Reviews of The Magdalen Arms. (Pub) in Oxford (Oxfordshire).

The Magdalen Arms

864 Reviews

375 Comments

Pub

Gastropub

243 Iffley Rd, Oxford OX4 1SJ, United Kingdom

Description

Information of The Magdalen Arms, Pub in Oxford (Oxfordshire)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.

Map

Open hours of The Magdalen Arms

Popular times

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Thursday

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Saturday

Reviews of The Magdalen Arms

K. S.

Went to this restaurant for a family dinner and didn’t regret it! The place is very cozy and reminds a medieval tavern with wooden tables and ceilings and very welcoming staff (+ a tray of mince pies right in front of the entrance). Our waiter was very cheerful, friendly and prompt and the dishes were AMAZING!! Home made focaccia was my personal highlight followed, of course, by the outstanding lamb…! You just have to order it when you visit this place. Overall, would definitely like to visit this wonderful gem of a restaurant again

H. Y. W.

When I searched for recommended spots for Sunday Roast, The Magdalen Arms popped up but we didn't have a chance to try since they only serve it on Sunday. The decor is authentic, classic and wide-spaced with lots of both indoor & outdoor seating. However, it's super popular in the neighborhood and we were lucky to get the last table for 2, (We visited right after they opened at 12pm.) so reservation is recommended. Their menu is a little different by each day. We had the Burratina & Figs and Saturday Special Roasted Lamb with pickles & baked potatoes. The food was amazingly delicious, especially the lamb, which was well-braised & tender and the portion was more than enough that we couldn’t even finish it all. Our only complaint would be the imperfect service. The staff told us the wait for the lamb was about 30 min, but it actually took us more than 1 hour to get our order. We wouldn’t recommend tourists like us to visit since it’s kind of far from the center of Oxford.

S.

Fantastic wine list and delicious menu using locally sourced produce. The Magdalen Arms has a charming, rustic atmosphere, with interesting interior details throughout. The basque cheesecake is highly recommended. Will not disappoint!

d. V.

The Best sunday roast in Oxford. Great Service, very friendly People working there! Also delicious food. Big portions, meat perfectly done and delicious veggies :) 🤌🏼👌🏼

L. B. H.

Wonderful and friendly service. The pub has an excellent atmosphere. The food was very good and worth what it costs. If you're wavering between going to one of the pubs in the centre of Oxford or to this one, go to this one. The ones in town will charge you a fortune for a small mass produced meal, whereas here you'll get quality.

T. B.

An excellent meal (grilled asparagus, mackerel pate - both shared, sharing beef pie with suet pastry). The food was perfectly cooked by a team that are clearly passionate about what they serve. The front of house staff were on point; engaging, keen to help and advise (recommended a great rose), relaxed and hardworking. And great beer too. Will definitely be back - thank you!

A. A.

An absolute abundance of food! Great place for a large group to go out and eat in Oxford!

J. L.

Absolutely delicious. My partner & I ordered the rib of beef sharing plate. Everything on the plate was faultless. The staff we very well presented and happy in their work. It was our second visit here and both were as good. Infact after our first visit when we were just passing through Oxford heading to London, we decided we had to return. It was worth every penny & every mile (85 each way) from Bristol. Well done all & we will see you all very soon. Keep up the excellent work. 👏 👏👏👏

N. V.

Nice and friendly atmosphere, service was top and helpful from the moment we stepped in till the moment we left. We got the Pan Fried Grill Fish, Pork Belly and Harissa Chicken ... it was all delicious and portions was fair. Thumbs up. I'd love to dine here again.

S. F.

My favourite place to eat in Oxford at the moment. Menu changes most days, so I guess it depends on what's fresh for the day. I've been several times, tried different dishes, including fish, and everything was delicious. Portions are also generous. Particularly nice is the focaccia

H. G.

My favorite pub in Oxford and most likely in the U.K. The food is delicious, copious and affordable. The pub has a charming and authentic atmosphere with an eclectic mix of people that include student, academics, locals and tourists! The staff is lovely and always try their best to accommodate everyone's needs and requirements!

R. H.

Welcoming and friendly staff. Great service with a traditional pub feel but amazing food. Focused menu with great flavours . The lamb was exceptional full of flavours and fell of the bone. Wide selection of wines at reasonable prices. Would recommend booking . I will be back

N. M.

Supper hour at the Magdalen Arms We had a great little meal at supper hour at the Arms. Excellent value and a warm friendly atmosphere. Cold beer and a warm welcome. What more could one ask. Thank you

h. O.

Best place to go for a Sunday roast. A treat. Quality food and friendly staff.

T. S.

The steak and ale pie is a classic, first had this 3 years ago and again last week. Perfect, not the cheapest restaurant but the quality is excellent. Would recommend.

P. V.

We had the steak and ale pie and was excellent. Really good quality, a little bit expensive but the portions are huge as well. The pie it's for three people for sure. Nice variety of spirits, good beer.

D. V.

Superb pub with amaI bf delicious food that changes everyday (some menus change not all) and great fresh food with local and season touch. There were not many vegan options for my friends who were vegan so having more options will be great. We were at back garden which the middle seat do not have heating so adding this could help as well. The main vegetarian pie was truly delicious :)!! It was a good quantity for the price and loved that they had decaf coffee option as well. Pumpkin pie could have been a bit bigger but it was incredible light and very beautifully done! For covid there was one way system but everybody had to write the contact info on a paper with same pen which was not the best. Having a QR code will work better for this. Also having some student discounts will be even better! Other than this one of the best pubs in Oxford and will come back again :) Update June 2021! The pub is as amazing as ever! Lovely customer service from the staff and the chef even made as a vegan meal despite that it was not on the list! I also liked that they are not doing paper menu to save paper! Great seasonal usage on food items as well!! Incredible place :)!

