There are countless things to love about Oxford.
Its medieval architecture, historic college buildings, and superb green spaces are just a few things that attract tourists to the City of Dreaming Spires.
And while it may never be able to compete with the likes of Brighton, Oxford has a lesser-known vegan foodie scene which is still worth shouting about.
If like me, you’re vegan and you’re looking for all the best vegan restaurants in Oxford then you’ve come to the right place!
I’ve rounded up all the best plant-based eateries in the city, so whether you’re after a gorgeous gastropub, a cute cafe, or some filthy fast food, you’ll find it right here on this list.
Scroll through this article and get ready to discover your new favourite vegan restaurants in Oxford!
1. The Punter Pub
Address: 7 South St, Oxford OX2 0BE
Phone number: 01865 248832
The Punter Pub tops this list of the best vegan restaurants in Oxford – and for good reason!
Set picturesquely on the banks of the River Cherwell, this iconic veggie-vegan gastropub has been a mainstay on the Oxford vegan scene for a good few years now.
It’s fair to say they know a thing or two about cooking up a mean vegan feast!
I’d recommend ordering lots of small plates here to experience a bit of everything.
The truffled rarebit is a game-changer, and the Mizo-glazed aubergine with crispy tofu will leave you wanting more.
Alternatively, if you want something more substantial, their mains are also dreamy.
Menu highlights are the celeriac steak, the roasted field mushrooms, and the truffle risotto.
(Risotto is usually a vegan cop-out on a menu but this one is leagues above the rest!)
Got a sweet tooth?
Then don’t leave without trying the chocolate mousse tart with blackcurrant compote.
One visit here is never enough so I’m sure you’ll be back time and time again to try their entire menu.
2. Green Routes Cafe
Address: 39 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RB
Whether you’re looking for a tasty brunch or a bite on the go, Green Routes Cafe always promises a good time.
It’s situated in the heart of east Oxford and its coffee is the stuff of local legend.
They take great pride in their coffee and it certainly shows!
While all of their menu is worth trying, it’s their vegan brunches that really steal the show.
They’re so delicious, in fact, that British Vogue branded them as “Oxford’s Most Exciting Vegan Brunch”.
Think Biscoff pancakes, fresh berry granola bowls, and mushrooms and greens on toast, and you’re on the right lines.
They’re also known for their fabulous vegan roasts which are well worth digging into if you’re around in Oxford this Sunday!
Their menu changes seasonally too which means you can visit time and time again and never get bored of their menu.
3. The Gardeners Arms
Address: The Gardeners Arms, 39 Plantation Rd, Oxford OX2 6JE
Phone number: 01865 559814
The appropriately named Gardeners Arms is a 200-year-old 100% vegetarian and vegan pub with a menu that’ll satisfy even the biggest of meat eaters.
Their menu ranges from mushroom pie and Mexican chilli to hot dogs and burgers to calzone and garlic flatbread.
They even have a few Mediterranean options too!
Indulge in a kebab bowl or opt for a lighter alternative with the mezze platter.
A special shoutout goes to their fully loaded fries topped with a shredded burger, vegan chicken pieces, shawarma, fried red onions, roast peppers, jalapeños, vegan mozzarella, vegan mayo, and sriracha sauce.
They’re fast food filth in the best way possible!
The pub also has a large grassy patio out back so you can enjoy your plant-based grub out in the sunshine if the weather’s on your side.
And if you’re a sucker for a pub quiz, you can join The Gardeners Arms every Sunday night from 8:30 pm for their popular weekly quiz night.
The perfect place to indulge in tasty vegan fare while testing your general knowledge.
4. Delhish Vegan Kitchen
Address: 19-20 St Clement’s St, Oxford OX4 1AB
Phone number: 01865 317174
Say hello to Oxford’s first and only vegan Indian kitchen, and one of the best vegan restaurants in Oxford full stop!
All the food at Delhish Vegan Kitchen is, well, delish.
Expect authentic and nutritious home-cooked food made with a whole lot of love and passion, served in a vibrant and cosy setting.
You’ll find Gujurati snacks, street food chaats, curries, wraps, and burgers on their menu.
My recommendation would be to order the £25 thali which gets you three curries (with unlimited top-ups!), roti, poppadom, rice, salad, pickles, and a sweet.
It’s the easiest way to try a bit of everything and every bite is a dream!
The onion bhaji roti wrap also provides instant gratification, and the spicy chedva chaat will blow your mind.
Whatever you order, you’re in for the ultimate Indian vegan feast here at Delhish.
