Oxford is without a doubt one of my favourite cities in the UK for a couple of reasons. 1) I was born there, and 2) it has the best pubs! Pubs in Oxford are next level with plenty to choose from.
The pubs in Oxford are full of history with that perfect classic, cosy vibe. Many of them have been around for hundreds of years. And quite a few have been frequented by some big names. Everyone from William Shakespeare to Emma Watson has enjoyed a drink or two in these famous Oxford pubs.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a cold pint of beer in the sunshine or a cosy place to hunker down with some hearty food in the winter, Oxford pubs are the place to be.
Best Pubs in Oxford
When it comes to Oxford pubs, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for some delicious pub grub in a historic building or you want something a little more upmarket, you’ll find it here.
If you’re exploring the city centre on your visit to the city, you’ll find smaller historic pubs that are perfect for food or a Sunday roast. If you’re willing to venture outside the centre a little, you’ll find more pub gardens (perfect for a drink in the sunshine!).
1. The Bear Inn – Oldest Pub in Oxford
Let’s start with the oldest pub in Oxford – The Bear Inn. It was originally founded in 1242!
Not only is it the oldest pub in Oxford but it’s also the smallest! So, at busy times you may find it difficult to find a spot. Due to it’s age, the pub roof caters for customers on the shorter side. You may find it a struggle if you’re tall but once you take a seat, you’ll be fine!
One of the best things about The Bear is the vast collection of ties that decorate the place. All along the walls you’ll see framed ties of every colour. Once upon a time, members of interesting clubs and organisations could donate a tie for a free drink. The collection now spans around 4,500 ties in total! It’s one of the things that makes The Bear so unique and worth a visit.
If you’re hoping to swap a tie for a drink today – bad luck! The pub no longer operates this unusual deal. They do, however, still take tie donations for their collection.
Address: 6 Alfred St, Oxford OX1 4EH
2. Eagle and Child – J. R. R Tolkien’s Pub
Owned by St. John’s College, the Eagle and Child is one of the most famous pubs in Oxford. It has belonged to the University since the 17th century.
The Eagle and Child is a classic cosy pub with wood panelled walls and framed paintings. It’s the perfect place to take shelter from the cold winter nights.
The reason this pub is so famous is that it was once a meeting place for the Inklings. The Inklings were a group of authors who would meet up to discuss literature. Both J.R.R Tolkien and C.S Lewis were a part of this group and visited this very pub!
You’ll see a plaque dedicated to the Inkling’s on one of the walls.
At the time of writing (May 2022), the Eagle & Child is closed for renovations. It should be open for business again soon, however, so make sure to check online before visiting.
Address: 49 St Giles’, Oxford OX1 3LU
3. Turf Tavern
The Turf Tavern is an Oxford classic. It’s another of Oxford’s oldest pubs and is a firm favourite amongst students and locals alike.
It’s also seen many a famous face, including Elizabeth Taylor, Stephen Hawking, Thomas Hardy, Emma Watson, and Ernest Hemingway.
Warning: it can be a little tricky to find! All you need to do is head to the Bridge of Sighs and look out for St. Helen’s Passage on one side of the road. This alleyway will lead you to the Turf Tavern.
This Oxford pub has a particularly special place in my heart because it’s where I went to drown my sorrows, having just had a miserable interview to read Law at University College. Needless to say the interview didn’t go well. But I did have a great time sinking drinks in the Turf Tavern and am forever grateful for the memories!
The food here is excellent. I would highly recommend the fish and chips.
Address: 564 Edenfield Rd, Rochdale OL12 7QJ
4. Lamb and Flag – Literary Oxford Pub
The Lamb & Flag is another St. John’s College-owned pub in Oxford. Historically, profits made here were used to fund postgraduate scholarships.
If you’re a literature lover, you need to stop by for a drink. The Inklings (a literary group including J. R. R Tolkein and C. S Lewis) met here and Grahame Green drank here when he was studying at the university. It’s also believed that Thomas Hardy wrote much of Jude the Obscure here.
The Lamb & Flag is another highly traditional pub in Oxford that’s perfect for a cozy evening with friends.
