Branca is a long-established brasserie and bar on Walton Street, in the Jericho area of Oxford, with a seasonal menu inspired by Italy, southern Europe and beyond. Popular with locals for its relaxed, all-day atmosphere, it takes in everything from a quick lunch to a longer evening out.
Starters take in gazpacho, crispy fried squid with fennel and frisee salad, and a grilled king prawn skewer with garlic butter flatbread. Salads range from a classic chicken Caesar to rare grilled tuna with butter beans and roasted red peppers, while pasta options include linguine with king prawns, crab, rocket and chilli, and spaghetti with hot smoked salmon and horseradish.
Mains lean towards the grill, with all beef dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days from native, grass-fed cattle. A flat iron steak comes with a choice of red wine, bearnaise or peppercorn sauce, while Moroccan lamb kebabs are served with garlic flatbread and hummus, and pan-fried stone bass comes with white beans and salsa verde. Stone-baked pizzas remain a mainstay too, from a classic margherita to a spicy nduja salami version with buffalo mozzarella.
Puddings include tiramisu, a Basque cheesecake with fruit compote and a classic peach Melba with vanilla ice cream. The bar covers everything from a Negroni or Espresso Martini to an Aperol Spritz and Bellini, alongside pudding wines and dairy-free ice cream for those who want something lighter.
Branca's walled garden, tucked away in the heart of Jericho, opens for all-day food and drink through the summer months, while the adjoining deli and cafe keeps the doors open from earlier in the morning for those wanting something more casual.