Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2024 and here is our fourth category Best Gastropub 2024, as listed in alphabetical order: VOTE HERE
The awards will be held on Monday May 13 at the North Wall, with headline sponsors Goldstar Recruitment and Thomas Franks Ltd, attended by Le Manoir’s Raymond Blanc.
There are 10 categories and we will be announcing one every day for the next 10 days. These include BEST NEWCOMER, BEST PUB/BAR, BEST CAFE, BEST RESTAURANT, BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN, BEST CHEF, BEST GASTROPUB, BEST EUROPEAN, BEST GLOBAL, BEST COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECT
The top three nominations from each category will be invited to the glittering ceremony where the winners will be announced, so get voting and pick your favourite. You can only vote once in each category so keep voting every day for all 10 categories!
In alphabetical order, the nominations for Best Gastropub 2024 are: VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Back Lane, Woodstock – Still packed every night with fans of Johnny Parke’s excellent sharing plate menus. The dining room is set back from the bars where locals throng and watch the rugby, but at the back the onus is definitely on the food which never disappoints. Consistency, quality and innovation is the name of the game. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Bell, Charlbury – It’s all going on in Charlbury this year with Daylesford converting this historic pub with rooms with their usual verve and style. Perfect for its upmarket clientele, it is tasteful but cosy at the same time. And with Alan Gleeson in the kitchens the food is lovely too. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Black Horse, Salford – When Lionhearth Group, the guys behind sister pubs The Swan at Ascott-Under-Wychwood and The Chequers at Churchill, opened up a few months ago, they ensured this was a relaxed, welcoming space. Throw head chef Dan Smith into the mix and his unashamedly nostalgic menu, and you are onto a winner. A great example of how to bring a village pub back to life. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Bull, Charlbury – another newcomer, it’s winning accolades left, while managing to maintain a real village focus, locals meeting there for a pint after work or trying the sharing plate menu, alongside visitors flocking from far and wide. Stylish, understated and hugely popular. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Chandlers Arms, Epwell – one of our new favourite places, our lunch there a real gourmet experience. Situated between Chipping Norton and Banbury, it really is a family affair, with Sarah running FOH and father and son team Anthony and Harry in the kitchens. The passion and dedication is evident in every mouthful, and their food novel and well executed. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Crown in Church Enstone, Matt and Katie Beamish, who also run The Hare in Milton-Under-Wychwood and The Kingham Plough have brought another village pub back to life, with a beautifully decorated interior and head chef Jason Christie at the helm. His eclectic and exciting menus make it an exciting new addition to Oxford’s culinary scene. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Double Red Duke, Clanfield – still the place to be seen, its’s glamorous clientele speak for itself. And with numerous dining options to choose from, from the chefs pass to wood panelled snugs, the orangerie and the vast Chitty Chitty Bang Bang-esque gardens, guest chef pop ups and some charming food, you can see why. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Duck on the Pond, South Newington – The 12 course tasting menus are really impressive, alongside the a la carte, chef patron Hendrik Dutson-Steinfeld pushing out the boat on all fronts. Much of the food comes from their own kitchen garden and small holding, the rest from local farmers, rearers and artisan producers. A lovely family-run business where the passion is evident in every mouthful. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Eyston Arms, East Hendred – With head chef Zoltan Fodor in the kitchens, you’re in for a treat. Throw in an enticing menu characterised by Zoltan’s love of smoking and curing, top service, some understandably delighted locals, cartoons of its regulars lining the bar, and it’s easy to see why this has become a destination pub. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote – Big news at the moment now that Rene Pinedo has taken over as head chef. The ex-Manoir signing is already demonstrating the gastropub’s countryside ethos alongside his Caribbean influences. Smart and refined, with views to die for, it’s an enticing package. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Fox, Oddington – unashamedly upmarket, Daylesford has transformed this historic venue into a real oasis of taste and comfort with a charming menu, a stunning interior and a garden just crying out for some sunshine. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Greyhound, Letcombe Regis – The standards never slip here, Martin Sherriff’s ambitions in the kitchens unrelenting. His food’s attention to detail, amidst the relaxed confines of this historic pub, set it apart. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Killingworth Castle – Wootton – Owners Claire and Jim Alexander have always aimed high in terms of their offering at this quintessential Oxfordshire pub. And Adam Brown’s hard work in the kitchen has paid off, his reputation now preceding him. Elegant food in a refined environment. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Magdalen Arms, East Oxford – Florence Fowler heads up the cheery FOH team, while her partner Tony Abarno weaves his magic in the kitchens. One of the country’s first ever gastropubs, it’s still going great guns. We had an incredible shared beef and ale pie there last week, with creamy mash, cabbage and a silky smooth red wine jus. As for their double baked cheese soufflés, they’re worth the trip alone. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Mole Inn – Toot Baldon – Always a joy, whether in the depths of winter when the historic interior comes into its own, or the summer when the garden’s hidden dining alcoves beckon, the food is always brilliant, the ambience enveloping and the welcome genuine. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Nut Tree – Murcott – The only Michelin star in Oxfordshire except for Le Manoir, husband and wife team Mike and Imogen North keep their standards sky high, while providing a rarified atmosphere suitable for Mike’s undeviating prowess at the pass. Just has that je ne c’est quoi, and a reverence for food, that keeps people flocking. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Orwells, Shiplake – the historic premises in this timbered former pub offer a very personalised dining experience, the extensive tasting menu an homage to seasonal and often home-grown produce, then transformed into sensational dishes thanks to Liam and Ryan Simpson-Trotman’s prowess in the kitchen. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Royal Oak, Ramsden – we were introduced to this charming pub by one of its regulars, its devoted clientele returning time and time again thanks to its carefully executed dishes. The beguiling set up puts you instantly at ease, the friendly service and heart-warming food with a twist, finishing the job. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Star – Sparsholt – Run by the same team as the Woodspeen in Newbury, its contemporary interior and clean lines provide the perfect environment for the keen cooking and picturesque food. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Sir Charles Napier – Chinnor – Another top Oxfordshire gastropub making waves due to the young and hugely talented head chef Andy Lewis. His beautifully executed, delicate food, matches the artful decor and landscaped gardens, making it a unique experience every time you visit. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
White Hart – Fyfield – Unstinting in their focus to provide the best food and experience for all their guests, husband and wife team Mark and Kay Chandler make everyone feel welcome, while the kitchen team always surpasses expectations. Stunning food here is a given, which is why no one in the business was surprised when they won this award last year. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
Wild Rabbit – Kingham – This culinary Cotswold oasis is an instant treat from the moment you arrive; the bar always bustling, while exec chef Sam Bowser keeps the gastronomes happy in the extensive dining room. A real retreat from everyday life with a discreetly luxurious nod. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
You can only vote once in each category, so keep voting every day in all 10 categories! Voting ends at the beginning of May. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/dhphwtuf
