Chester Arms in Oxford

We have visited England several times but never on a Sunday. I've been so disappointed to miss their famous Sunday roasts. This season, we found ourselves in the Costswolds over a Sunday and I was excited to partake in this Sunday tradition. After a few internet searches, I stumbled upon an article in favor of the Chester Arms. It bragged about a long line around the block. We made a reservation months in advance. We found ourselves in the middle of an unassuming neighborhood. The restaurant was quaint and filled with locals. That being said, the best thing I can say about the restaurant is local convenience. The appetizers are middle Eastern inspired. You won't find Yorkshire pudding or any good gravies here nor any tender meat. The meat is flavorful but difficult to chew and beef is your only option. This isn't a type of place you want to go to for your Sunday roast but this may be the place you go to if you don't want to drive beyond your street.

Hemos visitado Inglaterra varias veces, pero nunca un domingo. Me ha decepcionado mucho perderme sus famosos asados dominicales. Esta temporada, nos encontramos en Costswolds durante un domingo y me entusiasmó participar en esta tradición dominical. Después de unas cuantas búsquedas en internet, me topé con un artículo a favor de Chester Arms. Se jactaba de una larga fila alrededor de la manzana. Hicimos una reserva con meses de antelación. Nos encontramos en medio de un barrio sin pretensiones. El restaurante era pintoresco y lleno de lugareños. Dicho esto, lo mejor que puedo decir sobre el restaurante es la conveniencia local. Los aperitivos son inspirados en Oriente Medio. No encontrarás pudín de Yorkshire ni salsas ni carne tierna. La carne es sabrosa pero difícil de masticar y la carne de res es su única opción. Este no es un tipo de lugar al que quieres ir para tu asado dominical, pero este puede ser el lugar al que vas si no quieres conducir más allá de tu calle.

Steak platter and Sunday roasts are incredible. Expect a long service wait, but it's worth it. Staff are busy, but helpful and lovely. Really lovely atmosphere - both for a cosy dinner on a dreary evening, and for drinks in the garden when the sun's out.

Amazing customer service！Good food and ambience. No wonder the line is always super long！

Nice meal outside. Too bad they determine what you have to pay for service. That was a letdown.

Very popular. Opens at 12 noon. Better be standing in the line well before 11 AM.

Excellent vegetarian roast- each part was very tasty and well cooked. Very generous portion! Crispy roast potatoes. Queued from around 11.40, no issues. Good bike rack.

The staff is unfriendly, and to get a table, you have to arrive before they even open and wait half an hour just to be told you’ll have to wait another hour! By 1 p.m., the food is already running out. AVOID this place!

This is the place you've been looking for.We had dinner here with some friends. Highly recommended!

One of the best pubs in Oxford for food! Been here several times for their steak platter which is amazing! Service is always welcoming and is a beautiful cosy pub for winter months

Excellent food. Great place. If you are driving there is no parking nearby.

More than 10 years in Oxford and I can't believe that I didn't discover the Chester Arms earlier. Amazing food, amazing people, best beer this side of Munich!

A happy and cozy place with delicious meats at a very reasonable price. Highly highly recommended. If the application stops, it is advisable to reserve

Wonderful food, staff and atmosphere.

Beautiful place, nice. Too little space and too many tables and chairs. It's too tight. I will gladly visit this place again when the meals will be less fatty.

We had the steak platter yesterday and honestly it was *outstanding*. We were just blown away. Incredibly delicious. The steak itself was beautifully seasoned and cooked, the chips were possibly the best I’ve ever had, the bearnaise sauce was just delicious and even the bread whilst we were waiting was exceptionally good. Would give the food six stars if I could!

Great food, great staff, great atmosphere! Will definitely come again!

The best steak and Sunday roast in town!

Visited on a Sunday Eve. Kitchen opened at 6pm and food arrived not long after. Had the Steak platter and it was amazing!!! Loads for me & the GF. Service was friendly & fantastic, will defo be visiting again!

Ordered the steak 🥩. Bit pricey but it was tasty. Service was awesome and a great selection of ale and beer. Will be coming back. Thanks.

Really great steak platter. Been twice, now, and already looking forward to the next time! Only regret is that because it's a platter for 2, and I haven't yet persuaded my partner to try rare steak, I have to eat medium-rare meat. Also means I can't post pictures cus some smart arse will comment it's overcooked. Either way, delicious!

The steak platter. Hoooolyyyy. What a meal, I keep coming back.

