Taste of England: 5 Must Try Foods in Oxford

You’ll find traditional English dishes on many menus in Oxford. These might be sold “cheap as chips” to cater to the huge local student population, or at more upmarket establishments. A lot more diversity has been introduced to the culinary scene in recent years too, to include foods from across Europe and further afield—from Japan, India, Thailand, the Caribbean, and beyond.

We’ll focus on the more traditional local foods below, but don’t miss a chance to eat your way across the globe in this international city.

One fun food-related tradition you can try that’s specific to Oxford is to have a picnic while punting on the River Cherwell, or just while relaxing along its banks

Don’t miss these top foods to try while you’re studying abroad in Oxford: 

1. SAUSAGES. Visit David John Butchers in the Covered Market for some locally-made Oxford sausages (if your housing has a place to cook them; if not, seek some out in a restaurant instead). They were first made, with their high level of spice seasoning, in the 18th century, and have been popular since.  

2. BLUE CHEESE. Also in the Covered Market, you can pick up some Oxford Blue Cheese from the Oxford Cheese Company. It’s been around since the 1990s and has a distinctive flavor local to the area, laced with a spice mix for a hint of a kick.

3. MARMALADE. Love toast for breakfast? In most supermarkets you can pick up a jar of Frank Cooper’s “Oxford Marmalade”, which has been around since 1874. It’s darker than typical marmalade, made with Seville oranges and will give your morning meal a fun citrus twist. You can even visit the old factory on Park End Street. It’s now a listed building called “The Jam Factory” with a restaurant and arts center inside.  

4. BURFORD LARDY CAKES. To the west of Oxford you’ll find the Burford, the home of the Burford lardy cakes, popular pastries in this part of the UK. These sweet treats have dried fruits inside, like sultanas and currants. Try The Cake Shop in Oxford’s Covered Market for a taste.

5. GAME PIE. Hearty pies are popular in the UK and Oxford is no exception. Unless your diet restricts your meat consumption, try a game pie made with pheasant or venison topped with rich gravy. The Turf Tavern (which dates back to the 14th century), serves up a good one!

There are many other delicious, interesting, and unusual foods to try when you study abroad in Oxford: A Sunday roast in a pub, Oxfordshire hollyhock pudding, Eccles cakes, Bakewell tarts, Oxford pudding, apple Charlotte, Pimms and strawberry sorbet ice cream from G&D’s, and afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream.

Have pics of something you’ve eaten abroad that you can’t easily find at home? Tag us on Instagram at @ASAStudyAbroad or #AwayWithASA. We’d love to see!