
Oxfordshire's affluence can be measured by the number of top-class restaurants and premier-league gastropubs it manages to sustain. It is packed with gems of every description. Whatever your tastes or preferences, you're bound to find something tempting - whether it's dazzling modern French cuisine, authentic Thai cooking or even seafood. Oxford itself is a cosmopolitan and internationally renowned university city that boasts a mightily impressive array of restaurants, brasseries, cafés and pubs serving food from all corners of the globe.
The FishAn unassuming Victorian hostelry in a pretty Thames-side village not far from Abingdon, the Fish is famous as an anglers' retreat and has also established itself as a prime destination for good food, drink, and country hospitality.
4 Appleford Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Seafood
Kitsons RestaurantKitsons Restaurant Abingdon, guide entry suspended.
, Abingdon, Oxfordshire - Cuisine:
The MaytimeHidden away in the tiny Oxfordshire hamlet of Asthall, The Maytime offers a tranquil retreat away from the pace of modern life, deep in the heart of the Cotswolds.
, Asthall, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Sweet Olive at Chequers InnThe Chequers Inn at Aston Tirrold began life in the fifteenth century, when it was modified from a collection of separate brick cottages.
Baker Street, Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Black Boy InnBuilt during the sixteenth century, The Black Boy Inn is a gem of a country pub nestling on the edge of the village of Milton, next to the local church.
Milton, Banbury, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Thai OrchidThe Thai Orchid opened in 1986, and was a real shot-in-the-arm for Banbury, this exotically appointed Thai restaurant still outpaces its local rivals.
56 Northbar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Thai
Bignell Park HotelBignell Park Hotel dates back to 1740, a genteel coaching inn standing in three acres of peaceful grounds within easy reach of the M40 and the retail bargains of Bicester Shopping Village.
Chesterton, Bicester, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Kings Head InnDating back to the 15th century the Kings Head Inn is the quintessential Cotswold pub set on Bledington's village green and with a brook running through it, ducks wandering freely, the pub looks delightful.
The Green, Bledington, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern English
The ChequersThe timber-framed Chequers, with its impressive thatched roof, has been a hostelry of sorts for at least four centuries and was once a staging post for barges at the head of the River Thames.
Abingdon Road, Burcot, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Angel at BurfordThe Angel at Burford is a glorious sixteenth-century coaching inn down a narrow street in the tourist honeypot of Burford.
14 Witney Street, Burford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: European
The Lamb InnOriginally a group of weavers' cottages, the Lamb Inn is a classic of its kind, with wisteria-clad walls, pretty gardens and an interior that is etched with history.
Sheep Street, Burford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Sir Charles NapierSir Charles Napier restaurant is set in an attractive flint building in a little hillside hamlet above the village of Chinnor in the Chiltern Hills.
Sprigg's Alley, Chinnor, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Falkland ArmsAn archetypal Cotswold hostelry in an archetypal Oxfordshire village 5 miles from Chipping Norton, the Falkland Arms is a real treasure: the building itself is a creeper-clad sixteenth-century stone gem, with parts of the original thatch still intact.
The Green, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: British
Fox & HoundsIn November 2008 new owners Jaxon Keedwell and Emma Hodge took over the charming Fox and Hounds or 'the top fox' as locals often refer to it, in the Oxfordshire village of Christmas Common.
, Christmas Common, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Traditional Pub
The Crown InnHidden away in a peaceful village close to the River Glyme and the 'end stone' of the Rollright Stone's configuration (hence the village name Church Enstone), the creeper-clad Crown Inn is a seventeenth-century stone inn, enthusiastically run by Tony and Caroline Warburton.
Mill Lane, Church Enstone, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Clanfield TavernNestling in the idyllic Oxfordshire village of Clanfield and dating back to the 17th century, The Clanfield Tavern unashamedly flies the ancient and modern flag.
Bampton Road, Clanfield, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Deddington ArmsDating back to the sixteenth century, this refurbished coaching inn occupies a prime spot overlooking Deddington market square - making it an ideal stopover for travellers on their way between Oxford and Banbury.
