Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2025 and here is our exciting second category Best Cafe 2025, which is always hugely competitive. VOTE HERE: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
The awards will be held on Monday May 12 at The Ashmolean, with a fabulous after party at Dishoom’s Permit Room in Oxford.
Sponsored by headliners Goldstar Recruitment and The Feathers, with Brandpay and Jolly Foods, as well as Oxford Fine Dining and Grape Minds on board, and Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir fame lined up to host, the voting kicks off today.
In alphabetical order, the nominations for BEST CAFE 2025 are: VOTE HERE
Bakery On The Hill, Burford – bursting with freshly baked goods which entice you as soon as you walk in, alongside some delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch options, or a lovely cup of tea or coffee. New to the Cotswold town, the cafe also benefits from a sunny courtyard, and further seating upstairs. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Blakes Kitchen, Clanfield – What started as a family bakery is now a bustling cafe where customers clamour for sausage rolls and lardy cake or a more lengthy lunch before picking up a loaf of fresh bread on their way out. The coffee is fab too, which is no doubt why they’ve opened an outpost at Soho Farmhouse. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Browns, Covered Market – one of the only tradition greasy spoons left in Oxford, where a good fry up is available all day at the formica tables, amidst those eating lunches like ham, egg and chips. Unashamedly traditional, it does what it says on the tin. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Corner House, Eynsham – Its devoted fans love what Jimmy Rossiter has set up here – an honest, no nonsense, passion project where Jimmy cooks all the food daily in his open plan kitchen, makes the bread overnight and then serves the daily specials to his customers. Packed full of flavour and imagination, his monthly pop up suppers also sell out as soon as he announces them. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Old Fire Station Cafe, run by Damascus Rose Kitchen boasts a busy, bustling setting, and caters for all people here from office workers and tourist to students and friends, who all crowd in for some of the best Middle-eastern food that you will find anywhere in Oxfordshire. Cooked with love and pride by female Syrian refugees, it is easy on the pocket and covers all the bases. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Edge Eatery, Witney – always evolving, with big plans in the pipeline from the dynamic duo Tom Pickett and his partner Phoebe Hall, their original premises continues to pull in the punters with their ever changing, global street food stye fare and constant high standards. Fun, funky and friendly it’s still a fabulous addition to Witney’s line-up. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Farm and Table, Wykham Park – goes from strength to strength under Pawel Walkiewicz’s steadfast gaze whose menus come straight from the farm. With a passion for curing and pickling, his menus reflect the enormous preparation and forethought that goes into every dish. The converted brick cafe space adds an extra layer of bonhomie, its mezzanine level accommodating everyone from remote workers to catch-ups. And the new Sunday lunch is the cherry on the top. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Grain Store, Middle Aston – Another new addition to Oxfordshire’s brilliant cafe offering, opening on an old farm, where it fits in beautifully, Helen Taylor’s vision and lifetime dream is fully realised here with an enticing menu, endless streams of customers, pop up dinners and a relaxed atmosphere. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Green Routes, East Oxford – A notorious hot spot amongst the young, hip and discerning, their plant-based street-food wows with imaginative sloppy joes, pancake stacks, brunches, lunches and fine coffee courtesy of Routes Coffee. Consistently popular for good reason. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Gulp Fiction, Oxford’s Covered Market – Is it a coffee shop or a bookstore? Both seem to co-exist pretty well together in this lively hub which hosts talks, quizzes, comedy nights, author readings and so much more. Or just opt in for a cup of coffee, tea and a chat. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Handlebar Cafe and Kitchen, Oxford – Never one to rest on its laurels, this gorgeous cafe nestled above a former bike shop, hidden down St Michael Street, continues to serve a vibrant and ambitious menu batting way above traditional cafe fare. With the extra bonus of extensive outdoor seating come summer, it continues to demonstrate the importance of independent businesses. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Il Botanico, Oxford and Headington – newly opened on St Aldate’s, everything here is made from scratch, with an Italian twist. Their pastries defy belief from their delicious collection of Italian focacce to some stunning Sicilian arancini, delicious cannoli and classic italian cakes, it’s got it all going on! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Il Corno, Covered Market, Oxford – not only the most authentic Neapolitan offering you’ll find, but the incredible Clemente family ensure that panuozzo (a pizza sandwich served in Naples) tarallis and numerous other specialities are on hand, delivered in a bright, joyful space that hosts talks and event evenings on a regular basis, just because. Authentic and passionate to its core, Oxford is lucky to have it. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Kingsley Cafe, Eynsham – Bursting onto the cafe scene with a totally different concept, what was a truckers caff/car memorabilia haunt, is now transformed with an irresistible menu, which is both exciting with its street food Americana stye food and comforting classics, as well as a new outdoor space. Husband and wife team Sally and Patrick Moore are a formidable and brilliant team. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Milkshed, Weston On The Green – The new owners haven’t changed this gorgeous cafe and its Cornish style food, thankfully. Always popular thanks to its tempting menus and daily specials, from chowder to pancakes, giant sandwiches to ice cream, it’s always a firm favourite. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
No.14 Wesley Walk, Witney – Yes, it’s a newcomer, but judging by its obvious popularity, it’s already a big hit. Bridging the gap between cafe classics and some more ambitious dishes, its skilled kitchen team ensures that fresh, tasty and inspired food is on tap for its popular regulars who already queue for the privilege. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Proof Social Bakehouse, Kennington – Last year’s winners continue to thrive on this industrial estate, despite its unusual location, its inventive bakery produce repeatedly surprising while its quality never waivers. The perfect escape and obvious place to swing by for some of its fabulous freshly baked bread and pastries, baked right in front of you. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Quince and Clover – Great Tew – A Cotswold favourite with the well-heeled and many a celeb, its freshly made food and exciting menu, mixed with some old school classics, ensures a continual stream of customers. Its location overlooking the village green adds that quintessential edge. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
Tree Artisan Cafe, Little Clarendon Street, Oxford – Owner Graziella Ascensao’s passion and dedication to her cafe continues unabated in this sweet venue where a cheery smile, delicious sandwiches and cakes and some fantastic coffee are always on offer. Another great independent worth applauding. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
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 INTERNATIONAL, BEST FOOD HERO 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 for all 10 categories! Voting ends at the beginning of May. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3sz7rsuf
