Pub lunch by river in Oxford

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Can anyone recommend somewhere pretty for a mid week lunch by the river in or near Oxford? I have a work meeting in Oxford and meeting elderly friends after, who suggested a riverside lunch. Had been thinking The Trout but the reviews are poor and I want to make a good impression. Looking for a mid week lunch somewhere pretty. Friends are coming in by train but it doesn’t matter which end of town. They eat everything - steaks and traditional fare would be a bonus!

Victoria Arms in Marston is lovely - https://butcombe.com/the-victoria-arms-oxfordshire/

And the Perch in Binsey although you have to walk down a v short country path to get to the river.

Or the Cherwell Boat House if you want something a little bit more fancy? Fine Dining, Events & Punting | Cherwell Boathouse Experience

The Folly is nice in central Oxford, it does river boat cruises. Agree Cherwell Boathouse is small and pretty, we had an anniversary meal there.

Seconding the Perch. Had an amazing mushroom scotch egg there and I recall another delicious meal. Avoid Isis Farmhouse at Iffley unless you have endless patience. It was like they didn’t need customers.

Yes, Perch is lovely.

It’s funny, because the Perch in my Oxford days was very much an old man’s pub that barely did food, and the Trout was very much the luxe destination for pub food by the river. It seems to have reversed!

The head of the river is good, but busy.

Yes as pp said, The Perch and the Viccy Arms are both good.
In Oxford centre is The Folly which is expensive but they have a decking area on The Thames which is rather nice.
The Cherwell Boathouse is lovely but I've not been for a few years.
There's also The Punter which is next to the river and is vegetarian. Its on Osney Island.
The Head of the River is close but you'd need to check their menu. Its very popular with students and is a pub that does food rather than a food place iyswim.
The Trout is a tourist trap!

Definitely pub? Budget?

Cherwell Boathouse is actually by the river but is much more white tablecloth/restaurant.

You can’t see the river from The Perch but it is lovely. I’d agree re the Vicky Arms.

I personally love the Isis Farmhouse but it is more walking to get there as you can’t park very close, and the quality of food varies hugely, I haven’t been for a while.

I woukd say head of the river if getting train into Oxford. The Victoria Arms is lovely although in my opinion, the menu is quite limited if you have people in the party who want more traditional pub grub and would need some form of transport there.

Head of the river is a lovely location, but a bit unreliable. We walked along the Thames to get there so we could all have a beer, only to discover that the live music was difficult to hear and food service had stopped early in any case. So we just left again.

Not in Oxford but very short drive or pretty 30 min walk over fields: the Fishes in North Hinksey. Really friendly, beautiful gardens.

The Folly is good with tables out on the pontoon. It's city centre riverside but the food is more like the Trout used to be. Less pub grub. Prices to match.

The Perch is nice. There's also a small pub on Port Meadow - forget the name, but it's way before the Perch, just over the first bridge you get to in Port Meadow if coming from Jericho, which does pizzas from a wood oven.

Is something going on with it? I went there with a friend the other day and it was closed. On an evening in high season.

Yes def pub and not the Cherwell Boathouse - I am going for a work dinner there later the same week! They said pub, so I want to stick to that, and they are fairly traditional types, these suggestions are great.

I saw The Perch mentioned and wondered about the food. The Head of the River was on my list as well, as was the Isis Farmhouse - thank you for anti-recommendation.

Will look up the Victoria Arms. Further ideas welcome!

It’s a while since I’ve been so can’t say but I do recall them being quite random with their opening times.

The Isis Farmhouse isn't open for lunch midweek at the moment - weekends only. I think it was closed for a long time and has recently reopened as a community type pub but doesn't have long opening hours.

Head of the River is probably the safest bet without a long taxi ride or walk.

My boyfriend and did long distance at first and Oxford used to be our Sunday halfway meet up day. We used to park at Port Meadow (Wolvercote). The car park gets very busy at weekends in summer. It used to be free but there's a pay machine now.

We would then walk across the meadow into the city and stop for lunch at either The Trout or The Perch. Both are amazing and the burgers at The Trout are delicious.

I have really lovely memories of both. Both are quite a walk out of the centre of the city, though - especially The Trout.

I love Oxford!

In that case I’d give it another go. The previous owner didn’t seem to give a shit.

Yes I’ve just looked at the menus and it is a bit limited. Transport is not a problem as I will have a car.

The Trout has been dire the last couple of times we’ve been in that direction. Wouldn’t bother with it.

https://www.the-folly.co.uk/river-cruises

We did the picnic cruise a couple of years ago and cannot rate it highly enough. The food was absolutely wonderful, the person driving the boat was knowledgeable and amusing about the area without being overbearing. At about the halfway point we stopped at a beautiful pub for a drink and visit to the loo. I would definitely do this again if I was going to be in the area.

Yeah I was just thinking the same thing. People got parents to take them to the trout because it was expensive and nice. Oh and Gee's was nice, the place in the glass house. Think it's gone. I'm old!

I will have to check out the Perch. 25 years ago I was a big fan of and used to regularly go to the Trout for a mid week get out of town/ summer chill out. I was passing by a couple of years ago and popped in to the Trout for old memories sake - OMG - @PrincessofWills is right, it's a complete tourist trap.

That's a shame. I've never been able to stand the Head of the River personally. Weird place

So my instinct is right about The Trout. The reviews are poor. I was surprised as these friends always raved about it, it had been my chosen pub. Saying that most of the TripAdvisor reviews are negative about these pubs. Head of the River someone complained about food poisoning. That makes me wary as these friends are elderly. The only place that comes up consistently positive is The Folly. I love the look of it but it looks more like an upmarket restaurant than a casual pub.

Will keep researching, maybe I am over thinking it!