King's Arms in Oxford

Large Old English pub w mostly student and young adult crowd. Ate dinner had beers it was solid

Great pub in Oxford, we had a very tasty Sunday Roast. Service was extra helpful with the children, where they helped us by getting food / drinks whilst we were caring with their needs. We strongly recommend this pub if you are a local or visiting!

Needed somewhere to eat, so we chanced our arm at the Kings Arms. This place is definitely a place up there to visit with all the little snugs to sit in, the buzzing atmosphere, with all age's eating and drinking. One of the bartenders pulled the perfect pint, really lively, clearly quickly with a good head on it. Plenty of choice of real ales, food and drinks, I did like the idea of still being able to buy food snacks with your pint, like a scotch egg or sausage roll, these were accessible to the bartenders to serve straight away and not having to wait for the kitchen to plate them and find what table you're at. We did order fish and chips from the menu, the fish batter was crisp, as were the chips. I also liked that you had curry sauce along with the tartar sauce. The big surprise was the Oxford sauce, never seen it before but what a great sauce. So onto the big question would I go back, it's a yes, great place.

Great vibes, good selection of drinks, matt kept the drinks flowing all night, highly reccomended, great place to put the world to rights with your mates

Beautiful pub. Great atmosphere, for this septic ;-) Hertfordshire Chicken pie main was delicious, as we're the cask pints. Recommend.

Such lovely pub food even though the pub was packed on a 6 Nations match day!

Beautiful pub with lots of character and old oxford photos. Food was fantastic as usual. U must try the oxford sauce on the table

Excellent and attentive service. Well done to everyone!

The oldest pub in Oxford. A place with a great atmosphere. The Guinness tasted delicious.

Full English for Brunch. Amazing quality.... Great service.

Little expensive but food was nice

Had an amazing time here on my first visit! Decided to give it a try while some friends were in town, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was fantastic—lively, welcoming, and full of energy. A special shoutout to Freddie at the bar—an absolute star! Enthusiastic, friendly, and incredibly quick with the service. Had a great conversation with him, which made the experience even better. Will definitely be coming back!

This spot is a lovely dinner place, service is friendly and the atmosphere is very nice. Will definitely be coming again! Freddie Colburn served us at the bar - was very friendly and had great drink recommendations

The bartender freddie was lovely and very helpful. Great atmosphere!!

Fantastic meal at the king’s arms, we’ve been coming here for years and it’s always a good time! Very dog friendly, our Peggy was treated with dog treats from the bar and a water bowl almost immediately on arrival! We had a lovely conversation with our server Sofia who recommended the vegetable cottage pie and new sausage roll bar snack, our meals were delicious and with great service from all thank you

Honestly (and my Mother will hate me for this) the best Sunday roast dinner I’ve ever had!!! Quality of meat - 5/5. We both had the beef it was medium rare and slice not to fat or thin. Perfect! Portion control - 5/5. Suitably full, no room for desert (which we both like). Perfect! Price - 5/5. We live in the midlands and will pay £20 for a very good Sunday Roast so in Oxford I found this price… Perfect! Overall - 5.5. Will keep consist… Perfect!!!

What a totally awesome place, fantastic atmosphere and excellent staff. Highly recommended if you visit Oxford. Loved it 😁👍

I had a fantastic experience at the kings arms recently. The fish and chips were absolutely delicious—crispy batter, perfectly cooked fish, and generous portions. But what really made the visit special was the outstanding service from Sofia. She was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. It’s rare to find such warm and genuine hospitality, and she truly made our evening enjoyable. I’ll definitely be coming back—highly recommend!

Had the most wonderful customer service with a lovely atmosphere. Drinks were amazing!! Deffo coming again. Thank you so much

Daniel is so cool! Thanks Daniel for being so cool

Food looks good and I'm sure it's a lovely establishment

Great food and lovely staff. Fish and chips were very nice and the burger was lovely. Good size portions and quick service.

Great food , great prices free wifi for the small wait for the food and great calm environment

Dave was our server, and we couldn't have asked for friendlier or warmer service. Me and my friends are regular Monday lunch timers, the Kings Arms is agreeably our favourite eatery in Oxford, and a perfect place to spend our lunch hour away from our desks. Thank you for always greeting us so kindly, Dave!

