Arbequina in Oxford

We had a wonderful lunch here! Great service and atmosphere and delicious food. The bean stew was our fave!

Popped in last night for a fairly quick pit stop and managed to get the last seats in the house at a high table next to the kitchen. Was hoping for lots of drama and noise but just got quiet efficiency instead. Food and drink were up to usual high standards.

Qué placer, cálida bienvenida, excelente servicio al cliente, excelente comida, bebida y ambiente. Hace un cambio refrescante para que las tapas se sirvan a un ritmo bienvenido. Significaba que podías disfrutar de la comida como debería ser y pedir más si quieres más. Pedimos cinco platos para empezar que llegaron como y cuándo y luego tuvimos un descanso y luego entramos por dos platos más. Más postres después, por supuesto. Todos los platos estaban deliciosos pero siempre somos fanáticos del pan y no nos decepcionó delicioso y el chorizo que vino al mismo tiempo estaba delicioso. Todos los platos que tuvimos fueron excelentes. Lo recomendaría encarecidamente una visita, ya que nos encantó.

The food was overcooked, lacked freshness, and was disappointingly expensive. The pie arrived cold, which was incredibly off-putting. Altogether, a poor experience that didn’t feel worth the price.

I ordered the pomegranate fizz, the onion tortilla, and the aubergine. While the drink was refreshing and delicious, the food itself was quite disappointing and fell short of expectations.

Maybe our expectations were high, but we did not feel the food lived upto the hype. We knew it's a limited menu and it does change, but the flavors didn't come out as we expected and read about it. Good place, worth going once.

One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time! Food was delicious! Especially the tempura fig and chickpea salad! But it was all great. Friendly service too and lovely atmosphere. It’s an expensive meal. But compared to other food of this quality it’s great value. Highly recommend.

Absolutely amazing vegetarian food options!

I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t get photos of any of the dishes because not only were they incredibly flavorful and well thought out, they were also beautiful presented. I went with three friends, and we shared eight tapas total. The bread is to die for. The peach and mozzarella salad is really light and fresh. The fig is really unique and the only problem is you don’t want to share! Will definitely be coming back!

A cosy warm spot that serves delightful tapas and offers good drink selection. This was a place where spending money felt right. The food brings lightness and happiness. Flavours were clean and celebrates the ingredients’ integrity. Beautiful. I felt right where I needed to be. Beetroot borani, feta, walnuts: This was beautiful. Light, refreshing and crunchy. Topped with yellow beetroot that provides an extremely subtle sweetness with a good crunch. Pieces of walnut to elevate nuttiness and texture. The feta gives a gentle saltiness to contrast the sweetness of the beetroots. The beetroot borani is light and creamy. Beautiful dish to start. Sobrassada, thyme & honey tostada: This was exciting! There was spiciness, sweetness and herby tones to this piece. The tostada has a nice crunch to it. A bite brings you through a journey of melted honey with tones of spices that coats your tongue, then the flavourful spiciness from the sobrassada comes through. All that with the fragrant thyme accompanying your bite. By the end, the honey married with the oil from the sobrassada, and it is quite lovely to just clean the plate off with what’s left. What a fun dish to bring the meal together. Finished my meal with a glass of Pedro Ximenez. Let’s just say the rich sweetness of the sherry settles gradually with the after notes of the sobrassada that was left on my tongue. After note: My experience with the service was very lovely. It was both personal and warm. Much gratitude to Monica, Abel, Josh, and Hugo… Also the host, whose name I did not catch… A very cohesive, warm, and international team here. They work well and closely with one another, was enjoyable to watch. P.s. Glad this was the place I chose to have my last dinner in Oxford. The restrooms are maintained well and hygiene was in check.

Miffed that this restaurant is a Michelin recommendation. We started with the mixed olives which were not tasty nor mixed (green olives). The beetroot dish was good but needed to be served on a bed of rockets or with naan. The chickpeas were not at all impressive. We did enjoy the bread and chorizo. The atmosphere was totally underwhelming with no decor.

