Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Oxford/Oxfordshire

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Oxford/Oxfordshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Pizza Calzone Banbury

4.8

4.8 (652)

£25 and under

Italian

Banbury

About the restaurant

Pizza Calzone has been awarded By The Food Awards England 2023 for Best Pizza Restaurant of the Year & Best Italian Establishment! Multi-ward-Winning Pizza Calzon,e we offer meals of excellent quality and invite you to try our delicious food.
Whether you come for our mouth-watering Italian dishes prepared by our Chefs or for the creative cocktails, Pizza Calzone has something DELICIOUS for you!

Pizza Calzone Italian Restaurant is perfect for a quiet meal, family gatherings, events, and business meetings.

Good food. Good Drink. Good Atmosphere

Top review

Suzanne

Dined 7 days ago

I always enjoy a visit to Pizza Calzone. The food is good as is the service. This time there was an issue with one of the dishes but everything was done to settle the problem and we left happy.

The Plough at Hanney

4.8

4.8 (411)

£25 and under

British

Wantage

About the restaurant

Set in the picturesque village of West Hanney,This beautiful thatched pub offers great british pub classics, and small plates, with a vibrant pub atmosphere. This community owned business has new tenants who have been lucky to win a fair few awards in their time.
The Plough is the ultimate country pub and offers an incredible atmosphere and dining experience. Housed in a stunningly thatched public house, customers can choose to eat in the beautiful eatery, in the cosy bar by the fire or in the beautiful sun trapped garden.
With a passion for supporting farmers, the kitchen sources food from the very best local farms, knowing where each item comes from, from farm to plate. Owain even uses the produce from his family farm in Wales! Cooking is modern British and menus change daily depending on what is fresh and seasonal - Luke is particularly passionate about his small plates menu, ensuring that th plough is something for everyone.

Top review

Richard

Dined 5 days ago

Great evening meal out in a fantastic village pub.

Branca

4.7

4.7 (2451)

£25 and under

Italian

Oxford

About the restaurant

Welcome to Branca, our large and lively Italian brasserie in Jericho. For us food is all about quality ingredients, honest cooking, big flavours and uncomplicated dishes. In other words buy decent stuff and keep it simple.

Top review

MaryVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Love Branca. Have never had a bad experience dining there. Staff are friendly, food delicious and atmosphere is relaxed

Sticks'n'Sushi - Oxford

4.7

4.7 (149)

£26 to £40

Sushi

Oxford

About the restaurant

Located on the Roof Terrace in Westgate Shopping Centre, enjoy classic and creative sushi, sticks and Japanese-inspired cocktails with stunning views of Oxford’s historic spires. Perfect for quick lunches, leisurely dinners, celebrations and graduations. A sushi restaurant - even for those who don't like fish.

Top review

Harriet

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

We had such a wonderful time at Sticks N Sushi, thank you so much to all of the staff and especially Prachi our waitress. The food, drinks and service was perfect. We especially appreciated how lovely everyone made it for the birthday girl in our party. Really great to have an easily wheelchair accessible restaurant which we all loved.

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Experience

Lunch & Early Evening Sticks Set Menu £19.50

Spiced Roots

4.6

4.6 (504)

£26 to £40

Caribbean

Oxford

About the restaurant

Two things we hold dear at Spiced Roots are the quality and authenticity of our offering. Our expertly crafted food menu showcases a bold take on classic dishes from across the Caribbean region, whilst introducing new and innovative plates. These are put together in an authentic Caribbean Style, using the highest quality, fresh, locally and responsibly sourced ingredients.

Our cocktails reflect the best in Rum, taking influence from long held West Indian drinking traditions. For the discerning Rum drinker, our constantly evolving Sipping Rum selection of well over 100 rums highlights the best the Caribbean has to offer.

The restaurant is cozy and has a fun and vibrant atmosphere with a soundtrack to match.