Horsefair, Deddington, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: European
White Hart HotelA famous hotel and restaurant but all we ever get told is the boss is in Spain. Take it as you find it until we report differently.
High Street, Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Lamb at BucklandGiven the name The Lamb at Buckland, it's no surprise to find that sheep provide the decorative motif throughout this civilised eighteenth-century Cotswold-stone pub.
Lamb Lane, Faringdon, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Trout at Tadpole BridgeIdyllically situated on the south bank of the Thames, deep in the Oxfordshire countryside, the Trout started life as a coal storage house; later it was converted into private dwellings before surfacing as a pub during the nineteenth century.
Buckland Marsh, Faringdon, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Inn at FarnboroughThe Inn at Farnborough is set in the tiny village of Farnborough just six miles north of Banbury, this Grade II-listed Inn dates back to the beginning of the eighteenth century and once served as the local butcher's shop.
Main Street, Farnborough, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The White HartHistory looms large at this fascinating old hostelry, which started life as a Tudor chantry house and was sold on to St John's College, Oxford in 1580.
Main Road, Fyfield, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Miller of MansfieldA village hideaway in the heart of Goring on Thames, The Miller of Mansfield, a sixteenth-century, creeper-clad hostelry is now reaping the benefits of a serious makeover and what was once a local coaching inn has been transformed into a contemporary bar restaurant with stylish, individually designed bedrooms.
High Street, Goring on Thames, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Le Manoir Aux Quat' SaisonsHead towards Oxford and Great Milton to discover Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, a sleek, well-oiled machine and its pleasures are numerous, from holistic breakfast feasts to walks around the two-acre kitchen garden with its 90 types of organically grown vegetables and 70 varieties of herbs.
Church Road, Great Milton, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern French
Antico RestaurantEstablished in 1980, Antico Restaurant has established a reputation as one of the most reliable Italian restaurants in the environs of Henley on Thames.
49 - 51 Market Place, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Italian
Hotel du Vin & BistroThe classical Georgian façade of the old Brakspears Brewery in Henley town centre marks out the latest addition to the Hotel du Vin group.
New Street, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Orwells at ShiplakeOrwells at Shiplake in Henley on Thames has been given a new lease of life by two former employees of the Goose in Britwell Salome, Ryan Simpson was the Michelin starred Head Chef and Liam Trotman was their sous chef.
Shiplake Row, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The White HartThe White Heart Hotel at Nettlebed dates back to the Fifteenth Century but today represents contemporary design in harmony with its traditional setting and dining at The White Heart offers two exciting options.
Nettlebed, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The TollgateA Grade II listed former Georgian farmhouse The Tollgate at Kingham dates back to 1720 and has been lovingly and sympathetically restored achieving an eclectic mix of old and new while providing a complete home-from-home environment.
Church Street, Kingham, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern Eclectic
The Kingham PloughThe Kingham Plough is set in a beautiful 350 year old building opposite the village green in the quintessentially English village of Kingham, once voted England's favourite village by Country Life Magazine.
, Kingham, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Beetle and Wedge BoathouseA magical riverside location worthy of 'The Wind in the Willows' has always been one of the unique attractions of the Beetle and Wedge over the years.
Ferry Lane, Moulsford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Anglo French
The Feathered Nest Country InnThe Feathered Nest Country Inn, a recently renovated 300 year old malthouse is set in the tiny picturesque village of Nether Westcote in the heart of the Cotswolds, with breathtaking views over the Evenlode Valley.
Church Lane, Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The FishesOne of Oxfordshire's great pubs, The Fishes in North Hinksey Village was given a new lease of life by the enterprising Peach Pubs Company, which now runs a handful of successful outlets across Central England.
North Hinksey Village, North Hinksey, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Cherwell BoathouseThe Verdin family set up shop at the Cherwell Boathouse almost 40 years ago and their long-serving riverside venue in Oxford continues to go from strength to strength.
50 Bardwell Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Anglo French
The Bear & Ragged StaffAfter a long absence from the Oxford pub and restaurant scene, The Bear and Ragged Staff at Cumnor made a recent comeback with much noise and fanfare.
