Williams-Exeter Programme at Oxford University

Pubs in Oxford

A Williams-Exeter student wrote "England is all about pubs". There is probably a lot of truth in that as you cannot walk two blocks almost anywhere in England and not find another pub. There are more than 30 pubs in Oxford's City Center, which does not include the College bars, and every college has one. This is just a small sampling of some of Oxford's many pubs.

The Eagle and Child pub on St. Giles

- The Exeter College Bar
It may not be pretty but it gets the job done. Located slightly below ground, the bar is vaguely reminiscent of a tomb or crypt. Drinks are cheaper than at real pubs but they are usually served in plastic cups rather than glasses. But to save a dollar a drink it might be worth it to check it out. The bar also has a foosball table, several arcade games, a pinball machine, a billiards table and a really popular dart board. And all your favorite Exeter College students will be there.

- The Purple Turtle
The late night bar/club at the Oxford Union. It has a different atmosphere than your traditional pub and with the Union's hype it has become a very popular choice. If the dance floor doesn't grab your attention, the Turtle has a selection of beers from around the world. The Oxford Union bar, located just upstairs from the Purple Turtle, offers cheap drinks but has a smaller selection.

- The King's Arms
On the corner of Parks Road and Holywell Street, it is crowded (finding a seat is nearly impossible) but atmospheric. It has a good selection of real ales and two bars. Its two non-smoking rooms are a breath of fresh air in the smoky world of English pubs. The crowd there tends to be slightly older.

- The Turf Tavern
This traditional English pub is nestled in a little alley called Bath Place and is almost impossible to find. If you look really carefully, you can find Bath Place from either New College Lane or Holywell Street. It is worth the effort with one of the most traditional interiors of any Oxford pub. The ceilings are a bit low and the Turf has a somewhat cramped feel. So just take your drinks outside. The outdoor patio seating is a must.

- The Hobgoblin
This pub is trying to draw a student crowd and doing a decent job. It stocks its own line of wychwood ales; has one television for sporting events and the like and usually has meal promotions on Thursday evenings.

- The Eagle and Child
On St. Giles, it is the former hangout of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien (the author of The Lord of the Rings and a distinguished Exeter College alum). But you will enjoy it for its own sake as much as its historical appeal. The conservatory in the back of the pub is not as cozy as the front room but has an interesting appeal of its own.

- The Lamb and Flag
On St. Giles, opposite the Eagle and the Child. It doesn't have any distinguished alumni or even a cool sign outside but you might want to give it a try. It is a lively pub that is always packed so it obviously cannot be too bad. It has a lot of small alcoves giving it a cozy feel as well.

- The Bear
This is basically a tourist bar. It has an interesting collection of neck ties on the wall as well as an extensive selection of beers on tap.

Restaurants

If you are looking for a restaurant experience in Oxford there are many choices. Here is just a small sampling of some student favorites.

- Burger King, on Cornmarket Street is an essential part of the Oxford experience. Return to your American roots with a traditional BK Whopper (prices are a little higher than its American counterpart).

- Jamal's Tandoori Restaurant, on Walton Street, is a favorite with Williams-Exeter students. Jamal himself is the essence of the establishment, greeting diners with a smile and a friendly handshake. The food is excellent, as is the music. A definite must.

- Pizza Express, located in The Golden Cross off of Cornmarket Street, combines good prices and good food. Large student clientele.

- Maxwells, on Queen Street, serves a wide array of Tex-Mex cuisine. It is one of the few places in Oxford that offers good cocktails and every hour is happy hour for students.

- Ask, on George Street, serves quality Italian food for relatively cheap prices. Stay away from the pizza but the garlic bread with mozzarella earns high praise.

- Caffe Uno, also on George Street, is comparable to Ask although the pizza is slightly better here than across the street. The lasagna is worthy of special attention.

- Chicago Rock Cafe, on Park End Street, is a wanna-be Hard Rock Cafe with an interesting decor. Prices are reasonable and on Mondays they offer a 'buy one meal get one meal free' deal which makes it a good buy. Stay away from the milkshakes.

- Wig & Pen, on George Street, offers two meals for £5 which makes it a very good deal. The chicken wings come highly recommended but the lasagna doesn't have any tomato sauce making it an interesting culinary experience.

- Xi'An Chinese Restaurant, on Banbury Road in Summertown, is just too intriguing to pass up. Excellent Chinese dishes at slightly higher prices. Not one to miss.

- Browns Restaurant, on the Woodstock Road, is one of Oxford's nicest restaurants. Reasonable prices and a candlelit atmosphere makes it perfect for a romantic dinner.

Supermarkets

There are three supermarkets just up the road from Ephraim Williams House, in Summertown.

- Marks and Spencer, on the Banbury Road, is conveniently located near the Williams-Exeter compound, but the prices are the highest in Oxford. Still, the quality is excellent and their prepared meals are 'top-notch'.

