INDEPENDENT restaurants are dominating the top spots of best-reviewed places to dine in Oxford. 

With the Eat Out To Help Out scheme coming into force on Monday, restaurants will soon be welcoming an influx of guests. 

See if your favourite restaurant is on the list.  

Here are the top five reviewed restaurants in Oxford, as currently rated by Trip Advisor. 

What do you think of the reviews? 

1. Za'atar Bake, Cowley Road

Oxford Mail:

  • Mediterranean
  • Five stars, 309 reviews 

Oxford Mail:

With Oxford Hub volunteers. Pic Cait Sweeny

Last review by Maya Olivia two days ago: "Amazing baba ghanoush and mint tea! Great atmosphere. 

"Za'atar now have an amazing outdoor area around the back to eat in the open air with the lovely summer weather, which is a perfect place to enjoy the delicious food, tea and pastries. Great team and atmosphere, thoroughly recommend grabbing a friend and going to enjoy a meal here together.”

2. Antep Kitchen, Cowley Road

  • Mediterranean, Barbecue, Turkish
  • Five stars, 996 reviews 

Oxford Mail:

Read more: review of Antep Kitchen 

Last reviewed by 300toml two days ago: "Arrived at 7:30 for dinner and after cleaning our hands using the Covid-safe measures the restaurant have put in place, we were shown to our table. Alex our waiter catered to our every need - amazing!

"The food was piping hot, beautifully presented and incredibly tasty. We had the chicken shish and mixed kebab meals and they were absolutely beautiful. 

"This place is great and I couldn’t recommend it enough!"

3. Polish Kitchen, Rose Hill 

  • Polish, European 
  • Five stars, 129 

Last reviewed by Mastrone1992 one week ago: "Warm and welcoming place.

"Very nice traditional polish food, place is warm and welcoming and the staff too! I would suggest it."

4. The Coconut Tree, St. Clements Street

  • Sri Lankan
  • Five weeks, 995 reivews 

Oxford Mail:

Last reviewed by Jensen12356 two weeks ago: "I love it normally, I really enjoyed the coconut tree and have been multiple times.

"I ordered myself some as a treat the other day and the lady’s fingers were really salty - however, I do love the food and have had a brilliant experience the other times so of course will be back hoping that the normal flavours will be back! (I also understand it is lockdown so irregular hours, food etc is happening too)." 

5. Spiced Roots, Cowley Road 

  • Caribbean 
  • Five stars, 391 reviews 

Oxford Mail:

Last reviewed by Gijs V six days ago: "A new exciting range of flavours.

"I have known the charming Jordan for years and have now caught him at a new chapter here. First time out for a takeaway since Lockdown.

Read out full review of Spiced Roots 

"Got it home in 5 mins, plated up a true feast. The goat was melt in the mouth tender with a deep, long sauce, delicious. The star was the jerked chicken that got just the perfect smokiness and rich flavours. The vegan ackee was also a superb dish.

"I will certainly be going back for a sit down - great atmosphere as I waited early for my cooked to the minute take away & the excuse for a white rum based version of a G&T."