I’m not the type to leave bad reviews. But I was so outraged at the management of this restaurant and felt a need to express. I’ve been wanting to visit this place for months. And it is advertised as a ‘Spanish’ restaurant. Having lived in Andalusia, Spain for a year and having been to some of the best tapas bars of my life. The fact they wouldn’t allow a mother and her child into a restaurant at 8pm in the middle of summer to eat felt like another level of DISCRIMINATION. Whats amusing is that in Spain this would never happen. In Spain children are welcomed in public spaces and they generally have a welcoming attitude. So funny that of all the places in Oxford it’s the one claiming to be Spanish that refuses a mother to eat at 8pm. Seeing the irony in this situation helped me to let go how awful this man made me feel. When approaching the restaurant I was met with a moody waiter. He could have been the boss or manager. Maybe not. But he was unfriendly to say the least. He was very blunt and said I wasn’t allowed in with a child - who was sleeping dare I say. Now I would maybe understand if this was a bar. But this is a restaurant primarily. I have never been refused entry to a restaurant or a pub in the evening with the desire of getting dinner. If the man had been friendly and gentle in his approach. I wouldn’t be leaving this poor review. He didn’t even say I could come back at lunch or explain why the restaurant wouldn’t allow mothers in. They said some stupid thing about a license. My attitude is that if pretty much every restaurant in Oxford is capable of getting a ‘license’ to allow mothers to eat then why this place isn’t capable I have no idea. Turns out this place is trying to get a Michelin star. Well I went to the best restaurant of my life in wales a few weeks ago. Now that was Michelin star quality and they didn’t make me feel I couldn’t enjoy an evening meal with my child being there. Everyone in the restaurant including the staff and customers absolutely adored my child and nor did she interrupt anyone’s meal. I suggest they re-assess this ridiculous rule. You never know who will be deciding which restaurant gets the star ;) every customer should be treated with respect. Period. I felt outraged and angry. Mothers of all people who are breastfeeding especially should be welcomed in to restaurants to eat and even encouraged to eat. I’ve only had kindness from every restaurant I’ve entered since becoming a mum. I suggest the restaurant re-assesses this grumpy somewhat sexist man being front of house as he clearly has the wrong attitude to what customer service entails. Adios

Fantastic restaurant, one of the best we’ve been to in Oxford

Fantastic Michelin restaurant, the food is very tasty and it feels like what’s you order will be great. The cocktails are great, I highly recommend the Basil Gimlet. For dishes I would recommend Bread, Beetroot, Chorizo, Chickpeas, Courgette Chicken, Cheesecake, Chocolate Mousse.

Lighting was far too dim, could barely read the menu. Tomato and tuna dish came with so much salt and canned tuna. Chicken was £15 and was half a chicken breast fried, dry and too salty once again. Patatas bravas were just average, bread was nice and toasted but doesn’t redeem the rest of the meal.

Great tasting spanish tapas, a great selection of dishes. I would recommend all the dishes we had but especially the Aubergine with whipped feta, and the caramelised manchego. We sat outside on the lively Cowley Road and had great service.

Vine con unos amigos para celebrar mi cumpleaños y nos quedamos boquiabiertos. Tuvimos una comida tan excepcional y fuimos tan bien atendidos por Ben y los otros miembros del personal, todos eran muy atentos y amables. Mi amiga tiene múltiples alergias por lo que nuestra encantadora camarera revisó todo el menú con nosotros dándonos ideas sobre lo que los chefs podrían alterar en los platos que queríamos. Es muy difícil para él comer en los restaurantes, así que era muy especial saber que el restaurante estaba haciendo un esfuerzo adicional para que se sintiera cuidado. Cada plato estaba delicioso, estábamos peleando por el último trozo de ibérico! Entonces me sorprendió con un postre de cumpleaños que era muy amable y obviamente delicioso. Sin duda volveremos, por la comida, el ambiente y el personal increíble - ¡qué joya tener en Oxford!

Don’t be fooled by the watch maker sign, you have found the restaurant, great atmosphere, but very noisy so don’t go there if you are looking for an quiet intimate night be aware of this, food was great with an interesting menu, but as with a lot of Tapas bars expect to come out either hungry or poor ! Being from Sydney I find it strange that 12.5% is automatically added to the bill for service, why isn’t this just added to the menu price . Shame you don’t allow customers to decide if they want to reward excellent staff with a tip they feel is appropriate, there is no reward for staff to put in extra effort There an area to sit outside but beware this is right on the busy Cowley Rd so expect a lot of noise and pollution with your tapas.

