Go here if: - you want to try something different…read more- you have allergies or dietary needs - you're trying to make your diet healthier - you're into your ethical, organic food Don't go here if: - you're on a budget - you've discovered somewhere else stocking similar things for less Conclusion: - a good range of pulses, beans and so on, but it really depends what you buy as to whether it's worth it.

Uhuru is located on the Cowley Road, at the top end near The Plain. This part of the Cowley Road is…read morea conservation area. Uhuru sells wholefoods, organic and fair trade goods, beautiful natural soaps and a full range of Ecover products. Toiletries, amazing deodorants. Beans you can soak and use in salads! And a counter of amazing cakes and pies and goodies! The shop is beautifully set out and hosts a range of top quality goods - you get what you pay for.

Singsong voice: Covered Market is AMAAAAAZING!!! So many places to check out. Easily one of the…read morebest places to go for a healthier lunch in Oxford! With that said, if you can manage to keep yourself from going into complete sensory overload, be sure to stop by Alpha Bar! It is even the self-proclaimed "hottest spot in Oxford!" The salad boxes are the greatest inventions ever. Basically it's 3.30 pounds for 3 choices of salad and 1 "main." If you are one of those people that don't like it when their food touches others (believe me, I didn't know there was those kinds of people out there either), then you may be freaked out because all your entrees go into the same container. I like it though because all of the flavors actually go well when mixed together. My salad recommendations: (I guess I haven't been too adventurous, my apologies, chap) FAVA BEANS: never heard of fava beans before but they are a huge meaty bean with huge flavor. The tomato sauce (?) that they use makes these beans irresistable... i can't really describe to you what the sauce is, you'll just have to try it for yourself! WIN COUS COUS: a bit mushy but love this! fine grained cous cous for fine people. Definitely goes well being mixed with everything else. CHICK PEAS: i LOVE CHICK PEAS. the end. For the mains: ROASTED VEGGIES: okay so it's basically just sweet potatoes, butternut squash and onions but THOSE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE "VEGGIES" and they are so soft and tender... delicious TOFU: marinated in a shoyu/ginger sauce. Nothing special but hey it's tofu, which I love. HALUMI: cheeeeeeeese, I love thee. Get it grilled! According to Angela W: Coleslaw, meh Lentils, good. A little bit vinegary but still tasty nonetheless. Definitely come early because one time I got there around 1:45 and there weren't many options left. The line gets CRAZY long at peak hours! So basically, when I stare into the glass window separating me from all these tasties, I want to sample everything. I drool. But I refrain because we're in the UK, Oxford to be exact, and everyone is proper. But Alpha Bar, you're the best! Thanks.

Very well prepared food for those on the go; Alpha Bar is a staple lunch spot for many people…read moreliving in Oxford and working/studying in the area. The salads are value for money, if you are fine with low protein intake. Salad options are fantastic and well marinated. As of July 2018, they go for 5 pounds a small box with one protein option and 2 salad sides, and 7 for a large one with two protein options and 3 salad sides.

I was eyeing this cheese shop yesterday, but gave it a more serious look today. I'm glad I did. I…read morebrought four delicious cheese back to London with me. Their cheesemongers are very helpful. If you're not sure what you want or which cheese suits your preferences, start directing questions to their cheesemongers. They're very good about providing samples to help your decision.They also give excellent suggestions. I ended up purchasing the Cave Aged Eritaz, Mary Holbrooks Tilleys, Cados, and Burford (a popular local cheese). I especially like how they have local, British, and European cheeses with informative placards. It certainly helps with my buying decisions.

A divine range of cheeses. Well worth a visit. If you can't make it to the covered market, head up…read moreto the beginning of Woodstock Road to the Woodstock Deli, which is owned by the same people. Here you can also get amazing fresh salads and breads as well as a variety of locally made products.

Chocology is the place to go if you are a chocolate fan or want to buy a high-quality edible gift…read morefor that special someone. It is a tiny little room with a few tables for consuming its speciality: amazingly rich and tasty hot chocolate. But its main attraction is the huge variety of speciality chocolates from all around the world. There are alcoholic, fruity, nutty, milk, dark, white chocolates, chocolates you'd never imagine existed, and even special chocolates for diabetics. Think Thorntons but higher quality and with a great variety of brands. There's a gourmet chocolate counter where you can pick and choose your own to go in a box. Ultimate decadence!

This is a chocaholics dream shop, located in the covered market you will satisfy any chocolate…read morepangs here! The hot chocolate is divine, and they serve other hot drinks too. There are lots of fancy chocolates to choose from, so it's great for gifts or little treats. Around Easter they have some great present ideas, some of which are a little more unusual than your average easter egg. Great selection, gorgeous chocolate aroma mmm makes me hungry just thinking about it! I find it a little pricey but, if you're feeling indulgent this is the place to go!!

