Nice pub with history, nice painting on the walls! Cozy and warm environment. Meeting place for Tolkien and Lewis. read more

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This place has great historical value and is a must-visit for tourists, Christians, and avid readers. I found the place very warm and classic. I think the food is about the same, very warm and comforting options. Overall, it's your average pub experience with the exciting twist of being a historical landmark. read more

So... this is an interesting place. It is just as much alcohol rich as it is a historically rich. The word in the Oxford Streets is that this place was a favorite hanging out place of C.S. Lewis himself. In fact, when you walk in, especially through the first entry way you definitely smell the century old yeasty beer residue that's left from the cheers that C.S. Lewis used to spill all over when he would get a lil more than tipsy, if you get my drift...Awh yes, one might possibly even claim that it is here that the inception of Narnia was born. But hey, if you find that last part hard to believe - believe me when I say this- they have the best Fish and Chips and Beer of course (yes, calling all those American Tourists lol). read more

Another solid pub in Oxford though not as cozy as the Lamb and Flag (it was a bit more buzzy and had a chain feel) it still was a great place to enjoy a pint. read more

Ask a Yelp Whisperer - UK edition Query of the Day 11 June 2011 Q: Hello. I'm one of those people who actually likes being a tourist. I am soooo much happier being part of the herd rather than going it alone or being adventurous. Just call me a sheep (but a cute one!). I'm totally fine with that. Also: I love C.S. Lewis and Tolkien and all those Oxford people who drank beer at 3 pm in the afternoon without realizing that one day, people would come looking to share in their experiences. As I said, I'm not that interested in standing out. I want to fit in. So, when I'm in Oxford looking for a pint and some pub fare, where should I go? Thanks, er I mean cheers! Shirley Q. A: Surely, Shirley. I am happy to oblige. Want to be a tourist in Oxford? That's freakishly easy. Most people you see on the streets are. Why not come here, to the Eagle and Child? That's what J.R.R. and C.S. did. A lot, I would imagine. This historic location in downtown Oxford on St Gilles Street is now owned by mega pub-franchise, Nicholson's, which means you have to use even less of your brainpower to order drinks and eat here. But ... history is still history, and cast-conditioned ales still have to be had pumped and served in pint glasses. Regardless of ownership, this is a decent spot to quaff and mingle. Crowd into a small space in one of the nooks and crannies, order directly from the bar, and enjoy. Camden Town Inner City Green is a good choice right now. It's light, hoppy, aromatic, and refreshing. Perfect to wash down some fish, chips, and mushy peas. So, grab your copy of Prince Caspian, get your pub grub appetite going, and prepare for that fresh pint, Shirley. Post the pictures on Facebook when you are done. read more

The Eagle and Child is famous for being associated with Tolkien and C. S. Lewis; it's a really warm and cozy pub that wasn't as touristy as I thought considering its reputation. It's definitely an iconic spot in Oxford and I had a great glass of pimms here! read more

C.S. Lewis my favorite author, so when I found out that he and JRR Tolkein would frequent this pub in Oxford for their literary club meetings, I absolutely had to come here. There are signs decorated around the place with C.S. Lewis quotes and the room where they met in is still there as well. The service here is a bit confusing, so let me explain. You go up to the cashier at the bar, tell them what you would like to drink and eat, and pay there. You wait for your drink at the bar, then they'll bring you your food. You also seat yourself. That part was really confusing, so I sat with my companions, but wondered why they never came to take our order haha. The food is typical British pub food, such as fish and chips, Sunday roast (which ran out by the evening), bangers and mash, etc. I opted for the fish and chips, and was completely shocked when it came out. In America, the fried fish sizes are comparable to chicken tenders. However, the one at The Eagle and Child was a whole fish de-boned and deep fried. So my plate came out with a rather long piece of fried fish sitting on a bed of chips (fries), and with a side of mint mushy peas. I quite enjoyed all of it. I also love that they serve mulled wine too, but that might just be for the holidays. Overall, super happy that I got to dine at such a historical establishment! read more

This is the place where literary geeks like me go because they know that CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien hung out here back in the day (there's even a plaque indicating where they apparently always sat as regulars), but it's also a very cool pub to grab a pint too. It's hard to get a seat because it seems perpetually packed, but if you're lucky, grab one of the nooks for a bit of privacy. Once you achieve that, you can sit there all night with a group of friends and drink to your heart's content. Or until they close, whichever happens first. read more

