Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Oxford

OpenTable

Updated 05 September 2026

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Oxford? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Burnout BBQ

4.7

4.7 (433)

£25 and under

Barbecue

Oxford

About the restaurant

Home of the Hot Rod BBQ! American BBQ street food served up in a warm and inviting atmosphere. With traditional slow smoked BBQ, home made sides, cocktails, Ice cream Sundays and Cold Beers!

Top review

Peter

Dined on 29 Aug 2026

Amazing food as always - I’ve never had bad food or bad Service at Burnout BBQ - I’ll be returning very soon!!

Branca

4.7

4.7 (2563)

£25 and under

Mediterranean

Oxford

About the restaurant

Welcome to Branca, our large and lively Mediterranean brasserie in Jericho. For us food is all about quality ingredients, honest cooking, big flavours and uncomplicated dishes. In other words buy decent stuff and keep it simple.

Top review

Daniel

Dined 1 day ago

Had a lovely date. with great food and service. Very personal service and great ambiance, really nice Bistro vibe!

Kibou Oxford

4.7

4.7 (293)

£26 to £40

Japanese

Oxford

About the restaurant

Bringing Tokyo-chic to Jericho, KIBOU Oxford on 11-12 Little Clarendon Street fuses vibrant Japanese dining with great design. Expect stunning murals, floral installations, and neon-lit booths in our stylish dining areas, including an open sushi kitchen, cocktail lounge, and lush Japanese garden.
Our diverse menu features beautifully crafted moriawase sushi and sashimi platters, A5 grade wagyu, hearty ramen, crispy tempura and pillowy bao buns, alongside vegan options, teriyaki, katsu curry and a range of Japanese-inspired puds.
Plus, sip signature Japanese cocktails, sake, and whiskies in our beautiful bar and lounge or check out our lunchtime Teishoku set menu for a great value lunch offering in Oxford.
Discover KIBOU's fusion of classic Japanese flavours in a lively setting that feels like a Tokyo hidden gem.

Top review

lizzy

Dined on 12 Sept 2026

Fabulous meal to celebrate our sons birthday they went above and beyond with birthday cake and a Polaroid picture !

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Experience

Teishoku Set Lunch - £17.50

Experience

Japanese Afternoon Tea

Experience

Vegetarian Japanese Afternoon Tea

O X T W O

4.6

4.6 (263)

£26 to £40

Tapas / Small Plates

Oxford

About the restaurant

2 AA Rosette Small Plates Restaurant & Wine Bar in Summertown, Oxford

OXTWO is an independent restaurant and wine bar in the heart of Summertown, Oxford. Enjoy seasonal small plates, Sunday roasts, live music and Oxford's most exciting wine list in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Top review

Daniel

Dined 6 days ago

We were looking for a nice anniversary supper and came across Oxtwo on a website. Had a quick look at the menu and we were quite intrigued. Not the usual run of the mill. This turned out to be one of our best meals out in ages. Great ambience - lovely staff who all knew their stuff from the wine to the food to the beers. Great chicken wings, chicken liver brûlée, chips, chicken salad etc… The IPA was brilliant and the other half loved the house white. All in all a great night out with lovely staff. We will be telling everyone about it.

The Coconut Tree - Oxford

4.6

4.6 (50)

£25 and under

Sri Lankan

Oxford

About the restaurant

Step into The Coconut Tree in Oxford and be instantly transported to the sunny, relaxed shores of Sri Lanka! We specialize in "Uniquely Sri Lankan Eats," offering an authentic, affordable, and incredibly flavorful menu designed for sharing. Expect an explosion of delicious spices across our wide selection of meats, fish, and vegetable dishes.

Our atmosphere is pure island fun: think vibrant, relaxed vibes, warm Sri Lankan hospitality, signature 'Cocotails,' and charming candles nestled in half coconuts. We love a lively setting—so don't expect the volume to stay down for long! Come ready to spoil yourself with great drinks and a fantastic meal without breaking the bank. (Note: In the spirit of casual, family dining, we provide rolls of paper towels instead of traditional napkins!)

Voted a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2024, The Coconut Tree is the perfect spot for fantastic food and a good time. Book your table and get a taste of the island!

Top review

Tony

Dined on 11 Sept 2026

Went at at a quiet time. Service was good. Food outstanding. The seats and tables were basic but ok. If you are looking for comfort, this wouldn't be the place but if you are looking for good service, reasonable value and excellent food then it certainly is.