28 Appleton Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Classic English
The Tree Hotel, Annora RestaurantThe Tree Hotel in the tranquil village of Iffley (only a couple of miles from the centre of Oxford) is an imposing redbrick and gabled building that is enjoying a new lease of life and a growing reputation for its exciting food.
63 Church Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: International
Ashmolean Dining RoomThe Ashmolean Dining Room is on the fourth floor of the Ashmolean Museum so during the day when the Museum is open, access to the restaurant is via the Museum's main entrance on Beaumont St.
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: European
AzizThe Aziz Indian Restaurant is one of the best curry houses in Oxfordshire with a strong loyal following of regular customers.
228-230 Cowley Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Bangladeshi
BrancaA high-octane atmosphere, friendly service, all-day opening and good-value menus make Branca, this animated Italian brasserie a hit with the Oxford university crowds – but all-comers enjoy its unstuffy approach.
111 Walton Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Italian
Brasserie BlancThe original branch of Raymond Blanc's chain of flexible Gallic brasseries started life as Le Petit Blanc before the name was re-branded.
71-72 Walton Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern French
Chiang Mai KitchenChiang Mai Kitchen is hidden away down a little alley off Oxford High Street, this rickety-looking, timber-framed building makes an unlikely setting for a genuine Thai restaurant.
Kemp Hall Passage, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Thai
EdamameEdamame is a small Japanese restaurant in the University City of Oxford and as such is a popular haunt for students and tourists alike.
15 Holywell Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Japanese
Fishers Restaurant'Fishers is a supporter of the RNLI and of sustainable fishing' says a note on the menu, suggesting that this ten-year-old seafood restaurant just over Magdalen Bridge really does live up to its name.
36-37 St. Clements, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Seafood
Gee's RestaurantAn Oxford institution about ten minutes from the city centre, Gee's is famous for its capacious Victorian conservatory – a dramatic light-filled space full of cane chairs and fronds of foliage.
61 Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Kazbar RestaurantA godsend for the local student population and others looking for cheap-and cheerful food on Oxford's Cowley Road, Kazbar has bags of atmosphere and a menu than spans everything from of genereous meze to rough-hewn Middle Eastern/ North African stomch-fillers.
25 - 27 Cowley Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: North African
Liaison'Ask for directions to Castle Street if you don't know Oxford' suggests one Mobile Guide user, who found this excellent restaurant by chance.
29 Castle Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Chinese
Macdonald Randolph HotelIt may not be quite as famous as the Bodleian Library, but the Randolph remains a landmark destination for visitors to Oxford.
Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Anglo French
Malmaison'One-time prison becomes daring escape destination!' The latest branch of the Malmaison Hotel group is incarcerated in part of Oxford Castle jail and - according to the owners - 'once you've stayed here you'll want us to lock you up and throw away the key'.
3 Oxford Castle, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Quod Restaurant & BarAttached to Oxford's Old Bank Hotel, Quod Restaurant and Bar occupies a cleverly converted Georgian banking hall complete with stunning displays of eye-catching contemporary art, a massive oval zinc bar, stone floors and well-spaced wooden tables.
Old Bank Hotel, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Shanghai 30'sIn a 15th century building opposite Christ Church Garden in Oxford, Shanghai 30's is a contemporary Chinese restaurant specialising in traditional and modern cuisine from Shanghai, Shanghai 30's also offers renowned dishes from the surrounding regions of Shaoxing and Yangchow, as well as Sichuan, Peking and Canton.
82 St Aldates, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Chinese
The Cotswold Lodge Hotel, 66a RestaurantCotswold Lodge is an elegant Victorian building located in a conservation area within walking distance of Oxford's historic city centre.
66a Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Magdalen ArmsThe Magdalen Arms on Iffley Road was a spit-and-sawdust boozer situated in the University City of Oxford that had been closed for some eighteen months, before it was bought by Florence Fowler and Tony Abarno in October 2009.