- Somerfield, on the Banbury Road, is located just a few minutes walk further than Marks and Spencer and is definitely worth the walk. It is smaller but it is much cheaper.

- The Co-Op, also located on the Banbury Road in Summertown, is the best all-purpose local supermarket.

- Sainsbury's, in the Westgate Mall, may seem far from the compound but it is only a bus ride away. It has the largest selection by far but it's long checkout lines can be infuriating. There is a 'Sainsbury's Local' next to the bus stop back to the compound.

Kebab Vans

Another Oxford establishment is its Kebab Vans, which emerge at night to satisfy the hunger of Oxford's students. The menu is pretty much fixed: kebab, burgers and chips. You should try the hot sauce which is the source of many Kebab van rivalries. Although they do not have much decor to describe, since they are outside, an analysis of Oxford's many Kebab vans must proceed based entirely upon their respective culinary attributes.

- Houssain's, located on the west side of St. Giles, is one of the unknown treasures of Oxford. Many Oxford students don't make the effort to get to Houssain's but it is on the way back to the Compound so it might be worth a small stop.

- Hassan's, located on Broad Street, is an excellent Kebab Van and located just two blocks from Exeter. Hassan serves good food in large quantities. Try the chip, cheese and beans.

- Ahmed's, located up in Summertown on the west side of Banbury Road, is good for a late night Kebab run. It is only a medium Kebab stand but there isn't a lot of choice in Summertown so if you are suffering from the late night munchies you can go to Ahmed or go into town.

- Medhi's, located on High Street, may be out of the way for Williams-Exeter students but it is one of Oxford's most popular Kebab vans. It features an extremely hot chili sauce and a saucy proprietor.

Take Away and Baguette Shops

If there is one thing that Oxford has plenty of it is take away and baguette shops. And for most purposes one baguette shop is just as good as another but here is a list of some distinguished shops.

- Patisserie, on North Parade, located half way between the compound and Oxford's city center has the cheapest baguettes around. And the two guys who work there are really friendly. It is sort of like Cheers- they always remember your name.

- Harvey's is a group of sandwich shops all over Oxford. The original Harvey's is located on High Street and is an Oxford staple. It is definitely worth a visit.

- Hong Kong House, on South Parade, is a pretty decent Chinese takeout place. The diverse clientele makes it an interesting dining experience. Do not expect an aesthetically pleasing decor as the kitchen is in plain view and no attempt has been made to beautify the place.

- Delikatessen, on Banbury Road in Summertown, offers freshly cut slices of meat and cheese for reasonable prices. Ask the man at the counter how large he can make the baguette.



