The demand for plant-based, veggie and vegan food has spiralled, everyone jumping on the bandwagon. But whether you’re doing Veganuary, cutting our meat altogether or just want a more herbivorous diet here’s our guide to Oxfordshire’s best veggie and vegan restaurants and food! So get stuck in and enjoy.
VEGGIE/VEGAN RESTAURANTS, PUBS, CAFES AND POP-UPS
- Chickpea, King Edward Street, Oxford – Students, locals, academics and tourists alike are queueing up for a taste of the delicious new plant based offerings at the falafel cafe which opened its doors last year READ ABOUT IT HERE and is already doing a roaring trade. You’ll find them on Instagram at @lovechickpeaoxford
- Table 13, Wheatley – Georgia Gallacher’s elaborate, weekly, plant based, pop-up supper clubs are infamous READ OUR RECENT REVIEW HERE, but Table 13 is now branching out and popping up at the likes of Summertown Wine Bar and Five Little Pigs in Wallingford, so keep an eye out! https://table13oxford.uk
The Gardeners Arms, Jericho – read our review here is not only a classic Oxford pub, but serves exclusively vegetarian and vegan food. More of a substantial meat-substitute style menu, it’s a favourite of anyone with a large appetite. https://www.thegardenersarms.com
Green Routes Cafe, East Oxford – their plant based street food is enormously popular, their breakfast, brunch and lunches available as takeaways or eat-in read about it here and the coffee is worth the trip alone!
The Punter, Osney, Oxford – The stalwart go-to of the Oxfordshire veggie-vegan scene, this lovely riverside pub always keeps you on your toes with an ever-changing, seasonal and adventurous menu. read our review herehttps://www.thepunteroxford.co.uk
V-giyan, Woodstock – read about it here – the vegan Punjabi curry delivery service never rests on its laurels, new dishes and plant based takes on classic Indian dishes being added to the extensive menu all the time. It’s ethical credentials are equally as impressive. https://www.veganpunjabi.delivery
Damascus Rose Kitchen, Oxford’s Old Fire Station, George Street – a must for veggies, vegans and Middle-Eastern foodies alike. The inspiring social enterprise project now running the cafe here read our review here serves some wonderfully authentic Syrian food made by local refugee women, which is not only delicious but healthy, substantial, and great on the wallet. https://www.damascusrosekitchen.org
Delhish, St Clements – If you fancy some vegan, home-cooked Indian food then get down to this bohemian, brasserie style cafe for some authentic and original food. https://www.delhish.com
The Eden Cafe, Witney – The much-loved vegan, Kiwi, family-friendly cafe serves everything from brunch and breakfast to lunch, coffee, cakes, salads, wraps, milkshakes and so much more. https://www.edencafe.kiwi
Veggie Pret, Oxford – definitely deserves a mention for making the effort and catering for the ever expanding group of veggies and vegans in Oxford.
Magic Cafe, East Oxford – this East Oxford establishment has ridden the trends and remains firm in its relaxed, accessible, old school, canteen style offering of plant-based and vegetarian delicious and healthy offerings which change daily.
