Kyle Long
This is the rare occasion when a restaurant lives up to its hype. Critically acclaimed and loved by locals, Arbequina offers Spanish style tapas and creative dishes. Our favorites includes the tortilla (best we’ve had outside of Spain), roasted aubergine, and the chickpea salad. The staff was warm and knowledgeable and our server at Arbequina was one of our favorites throughout our time in the UK.
TL;DR - Highly recommend, lives up to the hype, can’t wait to go back!
Nikki van erp
Superb! Great food, wonderful staff. Came in at Saturday night without reservation and got a seat at the bar (which we loved because you could look into the kitchen). The kitchen staff just seemed to be having a great time, obviously recognized in the food. Lovely service too. Great food, great recommendations by the (kitchen) staff as everything on the menu looked amazing. The chickpea salad and the salmorejo were amazing! Thanks so much
Shuyu Lin
A tapas restaurant in cowley.
The food was good, but not amazing. It was pricey, as we spent almost £50 and I didn’t think we ordered too much. I would say you can get better food in Oxford for this price.
The service was okay. One staff was really friendly and helpful, whereas the other one was quite cold faced. Hence, overall an average experience with the service.
Paul D
Just a really great tapas place and just generally one of the very few great restaurants in Oxford. The dishes are unique, change regularly and just prove the exceptional ingredients that are being used. Some dishes are incredible, some are "just" good. Sadly, many dishes lack spices and thus just focus on the (honestly) great raw(/cooked) materials. Atmosphere is casual, but intimate. Perfect for a date of two; maybe not so ideal for bigger groups. You are, however, really close to the kitchen counter, which means that you will leave with quite smelly clothes. Service is really friendly and relaxed, which doesn't match the reservation system that might be quite confusing. Places seem fully booked weeks in advance and then suddenly open up again on the very same day...
Alice S.
Had dinner here which was lovely. Didn't have a reservation but was still able to get a table for two.
We had the whole sea bream, aubergine/whipped feta/molasses, potatas bravas and bread with aoili. This was £54 with service charge.
We were served by Freya, who was polite and professional.
We sat near the bar, and saw the manager Ben working with his staff. It was very busy in the restaurant but he was calm, friendly and professional with the staff and diners.
We were very impressed with both the food and service that we had. Will definitely be coming back another time!
EP— Uncut
We went to Arbequina for a causal lunch. Food was great, it being bit on the pricey side, service charge of 12.5% felt bit steep for lunch menu. Atmosphere was cosy and pleasant. There were few other items that we didn't order, so planning to go again. Not sure if the menu changes but considering their selection, summer menu could also be interesting
T Coventry
Great food, great service and great atmosphere! Would definitely come back if we came back to Oxford
Robert Charlton
It's a place where you share the food around the table more than having a separate dish for yourself so you get a lot of small dishes and can get a lot of variety. Went with my whole athletics group and we enjoyed it throughly. Food is very good, bread is the best.
Hamzah Hamid
Beautiful food served up by some great staff. We loved the range of options and how tasty it all was. The place is small and seems to be fully booked most of the time, just showing how great the grub is.
Rob Cole
Nathan nailed it. Ben's wine list is exceptional. Chef nailed it. Fantastic experience - fave place in ox.
11/10
Kim Edwards
Absolutely loved every single dish. If you haven't been you must try this place. Big faves were the beetroot and the aubergine. The unsung heroes! The nduja on toast was also amazing. The service was second to none. The waitress was lovely and very happy to give us suggestions which were all fantastic.
themightychew
Incredible. Friends we went with said that it was the best Spanish food they'd had outside of Spain. We had 1 of every item on the menu between the four of us. The tortilla was salty, soft, with delicious olive oil. Fried chickpeas wowed us all, aubergines were melt in the mouth, beetroot borada, courgettes, chorizo, bread - the table was packed. And then our stomachs were packed. I had a very tasty pineapple daiquiri as an aperitif and was still thinking about it on the way home. We. Will. Be. Back 😘
Guan Yong Tan
very good tapas. a pity they dont have octopus and paella. most impressed with the sardine and sausage. worth a try.
Michael Wroe
Unpretentious European class. Every dish is genuinely Iberian and delightful. The carafes of wine and water keep a good evening of socialising in flow. This place is a treat.
X P
Superb tapas. Everything we ordered was delicious and beautifully presented
Jonathan Shapiro
Lonely food in an intimate setting - well worth the wait (you have to book a week or more in advance if you want a dinner table at a normal time).
The only slight on an otherwise perfect evening was finding another bottle of wine on the bill versus what was ordered, but this was removed without any questions.
Ryan Krisch (Rusty199999)
Lovely little spot in Oxford. Staff were amazing, kept the water flowing. Food was amazing, wine was great! Defo reccomend having as many things off the menu as possible, portions are great for sharing.
Jenny Saliendra
Every dish we tried was delicious. The chickpea salad was definitely a highlight!
Dima Yurchenko
Delicious food, friendly service, lovely desserts
Lucy Jane
Wonderful visit this evening. A really special menu simple and delicious, fresh and exciting. Catering effortlessly to my coeliac requirements with friendly, knowledgeable and effortless service (in the sense that nothing was ever to much). Couldn't ask for more from a dining experience & genuinely couldn't recommend any room for improvement! Will be rushing back as soon as we can!
Caffie Layton
Food, ambience, staff, all top notch. Good veggie options and plenty for fish lovers. Only thing I'd add would be a Manzanilla to the wine list.
Gilly Merrilees
Friendly, prompt service despite being busy. Excellent choice of 'tapas' full of flavour. We had five dishes all of which were good, but the Ox Cheek with Cauliflower purée was superb. The dessert menu has room for improvement.We will definitely be back (if we can find a seat) ... 10/10
Ellie Freeman
Our 3rd visit. Never fails to delight. Park belly, Ox cheek and a new fave is the aubergine.. all utterly delicious!
Kate Riddle
Fabulous flavours and new food throughly recommend
Gablar Fairley
Delicious food, yummy rum, brilliantly enthusiastic service, great music, perfect ambiance
Guy Bingham
Absolutely delicious .....would highly recommend visiting ....
Elwira Glowacz
Great wine, Greater food! Superb service, palax on draught, can't get any better than this!
Mark Dancer
Great food /service /atmosphere! Highly recommend
Lel Lawson
Amazing food, wonderful service, great price. Loved it!
Rebecca Snaith
A super selection of delicious tapas and welcoming knowledgeable staff.
Jack Whyles
Blown me away both times I've been. Will go every time I go back to Oxford.
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