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Riverside dining in the heart of Oxford - The Folly, Oxford, Oxfordshire

The Folly

4.5
4.5
1465 Reviews
£26 to £40
British

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
The Folly, Oxford's unique riverside restaurant.
Join us for elegant food, superb drinks, a charming atmosphere, and a unique location perched on the banks of the River Thames in the heart of historic Oxford.

Book your table online and visit us to indulge in some fantastic modern British food.

Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, Modern European, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00–14:15 Afternoon Tea Daily 14:30–15:45 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:30–20:00 Fri, Sat 17:30–21:00
  • Phone number
    01865 201293
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Dan Richardson
  • Catering
    We offer a wide variety of catering options from fine five course dining to buffets, canapes and afternoon teas.
  • Private party facilities
    Make your next occasion unforgettable by hosting it at The Folly, where tradition meets elegance in the heart of Oxford.
  • Private party contact
    The Folly Restaurant: 01865 201293
  • Area
    Oxford
  • Parking details
    See http://www.no1-folly-bridge.co.uk/parking/ for full parking information.
  • Public transit
    Redbridge Park and ride<br /><br />X3, X13, 35A,B & C
  • Entertainment
    The River ThamesBoats, punting, our Edwardian river launchesSwans, geese etc
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • Afternoon Tea

    £22.95 per person

    Multiple dates available
    A classic British Afternoon Tea, available Monday to Sunday, 2:30pm - 3:45 pm. Please note that card details are required to secure your booking but will not be charged apart from in the event of no-shows in which case we reserve the right to charge £10 per person. Payment will be taken for your afternoon tea when you visit us. Please make us aware of any dietary requirements at least 48 hours prior to your afternoon tea bookings. Optional prosecco upgrades can be booked during the reservation process.
  • Tasting Menu at The Folly

    £75.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Come and sample a selection of The Folly's finest dishes designed to be be enjoyed by the entire table. Optional wine pairing is available and can be added during the online booking process. Please note that card details are required to secure your booking but will not be charged apart from in the event of no-shows in which case we reserve the right to charge £10 per person. Payment will be taken for your meal when you visit us.
  • Christmas Day at The Folly

    £130.00 per person

    25 Dec 2024 only
    Join us to celebrate Christmas Day and delight in a festive five-course lunch within the cosy ambiance of The Folly.

What 1,465 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Gluten-free-friendly

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Romantic

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Great for scenic views

  • Oxford

    Best Overall

  • Oxford

    Best Service

  • Oxford

    Best Ambience

  • Oxford

    Great for brunch

  • Oxford

    Healthy

  • Oxford

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Oxford

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Oxford

    Romantic

  • Oxford

    Good for special occasions

  • Oxford

    Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Folly, a riverside gem in Oxford, offers a "lovely location" and "delicious food" that consistently impresses. Known for its attentive service and stunning views, it's perfect for a relaxed afternoon tea or a celebratory dinner. Despite some service hiccups, many diners describe it as "one of the best restaurants" in Oxford, praising its creative dishes and warm atmosphere.

1,465 Reviews
  1. Caroline

    Buckinghamshire

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 27 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Lovely venue but VERY cold. I was so shocked that they added 12.5% service charge to the afternoon tea, which was already expensive. Such a shame.

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  2. Maisy

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely place and lovely service . Great for allergies.

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  3. Jan

    Devon

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 21 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Very friendly staff. Great service and lovely food. But it was just so chilly in there. People were wearing their coats on the next table. Yes it was a cold day, but no excuse for not boosting up the heat.

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  4. Pal

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing venue and beautiful food! Service was outstanding, cannot wait to return! Thank you for your hospitality

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  5. Caroline

    London

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 13 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely wonderful place, buzzing but plenty of space. Delicious food, charming staff. Not to be missed when in Oxford.

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  6. Valeria

    Costa Rica

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 11 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely experience - not only was the Afternoon Tea great and very reasonably priced, the location is great and the host was really special. We will definitely come back again!

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  7. Meryl

    Indiana

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Folly is one of the best restaurants in Oxford. We were surprised it was not more crowded, but that makes for a pleasant experience. The food is consistently both interesting and excellent, the staff are attentive and helpful, the location is convenient and the setting by the river is rather magical. Completely recommend.

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  8. Matthew

    Warwickshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The afternoon tea was of the highest quality - warm scones plus a selection of sandwiches and some lovely mini desserts. Really clean, great view of the water and great value too. Will definitely return and would definitely recommend.

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  9. John

    London

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on 9 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and attentive staff. Recommended! We shall return!

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  10. Ben

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 6 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Folly was a lovely, quaint and decadent dining experience. The service and food were exceptional, and the atmosphere was calm and relaxing. Thank you, The Folly!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Folly is rated 4.5 stars by 1465 OpenTable diners.

The Folly does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Folly

1 Folly Bridge, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4JU

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area
    Oxford
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00–14:15 Afternoon Tea Daily 14:30–15:45 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:30–20:00 Fri, Sat 17:30–21:00
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, Modern European, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    See http://www.no1-folly-bridge.co.uk/parking/ for full parking information.
  • Public transit
    Redbridge Park and rideX3, X13, 35A,B & C
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Dan Richardson
  • Entertainment
    The River ThamesBoats, punting, our Edwardian river launchesSwans, geese etc
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    01865 201293
  • Catering
    We offer a wide variety of catering options from fine five course dining to buffets, canapes and afternoon teas.
  • Private party facilities
    Make your next occasion unforgettable by hosting it at The Folly, where tradition meets elegance in the heart of Oxford.
  • Private party contact
    The Folly Restaurant: 01865 201293
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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