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4,1

Based on 4.045 opinions finded in 5 websites

3.9Ambience4.2Cuisine3.6Price4.2Service
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First time visiting the the Folly and we were very pleased we did. The food choice and quality was very good. Presentation was excellent. Service and hospitality was also very good . We will return next time we visit Oxford

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RICHARD BEARD . 2024-04-07

MORE AT Google

A real dining gem by the river. The atmosphere is understated but high in quality. The food is delicious with a great selection catering to all tastes and dietary needs. It is beautifully presented and completed by the friendly and discreet service. We will look forward to returning soon.

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T8800FXsimond . 2024-03-31

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Fui ao The Folly por duas vezes durante minha viagem. A primeira para um chá da tarde e a segunda para almoçar. As duas foram maravilhosas! Atendimento fantástico e a comida uma delícia. Sem falar no ambiente muito aconchegante tanto de dentro do restaurante quanto na varanda com o barulhinho da agua do rio passando. Vale a visita!

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npp1774 . 2024-03-31

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Really good place, beachy in decor and right on the river. Chose The Folly because of the excellent reviews on food quality. Have eaten afternoon tea in top London venues & often over-priced and disappointing. Not so at The Folly: v fresh sandwiches & cakes & amazing scones . So often they can be a bit dry or tasting of bicarb. We had Prosecco and it equally lovely. Price v reasonable. Staff very attentive & kind. Only reason I didn’t give 5*: menu needs something chocolatey in it & there could be a few more sandwiches ( although we wouldn’t have had room for them …. But the sandwiches were really nice and some might prefer more sandwiches and fewer cakes to eat) Delightful experience!

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jeg142014 . 2024-03-26

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We visited the Folly to celebrate my wife’s birthday. Getting an evening away from the kids is rare for us so we were hoping for something special - the Folly certainly doesn’t disappoint. Firstly, a lovely location beside the river, secondly, friendly ‘unstuffy’ staff who were happy to engage in conversation and thirdly quite exceptional food (the standard a which we have not experienced elsewhere in Oxford). All in all a perfect package and memorable way to celebrate a special occasion. Thank you.

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James S . 2024-03-26

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Great service, friendly and accommodating staff. Have tasted better food for the same price.

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Nisha Gopal . 2024-03-25

MORE AT Google

Hands down the best food my wife and I have eaten, ever. Each dish was clearly thought through, with every ingredient contributing to it. (I know that sounds pretentious, but it was absolutely true) Every mouthful was savoured, and I was actually sad when I finished. Incredible place. And the service was perfect too!

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Dave2306 . 2024-03-24

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Twice baked soufflé with veloute was served on a bed of cold coleslaw. The tuille was soggy. Main course vegetables (root veg, romanesco and potato ) were tepid and accompanying sauce/jus was cold. This was served with steaming shredded cabbage and hot belly pork. The apple sauce was sickly sweet. The restaurant lacked atmosphere. The chairs were primary school sized and the service lacking in any charm. Apparently, this was all because I was ‘tired’ and vegetables were not to be served ‘piping hot’, something was said about ‘balance’. Having eaten in two chain restaurants in Oxford this w/e (Côté and Comptoir Libinais), where the service was exemplary and the food at the appropriate temperature, the Folly was hugely overpriced and overrated. When booking, via Open Table, I mentioned a birthday; this was not acknowledged.

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Ruth P . 2024-03-17

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Was pretty disappointed with the food. We ordered the cauliflower main dish but when we received it we discovered it was covered in what was easily as sweet as whip cream. When we asked the waitress about it she said that yes it's a very contested dish that some people like it and some don't. Surprised that information wasn't delivered to us before we placed the order. The atmosphere was nice and staff was friendly.

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Vitaly Pecherskiy . 2024-03-17

MORE AT Google

I had an amazing gluten-free three course meal as a part of my package with Oxford River Cruises. Unfortunately, the cruise was cancelled, but the meal did not disappoint. The carrot soup and sea bass were delicious. These were also the best fries I had during my short England trip. Well seasoned and thick cut. The crème brûlée was pretty solid as well. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere right on the Thames was excellent.