5. The Magic Café
Address: 110 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RQ
Phone number: 01865 420515
With an all-veggie menu, much of which is also vegan, The Magic Café really is the stuff of magic.
It’s a great place for a cheap and cheerful midday pick-me-up and is often found sporting art displays and hosting live music.
The space has a lovely creative community feel to it and it’s the place to head to for fresh and flavoursome salads and hearty and healthy curries, among other things.
If you’re looking for something filling and nutritious, their pasta bakes also come highly recommended.
And they have some show-stopping cakes to end things on a high!
If you’re looking for cheap food that’s good for the planet and for you, you know where to head.
6. CHICK PEA.
Address: 2 King Edward St, Oxford OX1 4HS
Phone number: 01865 246529
Much to the delight of local vegans, the appropriately named CHICK PEA. recently popped up on the scene and it’s already one of the best vegan restaurants in Oxford.
They’re here to encourage locals to eat less meat by choosing their delicious meat-free alternatives instead.
Their flavoursome food takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the Middle East, from Israel to Egypt to Iran.
You can choose to eat either inside or outside, or if there’s no space available, you can always order food to take away and enjoy on the meadows.
Choose from pitta, bowls, salads, coffee, juices, and a whole lot of falafel!
One visit here and it’s sure to become your new go-to vegan lunch spot in Oxford.
7. Banana Tree
Address: 63 George St, Oxford OX1 2BQ
Phone number: 01865 200685
Banana Tree is a small UK chain with restaurants across London and the South of England.
This ‘IndoChina kitchen’ serves delicious pan-Asian fare, taking inspiration from Vietnamese, Malaysian, Thai cuisine, and more!
While they serve meat and dairy dishes, their dedicated vegan menu is large enough that it may as well be the whole menu.
From ramen and noodles to curries and regional specialities, there’s something to suit everyone on their menu.
Their vegan katsu curry and tofu pad Thai will satisfy even the fussiest of eaters, while their tofu Singapore laksa is ideal for those who like things a little spicier!
They also have a great set of starters for people like me who prefer to order several dishes.
Order the sweetcorn fritter balls, crispy vegan gyoza, and the Malaysian Kajang satay, and thank me later.
8. Mowgli Street Food
Address: Unit 302, Westgate, Oxford OX1 1PG
Phone number: 01865 240662
Indian street food lovers, run don’t walk to Mowgli Street Food.
If you’re not already familiar with Mowgli, it’s a popular chain that’s popping up in major cities up and down the UK, much to the delight of vegans like myself.
While they’re not a vegan chain, they have a separate vegan menu that never disappoints!
It’s full of fresh, bright flavours, innovative street chaat dishes, and hearty curries.
My favourite section of their menu is the street chaat, with fan favourites being the vegan yoghurt chat bombs, the treacle tamarind fries, and the Mowgli chip butty.
The Mowgli chip butty is a personal favourite of mine.
It’s made up of a roti wrap, fenugreek kissed turmeric fries, chilli pickle, red onion, coriander, green chilli, and tomato relish.
Delicious!
Not sure what to order?
Then go for one of their £15 vegan tiffin boxes which gets you four random tiers of veg and carb goodness.
It’s a total potluck but totally tasty!
9. Spiced Roots
Address: 64 Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1JB
Phone number: 01865 249888
Spiced Roots combines Caribbean cuisine and delicious rum cocktails to create what they consider to be an “unparalleled Caribbean gastronomical experience”.
Luckily for you, vegans need not miss out on the fun because while their menu is short, it’s certainly sweet.
About half of their menu is vegan which means you have around three starters and three mains to choose from, along with some seriously tasty banana bread and baked pineapple and coconut ice cream for dessert.
Order the jerk tempeh and stewed pigeon peas with black rice and salad for a plant-based twist on a Caribbean classic!
However, my favourite main would have to be the ital roti with curry channa, potato, pumpkin talkari, and dasheen bush bhaji.
No visit to Spiced Roots is complete without trying their drool-worthy fried-ripe plantain either.
Order it on the side, then return time and time again to order it once more!
10. Organic Deli Cafe
Address: 24 Friars Entry, Oxford OX1 2BY
Phone number: 07963 998982
Organic Deli Cafe is here to fulfil all your organic needs!
This one-stop shop not only has a great deli cafe but also provides groceries and event catering for those who want to take the goodness home with them.
Their vibrant cafe is set over two floors and has an outdoor secret garden for you to enjoy your food from.
