Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Oxford/Oxfordshire

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails in Oxford/Oxfordshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Orwells

4.9

4.9 (1392)

£41 and over

British

Binfield Heath

About the restaurant

Welcome to Orwells

Nestled in Binfield Heath near Henley-on-Thames, Orwells is led by Michelin-starred chefs Ryan Simpson and Liam Trotman. Our focus is on showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients—sourced locally and beyond—through refined, honest cooking that lets the produce shine.

Blending a rural ethos with modern techniques, our kitchen delivers elegant yet approachable dishes. Orwells is proudly featured in all major dining guides and has held 4 AA Rosettes for nine consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to excellence.

Relax in our cosy, stylish dining room, unwind in the lounge, or enjoy garden views on sunny days with al fresco dining. We’re also dog-friendly, welcoming well-behaved companions.

Menus:

À la Carte (Wed–Sat): £65 (2 courses) / £75 (3 courses)

Tasting Menu: £130 per person

Sunday Roast: £55 (2 courses) / £65 (3 courses)
(Tasting menu available Sundays on request)

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Ryan, Liam & the Orwells Team x

Top review

Jenny

Dined 7 days ago

Orwell’s is fine dining at its best. We had the most amazing starters, mains & desserts. However, we were looking forward to the triple cooked chips but were offered Beijing spiced fries, which we had & were delicious. Somewhat disappointed though when a table near us had the chips!!

The Plough Shiplake

4.8

4.8 (308)

£26 to £40

British

Henley-On-Thames

About the restaurant

The Plough Shiplake, pub & dining room that prides itself on offering a delicious, seasonal menu with an excellent drinks selection. The Plough makes you feel special, and at home, all at the same time.

The menu itself is the perfect combination of reinvented pub favourites, with interesting and culinarily creative signature dishes. As well as having a reputation for the best cocktails in Oxfordshire.

The building has been lovely restored; creating a homely, yet modern atmosphere, where it's easy to get lost in conversation for hours. Every table has been given an unique touch and the open fire creates warmth, in both meanings of the word.

Mobile Number: 07932 962655

Top review

Katie

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous lunch at The Plough in Shiplake, great ambience & beautiful surroundings. The garden, in particular, is spectacular!

The Chequers at Burcot

4.7

4.7 (1307)

£26 to £40

British

Abingdon

About the restaurant

Outstanding food, fine wines & ales, an extensive cocktail menu and a warm, friendly atmosphere  await you at The Chequers at Burcot!

Since 2006, multi award winning chef Steven Sanderson has been delighting his customers with a beautiful selection of delicious dishes that offer traditional values with a modern twist.

Come and relax within our 400 year old inn beneath the ancient beams, and enjoy your meal in contemporary decor near an open fire that burns throughout the year.

We opened 9 new boutique rooms in 2019 and these, together with the restaurant, means that The Chequers at Burcot in South Oxfordshire is perfect for those looking for a getaway, a staycation or accommodation for a business trip.

Top review

Karin

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic food, lovely staff & great setting. We had a great experience.

Five Little Pigs

4.7

4.7 (1268)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Wallingford

About the restaurant

Welcome to Five Little Pigs.

The newest restaurant in the historic riverside town of Wallingford, Five Little Pigs serves local, seasonally changing food and drink that reflects the incredible produce from our area in the style of executive chef Aimee Hunt. From farmers to distillers, we love to showcase the best on offer in our very own style.

Our lovingly and carefully designed restaurant and bar spaces inside and out can cater for you whatever you want to do; brunch, lunch, dinner or even just a coffee, glass of wine or a beer – you are very welcome!

Top review

Kerry

Dined 7 days ago

Really outstanding food. Quiet and good service. Would go for brunch again

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The Cygnet at the Swan Inn

4.7

4.7 (141)

£41 and over

English

Kidlington

About the restaurant

"The Cygnet at The Swan" is an award winning restaurant. We have currently been awarded "3AA Rosettes" since being open, as well as both local awards "Ox in a Box" and "Muddy Stilettos Best Restaurant" awards.