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Charlie . 2024-03-13

MORE AT Google

Visited with a friend for a catch up on a Tuesday afternoon for afternoon tea. Chose this place because of the river scenery and recommendation from friends. It’s lovely and decorated. We had a nice view of the river. The food was nice and fresh and the cakes were very nice. The little finger sandwiches were lovely. Just the right amount of food to be satisfied, not hungry or feeling sick. We really enjoyed ourselves. Only criticism would be that we were charged for ‘tap water’ which turned out to be bottled water and then a 12.5% service charge on top. But we paid these never the less.

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Laura C . 2024-03-12

MORE AT TripAdvisor

I don’t know what I ate. For the price I paid I expected a spectacular meal. But silly me! For 80 pounds I truly do not understand what they served me. I only came cause it was close. I will now purchase my meal from tesco

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龚洁 . 2024-03-05

MORE AT Google

Just back from a deeply forgettable meal at the Folly. A £75 tasting menu and my highlights were the negroni and, errrr, nothing else. Each course was OK but no more. Generally short on flavour and imagination. The standout disappointment though, on 5th March, was the heart shaped chocolate mousse, presented as something from Valentine’s Day, but presumably in the freezer since then. Edible apart from the overly sweet pink coating that I peeled back and left but, really? The Folly sums up Oxford dining… almost universally overpriced and underwhelming. Go for good pub grub - The Chester Arms, the Magdalene Arms, have an Asian or Turkish meal on the Cowley Road…

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NorthWestMargot . 2024-03-05

MORE AT TripAdvisor

I wanted to go out for afternoon tea for my birthday and chose The Folly as they had the best ratings and I’m so glad I did! It was nice and quiet, we had our own pod outside that was kept warm with heaters, it was so cute and and a lovely atmosphere! The staff were so kind and hard working, very helpful for us. Worth every penny, it’s a lot more filling than you think! Sandwiches were amazing and unlimited tea and coffee. They even allowed me to take home the leftovers. I couldn’t recommend this place enough, I will definitely be returning!

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Phoebe Batchelor . 2024-03-02

MORE AT Google

We had a really lovely Valentines evening at this restaurant. 5 courses of beautifully crafted food in beautiful setting with fantastic staff who could not do enough for us. Looking forward to our next visit.

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joelE2722HT . 2024-03-01

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We enjoyed a lovely meal here in one of their private dining pods beside the river. This was a perfect venue for six friends catching up after a long absence. Between us we sampled a lot of the menu. Particularly highlights were the cured mackerel starter, sirloin main and lemon bombshell desert. However, none of us could fault any of the courses. Service, from a lovely and friendly young girl could not be faulted. Not cheap, but a special experience.

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kaboom4567 . 2024-02-29

MORE AT TripAdvisor

I used to live on the opposite side of the river, but never found the right moment to visit The Folly. The candlelight by the water and diners in the windows sets a welcoming scene. On Valentine's, I chose the tasting menu for my partner and me. Boy oh boy, do these guys like gel. The butter of the breadboard was fairly tasteless. Unluckily for The Folly, we'd just come from The Randolph where we'd had cocktails and much tastier bread and butter for nibbles. The next two dishes were odd. Pork cheek tortellini with a lemongrass consommé (pasta overcooked and falling apart, consommé to wash away the flavour, plus some gel), and smoked salmon with gel. Palette cleanser - supposed to be a gin sorbet/granita but more like the texture of dry ice scraped from the back of the freezer. Main course - guinea fowl, which was excellent. A good portion size. Was it good because we only had the preceding plates to compare with, or good as a standalone? Dessert - a sickly sweet strawberry love heart with fake whipped cream and, you've guessed it, more gel. Far, far too wet. I often found myself eating things just because the food is fairly expensive. Service was great, however. We'd heard good things about The Folly, but we're sorry to say that we cannot understand how the praise is warranted - except in very small glimpses of higher quality. As with most restaurants in Oxford, The Folly suffers from being overrated.

