Jamaican Eating House in Oxford

It is said that war is long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. In this regard Hi Lo Jamaican Eating House is similar to war. But as Sun Tzu writes in the Art of War, "be where your enemy is not". At 11pm on a Friday night my enemy was certainly not there, and neither was anyone else. I was very excited to go to Hi Lo Jamaican Eating House due to the reviews posted here. They range from 1 to 5 stars but are almost entirely concentrated on those two ends. 5 star reviews will tell you it is a life changing experience where you will make friends for life and be entertained by the rambunctious proprietor. 1 star reviews warn of abuse, terrible service, and the rambunctious proprietor. On TripAdvisor several reviews flag a serious safety concern. Unfortunately on my visit I experienced none of this. Just a profoundly boring evening in a strange bar with a dead and hostile atmosphere, drinking room temperature bottled Guinness foreign export. In this regard it has failed even to fail me correctly as the 1 star reviews told me it would. Other reviews mention food but when asked they apparently don't do it anymore. The bar is silent unless you pay money in the jukebox, which paired with its emptiness just makes it kind of creepy.

Authentic Jamaican bar with great drinks, great vibes, and a lovely late license.

This review is a decade overdue. I spent many nights here during grad school, and got to know the regulars and the crew. The sound system is probably the best in all of Oxfordshire. The food is comforting, and the company is genuine and creative (and frequently drunk). On one of my last nights here, Andy brought a special bottle of white rum "from the back room" to our table and to this day it remains the best liquor I've ever tasted. Go to Hi Lo, you will make memories to last a lifetime.

This is such a friendly place! Be sure to ask for the off-menu items - the jerk chicken is sooo good!!

Great late night drinking venue!

I would have given it a 0 if that available to choose. The owner is very rude and volitile. Never been welcome in this place. Always have tried to be polite but have never got anywhere. I would not recommend this place. Very dirty too.

Always a warm welcome, andys food is amazing!

Andy is a very good host very welcoming food good beer 🍺 very special and the rum out of this world you will enjoy the experience of Jamaica

When you go to Hi-Lo, it’s like you’ve walked into someone’s living room (sometimes invited, sometimes not). The food is really delicious and the service is genuine, with each customer receiving a unique experience. It’s one of my favourite places in Oxford, and a must for whenever I have guests.

We had a delicious meal and made to feel very welcome.

Still a total dive but I still love it

Lovely relaxed atmosphere here. Great if you are looking to have a drink without the usual dance music and meat market which are often found at late night venues. Fantastic selection of rums. Friendly staff.

Andy is a hero and a legend. Favourite place in Oxford.

My favourite place. Home of homes.

An Oxford institution, Andy and Jan's legendary restaurant and late night bar is the heart and soul of the Cowley Road.

The bouncer called Leroy was not Very friendly and was unnecessaily rude to some fellow punters I was concerned for my own safety.

So nice to go somewhere different, with a relaxed atmosphere, good food and rum. Love the decor - pictures on the walls are great. Will definitely go back

Owner was rude and disrespectful

A true Cowleyfornian institution!

Sunny day. Tried spontaneously buy Some red stripe from them when I saw them sat out on the street. They insisted on trying to charge me four pounds a can. Jokers.

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One of the few places in Oxford where you can find decent food until the small hours of the morning.

A true Cowley Road establishment. If you appreciate Jamaican food, culture, and hospitality (or frankly, the lack thereof) then you will feel right at home. If you're looking for "Jamie Oliver-style jerk chicken"... you're in the wrong place.

Absolute gaff. The tin of red stripe looked great on my blog

£18 for 2 double white rums? Is that normal? Besides what I felt like was an expensive drink, lady served us was rude. But seemed to be a quirky and interesting place. Would not recommend though

A special experience. One of the few places open all night. Do not bring expensive cloths, as the furnace is on all night, and your cloths will smell of it for several days.

If you've been here, you don't need a review. If you haven't, well, it's an experience. It's open late to the point of early. It's not got a massive selection but there's no better place for rum. It's warm all year round because there's a furnace and an airlock door system. Be polite to the staff and they'll welcome you in. Candles on tables, reggae on the speakers, a variety of warming Caribbean food and, potentially, cricket on the TV. Facilities aren't great but you're not here for that. You're here to chill out and have a drink because you're not for home yet. Embrace the huge variety of people that wander in, stay cool and just enjoy it for what it is.

They don't make em like this any more.

Great atmosphere, great music, great time!

The owner seems a bit crazy but it's fun.

Take away you should be ashamed to let such an appauling meal even though we paid £16 disgusting uncle bens rice with added flavouring

Open late - which is its draw - but run by a volatile lunatic. Awful experience.

Unique. Culturally significant. Everyone visiting Oxford should go here at least once!

It sells beer late, this appears to be the usp

The end, or perhaps the beginning of truly epic evenings. Order Conquering Lion.

Terrible food in restaurant and on delivery waste of time and money

Where to start. A hilarious evening for the wrong reasons. You'll have an experience and to be honest what more do you want from a night

Try not to take mobiles or valuables to this place. Its better dont goto this rat hole.

The goat curry (not always on the menu, but usually available) is lovely. It's a freaky old place, but if you're in the right mood, hits the spot.