The best restaurants in Otmoor Cherwell South East

From the outside, the Swan Inn might appear to be a simple village pub, but step inside, and you’re in for an extraordinary experience. Upon entering, we were immediately impressed by the open view of the professional kitchen, where chefs could be seen meticulously preparing dishes. It was clear right away that this was not just another gastro pub. We were warmly welcomed and seated, and our waiter, Joe, guided us through the menu with care and clarity. His thoughtful explanations made choosing our dishes an enjoyable experience. Before our starters arrived, we were treated to freshly baked bread served with two types of butter: honey and malt. The combination was sensational and set the tone for what was to come. For starters, I had the venison, which was incredibly tender – it melted with a single fork stroke. The flavours were perfectly balanced, allowing the venison to truly shine. A delightful surprise was the inclusion of two mini onion rings, lightly battered and utterly delicious. My wife opted for the burrata, complemented by a delicate candied orange peel. It was a brilliant pairing, and we’ve already decided to replicate it at home. For mains, I had the rib-eye steak, cooked to a flawless medium-rare. The quality was outstanding – a well-hung steak that true steak lovers will immediately recognize as exceptional. My wife chose the Thai curry, which was a masterclass in balance. Unlike many other curries, this one wasn’t overwhelmed by cream; instead, the fresh, fragrant ingredients took centre stage. If The Swan Inn were located in a more densely populated area, I have no doubt it would be booked out weeks in advance. It’s a hidden gem that delivers in every way. We loved every second and will absolutely be returning. Five stars, without a doubt.

Thank you to Kerry for welcoming us to the Crown and allowing us to visit on a trip to Charlton on Otmoor to research family history. The pub is lovely and full of history - although we had to be on the road back home by the time it opened for customers, I will be back as I need to bring my friend's whose family used to keep the inn back in the 1800s and will stay for a drink and soak up the atmosphere. Kerry was lovely to talk too and shared some stories about the pub, which was kind of her as she was getting ready to open. Based on meeting Kerry, I know you will get a great welcome at the pub.

Great Indian and classic British pub classics with fresh seasonal ingredients, so delicious and a wonderful choice, but not too much! A minor issue with one dish was not only quickly resolved but the staff went over and above to rectic, thank you.

Terrible customer service. We placed an order online and when we called up to chase the order as it hadn't arrived the restaurant worker was extremely rude and unapologetic