M. F.

A feast of 1000 beasts. Great times at Magdalen Arms, we got the prime rib and the lamb shoulder both of which were very good. Were they divine tho as legend would lead you to believe...no! Anyway the pommes dauphinoise were also good don't know why we also ordered chips. Price was fair for what we had. Next time no chips (although I did finish them like the chubby chubby I am).

C. G.

Great place. Great atmosphere. Excellent customer service. Incredible tasty and huge pie...we will came back for sure...or to take out. Keep doing like that 👏👏👏

H. H.

Superb gastropub - yes the menu is not extensive and it's a little quirky is that it's sharing food, but the flavours are incredible and portions generous. At first glance prices can seem a little high, but remember this is good restaurant quality fare, not average pub grub. We found the staff very friendly and helpful, and even had a visit from lollo the pub cat!

M. B.

Food was absolutely delicious. Ordered the lamb shoulder and the meat fell off the bone. Beautifully cooked. Table service was very good too. But I was a bit disappointed with the drinks. Ordered aperol spritz and it came in a standard glass without all the trimmings. Not what you expect these days, especially given the price. Wife was similarly underwhelmed by her frozen margarita. Finally, I was told by the waiter they only had a baby changing table in the women's loos, which seems a bit behind the times.

I. A.

Haven't had such a great combination of food, wine and service for ages. Simply excellent

W.

For a great value meal try the supper menu served between five and six. Food is some of the best in Oxford.

M. H.

Well, as a vegan I usually look the menu up before I visit but f$&k COV19 so me and 4 other mates are out the door! Slightly disheartened as I sit down and we peruse the menu and there are zero vegan or veggie options but I was assured I was in more then capable hands with the chefs on so we ordered and I let go of my expectations....well......if there was a vegan menu with ample choices and I made my choice and enjoyed my meal then it would have been any other dinner, but this, was divine!!! Puy Lentils, cooked in a carrot and celery (ACTUAL CARROT & CELERY CHUNKS) Swiss chard, Borlotti beans & English mustard was the concoction I was served and needless to say, I was the happiest out of all 5 of us and 2 shared the pie (which the polished off and said was outstanding) and 2 the nero tagliatelle with prawns and mussels (again were not disappointed)....I still won! Top, Bowler, Snapback, Trilby, Bucket....ALL the hats off to ya it was the bestest first meal (since lockdown) EVER!! #supportindies #magdalenarms #bangingfood #amazingservice #onehundredoutoften #thanks 😊 P.S. If you don't get pudding you're all fools 😈

g. b.

Sunday lunch with family, 7 of us. Great dining room. Rib of beef and trimmings, absolutely fantastic. All bursting with flavour, beef so so good as was the coffee brulee. Staff there when needed, no rush. Wonderful afternoon. Will definitely return. Oh one thing, I would like thicker gravy please.

B. S.

We had a big roast on Easter Sunday, plus a starter and a couple of deserts. We were blown away by the quality of the food and the portion size. The whole Artichoke was peppered with goats cheese and olive crumb and was truly delicious. We had the lamb neck for two and couldn't have been happier. The greens on the side were a welcome addition and we had so much meat leftover (you're given the whole neck to carve) that we took it home and it lasted a lunch and another dinner... Amazing! The deserts were delicious too. We spent a fair amount but we're very happy with what we had. Staff were very pleasant and helpful too. The main restaurant area was bustling while being gloomy and atmospheric (but in a nice way). We stayed seated by a window in the pub area and opted for a bit more sunshine. There you just had to order from the bar.

a. s.

Amazing pub Very nice staff and delicious food 10 out of 10 will come again

T. P.

A great gastropub in a good location for Iffley road residents. Do unusually excellent pies and a great range of beers and ciders. Is open during most of COVID, and has a heated outside courtyard. Had a meal on 13/06/21 watching England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 beat Croatia. 🇭🇷 Had a HALF of 'Yabba Dabba Do IPA' for £2.40 (cheaper than the city centre). 🍺 Food was Capunti, with Datterini Tomatoes 🍅, Chilli 🌶, and Garlic 🧄. Basically this: 🍲 for £14 (picture attached). They even tweaked the recipe with lentils specially for me to make it vegan. 😲 Menu is quite meat based, although a good range. Would like more vegan options, although exceptionally good compared to other pubs in Iffley area. Do support them as is one of those few pubs that isn't a chain pub.

S. B.

Great food and the hospitality , I would love to visit again before I leave Oxford

S. M.

Wonderful restaurant, a firm family favourite, with lovely owners, kind waiting staff, and delicious food

S. N.

Really great pub that serves amazing food. I would highly recommend.

M. d. J.

Lovely food, grilled mackerel with baked potatoes and fennel salad. Friendly staff who do their best to make you feel Welcome.

S. H.

Without a doubt the best of it's kind! Absolutely stunning dishes with french and spanish influence. Would definitely recommend!

K. S.

The greatest waiter team ever, managed a group of twenty in a breeze

D. S.

First time eating here. Used to live a few doors down the road. How times have changed! Excellent menu reasonably priced for quality. Good wines available by the glass. Nice atmosphere.

A. N.

Lovely local pub, great atmosphere, lovely food and drinks. High recommended!!

S. B.

Food is always great. Nice big space, good atmosphere. Garden space is great too.

C. Y.

The food there is absolutely delicious and comfy. The service is great and definitely will revisit again.

M. J.

This place is amazing now. Been a few times. Massive portions of classic and well executed pub dishes. The steak and ale pie wt suet pastry is probably the best pie I can remember eating in years. Can't recommend enough!

C. T.

The Magdalen Arms is one of the best places to eat in Oxford, if not the country. The food is excellently executed British classics and innovative European dishes. Many options are perfect for sharing. The staff are warm and friendly, and create a cosy family vibe. Strongly recommend.

R. B.

Food was amazing , really well cooked , will be back

M. P.

Excellent food, service and environment. Heartily recommend!

J. G.

Lovely great place to step out of the rain for a drink but don't think I would need that excuse lol

K. J.

Delicious food, friendly service. Love it!

