The Punter
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Omnivores and vegetarians head to this backstreet riverside pub set amid the Victorian terraces of west Oxford’s attractive Osney district. They’ve good reason, as The Punter’s meat-free menu shows a rare ability to skip across cuisines with delicacy and panache. Attention is paid to complementary textures and colours, as well as flavours, in such dishes as grilled paneer with spinach and chickpeas, satay sauce, chilli and coriander. This could be preceded by the gorgeously rich miso-glazed aubergines, matched with crispy and spiced tofu and a date and tamarind purée, or perhaps the tantalisingly savoury bar snack of korma Scotch egg (with vegetarian sausagemeat). Many dishes, such as a well-balanced hot-and-sour curry involving peppers, cherry tomatoes and red onion with coconut rice, lime yoghurt and toasted almonds are vegan. Finish, perhaps, with chilled coconut rice pudding with mango, lime, and passion-fruit salsa. Though it has no riverside views, the covered terrace is barely 20m from a picturesque little stretch of the Isis across the street. Alternatively, the pub’s bare-boarded, spruced-up interior is popular with the Punter’s constituency of affluent young locals – as is the decent selection of draught beers (including local ale) and a brief, well-chosen wine list, nearly all of which is available by the glass. Service throughout an inspection meal was amenable and prompt. In all, definitely worth a punt.
Dining Information:
Dog friendly, Credit card required
7 South Street, Osney Island, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 0BE
01865 248832