	Food & Drink In Oxford
	Pubs in Oxford A Williams-Exeter student wrote "England is all about pubs". There is probably a lot of truth in that as you cannot walk two blocks almost anywhere in England and not find another pub. There are more than 30 pubs in Oxford's City Center, which does not include the College bars, and every college has one. This is just a small sampling of some of Oxford's many pubs. - The Exeter College Bar It may not be pretty but it gets the job done. Located slightly below ground, the bar is vaguely reminiscent of a tomb or crypt. Drinks are cheaper than at real pubs but they are usually served in plastic cups rather than glasses. But to save a dollar a drink it might be worth it to check it out. The bar also has a foosball table, several arcade games, a pinball machine, a billiards table and a really popular dart board. And all your favorite Exeter College students will be there. - The Purple Turtle The late night bar/club at the Oxford Union. It has a different atmosphere than your traditional pub and with the Union's hype it has become a very popular choice. If the dance floor doesn't grab your attention, the Turtle has a selection of beers from around the world. The Oxford Union bar, located just upstairs from the Purple Turtle, offers cheap drinks but has a smaller selection. - The King's Arms On the corner of Parks Road and Holywell Street, it is crowded (finding a seat is nearly impossible) but atmospheric. It has a good selection of real ales and two bars. Its two non-smoking rooms are a breath of fresh air in the smoky world of English pubs. The crowd there tends to be slightly older. - The Turf Tavern This traditional English pub is nestled in a little alley called Bath Place and is almost impossible to find. If you look really carefully, you can find Bath Place from either New College Lane or Holywell Street. It is worth the effort with one of the most traditional interiors of any Oxford pub. The ceilings are a bit low and the Turf has a somewhat cramped feel. So just take your drinks outside. The outdoor patio seating is a must. - The Hobgoblin This pub is trying to draw a student crowd and doing a decent job. It stocks its own line of wychwood ales; has one television for sporting events and the like and usually has meal promotions on Thursday evenings. - The Eagle and Child On St. Giles, it is the former hangout of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien (the author of The Lord of the Rings and a distinguished Exeter College alum). But you will enjoy it for its own sake as much as its historical appeal. The conservatory in the back of the pub is not as cozy as the front room but has an interesting appeal of its own. - The Lamb and Flag On St. Giles, opposite the Eagle and the Child. It doesn't have any distinguished alumni or even a cool sign outside but you might want to give it a try. It is a lively pub that is always packed so it obviously cannot be too bad. It has a lot of small alcoves giving it a cozy feel as well. - The Bear This is basically a tourist bar. It has an interesting collection of neck ties on the wall as well as an extensive selection of beers on tap. Restaurants If you are looking for a restaurant experience in Oxford there are many choices. Here is just a small sampling of some student favorites. - Burger King, on Cornmarket Street is an essential part of the Oxford experience. Return to your American roots with a traditional BK Whopper (prices are a little higher than its American counterpart). - Jamal's Tandoori Restaurant, on Walton Street, is a favorite with Williams-Exeter students. Jamal himself is the essence of the establishment, greeting diners with a smile and a friendly handshake. The food is excellent, as is the music. A definite must. - Pizza Express, located in The Golden Cross off of Cornmarket Street, combines good prices and good food. Large student clientele. - Maxwells, on Queen Street, serves a wide array of Tex-Mex cuisine. It is one of the few places in Oxford that offers good cocktails and every hour is happy hour for students. - Ask, on George Street, serves quality Italian food for relatively cheap prices. Stay away from the pizza but the garlic bread with mozzarella earns high praise. - Caffe Uno, also on George Street, is comparable to Ask although the pizza is slightly better here than across the street. The lasagna is worthy of special attention. - Chicago Rock Cafe, on Park End Street, is a wanna-be Hard Rock Cafe with an interesting decor. Prices are reasonable and on Mondays they offer a 'buy one meal get one meal free' deal which makes it a good buy. Stay away from the milkshakes. - Wig & Pen, on George Street, offers two meals for £5 which makes it a very good deal. The chicken wings come highly recommended but the lasagna doesn't have any tomato sauce making it an interesting culinary experience. - Xi'An Chinese Restaurant, on Banbury Road in Summertown, is just too intriguing to pass up. Excellent Chinese dishes at slightly higher prices. Not one to miss. - Browns Restaurant, on the Woodstock Road, is one of Oxford's nicest restaurants. Reasonable prices and a candlelit atmosphere makes it perfect for a romantic dinner. Supermarkets There are three supermarkets just up the road from Ephraim Williams House, in Summertown. - Marks and Spencer, on the Banbury Road, is conveniently located near the Williams-Exeter compound, but the prices are the highest in Oxford. Still, the quality is excellent and their prepared meals are 'top-notch'. - Somerfield, on the Banbury Road, is located just a few minutes walk further than Marks and Spencer and is definitely worth the walk. It is smaller but it is much cheaper. - The Co-Op, also located on the Banbury Road in Summertown, is the best all-purpose local supermarket. - Sainsbury's, in the Westgate Mall, may seem far from the compound but it is only a bus ride away. It has the largest selection by far but it's long checkout lines can be infuriating. There is a 'Sainsbury's Local' next to the bus stop back to the compound. Kebab Vans Another Oxford establishment is its Kebab Vans, which emerge at night to satisfy the hunger of Oxford's students. The menu is pretty much fixed: kebab, burgers and chips. You should try the hot sauce which is the source of many Kebab van rivalries. Although they do not have much decor to describe, since they are outside, an analysis of Oxford's many Kebab vans must proceed based entirely upon their respective culinary attributes. - Houssain's, located on the west side of St. Giles, is one of the unknown treasures of Oxford. Many Oxford students don't make the effort to get to Houssain's but it is on the way back to the Compound so it might be worth a small stop. - Hassan's, located on Broad Street, is an excellent Kebab Van and located just two blocks from Exeter. Hassan serves good food in large quantities. Try the chip, cheese and beans. - Ahmed's, located up in Summertown on the west side of Banbury Road, is good for a late night Kebab run. It is only a medium Kebab stand but there isn't a lot of choice in Summertown so if you are suffering from the late night munchies you can go to Ahmed or go into town. - Medhi's, located on High Street, may be out of the way for Williams-Exeter students but it is one of Oxford's most popular Kebab vans. It features an extremely hot chili sauce and a saucy proprietor. Take Away and Baguette Shops If there is one thing that Oxford has plenty of it is take away and baguette shops. And for most purposes one baguette shop is just as good as another but here is a list of some distinguished shops. - Patisserie, on North Parade, located half way between the compound and Oxford's city center has the cheapest baguettes around. And the two guys who work there are really friendly. It is sort of like Cheers- they always remember your name. - Harvey's is a group of sandwich shops all over Oxford. The original Harvey's is located on High Street and is an Oxford staple. It is definitely worth a visit. - Hong Kong House, on South Parade, is a pretty decent Chinese takeout place. The diverse clientele makes it an interesting dining experience. Do not expect an aesthetically pleasing decor as the kitchen is in plain view and no attempt has been made to beautify the place. - Delikatessen, on Banbury Road in Summertown, offers freshly cut slices of meat and cheese for reasonable prices. Ask the man at the counter how large he can make the baguette.