A very delicious Spanish cuisine, no wonder it made it into the Michelin recommendations. It’s recommended to book in advance on the official website. Due to licensing and for the consideration of our other guests, children under 12 are not permitted in the restaurant for evening services (starting 4:30 pm daily).

Un lugar realmente excelente y emocionante para la cocina mágica española, buena y bebida. No estábamos desde la pandemia, y es tan mágico como siempre. Platos imaginativos con vinos de primera.

onion tortilla 6.5 Salty, strong and dark. It feels like Europe. The texture of potatoes is very good Fig, Iberico Jamon, almonds, rocket 10 The Iberian flavor comes out well

One of my favorite dining experiences in Oxford for sure!

I was really excited to try Arbequina and it did not disappoint. The food was exceptional; I really enjoyed the chickpea salad. I cannot wait to visit again. Fantastic food, relaxed environment, and exceptional service.

Best Spanish food place in Oxford. Has a small menu and everything is delicious. The wine list is pretty good too and has the usual Spain’s favourites in the list. Great service and has a Spanish tapas restaurant feel ( as if you are in Spain - Old town in a city ) We were 4 of us and we tried the entire menu ( well almost ) and everything was amazing. Verdict 5/5 Meal for 2 is easily £120/- with wine bottle

Can't be faulted! Absolutely delicious and wonderful service.

Fuimos a celebrar un cumpleaños. Los cócteles y la comida eran deliciosos, el personal servicial - necesito decir más! Es un lugar encantador y está ocupado, así que tendrás que reservar.

Amazing, highly recommend! Can't wait to go back

Soo glad to have had the opportunity to experience the amazing food, ambience and service at Arbequina. When I booked my trip from Houston to Toronto the first thing I did was book a dinner date with my daughter here. We had such a wonderful experience. Everything we tried was excellent and truly delicious. Each item brought out to our table was perfection and a work of art. The service was next to none and our server made us feel like the most important people in the room. From explaining the menu to providing updates on our food and clearing/setting the table between meals, everything was handled with care and professionalism. The chef is a master artist and has created amazing creations that make your taste buds dance. When you look around the restaurant you can feel the love and care that has been taken with each decision made for the decor. This husband wife owner duo has outdone themselves and I wish them the best for years to come. Thank you for an amazing time! If you are ever in Toronto this is a must try! Cant wait to come back!

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world! It never disappoints - the food is incredible, the drinks are amazing and the service is great. This time we booked the private room upstairs for a university reunion and Isha made our experience exceptional, so attentive and friendly. Hands down the best restaurant in Oxford, swanky and cool but not stuck up. Please go and order the tortilla and the chickpea salad (along with everything else)

Food was fantastic. Service was a little short at times but timely. Separate gluten free menu not available but chef could immediately tick and cross menu items for us.

Recommend the in season asparagus dish. Simple dishes but strong on flavour. Sensational basque cheesecake. Interesting drinks menu w good non-alcoholic cocktails. Chill vibes. Best place I've eaten in Oxford so far.

We've been to Arbequina a number of times and the food is always great, but on this visit Isha made our anniversary meal so special. The service she offered was exceptional and we were made to feel so welcome and celebrated that we definitely ate and drank more than we usually would have! But totally worth it - thanks Isha and the team! :)

Great food but overpriced for what you get. Has maybe become a little big for its boots since getting a place in the Michelin guide which is disappointing.

A little gem of a restaurant with an exciting and seriously delicious menu. Will definitely be going back!

Good tapas selection with sufficient veg options. Outdoor seating marred by smokers ( filthy). Unusual 9p.m. reservation considering kitchen closes at 930p.m. Repeatedly reminded of this by server but food ( patatas bravas) took at least 20 minutes to reach our table. Good enough for a week night out but very unlike other Michelin starred restos I have been too.

