The Marsh Harrier in Oxford

One of the best pubs in Oxford. Still a « proper » pub. Very friendly staff with landlord Jimmy at the helm , wide range of drinks, good food. Inside is warm, cosy, full of atmosphere, and a crackling fire to boot. Lovely mix of clientele. The large garden has been refreshed: loads of tables, outside bar, pretty garden, big screens for sporting events but never intrusive if you’re not interested. A gem of a pub.

I made a random visit last Sunday with no reservation. I was accommodated with no problem and my usual friendly welcome and great food. This time I had the three meat roast with all the trimmings. Thanks to Jimmy and the fantastic team!

Familia de 3 personas pidió la hamburguesa de pollo, filete de solomillo con salsa de pimienta y la ensalada de aguacate con tocino. Todo estaba absolutamente delicioso! De postre, mi hija tomó el brownie de chocolate y solo comió hasta el final. Sin duda volveremos para más delicias! ¡No puedo enfatizar lo delicioso que estaba todo! Pruébalo, te encantará Gracias por la maravillosa experiencia culinaria

Se encontró con este restaurante pub en el camino a la Academia O 2. Qué joya de hallazgo. Gran comida, gran bienvenida y muy amable. Pizza a un precio razonable y muy sabrosa. ¡Gracias por los tiros libres!

Mi amigo y yo visitamos la noche del 30 de noviembre. He estado en esta casa pública muchas veces. Una palabra, es brillante. El personal y el propietario Jimmy hacen todo lo posible para hacerte sentir bienvenido. El ambiente es relajado y relajado. Incluso hay un verdadero fuego de leña. Mi amigo y yo comemos aquí en cada visita. Siempre nos ha impresionado la comida y anoche no fue la excepción. Mi amigo tenía el filete y le encantó. Tenía la pasta de chile y langostinos. Una de las mejores cosas que he comido en todo el año. Mi familia también va a cenar el día de Navidad. Le recomendamos encarecidamente que les haga una visita.

Really great food, service & atmosphere,will visit again when I’m in the area

Had an awful and bizarre experience here with my friend so had to leave a review! My friend and I came in for a pint. When my friend, who is a normal and polite professor, asked for a sample the manager said no. After my friend inquired why not and ordered a pint anyway he told the manager it was a bit weird because samples are a common request in pubs. Then the manager came from behind the bar, took the drink from my friends hand and told him to leave. We were shocked and thought he might be joking but then the manager physically grabbed my friend and started forcibly moving him to the door! My friend was calmly telling the manager to take it easy and take his hands off him as we both were trying to figure out why he had such a extreme reaction. My friend waited outside and while I was trying to pay for my tab, the manager was so riled up he took my drink from the table and told me to leave too! So shocking and bizarre given how quickly he escalated for a small thing like asking for a sample. Not sure what was going on behind the scenes or if there was some language misunderstanding, but never had an experience like that in a pub. Be careful of this manager…especially if you want to try a sample before purchase.

El publicano parece tener una condición psicológica difícil. Sin provocación, fue aleatoriamente agresivo con un nuevo cliente (yo). Cuidado. Fui al pub a reunirme con un amigo para tomar una pinta tranquila a las 8 pm un miércoles. No había estado en el pantanoso Harrrier antes, pero había oído que era agradable y como es equidistante entre donde vivo y donde vive mi amigo (es decir, entre el pueblo deiffley y Headington) acordamos reunirnos allí. El pub era tranquilo, tenía un bonito fuego en la parrilla, todo parecía bien. Mi amigo ya había pedido y estaba sentado en una mesa cerca del fuego . Así que fui al bar a pedir una copa. No conocía la única cerveza pálida que estaba en el grifo y me preguntó si podía tener una prueba (el pub no estaba ocupado en absoluto). El hombre detrás de la barra (supongo que el propietario, pero no estoy seguro de que tenía un acento mediterráneo? turco? no estoy seguro) dijo rápidamente “no catadores”. Bien. Me pareció un poco gracioso en un pub que se anuncia como un pub “tradicional”, pero bueno, puede pasar. Así que pido una pinta de aceite para el cuello. No estoy muy contento con la elección, ya que el aceite para el cuello es básicamente una capa y generalmente prefiero la cerveza. Así que después de hacer mi pedido pregunto “¿por qué no le das a los catadores, es un poco extraño”, y luego rápido como un destello, el personaje publicano se activa, está realmente enojado y agresivo, y dice algo como “puedes irte. Eso es todo, solo vete. Me quedé sorprendido. Le dije ‘oh mal humor...’ el tipo estaba muy enojado. Justo cuando me volvía a hablar con mi amigo sobre este extraño e inesperado giro de los acontecimientos, este loco ‘publicano’ se acerca al bar y comienza a empujarme por la puerta. Fue realmente increíble, nunca en toda mi vida había experimentado algo parecido (tengo 50 años , y mi apariencia y comportamiento no es agresivo o antipático en absoluto) . Así que nos fuimos a otro lugar. Así que eventualmente no se hizo daño, y un recuerdo ‘interesante’. Pero en realidad, no esperas ser efectivamente asaltado por un publicano para nada, cuando vas a tomar una pinta tranquila con un amigo un miércoles por la noche. Realmente mental. Claramente, el hombre tiene algunos problemas de ira sin resolver y no debería estar a cargo de un establecimiento con licencia en ese estado. Espero que encuentre ayuda. No debería dirigir una casa pública hasta que lo haga.