Quod Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (5780)

£26 to £40

European

Oxford

About the restaurant

On Oxford’s bustling High Street, peering out onto St Mary’s Church and the iconic Radcliffe Camera, Quod Restaurant & Bar with its unrivalled location forms the lively hub of the Old Bank Hotel. Regulars and visitors alike flock to Quod for its broad menu of European classics. Head chef Rohan Kashid and his team produce daily blackboard specials, a weekday set lunch menu and afternoon teas.
With a striking onyx bar, original artwork, and a private dining space, the ‘Red Room’ inside, outside, Quod’s Italian garden terrace provides a vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere in the hidden heart of the city.

Top review

Barry

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful food, great vibe and service. Love the artwork!

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Popular dish

Seabass Fillet

Experience

Afternoon Tea in Quod

Experience

Christmas Day in Quod

Sticks'n'Sushi - Oxford

4.6

4.6 (341)

£26 to £40

Sushi

Oxford

About the restaurant

Located on the Roof Terrace in Westgate Shopping Centre, enjoy classic and creative sushi, sticks and Japanese-inspired cocktails with stunning views of Oxford’s historic spires. Perfect for quick lunches, leisurely dinners, celebrations and graduations. A sushi restaurant - even for those who don't like fish.

Top review

Andrew

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent service at the Bar seating area, where we drank and ate. Diogo was excellent as usual, and the management and waiting staff were excellent. We eat here every other week, and it is 100% consistent in all aspects... This is a very good restaurant with good food and drinks. Thank you. Andrew & Stephanie

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Experience

Lunch & Dinner Set Menus from £45

Experience

Evening Group Dining

The Ivy Oxford Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (8486)

£25 and under

British

Oxford

About the restaurant

Set on Oxford’s bustling High Street, The Ivy Oxford Brasserie brings relaxed all-day dining to the bustling High Street, close to the University of Oxford and some of the city’s best-known landmarks. It’s an inviting Oxford restaurant for breakfast and weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-theatre dining, dinner and drinks. Step inside to discover marble floors, striking burnt-orange banquettes and beautifully detailed interiors, creating a lively yet elegant setting for everything from a casual lunch to graduation celebrations and special occasions. The menu brings together much-loved Ivy classics, modern British dishes, vegan options and seasonal favourites, alongside cocktails and an extensive wine list. Whether you’re exploring Oxford, meeting for brunch, celebrating graduation or planning dinner in the city centre, The Ivy Oxford Brasserie offers a memorable place to eat and drink from morning until late.

Top review

JaninaGold

Dined 4 days ago

Beautiful interior, lovely fresh food enjoyed by all at our table.

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The Ivy Classic Shepherds Pie

Pho Oxford

4.4

4.4 (544)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Oxford

About the restaurant

Pho Oxford is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant with loads of vegan and gluten free options.

We specialise in phở, the Vietnamese noodle soup and also serve delicious curries, rice dishes, wok-fried noodles, and fresh salads too. Our starters such as summer rolls and spring rolls are perfect for sharing with friends and family. We also offer an entirely gluten free dessert menu with dishes like Pandan waffles, condensed milk ice cream and a Vietnamese affogato.

Over a third of our menu is vegan, and nearly all of it is gluten-free, so we are a great destination for people who follow those particular dietary restrictions. We are also accredited by Coeliac UK.

Aside from our lovely food we offer a brilliant range of healthy juices, as well as delicious wine and beer, and a fantastic cocktail menu too.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Ps, we are dog friendly so your 4-legged friends are always welcome.

Top review

Julia

Dined on 25 Aug 2026

Speedy service and fabulous food. Booked on line through OpenTable.

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Experience

Christmas party menu

Namaste Village Oxford

4.1

4.1 (85)

£25 and under

Indian

Oxford

About the restaurant

DISCOVER REAL INDIAN FLAVOURS – OPENING SAT 19 JULY 2025!

Tired of “authentic” Indian food that isn’t? Step into Namaste Village Oxford, where every dish tells the true story of India. Curated by our chef Mrs. Urmila Jetani with her flavour foots in Gujarat state of India, our fully vegetarian & vegan menu is traditional yet refreshingly innovative. It celebrates India’s rich culinary heritage—from beloved South and North Indian classics to a huge selection of vibrant Indian street food. Don’t miss hidden Gujarati gems like the curry Surti Matka Undhiyu - an unforgettable experience or the Bhavnagari Khaman - savoury delectable cakes!

Just steps from Oxford Castle, enjoy a relaxed, cozy space with outdoor seating (weather permitting). Rooted in Atithi Devo Bhava—Guest is God—our service is warm, attentive and heartfelt. Winners of The Nation’s Curry Awards, East of England Tourism Award & more.

Namaste Village Oxford—we can’t wait to serve you real taste, real care.

Top review

PETER

Dined on 10 Sept 2026

Very good Indian vegetarian restaurant Good service and ambience

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Experience

Afternoon Tea - £29.95pp

Experience

🎄 Christmas Group Dining 2026 - Course Menu

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