I decided to try this during my last night in Oxford based on strong recommendations online. I ordered the pomegranate fizz beverage, onion tortilla and aubergine. While the drink was delicious, unfortunately the food was pretty underwhelming. I was expecting more exciting (or subtle) flavour profiles because of the prices charged and its Michelin Guide recognition. But, the food was surprisingly basic.

My friend enjoyed her previous visit greatly, but we were disappointed this time. Note: three dishes were the same ones she had ordered last time, but two do not taste as good. For a restaurant with such hype and prices, I do not think it is quite pardonable. I have thought very hard whether to leave three or four stars, but decided on 3. While I think 12.5% service fee is high for a bar seating, as most dishes were served directly by the chef(?), but the lady who served us was very friendly and attentive. When we said the tortilla was too salty she took it off our order with alacrity. After we left the restaurant I needed to return 15 mins later to use the bathroom, and I was admitted without a question. So, service was good. Food: every dish is on the salty side, ranging from a bit salty and very salty. Food choices are rather limited, but they do change their menu. Onion tortilla: I am not sure if most of the dishes would taste better if accompanied by wine (we had plain water), but the onion tortilla was simply bad. One can feel it has been left in the plate for some time: not only was it very salty (you cannot bear to have another bite), it is oily and the slices do not hold together. We were told that if we requested a new plate it would still come from the same batch, so we returned the dish. (My friend had ordered the same thing in her last visit, and it had been much better.) Mushroom and walnut croquets: best dish among what we ordered. Still a bit salty but I love the ingredients combined give it both flavour and texture. Fried cauliflower: the cauliflower is not crispy. I do not like the bitterness of the charred part, but in general ok. Asparagus: good on the whole. Pickled asparagus was very tasty. But the purée was salty. Chicken: dry and tasteless. Burnt basque: topped with rum and raisin, I would say nice but unimpressive. Personally I do not want to give it another chance: again, service is good, but for the price you have much better options in Oxford.

Highly Recommended!!! Fine Ambiance, lovely team 🫶 I fell in love with their cocktails , pure bliss💗

We attended a pop-up event they held at Bantham in South Devon. Wow! Every dish was incredible. You can tell they've put a lot of time and effort into getting everything just right. They don't cut corners. They put on a set menu and weren't cooking in their own kitchen which can't have been easy...but they still aced it.

I’ve been wanting to go here for a while. Glad I made it. Great food!

get the crispy chickpea salad it acc blew my tiny mind... i did not expect chickpeas to elicit strong reactions from me but they did 🐣🫛 this is a great date spot! but don't let being single stop you from coming 😎

One of the best eateries in Oxford. Amazing cocktails, great service small but well balanced menu. Love everything about this place, except it's often fully booked!

Amazing food and service but the place was pretty dark and quite loud it was also very expensive

Always delicious. Always friendly. Always great.

Overall very positive experience - service was excellent, food was good, fair price. The only disappointment was the patatas bravas which I can't recommend ordering

Went for lunch and had a few small dishes. The vegeterian dishes were excellent. I liked the fish less.drinks were nice as well.

Have the sea bream, the bread, the hen's egg, and finish with the Santiago tart. Amazing!

Amazing food, very nice to share with few people. Very nice cocktails too. Definitely recommend for anyone coming by Cowley Road

Really well executed food in a friendly and unpretentious space. Bloody ruddy good

Excellent - the pictures don't get anywhere near to doing the flavours any justice and the service is spot on, prompt and attentive but not pushy.

Definitely worth Michelin Star! Ordered one of the desserts randomly and I liked it. I have to have a full experience next time!

My bf (yeah guys I’m taken sorry) made a reservation here months in advance and it’s on the Michelin guide or whatever so my expectations were simultaneously high and low- like how good can it be? And it was gooodddd. Every dish felt so interesting and unique and the flavours just weren’t like typical restaurant fare. Chickpea salad was an unexpected fav- how did they get them so crispy yet so light? And the aubergine’s molasses sauce was so different! Next time need to get the chorizo because the bits in the stew were the best I’ve ever had. And basque cheesecake to top it all off- MWAH! So yum so fun.

