Oaks Barn

This truly lovely spot has always had a certain quirky charm – and that remains true to this day, with the restaurant having undergone little change over the years and emanating a comforting familiarity. In summer, start with an aperitif in the delightful garden dotted with backlit sculptures; at other times, sit beside the log fire and get cosy among the eclectic décor. The kitchen makes good use of quality ingredients to create dishes whose flavours are punchy and pronounced, while the wine list is a labour of love.

The Hand and Flowers' reputation goes before it, but not quite as many people are familiar with its younger sister, The Coach, despite 2025 having marked its 10th successful year. A cosy, compact pub it has a relaxed, informal vibe – and the sharing of dishes is positively encouraged. Lunchtime sees a set-priced menu, while dinner offers an extensive à la carte that includes everything from deep-fried cod with pease pudding or their ‘rotisserie of the day’ to sticky toffee pudding with beef suet. Cooking is of the highest order and the hugely satisfying dishes burst with punchy flavours.

Spend an hour or two at this lovely pub and you'll leave feeling a good deal happier than when you entered. The impressive kitchen and service teams will ensure you are looked-after and well-fed, inside the charming surroundings of their part-red-brick, part-timbered pub – which also boasts a lovely enclosed terrace. The cooking puts naturally delicious ingredients at the forefront and doesn't shy away from big flavours, like warming nudja with roasted poussin. Look out for the 'Steak Frites Night' and come midweek to make the most of the wallet-friendly pricing.

With its whitewashed exterior and thatched roof, this village pub certainly looks the part. Guests are welcomed by the relaxed team into a low-beamed room, where they can enjoy a full meal or a pint at the bar with nibbles. Pub classics run alongside more elaborate dishes, which are united by their well-sourced ingredients and careful preparation. While it may sound simple, the French onion soup sums up everything the kitchen does well – hearty, big-flavoured cooking that is both straightforward and skilful.

From the same team as The Lamb Inn at Little Milton, this Oxfordshire pub is an object lesson in how to inject new life into the village local. The owners have brought some love to the place, retaining a pubby feel, real ales and a dart board so it remains a community hub for drinkers as well as diners. Whilst there is a lack of pretence, the kitchen team are serious about their cooking, sourcing top ingredients and cooking them with care. Well-judged Scottish cod with capers and beurre noisette is a prime example of the commitment to true, honest flavours.

An endearing couple bring plenty of charm to this pretty, cream-washed former pub in the rural village of Lower Assendon. Priya provides a natural warmth in the friendly service, while Ben incorporates Priya's Indian heritage into his modern British dishes – such as cod accompanied by 'potato chaat', spiced cauliflower and tamarind sauce. A local, seasonal approach adds to the appeal too, with chicken and beef from the surrounding area featuring in cooking that is confidently executed and suitably satisfying.

Named after a novel by Agatha Christie, who lived at the nearby Winterbrook House, this neighbourhood restaurant is divided into three areas: the brightly coloured front resembles a modern bistro; a bar fits in the centre; and the rear sports an open kitchen pass and cosy booths. Sharing is encouraged, with larger plates such as roasted halibut and smaller ones like ‘spare bed tempura’ – using vegetables grown in the gardens of neighbours who have some space to spare. The wholesome cooking is joined by a range of local gins to keep enthusiasts happy.