Best Contemporary British Restaurants in Abingdon

The restaurant was busy on Saturday night in the lead-up to Christmas, but it was easy to find. A little noisy, which was fully expected. Despite her hectic schedule, our restaurant attendant Anastasia was attentive and considerate of my dairy intolerance. The starters and main courses were delicious; however, I thought the dessert selection was limited for those who avoid dairy. We would be happy to return, as we had a wonderful experience.

It’s not always easy being a vegan and dining at a restaurant that doesn’t specialise but tonight I was blown away by the quality of the food which was so flavourful. There wasn’t a huge amount of choice for me but I had the Asian salad and the plant based curry and they were bursting with flavourful ingredients. It’s just an annoyance that there were so many vegetarian dishes that could have so easily be veganised. All five of us enjoyed our meals, the service was great - as always - and the cocktails were scrumptious. It is such a shame that the side of Brussels sprouts had butter on them meaning I couldn’t have them, and I absolutely love them so had to miss out for the sake of substituting cow butter with plant butter. But all in all it was a lovely night out and The Ivy put on so many speciality Christmas foods and drinks. If you’re a meat eater you will love this place as the food choices are vast.

Lovely pre-Christmas meal in central Oxford. We booked early after spending the day shopping and felt welcome and unhurried, although I’m sure they had a busy service. I also liked the layout - tables weren’t cramped together despite it being a compact venue. My oysters were spectacularly good, and my black bream main was cooked perfectly. My party also ate kidneys, rabbits and steak and had desserts. My chocolate dessert was a little one-dimensional, and the bread and sides were quite ambitiously priced for the quantity provided. However, overall, we thought this was a very enjoyable meal cooked and presented with evident skill and care.

The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. A perfect spot for a great dining experience. Highly recommend!

Another wonderful lunch at The Old Parsonage Grill. Charming and professional service, delicious food and a super ambience. Will return!