101% in every aspect. We understood it was fully booked, but they take walk-ins to eat at the bar. Arrived early, enquired for the bar, they took our number and said they would call when next bar spaces became available. They estimated 30mins and were spot on. We perched in front of the kitchen, which was great to watch the efficient production of the dishes. The entire place was full, busy and buzzing. The first great touch was a jug of water and no upselling to buy a bottle... Then the food, top notch in every way, imaginative, intersting, sensational, far more than a Tapas Bar, it is on par (maybe better) than Fine Dining stunning Intense, balanced flavours. The crew serving meet the challenge of holding it all together. The chefs organised in turning out plates of magic efficiently. Finally, even the background music playlist made me very happy. Looking forward to visiting again and again.

chill vibes, good food and service. Will visit again when come to Oxford.

I have been waiting a while to try Arbequina, after almost 4 weeks since booking, I was thrilled to try it as many people talked so highly about it. Staff was delightful, attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is fun, cozy and relaxing. But food was not up to the expectations: we ordered different tapas, to try vegetarian and meat options and have been disappointed by all of them. Lack of flavour was the common factor of all dishes, besides the onion tortilla that was nice and balanced, but no “wow factor” that would make me want to order it again. I haven’t found much of the Spanish food I know, their flavours and spices and I left disappointed.

We had such a nice evening last night. The atmosphere was spot on and the food was exquisite- some of the best I have had for a long time. Our favourite dishes were the pork, aubergine and the chicken thighs! Thank you for a fab dinner :)

Delicious food, friendly staff and nice atmosphere.

Excellent food and the staff was very helpful with choosing the menu

Very nice food and cosy atmosphere.

Was looking for a nice neighbourhood place for date night and was not disappointed. The food was delicious (amazing selection of veggie options) and all fresh and hot. The non-alcoholic cocktails were also really delicious.

Nathan nailed it. Ben's wine list is exceptional. Chef nailed it. Fantastic experience - fave place in ox. 11/10

Just a really great tapas place and just generally one of the very few great restaurants in Oxford. The dishes are unique, change regularly and just prove the exceptional ingredients that are being used. Some dishes are incredible, some are "just" good. Sadly, many dishes lack spices and thus just focus on the (honestly) great raw(/cooked) materials. Atmosphere is casual, but intimate. Perfect for a date of two; maybe not so ideal for bigger groups. You are, however, really close to the kitchen counter, which means that you will leave with quite smelly clothes. Service is really friendly and relaxed, which doesn't match the reservation system that might be quite confusing. Places seem fully booked weeks in advance and then suddenly open up again on the very same day...

Wonderful food and great service. Lots of vegetarian options, less meat and seafood than in the past. The barman was very lively and fun. They did come and politely ask us to vacate our table for the next sitting which I was surprised about but we had finished.

This is the rare occasion when a restaurant lives up to its hype. Critically acclaimed and loved by locals, Arbequina offers Spanish style tapas and creative dishes. Our favorites includes the tortilla (best we’ve had outside of Spain), roasted aubergine, and the chickpea salad. The staff was warm and knowledgeable and our server at Arbequina was one of our favorites throughout our time in the UK. TL;DR - Highly recommend, lives up to the hype, can’t wait to go back!

A tapas restaurant in cowley. The food was good, but not amazing. It was pricey, as we spent almost £50 and I didn’t think we ordered too much. I would say you can get better food in Oxford for this price. The service was okay. One staff was really friendly and helpful, whereas the other one was quite cold faced. Hence, overall an average experience with the service.

Delicious food, friendly service, lovely desserts

Excellent service and delicious food

Unpretentious European class. Every dish is genuinely Iberian and delightful. The carafes of wine and water keep a good evening of socialising in flow. This place is a treat.

The food and staff are amazing. Booking ahead is advisable but not always essential.

Near-perfect food at a reasonable price. They deserve their Michelin Star. The chickpea salad was phenomenal.