243 Iffley Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Old ParsonageLooking suitably ancient, The Old Parsonage, a seventeenth-century weathered-stone building on Banbury Road, used to be the parsonage for the nearby church of St Giles.
1 Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The GreyhoundThe charming village of Rotherfield Peppard is where you will find Anthony Worrall Thompson's quintessential country pub, The Greyhound. Inside its all oak beams and rustic furniture, filled with trinkets.
Gallowstree Road, Rotherfield Peppard, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Oxford Thames Four Pillars HotelThe Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel is built around a cluster of medieval buildings just three miles from Oxford, in the village of Sandford on Thames.
Henley Road, Sandford on Thames, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: International
The Perch and Pike InnThe famous Ridgeway Path runs right past the front door of the Perch and Pike Inn, which is idyllically situated in a pretty village just a couple of minutes' stroll from the River Thames.
The Street, South Stoke, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: International
Fallowfields Country House HotelFallowfields Country House Hotel, hidden away in the tranquil Vale of the White Horse at Southmoor, is a beguiling 300-year-old country house which was once the home of Begum Aga Khan, and now seduces guests with its pastoral mood, personal hospitality and fine food.
Faringdon Road, Southmoor, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Crooked BilletThe trek through winding Oxfordshire lanes to Stoke Row can be tortuous, but crowds still manage to descend on this out-of-the-way country pub in their droves and if the exterior looks familiar, that's because the Crooked Billet has played a starring role in countless films, TV dramas and commercials.
Newlands Lane, Stoke Row, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Cherry Tree InnClassic charm meets contemporary chic in the revitalised Cherry Tree Inn at Stoke Row, a country pub-with-rooms situated high in the Chilterns, a short drive from Henley on Thames.
, Stoke Row, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Mason's ArmsEasily found alongside the A361 between Chipping Norton and Banbury, the chic, stone-built Mason's Arms was indeed a Masonic lodge before becoming a hostelry.
Banbury Road, Swerford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Swan at TetsworthForty showrooms stuffed with antiques under one roof attract hordes of visitors to this listed Elizabethan coaching inn, which is one of those handsome ancient buildings that looks remarkably youthful for its age.
High Street, Tetsworth, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Mia CapriTransmitting the atmosphere and the magic of Capri to all their customers, Mia Capri's aim is give a truly Mediterranean experience.
87 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Traditional Italian
The Bull & ButcherA TV celeb among country inns, the Bull & Butcher has made regular appearances in numerous series including 'The Vicar of Dibley' and 'Midsomer Murders', and anyone who also knows the classic movie 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' will recognise the white windmill that is perched on a steep ridge behind the pub.
Holloway lane, Turville, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Anokhi Cuisine'Anokhi' translates as 'unique' – a bold claim that this well-established neighbourhood Indian restaurant tries to uphold. The long menu is a familiar run through baltis, tandooris, korai dishes, biryanis and curry house stalwarts, plus a few more intriguing specialities including breast of chicken rolled with minced lamb and served with a mushroom sauce, roopchanda (a large fried Bangladeshi fish served with fried rice and tarka dhal), king prawn shorisha cooked with mustard seeds, and duck bhuna.
76 High Street, Wallingford, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Indian
The Boar's HeadThe Boar's Head at Ardington near Wantage puts on a thoroughly modern 'rustic' look with its pristine black-and-white half-timbered façade, although it actually dates back more than 150 years.
Church Street, Wantage, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Lambert ArmsPerfectly located just 500 yards from junction 6 of the M40 in the charming Oxfordshire village of Aston Rowant, the Lambert Arms has been given a new lease of life.
Aston Rowant, Watlington, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Macdonald Bear HotelThe Macdonald Bear Hotel has been a bastion of good hospitality since the thirteenth century, an ivy-clad coaching inn in Woodstock that has seen more than its fair share of celebrities over the years.
Park Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Feathers Hotel'Possibly the finest country town hotel in the kingdom,' was the Evening Standard's verdict on the Feathers - a gem of a place and the ideal basecamp for anyone visiting Blenheim Palace (its gates are just a stroll away from the hotel).
Market Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British