We popped in for dinner with friends. The staff were friendly. The food was delicious. Starters with pub bites were phenomenal. I ordered trout but I got salmon but highly recommend this dish, really delicious. Chicken and leek pie was okay. Sausage with mushed potato dish was great. Fish and chips was good. Dessert dishes were delicious.

Reasonable prices. Wxcelent wats. Great atmosphere. Great staff. Would recommend.

We spend few hours here next to fire playing chess, chatting and having fun. It was just a great place to hang out. Food is priced in higher side but it’s worth the ambiance and taste.

London prices for a pint of Guiness, over £6, but overall not bad but not great. Did not eat food though .

We had the hand raised British pork pie. We really enjoyed it, but not familiar with the way. Food is served in Oxford. I was surprised that it wasn’t hot. It reminded me of cold head cheese or something similar that my mom or sister would serve. It was very tasty and we enjoyed it and soaked it up as part of the experience. We also had and shared the fennel, orange and chestnut salad a complete vegetarian meal or side or starter, and it was tasty I haven’t got used to stepping away from my table to go and order my meal. I do like table service. Maybe I’m spoiled.

Very busy festive drinking evening.

Alright. On a rainy evening, pub with a great atmosphere and very cool decor to drink a good beer.

We had a really lovely Christmas dinner here. The manager looked after us really well. We brought the dog and had a great time. There were biscuits and bowls available for the dog too. There was plenty of atmosphere, and the roast was fantastic. Little bit warm but to be expected in a full pub.

Excellent. Sunday roast. Three old friends meeting up. Food delicious.

What's not to like? Historic Oxford pub, great atmosphere, excellent food and friendly staff. We ate at the King’s Arms for our staff Christmas lunch (7 people) and enjoyed exemplary Christmas fare and a good selection of beers and wines. Highly recommended!

The King's Arms: A Hip New Place to Meet Gruff Ex-cons? A man walking into a pub can, and should, expect three things. A selection of beers on draught is always a good draw. A warm, relaxed ambience never goes amiss. A selection of seasonal, well-priced meals is generally the finishing touch. The King's Arms, however, takes this up a significant notch (perhaps even two notches). Toilets that one needs wellies to navigate in order to avoid dyeing their shoes a gorgeous fluorescent yellow? A private function room that, once booked, requires guests to keep the door wide open to the rest of the pub? A bar that, upon approach, treats you to a glare from the bar staff, followed by a detailed lecture on the importance of bringing the proper identification papers? One can expect all this and more at the King's Arms, which takes an innovative, unfriendly approach to hospitality. Perhaps the days of a warm welcome are over. I, for one, rather enjoyed being berated by a man resembling an aardvark. Would certainly recommend.

Good food great atmosphere but a bit expensive. Don't like not having a tab

One of my favourite pubs in Oxford. Good beer, the food is ok, but most importantly it gives its customers a bit of physical space. Next time I'm in Oxford, I'll pop in.

We had booked one of the private rooms for a function, the hosts were well organised and made the evening a great success. Food and beer most agreeable. If you are hosting a private party, this would be a top venue.

Lovely old English pub, but the gents toilets are rank! Mould growing out of the ceiling, I am sorry its 2024 not 1968.

We had a really good Christmas meal here. The food was lovely, fireplace was lit, and the staff were great!

Best pint of Guinness in England

Service was amazing even though It was really busy our waitress Hannah S was surperb and quick to deal with any issues we had 10/10 would recommend

always a favourite of ours for a post work drink, lovely staff and food and nice atmosphere:)

Nice dog friendly pub, spacious establishment with plenty of tables able to accommodate groups of people. Toilets downstairs are a bit aromatic despite being very clean(partly aroma and partly damp as it's cellar level).

The King's Arms in Oxford, located at 40 Holywell Street, is one of the city’s most historic and beloved pubs. Founded in 1607, it has long been a gathering place for students, locals, and visitors alike, creating an atmosphere that combines Oxford’s scholarly charm with a warm, lively pub environment. It’s situated conveniently near the heart of the university and some of its iconic colleges, including the Bodleian Library, making it a favorite spot for university students, professors, and tourists. Inside, the pub boasts classic decor, including dark wood paneling, low-beamed ceilings, and snug corners that evoke a sense of timeless English tradition. Known for its selection of cask ales, the King's Arms offers a variety of beers from local and regional breweries, along with an excellent menu of traditional pub fare. The outdoor seating area is especially popular during the warmer months, allowing patrons to enjoy views of Oxford's charming architecture while socializing. The King's Arms is also steeped in history; it has been a hub for academic discussion and debate over centuries, frequented by scholars and even notable figures associated with Oxford. Today, it still retains that academic spirit while offering a cozy, welcoming atmosphere for everyone who visits.

