Hello! For my first review, I thought I would go with my absolute favourite place in Oxford - The Turf Tavern!
This was the first place that I ever ate in Oxford. Visiting the city in the summer of 2014, I was on a walking tour and the guide, a recently graduated student of the Ruskin, recommended it to our group.
The location of the tavern is half of the excitement of going there. Just beyond the Bridge of Sighs is a little alley in the wall.
This was the first place that I ever ate in Oxford. Visiting the city in the summer of 2014, I was on a walking tour and the guide, a recently graduated student of the Ruskin, recommended it to our group.
The location of the tavern is half of the excitement of going there. Just beyond the Bridge of Sighs is a little alley in the wall.
You would absolutely walk past it without prior knowledge.
'An education in intoxication'
Despite being tucked away down the narrowest of passages, the Turf Tavern is actually very large inside and it is always full! There is both indoor and outdoor seating, although the atmosphere inside is arguably a lot more cosy and pleasant.
They stock a nice selection of ales - the Plum Porter (winner of the CAMRA gold award on multiple occasions) is particularly yummy!
However, for me, the highlight of visiting the Turf Tavern is the food! This is pub grub at its finest. As a non-meat-eater I stick to the vegetarian options, of which there are always a few and they are always absolutely delicious. They serve specials such as 'beetroot curry' (yum!) and on the staple menu... the best vegetarian burger I have ever had.
Beetroot curry (top), Vegetarian burger (bottom)
This pumpkin, smoked cheddar, chill and thyme burger is just heavenly. I can't recommend it enough. It's served with coleslaw, chips and a rather jam-like tomato sauce. I am struggle to order anything else on the menu. It's that good.
When eating with my omnivore friends and family, they also rave about their meals. Pictured above is "the best steak and ale pie" my friend (who has had 67 years of pie eating experience) has ever had.
For desserts, they have a mouth watering selection ranging from staples to a doughnut, banana and salted caramel sundae.
The triple chocolate brownie (bottom) served with mint ice cream was mediocre. The brownie was verging on becoming stale and didn't have that nice gooey warmth that you hope for when ordering! Last year, they served beetroot brownies with mint ice cream which were much more interesting.
However, the sticky toffee pudding is hard to beat. A very generous portion size (you might want to consider sharing!) but it is so, so delicious and moist and made all the better with a scoop of clotted cream. I highly recommend it.
They also serve a wide range of lunch options of which I am yet to sample.
The Turf Tavern is now switching to its Autumn menu which I am thoroughly excited about. I think this pub will be the thing I miss most when it comes to leaving Oxford.
★★★★★
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