Brunch has become a bonafide meal in its own right in the last few years and while the good old fashioned fry-up still reigns supreme, there is so much more on the market for that post-lie in, mid-morning, or all day craving for a proper breakfast.

Here oxinabox.co.uk has chosen our top brunch picks in Oxfordshire, with a couple of extras thrown in for good measure, to ensure you eat in style whatever the time.

In no particular order:

  1. Rickety Press (Jericho), Rusty Bicycle (East Oxford), The Up In Arms (Marston)

9am-12noon weekdays, 9am-3pm at weekends

All part of The Dodo Pub Company which started here in Oxford, and has now expanded to Reading and Cheltenham, the brunch here is supersonic.

Whether you eat or not, the Bloody Mary’s are worth the trip alone, especially if you have a sore head, but otherwise expect full hipster options from the avocado smash (£8) with poached eggs, pumpkin seeds, lime and chilli flakes on toasted sourdough or my favourites the blueberry waffles with maple syrup and or bacon (the chicken waffles are also popular).

The mighty veggie (£11) with super bean sausage patty, avocado, roast mushrooms, hash browns, beaked beans, sourdough, eggs and harissa tofu is another must. It’s making my mouth water just thinking about it.

dodo pubs.com

2) Cafe from Crisis Oxford, George Street, Oxford

Tues-Sat 8am-3.30pm

The antidote to all beards and smoothie drinkers – the Firefighter’s breakfast here is legendary, (2 bacon, 2 sausage, 2 eggs, beans, mushrooms, toast, tomato, tea or coffee), affordable (£7.50) and will put hairs on your chest. Situated on George Street in the Old Fire Station it is staffed by the homeless being trained in the hospitality business, as if you needed an extra reason to frequent it.

Crisis Cafe is also cheap, generous and a lovely artisan space, right here in Oxford. Those fancying something more delicate need fear not – veggie breakfasts galore, pancakes, granolas etc are all available.

crisis.org.uk

3) Cafe Coco, Cowley Road

All day – 9am-10pm

Probably the best brunch spot in Oxford, the decor urges you to sit down and chill out whether it’s outside in the summer at the tables scattered on Jeune Street or inside amongst the eclectic furnishings.

The merguez sausage brunch at Coco’s

A really international brunch menu also sets Coco’s apart. Think superfood porridge, Arnold Benedict omelettes, merguez sausages, freshly made juices and dukkah (a Middle Eastern breakfast of ground nuts and spices, eggs and avocados as seen in pic).

dukkah at Coco’s

You can also really push the boat out and go for the Full Monty Breakfast deal which for £17.50 includes a choice of breakfast’s including a fry up, plus a Bloody Mary or Buck’s Fizz, tea or coffee, fresh orange juice and toast.

cafecoco.co.uk

4) The Milkshed – Weston-On-The Green

Breakfast all day 9am-3pm weekdays, 9am-2.30pm weekends

Beloved by country folk and locals, or anyone fancying a trip somewhere more rural, not only is The Milkshed a welcoming and homely, relaxing space, but it serves some damn fine brunch.

Choose between soft scrambled eggs on sourdough with roast tomatoes/streaky bacon/smoked salmon or the toasted Milwaukee rye with pea and avocado mash, halloumi, roast tomato, herbs, nuts and seeds £10.95 with grilled pancetta for an extra £3. Get in there.

brunch options at The Milkshed

5) The Handlebar Cafe and Kitchen – Oxford

12noon-2.30pm

Another of my favourite places in Oxford. Upstairs above the bike shop on St Michael’s Street you’ll find a cool, calm, white-washed, bike obsessed team cooking up some amazing food and catering for a largely veggie crowd.

Enjoy silken tofu with raspberries, pomegranate, basil, pomegranate molasses and a balsamic glaze or the coconut pancake stack with berries/bacon or banana.

Carnivores can enjoy the outlet steak with skinny fries and salad, while vegans can chow down on beetroot fritters with a pearl barley and kale salad and avocado pesto.

handlebar oxford.co.uk

6) Silvie’s – Iffley Road, East Oxford

8am-3pm Mon-Sat, Sun 9am-3pm

Garnering great reviews, Silvie’s is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment, especially where brunch is concerned.

Enjoy breakfast or lunch midweek and the full Sylvie Brunch at weekends. Novel offerings include options such as toffee apple toasties with clotted cream, the toasted banana bread with fresh figs, pine nut praline and coconut yoghurt or the nouja hash – roast pumpkin, whipped feta, fried eggs, fried sage and salsa verde. But the menu changes all the time.

silvie.co.uk

7) Mollies Diner, A420, Faringdon

7am-5pm

Those who fancy the whole Americana experience should head down to Soho House’s all American diner Mollie’s which opened to so much hype last year.

It’s real leather booths and long open plan kitchen scream the U S of A, so it’s little surprise to find that breakfast is where it really comes into its own, perhaps due to the motel accommodation on site.

Pancakes and waffles galore, sausage patties, corned beef hash, and full fry ups, cater for everyone and their infamous home-made juices really set you up for the day.

molliesmotel.com

8) Turl Street Kitchen – Central Oxford

from 8am to 4.30pm

This predominantly student hip, busy and bustling hang-out has become totally eggcentric since new manager Rich Gibbs took over, thanks to the superior local free range Mayfield egg offering.

However you want them, you can have them; from poached to benedict, royale to florentine, yours for the taking. Full English breakfasts in carnivore (£12.50) and vegan versions (£11.50) are also available, and a full day time menu.

turlstreetkitchen.co.uk