I walked in tonight after a long day and what do I hear at the table next to me? A conversation about Edwards, Calvin, Lewis, and Tolkien. At that point I knew that this was one of the best places in the world. The food is good, not great. My steak fritters was a bit tough for rib eye. My wife's comment was that the shepherd's pie was really good but nothing like amazing. I will tell you what was amazing though... sitting in a room where the Inklings had discussions over manuscripts and poems they had written. That along with a Guinness and I was a very happy customer! read more

Like many other reviewers, I came here because of its history. I wasn't expecting to be wowed, and I knew it was a tourist trap. I got there right after it opened on Sunday, and it was a welcome respite after walking around the Ashmolean Museum all morning. The place was already packed, but that didn't impact the service. The man behind the bar helped me select a good, local beer and gave me a few tastes of some different ones on tap. I selected a porter and was grateful that he made the effort to help me find something I liked. The food, on the other hand, was just okay. I had the roast chicken dinner. The portion was acceptable and the veggies were cooked perfectly; however, the chicken was bland and not to my liking. Would I come back for a pint? Sure, but I would probably stick to an appetizer and plan on eating my main course somewhere else. It's fun to come here once, but that will do the trick. read more

Tourist hell-hole which stinks of old tomato sauce, smeared on wood. If you like drinking in smelly, dark rooms served by rude and uninformed bar-staff, surrounded by the chatter of inane observations about an author they are barely familiar with, this place is for you. read more

We stopped in at this delightful little pub for lunch on our visit to Oxford. The service, food and atmosphere were all exemplary and we had a tremendous lunch. 2 adults and 2 kiddos shared the lamb pie and the Coronation chicken pie. The veggies on the side and the gravy were delicious and fresh, the pies were magnificent. Bar staff were beyond friendly, so fun and lovely with the kiddos. We had a healthy serving and topped it off with a Sticky toffee pudding with custard and a Lemon tart. Both were absolutely heavenly. I'd heartily recommend this pub on a visit to Oxford as very convenient to the school and a wonderful venue for cosy eating. Yummy!! read more

I'm a huge Tolkien fan, so it's difficult to keep him from making me over-bias this review, but this place is actually good. The food is just like your good old favourite pub fodder and the fact that you get to dine where the Lord of the Rings writer frequented is another fact of awesomeness. I must note that there was a slight air of touristy-ness to the Bird and the Baby, however, it's not completely overwhelming, as one can understand that the pub probably had to go through some structure-altering to either fit regulations or accommodate the large amount of daily visitors. Nonetheless, this place is definitely worth a stop on a trip to Oxford! read more

We had high hopes for the Eagle and Child given Bianca and Alex visited the premises and provided 4 solid stars. So...what were the good and bad points? Good: 1. Cozy pub that truly feels like you travelled in time 2. A good selection of local beer and whiskey Bad: The food. Oh man, the food. I don't know when was the last time the Eagle and Child changed their frying oil for their fish&chips but we were in some serious pain for the rest of the night, and morning of the following day. Also the chicken and leek pie was a joke, the crust was sitting about 3 inches above the actual filling, a filling that included 1/4 of a chicken breast that is chopped and mixed in a tube of heavy cream. The filling was so heavy and so little, I still feel nauseous when I think about it. Come here for drinks only and with a full belly. read more

Such a cute pub to in which to escape from the rain! We sat in the front room in a cozy little corner. I tried the ham sandwich, which reminded me of those my grandmother used to me for me a child. How reminiscent! I also had a pint of cider and you can't go wrong with one of those. I would come back if I happened to be in Oxford...it seems to be a pretty popular place among the locals. read more

I had such a good time here. The only thing I did not like so much was the bathroom, which needs a lot of TLC. Everyone here just seems so happy! It's eclectic and roomy and the food is yum. Sort of pricey, but I'm American so everything is pricey for me. This place has an earthy atmosphere, and so much history! read more

The Eagle and Child - Couscous salad and veggie burger - Pubs Near Me - Oxford, OXF

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This is J.R.R.R.R.R.R.R Tolkein's local (yes I know there aren't that many R's) when he was writing The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings...I shan't go into the history -- I believe other reviewers have done this. My immediate fear was that this place would be full of tourists. Well yestokay there is that element but it does not detract away from the fact that it is a nice pub to take a quiet pint in....and to relax before blitzing the shops. Despite of (maybe "because of" rather) being oldy worldly this is a nice pub.... Do go and enjoy. read more

