Going Vegetarian in Oxford

The Best 5 Places for a Meat-Free Oxford Meal

Sep 8, 2008

There's never been a better time to consider cutting back on our meat consumption--and nestled among Oxford's ancient alleyways are some great places for vegetarian fare.

The chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recently suggested that we all eat a little less meat to help curb climate change, and England, once famed for her bland food, is turning up a whole host of attractive vegetable-based options. In Oxford, such delicious (and ethical) options abound, but here are some of the best places in the city to find a seriously good meat-free meal:

The Gardener's Arms

At this quiet pub, all the food is vegetarian--even the sausages. If the weather is nice, take a pint out to the beautiful back garden and enjoy a surprisingly filling meal: with salads, burgers, wraps and calzones, they have something to fit every mood, in an unbeatably pleasant setting.

The Vaults & Garden

In the vaults of one of Oxford's most stunning churches, St. Mary the Virgin, is this refreshing café. Although the Vaults & Garden isn't strictly vegetarian, there are always a few mouthwatering meatless options. Their menu changes daily, but is always fresh, organic, and delicious. Sit inside the beautiful building or admire views of Radcliffe Square from the garden.

The Alpha Bar

For a quick and hearty veggie meal, try the Alpha Bar in the Covered Market. Renowned for their boxes of fresh salad as well as their sandwiches, the Alpha Bar boasts some of the tastiest (and cheapest) vegetarian fare in Oxford. A small salad box--with your choice of fillings, from roasted vegetables to couscous, hummus to goat's cheese--takes only seconds to assemble and will be a healthy treat to even the tiredest taste buds.

The Magic Café

Tucked away off the busy Cowley Road, the Magic Café offers not just great vegetarian food, but a whole experience: colourful, arty, and cosy, the café is a welcome new-agey respite from the bustle of the modern world. Very reasonably priced, the place also features live music and feels as much like a community hub as a restaurant.

Oxford Organic Burger Company

Surprising that a burger company would make the list for the best vegetarian food in Oxford, but this one does. Newly opened, the Oxford Organic Burger Company is proof that even if it's a big, juicy burger you're craving, you can still have it. With fish and veggie burgers and a wide range of salads--plus scrumptuous chips--the Organic Burger Company doesn't dissapoint its vegetarian customers. A little pricy, but worth a trip to enjoy the airy decor and groovy bar.

The copyright of the article Going Vegetarian in Oxford in England Travel is owned by Miranda Ward. Permission to republish Going Vegetarian in Oxford in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.