The Oxford Guide

QI (which stands for "Quite Interesting"), is many things. It's located at the top of Turl Street, opposite Exeter College and where Live Bait used to be.

Firstly, as you enter, it's a bookshop. Quite a small one, but with an interesting collection. As you head further in, it's a cafe. Up stairs, it's a private members club (only interesting people need apply, but some of Oxfordshires best names are said to have joined). Oh, and it's also a quiz show on BBC4, but that's another matter!

As a cafe, it's really nice. Large windows let a lot of light in, giving it a brighter feel than Starbucks or Cafe Nero. The tables and their layout seem less crampt than many other coffee shops, so I find it nicer to sit and read in. I would guess it can comfortably seat 50-60.

The coffee is on a par with Starbucks or Cafe Nero, and the brownies nicer (I've yet to sample their other cake offerings). The waitstaff were very friendly and helpful, if a bit dappy at times! Oh, and it wasn't any more expensive than most central Oxford venues.

If you're interested in how it came to be, try this Guardian article.