You obviously have to go here for the history. I mean, C.S. Lewis and Tolkien regularly throwing back a few together is kind of a big deal in the literary world. The Eagle and Child (as much as I love the British pub naming conventions...child? really? is a baby not a strange addition to a pub sign?) is cozy and can get all kinds of crowded at night, so if you want a meal at a table, come for lunch. They rotate the beers on tap and offer cocktails as well (delicious pimm's cup). The food is standard pub fare. They were out of all the pies that day, sadly, so I opted for a chicken sandwich, which was surprisingly decent served with the thick-cut chips on the side. The fish and chips is standard and good, coming as one long filet with the requisite chips and mushy peas. The servers and the patrons were all very nice when we were here. Tucked in one of the front fireplace rooms, we had a great view of rooms that must have held some pretty exciting discussions back in the day. read more

This is a historic, traditional pub in cereal oxford. It's a little expensive, but so are all the other places around it so it would seem unfair to mark it down because of that. The atmosphere inside is cosy and warm. There are individual cubbies you can sit in and larger rooms too. A great place to spend a few hours and enjoy their excellent selection of ales. read more

Great pub with a lot of history. Not the strongest drinks but friendly bartenders and patrons. We sat in the rabbit room, so being in the midst of that history was neat. read more

Go for the history, not the food and beer. I understand how people get hooked into this place because it was a Lewis-Tolkien meeting place. But really, the beer is good, but the choices are very limited. And when it's busy, don't expect them to top off a short pour after the foam settles. The steak frites advertised as medium came very well done and reminded me of the Rodney Dangerfield joke from Caddyshack, "this steak still has marks where the jockey was hitting it!" Friendly help, but a tourist trap with poor product. Take a look around and hit the Lamb and Flag across the street. read more

The Eagle and Child - Pubs Near Me - Oxford, OXF

A cozy little locale (though there is a bit of further room in the back) to check out if you're showing someone about Oxford. It's got a lot of history going on, being from around the civil war era, and loads of interesting tidbits on plaques (cashing in on the Tolkien and Lewis craze no doubt). There's a collection of local Oxford beers on tap, as well as some interesting liquors behind the bar. Makes for a good change from all the Spoons around these days, and wasn't too dear in price either. Try sitting in the small cabins in front if you're only going in for a drink for that extra historical feel when sipping your pint! read more

The Eagle and the Child seems to be primarily for tourists visiting the area. I stopped in for lunch during the week, and there wasn't a single Briton to be found. I think this is very telling. For instance, if you want authentic cuisine, you don't eat a Chinese place if there aren't any Chinese people eating there. Seating is pretty limited, at least on the inside, here. They're booths for the most part, with some that are half-booth, half-stools. Yes, I said stools, as in, not chairs. It certainly does add to the overall aesthetic. However, the tables are about three inches too low for the height of the booths. It makes eating mildly uncomfortable. The ale and cider collection is absolutely wonderful. There is also a wide selection of food. I got the cider, chicken, and chorizo pie with mash and "seasonal greens" on the side. I got a long carrot divided into three on a bed of cooked lettuce. Very lackluster. The pie was not very filled, and it was hard to decipher what was in it. It seemed to be just chicken, but the chorizo was definitely there as I could taste it. It wasn't bad food; it was merely of average quality and not what I expected from a 12 pound meal. My suggestion is step inside, take some pictures, get a pint, and then get lunch elsewhere. read more

We stopped by the Eagle and Child for a drink and were blown away by its place in history. It's a MUST see if you are a fan of authors such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Hugo Dyson (collectively known as the "Inklings"). The drinks are quite good and fairly priced. read more

We had to do the tourist thing and stop by while visiting Oxford. I'm so glad we did! Not only did we sit pretty much exactly where literary greats like Tolkien and C.S. Lewis sat, but it was actually a good place. Very relaxed and the food was good. I loved my vegetarian savory pie with gravy and mashed potatoes. My husband didn't love his sandwich so much, and that's why only four stars. His onion rings were great though. As I've been all over London so far, I'm very impressed with the ready number of vegetarian options, always clearly marked. read more

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Cripes, what does it take to please you people? JRR Tolkein and CS Lewis met here and hung out here in their Oxford days! OF COURSE IT IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION NOW!!!!! Oh my lord---a sedative. Please someone: give me a sedative. People are such a complete drag, sometimes. Such a complete buzz kill... read more

