Three Goats Heads

«Holy crap,» I thought to myself during my third hour of wandering around Oxford on a warm spring night, «I’ve just found a Sam Smiths in central Oxford. And it’s not rammed.» SERIOUSLY. I did not think this would exist. I had to find a quiet-​ish pub to eat and do some work, and it was exactly what I needed. After walking into some other noisy and overpriced pubs, it felt like I was coming home. I know there are many Sam Smiths pubs outside of London, but really did not expect to find one when I turned down a smaller street in very central Oxford.
The beer was the beer you know from any Sam Smiths. A good range if you’re drinking with a group. And cheaper than most other pubs. It did have that odd Sam Smiths smell to it… not altogether pleasant or unpleasant. I eavesdropped on an amazing conversation amongst philosophy professors during which I rolled my eyes at least 20 times.
As for the food, well, it’s Sam Smiths food. It’s not the best by any means, but I wasn’t expecting it to be. Basically, I wouldn’t recommend coming here, or to any Sam Smiths pub, for the food. The atmosphere and beer are worth stopping in for, though.

Pub smelled terrible. I stopped by here one night to grab a quick pint with someone, and we didn’t really have much time to find a different pub (and I didn’t know the person well enough to say «Umm, this pub you picked smells bad…»). The Sam Smith beer I had was good, but the place smelled awful, almost like an outdoor chemical toilet on a hot day. Maybe the toilets were backed up or there is a plumbing problem, but it was noticeable and unpleasant.
Perhaps it was just a one time thing… i hope.

While looking for a non-​chain restaurant, a few friends and I came across Three Goats Heads after searching all of Oxford for a place with reasonable prices.
The place is two floors, but one was closed when we went so it was a bit confusing as to where the entrance once, but we located it.
Here’s the breakdown —
Beer: They have almost only microbrews or local brews on tap, so we all tried a different one. I got a Tatty Lager and after everyone tasted it we agreed it was the best on tap. The beer is also very well priced too, mostly under 3 pounds.
Food: The food blew me away. I ordered the three cheese macaroni and it was unbelievable. I am a mac and cheese connoisseur and this was QUALITY stuff. It also came with fantastic garlic bread and a small salad, all for about 6 pounds.
Environment: A local pub type of feel that wasn’t corporate which is nice. Pretty refreshing place.

This is my favorite pub in Oxford. I don’t know what it is but I find it so perfectly cozy and the staff is always nice. There are always a group of regulars there but rarely is it crazy crowded that you can’t find a seat. Sometimes, I like to grab a private booth seat upstairs or if I’m in a bigger group, I’ll grab a table downstairs. No matter what time of day it is, it’s a great place to hang out. Actually, I came here for a drink one evening after I got hit by my Cambridge opponent in a squash match! All my pain and ill feelings went away as I enjoyed my favorite pint of Guinness. This pub is very low key and I really love it when I’m looking for a chill afternoon or night!

I had a couple of hours to kill during the first day of a long weekend in Oxford, and after traipsing around looking for a good place to cool off (it was mid-​summer and about 90 degrees F) I decided on Three Goats. As another reviewer already mentioned, it was a bit off the beaten path, but something about it drew me in. It had a very authentic small pub feel and the vibe was exactly what I was looking for. Again, as another reviewer mentioned, not the place for a raucous adventure, but heaven sent for a couple of laid-​back pints and a few nibbles, whether imbibed solo or w/​a couple of friends.

The Three Goats Heads is easy to miss on St. Micheal’s street, but worth a visit. The pub is normally filled with friendly students enjoying some of Oxford’s cheapest beer. The Three Goats is Oxford’s only Sam Smith pub and while they don’t carry real ale, they have a good range of draught beer. They normally have the Old Brewery Bitter, Best Bitter, Stout, and organic wheat beer. All of these are good (and cheap!), but the best beer is bottled. Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Taddy Porter are all excellent.
Overall, this is a good place to relax over a pint and catch up with friends, but not the place if you’re looking for a wild night on the town.