FINE DINING: While not exclusively veggie/vegan, numerous FINE DINING establishments offer exclusive veggie-vegan menus, both a la carte and taster so you can always join in:
The Nut Tree, Murcott – The Michelin starred offering has always included a stunning vegetarian tasting menu read about it here thanks to the inclusive and eclectic cheffing of head chef Mike North. https://www.nuttreeinn.co.uk
The Yurt, North Aston is making increasing efforts to be not only more sustainable, its eco credentials shining, but its menus are following suit. Make sure you try the likes of its Zero Waste pop-up nights READ OUR REVIEW HERE, as well as Andy Carr’s enticing brunch and lunch menus. Celeriac tarte tatin, Jerusalem artichoke, beetroot and cumin relish, fennel and apple for starters or Ras El Hanout roasted cauliflower, chickpea tagine, chermoula and tahini dressing? Thought so! https://www.nicholsonsgb.com/yurt/yurt-menu/
Orwells, Shiplake – dine in splendour at this intimate historic pub, where no expense is spared in providing a veggie/vegan feast of epic proportions. READ OUR REVIEW HERE Our 11 course lunch was truly memorable thanks to the chef/patron partnership of Liam and Ryan Simpson-Trotman. https://orwellsrestaurant.com
The Old Crown, Faringdon – Head chef Samual Squires’ tasting menu is a vegetarian delight. read our review here Beautiful to behold, highly skilled and tasty as hell, it’s one for the little black book. https://www.theoldcrowncoachinginn.com
White Hart, Fyfield – read our review here Always makes a concerted effort by growing as much of their own fruit and veg as possible and finessing Mark Chandler’s ever-changing menu includes the likes of smoked mushroom soup, chive fromage blanc, homemade bread and potato and rosemary ravioli, wild mushrooms, salsify, truffle dressing, Parmesan https://www.whitehart-fyfield.com
The Chandlers Arms in Epwell – some stonking veggie and vegan food is coming out of the family-run 17th century gastropub kitchens READ OUR REVIEW HERE from Kingcott Blue meringue macaroons and garden heritage tomato, stuffed with celeriac and charred hispi cabbage. https://www.thechandlersarms.co.uk/about-3
Duck on the Pond, South Newington – The 12 course veggie tasting menu is always impressive read our review here with chef patron Hendrik Dutson-Steinfeld pushing out the boat on all fronts. Just make sure you’re hungry!duck https://www.theduckonthepond.co.uk
Wilding, Little Clarendon Street – yes, it’s a sharing plate menu, but the veggie/vegan offering is impressive and extensive. Read our review here You won’t be disappointed by Michael Carr and Ben Wood’s playful dishes and attention to detail, ensuring a fun dining experience for all from posh Northern tea chips with roast curry sauce to tarragon and dill agnolotti with green fennel and tomato. Give it a try. https://www.wilding.wine
Le Manoir, Great Milton – Raymond Blanc has always been way ahead of the game by growing as much produce on site at his Michelin starred, world famous restaurant, and ensuring his veggie/vegan menus are as elaborate and thought-provoking as their carnivorous options. https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons/dining
The Swan Islip – read our review here Head chef Paul Welburn’s veggie/vegan taster menus are seasonal and inventive, which is why he’s making such a name for himself as a high ranking newcomer in Oxfordshire’s restaurant scene. http:// https://swaninnislip.co.uk
Greyhound, Letcombe Regis – Head chef Martin Sherriff always goes the extra mile, and instantly introduces new dishes to his seasonal menus. READ OUR REVIEW HERE Think Tunworth custard tart, red onion marmalade, pickled walnuts, parmesan & onion seed tuile for starters followed by the smoked cheese & pine nut-stuffed onion, truffle & shallot purée, pickled white mustard seeds, French onion consommé. https://www.thegreyhoundletcombe.co.uk
Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote – read our review here Always a pleasure, this refined countryside retreat never holds back on its vegetarian food offerings, serving elegant, seasonal dishes to write home about. http:// https://thefeatherednestinn.co.uk/cotswolds-restaurant/
Killingworth Castle, Wootton near Woodstock – Head chef Adam Brown makes a big effort with a special seven course vegetarian taster menu with delicacies such as as Isle of Wight tomatoes, tomato consommé, lovage starter or the mushroom bavarois, celeriac, cep, hazelnut. £80 a head. https://www.thekillingworthcastle.com/vegetarian-tasting-menu
The Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor – A particular favourite, head chef Andy Lewis’ vegetarian food is on equal footing as its more fleshy taster and a la carte menus. READ OUR REVIEW HERE Expect delicate, refined and eloquent food. http://www.sircharlesnapier.co.uk
While not exclusively plant-based you can can some GREAT VEGGIE AND VEGAN FOOD at these Oxfordshire pubs and cafes:
Chloe’s, Charlbury – another new addition to the sustainable, local, seasonal, predominantly veggie/vegan squad. EREAD ABOUT IT HERE Rustic, ingredient led brunches and lunches with the occasional pop-up thrown in for good measure. Try whatever is on the daily specials board.