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alexandersP2469MB . 2024-02-27

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Our recent visit to The Folly in Oxford left us with mixed feelings. While the ambiance and service were pleasant, the culinary journey fell short of our expectations, leaving us somewhat disappointed. Firstly, the promising riverside setting mentioned in the restaurant's name was overshadowed by the obstructed view of the river. Despite being seated by the water, the view was marred by covered outdoor areas, detracting from the anticipated scenic backdrop. We chose to dine at The Folly for my wife's 30th birthday lunch, hoping for a memorable experience that would match the occasion. While the service was a shining aspect of our visit, the execution of the menu left something to be desired. Starting with the starters, both the "Satay Parfait" and the "Crispy Pork Terrine" had intriguing descriptions on the menu. However, the reality was far from what was anticipated. While the peanut butter of the Satay Parfait tasted of satay, the smoked peanuts and paprika puff pastry provided insufficient crunch, resulting in a somewhat claggy texture. Similarly, the Crispy Pork Terrine, though beautifully presented, disappointed with its bland filling, resembling more of a rissole than the flavourful terrine we had hoped for. When it came to selecting our mains, we opted for the "classic" menu items included on the specials card due to the lacklustre appeal of the mains on the al a carte menu. My wife almost went for the "fish of the day," but ultimately decided against it due to the day's fish being sea trout. The described garnish seemed better suited to a piece of white fish rather than sea trout, which can be somewhat divisive. Additionally, there was a noticeable lack of lunchtime-friendly main courses, as the rest seemed better suited for an evening meal. Moving on to the mains, we ordered the "Sirloin Beef Burger" and the "Freshly Battered Cod." The £23 Sirloin Beef Burger disappointed us. Its homemade bun failed to meet expectations, lacking the quality of its commercially available counterparts. Moreover, the inclusion of non-homemade fries alongside the bold homemade bun left us questioning the kitchen's approach to menu execution. This inconsistency in the homemade elements of the dish left us puzzled and disappointed. Additionally, the inclusion of coleslaw seemed to cheapen the experience of a premium burger. Given the abundance of mayonnaise already present in the burger sauce, the coleslaw felt entirely unnecessary. As for the "Freshly Battered Cod," while it was cooked adequately, the experience was marred by its oily batter and lackluster homemade tartare sauce. A noticeably cheap mayonnaise base added to the disappointment. Furthermore, the "Triple cooked chips" mentioned to accompany the fish and chips were more akin to skin-on wedges than chips, and the triple-cooked preparation was questionable. Despite our disappointment with the dishes, it's worth noting that the presentation of the starters was modern and very good. However, it seemed that the emphasis was more on presentation rather than on dishes that worked well with a balance of flavour and texture as a whole. As for the mains, they were presented exactly how you would hope a burger and fish and chips should be. Finally, dessert provided a slight redemption with the "Cherry Tart." While the tart itself boasted a burst of cherry flavour amongst its pleasant frangipane filling, the thin Amaretto custard sauce lacked depth, and the substitution of strawberry ice cream from the listed caramel honeycomb, felt out of place with the overall profile of the dish. However, a thoughtful touch was the addition of a chocolate "Happy Birthday" writing on the dessert plate, which added a personal and appreciated touch to the dining experience. Regarding the drinks, we couldn't comment on them as my wife is pregnant and I don't currently drink alcohol. So on the day we just opted for sparkling water and I had a 0% Henieken. However, the choice of cocktails and wine list appeared well thought out. In summary, while The Folly offers somewhat charming ambiance and attentive service, the execution of the menu leaves something to be desired, especially considering the price point they inhabit. Despite the restaurant's claim of providing "an unrivalled dining experience in the heart of Oxford," if it's mediocrity they are unrivalled in, then this would be the only instance of such a claim. With improvements in menu coherence and execution, The Folly could elevate its status as a premier dining destination in Oxford. However, based on our experience, we cannot wholeheartedly recommend it at this time.

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reviewedbyknight . 2024-02-26

MORE AT TripAdvisor

The team is very welcoming and the food is delicious.

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Fabien Dore . 2024-02-25

MORE AT Google

Sadly this place is going down hill. Food was good but there was very few staff. The staff were exhausted and moaning about having to do everything on their own. Our food order came out quite quickly but we never had our plates cleared. We waited over half an hour for four puddings that after asking about their whereabouts and the bar lady shouting at the kitchen "Sort table No 22", they brought them out one at a time roughly ten minutes apart. We ended up putting our dirty plates on another table to make room for the puddings.

