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.

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!

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.

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.

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.