Fine dining and Gastro pubs in and Around Oxford
Oxford’s historic streets are more famous book lovers than gourmands but food lovers can find some real gems. Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended restaurants are tucked away in the surrounding countryside. Here are the best within reach — following, a few of my personal favourites right in the city centre.
Michelin-Starred & Michelin-Recognised Restaurants (within 10 miles)
These are the closest Michelin-starred or Michelin-recommended restaurants near Oxford:
⭐ ⭐Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons (Two Michelin Stars)
Chef: Raymond Blanc
A legendary gastronomic experience in a beautiful manor house with its own kitchen garden.
📍 Great Milton (approx. 8 miles from Oxford)
🌐 www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons
📝 Yes, I’ve been — and yes, it was absolutely amazing.
⭐ The Nut Tree Inn (One Michelin Star)
Chef: Mike North
A thatched village pub offering seasonal British fine dining with charm and creativity.
📍 Murcott (approx. 10 miles from Oxford)
🌐 www.nuttreeinn.co.uk
🥂 The Sir Charles Napier (Michelin Guide Recommended)
Inventive cuisine in a stunning garden setting, with serious attention to both food and atmosphere.
📍 Chinnor (approx. 10 miles south-east of Oxford)
🌐 www.charlesnapier.co.uk
🧀 The White Hart (Michelin Guide Recommended)
A village pub with real pedigree — refined modern British dishes and a serious cheese trolley.
📍 Fyfield (approx. 9 miles west of Oxford)
🌐 www.whitehart-fyfield.com
Central
These are within walking distance of central Oxford and offer consistently excellent food, character, and atmosphere — perfect after a day exploring the city.
The Old Parsonage
Elegant, cosy, and steeped in history. A lovely spot for afternoon tea, dinner, or a quiet drink by the fire.
📍 Banbury Road, Oxford
🌐 www.oldparsonagehotel.co.uk/restaurant
I love the walls covered in very acceptably fine paintings in the winter and in the summer a walled terrace. A proper treat.
1 Ship Street
Modern British dining with flair and precision — warm service, beautiful plating, and a great central location. A local favourite of mine for something a something out of the ordinary.
📍 1 Ship Street, just off Cornmarket, Oxford
🌐 www.1shipstreet.com
Gastro pubs in nearby countryside
The Bat & Ball in Cuddesdon is a quintessential English village pub with a reputation for great food and a classic Sunday roast. Located just east of Oxford, close to Wheatley, Garsington and Forest Hill, and near Cuddesdon Palace and the rural lanes of South Oxfordshire.
https://www.batandballcuddesdon.co.uk
The Bull at Charlbury is a beautifully restored 16th-century countryside pub near Chipping Norton. It has won acclaim including Best Pub for Food at the Great British Pub Awards, and its menu focuses on seasonal, locally inspired dishes. Chosen by David Beckham to celebrate his Knighthood. Highly recomended.
The Eyston Arms in East Hendred blends traditional village charm with modern, seasonal cooking. The Eyston Arms provides a hearty Sunday roast.
Located near Didcot, Wantage, the Ridgeway National Trail, and Milton Park, The Eyston Arms is ideal for walkers, cyclists, and visitors exploring the scenic villages and countryside of South Oxfordshire and the northern Cotswolds.
The Farmer’s Dog is owned by Jeremy Clarkson, best known as the former presenter of Top Gear, co-host of The Grand Tour, and star of Clarkson’s Farm. The pub reflects his passion for British farming and rural life.
Its menu is built around the principle of using almost entirely British-grown and British-produced ingredients, including produce from Clarkson’s own Diddly Squat Farm. The aim is to support British farmers and showcase the best of home-grown food.
Located near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. A popular stop for fans of Clarkson’s Farm.
https://thefarmersdogpub.com/pages/at-the-pub
The Plough at Hanney is a beautifully restored traditional English pub with a spacious garden.friends. The kitchen champions seasonal, locally sourced British produce, serving up timeless pub favourites and dishes that reflect Oxfordshire. Convenient for visitors exploring the Vale of White Horse and surrounding Cotswolds villages.
https://theploughathanney.co.uk
The Seven Stars is Marsh Baldon’s community pub offering seasonal, locally sourced British food with options for all dietary needs (including vegetarian and other requests). A short drive from Oxford, near Nuneham Courtenay and Sutton Courtenay. Great for countryside walks and village exploring.
https://sevenstarsatmarshbaldon.co.uk
The Swan Inn, a 16th-century riverside country inn in Swinbrook, (Oxfordshire), is on the banks of the Cotswolds Windrush river. It has honey-stone walls, flagstone floors and cosy fireplaces and has won awards for culinary excellence and seasonal British cuisine using local produce. A classic English pub experience near Burford. Highly recommended.
https://www.theswanswinbrook.co.uk
The Cotswolds Wheatsheaf is a traditional village pub and a stylish country dining destination. It has a wood-fired grill and creative menus inspired by local produce. Located near Lechlade, Burford and the Woolstone Valley.
https://www.cotswoldswheatsheaf.com
The White Hart at Fyfield is a striking historic inn housed in a spectacular building leased from St John’s College, Oxford. Full of character and village charm, it offers seasonal British food.
What makes it truly special is its setting: just steps from St Nicholas’ Church, Fyfield, home to some of the finest stained glass in Oxfordshire.
Near Abingdon, Marcham and the Vale of White Horse.
https://www.whitehart-fyfield.com
The Wild Rabbit, a charming 17th-century Grade-II listed building in the cotswold village of Kingham celebrates locally sourced, seasonal British food with menus that change with the harvest, The bar and terrace offer drinks from artisan beers to fine wines. Warm fireplaces, welcoming atmosphere and Cotswold setting, The Wild Rabbit makes a perfect stop for lunch, dinner, weekend getaways or exploring the surrounding countryside. A short drive from Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Norton.