Old Parsonage Restaurant

This ancient building is one of Oxford’s hidden gems: its lavish, richly coloured dining room is effusively hung with prints & paintings, staff are sweet & ever-so-welcoming, & the cooking combines old-school skill with a modern sensibility. Options include grilled halibut béarnaise with braised fennel or slow-roast pork belly with pumpkin & cavolo nero, flanked by starters of crab soufflé & great desserts such as chocolate nemesis or hazelnut praline ice cream. Afternoon tea is worth noting & booking – a diverse mix of students, academics & shoppers seamlessly fill the place as lunch gives way to scones, finger sandwiches & homemade cakes, with prices ranging from £7.95 for a light repast to £14.95 for the full high-tea works.