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ashleyeM6328CF . 2024-02-24

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Went for valentine’s dinner in one of the domes,well worth it ,it was warm with heating plus blankets,food was lovely good portions

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Dee Kay . 2024-02-20

MORE AT Google

We heard great reviews and had wanted to visit the folly for a year or so, however, the visit left us wanting. Whilst the food itself was tasty, the portion sizes were laughable. The starter tortellini was three pasta pieces, each half the size of my big toe (most expensive starter). As a man who eats pork belly whenever it is on the menu, I like to think I know a few things. At 32 pounds, I expected a sizeable roll of belly. 4 bites and it was gone. No issues with the quality but for the price you at least expect to not be hungry - pork belly is usually reliable since it is a cheap cut of meat. Note for readers thinking I am obese, I am young, healthy with an appetite for good food. To reiterate, the quality is good, but NOT good enough to overlook the portion size, for the price. My girlfriend did enjoy the beef shin, and that was more appropriately sized. I may have just picked the wrong options.

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benwV372GX . 2024-02-15

MORE AT TripAdvisor

A really wonderful place for special occasions. Starters, mains, desert and cocktails were all delicious.

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Daniel Bell . 2024-02-11

MORE AT Google

We had afternoon tea for a works party in January 2024, the food was lovely & the cocktails were great. Would have been nice to a have a few other savoury items as the only non sweet things were the sandwiches however they were delicious. We have a few allergies in our group - all were handled perfectly

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Jadeabsolutefoodie . 2024-02-06

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Such a lovely restaurant on Folly bridge in Oxford by the river. Fantastic view and atmosphere, it doesn't look like you are in a city anymore. My family and I had a delicious lunch, the waiters were attentive and polite and the food was tasty well cooked and delicious. Definitely going back next time we will be in town.

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Mariacristina Cammarata . 2024-01-31

MORE AT Google

Lovely tasty sandwiches & cakes. The staff were very attentative and made our afternoon tea very special. Value for money and a real treat. Picturesque under the bridge next to the river. Loved it 🤗

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Amanda Lou . 2024-01-30

MORE AT Google

first of all i had carrot soup with ginger it was too salty, i thought it was possible it could happen, then i had broccoli the same thing it was very salty i was very disappointed. the service was impeccable however it was very cold inside we wanted to get out as soon as possible

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Sumy . 2024-01-27

MORE AT Google

We had a lovely relaxed lunch at this restaurant. Food was really impressive and the service friendly, not at all stuffy like some other posh restaurants. The restaurant has a light and airy atmosphere. All three courses that we ate were equally tasty and we enjoyed watching our cocktails being made from scratch behind the bar. Highly recommend if you are in Oxford.

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joelE2722HT . 2024-01-24

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Just a brilliant night great food & service. Definitely coming back

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Judy Murphy . 2024-01-14

MORE AT Google

Stopped in the day for a meal but they only do afternoon teas. Called after 9 later the same day and they could only provide us desert. I feel it was a bit overrated internally decor wise. The staff are excellent and friendly though. The deserts we did have were standard but very expensive.

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Theevilsponge . 2024-01-14

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We went for afternoon tea for our anniversary and it exceeded our expectations! The food was amazing and service was great, our cups were never empty and the waitor was so friendly! The views from outside the restaurant onto the river is so pretty. Would definitely come here again :) thank you so much!

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P5658MCemmal . 2024-01-13

MORE AT TripAdvisor

The place and service are nice. The food from my perspective wasn't as good. We had 🥩 and fish and chips.

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Gene Koch (Gene Koch) . 2024-01-11

MORE AT Google

Unfortunately our first ever Christmas Day at a restaurant was a very disappointing experience . For £120 per head, even accepting that it would be expensive on such a day, this was no better than a basic canteen meal. The main Turkey Roast was below standard with a limited selection of hard warm vegetables served on the plate rather than in terrines. No stuffing, one pig in blanket little gravy, we had to ask for more. My daughter had clearly communicated her dietary requirements before the meal but this was not passed on properly to the staff apparently. In the end she had a piece of seabass with a tomato sauce scraped off and hard sprouts and other wilted veg and initially no gravy! In fairness when I discussed all this with the Manager he accepted that this was poor and removed one meal charge and discounted the rest. However the bill was still over £430 for five people including drinks (two cocktails, two mulled wines, a can of beer, cider and a soft drink). The staff were very pleasant but there was no Christmas atmosphere, no music, crackers etc. I find it hard to believe that this was the normal standard for The Folly.