Address: 12 St Giles’, Oxford OX1 3JS
5. The Jolly Postboys – Underrated Oxford Pub
This independent Oxford pub doesn’t get as much love as it should do. If you’re looking for delicious food , this is the place to be. The fish and chips here are delicious, as is the Sunday Roast.
It’s a little out of the city centre, which is probably why it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. But if you ever find yourself near Florence Park, make sure to pop in for some food. It is well worth the trip.
The Jolly Postboys has a much more modern feel than a lot of the pubs on this list and makes a nice change from many of the older, more traditional pubs in Oxford.
Address: 22 Florence Park Rd, Oxford OX4 3PH
6. The Perch – Oxford Pub Garden
The Perch is where you’ll want to head on a sunny day in Oxford. This 17th century pub sits on the river bank with a large pub garden for you to enjoy the views.
The food here is delicious, ranging from steamed Shetland mussel to braised pork shoulder pie.
You might recognise The Perch from television. This is one of the main pubs used to film Inspector Morse (a detective drama set in Oxford). It seems the inspector enjoys it there as much as everyone else does!
Address: Binsey Lane, Binsey, Oxford OX2 0NG
7. The Jericho Tavern – Best Oxford Pub for Music
Jericho is a beautiful area of Oxford that’s close to the centre without being pack full of tourists. Here you’ll find a lot of locals enjoying the various independent bars and eateries. The Jericho Tavern is one such spot.
This Oxford pub has a great selection of craft beers, as well as a great menu. There’s a spacious outdoor seating area, making it the perfect place for a hot day.
Not only is The Jericho Tavern a fantastic pub, it’s also a music venue! This Oxford pub has hosted a number of big names over the years, including Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Supergrass, and The XX.
When the upstairs room isn’t hosting music acts, it sets the stage for alternative entertainment, including comedy, burlesque, and spoken word poetry.
Address: 56 Walton St, Oxford OX2 6AE
8. Rose & Crown – Pink Pub in Oxford
You may have seen the Rose & Crown floating around on your Instagram feed. It’s a popular photo spot thanks to its pink hue.
They serve traditional British pub grub. Expect to see a number of pies on the menu, as well as sticky toffee pudding and spotted dick for dessert.
Although there is an outdoor seating area here, it’s more of a covered courtyard than a pub garden. Despite this, the spot remains popular amongst students and locals on warm days.
Address: 14 N Parade Ave, Oxford OX2 6LX
9. The Crown – William Shakespeare’s Pub
The Crown is the perfect place to refuel when exploring the city. It’s right in the centre, close to The Covered Market.
If you’re looking for an old-fashioned Oxford pub, The Crown has you covered. It’s filled with dark wood furnishings and a beautiful beamed ceiling, providing the perfect cosy atmosphere for a drink.
This was reportedly the William Shakespeare’s Oxford pub of choice. He used to stop here on his way between Stratford Upon Avon and London for some refreshment. So, if you want to drink at the same watering hole as the greatest playwright of all time, you know where to go!
Address: 59a Cornmarket St, Oxford OX1 3HB
10. The Head of the River
You’ll find The Head of the River by Folly Bridge.
The Head of the River has a spacious outdoor seating area with perfect views of (you guessed it!) the river. This is a hugely popular pub to head to when the sun comes out, so you might find it gets busy in the summer months.
The food at The Head of the River is fantastic. They also have a number of great rooms on offer, if you’re looking for a place to rest your head for the weekend.
Address: Folly Bridge, St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 4LB
11. The Angel and The Greyhound
The Angel and The Greyhound is another Oxford pub offering super cozy vibes.
It also has one of the best pub gardens in Oxford. There’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the warm weather here. Don’t worry – you’ll also find covered areas to take shelter when the standard English weather makes an appearance.
They’re big believes in classic pub food and do a cracking Sunday roast. Their roast menu includes a vegan wellington option, so there’s something for everybody.
You’ll find The Angel and The Greyhound near Magdalen Bridge.
Address: Folly Bridge, St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 4LB
12. Old Tom – Thai Pub in Oxford
There are plenty of traditional pubs on this list. Old Tom is not one of them.
