Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2025 and here is our exciting third category Best Pub 2025, which is always hugely competitive. VOTE HERE: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
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 has begun.
In alphabetical order, the Best Pub/Bar 2025 nominees are:
Bat & Ball, Cuddesdon – recently opened and given a glorious revamp, it’s now focused on drawing the community back with its wonderful food, lovely garden, beautiful decor and even a darts playing area. The more relaxed sister to the Lamb in Little Milton, but no less fun. Vote here: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Bull, Great Milton – this former community pub, which had seen better days, has been bought back to life by a local resident and with Flora Noble as the landlady, is thriving again, and a real village hub. The perfect antidote to the majestic Manoir up the road. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Chester, East Oxford – Ever popular, locals and students alike race here for its infamous steak platters and Sunday roasts, wannabe customers happily queueing up the road. It’s also a really lovely boozer, which is why it’s won this category twice before! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Duke, Woodstock – Just that little bit out of town, this historic pub more than makes up for it with some great food, from Burger Tuesdays to a more refined offering by head chef Alan Dann, live music, lots of events and a huge beer garden, perfect for the summer. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Flight Club, Oxford – If it’s fun you’re after, bottomless brunches, or just somewhere to hang out with friends, family and groups in particular, The Westgate’s latest addition will ply you with drinks and entertainment in this high octane darts focused bar, where you can play each other and meet new people. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Jolly Farmers, Oxford – Continuing to entertain Oxford’s LGBTQ population with great panache and a cracking events menu, from bookclubs and cabaret to live music and quiz nights. No wonder it attracts the likes of Ian McKellen to Craig Revel Horwood when they are in town, it’s inclusive and friendly vibe is magic. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Lamb and Flag, Oxford – not just a pub but an institution! Back in business after a long closure, it’s now packed to the rafters again. You might find a retired prof reading the papers in the panelled front bar, while students carouse at the back discussing everything from quantum physics to college gossip. So quintessentially Oxford it’s hard to know where to start, the history oozes from its walls! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Lynrace, Jericho – Oxford’s sexiest cocktail bar, the reverence to mixology here is off the scale, while downstairs the absinthe bar attracts a more relaxed crowd. Definitely one to try. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Old Bookbinders, Jericho – We love it here, enveloped in that unmistakably Gallic atmosphere as soon as you set foot in the bar, despite being so well hidden at the back of Jericho. Join the quiz or sit down for some truly authentic French food, a great menu fixe, or a quick crepe. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Oxford Blue, East Oxford – exactly what a pub should be, this hip, laid-back hostelry, taken on by one half of the Green Routes posse, fits in perfectly here, it’s plant-based menus drawing in appreciative crowds. From their jazz Sunday lunch to yoga, and everything in between, it’s the perfect place to hang out. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Oxford Wine Cafe, Jericho – There are so many lovely Oxford Wine Company cafes now to choose from that we’ve picked our favourite – the classic and original on the corner of Little Clarendon Street and Walton Street where people wander in for a quick glass after work, a date or a catch up. Great nibbles, but the emphasis is still firmly on the wine. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Plough, West Hanney – Always a contender, this previous winner of this award, never rests on its laurels, for such a rural pub, it’s a hive of activity, from its food to the bonhomie and fantastic events (we’re still recovering from the Apres Ski party!), this is how to do it. Owain and Luke go from strength to strength. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Port Mahon, St Clements – a new find and an immediate favourite! Serving the flocks of locals, students and tourists who pour in for some good old fashioned hospitality, it also rustles sup ome some excellent food without any fanfare, all made on site and absolutely delicious. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Popina, Jericho – if it’s wine and charcuterie you’re after, there’s lots of places to choose from now in Oxford, but amidst the cocktail bars, pubs and restaurants on Walton Street, Popina fits in with ease, offering something a bit different, its discerning wine list a cut above. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Rickety Press, Jericho – tucked away down a side street this Dodo pub is still much loved and recently had a revamp and freshen up to ensure it’s still on point. The only big decisions to make are whether to have one of the burgers or pizzas, and whether to eat them in the quaint quirky bar area or the bigger dining room at the back. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Rusty Bicycle, East Oxford – the atmosphere is always buzzing, the pizzas and burgers are legendary and their annual summer street festival celebrates local talent. Very much part of the East Oxford community, the outdoor space coming into its own in the summer. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Sandy’s, Oxford – Always a top night out, Sandy’s continues to lure in a mixed crowd thanks to its late night licence and piano bar sing-alongs with a bit of dancing thrown in if you’re lucky. Impeccably run, you need to book to make sure you can enjoy yourself in style. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Slow & Steady, Oxford – newly taken over by Dodo, it’s light, bright, welcoming interior and winning burger/pizza menu is a big draw, its community ethos enticing all ages, from mums and toddlers to pensioners and everyone in between. Watch the rugby on the big screen upstairs or just pop in for a pint. All are welcome. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Tap Social Taproom, Botley – Still got it, still up there, still cool. Apart from providing a hip bar from which to serve their mighty fine Tap beer, its unlikely location on a Botley industrial estate still pulls in the masses for a drink, dance, sing, band, pop-ups, exhibitions. You name it, they’ve got it all going on! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
Three Horseshoes, Witney – Such a Witney staple, always on top of their game, the food is immense, from Sunday roasts to summer BBQs, its biggest talent is appealing to everyone from the older regulars to a more vibrant crowd who enjoy the outdoor bar at the back. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
White Rabbit, Oxford – Where to start? Last year’s winners continue to thrive, its city centre location enviable. But more than that, the eclectic clientele from thespians to students, pizza lovers and everyone in between vie for a seat in the casual but friendly interior or the famous heated seats outside. As popular as ever. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tstqz4up
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/tstqz4up