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Michael Roberts . 2024-01-01

MORE AT Google

Unfortunately our first ever Christmas Day at a restaurant was a very disappointing experience . For £120 per head, even accepting that it would be expensive on such a day, this was no better than a basic canteen meal. The main Turkey Roast was below standard with a limited selection of hard warm vegetables served on the plate rather than in terrines. No stuffing, one pig in blanket little gravy, we had to ask for more. My daughter had clearly communicated her dietary requirements before the meal but this was not passed on properly to the staff apparently. In the end she had a piece of seabass with a tomato sauce scraped off and hard sprouts and other wilted veg and initially no gravy! In fairness when I discussed all this with the Manager he accepted that this was poor and removed one meal charge and discounted the rest. However the bill was still over £430 for five people including drinks (two cocktails, two mulled wines, a 330ml can of beer, cider and a soft drink). The staff were very pleasant but there was no Christmas atmosphere, no music, crackers etc. I find it hard to believe that this was the normal standard for The Folly.

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MGRob56 . 2023-12-31

MORE AT TripAdvisor

With 20 friends for my birthday in the tent on the pontoon-extremely comfortable and warm. The food was great and Dominic and Tom looked after us very well. Thoroughly recommend this for any celebration .

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jeanniet2017 . 2023-12-23

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Came to visit Oxford for a few days, popped in midweek. Hidden Gem. Staff brilliant, beef shin, and Seabass were exceptional. Very highly rated place. Price is high, however comparable to the quality of the meal you receive.

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Secret Squirrel . 2023-12-23

MORE AT Google

Surprising that this restaurant is so well regarded. Food is of ok quality, similar to a typical gastro pub. Braised shin was dry and didn't have enough sauce. Guinea fowl was decent but nothing to write home about. Cocktails were very poor - the Bellini I ordered was not a proper Bellini and was made with horribly sweet liquor. Wine was decent but had the same problem as the rest of the meal - prices were unreasonably expensive compared to similar restaurants in Oxford.

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Max Falkenberg . 2023-12-20

MORE AT Google

Good ,solid Oxford venue Christmas work do and good food. Lovely vibe

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Conor O'Callaghan . 2023-12-14

MORE AT Google

I booked the Folly for our work Christmas dinner and was very impressed. Emily was incredibly accommodating and helpful with planning, she made the whole process so easy and went out of her way to accommodate our requests. The bar and waiting staff on the night were brilliant, everything went so smoothly, we had 50 people yet there was never more than a couple of minute wait to be served at the bar and all of our meals were served so quickly. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great.

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OxInternet . 2023-12-11

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Lovely service and a tasty afternoon tea. Recommend this place to those seeking a quality experience with a fabulous view.

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Deniz C. Edward Usta . 2023-12-11

MORE AT Google

We had a great evening here. Amazing food and fantastic service. We had 3 courses and every dish was delicious. We arent usually ones for dessert but the menu was amazing and the poached pear and snickers lived up to it! Highly recommend!

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Kiran Patel . 2023-12-06

MORE AT Google

A bit quite when we were there but excellent food and quality service.

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John Murphy . 2023-11-28

MORE AT Google

While we were in Oxford for a few days, we'd decided to treat ourselves to a formal high tea experience and, after looking over the options available in the area - some quite formal (and expensive) and others a bit more "standard" and unexciting - we'd read the description of this place - sitting on the river Thames, next to a nice bridge and offering both outdoor seating and seating inside a glass-enclosed dining area - and decided to make a reservation for a late-afternoon tea. Showing up at the appropriate time, we walked past the nice bar/seating area to the back room, brightly lit on a sunny day and set with tables of all sizes. There were several couples there, along with tables of 4-6 people and one larger party as well. The noise levels were quite manageable and, although we'd reserved two full teas, we were also given menus in case we wanted to modify our orders. While there were a lot of good looking choices on the menu, we stuck with our original order and selected the teas we wanted to have with our soon-to-arrive assortment of sandwiches and various baked goods. Tea arrived shortly thereafter, as did our food, presented on traditional tiered servers. While the offerings were "standard" in description - egg salad, smoked salmon, etc., along with scones, jam and a selection of cakes and cookies - each was a notch above in terms of quality and taste. Of special note were the scones - just perfect, as were the cookies and cakes. We've had afternoon tea at a number of highly-rated venues both in the US and the UK and this one definitely sits at either #1 or #2, and priced at right around 23 GBP per person (plus 12 GBP for a generous pour of a delicious NZ sauvignon blanc), it was an unbeatable value as well. Highly recommended.

