Usually, we’d publish a separate article for each new venue opening or closing, but there’s so much going on in Oxford over the next month that we’re cramming it all into one big Bitten news buffet!

Closing: The Bear & The Bean

The Cowley Road coffee shop is closing at the end of May after a three-year run. Owner, Jordan O’Shea, announced the closure on Facebook over the weekend:

It is with immeasurable sadness to let you know that The Bear & The Bean has to close down by the end of May. To me, Jordan (owner), this was so much more than just a shop. This was a community, a family, a common room for outsiders, a place where I’d start my day with a coffee and end it with a new friend. Thank you all for making the past 3 years so truly special and for making the place feel so alive, so fun, so creative, so memorable.

Opening: Vine Oxford

Yes, yes, yes! Also on Cowley Road, wine bar and shop, Vine, popped up for a trial run last year with an evolving selection of wines, fizz and spirits, plus well-paired nibbles. We’re so happy to hear they’ll be back permanently, hopefully, by the end of the month! Bitten preview incoming…

Closing: Hyper Ramen

I’m proper sad to see this one go! Hyper Ramen is coming to the end of it’s six-month residency at GAF, or Oxfork, or whatever the hell we’re calling it now. I’ll miss Guy’s awesome ramen and flippin’ amazing chicken wings, he’s a really decent bloke too, so we wish him all the best with whatever he does next. Fingers crossed it’s another local venture, but I fear he’ll be moving away. Our loss! Get down there or order via Deliveroo while you can, the pop-up pops off at the beginning of May.

Opening: Taco Bandits

As one door closes…. Shortly after Hyper Ramen ends, Taco Bandits will be popping up in it’s place. Ben and Oliver have been running weekend pop-ups at Organic Deli & Cafe over in Friars Entry and running a street food stall since launching their taco business. The boys will be bringing their tasty tacos and nachos to OX4 (and Bitten Street) from May, more details to follow. In addition, rumour has it that while Taco Bandits are taking over the venue in the evenings, it may be some healthy brunchers who’ve popped up previously in Jerico that will be running the daytime shifts, but this is unconfirmed! More to come…

Opening: Victors

Hamptons styled Victors launches at Westgate Oxford next week, and I have to say it looks stunning. The Wisteria-clad interior offers American small plate dining with the likes of lobster rolls, sushi and sashimi, pizza, miso black cod, soft-shell crab tempura, Korean BBQ lamb cutlets, bao buns, short rib ragu… I could go on but my keyboard’s covered in drool. We’ll be visiting for a preview soon, so will report back, but I seriously hope it lives up to expectation.

Rebranded: Thai Orchid becomes Jay Fai

The familiar green frontage of Thai Orchid in St Clements has been replaced by deep purple, and the restaurant renamed Jay Fai. The menu has had a revamp too, I’ll be visiting soon to find out more.

Opening: Under the Shop at Pint Shop

Pint Shop, the meat/bread/beer specialists with an epic gin menu, has shut their downstairs restaurant for a makeover, reopening on 26th April as a cocktail bar named Under the Shop. More details and full Bitten preview to come!

Opening: The Souvlaki Brothers

As we’ve already reported, Greek souvlaki slingers and Bitten Street regulars, Souvlaki Brothers, are due to open at Oxford’s Covered Market either late this month or early next month, just in time for a birthday souvlaki for me – hoorah!

Popping-Up: Taste Tibet & A Taste of Vietnam at Silvie

After a very successful run of weekly pop-ups at Silvie, street food locals Taste Tibet are returning on  26th April and 3rd May – details on their Facebook event page. Eat in or takeaway – you won’t regret it.

On the same topic, one of our original Bitten Street regulars, Vy from A Taste of Vietnam, is hosting a one night only pop-up at Silvie on Saturday 28th April – details and booking info on the Facebook event page. Vy’s food is delicious, so get booked in for one of the limited seats, if it goes well hopefully she’ll be back for more.

That’s it for now,  we’ll bring you more details when we have them.