Tantalise Your Taste-buds: Festive Food Picks In Oxford This December

Maybe you don’t fancy going out to a restaurant on Christmas day but you still want to experience all the delicious, festive food that Oxford has to offer. Oxford is such a beautiful place, and our hotel in the heart of the city encapsulates the allure of the area. Our list of festive food finds showcases the true variety of what our favourite restaurants have to offer this December. From more traditional festive British cuisine to funky Christmas burgers, there is something to tantalise everyone’s taste buds.

A Take On Traditional

First up on our list is The Head Of The River, a modern pub with a true, hearty, and classic feel. This pub epitomises a display of tasty, festive food. The interior displays gorgeous wooden tables and homely decor but in a warm, light, and inviting space. The Head Of The River offers a fantastic modern twist on a British pub. Unsurprisingly due to its name, the location of the joint is situated along the riverside, therefore exhibiting the true beauty that is Oxford’s Riverside. In terms of yummy festive food, the restaurant, during December, is doing a delicious three-course dinner. Priced at £34.95 for two courses and £38.95 for three courses, The Head Of The River might not have the cheapest set menu on offer, but it is sure to be scrumptious! The menu has a wide range of dishes catered for, vegetarians, pescetarians, and vegans as well as some mouth-watering carnivorous plates. Our dream set menu from what is on offer would be wild mushroom ravioli for starters, turkey breast for a main followed by the ginger and espresso martini tiramisu for dessert! You can view the full menu here and book your table here. Please note, this set menu is not available on Christmas Day. 

Modern Yet Classic

Along similar lines, The Kings Arms have been perfecting their more traditional set menu and we think that it looks incredible. The pink exterior of the pub and restaurant makes it stand out in the hustle and bustle of Oxford Centre. Just like how they stand out with the colour of their building, their food also stands out with its superb quality. Their set menu offers a fancier twist on the classic dishes that you often see this time of year. Rather than simply having pâté as a starter, you can get smoked mackerel pâté with clementine & chestnut butter and toasted sourdough at The Kings Arms. Doesn’t that sound flavourful? The three-course dinner is reasonably priced at £35 per person. If you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, or maybe you just enjoy a good glass, you can introduce a wine package to your dinner for an extra and humble £19. Our dream choice from the set menu would be burrata with roasted heritage squash and crispy sage as a starter,  West Country rump of beef with all the trimming as a main course, and of course, the apple, fig, and chestnut crumble with lemon thyme custard as dessert. There is no doubt that The King’s Arms dishes would be incredibly pleasing to the senses. This set menu is not available on Christmas Day. You can see the full menu here and book here.

Burgers For Christmas?

Are you maybe not as much of a fan of the traditional and would prefer to sink your teeth into a delicious burger? Not to fear, Jericho’s has curated three amazing Christmas burgers that sound divine. It is often so fun to try something new around Christmas. This laid-back tavern has a relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect place to grab a couple of drinks and a bite of food with your friends. The set menu here has three Christmas-inspired burgers to set your eyes on! If you are a traditional beef burger lover, how does the Jingle Buns Burger sound? With a grilled beef patty, smoked bacon, camembert, southern-fried onions, sprouts, cranberry ketchup, and pigs in blankets, this sounds even bigger than a Christmas roast dinner! The chicken burger even features sage and onion roasties – wow! There is still a turkey dinner on offer as well as vegan alternatives, therefore this sounds like a place that can cater to all of your family or friend group. For three courses, the price is only £31.50 per person, if you wanted to add a glass of prosecco it would be £36.50 which is still a fantastic deal. This set menu is not available on Christmas Day. You can see the full menu here and book here.

A Taste Of Luxury

For those who enjoy a real taste of luxury, you can treat yourself to the Michelin-awarded restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. This boutique and unique festive tasting menu has been curated by Raymond Blanc and his team. This menu does not just offer the chance to taste experimental dishes, but it also offers the experience of a lifetime. According to their website, ‘Raymond Blanc’s vision for Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has always been one of world-class gastronomic flair and outstanding organic produce’. The price point of this tasting menu aligns with the pure luxury of the restaurant. Depending on the setting you choose, the price can range from £230 to £250 but both include a glass of champagne. We think the sound of the Devonshire duck with clementine, yuzu, and jasmine tea sounds divine. You can view the full menu here and book here.

Not A Festive Classic But Delicious

Last but certainly not least, the last spot on our list is reserved for something a little different. Valley Farm Pizza is a takeaway, but not in the classic way that you are thinking. This pizza shop sits within a gorgeous metal truck, adorned with fairy lights and its doorstep features beautiful wooden tables and chairs where you can cosily enjoy your freshly wood-fired pizza. Their take on a festive-inspired pizza sounds exquisite. With San Marzano tomatoes, Fior Di latte mozzarella, sausages, crispy bacon, gorgonzola, cranberry sauce, and topped with basil, this pizza is something that you do not want to miss!

We hope that our festive food picks inspire you to come and visit Oxford to see the culinary delights that we have to offer. Our luxury hotel is the perfect base for all of these incredible restaurants, as well as being near to gorgeous shops, cultural heritage sites, and hidden history. Book here now.