No puedo fallar nada. Venimos aquí regularmente para nuestro almuerzo del viernes. Deliciosa comida de buena calidad y un servicio amable y acogedor. Las pizzas son excepcionales y la tabla de especiales siempre vale la pena echar un vistazo, tenía el pato especial hoy, la perfección! El pato estaba suculento con mantequilla triturada de patata. El propietario y el personal son encantadores.

Without a doubt, the best food in Oxfoard. And the service is second to none! Amazing team.

Pretty standard bar fare and drinks, on the pricier side but nice location if the weather is good enough for outdoor dining

The best Sunday roast in Oxford

This was one of the best Sunday Roasts I have ever had. Everything was cooked to perfection. I look forward to returning next time we visit the area

Visited with family, shared some starters which were delicious, especially the home made chips which were delicious!! Very accommodating and friendly. Look forward to returning!

Best roast in Oxford!! Excellent service and establishment. Could not recommend enough!!

Wow!! Just wow!!! After months of saying that we needed to visit we finally came in for a roast today, all I can say is yes, it is the best roast in oxford, in fact the BEST roast I’ve ever had anywhere! Big portions, fresh vegetables and the most amazing cauliflower cheese! The staff were lovely and friendly and very welcoming, if you haven’t tried here I would 100% recommend.. the complimentary after dinner shot is also an amazing gesture!! Looking forward to coming back 🙂

The Sunday roast is the best in Oxford. Yesterday I tried the burger and it was delicious too. The waiters are very attentive and polite. Very nice place 🦅

Discovered by chance while walking the dog. Everyone was very friendly and polite, nice atmosphere. Great beer garden and the food was excellent. There are also vegetarian and vegan dishes! Unfortunately we didn't discover the pub until our last evening in Oxford. Otherwise we would have come more often. Just around the corner is a large green area with lots of sports opportunities and exercise for the dog.

Fantastic Sunday lunch in lovely garden. Service was very welcoming and friendly. Great place

We were bought here for a Sunday roast to celebrate our 21st anniversary and I must say this was the best Sunday roast we’ve ever had. Everything was cooked to perfection! The parsnips were lovely and the plate was piled high with meat, potatoes and veg. My husband isn’t a fan of roasts but this won him over and even he wasn’t grumbling! After our roast we rolled ourselves into the back garden and sat in peace and quiet and relaxed with a drink. The garden is a beautiful little haven. Will definitely be back again.

Excellent place to go and share with friends

Drinking Guinness beer and it was very good, friendly service.

Excellent Sunday roast been a few times now and always brilliant.... lovely friendly staff

I was there for sunday roast Very delicious ! Beautiful garden Recommended

Amazing pub ! Friendly staff and amazing food ! Will definitely come back

Always my favorite place. I've been visiting the marsh harrier since 2021 and i wouldn't go anywhere else. The food is UNREAL (especially the sunday roasts) and everyone i've introduced to this pub says the same. No complaints. The garden in the summer is so beautiful, especially with their new bar!

