About This Pub
Ah, The Grapes – it's one of those Oxford gems that really captures the essence of a traditional British boozer, all spruced up with a recent refurb to keep things fresh and inviting. I love how they've got this massive array of beers and ciders on tap, making it a brilliant spot to unwind with mates over a pint or two, and the food menu is spot on for pub grub, with seasonal specials and thoughtful options for different diets that show they've put real effort in. The staff are generally lovely and welcoming, adding to that homely feel, especially if you're there for live sport or just a relaxed evening. But, to be fair, it's not all perfect – I've heard a few tales of service slip-ups, like bungled bookings that could spoil a big night out, and sometimes the grub doesn't quite hit the mark, leaving you wishing for a bit more consistency. Still, with its prime location on George Street, it's a solid choice for a memorable visit, as long as you go in with realistic expectations and maybe plan ahead to avoid any hiccups.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The Grapes boasts an incredible selection of drinks, with 40 keg lines and 8 hand pumps offering top-notch real ales, ciders, and even a great wine list – it's a real treat for anyone who loves a good pint.
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It's got that warm, welcoming vibe with friendly staff who make you feel right at home, perfect for popping in with friends, family, or even your furry companion since it's pet-friendly.
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The food is a highlight, featuring fresh, seasonal pub classics made from ethical British ingredients, and they've got solid options for those with dietary needs like gluten-free choices.
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Being one of Oxford's oldest pubs, recently refurbished, it has a lovely historic charm right in the heart of the city, making it ideal for a casual catch-up or watching live sport.
Cons
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There can be hit-or-miss moments with the food, like a dish not quite living up to expectations, which might leave you a bit disappointed if you're after something consistently reliable.
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Service isn't always spot on – we've heard of booking mix-ups that turned a planned gathering into a bit of a headache, so it's worth double-checking arrangements.
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As a smaller pub, it can feel a tad cramped when it's busy, which might not suit everyone, especially if you're hoping for a quiet corner on a lively night.
Contact Information
7 George St, Oxford OX1 2AT
+441865745182
Pub
Opens at 11:00
Opening Hours
| Monday | 11:00 - 00:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00 - 00:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00 - 00:00 |
| Thursday (Today) | 11:00 - 00:00 |
| Friday | 11:00 - 02:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00 - 02:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 - 00:00 |
Recent Reviews
This is the 2nd time I’ve brought friends from the US here. The first time we discovered the place by accident, the menu offered a selection of traditional pub grub for them to try and it was a fantastic experience. So today I brought another group of friends here and the experience was just as brilliant. Fantastic food and fun & welcoming staff.
The barman today was so helpful and it was great to have the chef come out and ensure everything was alright and explain what he’d done to ensure our safety as one of the party has a seafood allergy.
I will be back again!
What can I say? The staff are all lovely and welcoming? Good vibes the food is excellent. Never had a problem. All drinks are lovely. Everyone is all welcome family children. as it is a family run pub everyone all welcomed and John and Jack and Kyle and all the bar stuff they’re all lovely people great to get on with and if you’ve never had a great lovely chicken burger, come to the grapes it’s lovely Plus, all the food is lovely and wonderful never had no complaints from anyone. And I recommend the grapes to all my friends all my family and everyone
Excellent! I've been diagnosed with coeliac disease since 2014 and I really love the Gluten free food options here. The wide selection of drinks is also worth the visit. Beautiful pub, lovely people and easy access location ;)
Shambles. Booked 16 people
For Christmas meal. The website and Christmas menu promo is very slick but total incompetence past that. Turned up to a small table that maybe sat 8, no one else in the pub is having food, not even sure they have a proper kitchen so who knows what food would have come out. Staff hastily tried to set up a table cloth and some crackers but it was embarrassing, they were cluelessly and rude. We walked off. No one answers the phone or responds to emails, should never have taken the booking as clearly unable to accommodate. Avoid this pub if you are after a good meal.
Visited this small pub pet-friendly recently and my husband was pleased with the good selection of beers available, he had an IPA, but noted it didn't taste as usual, which was a bit disappointing. I opted for the roast ribeye of beef, which was not too bad but I wouldn’t eat this dish again.
The service was friendly, but there was only one person serving, which resulted in a bit of a wait. The pub is pet friendly.
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