St Giles’ Cafe

What a fabulous find! Our dinner was delicious and the owner is a delight and knows his stuff! He clearly is passionate about his menu and it shines through in the quality and flavor of each dish! We are so smitten that we are headed back for breakfast tomorrow! The owner said he’s only had it open for 6 months so disregard reviews previous to that.

Easily the best food I’ve had in Britain. The salad was beautifully presented with an amazing sautéed goat cheese. Friends got the pork belly that was perfectly prepared. The staff is incredibly hospitable and justifiably proud of their work here. Take a picture at the Eagle and Child (next door) and then enjoy incredible cuisine here.

A bit pricy, but giving four stars because their home-​made sausages are memorable (though apparently they switched owners recently.)

Pros:
+ Darling little gem of a café off St. Giles street, tucked discreetly between a famed pub and a house. For those who appreciate an inconspicuous and quiet gathering place. It’s cozy and romantic.
+ Wonderfully accommodating staff that got us everything we needed.
+ Food was delicious; the Bangers and Mash were savory and artful. My latté was the perfect finish.
+ Did I mention this was a lovely little gem? If you sit in the nook by the window on a rainy afternoon, you can stare out at the locals making their way to and fro. Nothing quite like it.
+ Centrally located and easy to access.
Cons:
— None.

Service is so theatrical to the point where it might be off Eastenders or Corrie. Yes, the staff are short, no nonsense and quite disgruntled looking — and yes, they can be rude — but it is all part of the theatre. The food (within the confines of café culture in these parts, comprising brekkie and sandwiches) is the best of its kind. Bacon that really tastes of such, eggs with body and substance, fresh chips and for drinks — excellent orange juice and one of the best cups of tea I have ever had anywhere. Take the service with a pinch of salt (esp. if you are American), and enjoy good food.

Though it’s great to have a blast from the past with a good old English fry-​up, complete with flavourless, cereal-​packed sausages and solid mugs of over-​brewed milky tea, potential visitors should beware of the appalling behaviour of staff.
Others have criticised a ‘blonde woman’ — our awful experience centred on the cook, a male.
In early 2011 I had a substantial but uneventful breakfast at the St Giles Café while I waited for my wife. When she arrived, I left her to the remains of my toast and tea while I went to fetch the motorbike.
In the few minutes that I was away, the cook confronted my wife, accused her of not buying anything, dismissed her explanation, called her a liar, told her to leave and threatened to throw her out ‘by force’ if she didn’t.
Shocked, terrified and in fear of the violence that had been threatened, she remonstrated with him and he called for reinforcements in the form of the cops. I returned to find her traumatised and in tears. The police were sympathetic and supportive of her, and took no action other than to suggest writing a bad review as the most effective response. But we’re taking it further.
So if you want a traditionally fried English breakfast, together with the unpleasant experience of wondering whether you’ll be abused and assaulted — and particularly if you’re a woman — I’d heartily recommend Oxford’s St Giles Café.
Failing that, a far better and infinitely more welcoming place is just two doors down — Green’s Café.

Hard to admit that it’s been 23 years since I last had the pleasure of having a cream tea at the St Giles’ Café — and wish I could go back, but it’s a bit of a step from San Diego, Calif., but it has remained one of my lasting memories of Oxford. After an afternoon of classes, or a hard day’s exploring all the nooks and crannies of that wonderful city, there was nothing better than a cream tea at St Giles to relax with friends and soak up the atmosphere. It was an inexpensive, simple luxury, and is one of the many things that this Yank wishes he could go back and indulge in again! :)

ahh, café st. giles (pronounced in the original french like ca-​fe san jeel). a morning-​after was never so complete. remind yourself who you made out with, who went home with whom, et al. soak it up, keep it down, whatever’s your fancy, you won’t find a classier act in oxford.

There are certain days when all you really want is a good fry up or a good strong cup of tea. On those days the St Giles Café is the place to go. It is a reminder of days gone by, days before Starbucks, before muffins, before cafes in bookshops.

Despite the many other more sophisticated eating outlets in Oxford, I would say that the St. Giles Café is worth a visit. It is almost a rite of passage to take a hangover breakfast here at some point. Take a look at the menu in the window, and you will find something to soak up last night’s excesses. Don’t sleep in too late, though! It closes mid-​afternoon.