiting our favourite bars & restaurants for al fresco dining from the 12th of April. From cosy countryside pubs, romantic restaurants on the river, to panoramic rooftop bars, there’s something for everyone! Don’t forget to share your experiences with the hashtag #OpeningUpOx and remember to follow Government guidelines and safety measures. Here’s our top picks:
Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant
Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant
Family owned and ran, the Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant is well-known for its creative cooking and the impressive wine list, hand picked by their very own sommeliers.
The Orangery Restaurant
The Orangery Restaurant
Set on the grounds of the magnificent Blenheim Palace, the stunning Orangery Restaurant is the perfect spot for lunch, traditional Afternoon Teas or a delicious Sunday roast.
Giggling Squid Oxford
Giggling Squid Oxford
From lunchtime tapas to delicious curries, salads, rice and noodles, Giggling Squid’s menu lends itself to the distinct sharing culture of Thailand.
Victors Restaurant
Victors Restaurant
Serving a modern American menu of signature small plates alongside elegant cocktails, fine wines and locally sourced craft ales from dawn until dusk, Victors offers affordable luxury for everyone.
Oxford River Cruises
Oxford River Cruises
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea or a joyful picnic while travelling on a boat past some of Oxford’s most famous landmarks on the Thames.
Old Swan Pub & Restaurant
Old Swan Pub & Restaurant
Expect fresh local ingredients crafted into hearty dishes, this is the perfect place to enjoy a pie and a pint or a delicious afternoon tea on the terrace. The menu is seasonal and the food is simple and flavoursome with delicious items available all day.
The Oxen - Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South
The Oxen - Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South
Nestled in the home of the Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South, The Oxen brasserie is a modern dining spot serving British cuisine for every occasion. It features an open kitchen with a stone pizza oven, an al fresco terrace for dining and an urban lounge bar.
Pho restaurant
Pho restaurant
Located at the top of the Westgate Shopping Centre in the heart of Oxford, Pho serves healthy Vietnamese street food. Its menu is large and diverse and has something for every taste, what’s more? 99% of their menu is gluten-free!
Bar Nineteen at Bicester Hotel and Spa
Bar Nineteen at Bicester Hotel and Spa
Modern, fresh and fun, Bar Nineteen overlooks the Putting Green and the Golf Course beyond and features a stunning terrace for al fresco dining and drinks. With two TVs for sport, Bar Nineteen is the ideal place to socialise with a drink after a hard day’s work or a harder day on the Golf Course.
The Coconut Tree
The Coconut Tree
Enjoy the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality & cuisine, served ‘as it comes’. Expect an explosion of flavours in their vegetables, meats & fish along with sweet and fiery cocotails… a naturally abundant vegan & vegetarian cuisine.
The Mason Arms
The Mason Arms
Tucked away in the village of South Leigh, this is a quaint thatched pub that isn’t quite what it seems. Enjoy a menu of hearty pub classics, drinks and lighter seasonal dishes in an intimate setting.
Cogges Manor Farm Kitchen Cafe
Cogges Manor Farm Kitchen Cafe
Housed in the beautiful old milking parlour, The Cogges Kitchen has a daily-changing menu, using carefully-sourced local and seasonal produce inspired by the Cogges walled garden and orchard. Expect lovingly prepared breakfasts and lunches, as well as cakes, ice cream, children’s lunch bags, and cream teas.
Hook Norton Brewery
Hook Norton Brewery
Hook Norton is one of only 32 family owned breweries and is the finest example of a Victorian Tower Brewery in the country. Of course, the brewery is about so much more than just its fantastic range of award-winning beers. Enjoy locally sourced and lovingly prepared tasty food served up for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
Macdonald Bear Hotel Restaurant
Macdonald Bear Hotel Restaurant
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea, with a selection of fresh home made scones, finger sandwiches and cakes at the Macdonald Bear Hotel Restaurant, located in the characteristic village of Woodstock at the edge with the Cotswolds.
The Ox Shed restaurant
The Ox Shed restaurant
The Ox Shed restaurant is situated at the Cotswold Farm park and is open to anyone, you don’t need a ticket to enter. It is reopening for al fresco dining on the terrace, serving breakfast baps 8.30-11.30am, a selection of lunchtime favourites 12-3pm and tasty and hand-stretched sourdough pizzas 3-8pm.
The Alchemist Oxford
The Alchemist Oxford
The Alchemist are masters in the dark arts of molecular mixology and demons in the kitchen. Enjoy a flaming atmosphere, creative cocktails and devilishly delicious all-day dining on their panoramic terrace on Westgate’s rooftop.
Oxford Castle Quarter
Oxford Castle Quarter
Oxford Castle Quarter was once home to the Norman Oxford Castle, then the infamous Oxford Prison. Parts of these historic buildings remain, and have shaped the development of Oxford Castle Quarter as it stands today. The rest of Oxford Castle Quarter is now home to an exciting hub of bars and restaurants.
