Where did 2025 go? No, we don’t know either. Christmas shopping? WHAT, ALREADY?! I know, it feels wrong, but yes it’s time, and we’re here to help you with some gift and celebration inspo so you don’t just order everything off Amazon last minute (Bezos doesn’t need your dosh, the lovely Oxford businesses do!)
From gift, voucher, and experience ideas, to top spots for a festive menu, as well as some night away inspo if you’re feeling fancy. Read on for the ultimate Oxford Christmas Guide!
Gifts – food / drink / vouchers
Tap Social
Multi award-winning social enteprise brewery Tap Social Movement has the perfect gift for every beer lover, and your purchase helps support Tap Social’s mission to reduce reoffending and help turn lives around.
Check out Tap Social’s four different craft beer gift boxes, each of which includes four fresh 440ml cans from the brewery’s year-round range.
There’s even a non-alcoholic option! Alternatively, you can mix and match from all of Tap’s current releases and build your own 12-pack.
Explore Tap’s merch
Explore Tap’s multipacks
Proof Social
Named one of the 13 best bakeries in all of Britain by The Telegraph Food, Proof Social Bakehouse is a bright, airy bakery and community cafe from Tap Social Movement, Oxford’s multi award-winning social enteprise.
It’s located in Kennington just off the Thames and bakes a mouth-watering range of croissants, sourdough, pastries, and much more.
Give the gift of Proof with one a voucher available in £10 – £100 denominations. Each voucher features stunning artwork by Oxford artist Lisa Made It, and remaining balances can be carried over and used at any of Tap Social’s community venues. Follow Proof on Instagram to see what’s baking!
Explore gift cards
Explore Proof’s instagram
New Ground Coffee
Meet Jingle Beans, New Ground’s limited-edition festive roast that’s packed with big flavour and holiday vibes. Perfect for firing up your mornings or gifting to the coffee crew.
Smooth, bold, and packed with winter warmth, it’s the ultimate lift for your mornings.
Teardrop / Sartorellis
Did you know that Teardrop Bar and Sartorelli’s Pizza in the Covered Market are part of the same family?
Sartorelli’s is all about wood-fired pizzas, fresh ingredients, and laid-back vibes. You can tailor your pizza just the way you like it, and watch it made in the open pizza oven. Teardrop is a taproom next door, serving up handcrafted beers from Church Hanbrewery with the same love and creativity. You can get 3 or 6 in gift boxes this Christmas!
Together, they’re one team, one family – bringing you great food and great drinks in the Covered Market. Head over for the pizza and try one of their tasting flights of beer or wine!
Find out more about Sartorelli’s
Find out more about Teardrop
Happy Cakes
Send some festive joy with Happy Cakes Christmas cupcakes. These freshly baked treats are made with love in their Summertown kitchen. A mixed flavour box features cheerful chocolate reindeers, red velvet Christmas puddings topped with icing holly, luscious lemon cupcakes with snowflakes and jolly vanilla snowmen. £45 for a box of 12.
Earth Ale
For something delicious and a little different to add to your Christmas table, local microbrewery Earth Ale creates artisanal beers inspired by natural and foraged ingredients.
Taking a chef’s creative approach to brewing, their range includes unique flavours like Dandy Stout (with dandelion root), Pine Blond (with foraged spruce tips), Elderberry Gose (with organic elderberries) and Meadow Pils (crisp, with subtle notes of hay and floral honey).
They also release special editions such as their Bothy Barley Wine, aged for 24 months and blended with regent grapes and wildflower honey – dark, velvety, and the perfect match for a sticky toffee pudding by the fire. Check out their webshop or their Instagram page @earthale for more.
Ashmolean Museum Gift Shop
Discover the Ashmolean’s curated Christmas collection, featuring exclusive festive card designs, enchanting tree decorations, delicious seasonal treats for all ages, and cosy winter clothing.
Check it out
Christmas Gifts for Foodies As well as our bespoke Ashmolean Hampers, there’s plenty to choose from including festive chocolates, tasty tipples and an array of scrumptious biscuits wrapped in iconic designs inspired by the Ashmolean collections.
Explore Ashmolean foodie gifts
Gifts – experiences
Abingdon Distillery
Gift the experience of getting behind the scenes of the craft behind award-winning spirits at Abingdon Distillery. Your visit begins with a refreshing G&T in hand, followed by a guided tour of the production area. See the stills up close, learn about the journey, and discover the unique processes used to create each spirit. After the tour, settle in at the tasting table in the distillery bar, where you’ll sample a selection of gins and rum. Their expert team will walk you through the distinct methods used to craft each one, offering insights into their flavours and character.
