Oxford has dozens of excellent breakfast options that will cover all menu preferences. Vegan breakfasts, Oxford full English breakfasts, and some unexpected options you might not have considered trying. Here are some of my favourite places to have a memorable breakfast in Oxford.
Best Breakfast Options in Oxford
Finding a good place to have breakfast in Oxford can be essential for several reasons. Firstly, breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, providing you with the necessary nutrients and energy to kickstart your day. And secondly, having a good breakfast can set the tone for your entire day, making you feel more alert, focused, and productive. So, finding a good place to have breakfast can be a worthwhile investment in your health, happiness, and overall well-being.
One of Oxford’s biggest advantages as a city is that it’s full of different people. You have students, tourists, and enthusiastic locals who are always looking for a great breakfast idea. Below, you will find some of my favourite breakfast spots in Oxford. Give them a try if you’re around; I promise you won’t regret it.
Budget: £ – Open 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Type of Food: Quick bites, International, Cafe. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Dish You Need to Try: Don’t miss the scones and the delicious cakes.
Why Have Breakfast at Oxford’s Vaults & Garden:
You have probably never had breakfast in a place like the Vaults and Garden Cafe. Why? Because this place used to be part of the adjoining University Church of St Mary the Virgin – something you will probably instantly recognise as soon as you look at the vaulted ceiling.
The Vault & Garden cafe has all the charm of the old ecclesiastic world, combined with great food and excellent breakfast options. The cafe has some of the best cakes in Oxford, too – although they tend to be a little pricey. And the best part? If the day is nice, you can see outdoors, right in front of the Radcliffe Camera!
Here are three breakfast options you can enjoy at the Vaults & Garden Café in Oxford:
Full Oxford: A hearty breakfast with organic bacon, scrambled eggs, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, and toast (£13). This is a great option for a filling and traditional breakfast.
Vegan Oxford: A plant-based alternative featuring smashed avocado toast, spinach, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans (£11). It’s ideal if you’re looking for something healthy and vegan-friendly.
Eggs & Salmon: A lighter option with Upton Smokery salmon and organic eggs on sourdough toast (£10.3). Perfect for a more refined breakfast.
Address: 1 Radcliffe Sq University Church, Oxford OX1 4AJ
Budget: £ – Open 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Type of Food: Quick bites, British, Cafe. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options.
Dish You Need to Try: Definitely try the coconut pancakes! Nom!
Why Have Breakfast at Oxford’s Handle Bar:
The Handle Bar is an excellent Oxford breakfast option. This eatery is located above a bike shop and is fairly busy, but the service is quick and friendly. This quaint cafe has great vegetarian and vegan options, too, all beautifully presented.
The concept is certainly interesting and a great idea if you’re looking for a different type of Oxford breakfast. The Handle Bar also has gluten-free and lactose-free food, all for an affordable price and in an unbeatable location.
Here are three breakfast options you could enjoy at The Handle Bar in Oxford:
Avocado Toast with Poached Eggs – A healthy and satisfying option, featuring smashed avocado on sourdough toast, topped with perfectly poached eggs and garnished with herbs or chili flakes.
Pancakes with Fresh Berries and Maple Syrup – Fluffy, golden pancakes served with a generous helping of seasonal berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, and possibly some Greek yogurt or whipped cream on the side.
Vegetarian Full English – A plant-based take on the traditional English breakfast, typically including grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, baked beans, toast, and eggs (or a vegan substitute).
Address: 28-32 St Michael Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB
Budget: £ – Open 08:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Type of Food: Quick bites, British, Cafe. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Dish You Need to Try: Give the coffee and cakes a chance – particularly the raspberry almond slice or poppy seed coffee and walnut.
Why Have Breakfast at Oxford’s Jericho Cafe:
The Jericho Cafe, in the Oxfordian neighbourhood of Jericho, provides great food in a good atmosphere, and it’s an ideal stop for a true Oxfordian breakfast. The facilities are always spotlessly clean, which is a big plus, and the coffee and cakes are to die for. Actually, the bagels and flapjacks are not bad at all, either!