Heureusement nous avions réservé ! Plats très bons et bien élaborés. Les prix sont correctes . Un service qui manque peut être un peu d’empathie. Jean-Marc

Superb! Great food, wonderful staff. Came in at Saturday night without reservation and got a seat at the bar (which we loved because you could look into the kitchen). The kitchen staff just seemed to be having a great time, obviously recognized in the food. Lovely service too. Great food, great recommendations by the (kitchen) staff as everything on the menu looked amazing. The chickpea salad and the salmorejo were amazing! Thanks so much

Good food, nothing sensational but tasty. the order in which the tapas was brought out meant that it was a very carb heavy end to the meal.

Tasty selection of tapas with cocktails was just the ticket. Very relaxed atmosphere with great service. Lovely place and highly recommended.

Beautiful restaurant with impeccable service and delicious and exciting food. I’ve come twice in a month - what a gem!

We've been so thrilled to discover the fabulous Arbequina that we've been twice in a fortnight - once for lunch and once for dinner. Everything about it from the warmth of the welcome and the charming efficient staff to the great food with such a range of tastes and flavours is a delight. Try the Aubergine and Pomegranate seeds, or the Crispy Chick Peas and the light-as-a-feather Onion Tortilla - oh I don't know why I'm bothering to pick out individual dishes, it's all so good! Last time we were there on a warm evening there were people eating out at the pavement tables which had a lovely European vibe. The wine's robust and served in a carafe - and the Raspberry Custard tarts are a revelation. It all makes for a fabulous experience - good to go with friends if you can so you can order a table of deliciousness and try out lots of small dishes. Highly recommended!

Wow! What a triumph this place is. The atmosphere was just right, the cocktail choices were delightful and the food was fantastic. TheSlow cooked lamb was so good and the aged Manchego with burnt sugar was a total surprise, the sweetness of the sugar with the cheese was a perfect match.

Wonderful tapas style place , but the portions are larger Definitely worth experiencing . The food came promptly and the staff and especially the barren friendly

Fui ao arbequina e fiquei impressionada com a qualidade da comida. O cardápio é enxuto, mas tudo é executado de forma primorosa. Ótimas opções sem glúten e vegetarianas. Não deixe de provar o prato de grão de bico fritos e a tortilha. Os drinks também são muito bons

Been to loads of tapas bars for food here & abroad. This place was very very good. The bread was amazing. Chick pea dish was something extraordinary. The sardines were top notch. No complaints at all and the atmosphere projects that they take their food seriously. Go and eat there.

Booked out the private dining area for a 30th birthday meal and I can highly recommend it to anyone considering it. Management were responsive and organised in their communications prior to our arrival, and the staff were very helpful and attentive throughout the evening. The food was exquisite - there wasn't a single dish I could fault! We will definitely be returning for more in the near future.

I was excited to try Arbequina after reading so many positive reviews, and was in no way disappinted. Everything we ordered was simply delicious, and the menu offered a great selection for vegetatian diners, as well as plenty of meat choices. The decor and atmosphere was cosy and intmate, and the staff were friendly and attentive. I have to make it clear that absolutely everything we ate was amazing, although the onion tortilla, the roast squash, the aubergine, and the chocolate mousse were particular highlights. Everything was very reasonably priced considering the high quality of the food and general ambiance of the restaurant. I would highly recommend visiting Arbequina, and will definitely be returning myself!

O arbequina é um restaurante de tapas com muitas opções deliciosas. Provavelmente a melhor comida que provei em Oxford. O menu não é muito grande, mas tudo o que pedimos estava muito bom. Destaque especial pro grão de bico frito e pras tortillas. O restaurante também tem boas opções sem gluten e de drinks.

I’ve reviewed Arbequina before, but it deserves another 5 star review because it never disappoints. Wouldn’t mind a few new (veggie) dishes on the menu, but who cares… I could eat all of the menu forever even without changes. Also the cocktails are different and delicious, and the prices reasonable. Dinner for 4 including 3 tapas each, 3 cocktails and a desert each, party of 4, just over £200 = excellent value.

The food was very varied and a good size. The bread and harrissa was delicious and nearly stole the show. Drinks were lovely, as were the staff. Would recommend to anyone.

The food here is just so special - I enjoyed every plate we shared. There is a lot of choice for vegetarians. The ambience is great too, it's informal but has a great vibe. We ate outside and enjoyed the summer evening.

