WITH PUBS and restaurants slowly reopening their doors as lockdown eases, we take a look back at some of our favourite foodie hotspots. 

From Oxford scientist approved dining pods to NHS support schemes, here are our top reviewed places where landlords and entrepreneurs are pulling out all the stops so revellers can safely grab a bite to eat. 

Restaurants 

  • White Hart at Wytham

Oxford Mail:

The professor leading the world-first coronavirus vaccine trials gave her seal of approval to these new socially distanced (and Instagram friendly) pods at the 15th century gastropub at the start of the month - along with other leaders in the county like MP Layla Moran.

Read all about it here.

  • The Black Boy, Headington 

The Black Boy has attracted rave reviews for its good food and acclaimed range of beers, wine list and cocktails, since it reopened under new management earlier this year. 

In fact, only months into new owners Samantha and Simon Stonehouse taking over - the country was forced into lockdown. 

Oxford Mail:

But still determined to keep the pub at the heart of the community the duo swung open doors again and converted the bar into a shop selling hard to find essentials like toilet roll. 

What is the food REALLY like inside though? - really our review here. 

Takeaway

  • Tiffins Tandoori, Kidlington 

Oxford Mail:

When restaurants were forced to close during lockdown, Monzu Miah and his wife Monwara Begum were so inundated with requests for exceptional cooked food that they stayed open for takeaways and even offered 20 per cent discount to all frontline NHS health workers. 

Read our whole story here.

Other reviews: 

What's your favourite independent restaurant?