Me and my partner went for a Sunday roast today which was lovely. When we were almost finished with our food the server came round and removed our plate of sauces and immediately set it down on a table next to us who had just received their food…without changing the contents of sauces or teaspoons…then continued to do it again with another group. For a pub that has lots of potential, this unhygienic turnaround was very disappointing.

We were staying in the area and found this after some searching and decided to check it out because of the pictures of their outdoor area. We were immediately greeted and asked where we wanted to sit and given menu’s/instructions on ordering. We got some drinks, burgers and fish and chips. The service and food was excellent, everyone was attentive and the experience was nice. They had a huge TV outside with the football game playing with a nice vibe they created with their set up. Loved this place.

A wonderful time had by all. We had Sunday lunch. The food was wonderful. Served quickly. A choice of lamb, beef, chicken or all three. Everyone also gets a Yorkshire pudding. We spent the afternoon sat in the huge garden at the back. Well spaced out tables. The atmosphere was wonderful. We sat at the back under the willow tree. Wonderful. Jimmy, the owner is a saint. He really wants you to enjoy his hospitality. The warm welcome and brilliant staff make for an unforgettable experience.

We went with a large party, booked and ordered ahead. Service was great, good was good, solid beer selection. Large beer garden was lovely.

We're here for a few days on holiday with our 2 x dogs, so we wanted somewhere they were welcome. Excellent food and service, lovely atmosphere, would definitely recommend. Thank you.

Phenomenal Sunday roast! Everything was cooked perfectly and the portion sizes are very generous. They even had 2 different veggie roast options! The staff were lovely, warm and attentive and we were lucky enough to be able to eat outside in the lovely garden.

Some slightly moody bar staff but other staff exceptional

Decent Sunday roast - lovely potatoes but the chicken was very dry and Yorkshire pudding quite doughy

The friendliest staff in Oxford who bend over backwards to make your visit an enjoyable one. Relaxed atmosphere - a real neighbourhood pub with excellent food.

Have passed many times wondering about the claim of being the “best British roast” and now I have been - I think it’s a fair claim! Busy as expected on a Sunday but they managed to squeeze us in without a booking. Lovely service from all of the staff. Went for the lamb roast and it was absolutely delicious, each bite was packed full of flavour. Generous portions, I couldn’t finish it all. (The photo doesn’t do it justice as there was even more lamb under the Yorkshire pudding) the tiniest criticism I have was that the cabbage lacked in flavour, but honestly this is as close to perfect as you could get for a roast. Highly recommend and can’t wait to go back!

Very good Sunday roasts, unbooked just walked in 2 weeks running at a later lunch time, with attentive service. Good selection of ales etc.

The staff here are so warm and welcoming. I love the free chips while you wait (although the wait was very short). The food is delicious and the prices are fair. I wish I could come back in the summer to enjoy the garden.

Went for a Sunday roast today day and it was wonderful, but have a small appetite and they were more than happy to let me have a child’s meal that was more than enough for me, it was just perfect and I will recommend this place that everybody. Thanks so very much .

Welcoming staff, and great service. Good place to bring a crowd.

For me, the key to a good night out at a restaurant or pub or similar organisation is firstly the personnel and secondly the quality of the food and drinks. In this instance, Leo at the bar was outstanding. A wonderful host, prompt and efficient and witty and extremely gracious and warm. Good on 'yer, mate! By the way, the chips he served us were among the best I've tasted anywhere, any time.

We decided to pop down for Sunday lunch so glad we did it was honestly the best Sunday lunch we have had in a very long time. The restaurant was packed but they made the service look so efficient, we both ordered roast beef and did not wait long for it to come there was so much and absolutely delicious. The staff are just so lovely it was just a pleasure to be there. The cucumber and rose gin was just yummy am on the search to buy a bottle now. We loved it so much we have just booked for ten of us for my husbands birthday. Thank you all for such a fabulous afternoon :)

A bit pricey given the food isn't as good as other local pubs

We've been hunting for a great roast in Oxford for ages, especially one that does a good veggie option and we've found one, finally! Warm welcome, crackling fire, bustling atmosphere, and a lovely big plate of delicious food. Will definitely be our new Sunday spot.

Lovely neighborhood pub, with good drink and great food. Friendly service. Great garden.

Excellent evening. Fantastic service. Establishment is very well cared for, as are the real ales. Lasagne was homemade and exceptional quality, as were the chips. Priced very well for the area. Lovely to have such a tasty mulled wine this time of year too, best one I've had so far, nice and fruity! Topped off with a little limoncello.

