What a great cafe find! Sustainable, social mission welcoming students, strollers, all ages, limited menu changes with time of day. I came back twice for the excellent Chicken Fricassee and white beans lunch. Easily found seatings in and outside, excellent counter service. Non accessible restrooms. There was a notice to sign a petition to save the cafe from eviction as the Church wants the space back, I hope the cafe stays in business.
Review from a couple months ago. We luckily found a table at lunch time on a weekday, but the place was packed! Order at the counter and pick up your items on a tray. Plenty of veg and some vegan options to choose from, and so many bakery items. Everything tasted fresh and good, a hearty meal at a very reasonable price.
Good Food | Exquisite Location | OK Service | Recommended
—— Detailed Review Below ——
Caught up with a dear friend on campus and we ended up at this place after looking at a few other options.
The ambiance is (obviously) unbeatable, with the high ceilings and the historic building. The inside dining area can get crowded but thankfully we went on a day when sitting outside was still a viable option.
I had an avocado toast, served with salad, and my friend had the Oxford Vegan (which looked fantastic with the avocado toast, the sautéed mushrooms, and the giant (white kidney) beans.
My coffee (flat white), however, was disappointing, because (1) it was lukewarm, and (2) the milk was not microfoamed well enough.
Verdict: Recommended - both for the experience as well as the food but be careful with the coffees
Food/ Quality - 4/5
Location/ Ambiance - 5/5
Price (Value for Money) - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Other (History - 1320 Bldg) - 5/5
Lucky to have gotten a table at this cafe right before they completely filled up during afternoon tea time. A small Leek and Red Lentil soup (with Artisan Sourdough bread & butter) and an espresso were all I could manage after lunch. Next time I'm in town, I have to get a scone and a cup of tea! Since gaining Internet access would be difficult inside, free WiFi is provided. Staffs were incredibly busy yet accommodating, please wait to place an order till you are called.
I dropped in when my walking tour ended outside the entrance on a blisteringly hot day. It was lovely and cool inside and had plenty of room on the communal tables. I was totally spoilt for choice as all the food looked delicious. I opted for the slow cooked tuscan beef which had a choice of sides alongside a glass of organic red wine. The beef was really tender and the sauce very tasty. I finished with a cappuccino and the homemade cakes looked divine but I resisted. The staff were smiley and very friendly and it was a thoroughly lovely lunch stop, highly recommend.
Love, love, LOVE! I stayed in Oxford for three months, and I visited this place countless times. The inside has older architecture with sloping ceilings, attributing a homey and timeless feeling when one is indoors. You place your order at the counter, and it is assembled similar to a cafeteria line in school. The prices are excellent, and the portions are great. An order of tea allows for a pot of tea and sweetener, milk, and water are provided for free. Their scones are the best I’ve ever had! I ordered their chai tea, and it was always a perfect brew. Excellent place.
Great outdoor seating area in front of University church. Vegan-friendly. The staff were very helpful and friendly.
My suggested route would be a tour of the church (go up the tower) and then back here for an afternoon tea here in the sun. Their home-made chocolate and banana cake was great.
Since the tragic demise of Boswell's cafe, this has become my 'go-to' venue for a pot of Darjeeling and, what would appear to be, home-baked cakes!
A trifle spendy, but overall, worth the cost and it supports the up-keep of the church.The cream teas are exceptional and you will invariably be needing one, should you decide to ascend the stairs of the church tower!
Great place to sit and soak in the vault feeling in the first university hall in England inside the St Mary the Virgin church. The tea selection is very good. Vegan dishes good. Not as many pastry selections for afternoon tea. Staff very good.
Really nice place to go to that's right near Radcliffe Square and the Bodleian. I imagine it gets quite busy but we got there at a reasonable time. Food and coffee is good, selection of pastries wasn't huge. Cooked breakfast was great.
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