We spend such an indecent amount of time in The White Rabbit in Oxford that we take it for granted and then forget to review it.
On the one hand it’s hard to imagine the historic pub getting any more popular; constantly packed with regulars, students, and tourists, its laid back reputation preceding it.
But on the other, we are here to applaud and promote the best, and The White Rabbit is right up there, winning BEST PUB in the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS in 2024 and 2025.
Smack bang in the centre of Oxford, next to Gloucester Green, behind Oxford Playhouse, sits one of Oxford most beloved pubs, despite being tucked away down Friars Entry.
The independent boozer has been packing them in since taking over the former Gloucester Arms in 2012 and converting it into the chilled, low-key, eclectic hostelry that it is today.
while an excellent pub in its own right, it has a secret weapon up its sleeve – some of the best pizzas in Oxford
A further turning point came when The White Rabbit was granted planning permission to open its beer garden, now complete with heated seats and QR codes ,ensuring its stays chock-a-block come winter or summer.
Because while an excellent pub in its own right, it has a secret weapon up its sleeve – some of the best pizzas in Oxford whisked to your table in minutes, all made on site. And it’s a dynamic and irresistible combo.
the pizzas are pivotal to The White Rabbit’s ongoing popularity and we can’t get enough of them
Being open seven days a week means you can opt in for some quality tucker whatever time of day – late lunch, early supper, post theatre (if you’re lucky) – kitchens closing at 10pm. And The White Rabbit‘s bohemian clientele, from elderly gents propping up the bar, to wide-eyed tourists soaking it all up, theatre crews from the Playhouse, couples, friends, you name it and they congregate here. Which means for us regulars, its always a gamble whether you’ll get a table, but if not they free up pretty regularly.
Atmosphere wise it always delivers, The White Rabbit boasting a great range of beers, wines and spirits, varied seating inside for everyone from singles to big parties, and then outside the coveted heated banquettes, divided by planters of herbs, so they’re private but you can still watch the world go by.
But the pizzas are pivotal to The White Rabbit‘s ongoing popularity, and we can’t get enough of them. We must have eaten hundreds over the years and sent everyone we know there, because The White Rabbit always delivers. And oh do they taste good.
Part of the attraction is the informality, because while the pizza menu is extensive ,and everything is made on site and cooked in their wood fired pizza oven, you can order at the bar, or via the QR codes on every table, and the pizzas are delivered with cutlery and any sauces without any fuss or bother, and then they leave you to it.
The White Rabbit actually removed ‘the Zola’ from the menu last year but there was such an outcry they had to replace it
Choosing however is much harder, every one of the 26 pizza options enticing, so sometimes you have to close your eyes and just pick one. Those who can’t make up their minds can throw caution to the wind and order the The Mad Hatter – which gives the chefs dealers choice.
Otherwise we all have our favourites, and mine’s the Zola, which The White Rabbit actually removed from the menu last year but there was such an outcry they had to replace it, the combo of mozzarella, tomato sauce, gorgonzola, pancetta & pears (£16.90) completely addictive. I literally can’t get enough of them, the blue cheese salty but not overpowering, the pears thinly sliced, juicy but mild, adding a hint of sweetness, the pancetta melting on the tongue.
But it’s the bases and tomato sauce that really make the difference, the crust thin and soft in the middle and puffy and charred on the edge, as favoured in Southern Italy, the sauce rich but soft so as not to claim all the glory.
The Diavola – mozzarella, tomato sauce, pepperoni, peppers, anchovies & fresh chilli  (£14.30) is more robust; an explosion of flavour from the fish and spiced sausage to the heat of the chilli, although can request chilli oil for all your pizzas if you like a bit of spice.
the pizzas are ample for one and easy to share between friends over a pint
They do have starters should you be that way inclined from meatballs to dough balls but the options are fairly limited, and as the pizzas are ample for one and easy to share between friends over a pint, somewhat overlooked.
So yes, one of our all time favourite places in Oxford which caters for everyone. See you there!
The White Rabbit, 21 Friars Entry, Oxford, OX1 2BY https://www.whiterabbitoxford.co.uk
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