The Oxfordshire hotel restaurants leading the way as new culinary hotspots
Once upon a time, the hotel restaurant was little more than a pit-stop for weary travellers — a place to grab a functional plate of food before retreating to bed. Those days are gone. Across the country, hotel dining rooms are being reborn as destinations in their own right, where menus are as carefully crafted as the rooms upstairs, and locals jostle with overnight guests for the best tables.
In Oxfordshire, this shift has been especially delicious. From honey-stone Cotswold inns serving hyper-seasonal tasting menus, to grand city hotels with whimsical afternoon teas, the county’s hotel restaurants are re-defining the way we think about “dinner and a bed.” The food is fresher, the settings more theatrical, and the welcome extends far beyond the overnight crowd.
For travellers, a good meal is becoming as important as the journey itself — sometimes even the reason for it. For locals, these restaurants are worth the short walk or drive, no check-in required. Whether you’re seeking a romantic escape, a celebratory feast, or simply the pleasure of knowing you can linger over dessert without worrying about the last train home, Oxfordshire has a wealth of hotel restaurants that blend exceptional dining with memorable stays.
Here, we’ve handpicked the county’s standouts — places where the restaurant could carry the hotel alone, but the combination makes for an irresistible pairing.
Quick Guide: Oxfordshire’s hotel dining destinations
Pressed for time? Here’s the shortlist to bookmark, screenshot, or send to a friend. Whether you’re chasing a Michelin-starred tasting menu or a cosy Cotswold feast, these hotel restaurants prove the journey’s worth the plate.
View the quick guide
| Restaurant | Hotel & location | Signature experience | Book for… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons | Belmond Le Manoir, Great Milton | Two Michelin-starred French cuisine from Raymond Blanc, with produce from the hotel’s gardens | Celebrations, bucket-list dining |
| Treadwell | The Store Hotel, Oxford | Stylish city dining with global influences and big street views | Pre-theatre meals, brunch with friends |
| The Bull at Burford | Burford – The Bull | Communal feasts, Cotswold charm, and outdoor “Wild Table” | Fun group dinners, foodie weekends |
| Parsonage Grill | Old Parsonage Hotel, Oxford | Elegant British classics with a bohemian club feel | Romantic dinners, leisurely lunches |
| The Alice | The Randolph Hotel, Oxford | Playful Alice in Wonderland-inspired décor, refined seasonal menus | Afternoon tea, whimsical fine dining |
| Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar | Malmaison, Oxford | Bold modern British dishes in a historic prison setting | Date nights, weekend escapes |
| The Feathers Restaurant | The Feathers Hotel, Woodstock | Seasonal, refined dishes paired with an award-winning gin bar near Blenheim Palace. | Long lunches and elegant weekend breaks |
| The Wild Rabbit | The Wild Rabbit, Kingham | Michelin guide dining with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced produce in a refined Cotswold setting | Countryside getaways and special celebrations |
| Wildling Restaurant | Minster Mill Hotel, Minster Lovell | Modern fine dining with local ingredients in a tranquil riverside mill setting | Romantic weekend escapes |
| Quod Restaurant | Old Bank Hotel, Oxford | Contemporary British cuisine with seasonal menus in a chic city hotel setting | A leisurely lunch or dinner in the heart of the city |
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton
A jewel in Oxfordshire’s culinary crown, Raymond Blanc’s two-Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons restaurant remains a bucket-list destination for food lovers. Expect French elegance woven with British seasonality, much of it grown in the hotel’s manicured kitchen gardens. The service is flawless, the wine cellar impeccable — and yes, the rooms upstairs are every bit as indulgent.
Treadwell, Oxford
One of the newest arrivals on Oxford’s dining scene, Treadwell sits inside The Store — a striking conversion of the city’s former Boswells department store. The restaurant’s design is clean and contemporary, with huge windows overlooking Broad Street, while the menu draws on global influences. It’s fresh, relaxed, and quietly confident — perfect for a pre-theatre dinner or a weekend brunch.
The Bull, Burford
This 15th-century coaching inn has been given a stylish, modern edge without losing its Cotswold soul. The restaurant delivers hearty, yet refined, dishes, from wood-fired sharing feasts to creative vegetarian plates, while the “Wild Table” experience offers an atmospheric outdoor supper under the stars. Perfect for lively group gatherings and weekend retreats.
Parsonage Grill, Oxford
Inside the chic Old Parsonage Hotel, the Parsonage Grill is as much a part of Oxford’s cultural fabric as its dreaming spires. Velvet banquettes, oil paintings, and low lighting set the scene for classic British cooking done with quiet confidence. It’s equally suited to intimate dinners, long lunches, and celebratory champagne toasts.
The Alice, Oxford
The Randolph Hotel’s restaurant takes inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale, pairing whimsical design with a polished seasonal menu. Afternoon tea is a showstopper, with playful touches and delicate patisserie, while dinner brings beautifully plated modern British dishes. Come for the Instagram-worthy interiors, stay for the precision cooking.
Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar, Oxford
Housed in the dramatic, vaulted space of a converted prison, Malmaison Oxford’s brasserie pairs a rich sense of history with bold, modern flavours. Expect perfectly cooked steaks, inventive cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. An ideal spot for date nights that feel a little bit illicit.
The Feathers Restaurant, Woodstock
A boutique townhouse hotel with style to spare, The Feathers pairs refined, seasonal dishes with an award-winning gin bar that tempts you to linger. The menu showcases local produce with flair, making it a smart choice for lunch before exploring Blenheim Palace, just a few steps away.
The Wild Rabbit, Kingham
Part of the Daylesford Organic family, The Wild Rabbit offers a stylishly rustic take on modern British cooking. Sustainability and seasonality guide the menu, while the elegant and relaxed interiors make it hard to leave. Luckily, the cosy rooms upstairs make lingering not just possible, but irresistible.
Wildling Restaurant, Minster Lovell
Set in the tranquil Minster Mill Hotel by the River Windrush, Wildling delivers modern fine dining with a deep respect for its surroundings. Expect dishes that nod to the seasons and the countryside beyond the windows, with an ambience that encourages slow, savoured meals.
Quod Restaurant, Oxford
Located within the stylish Old Bank Hotel on Oxford’s High Street, this elegant restaurant pairs contemporary British cuisine with a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. Known for its seasonally inspired menus and excellent wine list, it’s a favourite among locals and visitors alike seeking a refined dining experience in the heart of the city.
Whether you’re checking in or simply checking out the menu, the hotel restaurants in Oxford and across Oxfordshire prove that the county is as much a dining destination as it is a place to stay.
The post The Oxfordshire hotel restaurants leading the way as new culinary hotspots appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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