Tucked just behind Burford’s iconic church and the babbling Windrush, Thyme & Lovage might be easy to miss, but once you step inside, you’ll be glad you found it. With natural light streaming through large windows, a relaxed, modern feel, and a welcoming garden space, this unassuming café offers something pretty special away from the bustle of the high street.
The space is housed within a church-owned atrium, shared with community meeting rooms, and feels more like a local hub than a high-street café. It’s dog-friendly, dotted with comfy seating, and boasts a chef-led, ingredient-driven menu that raises the bar for brunch spots in the area.
At the helm is Hubert Kosmala, an award-winning chef whose pedigree includes leading the kitchen at The Swan at Swinbrook (AA Rosette awarded, no less).
He took over this spot in August last year, the name is a nod to his wife’s patisserie, Hugo Lovage, which you’ll find nearby on Burford High Street.
The tagline is “freshly made, locally sourced, chef-led” – and it lives up to the promise. I met a friend for brunch and ordered the Full English. It’s a bold claim, but it might just be the best I’ve had in Oxfordshire. Perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, and thoughtfully sourced, this plate was a proper celebration of the English breakfast. Expect thick-cut bacon, juicy sausage, roasted tomato and mushroom, house beans, eggs your way (my yolks were deep orange and spot-on), bubble and squeak hash, and toast from Mark’s Bakery, served with lashings of Netherend Farm salted butter. Every bite was delicious.
There was just one letdown: the coffee. Despite being brewed with beans from Jericho Coffee Traders, my flat white fell a bit flat. No latte art, and slightly on the bitter side. It may have been an off-day, but if you’re particular about your caffeine fix, I’d suggest walking up to Lynwood & Co.
Thyme & Lovage is more than just a café – it’s a place with real heart and ambition.
They host monthly Sunday roasts (£25pp, booking essential), offer private catering, and are quietly building a name as a community cornerstone.
Open Monday to Saturday, 9am–4pm, it’s the kind of place worth seeking out – especially if you’re after a seriously good brunch in a peaceful riverside spot.
Bonus tip while you’re in Burford: pop into Hanley’s Lifestyle – Delicatessen. It’s a beautifully curated treasure trove of delicious bits: arancini, cannelloni, pasta, wine, cheese, spices, and more. A real gem of a find.
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