I stumbled across Jericho Cheese Company and was blown away! The displays in British cheese shops…read moreare so much more appealing than the cases in American. The proprieter was exceptionally knowledgable and was kind to cut me for relatively small pieces with which to make a lunch. The cardo, a washed rind goat cheese, was particularly amazing. It tasted like grass in the best way.

From the owner: We are cheesemongers, specialising in cheeses from the British Isles, with a focus on quality,…read moreflavour and excellent service.

Found this place as I was wandering the area during my tour and I decided to have lunch here. The…read moreShroom pie was delicious, I decided to add mash and gravy, it all hit the spot. Reasonably priced pies and the serving size was perfect for my appetite. I would love to try more, not sure when I'll be in Oxford again but do recommend. They have plenty of seating too. Yum!

This is so good. Who knew pie was so savory, satisfying and hearty. This should be a thing in the…read moreUS. Sure wish this was in Atlanta, GA. Stopped in here for lunch during my day trip to Oxford. The ambience feels like a Starbucks, kinda trendy hip, but also very country with brick, chalk boards, tile counter. Service was fast fast fast. Kinda works like a Chipotle... pick your pie, your side, and toppings. 1-2-3.. then move down the line and get your beer and pay for it. There was a TON of variety. There were for of us , so we ordered different stuff. See pics for details. I remember the Deer Stalker was the most savory. You may think the portion is small... and it does kinda look small.. but this pie is packed. Its super loaded. Its a hearty lunch. So.. if you are walking around in Oxford and want something other than burgers or fish and chips.. make sure you come here.

Cute little shop in summer town. I came here a couple times to get some hot choco and some cute…read moresnacks. I didn't get a chance to visit one last time before I left and I'm kinda sad about it :T they had lots of good stuff, specialty in bread and chocolate I believe. They had cute shaped chocolates and I think in most of England, their candies aren't as sweet which is my kinda thing

I'd been looking to try this place for months, with it's fancy looking pastries and super French…read morevibe. I was hoping and expecting to be able to have French quality again after having super flaky, melty croissants in France. I was a little disappointed, but still glad this place is near me and doing well despite being surrounded by a bunch of coffee shops. What disappointed me were the stalwart basics: both the croissant and pain au chocolat had extra tough and hard exteriors. The dough was way too dense. The bottom of the croissant layers were not able to separate and had an unpleasant doughy taste. The pain au raisin didn't taste remarkable at first but at the very end the buttery, custardy flavor finally hit my taste buds, which left me wanting more. The apricot pastry was also nice, caramelized almonds and a crunchy flaky base. Though I have to say all the pastries were over-baked and over-browned, likely one of the reasons for the tough exterior. Maybe I'll be more impressed with the bread the next time I visit.

Hard day?…read more Go and put it all right again with a soak in their Floatation tanks. They also offer a magnificent range of professional massages, head massages and various treatments such as Kiniesology and Reflexology. The whole place is designed to refresh and relax. It is beautfully decorated in blues and greens. The staff are local and friendly. Great professional service.

Super crazy workdays and exhausting travel-filled weekends could only mean one thing: a tired back…read moreand a desperate American in need of a massage. I had passed by Eau De Vie whenever down 'round Cowley Rd and had made note of their excellent choices in aromatherapy products. SO! I decided to give them a try at fixing my back. Relaxing? Yes. Technique? Interesting but left much to be desired. Price? Cheaper than Boston pricing and about on-par with Charlotte at ~$100 for just over an hour. The real test was how did I feel the next day and I felt okay but far from relieved. So! If you feel like an awkward hour but a relaxing one, come here! If you're looking for results, maybe try somewhere else?

I have been coming to Hedges ever since I arrived in Oxford in1973.For very many of these years I…read morehave been served by Mark Stoker who I have seen move from boy to middle age.I have always had outstanding service and as I frequently cook for large parties(100 plus)I have had incredible deals . The quality of the meat and game is excellent and there are frequently bargains.Just before Christmas I got a free range Peachcroft Farm turkey for half price as Mark felt it would not be at its best in the few days before the actual day. There is always excellent well hung beef and local lamb. I would urge everyone to use this wonderful butcher to reduce the risk of it joining the other Market facilities which have been forced out by rising rents. Mike Simm

The store mainly carries Indian and Middle Eastern foods (frozen, fresh, dried, halal meat…read morecounter), but also has fresh veg and herbs like: okra, Chinese okra, ginger, basil, etc. I've yet to find any one ethnic store that has everything I need in Oxford, so I always make more than one stop when I do my weekly grocery run down Cowley Rd. And this is often one of my stops for fresh veg and Arabic coffee. Minimum £5 for credit card purchases.