Very nice food and drinks. Good service, quick and efficient with smiles. Steak platter was excellent as was the beer.

Steak good. Add a bitter ale 5% abv or above for the fifth star.

Mientras visitábamos Oxford comimos aquí. Mi amigo había estado previamente con la familia y me dijo que era bueno, pero no estaba completamente preparado para lo sabroso que era el plato de carne. Sólo desearía vivir más cerca. 10 / 10 altamente recomendable.

Their steak platter is very delicious, the portion is very generous, the steak is tender and chewy, and their peach-flavored beer is highly recommended! (It should be noted that dinner must be reserved in advance, otherwise you will have to queue up)

I've been for Sunday roast a few times and the food is absolutely incredible. No reservations so table are first come first serve so queueing before 1145 is a safe bet depending on how big if a group you're coming with

Believe the hype. Believe the comments about the queue. The roast beef was delicious, as well as being huge. I love that they've kept the rustic feel but maintain an incredibly high standard of food and service. We got here at 11.30 and there was already a queue. Absolutely worth the wait.

Uno de nuestros lugares regulares para comer cuando viajamos a Oxford para ver a la familia y siempre es tan bueno como nuestra primera visita. Personal amable y servicial, excelente comida y excelente comida. 3 de nosotros tenía el plato de carne que pedimos raro y estaba perfectamente cocinado. Ya estoy deseando mi próxima visita!

The cabbage is out of this world, an absolute must have when visiting!! The service was so quick even for a busy saturday and the staff were very accommodating and lovely. The food is amazing value for price particularly the steak platter and just truly delicious food!

One of the good places I have been to. It’s good, dog friendly. They have Polaroid images of all the dog that visit the pub. Food was tasty and beer was great to

Great service, very good atmosphere. The steak platter and the fish and chips are great.

You must try the steak platter if you visit this place. The steak and chunky fries were amazing!

One of the very best pub restaurants in Oxford

5 stars for everything here. The food was delicious and tasty! Cabbage with bacon/smoked sausage was surprisingly good, crisp chips and salad with the medium rare steak, awesome combination. You can book online (even we were late they manage to get a table for us). The lunch is served until 2:30pm (we were just on time). The service was very good and we were happy to pay the service fee (12.5%) added to the bill, employees were friendly and quick. Feedback from my husband on the IPA was delicious, really good IPA. The atmosphere is great, they have a garden outside for warmer days. Loved the pictures of dogs on the wall, I look forward to going back and bring my dog with us. The place is also pet friendly. Definitely worth a visit!

Typical English pub, very good beer, excellent food. Very welcoming and friendly staff.

This is it. This is the place you've been looking for. Get the steak platter,order extra bernaise and cabbage, and you are headed straight for a food coma. Don't make other plans, just make sure you get home safe.

Probamos este lugar ya que nuestro hijo eligió este diciendo que es un pequeño lugar escondido, pero bueno para el asado del domingo Tuvimos que hacer cola y esperar una hora, pero está bien

Let’s get it short: The Food was fu..ing amazing, the best Pub food we‘ve ever had. Steak medium rare, service absolutely outrageous🥰 and friendly, location perfect, delicious beer, what else could you imagine? Highly Recommended!!!!

Tons of amazing food, worth the price everytime

Finally had the steak platter after months of wanting to try. Chips were so crispy and flavourful. Got meat sweats but it was worth it.

Two words: steak platter. It’s what The Chester Arms is known for, and it never disappoints. Sometimes there’s a wait; it’s always worth it. Delightful staff, with a super efficient front-of-house. Big beer garden, perfect for a drink on a summer’s evening. Never had a bad experience here.

Un amigo y yo nos encontramos en el área de Oxford y decidimos probar este pub. Ambos comemos bastante con nuestras familias. El servicio y la cerveza eran buenos y era una noche agradable, así que se sentó fuera. Nos quedamos satisfechos con nuestra elección cuando ves tanta gente allí comiendo debe ser bueno. Fuimos por un par de entrantes pimientos Pedron y pan casero y dips ambos eran muy buenos. Fuimos por el plato de carne para principal, se veía muy impresionante y el filete se cocinó bien, nuestro único problema leve fue que algunos de los filetes eran un poco masticables, pero en general fue una buena experiencia y puede que solo tuvimos un poco de mala suerte. Sin duda volvería de nuevo si nos encontramos en Oxford.

James was wonderful. Booking us a table and looking after us really well. Food was amazing and such a big portion.

