Returning to Six by Nico for their “Chippie” menu (which was back for a limited period, other favourites will also return) felt a bit like coming back to your favourite series -familiar structure, new plot twists. Having visited during the “Six wonders of the world” menu a few months back, I was curious to see how this latest theme would deliver, and while the evening had a few wobbles, overall it cemented my view that Six by Nico is one of Oxford’s best dining experiences right now.

I brought a friend with me who was happy to try the veggie menu whilst I plumped for the meat (fish) The team, as always, were warm and enthusiastic. Geoffrey, our server, brought great energy and was keen to guide us through the courses. While service is generally slick at Six by Nico, this time there were a couple of small hiccups – the sourdough was not available (we swapped it for a veggie appetisers), and we were mistakenly brought an appetiser from the New Orleans menu. More notably, a small piece of plastic made an appearance in my dessert – which, to the staff’s credit, was addressed with a genuine apology. As a food reviewer, I know that these things happen, and it didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.

The “Chippie” menu is a clever reinterpretation of classic chip shop staples, reimagined through the Six by Nico lens – and priced at just £30 for the veggie and £35 for the meat version, it’s outstanding value, especially in a city where some chain restaurants charge more for far less imagination.

Standout dishes included the steak pie, which arrived looking nothing like its namesake but tasted amazing.

The consommé was deep and savoury, while the meat version included steak tartare — a bold move that would’ve landed better if the broth hadn’t slightly overwhelmed the steak’s flavour. I loved the depth of flavour and could have drunk that salty beef broth for all 5 courses.The veggie option was presented the same as the mains which is a small touch but one which was appreciated by my dining companion – no wilted salad leaves for her! She enjoyed her alternative to the steak pie (king oyster) but did find the veggie consume a bit salty for her tastes.

The “fish supper” course featured well-cooked pollock, fennel and whelks. The whelks weren’t entirely necessary for me, but my dining companion enjoyed the touch of brine they brought. The battered scraps stole the show here – nostalgic, crunchy, and addictive. We both found it odd that the fish supper was an optional course when the menu is titled the chippie – I would recommend opting for this course if you can.

Course 4 was Nico’s take on the chip shop sausage – the pork belly was rich and tender, paired with a sausage that reminded me fondly of roast dinners.

The accompanying sauce was a bit too sweet for my liking, but the overall effect was still comforting. The veggie counterpart focused on celeriac and had similar textures, if slightly less wow factor. 

Dessert was a play on the infamous deep-fried Mars bar. I was excited for this one, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype. The chocolate was dense and rich, but the batter element was missing — perhaps deconstructed, but I wanted a bit more crunch. The Iron Bru sorbet and orange gels were bright and playful, though the dish definitely needed a fork!

Drinks-wise we tried a non alcoholic version of the chippie tea – featuring Earl Grey, lemon and samphire. It was refreshing, sophisticated, and beautifully balanced, so much enjoyed that we had 2! I loved that it mirrored the creativity of the main menu and wasn’t just an afterthought.

Despite the small service issues, I left feeling that Six by Nico continues to punch above its price point.

It’s not just a meal – it’s an experience, with storytelling, flavour surprises, and fun built in.

And when a three-course dinner at a high street chain can cost more than this six-course tasting menu, it’s hard to argue with the value. I’ll be back for the next theme – but I might just bring my own fork for dessert.

Six By Nico will be revisiting old menus (as well as serving new ones) for the great price of £30 over the next few months, so if you’re looking for a treat for a fraction of the price keep an eye on their website and socials. We believe the next one is the Guilty Pleasures menu so if you didn’t get there first time around, now’s your chance!

Six By Nico
RU3, 309 Westgate Roof Terrace, Oxford OX1 1TR

Bitten were invited as guests, all views are our own