Had a wonderful evening with Christmas dinner. It's a lovely little pub.

This has been on my list for a roast for a while and it did not disappoint! Amazing price point and delicious roast with all the trimmings. Will definitely be back!

Excellent meal, attentive staff. Will be returning in the future.

We love Sunday roast at the Marsh Harrier. What a lovely friendly pub 🍻

Great dog-friendly pub, nice graden and cozy fire. A great local.

Food was nice. They over charged me and my small group, when we brought it up they were so rude and confrontational. They asked us to leave and not come back even after we showed them the proof that they over charged. I would recommend everyone check their bill, shame as the food is lovely.

At this pub always a friendly welcome, Jimmy the landlord is always there on duty , & Leo, is there as well,as other staff, lovely atmosphere, very warm and friendly.MEALS R SO VERY GOOD. SPECIALY SUNDAYS. 100% CARRY ON MY GOOD FRIENDS. GOD BLESS, KEV & DOM

Took the family, 6 of us, for Sunday lunch. It could not have been better. Excellent food, generous portions and super friendly staff. Yorkshire puddings to die for (praise indeed from Yorkshire family visiting) and really tasty gravy. All of the veg very fresh and tasty. Lovely pint of Chadlington ale also. Recommended, we'll be back.

Ownership of this pub changed a few years ago. As someone who rather hoped a new landlord would do something significant to the place, in 2023 it still seems in a weird limbo. Its still a good pub though with a large garden area out the back. Food is good as is the beer selection. Perhaps if it ain't broke...

Amazing place, delicious food. The beers are good and cold. The service was great though, and the toilets super clean.

Great food and nice old style vibe pub. Nice stuff and service. Really enjoyed and would go again.

Nice place, very fun, delicious food and good service... I recommend going to see it

Superb Sunday roast today, could not recommend this place more. So friendly, a real local feel. A real gem.

Lovely place, spend here a great birthday dinner, food were really delicious, and serving was very nice. Absolutely recommend this place!

Fantastic meal and drinks many thanks

Have been to the Marsh Harrier a few times and it hasn’t disappointed. Food is good with take away options and staff are helpful and friendly. Recommend it for a drink or a meal out.

The staff,(all of them r very kind and very willing to help, the chef, LEO, goes one more mile, & Jimmy)

Been a long time since I've been in The Marsh Harrier. Was a very hot humid evening, so it was nice to sit and drink in the spacious garden. Didn't eat, but noticed many people were eating. Drank London Pride and St Austell's Proper Job, which seemed to be particularly popular.

First time of having a meal there, went for Sunday roast absolutely amazing! Great portion size, tasty food, staff were very attentive and accommodating. Definitely will be going back!

Great pub! Good atmosphere, great food, lovely staff, and beautiful garden.

We had Sunday lunch there recently, the food was delicious and plentiful. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The service was great. Highly recommend. Wheelchair friendly

Went for a celebration but did not eat, so I can't comment on the food. They have a great range of beers, including a very nice peach beer. The garden is great if the weather allows. All in all a great pub well worth consideration if you are in Oxford.

Great, friendly pub with amazing food. I had a chicken and avocado burger which came with a salad garnish and chips which was really tasty and very fresh. The other burgers were just as good. Will definitely be back to try the Sunday roasts. Beer great, plenty of space and a pretty garden. Definitely worth the trip, thankyou

Staff and general atmosphere great. But, the fish and chips I had was awful which is why I left behind most of the frozen chips and the limp, damp batter, even the peas were old tasting as was the portion of small fish (not cod). There are chippies nearby which eclipse this at half the price and they use actual real potatoes to make real chips, come on why is this so hard!? Don't mind paying a bit extra if a meal is good but not if it's just cobbled together from frozen ingredients and then they have the audacity to charge £17 pounds (some of us know how to cook you know). Really poor meal at any price. Everything else is fine and lovely garden.

Good service, friendly staff, varied and high quality menu.

Update to prior: nipped in with the dog and a friend after my previous visit on the same day. Service was quite possibly the worst I've ever received, point blank refusal to offer a taster of a second ipa after trying to decide which of the options was more palatable. Would strongly recommend you dont set foot through those doors. Just popped in for a quick drink, really lovely garden. Didnt eat so cant comment regarding food menu looks good and will be heading back to try especially the Sunday roast.

