Fine dining in and Around Oxford

Oxford’s historic streets are more famous book lovers than gourmands but food lovers can find some real gems. Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended restaurants are tucked away in the surrounding countryside. Here are the best within reach — following, a few of my personal favourites right in the city centre.

🌟 Michelin-Starred & Michelin-Recognised Restaurants (within 10 miles)

These are the closest Michelin-starred or Michelin-recommended restaurants near Oxford:

⭐ ⭐Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons (Two Michelin Stars)

Chef: Raymond Blanc
A legendary gastronomic experience in a beautiful manor house with its own kitchen garden.
📍 Great Milton (approx. 8 miles from Oxford)
🌐 www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons
📝 Yes, I’ve been — and yes, it was absolutely amazing.

⭐ The Nut Tree Inn (One Michelin Star)

Chef: Mike North
A thatched village pub offering seasonal British fine dining with charm and creativity.
📍 Murcott (approx. 10 miles from Oxford)
🌐 www.nuttreeinn.co.uk

🥂 The Sir Charles Napier (Michelin Guide Recommended)

Inventive cuisine in a stunning garden setting, with serious attention to both food and atmosphere.
📍 Chinnor (approx. 10 miles south-east of Oxford)
🌐 www.charlesnapier.co.uk

🧀 The White Hart (Michelin Guide Recommended)

A village pub with real pedigree — refined modern British dishes and a serious cheese trolley.
📍 Fyfield (approx. 9 miles west of Oxford)
🌐 www.whitehart-fyfield.com

My Tried & Trusted Picks

These are within walking distance of central Oxford and offer consistently excellent food, character, and atmosphere — perfect after a day exploring the city.

The Old Parsonage

Elegant, cosy, and steeped in history. A lovely spot for afternoon tea, dinner, or a quiet drink by the fire.
📍 Banbury Road, Oxford
🌐 www.oldparsonagehotel.co.uk/restaurant

I love the walls covered in very acceptably fine paintings in the winter and in the summer a walled terrace. A proper treat.

1 Ship Street

Modern British dining with flair and precision — warm service, beautiful plating, and a great central location. A local favourite of mine for something a something out of the ordinary.

📍 1 Ship Street, just off Cornmarket, Oxford
🌐 www.1shipstreet.com