N. V.

Incredible food. Very chilled setting with friendly service

A. M.

We are big fans of Magdalen Arms, and have been visiting for many years. Their food is consistently excellent, and so is the hospitality. We love eating in when we can, and also taking the food home. The food is hearty, really well made made and always good quality. I particularly love their fish dishes, and of course the beef pie. Those hot chips - oh my! Their beef pie and slow roast lamb is the best takeaway or reheat home meal (you can do both) available in Oxford. I challenge you to find something more delicious and better value, or easier to prepare for the frozen take home option. It's great to see that they're open again. They have loads of space outside, and have obviously worked really hard to make it both Covid safe and comfortable for the customers. They have heaters by the tables, too! We had an excellent lunch here recently: spanakopita and homemade egg black tagliatelle loaded with delicious cuttlefish, mussels and prawns. Warmly recommended!

S. R.

Loved the lunch special fish and chips with their homemade lemonade. Also the fresh focaccia and oil is delicious.

A. T.

It's a nice environment and they have good beer these days (adnams on cask and neckoil on draught amoung others) but it's just not good enough for vegetarians. And yes I know it's a very meat focused restaurant! But in this day and age you have to cater beyond that... There's usually one dish on, and when I've been it's pasta. I don't deny it's delicious pasta, but for the price you pay, having had no choice, to then be presented with a bowl of pasta, while others get to feast on giant hunks of meat plus multiple sides, just feels like a total rip off.

R. G.

Always love coming back to this place great food and atmosphere

a. f.

Good place for Sunday lunch, although a little short staffed. Our server did a great job juggling all the tables and keeping everyone happy 😁

D. D.

Quirky gastropub with a shabby/chic interior. Menu changes every evening, so a great choice for those who like new food experiences. No parking onsite but you should be able to park on the main road after 6.30pm.

T. P.

This place is a-ma-zing. The food was perfect, staff were fast and friendly. It looks pricey on the menu but we had 4 mains, puddings and alcoholic drinks all for about £120! Bargain I think!

r. h.

Lovely place for drinks. Really good food well worth a visit

G. W.

Fantastic food however a bit pricey and the service was a bit slow (we went for lunch during work so were a bit pressed for time)

J. T.

Staff were friendly, helpful and went out their way to check on our enjoyment. Food was generously portioned and tasty. Drinks were alright. A solid choice for somewhere to relax and enjoy your evening.

J. C.

Nice atmosphere. Great drinks on tap.

T. B.

Very neat place and nice food. You can seat inside or outside. The coolest thing was people with dogs inside. Loved it.

T. G.

Terrific food, good service, plenty of space but still quite a cosy setting.

j. d.

Got to say, some of the best, original and modern home made cooking in Oxford. Great staff, friendly attitude, visionary owner/manager Florence, they know their customers - and their tastes. Felt really safe and (Covid) secure. Give them a visit - you won't be disappointed.

M. I.

Great food and laid back atmosphere

J. H.

Reopening after lockdown was a gradual process for this pub which reinvented itself as a local shop during the days of self-isolation. Fab food is back along with good beers and friendly service.

S. N.

Really love place to get great food, especially if you have small children and most other fine dining options are off the table (eg oli's Thai). Felt very welcomed with baby in tow. The only slightly off experience I had was when I went in the morning to try the toasties advertised on the main menu board; the person behind the bar seemed confused what we were talking about and there only ended up being one option, a cheese toasty

B. C.

Excellent, fresh and ever changing menu. Great vibe with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Sit in the bar for a casual drink, order a few starters and share with pals or take your significant other for a meal in the restaurant. Prices are good value for the portion size, quality and provenance of the ingredients, not to mention the passion and skill with which they are cooked. You won't leave hungry.

R.

There are several reasons this establishment deserves a five star review, but there is some room for improvement in terms of staff which leaves a bad taste in ones mouth. I am an American here on business, and I’m not sure if being ignored or spoken to in an indifferent, even rude manner is normal, but herein lies the merit of three stars. The food was delicious, and there were three very pleasant and accommodating servers. As for the blond woman behind the bar, she could really use some training with regard to working with the public. She was ice cold from the moment we walked into the room. My husband ordered three pints, but she only pulled and charged him for two. He had to go back and buy the 3rd pint for our party. When we went to the bar to order our meals and additional beverages, she was cold and indifferent. At the end of the meal, we requested a receipt, and we’re rudely told by the same woman that it was not a possibility at that point. She went as far as to tell my daughter that we left the receipt on the counter, which was completely false. I think when you pay £130 for an evening of food and drink, a little cordiality and a receipt upon request is not too much to ask. I had to ask for the assistance from the manager, who also seemed put out by the request. Frankly, it was the worse customer service experience in our 3 weeks in Europe and the UK. We will not return or recommend the Magdalen Arms based on our treatment this evening.

O. E. Z.

One of the best restaurants in Oxford. They're constantly changing up their menu to match seasonal trends. They regularly have a lamb dish for four to share, and it is incredible. Couldn't recommend this place enough.

n. r.

Sunday Roast Lamb = Best Meal of my life. Lovely service too. Thank you!!

N. M. L.

Great pub. The garden is lovely and there is a very decent range of beers to try.

Z. H.

Amazing food, especially the shared plates! Super kind staff even in the current circumstances, def worth a visit if in Oxford 😁

A. D.

The food was good, two of the starters were a bit over dressed with mustard but the soup was excellent. To quote a famous food critic, the pie for two was 'historic'. It is family friendly with a wide choice of beers and wines.

C. S.

Superb evening with good food and friendly service. Bustling atmosphere which added to the enjoyment. Beef wellington was excellent, as were the muscles. Two improvements. Wine list wasn't varied enough for me, and with exclusive focus on France and Italy. Also if I don't want creme fraiche on my desert, please don't charge me to swap for ice cream. That's wrong on a £50 per head bill!

