Oxford Michelin Star Restaurants

With a city as diverse as Oxford, filled with plenty of food loving locals, you'd really think we'd have a Michelin star or two by now. We do have two Bib Gourmands (the award which recognises those establishments offering good food at affordable prices, the limit being £28 for three courses) to be proud of: Magdalen Arms in East Oxford and Rickety Press in Jericho; if you fancy a bite to eat at a Michelin star restaurant though, you have to hop in your car and get out of the city – but once you do, we have a pretty amazing selection to choose from...

OXFORDSHIRE:

Le Manoir aux Quat'Saison, Great Milton (2 star)

Image courtesy: Paul Lomax

MrF booked a table as a surprise for my birthday a few years ago, as I turned out to be pregnant though, I was unable to indulge in everything I would have liked - however MrF was pretty happy to have a designated driver! Technically masterful and delicious food, exquisite service in a truly stunning location - plus they are very child friendly. A la carte starters cost upwards of £40, the most expensive being plancha-seared scallop with cauliflower purée and curry oil, for £44. Mains range from £48 to £54; at the top end, roasted fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef with smokey mash, ceps and red wine jus sounds divine! Several tasting menus also available, starting at £79pp. 

The Nut Tree Inn, Murcott (1 star)

Image courtesy: David Hawgood, via Wikimedia Commons

Out in the sticks, with it's pretty thatched roof, olde-worlde low ceilings and wooden beams, The Nut Tree Inn feels somewhat 'story book'. Exemplary service, as you would expect at this level, plus fabulous food and an equally fabulous drinks list. Starters range from a very reasonable £7.50, though the pick for me would be foie gras terrine with spiced cherries and fresh almond, at £14. The mains, again, start at an affordable £17, given the star, but I'd head straight for the Grilled fillet of aged Charolais beef with triple cooked chips, baked tomato, onion rings, tarragon butter £30. Weeeell, you gotta push the boat out sometimes .Definitely book a taxi so you can delve into their fab wine list.

The Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor (1 star)

Image courtesy: Andrew Smith, via Wikimedia Commons

Now this one I haven't been to yet, but am intrigued to try. A la carte starters include seared foie gras with sweet corn pancake, pickled apple, cider and honey dressing, with prices starting from £10.50. Mains pricing is from £21.50 and include loin of local venison with bubble & squeak, braised red cabbage puree and parsley root. Yummy - when can I book?!

Oxfordshire Bib Gourmands:

• Magdalen Arms, Oxford
• Rickety Press, Oxford
• The Red Lion, Britwell Salome
• The Quince Tree, Stonor
• The Killingworth Castle, Wooton

With Oxford's flourishing food scene, and several Michelin star bred chefs running and opening restaurants in and around the city, don't be surprised if we see a few more accolades coming this way over the next few years. If in the meantime you fancy driving a little further afield though, there's plenty more to choose from. Oxfordshire's neighbouring counties have some pretty decent options too...

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE:

• Hand & Flowers, Marlow (2 star)
• Danesfield House, Marlow (1 star)

BERKSHIRE:

• Fat Duck, Bray (3 star)
• Waterside Inn, Bray (3 star)
• L’Ortolan, Shinfield (1 star)
• Hinds Head, Bray (1 star)
• The Royal Oak, Bray (1 star)
• The White Oak, Cookham (Bib Gourmand)

WILTSHIRE:

• The Dining Room, Whatley Manor, Malmesbury, Wiltshire (2 star)
• Bybrook, Castle Combe (1 star)
• The Park, Lucknam Park Hotel, Colerne (1 star)
• Harrow at Little Bedwyn, Little Bedwyn (1 star)
• Red Lion Freehouse, East Chisenbury (1 star)
• The Longs Arms, South Wraxall (Bib Gourmand)

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

• Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham (2 stars)
• Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter (1 star)
• The Tavern, Cheltenham (Bib Gourmand)
• Horse & Groom, Moreton-in-Marsh/Bourton-on-the-Hill (Bib Gourmand)
• The Gumstool Inn, Calcot Manor, Tetbury (Bib Gourmand)
• Owens, Tewkesbury (Bib Gourmand)

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE:

• Red Lion, East Haddon, Northamptonshire (Bib Gourmand)

FIND ALL OF THESE RESTAURANTS ON MY GOOGLE MAP