Quince and Clover, Great Tew – always popular, seasonal, local and healthy, it’s range of salads, soups and daily specials always go down well with its well heeled clientele. READ OUR REVIEW HERE thanks to head chef Mary Franklin’s cooking! https://quinceandclover.co.uk/cotswold-cafe/
- Cinnamon Stick, Middle Barton – Syrian food in a village pub location. read about it here Authentic, fun, colourful, delicious and well priced. https://www.thecinnamonstick.co.uk
Coconut Tree, St Clements – Sri Lankan food street food at great prices read about it here with a predominantly vegetarian/vegan slant, choose from a wide array of affordable delicious spicy dishes and share. http:// https://www.thecoconut-tree.com/oxford
The Handle Bar, Oxford – Another firm favourite, where it’s many vegan and veggie fans flock to dine under the bicycles ordering coconut pancake stacks or SHAKSHUKA harissa roasted tomato, onion and pepper, Greek salad, feta, Mayfield free range fried egg and seeded sourdough https://www.handlebaroxford.co.uk
The Edge Eatery, Witney – Edgy, contemporary and street read about it here The Edge has gone from strength to strength. Try the brunch, you won’t regret it! http:// https://theedgeeateryltd.co.uk
Taste Tibet, East Oxford – Tibetan food doesn’t get more authentic than this. Yeti’s home-made curries, momas and dhals read about it here are hugely popular. Eat in, take away or buy at home and pop them in the freezer. https://www.tastetibet.com
The Milkshed, Weston-On-The-Green – Think Cornish brunch minus the seaside. read about it’s recent change of ownership here Pancakes, salads, tarts, dhals – wonderful concoctions and creations all served with a smile. Love it there. Veggies and vegans always well catered for. https://www.themilkshedstore.uk
Dosa Park, Oxford and Botley – Dosa central and heavy on the veggie/vegan dishes, expansion into their new Botley site READ ABOUT IT HERE offers even more options for this predominantly plant-based culture. https://www.dosapark.com
Five Little Pigs, Wallingford – Their inventive and nostalgic menus always hit the mark, the food is always seasonal and as local as possible, especially now that they’ve started growing their own produce. read our review here The ingredients here speak for themselves. http:// https://www.fivelittlepigs.co.uk
Arbequina, Cowley Road – Unforgettable tapas from the incredible tortilla to the unforgettable Portuguese custard tarts read our review here . Pared back but unstinting, it always delivers. https://arbequina.co.uk
Za’atar Bake, Cowley Road – fun, colourful, busy – a little slice of Arabic life right bang in the middle of Cowley Road. read our review here From brunch to dinner, veggies and vegans are always well catered for. http:// https://zaatarbake.co.uk/Home.html
Flo’s, Florence Park – The volunteer run communal cafe read about it here caters for everyone, with a culinary global sense of adventure. Choose from the daily specials and then sit and watch the world go by. http://Flosoxford.org.uk
Waste 2 Taste, Cowley – another community focused enterprise making a difference to the surplus food war with some inspired cooking and endless good tempers. read about it here Lovely people. http:// https://www.ark-t.org/waste2taste-cafe
Worton Kitchen Garden, Cassington – Always a treat, the menu is always a surprise with endless appealing veggie and vegan focussed dishes, much of which originates in the vast gardens and greenhouses around it. read about it here Everything is made from scratch, from the pickles to the freshly baked bread. The colourful farm shop there rounds things off nicely. https://wortonkitchengarden.com
White Rabbit, Oxford – their gluten free and vegan pizzas are in every supermarket in the land, but why not come to the centre of the White Rabbit universe and try one for yourself? read about it here Endless toppings to keep you amused and a great vibe! https://www.whiterabbitoxford.co.uk
Gloucester Green Food Market – Truly a place of splendour with every nationality and global cuisines, many of which are predominantly veggie/vegan, jostling for space. Comes into its own in the summer when you can sit at the shared trestle tables and soak up the atmosphere. READ ABOUT IT HERE
Brasserie Blanc, Jericho – A fresh new look READ ABOUT IT HERE doesn’t alleviate from it’s great veggie/vegan offerings The soufflés are always a must, but a smattering of salads, terrines and a celeriac steak offer an attractive alternative https://brasserieblanc.com/restaurants/oxford/#
The Perch, Binsey – has always catered brilliantly for herbivores long before it was trendy with a special vegan menu and Sunday lunch options. https://the-perch.co.uk