The Jericho Cafe is a great breakfast location if you’re looking for something a bit less central and touristic. Although this place has earned a great reputation, it’s still a local favourite rather than a tourist hotspot.
Here are three breakfast options you might enjoy at The Jericho Café in Oxford:
Full English Breakfast – A traditional and hearty option, often including eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, and toast, perfect for a filling start to the day.
Eggs Benedict – A popular dish featuring poached eggs on toasted muffins, topped with hollandaise sauce, and served with smoked ham or spinach for a vegetarian twist.
Granola with Yogurt and Fresh Fruit – A lighter, healthier option, combining crunchy granola, creamy yogurt, and fresh seasonal fruits, ideal for a more refreshing breakfast.
Address: 112 Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6AJ
Budget: ££ – Open 08:00 am to 05:00 pm (Sundays 10:00 am to 04:00 pm).
Type of Food: Quick bites, British, Cafe. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Dish You Need to Try: Don’t miss the bacon and sausage baguette.
Why Have Breakfast at Oxford’s Brown’s Cafe:
Brown’s Cafe is a centrally located and iconic brasserie and cafe. Luckily, it also offers some of the best breakfasts in Oxford – mainly British comforts and a rather sophisticated experience.
The breakfast here is solid comfort food – for example, sandwiches with crispy bread and ingredients cooked to perfection. At Brown’s Cafe, the cooks let the quality of the local ingredients shine. Also, this is the only breakfast spot in Oxford that sells bacon baps!
Here are three breakfast options to try at Brown’s Café in Oxford:
Full English Breakfast – A classic option featuring traditional components like eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, and toast. It’s a filling and hearty choice to start your day.
Bacon Bun – A simpler but delicious choice if you’re looking for something lighter. This features crispy bacon in a soft bun.
Breakfast Omelette (Mushroom) – For a vegetarian option, the café offers a mushroom omelette, which is a comforting and savoury breakfast dish.
George Street Social
Budget: ££ – Open 08:00 am to 08:00 pm (Fridays and Saturdays open until 10:00 pm).
Type of Food: European, British. Vegetarian and vegan options.
Dish You Need to Try: Try the Korean chicken burger.
Why Have Breakfast at Oxford’s George Street Social:
George Street Social is not just a great restaurant and bar; it’s also the perfect Oxford breakfast surprise. This beautifully decorated space works perfectly in the mornings, offering food all day around.
The clientele of George Street Social tends to be young; with plenty of students and locals, especially in the morning. This Oxford breakfast spot is also great for making friends or going people-watching. The service is efficient, and friendly, and the breakfast options are outstanding.
Here are three breakfast options to enjoy at George Street Social in Oxford:
Smashed Avocado on Sourdough – A popular choice featuring creamy smashed avocado on toasted sourdough, often served with a side of poached eggs and a sprinkle of chili flakes or herbs.
Buttermilk Pancakes – Fluffy pancakes stacked high and served with maple syrup, fresh berries, and a dusting of powdered sugar, perfect for a sweet start to your day.
Full English Breakfast – A classic option that includes eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, mushrooms, and toast, offering a hearty and traditional breakfast experience.
Address: 35 New Inn Hall Street, Oxford OX1 2DH
FAQ for Having Breakfast in Oxford
A few things you should know about having breakfast in Oxford.
Do you need to go to Oxford's city center to find good breakfasts?
The answer to this one is easy: Absolutely not! You can find tons of eateries and perfect breakfast spots all around the city. For starters, anywhere you can see students will have great options. But both the city centre and the surrounding areas of Oxford have excellent breakfast places to try.
How much money do you need to have breakfast in Oxford?
Oxford is quite a touristic city, so many people expect prices to be high. Fortunately, this is far from the case. Because the city is so full of students and workers, you will find tons of attractive breakfast spots in Oxford. So, you will always have budget options and more elaborate breakfasts, too. For example, you should be able to easily find a scone and coffee for £6, or a full English breakfast for £12.
Organised Breakfast Ideas
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