Lovely place! Went in for a drink and loved the atmosphere. Their mulled cider was delicious- would recommend! Great service, smiling faces. There is a certain warmth in this place overall that I really enjoyed.

The place to be even after 41 years. The beer is delicious anyway

Love the pork pies and scotch eggs. Excellent chicken skillet pie. Cozy atmosphere.

So pretty yet so busy. This is more a restaurant than a pub. Great atmosphere tho but be prepared to wait.

Might be the best pub food in Oxford, it’s definitely up there!

Delicious food. Lively atmosphere. Friendly service.

Excellent Sunday lunch for a big family party of 12. Food was very good and reasonably priced (for the centre of Oxford). Very friendly staff and excellent atmosphere with a great mix of Town and Gown.

Incredible experience!! Beautiful place and excellent food.

The ideal place to share a moment with friends. The Kings arm is comfortable and welcoming. They have a good selection of beers and the food is comforting. A special mention to Pav who gave me a souvenir of the pub. Many thanks for that!

Fantastic staff, above and beyond service, food was really tasty - can't wait to come back again!

Location wise, it's right in the heart of Oxford campus, so you get a mixture of students & locals & tourists in there which is lovely. Now, I've been to this pub on and off for several years and have always had somewhat good experiences, but today I was utterly disgusted to the point where I felt sick. The male bathroom is quite literally filled with mould all over the place, especially the ceiling and to call it disgusting would be an understatement - it was a hell hole. I'd say it was the most disgusting pub I've been to in my whole life, not exaggerating here. How this pub operates with such hygiene standards is beyond shocking to say the least.

Great atmosphere, good selection of beers, other drinks and food, quick service and super-helpful staff.

“Had the pleasure of enjoying a Sunday roast here, and it was exceptional! The beef roast was served incredibly quickly and the portion size was more than generous. The meat was tender and full of flavor, paired perfectly with all the traditional sides. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff were attentive and friendly, making the whole experience even better. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a hearty roast and great service!”

Very cosy place, good beer and atmosphere.

Realmente disfruté de la vibra y gran selección de bebidas! Pub céntrico con bonito interior en Oxford. Disfrutaré de volver pronto!

Fantástico lugar y un verdadero centro de estudiantes! Entorno encantador, siempre un lugar favorito para visitar. Haz una visita si estás en Oxford

Nice pub with character. Unsuitable for people who struggle with stairs, but that’s due to being an old building.

Best pub in Oxford, always have a great time in here, would really recommend a visit ! They get unbelievably busy on weekends so please cut slack for them during these times !

Good scotch eggs, but starters were average and mains were really poor. The house burger was burnt and looked thrown together and the fries were no better than MacDonald’s and had to be sent back as they are actually cold. Very disappointing as the pub is lovely.

Had a lovely private party in the wadham room. Lovely room, great vibe, good service, from the the Kings arms crew- Matt, luke, Pav. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to have an intimate do xx

It's their #youngs193 moment and I got a free badgeeee!! I luv it as I got a golden ticket which acc I should get a free drink but they are friendly to let me get what I want. Thank you :)

One of the best roast dinners we've ever had , especially the beef ! Lovely staff !!

We’ve been recommended to discover this Oxford emblematic place (there must be reasons - maybe not the right time for us). We were completely ignored by the staff, first, after trying to calling out to a first waiter when we were standing to ask for dinner, same with second one. We decided to sit at a free table but no one still payed attention at all. We left feeling like undesirable ghosts and wondering about the sense of customer service at King Arms…

This place is amazing , I guess 450 year old pub which hasn’t changed, a classic English pub .. Its age and its decor are its charm, A true piece of Oxford.

Nice atmosphere but avoid the vegan Sunday roast! It was bland and dry due to no vegan gravy. Not sure how you can serve a roast the way they served it. I also received it after everyone else at the table finished their meals despite the fact that I was one of the first to order and pay at the bar.

Dave was so awesome and explained the scotch egg recipe and shared the special coasters with us. Great place, great environment and great staff!

