Once again, we are here to give you all the Easter treats, places to visit and food to eat over Easter. Check out some amazing venues for lunches and dinners, as well as places to get those sweet treats. So many venues are comign out with amazing spring menus, so get out and try them!

Tap Social

Exciting times are ahead at Proof Social Bakehouse! The open plan bakery and cafe is expanding – with a mezzanine extension coming in May and offering lots more seating for visitors. The bakery creates a wide range of pastries, sourdough bread, and baked goods, all hand made on site in view from the cafe. Visit Thursday to Sunday from 8am-3pm to try their wares and enjoy a delicious speciality coffee. 

Proof is part of Tap Social Movement, a brewery, bakery, and hospitality organisation that employs people in prison to reduce reoffending and turn lives around. To date, the social enterprise has created more than 100,000 hours of paid employment for prisoners and prison leavers. 

Fancy a pint or some live music? Visit Tap Social brewery’s community venues for a huge calendar of events and activities. 

Proof Social Bakehouse
68 Sandford Lane Industrial Estate, Kennington, Oxford OX1 5RP
The Tap Social Taproom
27 Curtis Industrial Estate, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 0LX
The Market Tap
The Covered Market, Oxford OX1 3DZ
Tap Social at Lock29
Castle Quay, Banbury, OX16 5UN

KIBOU Oxford

Bringing Tokyo-chic to Oxford, KIBOU is an exciting Japanese restaurant and bar set in a beautifully restored Victorian building on Little Clarendon Street. Combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary design, the space features striking murals, digital animations, floral installations, and authentic block print textiles, all blended seamlessly with the venue’s original period charm.

The restaurant offers a variety of stylish dining areas, with seating for 100 guests. Enjoy a meal in the bright conservatory with cosy booth seating and neon lighting, dine in the atmospheric main room with views of the open sushi kitchen, or unwind in the relaxed cocktail lounge, featuring a steel-topped bar serving an array of premium drinks. For those who love dining al fresco, the lush Japanese-inspired garden provides seating for 40, while a private dining room offers a more exclusive experience for up to 12 guests.

The menu at KIBOU celebrates the best of Japanese cuisine, featuring both classic and contemporary dishes. Highlights include beautifully presented sushi and sashimi platters, indulgent sharing plates, premium A5-grade seared wagyu, and steaming bowls of rich, flavorful ramen. The menu also boasts an extensive vegan selection, as well as well-loved Japanese favourites such as teriyaki and katsu curry. To finish, guests can enjoy a selection of refined Japanese-inspired desserts.

Complementing the dining experience, KIBOU’s dedicated bar serves expertly crafted Japanese-inspired cocktails, a curated collection of Japanese whiskies and sake, as well as no-and-low alcohol options and Japanese-brewed beers. Whether you’re a devoted fan of Japanese cuisine or trying it for the first time, KIBOU Oxford offers an immersive and unforgettable dining experience in the heart of the city.

Kibou Oxford
11-12 Little Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX1 2HP
oxford@kibou.co.uk
01865 597659

The Crown at Church Enstone

The Crown at Church Enstone, a charming Cotswold pub in West Oxfordshire, was taken over by hospitality experts Matt and Katie Beamish in September 2022. Known for running The Kingham Plough and The Hare at Milton, the couple has a rich background in the industry, having worked with renowned chefs like Raymond Blanc and Jamie Oliver.

Following a sensitive refurbishment, The Crown now boasts a cozy yet elegant interior with exposed beams, hand-blocked wallpapers, and a plant-filled garden room leading to a picturesque walled garden. Head chef Jason Christie crafts modern British dishes using the best local produce, with seasonal menus offered daily.

The pub features five beautifully appointed bedrooms, plus an adjacent cottage and studio with two additional en-suite rooms. Ideally located in the Cotswolds, near Chipping Norton and Blenheim Palace, The Crown offers a perfect countryside retreat steeped in history and charm.

The Crown Inn
Mill Lane, Church Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 4NN
book@crowninnenstone.co.uk
01608 677262

The Bell at Ramsbury

Nestled in the heart of an idyllic East Wiltshire village, The Bell at Ramsbury is a thriving 300-year-old freehouse offering a restaurant, café, bar, and 10 boutique rooms. Owned by the 19,000-acre Ramsbury Estate, The Bell champions a true farm-to-table experience, with estate-sourced beer, spirits, produce, meat, and game.

Led by award-winning chef James Graham, the kitchen crafts daily à la carte menus, featuring estate-grown seasonal ingredients, house-made charcuterie, and whole animal butchery. Elevated pub classics, vegetarian options, and children’s meals are also available. Guests can dine in the cozy bar, airy dining rooms with wood-burning stoves, Café Bella, or outside in the beer garden.

Café Bella offers relaxed counter dining, serving à la carte dishes, breakfast from 8:30 am, light snacks, and homemade cakes. It also functions as a private dining space.

Behind the bar, The Bell features Ramsbury Estate’s award-winning spirits, including Vodka of the Year 2024 and its botanical gin. The attached Ramsbury Brewery provides four handcrafted beers on tap, including the popular Ramsbury Gold. The bar also boasts a curated selection of 11 gins, seasonal cocktails, and a diverse wine list.

