About This Pub
Ah, the King's Arms – it's one of those pubs that just feels like a proper Oxford institution, doesn't it? I've got to say, it's got that perfect mix of old-school charm and modern appeal, being the oldest in town and all. From what I've gathered from folks' chats, the food really steals the show; those traditional British dishes are spot on, with rave reviews for the fish and chips, pies, and especially the Sunday roasts that make you feel all cosy inside. Pair that with a cracking selection of drinks, like their spritzes for a sunny afternoon or a solid pint of ale, and you've got yourself a winner. The staff are dead helpful too, always up for a chat and making sure you're looked after. On the flip side, it's not flawless – you might run into a wee mix-up with your order now and then, or find some food served cold, which is more traditional but could catch you off guard if you're expecting it hot. And with it being so popular, it can get a bit heaving at times, so planning ahead is a good idea. All in all, it's a fantastic spot for a relaxed catch-up with mates or a solo wander through Oxford's history, but just keep those little niggles in mind for a balanced pint!
Pros and Cons
Pros
-
The food is absolutely spot on, with hearty British classics like fish and chips, lamb hogget pie, and those legendary Sunday roasts that feel like a proper treat.
-
The atmosphere is just brilliant – think cosy snugs, a buzzing vibe that's welcoming for everyone, and that historic charm as Oxford's oldest pub, which adds a real sense of character.
-
Staff are always so friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home, whether you're popping in for a quick pint or settling in for the evening.
-
They've got a fantastic selection of drinks, from fine cask ales to refreshing spritzes and even non-alcoholic options, perfect for all tastes on a sunny day in the beer garden.
Cons
-
There might be the odd mix-up with orders, like getting salmon instead of trout, which can be a bit disappointing even if the dish itself is tasty.
-
Some dishes, such as the pork pie, are served cold, which could surprise newcomers expecting everything piping hot, though it's all part of the traditional style.
-
It can get quite lively and busy, especially in peak times, so you might have to wait a tad for service or a table if you're not quick off the mark.
Contact Information
40 Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SP
+441865242369
Pub
Closed
Opening Hours
| Monday (Today) | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 - 00:00 |
Recent Reviews
We loved our dinner here. The fish and chips were superb as was the lamb hogget pie. The non-alcoholic Guinness was great as well as the cider. We highly recommend coming here.
Stopped by Kings Arms for a refreshment of a sunny day and was pleasantly surprised by warm welcome and an inviting atmosphere. They had just launched their summer spritz menu , Stuart behind the bar patiently took me through the selection, i chose Rose Rhubarb spritz and it was delicious! Thank you, Ill be back!
Needed somewhere to eat, so we chanced our arm at the Kings Arms.
This place is definitely a place up there to visit with all the little snugs to sit in, the buzzing atmosphere, with all age's eating and drinking. One of the bartenders pulled the perfect pint, really lively, clearly quickly with a good head on it.
Plenty of choice of real ales, food and drinks, I did like the idea of still being able to buy food snacks with your pint, like a scotch egg or sausage roll, these were accessible to the bartenders to serve straight away and not having to wait for the kitchen to plate them and find what table you're at.
We did order fish and chips from the menu, the fish batter was crisp, as were the chips. I also liked that you had curry sauce along with the tartar sauce.
The big surprise was the Oxford sauce, never seen it before but what a great sauce. So onto the big question would I go back, it's a yes, great place.
We popped in for dinner with friends.
The staff were friendly.
The food was delicious.
Starters with pub bites were phenomenal.
I ordered trout but I got salmon but highly recommend this dish, really delicious.
Chicken and leek pie was okay.
Sausage with mushed potato dish was great.
Fish and chips was good.
Dessert dishes were delicious.
NG
Next Generation Upholstery
We had the hand raised British pork pie. We really enjoyed it, but not familiar with the way. Food is served in Oxford. I was surprised that it wasn’t hot. It reminded me of cold head cheese or something similar that my mom or sister would serve. It was very tasty and we enjoyed it and soaked it up as part of the experience.
We also had and shared the fennel, orange and chestnut salad a complete vegetarian meal or side or starter, and it was tasty
I haven’t got used to stepping away from my table to go and order my meal. I do like table service. Maybe I’m spoiled.
Nearby Pubs - Perfect Pub Crawl
Discover the 5 closest pubs to this location for an ideal pub crawl experience.
4 Bath Pl, Oxford OX1 3SU
90/100
0.1mi
52 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BB
84/100
0.1mi
92-94 High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ
86/100
0.2mi
Unit 22 Covered Market, Oxford OX1 3DZ
96/100
0.2mi
131 High St, Oxford OX1 4DH
86/100
0.3mi