Incredible everything! order the steak but hear the specials as well

Wow! I'll be back. Amazing service and well worth a try. Unique special daily and the pictures don't lie. That is actually what it looks like on your table.

Great food & feel to the place!

Nice food, rather spoiled by being jammed into a corner by two enormous, stinking dogs the owners were incapable of controlling.

Probably one of the best fish and chips I've had. Good atmosphere and fast service. Good with an English IPA beer. Very reasonable prices.

Never had a bad meal or experience here, food is amazing, steak platter all the way

This is a nice place the food is good and the service is good too. I recommend booking a tablet in advance.

Vegan sharing mezze and roast are impeccable 👏

They met everything expected, I would give it one more star. Thanks a lot. Pet friendly ❤️

The food was really good. We purchased a steak platter between three of us. We wanted the steak medium rare and it was cooked to perfection. The service was good and they always kept checking to make sure we were happy with our food. The IPA was good also especially when i don’t usually drink it but i throughly enjoyed it.

Best of the best for steak in Oxford. Super reasonable price - £60 for a 3-ppl-share steak, with excellent juicy and tender meat with great chip and sauce.

Great service, good food and really friendly staff. Very dog friendly. Food was quick to come out, but not rushed, staff were super happy and friendly, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. The starters were good, and the infamous steak platter was done exactly as ordered (rare). Will be back!

The food was really nice, but it was way too much to finish it. Maybe a little less on the plate and a slightly lower price would be an idea. The staff were very friendly and the selection of beers was also nice.

we couldn't reserve, so we came early for a Bday dinner. We ordered the 3 platter steak for 4 people, and it was amazing. the steak was so epic, the fries, the salad, great Bearnaise sauce. Highly recommend this dish!! Service is very average, you need to go get your own drinks, yet they expect you to pay 12.5%.... seriously they ask for Tip for me getting my own drinks? if service had been better, I would have given a 5/5.

A great beer garden, especially on a sunny day. So lovely to sit around the tree. Good beers. Small but excellent menu. Worth spending a few hours here!

We had a reservation but were very late, we were unable to get through on the phone. Luckily they kindly found a table for us anyway. Portion sizes were very generous and really good quality food. Garden was lovely to sit out in!

A rather British-style local pub. The steak platter is very generous and tastes quite good. There aren’t many varieties of food, but it’s suitable for foreign tourists to experience local cuisine.

This absolute gem of a restaurant can not receive enough praise. The atmosphere is incredible, the food is nothing short of excellent - certainly a level of quality where you would expect to pay triple the cost (the steak platter is a MUST) The staff are very keen to be of service: Merlin was a great help during my meal today. Will absolutely be coming back.

Just popped in for a cheeky bevy and a small snack. The pints were deeeeelicious and super fresh. We were only coming in for something small, sharing a small portion of arancini, which was so soooo tasty - tomato sauce was incredible. Gave us complimentary bread, didn't rush us out at all, such brilliant and attentive people who work here. Wicked experience

Went for a Sunday roast. Was not disappointed. The food was delicious and plentiful.

Fantastic roast dinner, pork was so tender and potatoes, veg and yorkshires all cooked to perfection. Great selection of drinks and £23 for a roast dinner and a dessert I thought was very reasonable for the area and the quality. Friendly staff also. The queues outside at 11:45am says it all really. Will be back!

My partner and I moved to Oxford last year and we’ve been coming to this pub every week for date night, purely because it has the best food, great service, fantastic vibe, the best beer garden tree, the best dogs, and a superb location. The staff are always super friendly, polite, helpful, and accommodating. They change the specials almost from day to day, which means you can always try something new, or opt for the usual from the menu. Every friend I’ve taken there has been delighted by the food. I’ve noticed some people have said in other reviews you have to wait a long time for food to arrive… it’s a popular pub, so if you come at peak time, naturally you’ll wait a little longer, but if the company is good, then it shouldn’t be a problem ;) Top tip, arrive early (before seven pm) and you’ll get a table in no time :)

The Sunday roast was somewhat disappointing. Given the queues to get in, I expected something that would offer more to write home about. Whilst there were plenty of potatoes and sufficient veg, there was little meat and gravy was watery and sparse. The beef was paper thin to the extent there was hardly anything there. Pork was ok, but crackling tough and hard - eat with caution, and if you have delicate teeth, expect expensive dental bills. Had crème brûlée for pudding and it was pretty standard. Service was slow and quite laborious even though we were one of the first to get in. Meal took around two hours for main course and pudding. I’ve had better roast dinners at Head of the River and Gusto on the High Street. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this one.

