Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant — Restaurant in Oxford

From the moment you step into the serene environment of the Cherwell Boathouse, you're transported into the very heart of Oxford's idyllic charm. Nestled along the picturesque banks of the River Cherwell, this hidden gem offers not just a meal, but an unforgettable experience that epitomizes the beauty and tradition of Oxford.

The boathouse, with its rich history and quintessentially British setting, presents a perfect blend of nature and gastronomy. Whether you're here to enjoy a leisurely punt along the river or to savor the culinary delights at the restaurant, the Cherwell Boathouse does not merely meet expectations—it exceeds them.

Dining at the boathouse is a journey through a menu that celebrates the best of British cuisine, with each dish prepared to perfection using the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients. The ambiance, with views overlooking the tranquil waters, complements the exquisite food, making every meal a memorable one.

What truly sets the Cherwell Boathouse apart is not just its stunning location or the quality of its food, but the warmth and professionalism of its staff. From the moment you arrive, you're treated with a level of hospitality that makes you feel both valued and special.

For those looking to immerse themselves in Oxford's tradition, the boathouse also offers punting—a must-do activity that allows you to experience the city from a unique and enchanting perspective. Whether you're a novice or an experienced punter, gliding along the Cherwell is an experience that captures the essence of Oxford.

In conclusion, the Cherwell Boathouse is more than just a restaurant or a boating haven—it's a cornerstone of Oxford's cultural and culinary landscape. It stands as a testament to the timeless charm of the city, offering a sanctuary where food, nature, and tradition come together in perfect harmony. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to experience the soul of Oxford, the Cherwell Boathouse is an experience that should not be missed. My visit was on Saturday, 16th March, at 1 pm with a companion was nothing short of remarkable. Do yourself a favor and upon your visit, mention Darren’s recommendation to speak with Arnold. Request that Arnold crafts you a Negroni; the concoction is simply unparalleled. Also, take a moment to view my photograph for a glimpse into this 5-star venue. Without a doubt, highly...

The Cherwell Boathouse has a wonderful setting, on the banks of the River Cherwell. Unfortunately their food is markedly sub par and incredibly overpriced. There were also aspects of the service that need attention. Starter of octopus was bland, rubbery in texture, suggesting poor technique in cooking. Main of lamb, priced at £30, was frankly of trainstation carvery standard. The dauphenoise potatoes clearly had been batch cooked: we were served an unedifying slab cut from a large pan, cooked we suspect some hours earlier, dried out and of poor texture and seasoning. The lamb chops were overcooked, though with a lack of rendering of the fat, again suggesting poor cooking technique. The sauce was overly salty and lacking depth. Extremely disappointing. We felt pretty robbed, given the punchy pricing. The service was punctual and attentive, though ultimately overly so: we were seated at 7.30pm, orders taken at 7.40, starters arrived at 7.45, mains at 8.05, and by 8.30 we were finishing desserts. This revealed several things, to our minds: firstly, that the dishes had been pre-cooked and reheated, at least in some elements (see above comments re the dauphenoise and lamb, and the octopus). Secondly, that the staff were all too keen to hurry us through and release the table for another cover. This sense of being rushed was all the more unfortunate, given that this was a birthday celebration we had hoped to enjoy at leisure. The service at times was quite condescending also. One of our party, who is a non-drinker, asked if there were any non-alcoholic cocktails or other such options. The waiter - who I believe might have been the maitre-d - scoffed somewhat and replied that they had no such thing, but could offer elderflower cordial. Back in the Twenty First Century, we wondered why a restaurant with aspirations towards the finer end of the dining spectrum should limit their options thus, to those more befitting Nana's 80th tea party. How hard is it to have a few tins of Seedlip in the fridge? Despite having visited Cherwell Boathouse many times over the years, I doubt we will be back. The setting, as noted above, is lovely, though the poor food, hurried and condescending service, and the over ambitious pricing will see us venturing...

Came here again this week to host a couple friend. Had their spring tasting menu with win pairing. Wonderful experience and love the food!

A big shout out to the bar manager. Two of us don’t drink alcohol. He made a special mocktail pairing for us to all the dishes and they were wonderful!

A wonder dining experience in Oxford. Very creative dishes, super friendly waiters & waitresses and cosy and atmospheric environment ❤️❤️

Came for dinner for 3 on a winter Saturday. Still recommend booking ahead. We booked 2 days ahead - the main restaurant was no longer available for dinner, but observatory was still available.

Observatory is in a glass room, but it’s not cold at all, as there’s a radiator for each table. Sometimes we had to turn it off, as it got to a bit too warm.

The food was amazing!! Each dish was presented in a visual appealing way and with a creative twist. For example, I was trying to find the coffee mousse among the three objects for a little bit. The taste is amazing! Would recommend adding the sides of broccoli and new potatoes, as the portion is not on a big side.

The service was great. We were not sure which wine to take. The waitress was patient to explain the difference and brought some portion for us to taste.

The price is fair. We each had a 3-course and a drink. The bill came out as £45 per person.

Will surely...