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 kicks off today.
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 first category Best Newcomer 2026. VOTE HERE: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
In alphabetical order, the nominations for Best Newcomer 2026 are:
100% Pasta, Oxford – makes all its own pasta everyday, this independent, family owned Italian restaurant on Gloucester Green, sister to Bbuona Pinsa Bar next door, offers an extensive menu and some stunning sauces. Easily accessible, it does what it says on the tin with great gusto. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Alex’s Creperie, Woodstock – Situated on the new Park View estate, the cheerful, neighbourhood, family-friendly cafe is perfect at any time of day whether you fancy a cup of coffee, ice cream or one of alex’s famous crepes which range from the classic to the sublimely extravagant, a great addition to the Cotswold town. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Aviary, Feathers, Woodstock – part of the huge refurb of The Feathers Hotel, and resting easily alongside the more formal Nest Restaurant, this inside/outside brasserie is perfect for hazy summer days. Serving some fabulous cocktails to enjoy on the terrace or in the informal interior, think pizzas, small plates and snacks. Lost afternoon anyone? VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Beefy Boys, Oxford – Not only upped Oxford’s Westgate’s food offering, but raised the bar with it’s bespoke, fun burgers and its vibey atmosphere. Permanently busy, it’s hugely popular with all ages. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Cay Khe, Abingdon – a new find and a brilliant addition, serving the most authentic Vietnamese food since visiting Asia ourselves their banh mis and phos are off the scale. The hunt is over! Can’t recommend it enough. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Chequers, Chipping Norton – not exactly a new pub, but with Nick Pullen now in the kitchen, formerly of Wild Thyme, there’s some stunning food now being served there – his elevated pub classics keeping the locals happy while pulling in a whole new foodie crowd. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Corn Room, Witney – a massively exciting opening, Witney being full of cafes and pubs but lacking restaurants. And with Paul Piper and Jay Bartlett on board, the food and atmosphere are both big draws. A firm favourite. This is the way to do it. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Crispy Dosa, Didcot. If you love Indian food but fancy something a bit different then this is for you. A stunning location opposite the theatre, it’s menu throws up lots of unique dishes and flavours. It’s veggie/vegan but carnivores won’t even notice, and yes the dosas are top draw! VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Dhamroo, Headington – took over from Bhoomi Kitchen and is being run with very much of the same Indian fine dining vibe. Exceptional food taken up to a whole new level. A revelation. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Double Red Duke, Bicester Village – has taken the British pub vibe and run with it. Sexy, sassy and fun, the food is also incredible offering everything from simple dishes to much more complex additions meaning that you can dine in as much style as you want. We loved it. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Ginger & Spice, Covered Market, Oxford – we love these two entrepreneurial chaps – childhood friends Jacob Denmark-Fyfe and Matthew Sanghera from Eynsham – who make everything from scratch at their new spot in Oxford’s Covered Market selling modern Indian food with a twist, inspired by Matthew’s Punjabi grandmother. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Knead, Oxford – if you have a sweet tooth you’ll have already visited this new bakery on Oxford’s High Street. Piled high with irresistible treats and offerings, we can’t get enough. Their doughnuts defy belief and the focaccia is worth writing home about. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Le Petit Doigt, Abingdon – an ingenious new opening where chef patron Oliver McEwan serves his inspired taster menus to a maximum of 12 diners a night, his menus inspired by history, ingredients and whatever takes his fancy, having renovated the historic former tea room into a welcoming and embracing space. We cant wait to go! VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Lula’s Ethiopian Cafe & Deli, Covered Market, Oxford. Determined to broaden its reach and introduce us to this novel and delicious African cuisine, Lula’s has been flying high, it’s pick n’ mix style dishes and coffee ceremony ensuring that you can pop in for a quick bite or try a bit of everything and linger. We always do the latter. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Market Tavern, Bampton – formerly The Fleur De Lys, it has now transformed from a French restaurant into a proper village pub with rooms. Serving some really delicious food and offering excellent service, its a great example of what a local hostelry should be and giving the local population what they want. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Meet Point Cafe, Summertown – on a crisp summer day, this hidden gem of a cafe comes into its own with its TukTuk coffee station, Indian street food menu, home-made cakes and pastries, and lovely garden. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Missing Bean, Charlbury, opened in October last year on the site of the much loved Chloe’s, and while much missed, this bustling new cafe is already packing them in with its home roasted coffees, artisanal pastries and lots of friendly faces. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Missing Bean, Cowley, a state of the art new co-working space in the ground floor of the Trinity building which opened this month, with ample room for all your working, breaking, meeting, resting and coffee needs! Talk about an upgrade! VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Moonies Pizza, The Star, East Oxford – an ultra exciting new find and one we’ll be returning to very swiftly thanks to extraordinary pizzas being handmade on site. What can be better than an uber tasty pizza and a pint? Us neither. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Mr Wang Hotpot, Oxford – a complete novelty in the city centre, its DIY ethos is fun and ingenious. Pick out everything you want, place it in you basket, choose you broth and then hand it all over to the chef who creates you very own delicious hotpot. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Namaste Village, Oxford. Hidden away in the Oxford Castle complex is this laid back, intimate restaurant where the Indian food does all the talking. Throw in some exceptional cocktails and top notch ingredients, plus an elaborate and ambitious menu and you’ll be smitten. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Olis Thai, East Oxford. Back where it rightfully belongs after a three year hiatus, and once again serving the best Thai food money can buy, its extensive waiting lists speak for themselves. But if you’re lucky enough to get a table you can die happy. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Opera Cafe, Witney – brand, spanking new, it joins the long list of cafes in the town, but here its North African influence shines through, giving it a brilliant USP enabling it to stand out from the crowd. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Rosara, Nicholsons, North Aston – sister cafe to the upmarket Yurt at Nicholsons, if you fancy a more sedentary and relaxed affair, its sandwiches, cakes and pastries are delicious, and it’s hard to tell where the garden centre ends and the cafe begins. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Taylors at Oxford North – their flagship gourmet deli & café, is the ninth Taylor’s cafe, a concept we have all enjoyed. Apart from its gleaming new interior, its menu offers sandwiches, salads, freshly made pasta, delicacies and specialty coffees. Located on the ground floor of The Red Hall, the new 80-seater café offers both indoor and outdoor seating with views across Oxford’s new innovation district, embracing the two acre Fallaize Park and Olafur Eliasson’s illuminated sculptures. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
Tempering, Botley – on site of the former Dosa Park, its broader Indian offering covers all the bases in a sophisticated setting allowing you to stick to the classics or venture out into No Mans land by trying something completely different. It hit the ground running and hasn’t looked back since. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9zy3ujef
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 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/9zy3ujef
