A hidden gem in Oxford's history…read more Truly, a hidden gem. I almost don't want to write this because I want it kept hidden for as long as possible! Service was great in a bustling dining room. This 19th-century tavern is nothing short of charming and cozy, serving some fantastic meals. You can't go wrong with their Steak & Ale Pie and Fish & Chips.

The Turf Tavern is Oxford's second oldest pub, as it was founded in 1381! It's a hidden spot down a…read moremeandering alleyway located against the mediaeval remains of Oxford's city walls. The interior is downright medieval with low ceilings (watch your head!), low lights, and plenty of seating. They also have an open and airy beer garden for better weather days. You can either order at the bar, or use their QR code at the tables to order online which was helpful. The pub food was great, the pints kept pouring, and we made some new friends in a very old pub. Come for the history and stay for a proper pub experience. It's definitely worth the trouble of seeking this one out.

I expected to encounter difficulty in finding a table on a Tuesday afternoon (traditionally when…read more"The Inklings" would meet for their weekly congregations). Yet within minutes, my friend and I were escorted and seated at a table directly underneath several artifacts, photos and letters adorning the walls behind us, that once belonged to the literary giants (such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and others) that once frequented this charming tavern. Once again (as was a frequent occurrence during my tour of the UK), I partook of the Shepherd's Pie and a glass of tomato juice (confession: I'm not much of a beer or ale imbiber; apologies for my ignorance to those who are true connoisseurs of the hopped and malted brews, and for the offense of ordering such an abomination in a pub...haha!). In truth, coming here was more of a pilgrimage for a life-long Tolkien aficionado, than anything having to do with drinking or eating. And yet, in raising a glass in toast to my literary heroes, in the hallowed halls where they once gathered, I felt warm sense of kinship, and thankfulness, for such an amazing opportunity.

It's a historic Oxford pub known mainly for its previous patrons, JR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Lewis…read moreCarol. The pubs is well lined with photos of the authors and it's a nice place to pause and wonder what these illustrious minds would have been drinking in their time. There are better pubs with better bears like The Turf Tavern, but still, the atmosphere makes this a great spot to pause, gather your thoughts and drink some real ale.

Est. in 1242, the oldest pub in Oxford did not disappoint. Enter into a cozy, low-ceilinged old…read morewood bar with plenty of character. There is indoor seating in the room next to the bar, along with outdoor seating resembling a beer garden that also has a covered outdoor section. I enjoyed my sirloin English roast while having a few beers with friends. Will definitely come back if I'm ever back in Oxford.

Great to check out while in Oxford. Opens at noon. Sat in the patio and had fish and chips. Service…read morewas friendly. Inside the pub is tiny and quaint with low ceiling: it makes sense given its 700+ years old.

Great place to get a diverse selection of craft beers on tap. Especially interesting were the cask…read moreale selection. Free WiFi Comfortable old moldy feel to the place (he typed with great respect.)

One of my favorite pubs near Christ Church Cathedral at Oxford. Updated interior, free wi-fi, great…read morecraft beer options and a huge variety of gin and cocktails. Friendly staff makes you feel part of the neighborhood and the food was good and reasonably priced.

The White Horse pub first opened as The Mermaid in 1591, changed its name a handful of times, but…read moresettled on White Horse ever since the 1830's. Thanks to its central location and tons of history, it seems like this pub has suffered at the hands of tourists like myself in recent years. The interior is smaller than other pubs I visited, but could be downright cozy if it weren't for the people coming in, looking around, and then leaving after taking a photo or two. (Maybe I just caught a tour bus day) They have 8-10 beers on tap, offer wine, and was told that the fish & chips are tip top, though we just had a few pints on our visit. Service at the bar was friendly and prompt, and we snagged one of the few tables available to sit and people watch. Overall White Horse is a fine small pub and well worth a visit if you love historic buildings/businesses. You can be the judge of the rest.

Bijou and very old pub tucked under Blackwells. Bedevilled by tourist hordes much of the time (…read morelast visit it was notably a gaggle of dyed hair American pseudo students discussing what to be offended by next, while talking too loud , not understanding anything they've seen, and getting in everyone's way). However, if you're willing to brave that sort of thing, or are there at a quieter time, get yourself a pint of Guinness and a hot pastrami sandwich. You can thank me later.