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MikeGPortland . 2023-11-26

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Visiting Oxford to take grandson, who is at Uni, out for lunch. Fish and chips very good, but his 'burger' disappointing. Service excellent and lovely spot close to river to enjoy.

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geraldine652 . 2023-11-20

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We hired out the dome at the folly for my best friends baby shower. We had afternoon tea and drinks and it was just bloody wonderful! Service was amazing, food was so fresh, scones were even still warm! Couldn't fault the Folly enough for their...

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Phoebe S . 2023-11-20

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Fantastic place for a treat. Food was fantastic fine dining, and there was plenty of vegan options for me. Place is relaxed and right next to the river.

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Rich S . 2023-11-19

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Excellent all-round quality hotel on the banks of the river Thames in Oxford

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Michael Dickinson . 2023-11-11

MORE AT Google

Best vegan food I've had in Oxford! Will definitely be back.

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Anna Railton . 2023-11-08

MORE AT Google

Superb food First class service...The folly is outstanding,,warm place.,Staff are fantastic,The service is outstanding, the restaurant is one of the best restaurants have ever eaten in

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J W . 2023-11-06

MORE AT Google

We had an amazing afternoon tea for 2, all homemade, the best scones I have had! I would recommend to anyone. Great service and good value for money in a fantastic riverside setting.

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christophermX6334WB . 2023-11-05

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We only used the Folly for our boat trip along the canal, but the food (sandwiches, tea and scones with jam and cream) was prepared by the Folly and was excellent

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Stephen Webster . 2023-11-03

MORE AT Google

The Folly provides a beautiful and delicious dining experience. I have some dietary restrictions, which the chef was able to work around to provide a memorable meal.

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Elizabeth Berry . 2023-11-02

MORE AT Google

Lovely views over the river, nice afternoon tea.

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Hilary Currie . 2023-11-02

MORE AT Google

One of the best meals we've ever had! Great staff too

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Elizabeth Middleton . 2023-10-25

MORE AT Google

I was treated to lunch here after a boat ride to celebrate my birthday. The dining room overlooks the river. The food was delicious and quite filling. The menu has about six choices for each course. The main courses included a fish option and a...

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Josepha M . 2023-10-21

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Had a lovely late morning cruise with family and were blessed with a sunny day. The skipper (Joe) was very informative, friendly, welcoming and accommodating. The only downside was the heavily marked up price of the Prosecco (£40). Once boarded, The Skipper kindly arranged for...

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Lucinda L . 2023-10-20

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We did an afternoon tea on the river from the restaurant. The food was fab, especially the scones, yum! We had a great day so sailing down the river in the sunshine was fabulous. Captain Nick did a wonderful job of explaining areas in the river and was entertaining and knowledgeable. We loved the whole experience.

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Dawn Henderson . 2023-10-17

MORE AT Google

Absolutely lovely food, and very friendly staff. We have a beautiful day, thank you.

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Josephina Ballerina . 2023-10-15

MORE AT Google

Great location, right on the banks of the River Thames.

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Lwandle Dlamini . 2023-10-14

MORE AT Google

Booked for 7th December for 12 people and they took my card details to reserve. E mailed today out of the blue to advise sorry we have an event on so have cancelled your booking! Too cowardly to call and what a way to run...