T. C.

Great pub, varied and constantly changing selection of ales, nice beer and cider selection, the usual favourites and some interesting alternatives. Tasty bar snacks, both savoury and sweet. Fantastic food, always a really good meal here. Well worth a visit for a meal or just a quiet drink.

T. B.

I love this pub - I tend to use it more as a place to have a coffee and read than as a pub/restaurant, but they have an amazing reputation for food too. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, and, if you’re lucky, the cat might even pop in! Recommend their homemade lemonade. In the summer, the pergola is a great place to get some work done, and in the winter, the deep sofas and armchairs at the front as you come in are a great place to hangout.

C. P.

Had a take away yesterday 29/5, 2 big pies and focaccia and greens. Absolutely wonderful, can’t remember anything as good. So glad you’re back in business and can’t wait to have the full menu in July. Thanks so much

R. W. J.

Good beer, good food, good ambiance, what's not to like? OK, not the cheapest place to eat/drink in Oxford, but you get what you pay for! I'll be going back for sure! 👍

Y. A.

If you would ask me where to have quality food in Oxford, this is one of the two places I would recommend! With a changing menu depending on the season and products available in the market, you can have a variety of dishes in a pleasant local pub. Ample of space with an outside seating area. The staff is friendly and always with a smile.

L. Q.

Great place for meat eaters... Not much selection for vegetarians. Clearly, this is a popular place to eat and was incredibly busy for the duration of our visit. Which meant it was quite difficult to hear the conversations being had between us, as tables are quite close to one another.

k. h.

Loved the quirky menu, was small but had items you could order as a pair or a group, we had the steak in ale pie for two people, it was huge and ridiculously good, came with buttered green also delicious, lovely staff, heaters outside, food cooked to order so there was a wait which we were told about but it was so worth it.

H. A.

Lovely amazing lunch time meal, 12 quid for a gorgeous pie, chips & glass if red. Friendly staff & all covid safe. Highly recommended 👌

A. B.

Very good kitchen serving straightforward often meaty classics. Dark red-painted dining room separate from the boozing half of the pub where food is also served. Pricey. On road parking.

R. H.

Tasty food but very dark inside and possibly abit shabby in parts. Took half an hour to get out first drink whilst having a roast but the meal was pretty good. For the price of the food and drinks and think the service and interiors could do with improvements. Worth it for the roast but on a winter's day.

T. B.

Absolutely stunning food - great for sharing. I love just sitting in the bar area and ordering courses as I want them. The crab we shared last time was delicious and the Beef Wellington was to die for!

B. S.

Bustling, excellent food, a touch touristy. This is a great pub outside central Oxford. It was obviously not a locals pub and I wouldn’t recommend bringing children, but a very energetic atmosphere . It was a bit on the spendy side but worth a night out.

S. M.

Just across from our accommodation so it was super convenient. Warm and friendly good selections of beer. We did not eat there but saw some folks having a nice bite. Can't fault this pub at all.

A. M.

Actually a fantastic place to have lunch. I ate duck with potatoes and a friend of mine had I think checked of sort, anyhow it was surprisingly extremely tasty and for a very reasonable price. Staff there were friendly and helpful as well so if you are looking for a place to have a quick lunch this is the place as they cook fast, food taste good and the price is fair.

S. L.

Probably one of my favourite pubs in Oxford. There is always great food (espeically their pies), different from that of other pubs. Definitely worth a visit if you are local or a tourit. Make sure to book in advance for a seat at dinner because it will get full.

C. H.

We were visiting friends in Oxford and decided last minute to try out this pub. We were very lucky to get a table in the bar area; by 7pm on a Thursday the whole place was already pretty packed. Decent range of drinks at decent prices (though I'm from London so maybe it's just relative). There were five of us and we shared the tapas plate and then the lamb shoulder. It was really, really delicious and could have fed about 8 of us! Staff were nice throughout, coping well with a rammed bar and restaurant. A great pub - allows dogs and has a bar billiards table too!

V. M.

Absolute amazing pub. Highly recommend the harissa chicken - delicious- everything homemade even the chips. Will be coming back :)

E. T.

Probably the best food pub in Oxford . Try the lamb neck

F. B.

A fantastic, unpretentious pub with great food and nice staff. The food is generally top-notch, especially their meals for more than one person (a vegetarian friend is somewhat less happy about their veg options, but I can't comment on that front). Prices are not unreasonable, though not cheap either. They have three or four ale taps and rotate one or two of them. Wine has been good when I've had it, though I'm not at all an expert in that area. The front half of the pub is open seating; you may have to order at the bar. The rear half is a nice restauranty-bit which takes reservations. Occasionally they'll close the kitchen for the front half if the restaurant section gets packed (the kitchen generally opens at 6, which is the safest time to order). However there are usually some fresh nibbles, such as pies, available at the bar. Probably the best gastropub in Oxford, in my experience, and one of the best places to eat full stop.

T. R. P.

We've eaten here several times and it has always been phenomenal. In a large group we shared a shoulder of lamb, which fell off the bone and melted in the mouth. The rabbit and chorizo stew also lingers in the memory. Staff are very friendly and dogs are welcome (crucially!).

P. P.

Great place to go for a drink or a bite to eat. Service can be mixed because it is usually busy, but staff are always pleasant and friendly. Great food - at first you might think it is pricey, but portions are generous and they use 'happy' meat (free-range) which is hard to find when eating out, so I don't mind paying that bit extra - they will even provide a doggy bag on request for those morsels you can't manage to finish! Highly recommended

M. W.

An Oxford gem. A wonderful, homely place which combines a sense of intimacy with space aplenty, superb hospitality, and consumate professionalism. Oh, and great home-cooked food and superb drink selection too!

N. B.

Just the best gastro pub ever. The food is excellent and immagitive and the atmosphere is what a pub should have - hygge.

M. P.

Some of the best meals of my life have been here. It's worth asking for advice pairing the wines too as they seem good at this. Nice atmosphere and nice staff.

