The Oxford Guide

Please see The Magdalen

The Magdalen Arms has been given a thorough makeover by new owners. It's now less of a pub than a comfortable fine dining restaurant (though delicious cocktails are available as well). While it was cavernous and somewhat rundown, a new paint job has made it cosy; in addition, a curtain separates the more casual front room (and bar) from the rear, which is a somewhat more formal dining area.

The food is just magnificent - a little fancy, perhaps, but not nouvelle cuisine. The menu changes daily and includes fresh local meats, fish, and produce, done to perfection and artistically presented. The owners and staff are extremely warm and welcoming as well, and happy to answer questions or suggest pairings from the impressive wine list. Overall a lovely dining experience and a needed addition to the East Oxford dining scene.

Good choice of beer. Good friendly atmosphere dure in sports. And a nice place to have a quite pint. In all, the staff are friendly, the screens are good, the customers are easy going and you can end up spending a whole night there!

August 2009 Just been taken over by the people who own two reknowned London establishments. The Anchor and Hope and Great Queen Street. Both have won awards 'Britains best gastro pub' and 'Best British Restaurant'. Can the Magdalen follow suit?

Scan of menu from March 2004