We had originally planned on visiting the Eagle & Child, which is famous for being the regular…read morehaunt for C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, but alas it was closed for renovations. Instead, we headed to the second best thing, The Lamb & Flag, where Tolkien and Lewis had also grabbed a drink or two in the past. Good pints, friendly service, and second best famous literature icons haunt in Oxford.

Sadly, the Eagle & Child was closed at the time I visited Oxford (and since it was over two years…read moresince I visited I checked and sadly it is still closed). So, anybody who basically wants to have a drink at a pub that was frequented by Tolkien (and Lewis) you do have this pub, and it is across the road. Sure, there are photos of the authors who gathered here for a few drinks, and discussions about books, but sadly it doesn't hold the iconic status that the one across the road down.

A must if you're in Oxford…read more Staff Food Beers It's better if you make reservations but they also have some tables for walk-ins

Where do I start... This place is just amazing, great price…read morefor the amazing steak platters. The pictures attached are for a 2 person which you can see is great value for money. The platters always come out piping hot, defo worth the wait! Only criticism is that you do need to eat the steak fairly quick otherwise it tends to get slightly chewy - but that's just my opinion. The ambiance is fantastic and just so lovely, and the drinks manage to go down lovely whilst you wait. The only reason why I did not give 5 starts was because the Waiter was rushing our booking, then came over later and seemed off-tone and rushed us again with Dessert. Other than that this place is 10/10 definitely recommend

decent pub and meat pies, a little bit away from the downtown, but that makes it a bit less…read moretouristy. Service was very nice to this foreigner, trundling in with suitcases because I couldn't get into my room yet. I meant to come back during my week in Oxford, but it will have to wait until my next trip

I spent a few days in Oxford last week and was introduced to this pub while there. And though I…read morevisited as many pubs as I could on my trip, this was the only one I came back to more than once. Great vibe, very nice staff. Was not able to try the food but I will on future trips.

To my Yelp friend Dean C - While on my quest to help find the best UK breweries, I discovered this…read moreplace. Sorry, but it is again kinda far away from the downtown/touristy London area. Oxford, UK is a college (and tourist) town. Quality/Quantity - Beer was good, and more importantly one of the few breweries within walking distance to the many college campuses here. See pictures of the menu for both the brewery and guest beers. Kitchen was closed when I got here, but that was ok as I just wanted/needed a beer. Atmosphere - Events - See pictures. Small pub, brewery. Two floors. I think the upstairs is bigger? I never went up, sorry. Indoor/outdoor seating. I started indoors so I could be near the bar, LOL. Then I decided to have my next beer outside and people watched. Another beautiful day (see picture)! I preferred the outside seating over inside. Service - Good. Not sure if it is just me, but I noticed a lot of men sitting at the bar waiting for their wives to come back from shopping. And I was one of them, LOL. Price - I can't remember? But I think less than 5 pounds a beer/pint? It just does not matter sometimes. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success. Cool spot, I am surprised that there are not more breweries in a college town. I am sure there are many pubs, but you guys need more breweries!

A wonderful pub with a great bartender. It was a pleasant place to have a pint on an afternoon.read more

One of the most iconic pubs in Oxford!…read more The food is okay, the drinks are reasonably priced, but the location is elite. It has that classic Oxford pub atmosphere that makes it worth visiting, especially if you're showing someone around the city or looking for a casual drink in a historic setting. There are outdoor tables, seating inside, and a smaller section in the back. During peak hours, it can get quite packed, so it is not always the easiest place to grab a table, but that also adds to the energy of the place. Overall, I would not necessarily come here expecting the best pub food in Oxford, but for the atmosphere, location, and quintessential Oxford experience, it is absolutely worth a stop.

It's no surprise this pub is popular considering its location, but the quality of the food, drinks,…read moreand the people-watching make it great in its own right, not just because it's smack dab in the middle of Oxford. We found ourselves coming here again and again, as it was always nearby after a tour, or perfect for killing time before the next event. (in town for a family member's graduation) There's a few outdoor tables, and many little rooms inside with all types of seating options. We were a larger group with children in tow, and kept lucking out with the long table in the first room on the left. It does get rather busy at peak hours, but if you're patient or come at off peak hours, you'll snag a seat just fine. The fish & chips were a standout from all other fish & chips I had that trip. This is an American tourist review, so take that with a grain of salt, but we liked the food and the service was always friendly and quick.