C. I.

The plus points: The Magdalen Arms does good food (at a price) but it very much fits into the model of a restaurant more than a pub. Their larger dishes which serve 2+ can be very good, but the sides tend to be small, for example, one tiny bowl of cabbage to share between 4-5 people. The negatives: the last time I was here it took 30mins too sort out a bill for a slightly larger table. In this time we were charged about three different amounts, none of which seemed to be correct and the staff quite frankly did not seem to have a clue what was going on.

F. B.

Wonderful atmosphere, great ales and dishes. Strongly recommend the Hereford steak and ale suet crust pie!

H. P.

Such a good pub. Amazing food…the focaccia is to die for. Great service. Thank you

n.

Fantastic food with tons of variety that is always changing, good beer selection on tap, very cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff. Great for large groups or for one just pulling up a chair to read a book and sip a beer. Returned to the states missing this place, will never forget it!

G. C.

Usually very good food, service and atmosphere. However, we have had one occasion where the food was just OK - nothing particularly wrong but not interesting flavours or combinations of ingredients, perhaps a lack of care went into the dishes. Due to the number of positive remarks from friends this slight negative would seem to be rare.

M. T.

When I visited last, a massive sink hole appeared in the middle of the bar, yet the staff were attentive and quickly erected stable barriers to prevent patrons from falling into the glowing pit of fire that manifested itself within the sink hole. We were given free nuts as compensation for the demonic frivolity than transpired shortly after the barman threw a dwarf into the pit.

c. m.

I eat there 2-3 times a week and the food is really good quality, but the choice is very limited when you are vegan.. They don't have any set vegan options and it is always by 'negotiation,' which means I often have the same meal 3 times in a row. Come on guys - you offer great quality food but you need to offer proper vegan options which doesn't just consist of salad and lentils. Also pls get soy milk as then I could have a coffee after my meal. Even the local builders merchant is stocking soy for their customers, so an upmarket eatery should defintiely be able to cater for a growing sector of the market! You guys are really missing a marketing opportunity to attract a new business to your fine establishment.

R. H.

Brilliant roast beef and a lovely covid-safe setup. The staff are friendly and make you feel very welcome.

W. S.

One of the best Sunday lunches I've ever had. Ordered the duck because they were out of what I wanted and the lentil and puntarelle side was astonishingly tasty. The sea bream was fresh and the salt cod brandade was also highly recommended.

A. G.

Not as good as I remembered, for service and food. Oily crab fish soup, unexciting terrine, not as gamey as the title on the menu suggested, the sea bass was served with 2 too little tomato for the 3 of us, so many black olives like a jar had been emptied on it, uncooked chunk of fennel and floury potatoes. Ended up in the bar area because our 9pm table wasn't happening anymore, very noisy area served by an unpleasant blond lady at the bar, the 2 nicer staff on the floor were not enough to makup for a bad experience. I will try other places before I come back and not recommend the Magdalen arm anymore as I used to.

D. m.

First visit at peak time .. Friday. Staff great.. atmosphere great and food great. Although super busy we were served fairly quickly. Would I come again... definitely.

R. T.

Great food, atmosphere and service. The best place to eat in Oxford. The rib of beef may look expensive, but its worth it!

A. T.

Amazing food and an even better service. The lamb shoulder was absolutely exquisite and our waiter was highly attentive. Will be coming back here again and again. Keep up the good work guys.

G. D.

Great food and service. Nice decor. Garden available. Huge sharing places. A bit more expensive as the dining part of the pub is more like an restaurant. Suits well for bigger groups.

D. A.

Went with friends on Thursday at 18:30 and there were lot of available tables and food served very quick. Spacy and cosy place with nice candles over the tables. Without that waiter who looks like 'Derren Brown' it wasn't to have its glamour. Four stars: although good quality food and price but expensive service hence not for a regular weekly hangout but very useful for special occasions like anniversaries.

F. A.

Lovely staff and perfect beer

C. O.

We enjoyed our meal and the staff were very friendly indeed. Maybe more vegetarian and vegan options would be good. But well with a visit.

C. B.

It was their 10th birthday and they had a party. Lots of lovely food....divine arrancini. Here's to Flo and her team's next ten years....and do visit their Flea market first Saturday of the month March to November.

R. B.

Looked a bit odd when empty at 12 am. But was heaving at 1:00 pm. Good food service was great prices ok. Will go again. Good atmosphere in the place.

I.

Wish I could be like reviewer Bertrand Man, and be able to afford eating here countless number of time. Would be my go to place for meals if money was no option. Attracts a well educated crowd ( Oxford for you )

R. B.

Great family atmosphere, large helpings of truly delicious food. If you are passing through Oxford well worth dropping in. Although you areadvised to book ahead as it is very popular.

A. Q.

Hello I like the place there.

B. L.

This restaurant is on Michelin Guide, but we do not think it is worth enough. The food tastes not bad, but the material is not fresh enough and there are too much oil used to cook, the cooking techniques are not good enough

M. R.

Best food I've had in a pub for a while! Lovely staff and quick service regardless of how busy it was. If you need to ask for directions to this pub however please note that it is pronounced Mawdlen... Seems illogical but can't argue with the service!

D. L.

Great food at massive prices. Make sure someone else is paying. The place has been totally transformed from the roughest Pub in Oxford into a snob paradise.

D. S.

A lively and lovely pub. The menu changes regularly, which is a rarity in pub restaurants and quality of cooking is great. All the reasons that I need to visit regularly

P. D.

Very nice unhurried Sunday lunch (Lancashire hot pot shared between three - lots of it, some to spare). Pleasant surroundings, even if the lighting is a little dim. Would go again.

M. G.

I've been here twice so far and food was always outstandingly delicious. I would definitely recommend!