The tapas-style was tasty and just the right size. What impressed me was that, when they didn't have the wine I wanted, the recommendation was excellent and the service prompt and thorough.

Nice little place. Quite busy. Sat outside. It was good not average. Some nice dishes. Staff friendly. Not for a special occasion but good casual dining venue.

We wanted to take our son to a new restaurant to him and he chose this as he’d always thought it would be too expensive for his student money. Being Michelin rated we thought it would be too - being only open thurs to say...

Excellent tapas. Excellent, really attentive service. Given that we were sat outside, the staff were really quick to appear whenever a glass needed topping up or extra water being needed. Each of the tapas plates really good.

Vraiment super! I love staff , food .cocktails atmosphere. For me it’s a 10 across the board. Love u guys Everything I tried here was spotless

Clearly one of the very best restaurants in Oxford. Everything we ordered was superb from the food to the drinks. Obviously the price does reflect this to an extent but deservedly so. The balance of flavours on each dish was always spot on. Service was...

I had the privilege of living just across the road from Arbequina for nearly a year and can safely say that it is truly one of the best restaurants in Oxford, if not the country. The food is reasonably priced for its amazing quality (trust...

Visited last night with friends - place was buzzing. Waitress amazing - attentive, knowledgeable (we wanted gluten free choices) plus very funny. She recommended the girls the cocktail of the day plus the wine with the meal - don’t often go with recommendations but she...

A real disappointment. We came here for a special occasion and left blown away by the limited selection, bang average dishes and how unbelievably overpriced it was. Drinks first - they have two beers on draft starting at £3.50 for 275ml which is already pretty expensive even by Oxford standards, but is also, to my knowledge, illegal to serve in that measure. It isn't even half a pint! Wine comes in small 125ml glass, 'carafe', or bottle, but the carafe is a paltry 375ml and is priced at what you might expect to pay for a bottle elsewhere. The menu is pretty limited and even for tapas the portion sizes are small, especially given the prices. The £13 chicken thigh was two small, thin thighs in a tomato sauce with a couple of spring onions. In many places along the Cowley Road, £13 would get you a full main course. The pork belly was even more expensive and even more meagre. It bared no resemblance to any belly pork I have had before; it was small, dry and lacked any real flavour. The sobrassada was probably the biggest joke - £8 for a single very burnt slice of toast spread with a layer of sausage meat so thin that it was undetectable by taste. The honey did little to complement this. The crispy chickpea salad was the only notable dish in terms of its innovation. It was genuinely tasty and the chickpeas were cooked in a really novel way. The other dishes we tried: sardines, betroot borani, aubergine, roast cauliflower and octopus were all fine but largely unremarkable, which would be forgivable if it weren't for the sky-high prices. Service was good, cocktails were tasty and the main room where you enter had a nice atmosphere, although we were seated off in the side room which was pretty dingy with little in the way of decoration save some small prints on the wall and the saddest string of hearts plant I have ever seen. I presume this place must have been much better in the past as I find it hard to see how it would have gained such popularity in its current state. Perhaps I'm missing something, but I won't be rushing back. There are plenty of better tapas places in Oxford, even on the Cowley Road.

I've probably been to Arbequina ten or more times. It is fantastic, potentially the best, buzziest and most fun restaurant in Oxford. Every item on the menu is worth it. If you haven't been and are in the city: get there for on point tapas better than anywhere else in the county by a mile, delicious cocktails and an atmosphere that feels more London or Madrid than Oxford. Spot on.

This was magnificent. We had a lovely warm evening sitting outside and the waitress could not have been more helpful. Two coeliacs in the group and she took the through every detail and offered GF equivalents where required. The food was beautifully prepared and presented and the taste was sublime. The roast chickpeas, pats bravas, crispy pork belly and raspberry tart. Just to die for. Well worth the price.

Perfect tapas, really excellent service and atmosphere.

Visited when on a weekend trip with friends. As there were 6 of us we tried everything on the tapas menu it was wonderful. It’s a small place but full of atmosphere and the cocktails are to die for and very original. Would recommend you...

Very small portions. I would add more quantity. This place is not for you, unless you want to feel hungry after eating. However, the service and the quality was okay.