Visited Chester arms many times over the years. Steak always cooked lovely and the sides are a nice touch. I do feel standards have dropped in recent times though. Twice now I’ve waited over an hour for food and we only order one dish for the table (the famous steak platter of course). First photo was 2019 for 2 people, second photo for 2024 for 3 people. Steak portions have shrunk a lot, chips were better back in the day too being a lot crispier verses present day the chips seem to be like chip shop chips. A bit mushy. The ratio of chips to steak has changed a lot so the chips seemed to just bulk up the dish to make it more filling. Plus free bread back then used to be a basket for the table, now just a tiny slither per person. It’s only some bread! Surely doesn’t cost the earth to make and is a nice little touch, especially if you need to wait a long time for dinner to be served. Finally I prefer to add a tip on at the end at my discretion rather than a service fee. I can understand service fee for large groups but we were just a small table.

Delicious food served in an authentic setting.The flavors were spot-on, and the atmosphere truly felt genuine, making it a dining experience to remember

Absolutely magical evening spent with my girlfriend! The restaurant exuded charm, and the cuisine was a delightful journey for our taste buds. Sharing such a romantic dinner with her made the experience even more meaningful and unforgettable

Enjoyable family dinner! Great food and cozy atmosphere. Perfect for quality time together

Lovely cosy pub with a nice hustle bustle atmosphere. We needed to book a few weeks in advance to get in. Had their special steak platter which was for three and very good value for money. All in all a great pub meal out experience.

Went on Saturday night and the host was very friendly, nice outdoor area and cosy interior. Waiter was also very friendly and the service was perfect. The selection of lager was great with some standard lager, gluten free and peach infused which was nice to try. The steak platter was great (especially the bacon lettuce thing was crazy in the steak sauce) and presented so well. It’s a good price for steak a very generous portion as well (steak for 2 could have easily fed 3 of us) so managed to take some leftovers home luckily. They have a discretionary 12.5% service charge which usually I would complain about, but they made it clear this is added to the bill and give you the choice to remove it and the service was worth that anyway. Overall I’d definitely recommend visiting.

Fantastic steak platter. Starters also very good.

Bloody awesome, we had been unable to book, so we had a wait for a table but definitely worth it excellent staff, steak platter was cooked perfectly, can't wait to return on me next trip to oxford

They have the Best meal of the week, when visiting Oxford. Remember to book a table weeks in advance

Everyone has to try the steak here. The quality of the food is high, service is good, and portion is amazing.

Love love LOVE this place! I really ought to try other meals on their menu, but the steak platter gets me every time 😅😋 Visited again last weekend, 5 of us walked in without booking (the audacity!) but we were seated immediately without no stress or fuss. Thank you guuuuys 😊♥️

Can’t go wrong. Steak platter or nothing. Solid food, descent price.

Steak platter always a winner! Good quality food, with great service. Would recommend.

I feel bad because we only go here to order one thing. It's so good why go for anything else. Honestly one of my favourite places to eat out in Oxford, highly recommended. You'll need to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Had dinner here; koftas, chicken burger, lamb ragu and beers. All were delicious.

Very nice location, child-friendly, great food

Absolutely amazing steak platter for 2, we still can’t decide if the steak or the cabbage side was our favourite part of the meal Service was great and Ivan definitely recommend Chester Arms for a great afternoon out, just make sure you book in advance to be sure to get a table.

Food: The steak platter at this establishment surpassed all expectations, delivering a culinary delight that left a lasting impression. Cooked to perfection, each succulent bite of the steak was a testament to the chef's expertise. Paired with a delectable rice, the flavors harmonized seamlessly, creating a truly unforgettable dining experience. Service: The service was impeccable, with attentive staff ensuring that every need was met promptly and with a smile. From recommendations to timely refills, the staff went above and beyond to enhance the overall dining experience. Ambiance: Set in a cozy and inviting atmosphere, the ambiance further elevated the dining experience, providing the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal with loved ones. Overall, the steak platter here stands out as a culinary masterpiece, complemented by exceptional service and a charming ambiance. A must-visit for any steak enthusiast craving an unforgettable dining experience.

Fabulous atmosphere, food was absolutely delicious. Staff super friendly and efficient. Would definitely recommend, but book ahead. Very popular 👌🏻

What a great place. No wonder you have to book in advance. We were greeted by a very welcoming staff member who sat us to our table straight away, even though we were a tad early. The atmosphere was buzzing. You could tell everyone was having a great time. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable when we asked questions about the food. The steak platter was mouth-watering, freshly cooked, and hit the spot!

