As locals, we’re often asked where to eat in Oxford. So we created this guide to share some of Team Potatote’s most trusted go-to places, covering coffee and snacks, good-value lunches and dinners, and a few options for when you want to treat yourself.
Cafés & Snacks
Il Botanico
- Why go: Fresh Italian cakes + pastries (famous for pistachio treats).
- Price: Cakes £5–£6 (eat-in).
- Where: Next to Christ Church (very central).
- Hours: 8:30am–8:30pm, daily.
-
Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gy2Eh9fkfVPXr9wJ9
Hamblin Bread (Covered Market)
- Why go: Fresh bread + pastries (great quick snack).
- Price: Pastries £3–£4.
- Where: Covered Market (city centre).
- Hours: 10am–3pm, Thu–Sun.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kr4PRzgfYbLii4d79
G&D’s (Ice Cream Café)
- Why go: Oxford-famous ice cream with fun local flavours.
- Must-try: Waffle Sundae (with 2 scoops).
- Where: 2 city centre locations: 1) Near Christ Church, 2) Little Clarendon Street.
- Hours: 9am–11pm, daily (open late!).
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NJ7KF3bm9kcghoa68
Good Value Lunch & Dinner
Sasi’s Thai
- Why go: Simple, home-style Thai food.
- Price: Rice + 2 dishes for ~£10 (big portion).
- Must-try: Thai Milk Tea + anything on the hot counter.
- Hours: 10am–5:30pm, Mon–Sat.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eqxp1ttf8JFeQJzk6
Gloucester Green Outdoor Market
- Why go: Lots of global street food (China, Japan, Korea, Greece, Turkey, and more).
- Price: Filling meal for ~£10.
- Where: Gloucester Green (behind the bus station).
- Hours: 10am–4pm, Wed–Sat.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BDaNorCJ6AYjpbxQ7
Ramen Korner
- Why go: Authentic Japanese dishes + ramen.
- Price: Ramen £13.50–£15.
- Must-try: Potato salad + Hiyayakko tofu.
- Where: Near Magdalen College (about a 15-min walk from Westgate).
- Hours: 12pm–10pm, daily.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Exd5mHsAQ2yhSy4j6
Mamma Mia (Jericho)
- Why go: Classic Italian pasta + pizza (they do small pasta portions, good for sharing).
- Price: Pizza £10–£12. Pasta £9–£13 (big) / £6–£8 (small).
- Must-try: Garlic bread with mozzarella · Pollo e Funghi · Rigatoni Molisani.
- Where: Jericho (cute area, ~20-min walk from Westgate).
- Hours: 5pm–10pm Mon–Fri · 12pm–10pm weekends.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BJHvgdjuLvsFoYwB6
Treat Night / Fine Dining
The Folly Restaurant
- Why go: Riverside setting + seasonal, locally sourced dishes.
- Price: Starters ~£12 · Mains ~£35 · Desserts ~£12.
- Where: Abingdon Road (~10-min walk from Westgate).
- Hours: 11am–10pm, Thu–Sun.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QZ1vRZSCh3q7UBQr8
No.1 Ship Street
- Why go: Cozy modern British brasserie in the city centre.
- Deal: Set lunch (Mon–Sat, 12pm–4pm) — 2 courses £19 · 3 courses £26.
- Where: Ship Street (near Exeter College + Jesus College).
- Hours: 12pm–10pm, Mon–Sat.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZVxEPbdNMEceeeNd6
Six by Nico
- Why go: Fun 6-course tasting menu (changes every ~6 weeks).
- Price: 6-course menu £45 + service charge.
- Where: Westgate (The Terrace).
- Hours: 2:30pm–10pm Tue–Wed · 12pm–11pm Thu–Sun.
- Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9mCLLN534V6fC9Gx9
We hope this guide makes choosing where to eat a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. If you try any of these spots, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do. And don’t forget - our Potatote totes are perfect for carrying snacks, leftovers, or anything else you pick up along the way.