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Jules F . 2023-10-09

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We boarded the river boat for a 50-minute cruise. It's worth doing excellent value for money. The guide was outstanding and very knowledgeable, and a coffee at the end

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George Shacallis . 2023-10-04

MORE AT Google

The food serving was huge and I was super satisfies, could be better though. On a better note, we went to Oxford for the first time and we search for the best place and we're so glad we found this! The atmosphere was great with options to sit indoors or by the river. And of course we sat by outdoors and had an amazing view of the River Thames with swans & ducks swimming. The staff were very kind and obliged to our requests, we also transferred seats to the dome which was out initial table because it started to drizzle. But mainly because the boat that docked by our table contained loud and half-drunk ladies that just ruined the very peaceful view we had. But of course, that can't be helped and never the fault of the restaurant. We were taken cared of very nicely and everyone was lovely! Would visit this place again in a heartbeat. ❤️

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Kate Snowdon . 2023-10-03

MORE AT Google

The food was ok but not worth the money, the staff were helpful but not particularly friendly or smiley. If you like old wooden chairs and tables that don't match, particularly in height and no table cloth then this is the place for you. I've been before for afternoon tea which was nice and the setting is pleasant by the river but I feel over priced.

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Maria Black . 2023-10-02

MORE AT Google

The food quality is very good at this restaurant and the choice excellent. Service is also great and the setting lovely. However, the food taste is very bland and to be honest nothing that special for the price. Raise the food taste a little and...

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a_londoner_20121027 . 2023-10-01

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Two main courses. One fantastic. One dreadful. Staff lovely.

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Alan Salisbury . 2023-09-28

MORE AT Google

What a wonderful place to spend the evening, from the moment we entered the Restaurant all the staff were so pleasant and friendly. We was early enough to enjoy a glass (or 2) whilst waiting for our cruise which on this evening was lovely. My...

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Sarah F . 2023-09-26

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Good atmosphere. Too many for a single table but split across tow that were close by. Waiting staff very attentive and always seemed to be on hand to assist / provide drinks. Special attention to detail with the deserts prepared specifically for the guests who...

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clf198 . 2023-09-25

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Returned for drinks after a couple of years. Lovely setting

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Paul Ottaway . 2023-09-20

MORE AT Google

Lovely place on the river for afternoon tea. It was a shame we were there in the rain and had an outside table booked. However, they moved us indoors with no problem! Afternoon tea was delicious with the option of adding on a glass of prosecco. Good service and nice surroundings.

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Shelley F . 2023-09-18

MORE AT Google

The afternoon tea is amazing. Having it along the river is a plus.

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Yannie Aurora . 2023-09-17

MORE AT Google

Amazing food and superb service, will definitely be back. We loved the river cruise too.

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Mark Widdows . 2023-09-17

MORE AT Google

The food wasn’t good and definitely not worth the price. I had the worst burger in my life.

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Kevin Hoxha . 2023-09-16

MORE AT Google

If you are unlucky and dont have a table next to the river then you are paying for ‘okay’ expensive food for no reason at all. Food wasn’t tasty. Will not go again.

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Paul BOULOS . 2023-09-10

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Delicious food, but the fact that we were able to book a table just a few hours before dining at a fine dining restaurant says it all. I could not fault the flavours and seasoning and the chef clearly understands tastes and textures, but there...

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Diana J . 2023-09-10

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Amazing waitress really friendly, didn’t catch her name though.

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bella . 2023-09-07

MORE AT Google

This is THE place to go for afternoon tea. The scones are amazing!

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Hiroki Uchimoto . 2023-09-04

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Had a six-course tasting menu at the Folly following a river cruise by Oxford River Cruises. We finished our cruise siting at windows seats overlooking the Thames – what a delight. The staff at The Folly were very attentive and they coordinated so efficiently with...

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A2680UZalanh . 2023-09-03

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Had a six-course tasting menu at the Folly following a river cruise by Oxford River Cruises. We finished our cruise sitting at windows seats overlooking the Thames – what a delight. The staff at The Folly were very attentive and they coordinated so efficiently with Oxford River Cruises who’s cruise leaves from Folly Bridge. But to the food. It was excellent. Each course was a delight, flavoursome and presented with style and artist flair. Bravo to the chef and the waitress who was a delight.

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Alan Holmes . 2023-09-03

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We had a very pleasant lunch after a boat tour. Very tasty and fresh food, coupled with a warm welcome and a lovely, friendly waitress. We highly recommend it

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stuart finch . 2023-09-03

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Great location. Service is friendly. Food is over priced. I was given a £180 gift voucher from a friend. Two of us went for dinner. Starter and main meal came to £130 including their least expensive bottle of wine However, they wouldn't give any change...

