The OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS are back! We will be celebrating our sixth OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS ceremony at The North Wall on June 29, with a fabulous after party at OXTWO in Summertown, and the famous ‘morning after’ breakfast at Dishoom on June 30 in Oxford.
Sponsored by headliners Wise Investment, Jolly Foods, The Oxford Collection and SOMA Collab, as well as Oxford Fine Dining, Grape Minds, Dishoom and Tap Social, the voting has kicked off, with a different category released every day.
Here to give Oxfordshire’s hospitality industry a much needed boost, a massive pat on the back and the recognition and attention it deserves after such a difficult year, we have really pushed the boat out. And all we need you to do is vote for your favourites.
So welcome to the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2026 and here is our sixth category BEST CASUAL DINING 2026. VOTE HERE: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
In alphabetical order, the nominations for BEST CASUAL DINING 2026 are:
Alberto’s, Chipping Norton – Such a great addition to Chipping Norton’s culinary line-up, the intimate restaurant run by Claire Lenkowiec and her fiance Valerio Grimaldi-Plant, the latter producing the most beautiful, authentic Italian food in the open plan kitchen where the ingredients speak for themselves and the pasta dishes sing. Almost impossible to get a table for good reason. We love it there. Vote now https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Arbequina, East Oxford – Always exceptional despite its longevity on Cowley Road, the quality and reverence given to its Spanish tapas menus continue to delight, flavour bering paramount. And with its new venue opening in Oxford’s Covered Market, very soon you’ll be spoilt for choice. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Beefy Boys, Oxford – massively popular with all ages, diners flocking to try its bespoke burgers, the bright, fun, buzzing restaurant in The Westgate bringing in a new crowd. Messy, tasty and novel, be napkin ready. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Bbuona Pinsa Bar, Gloucester Green, Oxford. Everything is handmade on site with the best Italian ingredients. The pinsas literally rock and the cocktails are worth returning for. An independent, family run business which accommodates an itinerant trade with great finesse. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Crispy Dosa, Didcot – An unexpected location for a veggie/vegan Indian, but what a space! Dine in style and enjoy the luxury aesthetics while you chow down on some some stunning dosas, thalis, new and familiar dishes and an enticing cocktail list. An adventurous addition. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Dishoom’s Permit Room, Oxford – You’re guaranteed a good time at this city centre restaurant whether you pop in for breakfast, lunch or street food snacks right through to dinner, cocktails and DJs. Its Bombay focused menus are a big hit, introducing a whole new cuisine to an already saturated Indian market. Fun, funky and fabulous. Vote now https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Dosa Darlings, Cowley Road – The clue’s in the title, but actually this colourful, sophisticated and dynamic restaurant offers so much more. Whether you pop in for a cocktail, eat in the specious garden area or dine in the flamboyant restaurant, the menus are equally as animated. And with a huge range of wallet-friendly options from the budget lunch to something more salubrious, it caters for all occasions. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Double Red Duke, Bicester Village – new and on a massive scale – the standards here are still mighty impressive, as is the level of food. As for the aesthetics, this is a stylish joint that lures you in and then seduces you with its menus. You can eat as simply or extravagantly as you want at any time of the day. From pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon for breakfast to high tea and wood fire baked sea bass, spinach, green sauce for dinner. Take your pick. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Kibou, Oxford – Kibou has livened up Oxford’s culinary offering with its inspired Japanese offering. Its stunning interior, multiple dining sections, outdoor space and some really diverse food made all the difference. From the affordable set lunch, fantastic Japanese-inspired afternoon tea, Japanese sharing plates, ‘moriawase’ sushi and sashimi platters, seared wagyu or ramen, there’s something for everyone. Or book in for the Japanese whisky and sake tasting events. Vote now https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Mamma Mia – Summertown and Jericho – When in doubt go to Mamma Mia. The place for a more relaxed and less formal occasion when you want to kick back and enjoy some great pizzas and pastas, it never disappoints. Full of families, children, couples and everyone in between, it’s a true neighbourhood restaurant and as popular as ever! Vote now https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Mowgli, Oxford – Its new location in The Westgate roof terrace is a bigger, more inviting space lit with fairy lights, the long bar stretching the length of the interior, with swing seating for the more adventurous. Their Indian sharing menus and convivial atmosphere ensure that while other sites come and go, Mowgli says put. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Namaste Village, Oxford – new, committed and devoted to providing top level Indian food with a veggie/vegan menu. Tucked away in the Oxford Castle Quarter site it provides a respite from the busy shopping area outside with its calm restaurant where some stunning cocktails and food emanate. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Pierre Victoria, Oxford – the beloved French bistro in the heart of the city is a standard go-to for those enjoying the camaraderie and buzz of this neighbourhood eatery. Its two-course and three-course ‘Prix Fixe’ menus are massively popular, so if you fancy some French onion soup, snails, mussels, pate or fondue, all the classics are on hand. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Sartorelli’s Pizza, Covered Market, Oxford – Anyone passing this the historic indoor market will find diners congregating outside this little pizza venue waiting for a table to miraculously free up, punters grabbing a beer or glass of wine from next door. The pizzas are obviously the drawn here. If Yule tried one you’ll know why. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Shan Shui, Bicester Village – Inspired by 1920s Shanghai, this Chinese restaurant may be geared to feeding the mass shoppers at the luxury shopping outlet, but still concentrates hard on providing authentic and accessible dishes with great finesse. The sweet potato balls are to die for. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Shoryu Ramen, Oxford. Another Westgate addition whose Asian menu keeps people on the ground floor, crowding in for their specials or the varied menu of noodles, ramens, katsu curry and more. A great pit stop. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
Tempering, Botley – took over the former Dosa Park restaurant and gave it a new lease of life with a more traditional Indian menu. That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few surprises hidden away from chaats, Tempering sea bass and gilafi seekh kebabs, alongside the originals; from a chicken korma to a lamb madras, they’ve got you. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/sykgxj9h
There are 10 categories and we will be announcing one every day for the next 10 days. These include BEST NEWCOMER, BEST PUB/BAR, BEST CAFE, BEST RESTAURANT, BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN OFFERING, BEST CHEF, BEST GASTROPUB, BEST CASUAL DINING, BEST INTERNATIONAL and OXFORDSHIRE HOSPITALITY WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The top four nominations from each category will be invited to the glittering ceremony where the winners will be announced, so get voting and pick your favourite.
You can only vote once in each category, so keep voting every day in all 10 categories! Voting ends mid June. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dt4qazpa