The Bell’s 10 well-appointed en-suite rooms, including six above the pub and four in a converted coach house, feature Hypnos beds, crisp linens, and antique furnishings. Super King, deluxe double, twin, and interconnecting family rooms are available, with rain showers or baths and locally made toiletries. A continental buffet and cooked breakfast options complete the stay.

Dog-friendly and full of character, The Bell combines rustic charm with refined comfort, offering an unforgettable countryside escape.

The Bell at Ramsbury
The Square, Ramsbury, near Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2PE
thebell@ramsbury.com
01672 520230

Deer Box

Cotswold-based Deer Box specializes in premium, sustainably sourced British venison, available via mail order and subscription across the UK. Founded by chef and restaurateur Mike Robinson and experienced deer manager Ben Heath, Deer Box harvests only wild deer through controlled land management, not sport, ensuring ethical sourcing.

Committed to changing the perception of venison, Deer Box supplies over 3,000 customers and 50 top-rated restaurants with high-quality, organic meat. Available year-round, their venison is lean, rich in protein, and packed with essential nutrients, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious consumers and those following Paleo diets. A 200g wild venison steak delivers 60g of protein, less than 1% saturated fat, and a superior Omega 6-3 ratio.

Wild deer, including Muntjac, Roe, Sika, Fallow, and Red, roam freely, feeding on natural vegetation. Deer Box culls humanely, following seasonal guidelines and managing populations, including wild boar in the Forest of Dean. With over 2 million deer in the UK and no natural predators, efficient deer management is crucial to prevent environmental and agricultural damage.

“Sustainable deer management is vital,” says Mike Robinson. “By promoting venison consumption, we help control populations and protect ecosystems.” Each year, 350,000 deer are culled, yet numbers continue to rise. The British Deer Society emphasizes the importance of humane, professional culling.

Deer Box follows an estate-to-plate model, ensuring provenance and sustainability. After field culling, venison is expertly butchered, vacuum-packed, and frozen before being delivered in recyclable packaging via overnight courier. Subscription options range from one-off to monthly deliveries, with prices starting at £62.50.

Each delivery includes a selection of steaks, diced venison, gluten-free sausages, burgers, and mince, along with seasonal recipes by Mike Robinson for easy home cooking.

Deer Box – Sustainable, Award-Winning Wild Venison Delivered Nationwide
hello@deerbox.co.uk
03333 057535

We have some amazing local venues worth checking out for light lunches and dinners…

The Port Mahon

Home to amazing Sunday roasts and cracking pies, the Port Mahon is always a good venue to spend some time. Their brilliantly curated menu offers lite bites including wings, halloumi fries and sausages on a stick, through to pan fried chicken and homemade gnocchi. The bar selection is great, with 2 cask pumps offering local beers as well as the usual keg beers and a solid wine collection. They have some great offers on like ‘Pie and Pint’ Thursday as well as ‘Kill the Cask’ on Tuesday evenings.

The Alice – They have a great menu that is perfect for an Easter Sunday treat or take on one of their Sunday roasts with 2 courses for £35.

The Swan Islip – The Cygnet has a special Easter weekend menu on offer with a set 2 or 3 course option, one to check out!

The Trout – Have come up with an Easter offers that could be worth a look if you fancy some cocktails.

If getting all the cakes, hot cross buns and sweet delights is what you are craving, check these out…

Happy Cakes

As it’s Easter, sweet treats are always on the cards! We’ve been huge fans of Happy Cakes even before our Bitten Street markets, and fondly remember the amazing cupcakes on offer. If you want a cake to celebrate an occasion, want to gift some cupcakes or brownies to keep you ticking over for the Bank Holidays, get in touch with Julia who will be able to help with your requirements.

Wicked Chocolate – If you want some decadent chocolate, this is the one for you! An amazing selection on offer so check them out in the Covered Market.

Silve cakes by Jess – Jess offers some amazing bespoke cakes. Definitely an Insta account you want to check out and order from.

Crosstown – If you need a doughnut fix, this is the place to go. They have released a hot cross bun doughnut, get them while you can!

2 north parade – A brilliant produce store with some amazing looking hot cross buns!

Gatineau – They have some amazing Easter specials on offer, including a milk chocolate koala – who doesn’t want one of those!

Forge House Bakery – Check out their pop up in Lower Heyford on Good Friday!

Imma the Bakery – If you are south of Oxford, this is one to visit! Some amazing pastries, bread and hot cross buns from their counter near Henley-on-Thames.

Montezuma’s – Alwasy have some amazing chocolate to choose from, so pop in to see them at their Queen Street store. Their honeycomb chocolate egg looks amazing!

If you are in the mood for some music, pay a visit to the Hollywell Music Room for Candlelight: A tribute to Coldplay on the 19th of April. You can compliment this experience with dinner at The Folly, who have put on a special menu for the event!

Whatever you do over Easter, we hope you have a fab time! Tag us on Instagram if you are out and about, we love to see what you are eating!

The Bitten Crew xx