It feels like there’s been a flurry of new food and drink openings across Oxford and Oxfordshire recently, and our list of places to try is getting longer by the week.
From nutrition-led kitchens and Sicilian bakeries to fire-cooked pubs, mobile coffee spots and one-off pop-ups, there’s plenty catching our eye right now.
We’ve split this list into two: Tried & tasted, for the new openings we’ve already visited and enjoyed, and On our radar, for the places we haven’t made it to yet but are very keen to try.
Tried & tasted
Good Habit, St Giles’, Oxford
Why it caught our eye: Great coffee, an on-site bakery and a lovely new addition to St Giles’.
Opened by a former Jericho Coffee Trader employee, Good Habit has already become a very welcome new spot in Oxford. Expect pastries, cookies, focaccia and more, alongside excellent coffee. We’ve already visited and thoroughly enjoyed it.
📍 33 St Giles’, Oxford OX1 3LD
📲 @thegoodhabitbakery
Alfonso Gelateria, Oxford
Why it caught our eye: Our favourite gelato now has an Oxford spot.
We’ve long been fans of Alfonso, so seeing them open in Oxford was very exciting indeed. If you know, you know, and if you don’t, this is your sign to go and change that.
📍 Clarendon Street, Oxford
Day Release, Milton Park
Why it caught our eye: Great for co-working, pizza, gigs and much more.
Tap Social’s new Day Release site at Signal Yard is a seriously impressive space. I took myself there to work for a while and really enjoyed the atmosphere, plus it feels like so much more than just a coffee stop. With pizza, beer, events and plenty of room to settle in, this one is worth knowing about.
📍 6 Signal Yard, Milton Park, Oxfordshire OX14 4RR
📲 @tapsocialdayrelease
The Cuppa Coffee Club, Radley Lakes
Why it caught our eye: Coffee with one of the best weekend backdrops.
We stopped by The Cuppa Coffee Club at Radley Lakes and enjoyed the view with a delicious cookie and coffee to go. It’s a lovely little weekend stop, especially if you’re already heading out for a walk around the lakes.
📍 Radley Lakes
📅 Saturdays & Sundays
📲 @thecuppacoffeeclub
Harry Pours, Bampton
Why it caught our eye: Mobile coffee with serious hipster cool.
Harry Pours absolutely oozes hipster cool. I mean, who doesn’t want to get their weekend coffee from the back of a 1990s Midi? It’s a fun little set-up and a great addition to Bampton’s weekend routine.
📍 Bampton
📅 Weekends
📲 @harry_pours
The Jericho Press, Jericho
Why it caught our eye: Healthy food and drinks that genuinely make you feel good.
A modern wellness space in the heart of Oxford, The Jericho Press brings together wholesome food and dynamic movement. I had the best smoothie bowl here the other weekend, and there are plenty of juices and smoothies on offer too. A lovely feel-good kind of spot.
📍 40-42 Walton St, Oxford OX2 6AD
📲 @thejerichopress
The Blackhorse, near Abingdon
Why it caught our eye: A great new opening from a team already well known in Oxford.
This countryside opening near Abingdon comes from the team behind The Porterhouse and The Punter, so it was always going to get our attention. We’ve already been and really enjoyed it, and it feels like a strong new addition to the local pub scene.
📍 The Blackhorse, Gozzard’s Ford
📲 @theblackhorseox
The Norman Knight
Why it caught our eye: The roasts look absolutely insane.
We reviewed The Norman Knight on opening and are already looking forward to going back to experience more of the full menu. From the team behind Kingham Plough, The Crown at Enstone and The Hare, this is one to know about if you love a destination pub with serious food credentials.
On our radar
Sanco, Headington
Why it caught our eye: A healthy independent food choice that feels genuinely different for Oxford.
Sanco describes itself as Oxford’s first nutrition-led kitchen, which immediately made us curious. If you’re looking for somewhere focused on food that supports health and wellbeing, this sounds like one to watch.
📍 133 London Road, Headington
📲 @sancooxford
Aromi, Oxford
Why it caught our eye: A Sicilian favourite has arrived in Oxford.
Aromi has landed on St Michael’s Street, bringing its Sicilian food and bakery offering into the city centre. It already has a strong following elsewhere, and it looks like exactly the kind of place we could happily pop into for lunch, coffee or a pastry.
📍 1-3 St Michael’s Street, Oxford
🌐 Aromi
Savoir Boulangerie, Turl Street
Why it caught our eye: Fine French baking in the historic centre of Oxford.
A new French boulangerie on Turl Street was always going to make our list. Beautiful pastries in one of Oxford’s prettiest streets sounds like a very strong combination.
📍 Turl Street, Oxford
📲 @savoirboulangerie
Lardon, Elkstone Studios
Why it caught our eye: San Sebastián vibes in the Cotswolds, and a breakfast that looks to die for.
From the team behind Knead, Lardon has been firmly on our radar since we first spotted it. The look of the place alone is enough to tempt us, but it’s the idea of a hotel-worthy breakfast without needing the overnight stay that has really caught our attention.
📍 Elkstone Studios, GL53 9PQ
📲 @lardon_restaurant
MAI Vietnamese Cuisine, Summertown
Why it caught our eye: We’ve heard very good things.
A new Vietnamese opening in Summertown with strong early reviews was always going to pique our interest. This feels like one to bookmark if you’re local to north Oxford and looking for somewhere new to try.
📍 198 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7BY
📲 @maivietnamesecuisine
Roots & Stone, Witney
Why it caught our eye: Jacket potatoes for the colder months and one of our favourite local juices.
Roots & Stone has opened in Witney and already gets bonus points for stocking Cotswold Juicery, one of our favourites. Add in warming comfort food like jacket potatoes and this feels like exactly the sort of place we’ll be craving over autumn and winter.
📍 53 High St, Witney OX28 6JA
📲 @roots_and_stone
📲 @thecotswoldjuicery
Megan’s by the Spires, Oxford
Why it caught our eye: Mediterranean brunch and, importantly, dog friendly too.
Megan’s has arrived on George Street, bringing its recognisable all-day Mediterranean menu to Oxford.
📍 24-26 George St, Oxford OX1 2AE
📲 @megansrestaurants
Arbequina, Covered Market
Why it caught our eye: One of Oxford’s most anticipated new openings.
We can’t wait to try Arbequina’s new Covered Market spot. Their Cowley Road restaurant has long been a favourite, so this opening has been very much anticipated and we’re excited to see them in such a central Oxford location.
📍 11-15 Covered Market, Oxford
📲 @arbequinamarket
Ember at The Chandlers, Epwell
Why it caught our eye: A 17th-century Cotswolds pub, but with a twist.
British produce, global flavours and cooking over fire is a combination that sounds very promising to us. Ember at The Chandlers feels like it’s bringing something a little different to the Oxfordshire pub scene, and that’s always worth shouting about.
📍 Sibford Road, Epwell, Oxfordshire OX15 6LH
📲 @emberatthechandlers
Gotochi Ramen pop-up, Witney
Why it caught our eye: Proper ramen, but only for one night.
Gotochi Ramen is popping up at No.14 Wesley Walk on Friday 30th October, and we’re always excited to see more interesting pop-ups appearing locally. This one is firmly on our radar and feels like the kind of event worth planning around.
📍 No.14 Wesley Walk, Witney
📅 Friday 30th October
📲 @gotochi.ramen
Where should we try next?
That should keep us busy for a while, but Oxfordshire’s food scene rarely stays still for long.
Have you tried any of these already? Is there a new opening we’ve missed that needs adding to the Bitten radar?
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