slow braised short rib of beef at Kingsley Cafe

Patrick Moore is hard at work in his outdoor mobile kitchen at The Kingsley Cafe in Eynsham when we arrive for lunch. Surprisingly busy for a Thursday lunchtime, the huge outdoor space laced is with comfy sofas, lights, a sparkling wooden bar and a stage set up for their weekend comedy and music nights which leads through to the car inspired cafe.

Patrick Moore at The Kingsley Cafe

It’s certainly different, in fact unlike anywhere in Oxfordshire; a diner, sports bar, cafe, truckers caff, entertainment venue hybrid right on the side of the A40. But with Patrick at the helm in the kitchen and his partner Sally running the show, it’s already understandably popular.

Anyone who ate at The Hand and Shears in Church Hanborough FIND OUT WHY THEY LEFT HERE, where they were landlords, will know what to expect, although this sure is no country pub.

Sally and Patrick

But we sat expectantly at our table, amidst the couples, locals and families, ready for some of Patrick’s memorable food.

And oh my, we weren’t disappointed, the succulent, tasty and ambitious dishes rolling out one after another. More street food than gastropub, it’s certainly a different tack for Patrick, but no less tasty for it.

Outside at Kingsley Cafe

The loaded hash browns (£8) for example were issued with generous lashings of zingy homemade harissa sauce, siracha aioli, parmesan flakes, spring onions and a sprinkle of crispy bacon. I know! It was crispy, lascivious and deeply satisfying. The buffalo coated wings with blue cheese ranch dressing (£8) followed suit, the chicken rich in smokey flavour.

Hash browns and wings at Kingsley Cafe

The large crispy beef brisket and Stilton croquette (£16.95), huge and circular shape, sat in a delicious smear of mushroom puree, celeriac remoulade, a garlic and parsley emulsion and was decorated with parsnip crisps. So unexpectedly sophisticated, the mushy meat mix inside soft and like a dutch bitterbal.

large crispy beef brisket and Stilton croquette

As for the slow braised short rib of beef (£24.95), it was so soft and flaky it defied belief, covered in beef jus, nestled on a bed of celeriac puree and decorated with cumin roasted carrots and the most petite shoestring fries (see main pic) it was next level cooking.

white truffle croque monsieur

The white truffle croque Monsieur (£15.50) was thick with cheesy grilled Emmental bechamel sauce, topped with cheddar cheese, the chia sourdough bread from Marks Cotswold Bakery encasing the honey roasted ham within, topped with a perfect fried egg and skinny fries. Heaven.

Anyone who fancies something lighter could get stuck into the smashed avocado and poached Cacklebean eggs (£14) from the All Day Brunch menu, which threw in chilli, lime, sun blushed tomatoes, crumbled feta and truffle oil for good measure, and as such, much appreciated by all and sundry

smashed avocado at Kingsley Cafe

Even the construction worker on the next table was tucking into the steak and eggs, except here it’s obviously elevated to the next level, the 8oz sirloin drizzled with garlic butter, two fried eggs and triple cooked chips (£24) and why not!

The more abstemious might manage the rocket, sun blushed tomato and olive salad, which was more than generous with its ingredients, and as a side only £6.

rocket salad

And veggies will enjoy the Moving Mountain Burger (from an extensive burger menu) (£16.50) with sliced gherkins, tomato and onion relish, smoked Applewood cheese, beef tomato, house burger sauce, in a toasted brioche bun with skinny fries (£16.50) which was so unctuous and generous in fillings it was satisfyingly ungainly to eat.

Moving Mountain burger at Kingsley Cafe

We tried the daily special cocktails, the house coffee (delightful) and even a salted brownie, (which was more of slab than gooey cake), and left determined to return for The Kingsley Cafe‘s stonking looking breakfasts very soon.

Coffee at Kingsley Cafe

Patrick and Sally took over the reins in May and have big plans to make the site as accessible and family-friendly as possible. Judging by their events board, weekend Tuk Tuk wood-fired pizza oven and the guys propping up the bar for a quick beer, its already working.

And it’s so clever, because The Kingsley Cafe no longer looks like an average cafe next to a garage, but a wonderland where nothing is at it seems, managing to be all things to everyone.

Kingsley Cafe

So if you want some really satisfying food without any of the pomp and ceremony of a restaurant or gastropub then you’ve found your place. We have!

The team at Kingsley Cafe

The Kingsley Cafe, A40 By-Pass, Eynsham is open at Monday–Thursday 7.30am–6pm, Friday 7.30am–10pm
Saturday & Sunday 8am-10pm
. https://kingsley.cafe