E. D.

Possibly the best steak pie I have ever tasted. Pub understaffed for a saturday lunchtime so service was slow. -1 star for adding the 'optional' gratuity into the card reader in front of me as I was paying

S. G.

Delicious, small plates of freshly made, interesting food. Good beer and drink selection and comfortable decor; well worth visiting despite the rather strange early 80s music choice.

D. D.

Just the best food and a lovely atmosphere. We prefer eating in the pub area to the slightly more formal restaurant, but grab a table wherever you can!

J. “. H.

Reallly brilliant food, all fresh and seasonal, cooked by a great team on site. It's justifiedly busy so book at weekends. The bar's well stocked too.

P. T.

Visited midweek with my daughter. Simple, quality pub food. Good EPA. Pleasant low lighting. Staff friendly and helpful. Will visit again.

M. Q. M.

Lovely food with great atmosphere & good food. Nice staff & average prices.

S. W.

Given the circumstances (covid, staff shortages) I thought the staff were very good, helpful and friendly. Food was excellent.

S. A.

Friendly staff, great atmosphere and excellent food. Had 3 ales to choose from when we visited, would need a wider range to get a 5th star from me, but would go back in a heartbeat.

B. K.

As always a magnificent meal. Please note that the steak for two can easily be shared amongst four if you order a few extra sides.

F.

Fantastic food and service, there was a vegan friendly option too. Accommodated a party of 14 very well. Would recommend to large groups

R. S.

I wish my local was as good as this. Interesting menu and freshly cooked to order. Great food in an informal buzzy atmosphere. Definitely will become a regular haunt for me.

L. S.

Very rustic and charming! The menu is very interesting and tasty. Lovely atmosphere and wecoming staff.

D. S.

You'll never be wrong with this place, the best pie I've ever had, and everything else is also exceptional. Staff is friendly and efficient. Make sure you book in weekends or come early.

S. M.

Great food and service as usual, but very cold in the restaurant today.

J. S.

Fantastic meal! Lots of great sharing options. Food takes a while as is freshly prepared but definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend!

S. J.

Lovely warm feeling as we walked in on a chilly October evening. Didn't eat but enjoyed well-kept ales and fun banter with staff.

J. s.

Sagres in an iced pint glass! Good varied food menu and nice relaxed atmosphere.Food menu mostly meat and fish options. Still very popular after all these years.

C. R.

Very good food..and a good atmosphere. Staff very attentive and we enjoyed our evening here.

W. R. (.

It's expensive but the food was excellent, probably the best lamb I've ever had. If you have a group of 3 or 4 people I definitely recommend the lamb shoulder.

N.

We had whole chicken dish. The taste was quite exceptional for this restaurant. The dish could fill around 3 people easily. I would recommend it.

F. o. t. F.

The lady in charge is lovely. Nice staff. Warm welcome on returning to Oxford

T. P.

Had the steak platter here. Off the flippin’ charts!!!!!! Really lovely staff too.

G. G.

Excellent meals including the meal for my vegetarian friend. Good friendly service as usual. Highly recommendable gastro pub

C. M.

Below average service. One arrogant waiter, the other was slow yet pleasant. One meal was excellent, the other had the same salt content as a bad chow mien.

M. R.

Excellent food,great staff

C. Y.

Fabulous interesting food and a buzzing atmosphere. Generally a bit loud inside but perfect unless you want a romantic tete a tete. Great decor and upbeat service.

J. T.

Pretty nice restaurant/pub. The menu seemed a but limited but what I had was great. Would get the chicken kiev again.

L. M.

Probably the best pub in oxford. Food is excellent at all seasons and menu changes often. Service is impeccable. There is a price for this but it's definitely good vale for the money.

k.

Lovely cooking with a rustic feel. Service was good, as was the food. I would recommend.

P. G.

Really nice atmosphere and, the lamb is delicious.

M. O.

The food here was amazing. Would advise going as a group as the majority of main courses were family style dishes.

G. M.

Fabulous, love this pub. Great menu, nice people and delicious food.

A. R. D.

Probably the finest, most complete and authentic pub in Oxford. Prices are slighty higher than average, but it meets its expectations. Worth a visit, or 2, or 3.

J. R.

One of the best places to eat in Oxford. We have been there many times over last years and the food has been consistently good. Highly recommended.

L. R.

Great atmosphere in this well run pub. A small menu with high quality dishes relieves the frequently encountered burden of excessive choice.

a. v.

A nice and cosy place with good food. I'd say the only downside is that we had to walk quit far from the city centre to get there. but other then that, lovely place.

J. W.

Still maintaining its high standards, great food and lovely building. I revisited after leaving Oxford 5 years ago, it's still well worth a visit

P. H.

Lovely Sunday lunch

i. m.

Sorry, this was an average supper and very disappointing house red wine😕Nice seating area well screened from the road.

K. A.

All I can say is that the food and the service is great. I’ll B back

A. C.

Very nice gastropub... décor is nice and staff as well. Bit pricey, it's a pub not a restaurant.

s. d.

Lovely tasty food. Great service and friendly staff

V. T.

Definitely amongst the top three restaurants to eat in Oxford. Located off Iffley road and Magdalen road, 10 min by bike from city centre

M. M.

Wonderful food, lovely inside and great staff.

A. T.

Just ordered, looking forward to the squid starter and pork for the main. Yum! Starter fantastic!! Pork could have been hotter, but still tasted great.!!!!!

R. H.

Fabulous ever changing menu, comfy atmosphere and universally great staff. The food really is exceptional.

K. H.

Came here today for lunch for the first time omg it was amazing three of us had the lamb and my daughter in law had the ravioli , couldn't fault anything will definitely be back .

B. T.

One of the best Sunday roasts.

a. f.

Best food in oxford, staff were very friendly great atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.

Y. T.

Great food and service. Nice variety, cooked well, good atmosphere.

I. C.

Fantastic food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. What more can you want in a pub!

R. P.

Great place for food and beers, when not too busy. Great staff.

H. T.

Best gastropub and restaurant in Oxford. Excellent traditional dishes, at times with a modern twist. Great sharing platters!

s. s.