We are open from Thursday to Sunday (lunch) with bookings are encouraged but not necessary. We consider ourselves "relaxed fine dining" style, always looking out for our guests comfort and experience. Our food is served as a selection of small and large plates arriving with a varied timing.

Top review

TaraVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Everything was top notch and with the most perfect weather to dine outside! Save room for the Tarragon ice cream!!!!

Quod Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (5307)

£26 to £40

European

Oxford

About the restaurant

On Oxford’s bustling High Street, peering out onto St Mary’s Church and the iconic Radcliffe Camera, Quod Restaurant & Bar with its unrivalled location forms the lively hub of the Old Bank Hotel. Regulars and visitors alike flock to Quod for its broad menu of European classics. Head chef Rohan Kashid and his team produce daily blackboard specials, a weekday set lunch menu and afternoon teas.
With a striking onyx bar, original artwork, and a private dining space, the ‘Red Room’ inside, outside, Quod’s Italian garden terrace provides a vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere in the hidden heart of the city.

Top review

Chris

Dined 5 days ago

friendly, welcoming and excellent with the toddler and baby in our group, much recommended

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Popular dish

Chicken Tikka Masala

Experience

Afternoon Tea in Quod

The Ivy Oxford Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (7575)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Oxford

About the restaurant

The Ivy Oxford Brasserie is located on the bustling High Street in the heart of Oxford. Enjoy an accessible all-encompassing menu, serving British classics from dawn until dusk, including breakfast, elevenses, weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, light snacks, dinner and cocktails.

Top review

Nick

Dined 3 days ago

Atmosphere, service, food & drink excellent, as usual.

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Traditional Fish and Chips

The Old Auctioneer

4.4

4.4 (407)

£26 to £40

Comfort Food

Banbury

About the restaurant

The Old Auctioneer is a 500 year old listed building in the centre of Banbury with wonderful character and history. It is now the home of great quality comfort food, incredible wings and much more. All dishes are homemade and cooked to order, and we have a lovely terrace for outside dining throughout the year.

We are open from 5pm Monday - Thursday & from 12pm Friday - Sunday and are located on Parsons Street in the heart of Banbury centre. For any enquiries for parties of more than 8 people, please give us a ring or drop us an email and one of our team can help you out.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Top review

Nikki

Dined 7 days ago

Service is always great, lovely pub with great ambience, really enjoy every meal we have here. Massive shout out about the INCREDIBLE BUFFALO WINGS with blue cheese dip. Probably my favourite thing to eat in the whole world!! Amazing.

Côte Brasserie - Henley

4.4

4.4 (50)

£25 and under

French

Henley-On-Thames

About the restaurant

Nestled among historic streets, quirky shops and independent galleries, Côte Henley is perfectly located - whether it's for breakfast, a lunchtime treat, or a romantic dinner. Our welcoming, French restaurant is in the heart of Henley market town, close to the Thames riverside and only a three-minute walk from Kenton Theatre, making it a great choice for a pre-theatre dinner. We also have a secret courtyard garden hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the town, perfect for alfresco dining and long catch-ups in the sunshine.

Top review

Alexa

Dined 2 days ago

Good for what we needed, not amazing but tasty and quick service 👍

The Duke

4.2

4.2 (38)

£26 to £40

Gastro Pub

Henley-On-Thames

About the restaurant

The Duke is a formidable foodie bolt-hole, adding exciting but classic new flavours to Henley’s already well-established and impressive food scene.

Top review

Emily Thomas

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

Great quality food and very good value. Dined there on a Wednesday so was able to enjoy the steak offer for £22, would recommend! Bar service was great and really enjoyed Dukes Hour drinks but was a little disappointed with the table service. There were a couple of errors with food and drinks which was a shame as there were only about 4 other tables occupied so wasn't busy. It was also a little bit of a shame that there was no Birthday dessert/treat (I know not everywhere does this) however, it was a bit of a shame as we were there for my partners Birthday and I had made a note on the booking so would have been nice!

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