Find out more about the tour vouchers
For the gin lover in your life? Why not gift their delicious jammy sloe gin, the ultimate winter warmer. This award-winning gin is laid down with fresh wild sloe berries hand-picked from the Oxfordshire countryside and left to macerate for 12 months. Ruby in colour & packed full of flavour & spice. Sip neat or serve tall with lemon tonic water. Add a splash to a glass of Champagne to create a Sloe Gin Royale. Sloe Gin – £32 a bottle. Take me to the Sloe Gin!
Flight Club
Fancy competing with your colleagues or pals? Flight Club is a great option for a work Christmas do or early Friendsmas (it’s actually what we’re doing for the Bitten crew Christmas social!) They have a range of options and packages if you want a mix of darts, cocktails, and food, and can cater for quite large groups too. Yes, I wanna play
Tiny teahouse
Gift a tea experience at the tiny teahouse in East Oxford. Matcha masterclasses, tea ceremonies and tea tastings for 1-2 people.
Fancy a tea?
Dinners, drinks, & events
The Greyhound Inn, Letcome Regis
Make this Christmas truly special at The Greyhound Inn, Letcombe Regis. The cosy pub is decked for the season and their chefs have crafted a festive menu full of winter warmth – from traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings to indulgent puddings and creative vegetarian and vegan delights. There’s lots to celebrate this year, as their 10th anniversary approaches, and they are named as one of Britain’s 100 greatest pubs by the Good Food Guide in a quest for real ales, wonderful warmth and brilliant cooking.
Gather friends, family, or colleagues and celebrate in comfort and joy with the Festive Menu, available from 1st to 24th December for lunch or dinner. With private dining rooms and ensuite bedrooms for a truly memorable experience, wake to a hearty, award-winning Greyhound breakfast and a bracing walk on the Ridgeway. For a well-deserved rest try the Boxing Day Set menu, or to round off the year in style, book the New Year’s Eve Celebration Dinner.
Head to the Christmas page to find out the details and book to enjoy their warm hospitality. If you are thinking of a Christmas gift experience, look no further than their range of beautifully presented gift vouchers for experiences from Cream teas to Dinner, bed and breakfast stays which can be ordered as late as Christmas Day for delivery to your recipient’s email inbox, or delivered by post until the 19th December.
The Mole Inn
This festive season, why not book in at The Mole Inn in Toot Baldon for a dining experience filled with warmth, flavour, and indulgence. Their chefs have created a seasonal fine dining menu showcasing the very best local and seasonal produce, perfect for celebrating with family, friends, or colleagues.
From beautifully crafted starters to decadent desserts, every dish has been thoughtfully designed to capture the spirit of Christmas with a touch of The Mole Inn’s signature style.
Whether it’s a cosy dinner for two, a festive gathering with loved ones, or a special seasonal celebration, our welcoming team and atmospheric setting will make it an occasion to remember.
Find out more and book
Kibou
This Christmas, swap the usual turkey and trimmings for something a little more exciting.
KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar on Little Clarendon Street is bringing a taste of Tokyo to the festive season with specially crafted sharing menus, seasonal chef’s specials, and convenient party platters that take the stress out of entertaining.
The festive sharing menus are designed for groups of four or more and come in two options: the Classic (from £35pp) featuring fresh sushi, sashimi, and crowd-pleasers like crispy cauliflower and tempura prawns, or the indulgent Tokujo (£75pp) with premium dishes like Salmon & Wagyu Crisp and Truffle Teriyaki Tofu. Both available as veggie and vegan versions.
Not booking a group? No problem – enjoy festive chef’s specials from our à la carte menu throughout the season. And if you’re hosting at home or planning an office celebration, their made-to-order Japanese platters (each serves six) are ready for collection, from premium sushi selections to street food favourites and bao buns. Complete the experience with festive cocktails, Japanese whisky flights, or grab a gift card for the food lover in your life. Available 17th November – 31st December.
Find out more and book
View full menus & platters
Gees
Feeling a bit done with all the three course meals and turkey? How about a refreshing brunch this Christmas season?
Gees is an independently-owned, restaurant, bar, and terrace set within North Oxford’s famous Grade II listed Victorian conservatory, once home to the Gee family’s greengrocers and floristry, just a ten-minute walk from Oxford’s city centre. Enjoyed by locals and visitors alike since 1989, Gees serves a the best seasonal ingredients, simply prepared and expertly cooked, from delectable breakfasts, long lunches and late night cocktails, Gees is a part of North Oxford’s foodie furniture.
Gees neighbourhood ambience and brunch is the perfect relaxed start to any weekday or weekend, welcoming guests for nearly four decades with delectable plates, wholesome smoothies, indulgent cocktails, and coffee supplied by Jericho Coffee co.
Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant
Celebrate your Christmas Lunch with in the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant with tables up to 25 guests.
Two courses £32, Three Courses £37. Or, enjoy a Festive Afternoon Tea served daily between 11.30-4pm
Tell me more!
