The Handlebar Kitchen

Possibly the best french toast I have ever had. Certainly the best brunch in Oxford without a doubt. Don't let the outside or quirky interior fool you. Highly recommended.

Absolutely delicious, french toast was perfect and was a perfect balance of sweet and savoury. Very filling, good portion size! Very quick service & lovely staff. A little ££ but that's brunch. We went straight up the stairs but there does seem to be a downstairs bit - worth checking though if you have accessibility needs. Highly recommend the food!

We had a lovely brunch at The Handle Bar Kitchen in Oxford and truly enjoyed the experience overall. The service was superb — our waiter was very helpful, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed, which really added to the pleasant atmosphere. The food was delicious and beautifully prepared, making it a great spot for a relaxed brunch. The cozy setting and welcoming staff created a warm and inviting vibe that we really appreciated. The only small downside was that the smell of the food lingered a bit, leaving a slight odour on our clothes and hair after we left. It didn’t spoil the experience, but it’s worth noting. All in all, a wonderful place with great food and excellent service — we’d definitely come back again! ⸻

There was some confusion between the staff whether we (group of 4) needed to sit upstairs or downstairs, though there were loads of empty tables in both areas. Service was good! The food and drinks came out quickly and were warm. They were yummy! Tad oily but definitely good:) Atmosphere was nice especially upstairs where there’s a lot of natural light coming through. We stayed for about an hour and a half, and there was no rush for us to leave. The tables we sat on were sticky? I had to pry my coffee from it

Such a stunning brunch spot. Very unique with its aesthetic and hanging bikes. Service was excellent and the food tasted incredible, would highly recommend the pancakes with bacon!

This place is a top-tier choice for brunch or mid-day dining. Great food, excellent options for various diets, and a memorable setting. If you go in with the right mindset (expect a bit of a queue maybe, but worth it), you’re likely to leave very satisfied.

I had the best shakshouka at this cozy, ambient brunch/lunch place! The dishes were all freshly made with quality ingredients which were served very shortly after ordering so we didn’t have to wait. It was also nice that they have vegan feta as an alternative for those who are lactose intolerant in dishes that contain cheese. Was a hearty meal and I had wishes there was more! Staff were also lovely and passionate about their work/art of their dishes, which was refreshing to see. Saw the focaccias as we were heading out which also looked and smelled absolutely mouth watering. Would definitely recommend and love to come back again

If you find yourself in Oxford, there is one brunch restaurant that I consistently make a point of visiting: The Handlebar Kitchen. It is often said that British food lacks flavour or excitement, a common perception held by many. However, I genuinely believe that dining at The Handlebar Kitchen has the potential to change such a view entirely. The quality and taste of the food served here are truly impressive and stand in contrast to that stereotype. If you live in London or abroad, the journey to Oxford is neither short nor easy. Yet, I find myself returning to this restaurant whenever I visit Oxford for a refreshing break. The food is compelling enough to draw me back despite the distance. This restaurant is primarily a brunch establishment. This means that timing is important; if you arrive too late in the day, they may have run out of certain ingredients, or service for brunch might have concluded. It's best to aim for earlier in their service hours to avoid disappointment. I have had the pleasure of trying several different dishes from their menu over my visits, and without exception, I have found all of them to be genuinely delicious. The balance of textures and flavours in their food is consistently excellent. The quality of the ingredients is apparent – fresh produce, combined with appropriate seasoning and tasty sauces, results in dishes that simply speak for themselves. There's little need for elaborate descriptions; the food is simply very good and should be experienced firsthand.