Had a roast lamb was amazing but it is quite expensive, drinks quite expensive too. Is good for a nice meal out

P. F.

Beautiful beef with mash and chard. Great service and lovely atmosphere. If your in Oxford, go. Just go!

R. B.

larger portions and friendly service

B. D.

Delicious meal. A popular place with great atmosphere.

P. B.

Fab pastry based mains, wellingtons and pies of a very high standard supported by traditional roasts.

N. W.

Restaurant pub with good contemporary food which specialises in big portions for sharing for two or three people.Large but busy location.

H. A. H.

Lovely end of term meet up and staff were lovely. Bit pricey

A. S.

Good beer and excellent food. The only issue is that it can be pretty loud in there and difficult to hear.

W. U.

The ultimate pub food. Great for groups and generous portions. Really nice ambience.

M. Z.

Very Nice foo! In general pub is a bit too expensive. Especially beers can be far above normal market rate.

A. B.

Proper home-cooked food made with fresh ingredients. The suet crust pies are to die for, and the veg is always cooked to perfection.

E. M.

Awesome food, service, ambiance

M. F.

Very nice atmosphere and drinks, but the food simply isnt worth the high prices.

s. r.

I love this place especially for eating hamburger, chips, chicken mayonnaise with cooked baked beans with raspberry and salad

D.

Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Oxford. An excellent showcase of traditional British cooking.

M. B.

Slightly disappointed if truth be told. No much atmosphere on a Sunday night, food was expensive.

G. R.

Not just a pub but a community centre too. Great drinks, great food and we love the Magdalen Flea!

R. S.

Great spot for lunch. Amazing freshly baked bread.

R. W.

Warm service, lovely atmosphere and superb food, especially the pasta

J. T.

Fabulous Sunday lunch for four of us. Friendly, efficient service & great food.

E. H.

Obviously best food in Oxford by miles. If you don't go your waisting your life on mediocre food. Clearly anchor and hopes brother

p. o.

Excellent service and delicious food. I had the mushroom tagliatelle, buonissimo!

D. H.

Fantastic, everything about it is brilliant. Food, staff, beer, atmosphere. Love it, do go.

J. M.

Lovely atmosphere great food

c. z.

Lovely place and stuff, not very impressed with the food

S. L.

Quirky, brilliant food. Friendly service. Definitely worth a visit.

J. D.

High quality food, good choice of drinks, relaxed atmosphere, regularly updated and imaginative menu.

B. L.

Great food and menu selection, service wasn't perfect but didn't detract from occasion

J. C.

Very nice atmosphere, awesome food. A tad on the pricey side, but it was worth it.

G. B.

Outstanding food. Wonderful gastro pub, brilliant service, lovely atmosphere.

R. T.

Great for family Sunday lunch. Early evening menu excellent value

B. H.

5 honest Stars!!! Really great food, with every day changing menu, incredible! Top quality!

C. C.

Brilliant Sun morning coffee and the ery best Chelsea bun I ever ate - fresh from the oven

G. W.

Very delicious, as ever. Glad to be back after Covid.

S. B.

High standard of food as usual. Our food order seemed to get lost however, without much acknowledgement.

v. s.

Very cosy and traditional pub serving amazing fresh local produce, gets very busy here as it is very popular.

M.

Great decor, incredible staff, unbelievable food, lamb comes highly recommended!

V. C.

Great food in a casual pub atmosphere with a Garden space.

K. G.

Fabulous food, great wine selection all in chilled surroundings.

A. N.

Completely full and yet service was fast and the food plentiful and excellent. Highly recommended!

A. M.

Overpriced average food. Twas a busy night so perhaps that was it.

M. I.

Limited menu but very good quality. Great service.

D. S.

Too notch food, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Quite slow but was busy

s. j.

Good menu, excellent range of beers, friendly service. Dogs welcome in the bar

T. C.

Excellent ravioli on Supper Menu this evening. Well worth £10!

A. U.

Really nice pub, good pub garden and lovely food but very pricey!

N. L.

Good tasty food, however a bit over priced.

J. C.

My personal favorite in Oxford. Love the food here and it’s so comfortable.

R. L. E.

Such great food. Always go for the sharing meals!

L. F.

Nice place, good food, good service

J. M.

Best food in the whole of oxford ! Great service and brilliant portions.

M. K.

Delicious and fancy menu, quite pricey, good service.

P. S.

We had a shared plate special. It was good and worth the price. Great service .

D. M.

Good sized meals, competitive prices. Service decent too.

F. C.

Wonderful food, simply wonderful.

R. S.

Fantastic sunday lunch and great staff!

R. B.

I really like this pub. Good beer and amazing food!

G. R.

Lovely high quality local food but sadly antipathetic to vegetarians.

D. M.

Nice Ales! the menu looks really good! Looking forward to coming back to eat!

M. G.

Excellent food. Helpful staff. Good service.

M. L.

Good food, a bit noisy and service could be better

H. M.

Good food. Nice atmosphere inside and decent beer garden.

A. B.

We love it - cracking environment, lovely food and daily menu changes!

R. H.

What a wonderful place Tony is a is genuine genius in the kitchen. And the waiting staff are brilliant.

S. M.

Nice place to relax with a glass of wine or cup of tea with good food if you like meat.

A. O.

Excellent food & beers (I'm sure the other drinks will be great too)

K. K.

Delicious stake platter, descent choice of beers, busy, cozy and pricey.

R. D.

Good food, but pricey. Also took a lot longer than we were told

C. S.

Excellent food, esp the lamb shoulder and home made pasta

G. P.

Lovely food and friendly and fast service.dogs are also welcome

a. h.

Open now in lockdown! Fine so far, classic British pub, really

F. H.

Very nice environment, with a good selection of food and drinks

J. H.

Probably the best pub / restaurant in Oxford. The sharing dishes are to be experienced

S. E.

Food was fantastic. Staff were very nice.