This unusual pub in Oxford combines classic British pub decor and beers with incredible Thai food. It might sound weird but trust me, it works. In fact, my sister visited Old Tom years ago and continues to talk about it to this day!
Choose from all the favourites – Pad Thai, Massaman, Penanag, and more.
Old Tom is actually a sister restaurant to the incredibly popular Monkey and Me in London Marylebone. They source all of their spices, pastes, vegetables, and herbs directly from Thailand and it shows. The food is wonderful.
Check it out for something a bit different in Oxford.
Address: 101 St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1BT
13. The Old Bookbinders – French Pub in Oxford
This is another pub in the beautiful neighbourhood of Jericho.
Like Old Tom, The Old Bookbinders offers something slightly different. At first glance, it looks like any other cosy old pub. There’s plenty of dark wood furnishings and an array of different beers on offer. but if you take a look at the menu, you might be surprised.
Rather than the classic British fare you might expect, The Old Bookbinders serves traditional French fare. You’ll find offerings including mussels, beef bourguignon, and an array of savoury crepes.
Address: 17-18 Victor St, Oxford OX2 6BT
14. The King’s Arms
Situated right in the centre of Oxford, near Trinity and Wadham Colleges, The King’s Arms is a popular drinking hole for students. It’s the perfect mix of classic and modern with a delicious menu and great setting.
The atmosphere is generally very buzzing, thanks to the students that both work and play here. It gets particularly busy in the evenings, so you might want to book if you’re hoping to get food! Otherwise, feel free to wander in for a drink.
Like The Rose & Crown, The King’s Arms has a pink exterior. For some reason, it gets a lot less love on Instagram (perhaps because it’s paler in colour?) but I personally think it looks prettier!
Address: 40 Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SP
15. The Red Lion
The Red Lion is one of the bigger pubs in Oxford, making it a good option if you’re eating with a large group. It’s also very central. Spend your morning wandering around the Ashmolean Museum and walk just two minutes for a drink at The Red Lion.
This pub definitely has a more modern vibe than many of the more historic Oxford pubs and is popular for its bottomless brunches. If you prefer a cocktail in the sunshine to a pint of beer, The Red Lion might be for you. Monday-Thursday they offer 2 for £12 cocktails and spritzes.
Address: 14 Gloucester St, Oxford OX1 2BN
16. The Rusty Bicycle – Quirkiest Oxford Pub
The quirkiest pub in Oxford has to be The Rusty Bicycle. This pub is a little outside the city centre and serves the local community, meaning you won’t find a lot of tourists. Despite being off the beaten path, it’s totally worth the visit.
You’ll find the place decorated in a fun style with bicycle-themed paraphernalia adorning the walls and beach huts in the garden.
The Rusty Bicycle isn’t just a funky environment. It also serves up fantastic Neapolitan pizzas and a variety of craft beers – the perfect combination on a warm summer’s day.
Address: 28 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RB
17. The Trout Inn
This gastropub is a serious treat in the summer time. There’s plenty of outdoor seating and its location on the Thames riverbanks makes for glorious views. The Trout Inn is definitely the most picturesque pub on this list.
If you’re visiting in the Winter though, don’t worry! The wooden beams and cosy nooks inside make it the perfect place to hunker down for the evening.
They also have a dedicated vegan menu, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Address: 195 Godstow Rd, Wolvercote, Oxford OX2 8PN
18. The Chester Arms
Last but not least is The Chester Arms. This is one of my personal favourite pub in Oxford because the food is so good. If you’ve got a big appetite or you love steak, you have to head here. This modern industrial pub serves up platters of delicious steak and chips.
If you’re not into meat, order their equally delicious (and equally huge) fish and chips or veggie mezze. I can personally vouch for how fantastic they are.
If you somehow still have room for dessert, you can get one of their decadent brownies (although I’ve never personally managed it!)
Address: 19 Chester St, Oxford OX4 1SN
Best Oxford Pubs
So there you have it – 18 of the very best pubs in Oxford! My personal favourites include The Turf Tavern, The Chester Arms, and Old Tom. But none of these pubs will steer you wrong.
Whether you were on the hunt for a lovely Oxford beer garden or somewhere to warm up on a cold winter’s day, hopefully you’ve found the perfect place with this list!