Lovelyyyyy spot tucked away in a residential area. The welcome, staff, seating, menu are all spot on 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

adn't visited the Chester Arms for a meal for a couple of years, but remembering how brilliant it had been then, I booked a table for a family birthday lunch. We were not disappointed! The food was memorably delicious, from the mezze dips (and the bread) to the famous Steak Platter and best-ever chips and tasty cabbage. The seafood risotto (a special of the day) was brilliant too, with a wonderful aroma: please give it a permanent place on the menu... We'll be back!

Wow, what a find!! Off the beaten track, a good walk from the town centre but absolutely worth it. Be prepared to queue but totally worth the wait for an unforgettable Sunday lunch!

Sunday lunch, roast beef and overnight slow roasted pork belly lunches. Large tasty portions. Washed down with good beer. Service was excellent, but get there early on a Sunday as there is a long queue. We were lucky as it was sunny.

We were recommended this place by our hotel, The mercure Hawkwell house. It did not disappoint. We arrived and hadn’t made a booking but were swiftly seated at a table for 2. The waitress was great, the menu is small but the food was fantastic. We would highly recommend this place if you are visiting the area. Great food, great atmosphere and great staff. Well done

Steak platter never disappoints. Far and away best steak (and fries, cabbage with bacon, salad and hollandaise sauce) in Oxford. It's not cheap but well worth it. No kids menu which is a shame but they had small fish n chips (excellent) and burger (delicious for adults but not for kids). Very very friendly and helpful staff.

Will met us as we arrived without a prior booking (Wednesday evening). He was an exceptional server. Will gave great advice about the menu, even suggesting the portions were very large. After we left the pub, Will managed to chase us along a long, dark road to return a forgotten handbag. He caught up with us whilst mid, 180° manoeuvre, a super human effort from an extraordinary member of staff. Thank you Will xx The food was amazing too 🙂

Best food I've eaten in Oxford. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. Loved it!

Booked a table for 5 on Valentine’s Day, unfortunately due to illness, our 3 friends cancelled on my partner and I last minute. After already paying for parking we arrived on time for the reservation. We explained the situation, having just been cancelled on, and were first told we should have called to let them know (we had both come directly from work). The gentleman spoke down to us like he was going out of his way to patronise us. Our reservation was then cancelled, and we were told we would have to join the back of a waitlist for a 2 person table, which would be at least 1 hour at 6:30 on Valentine’s Day. There was no accommodation or compromise, we were simply told that’s what the manager says regardless of our reservation. While we appreciate that it is a busy day of the year we felt patronised, dismissed, and hungry…disappointing experience.

Another fantastic visit to the Chester Arms. Had a lovely Sunday Roast which the Chester has become Famous for. Fully recommended the Roast beef. But there is plenty on the menu. Thank you to the Staff that always go the extra mile every time nothing is too much trouble. Will be back very soon.

We had dinner here with some friends. Highly recommended! There were 8 of us and we shared the starters (green peppers, olives and the delicious sourdough bread with dips, all of them x2) and 2 steak dishes for two. And of course a bottle of red wine (Primitivo). The wine was not outstanding, but everything else… just wonderful. What a steak, what an evening! Thank you

One of my favourite places in Oxford. Good service, amazing food, awesome staff💚

This restaurant is absolutely incredible. I have been here multiple times, but I have only just had the long overdue motivation to write a review. I have only ever had the famous Hamzah's steak platter here, in addition I've had the bacon salad and a few Bloody Marys ( which are delicious and the BEST Bloody Mary I have ever had!). Our waiter the last time my partner and myself were there, was a very wholesome and informed man called Merlin (incredible name) who had an extensive knowledge of the menu and whisky, despite only working there for 2 weeks! I would like to 1000% recommend The Chester Arms for anyone who appreciates steak. Genuinely, this is the best steak restaurant I have ever been to. This will stay in my mind for the rest of my life. A personal note to their new hire Merlin, you are a very cool dude and my girlfriend and I were very impressed with your knowledge of the menu and your personal recommendation of how the steak should be cooked, and the best whisky/whiskey to try. On top of that, a recommendation for further Whisky that is not on the menu! (i.e keep him and promote him!) Clearly a staple of the community and in my eyes, the UK. Incredible value for money, this is THE hidden gem of Oxford and should go down in history amongst the architecture.