R. H.

Food was great. Staff were lovely.Only drawback it was so noisy

L. P.

A bit far away but food is great. Try the Spanish tapas and the sticky toffee pudding

T. P.

Great food, nice clients, tolerant staff.

P. J.

Excellent food, good ingredients, well cooked.

S. B.

As always, fabulous food and ambience. Tiny thing - sometimes hard to get service.

J. H.

Very good pub excellent cooked bar snacks

S. T.

Overpriced but good food. Nice environment and staff

J. K.

very good food and drink, well worth visiting while in Oxford

J. B.

Amazing pie, dessert and friendly service.

T. S.

Lovely pub with a cosy atmosphere and amazing food.

C. W.

Outstanding food. Cosy setting.

M. R.

Excellent food. We'll definitely be back!

C. B.

Pricey but outstanding food in a great setting.

N. A.

Lovely pub with pub cat. Great food but over priced

R. S.

Great place to take friends and family. Great food and great atmosphere.

S. K.

Really tasty food and attentive, hepful service 😊🖒

C. N.

Very cosy pub but average slightly overpriced food

B. P.

The food is absolutely amazing, i only can say that

L. Q.

Great food and drink but certainly on the expensive side for a pub

T. A.

Very dog friendly pub and great Sunday roasts!

A. D.

So happy we chose this place to break our Lockdown :) many thanks for everything, folks

T. B.

It has nice beer and crispy heritage chips. Nom nom nom!

K. K.

Amazing that is now open. Doing a great job keeping people safe

S. P.

Great atmosphere, great food, great drinks.

C.

Deliciously marvellous and particularly peng indeed sir Nigel

D. M.

Beer well kept and very nice food :)

J. C. L.

Fine food in a cosy part of Oxford . Relaxing and well provided for .

I. F.

Great food, great beer, great service...

E. L.

Cosy, tidy. Food is good, but more for a restaurant than a pub.

A. H.

Excellent British menu, although it is very loud on a Sunday.

W. Y. L.

Delicious food

T. P.

Great service and good food.

G. L.

Friendly, good atmosphere ,great food!

A. G.

Always great food; always fantastic service

N. P.

Interesting food selections that tasted great!

J.

Nice pub, quite expensive

S. J.

Really great vibe, and excellent food

T. D.

Friendly, relaxed, excellent good, nice setting. Would come again.

S. B.

Always excellent food delivered with a smile.

L. D. H.

Always a lovely dinner along lively people

a. m.

Particularly good for the Hereford meat and cozy location

F.

Superb food. I really enjoyed it.

A. P.

Hake and puy lentils, awesome. Dog friendly.

J. d. G.

The definitive Gastro-pub, Oxford's finest!

A. M.

Awesome food for a slightly high price

V. P.

Brilliant staff and delicious food.

W. G.

Great pub and regular vintage brick a brace sales

A. M.

Great relaxed atmosphere with lovely food

E. o.

Excellent food and service.

R. W.

Very nice food. Busy busy busy.

s. b.

Nice atmosphere. Slow service

M. E.

Not as good as expected. Very heavy and greasy

B. G.

Had a great roast there today. Thanks!

S. U.

Deserves all the praise and more. We are fortunate to have it!

E. A.

Amazing steak pie; excellent lamb shoulder

m. g.

Awful service. Lovely food

M. V.

Great lunch!

P. D.

Fresh and tasty food & drinks 👌

M. J.

Brilliant please amazing stuff.

L. C.

Too much meat

T. R.

Decent pub with great food

L. H.

Very busy pub with a happy crowd

J. R.

Excellent food, particularly the pies

A. G. L.

One of my favs for Sunday roast

I. B.

Not cheap eclectic crowd pleasent

R. G.

Amazing food in a nice ambience

L. P.

Outstanding food most of the time.

M. V. F.

Terrible service but amazing food!

F. E.

Great pub, great beer

E. W.

Great place. Good prices.

T. P.

Lovely place, friendly staff.

M. I. B.

Great if meaty food

P. M.

Avarage..but enjoyable with kids and family

Z. M.

Great chips and garlic mayo!

M. V.

Nice food good people.

V. S.

Superb Spanish sharing platter.

D. C.

Goat's cheese soufflé - yum!

J. L.

Probably the best food in Oxford

I. T.

Try the beef roast for two.

G. G.

Really good food!

M. C.

Great for dinner and drinks

P. B.

Great food.

C. W.

Fresh, thoughtful, great atmosphere.

M. C.

Nice food

J. H.

Fab beer & atmosphere

M. E.

Was good, nice garden.

C. C.

Unique and constantly changing menu

J.

Really delicious food.

B. B.

Fantastic

A. B.

Very nice place.

A. M.

Nice pub with terrace!

p. b.

Nice pub

D. F.

Always amazing food

E. O.

Superb - friendly food

M. J.

Very good indeed.

M. C.

Really nice atmosphere.

P. K.

Fantastic food and ale

E. W.

Excellent food and drink

k. 2.

The barmaid was very friendly

T. R.

Nice, but pricey

C. C.

Cater for allergies very well.

P. C.

THE PIE IS SO GOOD!

A. ..

Nice place nice food

J. Q.

Good selection of Teas

J. V.

Excellent food ,

P. J.

Beef stake are lovely

M. D.

Wonderful pottery classes

P. G.

Fantastic quality food

L. O.

Amazing food!

B. D.

Great food.

P. M.

Amazing food!!!

M. D.

Posh!

A. N.

Expensive but lovely

B. M.

Fabulous as ever.

A. S.

Lovely food

A. G.

Beautiful

C. B.

Wonderful as usual.

S. M.

Food is excellent

H. M. N.

Brilliant

Z. N.

Good

J. N.

Lovely food

D. V.

Relaxed atmosphere

G. T.

Great food

S. C.

Great food

K. R.

Take the lamb. Take. The. Lamb.

K. W. P.

Always good

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