Over the past 50 years, the KA has been my family’s go-to pub whenever we are in Oxford. The beer, as always, is as good as ever, but paying £12.50 for an average pork pie and scotch egg with crisps seems a bit excessive to me. However, Oxford tourists are accustomed to paying high prices in my city, so perhaps it’s time to find a pub outside of the city.

Ate, food was delicious. Had a reservation but didn't have to.

Thanks Matt for keeping my phone for me- thought it was lost

Wonderful atmosphere. Really nice staff. And I just love the puppy treat station they have by the bar.

Beautiful interior, nice vibe. Expensive but not extreme!

A very good Pub in Oxford. The ambience and atmosphere are excellent. The food is great and of course the beer is great and it is the most popular student pub in Oxford.

Great atmosphere and food. Burger was outstanding, pudding delicious. Spacious room and friendly staff.

We reserved a room for 20+ people and the arrangements were simple, clear, and easy. Staff were professional and swift to respond to our needs.

Nice pub in the city Center close by to the university. Atmosphere inside and out is great. It’s open and light which makes a nice difference to many pubs. Would recommend if your in the area.

Generally very good - not the first time here. But I have to say I had the fish in chips again this time and it seems very different than previous and also what others were served (looks tiny and very sad in comparison with what I’ve seen others were served). Hopefully it’s just a “lemon” and not some issue with consistency of food quality/quantify.

Didn't order Scotch egg was a bit dry but ok Very good service staff The bar looks fine outside The direction you walk into the toilet The design of the bar and space is very clever and exquisite. Very unique bar...

Thanks Dave. Great food and service

Always go to Kings Arms when I am in Oxford!!

In recent years the quality of English cuisine has definitely risen in terms of the quality of the ingredients, their combination and perfect cooking. It is always easier to find complete and balanced dishes. In my case the dish consisted of a bed of capers, small roasted potatoes in their skins, herbs similar to wild asparagus, a slice of salmon trout with a rosette of salted butter at room temperature on top. All cooked excellently and with distinct flavors but which combined perfectly. Excellent beers and absolutely adequate prices. From my experience absolutely recommended.

Excellent pub experience. Visit everytime I'm in Oxford

We had the burger. Id give it a 6/10. It was alright taste wise. The fries were double fried which wasn’t great.

Pretty decent pub. Staff nice. Bit expensive, even for Oxford. Very very busy when I was there. Not a place for a quiet pint but if you want to be somewhere buzzing with people it is a good spot.

Excellent pub! Delicious food and great beer choices on tap. Lovely experience with friendly staff. Highly recommend!

Best pub in Oxford! Great Atmosphere with a wide range of ales to choose from. I was served by Richard and Matt who were both very friendly and helpful in making recommendations. Enjoyed the Kings Arms Burger and washed it down with pint of Young’s Special. Staff provided great service and were very welcoming. Highly recommend the Kings Arms for anyone visiting Oxford! Looking forward to my next visit!

Went during lunch time - very busy - reflected on the waiting time for dishes (not their fault but we had to wait nearly 45 minutes for the food ). Ideally located for seeing the major attractions. Limited vegetarian options.

Rich and the team looked after us really bloody good. Sorted us a nice table and we had a really good meal 😋 We shall be back!

Great pub, lovely food, and even better staff.

One of my very favourite pubs on the planet. Home made park pies ans Scotch eggs are sublime. The fabric of the building is a joy, walls largely wood panelled with a lovely old patina. Well worth a visit.

Very good dinner considering it was the Euro finals, England vs Spain

Apperantly, the staff is oblivious to the fact that the beer is supposed to be served cold, at least above room temperature. (Mind you, this is a very old bar which you would expect some experience regarding beer.) You can encounter very poor attitude when you tell them that. I have been served another beer like it was charity, which I paid for lol. Good ambience and potential is wasted that way.

Beer a little expensive, overall nice place.

Site to avoid. The worst experience in the UK. Some of the service was rude (although today you can't say it without sounding racist, the Hindu), slow in service (45 minutes for 1 sandwich and 3 pies), inconsiderate, dirty (we had to ask them to clean the table). The food, what is expected of British food. Good beers.

This place is amazing, great atmosphere, and lovely and accommodating staff.

Whenever I'm in Oxford I call in at The King's Arms. There's a great selection of food and drink, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff are helpful and courteous. Make sure you visit if you're planning a trip to Oxford!