An old favourite. I visit every year. Large garden at the rear. Dogs are welcome.

Very friendly staff, very generous portions and a good spot hidden away in Oxford really enjoyed it

Lovely food, friendly staff and great service. Catered well for specific dietry requirements. We ate in their pleasant and large beer garden.

A good place for traditional Sunday roast, and as it was a lovely day we spent some time in the nice garden afterwards. The nearby Marsh car park is free for the first 3 hours too. Would definitely go again.

A good place for traditional Sunday roast, and as it was a lovely day we spent some time in the nice garden afterwards. The nearby Marsh car park is free for the first 3 hours too. Would definitely go again.

The best beer garden in Oxford, serving a good range of beers. Food options aren't particularly creative, but reliable, tasty and pretty cheap! Jimmy is a great landlord, he keeps his beers well, works hard keeping the pub open every day and is a warm, friendly and reassuring presence. Frankly we are lucky to have this pub in Oxford, there are few other examples of pubs with such a lovely atmosphere!

Best Roast Dinner I’ve had in a long time. Very friendly Staff. Will definitely return. Thank you

Empty plates all around! Literally such good food - we had the meat lasagne and the vegetarian special. Staff were super lovely and there was plenty of food on offer and ample portions

Went in for an evening drink. It was a bit busy which was good to see. Really good selection of pale ales very happy and a good night out.

Great outdoor space, perfect for kids and dogs

Lovely garden. Great service and super friendly.

very nice place, delicious food (we had steak, salad and fish and chips), kind and helpful personnel, definitely recommend!!!

Had a fabulous Sunday lunch - really warm, friendly and efficient service and great food! Roasts at their best!

Very tasty food, friendly staff! Love this place so much!!!

Visiting Oxford for a couple of days and had dinner here. Great pizza (a really good base which is unusual), and friendly staff. Warm, welcoming, and happy to recommend. Beer recommendations excellent as well. Superior pub.

Most enjoyable and real local pub. Nice friendly atmosphere. Did beers and dinner here while watching the rugby (less said about Eng performance the better). Dinner for 2 plus drinks £55. Nice place. Recommended.

Great friendly service from Jimmy and Co. Food was good. Beer was lovely and the service was efficient and really friendly. The fire was continually topped up with wood, which was an added bonus.

Everything is delicious here 🥰 Quick service and the food was warm ☺️ Just try it 👍🏻👏🏻

One of my favorite pubs in Oxford and definitely a must visit in Cowley. The pizzas offered at The Marsh Harrier are absolutely phenomenal and probably the best I have had during my entire time and travels in the UK. Highly recommended and looking forward to my next visit to the Marsh Harrier.

Top notch! Great food! Why go to places like quod when the marsh Harrier is way better. Thank you Jimmy and the staff!

Nice pub, not too expensive, decent ales and beers. Shorts were varied and not ridiculous in price. Worth a visit!

Went for dinner here with family. Really lovely food, good service and a warm, cosy place. Would higly recommend.

Not very often I give a 5 star but had a good meal on Sunday and returned Monday. Food was great. Service 100%. Could not pick a fault. Will return next time in Oxford.

Very clean the staff was very nice and helpful I would recommend it to anyone thank you

Just called in here, the first evening of a few days away. A cold and wet evening, so pleased to find a pub that wasn’t showing the football!! It was warm and friendly and not too busy. I had the stuffed veggie peppers which were absolutely delicious and my friend had the gammon steak, it came with 2 eggs & chips/peas, he really enjoyed it. We will definitely be visiting again before we leave!!

Staff is welcoming and nice, beers and drinks in general are a good deal. Food is not up to any standard. The "fresh dough wood stone baked" pizza is frozen and rehited in the electric oven. Tasty frozen pizza, but £10 for it is a robbery. The chicken wings plate (don't remember the exact price, but something like £5.5/£6) consists in 3 flavourless chicken wings and some arugola in the middle. Won't eat there again and don't recommend it. Very pricey for the quality and amount of food. Pretty disappointed.

Food was very good top end of what I would want to pay but very nice food will return

Proper british pub with a decent selection of drinks. Food is really good, including their traditional sunday roast.