Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2024 and here is our second category Best Restaurant 2024, listed in alphabetical order: Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
The awards will be held on Monday May 13 at the North Wall, with headline sponsors Goldstar Recruitment and Thomas Franks Ltd, plus sponsors Oxford Fine Dining and Oxford Wine Company, and attended by Le Manoir’s esteemed chef patron 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 Restaurant 2024 are: VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Arbequina, East Oxford – Such a strong contender despite it being the go-to restaurant on Cowley Road for as long as we can remember. The standards never alter and the food is both impeccable and wonderfully unfussy, allowing the flavours to shine through, Spanish tapas at its best. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Bia, Summertown – Recently opened, this refreshing take on the current love of sharing plates, combined with an ambitious, novel and fun menu and a relaxed vibe, make for a new addition to Oxford’s culinary line-up! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Crown Ballroom, Faringdon – Just can’t get enough of this place. If you haven’t been, head chef Samuel Squires’ food is not only complex and refined but hits the spot every time. His flair for flavour is always a treat and the dining space here in the old coating inn is elegant without being pompous. Faringdon is lucky to have it. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Brasserie Blanc, Jericho – Raymond Blanc’s local just goes from strength to strength. The classic French a la carte menu is as tasty as ever and the popular restaurant always busy. But after an extensive make-over and the fabulous introduction of its C’est Cheese Thursdays (fondue, raclette and tartiflette nights), is now back up there with the best. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Branca, Jericho – While restaurants open left, right and centre, Branca has also evolved. It’s elegant Italian offering is now matched by a vibrant deli and shop next door, as well as a new cafe area, catering for everyone without dropping a single ball. Great Italian food that never falters. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Cherwell Boathouse, North Oxford – It doesn’t get any more quintessentially Oxford than this, especially when summer finally arrives. Catering for all and sundry in various enticing dining spaces as the punters glide by, the food is equally as indulgent. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Cygnet Restaurant, The Swan, Islip – Award-winning, ambitious and a well-oiled machine, with head chef Paul Welburn at the helm, this headline stealing fine dining venue is still hitting all the right notes, while raising everyone else’s game. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Dosa Park, Botley – The South Indian food here has customers flocking from far and wide, its dosas, idlys, vadas, thalis and curries, sitting alongside some more recognisable traditional classics to keep everyone happy in this welcoming space. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Edge at Lil’s, Witney – Not fine dining by any means, but still brilliant at what it does – the best burgers in Oxfordshire and some mighty fine Mexican offerings, with cocktails and a lovely atmosphere for those wanting something more laid back. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Five Little Pigs, Wallingford – Another hugely deserving nominee which continually ups its game with events, pop ups and even its own magazine. When combined with a novel and delicious, seasonal menu and some impressive sustainable credentials keeps it hugely relevant. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Fleur De Lys, Bampton – If its some proper traditional French food you are after from French onion soup to pate de campagne with celeriac remoulade and cornichons, twice baked Comte soufflé with mustard and spinach and a stunning cassoulet, then you’ve found the holy grail. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Folly, Oxford – it’s beautiful pontoon, riverside setting aside, there is some great food being concocted by head chef Dan Richardson as reflected in the eclectic menu complementing both the indoors/outdoors setting and the weather. They offer a damn fine tea too. Or why not rent a pod? Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Gees, Oxford – Never rests on its laurels, ensuring its loyal and regular customers continue to flock for its elegant but relaxed all day menu food offering and relaxedHas had a big refurb, making it even sexier than ever, Oxford’s most famous glasshouse restaurant is continuing to deliver an elegant, sophisticated offering for a well-heeled crowd. Never disappoints. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Mamma Mia – Summertown – Always packed, the place to go when you don’t want. fuss, but she friendly service and great pizzas and pastas, it’s on speed dial, For young couples to families it ticks all the boxes. A true neighbourhood restaurant, we hope it never changes. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
No1 Ship Street – Oxford – Another failsafe black book go-to. By safe I don’t mean complacent. It’s still firing on all cyclones with its unashamedly luxurious menus and French bent. From mussels and oysters to the best French onion soup, steaks, burgers, offal and snails. If you have’t been go! It’s still right up there and never disappoints! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Orwells, Shiplake – Probably our favourite meal of the year here at this charming bespoke former pub run by chef patrons Liam and Ryan Simpson-Trotman, whose inventive, picture-perfect plates speak volumes of the passion and skill of these two chefs and the thinking that goes into each and every component – much grown on their small-holding down the road. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Parsonage Grill, Oxford – the grande dame of Oxford’s smartest restaurants; a revered, discerning oasis of calm and refinement, beautifully decorated as all Jeremy Mogford’s restaurants, and beloved by guests as well as those on business lunches, tea with the grandchildren and special occasions alike. Always a special treat. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Pierre Victoire, Little Clarendon Street, Oxford – Absolute beloved local institution that serves great, honest and affordable French food without any pomp and ceremony. Perfect for those seeking a pre-theatre bite to couples on a romantic night out. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Pompette – Summertown – In terms of consistency, this Alsace-Lorrainian restaurant by husband and wife team Laura and Pascal Wiedemann is always excellent. From the irresistible cervelle de canut with croutons at apero hour to the Poulet Frites and Moules & Picpoul evenings, there will be something to tickle your tastebuds. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Quod – Oxford – An Oxford constant, its sleek, stylish, calm restaurant and seven-days-a-week offering never disappoints. We went for kippers for brunch recently and the returned for dinner. Guarantees the wow factor inside and out. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Spiced Roots – Cowley Road – Still excellent, still unique, still fun. Still pushing the boundaries and redefining preconceptions about Caribbean food, which can only be enhanced by their famous rum cocktails. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Whistlers, Chipping Norton – A proper neighbourhood restaurant, where head chef Nathan Phelps’ comfort food is the perfect foil to his partner Kerry Foley’s Antipodean front-of-house charm. It’s recent 2AA Rosettes covers everything from the taster menu to their two courses for £30 deal. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Wilding, Oxford – Reinvented earlier this year by bringing young ambitious chef Ben Wood from London to reinvigorate the menu with a high end, sophisticated sharing plate menu, that’s sent Oxford’s foodies into frissons of excitement. There is a real buzz around it for good reason. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
Yurt at Nicholsons, North Aston. Andrew Carr’s skills in the kitchen have been noted by both the AA and Michelin guide for good reason, his focus on seasonality and sustainability only adding to the finesse evident in his enticing menus. The pop up dinners there are also well worth a punt and the unique, cosy tented restaurant help create a stunning all round- day-time dining experience. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/ed3pdwsy
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/ed3pdwsy
