The Oxford Blue on Marston Street in East Oxford carried home the BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN award in the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2025 READ ABOUT IT HERE, and we’re touring all the winners to demonstrate why they won.
Greenbox Food took on The Oxford Blue last year, transforming it into a bustling community pub with a novel plant-based menu, their sustainable credentials impressive, while attracting an appreciative foodie crowd.
Already a popular venue, the oxford blue deserves to be championed
Throw in a packed events programme from pub quizzes to yoga, a stellar pizza offering, a hidden garden, as well as some classic beers, wines and cocktails, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
Their infamous Sunday roast has also just been reintroduced by popular request, overlapping with brunch (which runs until 2pm), and we were there like a shot.
Their infamous Sunday roast has also just been reintroduced by popular request
Unable to choose between the two, we decided to order the brunch for starters and roast for mains – the tomatoes on toast with marinated heritage tomatoes, crematta and basil (£11.50) ticking all the boxes.
Pretty as a picture, the tomatoes perfectly ripened, sweet, pert and juicy, the crematta unrecognisable from its dairy alternative, the basil oil adding a touch of Italian authenticity, the sourdough soaking up the juices, we finished every last morsel. Summer on a plate.
choose from three roasts served with garlic and herb roasties, maple glazed root veg, turnip puree, smokey cabbage, creamy leeks and gravy
And then the roast, a choice of three – The Oxford Wellington, the Redefine roasted flank, or the apricot and lentil bake, all served with garlic and herb roasties, maple glazed root veg, turnip puree, smokey cabbage, creamy leeks and gravy. Bring it on.
And you know what? It was excellent, whether you’re vegan or not. The wellington slice (£17.50) was rich and smooth with onions, nuts and mushroom, framed in its pastry case, the glazed carrots juicy, the puree silky, the gravy dense and glossy, the shredded cabbage and leek vibrant, the potatoes beautifully crunchy.
the Oxford Blue’s super power is its relaxed low-key vibe and accessibility, but don’t be fooled because it delivers on the food front every time
The apricot and lentil bake (£17.50), a more traditional vegan offering perhaps, was chunkier and sweeter with the fruit and caramelised onions, but dark with lentils and flavour, tying it so well with the accrouments.
Stuffed to the gills, we couldn’t leave without at least trying the puds, eventually settling on the rhubarb and ginger cheesecake (£8.50) which was a cracking choice as it turned out; petite luckily, sweet, sharp and creamy, the rich, biscuity base contrasting with the sharpness of the fruit.
The sun was shining, our bellies were full and all was good in the world, tables around us catching up and having fun, inside and out. The Oxford Blue‘s super power is therefore its relaxed low-key vibe and accessibility, but don’t be fooled because it delivers on the food front every time.
So yes, a rightful winner, as voted for by the public, while bringing something new to Oxfordshire’s culinary scene. Already a popular venue, it deserves to be championed.
The Oxford Blue is at 32 Marston Street, Oxford, OX4 1JU. https://www.greenboxfoodco.com/oxfordblue
