Review: Mollie’s Diner

Mollie’s Diner Oxfordshire brings the retro American diner vibe with a contemporary twist, combining a stylish Soho House aesthetic with a vibrant open kitchen. With a menu that caters impressively to plant-based, gluten-free, and vegetarian diners, Mollie’s offers something for everyone.

For our recent visit, we were invited to try their new menu, and while there were some minor misses, the overall experience was enjoyable.

We started with the Zucchini and Avocado Fritters, herb mayo (£6)*, which were a real standout. The plant based fritters had the lightness and texture of falafel, without the heavy, greasy batter you might expect from fried food. Paired with a zingy avocado sauce, these were a fresh and generous starter.

The Hot Honey Cheese Croquettes, chive mayo (£5.5) were another hit, with a lovely sweetness from the honey followed by a mild chilli kick. The gooey cheese encased in a golden, crunchy breadcrumb coating made these bites delightfully moreish.

Next up, the Popcorn Chicken with American Hot Hollandaise (£7) impressed, largely thanks to the hot hollandaise sauce. While the chicken itself was well-cooked and crispy, it was the tangy hollandaise that truly elevated the dish, adding a vibrant layer of flavour.

All the small plates had generous portion sizes, making them perfect for sharing.

For mains, the Chicken n Waffle (£14) was a massive dish, reminiscent of the same dish we ordered in New York during our last trip. The waffle was fluffy, the chicken fillet was moist (though not crunchy like the popcorn chicken), and the eggs were beautifully rich in colour and taste. A jug of maple syrup on the side allowed us to drench the dish as much as we liked—a must! The combination of sweet and savory worked beautifully, though it’s not one for the faint-hearted or those easily over-faced!

The Flat Iron British Grass-Fed Steak was underwhelming.

Though cooked rare as requested, it didn’t quite deliver the same wow factor as the starters. The peppery BBQ flavor was nice, but the chips arrived lukewarm. While it was good value with sauce included, it didn’t quite compete with higher-end steak places, and we expected more.

We finished with two desserts. The Lemon Meringue Pie (£6.5) was visually impressive—a sheer mountain of meringue—but the pastry was slightly on the thin side for the lofty topping. The lemon filling was bright and zesty, but the meringue lacked that classic chewy texture. In contrast, the Apple and Cherry Pie (£6.5) delivered. Its thick, well-cooked pastry held a deliciously warm filling, though the slightly synthetic texture could be down to it being plant-based and gluten-free—great options for diners with dietary restrictions. A scoop of vanilla ice cream rounded it off perfectly.

The service throughout was attentive and friendly, and we enjoyed the comfortable booth seating.

Mollie’s also shines in its range of non-alcoholic options, ideal for those driving or opting out of alcohol, with mocktails and shakes adding to the retro charm. I enjoyed a delicious, creamy vanilla shake (£5.5).

While there are minor points where the food could be refined, Mollie’s Diner offers an appealing package. From the nostalgic design to the generous portions and friendly service, it’s a great spot to soak in the atmosphere while indulging in hearty, crowd-pleasing comfort food at excellent value.