Top 7 Pubs in Oxford City in 2025

I've visited many of Oxford's pubs over the years, and it's one of my favourite places to have a drink in England. With so many options to choose from, you'll never go hungry or thirsty in this wonderful city!

Travel Mar 28, 2025 43 Add to Reading List

Oxford is a beautiful historic city, famous for its prestigious university and its location close to the beautiful Cotswolds, and it is.

It's a great place to visit for a day from London, with plenty to see and do. It's also a great city to enjoy a drink and a meal, thanks to its many great pubs.

Oxford has something for everyone. You'll also find some lovely country pubs here. Whether it's a pint of real ale, a hearty pub lunch or a cosy beer garden, Oxford has it all.

I've visited many of Oxford's pubs over the years, and it's one of my favourite places to have a drink in England. With so many options to choose from, you'll never go hungry or thirsty in this wonderful city!

1. The Seven Stars At Marsh Baldon

Seven Stars at Marsh baldon

If you're looking for a quiet pub in a beautiful rural setting, this pub is a must-see. The Seven Stars is one of the best pub in Oxford, and it's well worth the six-mile (9.6 kilometer) drive to the quiet village of Marsh Baldon. It has an excellent assortment of authentic ales, local ciders, and great food prepared from fresh, seasonal ingredients.

I love nothing more than a few pints and a good meal in a country pub (I grew up in the countryside myself), and the Seven Stars has everything you could want. It's also just a short walk from the Harcourt Arboretum, which is a great place to explore and enjoy the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside.

The Seven Stars Information

Address: The Green, Marsh Baldon, OX44 9LP
Phone: +44 (0)1865 343337
Operating Hours: 12 pm-11 pm, Mon-Thu, 11 am-1 am, Fri-Sat
Must-Try Items: Cask ales, local cider, beer-battered fish and chips
Average Cost: £4-£6 per pint, £9 per cocktail, £10-£15 per main

2. The Turf Tavern

The Turf Tavern is a bustling, traditional British bar in the middle of Oxford's academic district. It's located in a historic Grade II listed structure and is one of the top pubs in the city core. It is also close to well-known monuments such as the Bodleian Library and New College.

The pub serves traditional British cuisine, such as beer-battered Atlantic cod, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and ciabatta. There are also many vegetarian options. As a Greene King pub, it serves a wide range of real beers, including my favourites, Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale, as well as wines, cocktails, and ciders.

This is one of my favourite pubs in Oxford due to its central position and charming courtyard beer garden, which is ideal for summer days. Inside, you'll find a charming and characterful tavern with several small, interconnected rooms. The Turf Tavern is also dog and family friendly, so everyone is welcome!

Address: 4 Bath Place, OX1 3SU

Phone: +44 (0)1865 243235

Operating Hours: 11 am-11 pm, Mon-Sun

Must-Try Items: Abbot Ale, Old Speckled Hen, fish and chips

Average Cost: £4-£5.50 per pint, £9 per cocktail, £11.50-£18.95 per main

3. The Bear Inn

The Bear Inn has been serving beer in Oxford since 1242, making it an incredible 781 years old at the time of writing (though the building you see today dates back to the 17th century). It’s one of the best pubs in Oxford city centre and is loved by both locals and visitors.

The pub offers a great selection of ales on tap, including Fuller’s London Pride (one of my favourites and always my first pint when I return from travelling), ESB Bitter, and a rotating choice of guest ales. You’ll also find a wide range of wines, spirits, cocktails, and imported beers from around the world.

The menu features classic pub meals that are a step above the usual. You can enjoy beer-battered haddock and chips, as well as delicious dishes like Fuller’s London Pride, caramelised shallot, and button mushroom pie – a real treat!

The Bear Inn Information

Address: 6 Alfred Street, OX1 4EH
Phone: +44 (0)1865 728164
Operating Hours: 12 pm-11 pm, Tue-Sat, 12 pm-10:30 pm, Sun-Mon
Must-Try Items: London Pride, ESB, onion, and mushroom pie with ale
Average Cost: £5-£6 per pint, £9 per cocktail, £13.95-£25.50 per main

4. The Old Tom

The Old Tom is one of Oxford's top pub restaurants, but instead of the traditional steak and ale pie or fish and chips, you'll discover a delectable assortment of Thai and Japanese meals. Enjoy a pint of real ale with a fragrant Thai curry or crunchy prawn tempura, among many other tantalising Asian-inspired alternatives.

Despite its exotic menu, The Old Tom remains a true British pub, both inside and out. Located in the city centre, it has been welcoming guests for over 300 years. The bar is well-stocked with a great selection of craft beers from around the world, as well as wines and creative cocktails.

The Old Tom Information

Address: 101 St Aldate’s, OX1 1BT
Phone: +44 (0)1865 243034
Operating Hours: 12 pm-11 pm, Mon-Thu, 11 am-1 am, Fri-Sat
Must-Try Items: Any craft beer, Thai red curry, crab meat fried rice
Average Cost: £5-£6 per pint, £9 per cocktail, £13.95 per main

5. The Four Candles

If you want a cheap pint, The Four Candles is one of the greatest pubs in Oxford City Centre. It's the local Wetherspoon's, noted for its extraordinarily low prices (under £2 per pint!).

The bar is located in a historic structure adjacent to Oxford University's history department and a former boys' high school. It offers a nice assortment of guest ales, bottled beers, ciders, and reasonably priced wines and cocktails. Despite the inexpensive rates, the quality is comparable to any other pub, making it a worthwhile visit.

I always make a point of visiting Wetherspoons in every town I go to, and The Four Candles is one of my favourites. Its location between Oxford’s main railway station and the city centre makes it a great place to start your evening with tasty food and budget-friendly drinks before heading elsewhere.

The Four Candles Information

Address: 51-53 George Street, OX1 2BE
Phone: +44 (0)1865 263110
Operating Hours: 8 am-12 am, Sun-Wed, 8 am-1 am, Thu-Sat
Must-Try Items: Punk IPA, gin and tonic, all-day brunch
Average Cost: £4-£6 per pint, £9 per cocktail, £10-£15 per main

6. The Trout Inn

The Trout Inn, a 17th-century gastropub near Oxford, is one of the best places for a meal and a drink. It’s located just across Port Meadow and sits on the banks of the River Thames, offering beautiful views and plenty of outdoor seating—perfect for a summer afternoon in the beer garden.

The pub serves fresh, locally sourced food with a mix of modern British and European dishes. The Sunday roast is a must-try! After your meal, you can take a scenic walk across Port Meadow back to Oxford, which takes just over an hour.

Look out for special offers, like a three-course dinner with a luxury bottle of wine for two for £100. Although The Trout Inn is slightly outside the city, its stunning riverside location makes it a hidden gem. However, it can get quite busy in the summer months!

The Trout Inn Information

Address: 195 Godstow Rd, Wolvercote, OX2 8PN.

Phone: +44 (0)1865 510930

Operating Hours: 12 pm-11 pm, Mon-Sat, 12 pm-10:30 pm, Sun

Must-Try Items: Any real ale, local cider, Sunday roast

Average Cost: £4-£6 per pint, £9 per cocktail, £10-£15 per main

7. The Lamb and Flag

The Lamb and Flag, a 500-year-old pub, is a popular spot for Oxford University students as it’s owned by St John’s College, with profits supporting the university. Located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Ashmolean Museum, it’s a favourite among both locals and visitors.

After being closed due to COVID, the pub has now reopened, which is great news for Oxford’s historic pub scene. It serves a rotating selection of guest ales from local breweries like Hook Norton, along with real ciders from the region.