Search the Good Food Guide - Site Settings site

Location

Establishment Type

Cuisine

Price

Clear
  VIEW PHOTO
  /1
X

The Magdalen Arms

Oxfordshire, Oxford - Modern European - Pub - ££

An exuberant east Oxford dining pub

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

An expansive, cheering space full of warmth and energy, with partially sheltered outdoor seating too, the Magdalen has evolved into a dynamic dining pub in recent times. It runs to a mix of bookings and walk-ins, and is dog-friendly – as long as Rover is happy to stay under the table. An enthusiastically friendly team keeps things motoring, bringing generously laden plates from the open kitchen. A hungry late-summer group tackled the slow-cooked neck of lamb for three, served with excellent dauphinoise and spiced red cabbage, and still managed to take home a couple of portions. There is rock-steady technique in the form of a four-cheese soufflé to start, twice-baked and served with pear and walnut salad or, perhaps, crisped pig's cheek with gribiche. Fish main courses can be as grand as the roast meats serve for Sunday lunch, with a whole sea bass flashed on the grill and dressed in cime di rapa, garlic and chilli. ‘Leave room for desserts,’ advises one happy...

An expansive, cheering space full of warmth and energy, with partially sheltered outdoor seating too, the Magdalen has evolved into a dynamic dining pub in recent times. It runs to a mix of bookings and walk-ins, and is dog-friendly – as long as Rover is happy to stay under the table. An enthusiastically friendly team keeps things motoring, bringing generously laden plates from the open kitchen. A hungry late-summer group tackled the slow-cooked neck of lamb for three, served with excellent dauphinoise and spiced red cabbage, and still managed to take home a couple of portions.

There is rock-steady technique in the form of a four-cheese soufflé to start, twice-baked and served with pear and walnut salad or, perhaps, crisped pig's cheek with gribiche. Fish main courses can be as grand as the roast meats serve for Sunday lunch, with a whole sea bass flashed on the grill and dressed in cime di rapa, garlic and chilli.

‘Leave room for desserts,’ advises one happy visitor – not surprising when the line-up might include greengage crumble, bramble Bakewell, richly fashioned cheesecake and even simple ice cream and sorbet options (perhaps pistachio and pear, respectively). A concise list of fairly priced wines includes Gassac's Viognier-Chardonnay blend and Camillo's succulent Morellino di Scansano from Tuscany.

Read full reviewSee less

VENUE DETAILS

243 Iffley Road
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX4 1SJGB

01865 243159

View opening times

Make a reservation

OTHER INFORMATION

Separate bar, Wheelchair access, Family friendly, Dog friendly

More like this

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    Latest articles