Dirty Bones, Oxford

We’ve got a big thing for rotisserie chicken, is there anything better? So when we saw Dirty Bones was launching one, it immediately went on the list. Then they dropped into our DMs and, honestly, it felt like all our dreams had come true.

The chicken is spit-roasted after being brined in koji and spices, then carved up and served on a hot silver plate at the table. We did wonder if a whole chicken between two might be overindulging, but it turned out to be the perfect amount, especially if you skip starters.

The whole chicken is £40 and comes with sides and sauces. We went for the chicken fat roasted potatoes (£8), grilled broccoli with sesame, soy and honey (£8), and the asparagus and miso salad (£7). The salad is a bit deceptive, the asparagus is chopped small so you barely see it, but the flavour is definitely there. It’s mixed with grilled peppers, rocket, gem lettuce, radish and edamame, all brought together with a miso dressing and topped with pumpkin seeds.

The chicken was the star of the show. You could tell straight away it had been brined, super moist and packed with flavour. The skin is nicely charred (don’t expect super crispy), but there’s absolutely no compromise on taste.

For sauces, you can choose from chicken gravy, chimichurri, chipotle aioli and buffalo hot sauce (£1.50). We were a bit taken aback when asked to pick four, but it actually really adds to the experience. The chimichurri was our favourite, fresh, with just the right amount of kick, and it worked with everything. The chipotle was a little too hot for us, and the gravy didn’t quite hit the mark, but overall it’s a great addition.

The sides are a good size for sharing, on the smaller side but more than enough. Everything felt fresh and well presented in lovely ceramic bowls. The salad was our favourite, closely followed by the broccoli. Unfortunately, the potatoes didn’t quite do it for us, a bit too oily, and the chicken fat didn’t bring as much flavour as we’d hoped. They were more like sautéed new potatoes than crispy roasties. We wouldn’t order them again, although we did appreciate the generous hit of rock salt.

To drink, we tried two mocktails from the zero-proof menu. The Electric Relaxation (£8.50) was light, crisp and refreshing, with a lovely lychee note.

The No Diggity Colada (£8.50) was as indulgent as a piña colada, creamy, cold, and served with a thick coconut-coated rim. Really fun, and absolutely delicious.

We didn’t have room for pudding, but the gelato doughnut sandwich is firmly on the list for next time.

We really love the ambience at Dirty Bones, effortlessly cool without any pretence. Friendly staff, a great hip hop soundtrack, and just generally good vibes. Service and food have always been consistently strong.

It’s worth noting it can get a bit pricey if you start adding extra sides and drinks, but overall it feels like a bit of a feast. A slightly lighter, leaner take on Dirty Bones than you might expect, and a great option if you’re gluten-free.

Overall, a really enjoyable meal and one we’d definitely return for.