Calling all C.S Lewis and Tolkien followers, this pub is a must visit. Home of the inklings and a whole lot of history - you will not be disappointed! read more

The Eagle and Child - Pubs Near Me - Oxford, OXF

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I love the history of this pub and want to like this pub, but it was so busy on a weekend afternoon that I didn't entirely enjoy my time drinking here. This is a Nicholson's pub these days and the one thing I have found that to mean in my experience is an interesting ale selection. This pub is no different and my top notch pint of harvest pale ale meant that it was with mixed feelings that I climbed over piles of students towards the exit. read more

The perfect complement to the Lamb and Flag over the road, and here you get food too. A good selection of real ales, McCoy's, and lots of cool places to sit. The perfect pub for when its tipping it down in Michaelmas and you want to rush in, dump your wet clothes in a corner, and catch up with your friends and a pint of real ale. The seating out the back is often overlooked but is good for the food, and a good place to take part in the pub quiz. read more

Always worth a trip in when we go up for the weekend/longer. Such a busy pub, or should we call it something else now, due to its increasing popularity and modernisation!! Such change over the years, but if you like the history and have a mind to hold a pen, you'll go back. Some unusual burgers, if you like that sort of thing. Very limited Fish Menu, but you can't go wrong with the Pies..Beef Rib or Chicken Filletsthey are good. Large Cod and Chips £11.95.little bit rich, I think! You can always cut across the road to The Lamb and Flag.!! read more

It has a nice selection of food in addition to beer. Of course, people really came here to pay homage to great authors in addition to eating and drinking. read more

The Eagle and Child - Beef rib pie - Pubs Near Me - Oxford, OXF

The best thing about this place is the history. Everyone talks about Tokien and CS Lewis. You can almost feel their ghosts haunting the booth next to you. Cool spot, must see pub. They have all the same beers and wines that any Nicholson's would, that is why they get 4 stars. read more

Extra historic pub with great beer and decent food. No air conditioning so be prepared if you show up during a heat wave.

Great little place that's quite popular for groups. Second best pub in Oxford (second to Turf, of course). read more

I really wanted to like this place but I found it touristy, over priced and underwhelming. It has a good history and some of the great minds of our century have been serviced there but I imagine the place was much better in their time. I had the southern fried chicken and there was nothing southern about it. On top of that the cost was outrageous. Small tiny wings for 6 GBP...sorry I don't think so. I know that I can buy 10 wings at the butcher for 3 GBP. The beer was good I guess. It seems that they really bank on their history and the past greats that have been through there to garner a crowd. There are better places nearby without the dark hallways and crowded spaces. read more

Hubby and I settled in here after an Oxford University tour. The décor is nothing special, especially toward the back of the restaurant. Pleasant and comfortable, the big draw is that C.S. Lewis and Tolkien frequently enjoyed this pub. The food was good - hubby had the chicken sandwich. The macaroni and cheese was especially good. read more

Great place! Finest food I've had in UK. The fries is amazing. Nice surprise in addition to being somewhere Tolkien and Lewis used to be! read more

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If you haven't been told of the Tolkien links by the time you get through the door, you will have picked them up by the time you leave. A source of endless fascination for aficianados of the Inklings that CS Lewis and Tolkein drank here, the Eagle & Child (or Bird & Baby, as it was styled in Morse) is worth exploring for other reasons. The snugs that run down the sides of the corridor from the entrance to the bar offer an intimate space for a small gathering, and the conservatory at the back has made it much easier to find a table for lunch. The Tolkein link means it's normally quite busy, especially in the early afternoon where the busloads of tourists that stop on St Giles struggle with the locals looking for lunch. Nothing wrong with the ale or food, but other than for the historical connections the Lamb & Flag across the road is very similar in terms of the pub essentials, but without the touristy bustle. read more

Perfect for a fun night out with friends and family. It's usually pretty packed, but the rooms seem to go on forever in the back. Great pies. Good beer. Friendly staff. read more

I've been here three or four times now, and been lucky enough to avoid any tourist overcrowding - so for me it's always been a very cosy, very atmospheric, twisty winding pub with little coves, lots of old gas lamps, literary references (of course) and friendly staff and patrons. This visit, I had a strange but delicious local green brew (yes, bright green) and some bar food, which was excellent. If only most pubs could be like this, rather than it being a dying breed. sigh. read more