The Cotswold Arms — Restaurant in West Oxfordshire

This pub was so disappointing. 😔 I wish I could say that I was able to taste the food, but I had to wait around 50 minutes for the food, which never came. 20 minutes after we ordered, a waitress came to our table to say that they didn't have all the ingredients for one of the dishes (steak and Ale pie). We said it was fine and that they could just replace it. 15 more minutes after that, another waitress came to say that they didn't realize they had cooked the wrong meat for the burger. They cooked lamb instead of beef and realized afterwards that they didn't have more beef paties. So we asked for a chicken burger instead. They said that it was going to take around 30 to 40 minutes to cook that one because it was a big chicken breast, and it would take a long time to cook. So we decided to just go for a panini instead, which they said it wasn't going to take too long. Whilst we were waiting for the next 20 minutes, we could see how 4 other tables that arrived after us received their food, paid for it, and left the restaurant. We were so hungry at this point that we just wanted to go to a McDonald's to get at least something to eat. When I approached the service area, no one could explain to me what happened with the order in fact all the waitresses disappeared. We didn't even received an apology, and the waitress asked us if we wanted to wait longer to take away what we ordered and if we were going to pay for it, saying that there is only so much they can do. The pub wasn't even that busy. According to maps, it was less busy than usual. I saw other reviews saying that the service isn't great and that they take forever to bring the food to the table, I guess we made the wrong choice. I would recommend you to skip this one. I usually don't write bad reviews, but at the same time, I'm tired of accepting overpriced restaurants, with bad service and not good enough food. It's not fair as customers have to accept this because no one else is...

we booked a table, but on arrival there did not appear to be any reserved, luckily we got in just before a lot of people arrived and got the last table. the lady serving appeared to be covering with bars on her own so was rushed off her feet another guy turned up,who took our order was not sure how to take the order. I had chicken wings which were very sticky but no wipes were provided, due to this I went to the toilet to wash.hands but there was nothing to dry hands on ! main course was awful, I ordered the mixed grill as someone else had left a review saying it was best they ever had, well mine was definitely the worst. sausage burnt, chicken very dry, gammon so thin and overcooked so tough and the steak which was supposed to be medium rare but was such a small piece it was actually well done. I suspected it would be when I saw it so cut in half while waitress gave me wife her meal, I told her immediately but she just walked away. I did try each piece but it was inedible, noone came to see if the meals were ok, so I called one over, told her, she did offer another which I declined so she said she would take it off the bill, but no other offer to make up for the poor service. it was very noisy in the restaurant due to a couple of men being very loud at the bar, but noone asked them to be less rowdy, tbh the staff looked to be just going through the motions with no apparent...

From the moment you step through the door, this pub radiates charm and character. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between lively and laid-back — buzzing enough to feel social, yet cozy enough to relax and unwind. The interior blends classic wooden furnishings with a touch of modern flair, and the warm lighting makes it feel instantly welcoming.

The staff deserve special mention: friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. You’re never left waiting too long for a drink, and their recommendations are always spot-on — whether it’s a local craft ale. The food is every bit as impressive as the drinks. From hearty pub classics like fish and chips and steak pie to fresh seasonal dishes that wouldn’t feel out of place in a fine-dining restaurant, everything is cooked to perfection and served piping hot. The Sunday roast, in particular, is a must-try — tender meats, crispy roast potatoes, and rich gravy that ties it all together beautifully.

What really sets this pub apart, though, is its sense of community.

In short, this isn’t just a pub — it’s a little pocket of warmth, laughter, and great taste. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates quality, comfort, and...