Some picks of the best places to eat around the county this festive season

WHERE TO GO ON CHRISTMAS DAY

* The Black Boy, 91 Old High Street, Headington – Christmas Day £64.95. www.theblackboy.uk.com 01865 741137

* Weston Manor , Northampton Road, Weston on the Green – £160. themanorweston.com

* COOK – This Christmas, Christmas lunch for eight is ready in less than three hours and costs just £100. www.cookfood.net

* Majliss – Cowley Road. Enjoy a proper Indian feast instead for £17 a head. Sod tradition! 01865 726728

WHERE TO GO FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES

* The Big Bang, Oxford Castle. Enjoy the Christmas Trio Only £15 per person: Turkey and Cranberry Sausage, Pork and Chestnut Sausage and a Wild Winter Game Sausage served over Parsley and Thyme Mash with seasonal veg and gravy. Add Christmas Pudding, Christmas Crumble or Ice Cream for £17.50 per person. All the above with a cracker and filter coffee for £20 per person. ‘The Works’ Christmas Dinner for £22.50 per person includes a selection of nibbles & a glass of mulled wine. To book go to www.thebigbang restaurants.co.uk or call 01865 249413

* Jam Factory – try a relaxed, contemporary meal at £28.95 each for 3 courses including a glass of wine where games such as a giant Pictionary will be placed on each table to avoid those awkward office party silences. 01865 244613

* The Field Kitchen Oxford is hosting a Venetian feast pop-up evening every Friday night until February at Oxfork on Magdalen Road. £25 for three courses with a glass of wine. And having been to the opening night I can’t praise it highly enough. Bellissimo. www.thefieldkitchenoxford.com

WHERE TO GO PRE AND POST THEATRE

* Turl Street Kitchen – two courses and a cracker for £20, three courses and a cracker for £25 featuring seasonal food such as venison, pheasant and trout. www.turlstreetkitchen.co.uk/menu/christmas

* Bills – with a tag line ‘breakfast to bedtime’ this is your all day choice with a Christmas three courses for £21.95 and normal menu to choose from at the St Michael’s Street restaurant. www.bills-website.co.uk

* Jamie’s – George Street’s fail safe stalwart Italian if you want to avoid yet more turkey dinners. www.jamieoliver.com/ italian/menu

WHERE TO GO THAT'S FAMILY FRIENDLY

* Bicester Avenue Garden Centre Restaurant – Pop into their cafe when you buy your tree and let the kids blow off steam in the soft play area. 0844 288 5174

* La Cucina – 39-40 St Clements, Oxford – 01865 793811 – Not open on Christmas Day but enjoy the fabulous food on their party, Christmas and kids menus. www.lacucinaoxford.co.uk

* Mamma Mia – all of our kids’ favourite Oxford restaurant. You can’t go wrong with the great pizza and pasta here or the dual site restaurants in Summertown and Jericho. www.mammamiapizzeria.co.uk