Pubs with good food in Oxford? Or a nice non-scary restaurant?

[StrangewaysHereWeCome]

As per the thread title, can anyone please recommend good pub in which to have dinner on a Sunday evening in Oxford.
The ask is:

• somewhere with a menu that will not intimidate my fussy 15yo. They're good with pub classics, or alternatively most South or East Asian cuisines.
• Somewhere accessible on foot or bus from the city centre or East Oxford. We are staying out in Cowley and I cannot face bringing the car into the city centre.
• Not a chain place
• The cuter/more atmospheric the better!

Thanks in advance!

This is the place you want - The Old Tom on St Aldates in central Oxford. Thai food plus a few simple British classics. Very atmospheric. Recommend booking

@StrangewaysHereWeCome No one takes a car into central Oxford! Parking is £££. Take the bus.

Or - Kazbar on the Crowley road might interest you. Or The Ivy in the High has something for everyone. It’s a chain though! The Coconut Tree at Headington is Sri Lankan. Sunday night isn’t always easy for food.

I would work on your dc growing up in terms of food choices. Go somewhere new - try something new.

Thanks @Patchymama Old Tom looks like a very good shout. Will get booked!

OhDear111@ 6/10 for today's trolling effort. Could do better!

Is it too far to go to Clarkson's The Farmer's Dog?

@StrangewaysHereWeCome ?. I just saw the query as active. However, I do know Oxford. Never mind.

@clarrylove thanks - but it does look a little far. We'll be in town during the day, and so probably easier to stay in for dinner rather than bussing back to pick up the car and driving again.

Ooh Strangeways this is my home turf! I would recommend Chiang Mai on the High Street. Some call it the best restaurant in Oxford. It's down a little alley (but very central) and in an atmospheric Elizabethan building. The food is much much better than at Old Tom's (sorry to the previous poster!). And they take bookings. A favourite haunt for locals entertaining visiting academics.

I also LOVE the Cowley Road. My two favourite local pubs are the Rusty Bicycle on Magdalen Road (delicious burgers, maybe the best in Oxford), but they are often crowded on a Sunday night, and I don't think they take reservations unless it's for a party of 4. That said they do have outside seating with heaters. A much-loved local hangout.

The Chester pub (which is not far from the Cowley Road, but off the Iffley Road) is also legendary. Their steak platter is to die for. I'm not sure they take reservations either though!

Apart from the Rusty and the Chester, my family's favourite two Cowley Road restaurants are Le Kesh (Lebanese/Morroccan cuisine, delicious chicken shawarma and tagines) and Taberu for Japanese (top quality and not too expensive). However, you didn't mention those cuisines I know.

My two DS love all these places.

DM me if you have any questions! And enjoy!

Second vote for the Chester Pub! if in east ox I wouldn’t bother going anywhere else. Though, several great Chinese restaurants on Cowley Road

Links although I don't know if MN will let me post them!

https://www.chiangmaikitchen.co.uk/

https://dodopubs.com/locations/the-rusty-bicycle/

https://chesterarmsoxford.co.uk/

https://keshoxford.com/

Le Kesh doesn't serve alcohol but you can bring your own and there's no corking fee.

https://taberuoxford.co.uk/

The Rusty is part of a chain but it's a local, independent chain. The Rusty was such a success that the owners have branched out and are running other local pubs.

The Turf Tavern is a historical (albeit a bit touristy!) pub that I took my fussy teen to and she enjoyed it. I like it there too.

The Turf is fun to go to because the venue is so historical, but it's massively touristy IMO. I haven't tried their food. I think it's the kind of place you go to because of the location, not the food.

@cassandreChiang Mai is an excellent shout! Agree it's better food, but I was thinking it needed to be a pub +/- some British food options, if on tap ale is not essential, go for it! If DC good with really authentic Thai/spice+ it's super. Chester arms is our neighbourhood pub - highly recommend except you usually have to book quite far in advance at the weekend (weeks) and walk ins are a bit limited/risky. Cowley/Oxford is a food delight so you'll be well served wherever you end up!

Another one voting for Chiang Mai - thanks @cassandre and @Patchymama

https://www.chiangmaikitchen.co.uk/

Great Thai food, lovely staff (especially the Maitresse D'), pretty casual, and it's in a brilliant historic and atmospheric building, right in the centre of Oxford.

This is fab, thank you all (and a big wave to @cassandre ). The Turf is about the only place I do know in Oxford, but I've only had a pint there and I'll happily accept it's better suited to that. Chiang Mai looks gorgeous, and heat/spice/authenticity is all fine by DC2. The Rusty Bicycle looks really fun as well, and Japanese is always a hit, so I'll get DC2 to pick a favourite.

You were all right about Chiang Mai! We had a brilliant meal, and I doubt I would have found it without the recommendation. Thanks again, and we'll be sure to check out the other recommendations on our next visit .