Top review

Cathy

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

Lovely evening . Great food and very capable waiting staff . Overall a fabulous evening

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Jerk Chicken Spring Rolls

Quod Restaurant & Bar

4.5

4.5 (5132)

£26 to £40

European

Oxford

About the restaurant

Accessed from the High Street and through a glass lobby, Quod restaurant with its terrace and bar, forms the hub of the Old Bank Hotel. Formerly a banking hall it was transformed by owner Jeremy Mogford to become Oxford's largest and most successful restaurant. Stylish, contemporary design describes the space which houses an amazing collection of young British art. Sandra Blow, Craigie Aitchinson and Gary Hume adorn the walls. There is a spectacular terrace where diners can enjoy a morning coffee, the superb value two course lunch or a cocktail.

Top review

Helen

Dined 3 days ago

Really good food, a lovely server who was very helpful. We had a great time. Thank you

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Popular dish

Chicken Tikka Masala

Experience

Afternoon Tea in Quod

The Ivy Oxford Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (7469)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

Oxford

About the restaurant

The Ivy Oxford Brasserie is located on the bustling High Street in the heart of Oxford. Enjoy an accessible all-encompassing menu, serving British classics from dawn until dusk, including breakfast, elevenses, weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, light snacks, dinner and cocktails.

Top review

JayVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Enjoyed the decor and Ivy vibe. Loved the food presentation. Will definitely go back.

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Experience

The Ivy Oxford Afternoon Tea

4.5

4.5 (451)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Oxford

About the restaurant

Located on the roof of the Westgate Shopping Centre, Pho is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant that specialise in pho noodle soup, the national dish of Vietnam. Aside from pho, you can also expect to find amazing sharing starters, healthy salads, hearty rice bowls and decadent curries. They have a range of freshly made juices and also Vietnamese beers and a large wine and cocktail list. Pho’s menu is 40% vegan and nearly entirely gluten-free too. They also have an accessible kids’ menu where children can get a meal and a drink for £5.50

Top review

Dacey

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Four friends and I visited Pho Oxford yesterday. Me and my boyfriend absolutely love it there (we went the Friday before) and really wanted our friends to try it. The food is seriously outstanding and the staff are always so friendly and welcoming. I really recommend it for anyone. Just amazing!!

The Old Crown Coaching Inn

4.3

4.3 (213)

£26 to £40

British

Faringdon

About the restaurant

Samuel Squires, our award winning Head Chef at The Old Crown Coaching Inn, has devised a range of menus for the hotel where you can enjoy three different types of cuisines and atmospheres in our restaurant, wine bar & public bar area.

To the rear of the hotel, you will find our 80 seater restaurant. Where you can enjoy terrific food carefully crafted with an innovative twist on fine dining.

Our Wine & Cocktail bar at the heart of The Crown offers a range of fine wines, cocktails and sharing platters, such as our charcuterie boards.

Finally, our main bar offers a more relaxed experience where you can enjoy a delicious meal off our pub menu.

Top review

Tanya

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent three course Sunday lunch...all courses were tasty and well presented. The Sunday roast main was incredibly generous. Will absolutely be back

Piccolino - Henley-on-Thames

4.1

4.1 (72)

£26 to £40

Italian

Henley-On-Thames

About the restaurant

A treasure in the heart of Henley-on-Thames, the newest addition to the Piccolino family brings a flavour of Italy to this historic market town. Located in a grade ii listed building, the Piccolino, henley embodies the charm and sophistication of authentic Italian dining.

Set to open on Tuesday 25th June 2024, this culinary haven promises an exclusive gastronomic experience, with a stunning river walk entrance and elegantly designed spaces including two bars, a winterised courtyard, and a unique private dining room.

The restaurant features 140 seats inside and a delightful 38 seat patio, offering a picturesque setting in the town’s vibrant center.

Top review

James

Dined 6 days ago

Had two Chateaubriand! They were amazing, truffle butter great and unique too. Damir and Andrea’s service also top notch. Would recommend their Vita D’oro pint as well. Will be returning for sure.

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Experience

Mother's Day

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