The best restaurants in South Oxfordshire South East

We booked a table for six by phone in the morning for A Boxing Day lunch and were lucky enough to get a table. We all had pizzas, chosen from a wide ranging menu and we each had a superb meal. The pub looked great in its Christmas finery but it always is an attractive and welcoming place. There was a real family atmosphere created by the staff, making it a pleasure and a treat to be there. We have been before but it reminded us that we should go there more often.

What isn't to love about this jewel of a pub, without the exception of some of the local roads that is? We found this gem of an establishment a while back when a booking at a nearby pub had to be cancelled and they recommended the Red Lion. On our latest visit, we met up with relatives from Battersea for lunch on a cold, very wet Saturday lunchtime, weather courtesy of Storm Bert. From the minute we walked through the door, we were greeted by the welcoming landlord and members of his team. Being dog friendly, as soon as we were seated at our table, our accompanying Golden Doodle summer was treated to a bowl of water and even some doggie snacks from the bar. The was a good choice of real ales from the bar and the menu, was usefully concise and yet loaded with lovely dishes to tempt us. By coincidence, we all, one by one ordered the fish and chips and our post meal comments varied from "brilliant" to the "best I've had for years". Service throughout the meal was attentive, polite and so friendly. And to top it all, the bill was very reasonable considering the quality of the food, beer in fact the whole experience. I note that their website states: " Everything we do at The Red Lion is evaluated through the lens of asking ourselves whether or not it'll make people return". Well they certainly knocked that one out of the park for us, we'll be returning as soon as we can and we live over 100 miles away(!). If a two hundred mile round trip for lunch isn't a recommendation, I don't know what is!

The Wee Bookshop and Cafe closed down permanently last year. It will reopen on 11th July 2022 as Cob Cottage Cafe. Also offering crafts. Hope this is helpful

My friend and I went for afternoon tea for her birthday as we live relatively local but not been there before. It was so delightful and everything was delicious. Lovely sandwiches, quiche, sausage rolls, cakes and fabulous scones. There was so much choice and a lot to get through and needless to say we were beaten. We were offered little boxes to take the uneaten goodies home. The table was laid beautifully and everything was perfect and made us feel special. My only advice is to pre-book as there are only 3 tables inside plus it will give the proprietor a chance to prepare for you.

Lovely visit with a friend to sit out and have coffee during Bunkfest. Unbelievable rudeness from another customer towards the staff who were gracious and tolerant where to eject him would have been entirely appropriate and reasonable. Instead they returned his money as an act of goodwill. Everyone who witnessed this was appalled by how awful he was. Such a lovely cafe!

Exceptional food and service. Amazing drinks. I am so sad that Georgia is leaving Oxford! I would love to go back.

We've enjoyed the Town Arms before, but after last night, might look elsewhere. We arrived 10 minutes early for our reserved table, the bar was 3 deep, one girl serving and no-one else was on hand to help us. After 15 mins being patient at the bar I spoke up, announced our arrival to the bar lady and proceeded to order food for our family of four. The table was ready, so we sat with our first round of drinks. Half hour later, my wife ordered another round believing that food would be out soon. After an hour waiting for food I went up, the bar girl said she would check, but offered no apology. Out food arrived 10 minutes later, with a short apology from the young waiter. The food was of excellent quality, but by then we were starving and wolfed it down, rather than take our time and enjoy it. Because we'd had to pay in advance, there was no offer of any compensation for our wait, and also no indication of slow timings when we ordered. On a quieter night, I'm sure things would have been fab, but we'd choose somewhere else with more staff on busier evenings in future.

Really like Ela’s - well made coffee, good pastries and bakes, friendly service. I think this is a great addition to the garden centre, and I hope that people will pop in and make it a regular stop. For me, it is top of the coffee spots in the local area. Update: top-notch toasted sandwiches and baklava buns are particularly tasty.

Sooo good. The owner knows and cares about the experience his customers have. Very friendly. Quality of the food - best in Henley. Good quality fresh fish, crispy well made batter. PLUS - I'm a bit of a health nut, so I was buying the fish and chips for someone else. So the owner's wife cooked me up the most awesome spicy rice (which was out of this world) and didn't charge me for it! Best fish and chips by far!!! P.S. you'll go a long way before you find anyone complaining about portion size - very generous

We had a really good meal and the staff were both friendly and thoughtful, giving us plenty of time to choose our main course.

The best afternoon tea around! I have been several times for afternoon tea and have also had the soups, Quiches and sausage roll, everything is amazing! The tearoom is such s beautiful room! It is a must if you are visiting Wallingford I feel very lucky to live around the corner from this lovely place.

Good food good service quick for a good medium priced lunch Not too busy so one could talk Quality of food great what more could you want

Henley needs wonderful little independent shops like this. We're so lucky to have them. You generally get what you pay for and this is certainly the case here. Worth every penny and the service is always warm and friendly too. Try their hot chocolate on a cold wintry day!

We recently booked Durban Spice for a private dining experience. First off the ease and communication from Shabs was first class. On the evening, the welcome to us and the rest of our guests was super warm and friendly. Sarah did an excellent job of hosting us and accommodating to all ensuring we all felt at ease. The food was literally incredible, the flavours were even better than the food back home in Durban. Sarah & Shabs did a great job explaining the dishes, their story and how they come to get that real true Durban flavour and spice. Thank you so much, it made for a wonderful evening and our guests thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are looking for not just amazing food but a true South African dining experience don’t hesitate to book. 🇿🇦🍾🙏🏼

I always make a point of visiting Bruin Cafe when I am in the Oxford area, often taking long detours just to get there! I must have popped in 30 times now. Quite simply, it has the best coffee, pastries and light snacks that you will find in a Cafe, anywhere! The salt beef bagel is ridiculously good (and when the guy from the kitchen serves it, you can see he knows how good it is!). The staff are great and clearly passionate about their business and now they have expanded, there is seating too. Well played guys, first class job, looking forward to the next 30 visits...