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Berry O . 2023-08-31

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Had a great time! Friendly staff and clientele. We were a large group and service was perfect. Beautiful setting and highly recommend

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Caroline H . 2023-08-31

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We actually came for dinner which followed a cruise along the river and a glass of Prosecco. More about the cruise in its own review (Oxford River Cruises). Now the review of the restaurant. One word covers it, excellent. From the moment we walked in...

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Maudlin24 . 2023-08-29

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We did the 3 hrs boat tour and the picnic was incredible. The tour and guide was also interesting. Great tour guide!!

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Tracy Godess . 2023-08-27

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A really lovely evening at the Folly. We booked the cruise and dine option and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. It was a beautiful evening and the 45 min cruise was relaxing and fun with our skipper Harry. Dinner was delicious and beautifully presented.

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Elga Clapp . 2023-08-26

MORE AT Google

This pub has a good reputation so we were very disappointed when we went with friends for a birthday lunch. The service was awful. They took a drinks order then didn’t bring them or take our food order despite reminders. We eventually went to the...

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733berniceg . 2023-07-31

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Drinks before a boat trip. Rude staff. Drinks are expensive and they add service charge. Felt that we were a nuisance.

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jarvieholidays . 2023-07-23

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We had reserved a cruise on the river that happens to leave from the Folly Restaurant - after looking at the menu while waiting for the boat, we thought "ooh, this looks nice" and we were so happy we reserved! The staff were wonderfully welcoming...

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mfwalshy . 2023-07-23

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What a beautiful restaurant the staff are all so lovely and the food was amazing - highly recommend if you are in Oxford book a table xxx

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Colette R . 2023-07-01

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What an amazing meal and service! This was almost a fine dining experience. The food was so delicious and a great selection. they pair the wines nicely with each meal. The staff were attentive and friendly. They made the meal extra special for our special...

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Amy G . 2023-06-28

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Delicious food and excellent friendly with a wonderful view. Had 3 courses all were fantastic. Especially enjoy the pork belly.

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Flones . 2023-06-18

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Came from Cheltenham yesterday 11th June took 3 of my friends to say a big Thankyou to them for everything theyv done for me over the last four weeks having been through breast cancer. The Folly didn't disappoint lovely relaxing afternoon tea. The host I...

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shirleymO314XM . 2023-06-12

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I visited this restaurant last weekend with some friends. We were really impressed by the service and the restaurant is in a beautiful location. We ordered the Bar Tapas for starters, which we really enjoyed, but the mains were rather disappointing. When I went to...

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Narita_05 . 2023-06-02

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The Folly lived up to expectations as the food was fantastic and the service was great 👍. After a 2 hour trip along the river Thames with a glass of Prosecco we returned to the Folly to be greeted by the staff and shown to...

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John F . 2023-06-02

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Great Surrounding, Excellent Service, Fantastic Food Would recommend for evening meal. Staff very friendly All round great place to eat.

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jnaw . 2023-05-29

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We found both the pork belly and the lamb pave excellent. The cheesecake, with raspberry sorbet and lavender meringue, was a taste sensation, quite possibly the best we’ve ever eaten!

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david h . 2023-05-26

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Beautiful location with lovely views of the river. I’ve been here before and really enjoyed it. On this visit we were greeted by friendly staff, always smiling and genuinely happy. We had a cream tea which was nice and I really enjoyed the service, surroundings...

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Mojo123abc . 2023-05-11

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Best place to have a coffee in Oxford! Great coffee, friendly service with excellent baristas! Sat for while on the pontoon by the beautiful Folly Bridge. You just couldn’t beat it!

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B C . 2023-05-07

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Although I have been here a number of time, this visit was the first time I and three friends tried the tasting menu - superb from start to finish. Wine pairing excellent. The restaurant was busy but we were not rushed and, because I think...

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355Jane . 2023-05-07

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Had the three course lunch menu and every dish was high quality. Nice river side setting and service was very good in a relaxed atmosphere

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RobWat4d . 2023-04-23

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My wife and I went to The Folly recently while in Oxford for lunch. It was recommendation from our hotel. The restaurant is located in nice location on river. You can do food/drink river cruises that leave from the location too. We chose to have...

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u2fan56 . 2023-04-22

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