Il Corno
This Christmas treat yourself to some authentic delicious Neapolitan food and drinks immersed in the warmest and coziest atmosphere at Il Corno in the Covered Market. I want to know more
Independent Oxford Christmas Market
The Indie Christmas Market is back for another year, taking place on Sat 29 November from 11-5 at the fabulous Tap Social taproom in Botley. Expect Proof pizza and Tap drinks, kids’ activities, and of course – independent market stalls! Yes please!
Milton Park Christmas Market
Milton Park Christmas Market: Festive treats, one-of-a-kind gifts and a Signal Yard reveal. The popular community event promises a joyful mix of local makers, artisan food, handcrafted gifts and heaps of festive cheer, offering visitors the perfect way to celebrate the season. Love a Christmas market mooch?
Oxford Botanical Garden Christmas Market
Join on 6-7 December for a joyful, seasonal celebration set against the backdrop of Oxford’s historic Botanic Garden and browse over fifty selected stallholders bursting with festive gifts from botanically-inspired products and natural skincare to seasonal food treats and handmade Christmas ornaments. Warm up with mulled wine and enjoy delicious hot food from local food traders whilst enjoying live music, festive craft activities, and Garden trails. Fancy more mooching?
Foodie Stays
- Bat and Ball, Cuddesdon – Faultless breakfast, lunch, and dinner and your bed mere minutes away? You deserve it.
- Mollie’s Motel & Diner, Faringdon – I had the chicken waffles months ago and I’m still thinking about them, pair that with a cocktail or milkshake, and stylish motel vibe for the night? The perf present for the foodie in your life.
- Crazy Bear, Stadhampton – one to watch, Jazz Sunday roasts are their latest thing, and more new menus coming early 2026. The place to book for someone who loves luxury with a twist.
Top picks by the Bitten crew
Want to know where the Bitten writing team are going to be dashing for this festive season?
Jemma – Living right next to Blenheim and with a toddler that LOVES fairy lights, we will be heading to Blenheim for the light trail. They also have a Christmas children’s afternoon tea that I’ve got my eye on. I’ve had their standard afternoon tea before and there is something so luxurious about eating in those surroundings – you feel like you are in Bridgerton! Explore Christmas at Blenheim
Nicola – After having an incredible feast at Permit Room last year during the Christmas period, it was the first place that sprung to mind for my 2025 Christmas recommendation. There was so much food included in the set price menu and as always, Permit Room delivered an incredible variety of flavours. If this year’s feast menu is going to be anything like it was last year, my top tip would be to go there as hungry as possible as there was so much food- we ended up taking some home! Take me to the feast
Sofia – On the corner of Broad Street and Turl Street, arguably one of the most loved places to grab a festive cuppa – Knoops. With their hot chocolates putting Cadbury’s to shame, you can customise your drink not only with the type and percentage of chocolate but with a variety of Christmas flavours from cinnamon and nutmeg to their very own festive spice mix. Grab a hot chocolate from Knoops and wander around the town centre, admiring all the Christmas lights, a great way to spend a winter’s evening. Chocoholics this way
Liz – When it comes to Christmas in Oxford, I have three favourite shopping spots. For sweet treats, I’m always drawn to the beautiful displays in Branca. Panettone, stollen, cookies, or marrons glacés – they have them all, and they are always SO GOOD. My other great love is the Jericho Cheese Company on Little Clarendon Street. When I want to build that perfect cheeseboard, or just pig out on goat cheese, I head straight over to see the cheesemongers for their advice. And finally, the festive season wouldn’t be complete without a few trips to Gatineau in Summertown for both bread and pastries. I’d even argue that this French bakery has the best mince pies in town. Check them out and see if you agree.
Holly – If you are a fan of Top Jaw and foodie tv, Jesse Burgess is the first presenter to go behind the scenes of Michelin and follow some of the best restaurants in the world as they chase the prestigious accolade. It is a great foodie Christmas binge-worthy series: Knife Edge, Chasing Michelin Stars on Apple TV Press (UK). Also, a bit of shameless self-promotion, but my better half makes incredible gingerbread inspired by the Grasmere recipe from the Lake District. It is one of my favourite things to eat at Christmas and you can buy it from Waterside Cafe in Farmoor. Take me to the gingerbread palace!
Chiara – There’s something so magical about the afternoon tea at The Alice, Randolph Hotel. The mix of the stunning decor, top quality service, and gorgeous sandwich and cake selection is next level. I think the scones here might be up there with the best I’ve had. A really gorgeous idea for a voucher, or to book in as a lovely surprise. Cocktails here are also gorge, and there’s often a good set menu deal, so keep an eye on the website!
We hope this guide has given you some good ideas for this festive season, and inspired you to shop and eat local. Let us know other spots you’ll be heading to in the comments.
Some entries to this guide are part of a paid partnership
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