Hi - we are meeting some friends for lunch in Oxford tomorrow (Saturday). The options we have looked at include Turf Tavern (not great menu for one member of our group) and Eagle and Child (closed for renovations).
Any other nice pubs with good food and charming setting - good for a large group (10)?
Thanks!
That's too bad the Turf Tavern doesn't work—it's such a cool place and very historic. And the food was very good, as was the beer. I really liked it. Eagle and Child has been closed for a year or more. I'm not sure it will reopen.
I will say that most pubs are going to have similar menus to the Turf Tavern, so you may want to look for a regular restaurant or cafe. Is there a particular food that your friend can't eat?
Regardless, there is also the Bear Inn, which is another very historic pub not too far from Christ Church. Oops, never mind - it's closed for renovations until early July.
There's St Aldates Tavern nearby. I haven't eaten there, but the reviews are decent.
That said, I just noticed that you will have 10 people. That's going to be difficult to find something last minute on a Saturday lunch in June in Oxford. I would strongly suggest calling around or stopping by early to see if any place can accommodate a large group like that. You may not be able to be too choosy.
Try the Lamb and Flag! It is across the street from the Eagle and Child, ar 12 St. Giles’, and is owned by St. John’s College. It’s old and venerable and they used to do a really superb ploughman’s lunch. If that isn’t available now, I’d still recommend checking it out for the re-furbed menu, which looks stellar.
They can easily handle your group, I am sure. There is plenty of space inside. And it is a beloved institution!
Go to the Turf and tell the friend to HTFU. If they can't find something they like on the menu then tough. Why should 9 people miss out because of one person.
Red Lion, The Bear Inn or Kings Arms. Believe they all serve food.
Try the Lamb and Flag! It is across the street from the Eagle and Child, ar 12 St. Giles’, and is owned by St. John’s College.
Volva, the Lamb and Flag doesn’t serve food. I stopped in there when I was in Oxford last year to get lunch, and they told me all they sold were bar snacks. They may have offered food in the past but they’ve evidently changed that. At least, that’s what they said in April 2024. Maybe that’s changed.
Mardee: yikes! My bad! I have eaten there (the aforementioned ploughman’s, which was delicious ) but scratching my head, I realize that was just before COVID! How time flies!
OP: I stand corrected.
Thanks everyone. We intended to try the turf tavern, but given a very hot day and our large table size we checked out a few pubs on our walk. We ended up going to the Plough Inn as they had a nice table available for us. We had a great time. Food was good. Beer was cold. Cocktails were tasty. It was perfect for what we needed.
OP, glad it worked out.