They serve a wide range of food including all-day breakfast, salads, bowls, sandwiches, and sweet treats.
Admittedly, not all of it is vegan but their vegan options are still worth shouting about!
If you only order one thing, let it be their gluten-free and vegan donuts – they’re sure to blow your mind.
Want a health kick to accompany your food?
Then order one of their delicious slow-pressed juices too – the Green Grasshopper is my favourite!
11. GLUT
Address: 71 George St, Oxford OX1 2BQ
Phone number: 01865 240414
In dire need of a hangover cure or just want to indulge in some plant-based fast food?
Then the appropriately named GLUT is calling your name!
GLUT has gained a rep for its sinfully good food and fantastic vegan takes on meat-dominated fast food.
Not only do they have three fantastic vegan burgers on their menu but they’re also accompanied by deep-fried pickles and cauli wings.
Their cauli wings are deep-fried and tossed in GLUT’s iconic buffalo sauce, and they give a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘finger looking good’.
As for their burgers, my go-to order here is the falafel burger which comprises three falafel patties, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and vegan cheese and sauce.
However, if you’re more of a meat replacement kinda vegan, then you’ll love their two Beyond burgers.
The Dirty Plant is £1 more expensive than the standard Plant Burger but it’s well worth it for the addition of caramelised onions.
It’s reminiscent of childhood BBQs in the sunshine in the best way possible!
12. The Coconut Tree
Address: 76 St Clement’s St, Oxford OX4 1AH
Phone number: 01865 421865
Love Sri Lankan cuisine?
Then you’re going to love The Coconut Tree, one of my favourite vegan restaurants in Oxford.
Their authentic affordable menu is heavily veggie and vegan – in fact, there are more vegan dishes here than meat ones.
Dishes like dhal, curry, and sambol dominate the menu, and you can pair them with delicious vegan sides like parotta rotti and vegan fried rice.
The fun part of their small plate menu is that you get to try a bit of everything.
All of the plates are entirely delicious but you can’t leave without trying the hot battered mushrooms.
Oh, and the vegan stracciatella also comes highly recommended for dessert!
Everything is also available for takeaway if you want to enjoy your Sri Lankan feast from the comfort of your own home.
13. Al-Shami
Address: 25 Walton Cres, Oxford OX1 2JG
Phone number: 01865 310066
Al-Shami is yet another great restaurant in Oxford that has an enviable vegan menu.
This popular local haunt serves great Lebanese food so if you’re a lover of Lebanese then you’re in for a treat here!
Their mezze includes all the vegan favourites you know and love, including hummus, tabbouleh, moutabel, and loubieh bzeit.
However, my favourite is the zahra maqulia – fried cauliflower topped with sesame oil, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice!
It’s every bit as tasty as you can imagine and is well worth ordering.
Another vegan menu highlight is the bam yeh bilzeit (okra fried in olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes, served with rice).
Whatever you order, Al-Shami will ensure it’s full of flavour!
14. Meli Deli
Address: 51A Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1HP
Phone number: 01865 791906
Meli Deli is a Greek-inspired veggie cafe serving savoury pies, salads, and desserts.
It’s situated a little out of the city centre on Cowley Rd but it’s well worth the visit if you happen to be in the area.
While their menu changes, past dishes have included delights like vegan samosas, burgers, and chickpea curries.
Alongside their food, they also have an impressive drinks line-up of healthy smoothies, juice shots, and kombucha galore.
Whether you’re nursing a hangover or are just a little under the weather, their plant-powered drinks will have you feeling right as rain in no time.
15. Art Cafe
Address: 14 Bonn Square, Oxford OX1 1LT
Phone number: 01865 242464
Art Cafe is a relaxed coffee shop that prioritises local food and happy customers above everything else!
While you’ll find meat on their menu, they also use a lot of organic, gluten-free, and vegan products, which is great news for us vegans.
Their menu ranges from breakfast to baguettes to bagels but my usual order is the veggie Thai pasta because I can never get enough Thai food in my life!
The vegan sausage and hummus baguette is also every bit as tasty as it sounds.
Whether you come here for brunch, lunch, or just a drink (I’m looking at you, vegan chocolate milkshake!), you’re in for a treat here, that’s for sure.
So that concludes my round-up of all the best vegan restaurants in Oxford.
Being vegan doesn’t have to be hard work when cities like Oxford have so many great plant-based eateries lined up for you!
Shortlist your favourite vegan restaurants in Oxford and try them all.
Any excuse to support local vegan businesses, right?