Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2024 and here is our third category BEST PUB/BAR 2024, with the nominations listed in alphabetical order. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
The awards will be held on Monday May 13 at the North Wall, with headline sponsors Goldstar Recruitment and Thomas Franks Ltd, attended by Le Manoir’s Raymond Blanc.
There are 10 categories, and we will be announcing one every day. These include BEST NEWCOMER, BEST PUB/BAR, BEST CAFE, BEST RESTAURANT, BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN, BEST CHEF, BEST GASTROPUB, BEST EUROPEAN, BEST GLOBAL, BEST COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECT
The top three 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!
In alphabetical order, the nominations for BEST PUB/BAR 2024 are:
Black Horse, Standlake – in terms of a village pub, this is exactly what you want; great food, lots of events, a bar thronged with locals, a cracking Sunday roast, happy diners and a historic atmosphere. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Bull, Great Milton – this former community pub has been bought back by a local resident who wisely installed young Flora Noble as the landlady, ensuring that it thrives again as a real village hub. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Chester, East Oxford – Its popularity shows no sign of waning, the steak platters and Sunday roasts have people queueing out the door. From students to locals and tourists, everyone wants a piece of the action. Now a destination pub in its own right which is why it has won this category twice before! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Duke, Woodstock – Goes from strength to strength with some great gourmet pop up nights, live music which gets everyone up and dancing, a delicious menu under the watchful eye of head chef Alan Dann and a huge beer garden, perfect for the summer. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
James Street Tavern – East Oxford – Managing to maintain that tricky balance between student and locals and effortlessly bridging the town and gown divide with live music, poetry, comedy, theatre, a film night, brunch, lunch, dinner and even a crumpet club! Plus some mighty fine beverages and a stunning cocktail menu. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Jolly Farmers, Oxford – A vibrant centre for Oxford’s LGBTQ population which attracts an endless legion of stars who pop in for a drink and have even been known to pull a pint or two. From Ian McKellen to Craig Revel Horwood you never know who you might bump into in this inclusive and friendly pub. We can’t imagine Oxford without it. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Lamb and Flag, Oxford – back in business after a long period of uncertainty, locals, tourists and students are once more enjoying its hallowed atmosphere and historic bent. Only Oxford could boast such a quintessential city pub. We await with bated breath to see if The Eagle and Child will follow suit. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Lamb, Little Milton – We can’t get enough of this gorgeous village pub, brought back to life by Ben and Charmaine Tavassoly-Moss. Not only is it hugely welcoming and a real passion project but the food is out of this world thanks to the appointment of new head chef Nat Berney from Le Manoir up the road. If it’s pub food you’re after, it doesn’t get better than this. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Lynrace, Jericho – Already Oxford’s sexiest cocktail bar, they’ve just raised the bar a whole notch higher with the addition of Oxford’s first ever absinthe bar downstairs. And if it’s serious cocktail making you’re after then this is your place!. You’re welcome. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Magdalen Arms, East Oxford – unwaveringly sticking to what it does brilliantly, while serving the community with breakfast baps, vintage markets and a whole lot more, they basically invented the sharing plate mentality years ago with their huge platters of lamb shank, venison wellington or beef and ale pie, suitable for the whole table. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Old Bookbinders, Jericho – They call it Jericho’s best kept secret, but if you’ve visited you’ll have been swept away by the friendly bonhomie, stunning French food, great menu fixe, crepes and an infamous pub quiz. Like nowhere else in Oxford. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Oxfordshire Yeoman, Freeland – Just been given a full refurb so looking pretty fresh, this village pub has really come into it own since Harry Higginson took over the kitchens cooking some great pub classics and a stunning roast that needs two sittings to accommodate everyone. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Oxford Wine Cellar, Oxford – the latest stylish offering from Oxford Wine Company, slap bang in the middle of Oxford on the High Street, it’s great for people-watching, get togethers, a quick glass of wine after work, and perfectly located near Sandy’s for anyone wanting to go on. Plus it serves cheese and charcuterie platters for those needing sustenance while they enjoy the expert wine menu. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Perch, Binsey – It’s what Oxford is known for, pubs like this with the perfect riverside location, enormous beer garden and and glass walled dining room, let alone the classic food and consistently high gourmet standards. Cycle, or walk along Port Meadow to get there and its positively bucolic. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Plough, West Hanney – How to top winning last year’s award? Judging by our latest visit, Owain and Luke are continuing to grow this quintessential thatched village pub, the garden packed with Six Nations viewers while the restaurant was full to the brim with happy parties, families and couples, enjoying the atmosphere and Luke’s great food. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Punter, Osney – Whether you’re veggie/vegan or not, firstly you won’t notice the difference because the food is so good, and secondly its location is second to none, its riverside location drawing diners and drinkers alike, like bees to honey. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Rusty Bicycle, East Oxford – where the party continues, 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. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Summertown Wine Bar, it was a huge undertaking to open the former Laura Ashley store, but after some initial tweaking it has finally come into it own with tasting rooms, theatre performances, live jazz and an affordable but ambitious wine menu, encouraging you to try vinos you might not ordinarily reach for. Somewhere to relax, kick back and pay homage to the grape. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Tap Social Taproom, Botley – If there is an all-encompassing entertainment hub in Oxford then this is it. From live bands and street food to art, festivals and classes, as well as their home brewed beer, you can dance the night away or sit in the sun outside in this unlikely location on a Botley industrial estate. Still got it. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Three Horseshoes, Witney – Recently taken over by former employee Tommy Higgs, with head chef Matt Laughton (former head chef at The Swan at Swinbrook) in the kitchen, this is already a rousing success. A great vibing outdoor space, top notch food, a real range of ages, and a busy bar, it’s got it all going on! https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Trigger Pond, Bucknall, near Bicester – another gorgeous pub which makes a massive effort on both the food and event front. Always hosting parties and celebrations from the Coronation (see pic) to summer cocktails and BBQs, gin festivals and more. A cheerful addition to this year’s nominations. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
White House, Bladon – Apart from the seriously good food cooked up by chef and landlord Ben Bullen, this community pub is pushing all the right buttons with lots of events, a massive beer garden and a family-friendly ethos. No wonder Winston Churchill learned to drink there. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
White Rabbit, Oxford – Apart from the winning combination of the best pizzas, beer, eclectic clientele, heated seats and rare city centre outdoor space, it’s always fun, convivial, busy and atmospheric. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
Woodstock Arms, Woodstock – with owner Johnny Pugsley back in the kitchen, a new team on board, and a zesty menu to delve into, its former customers are returning in droves. A great space for everyone from the working-from-homers to those popping in for a coffee, meal, meetings, a stonking Bloody Mary or a top meal out, it ticks lots of boxes. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/uruuqrn3
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/uruuqrn3
