Mint Kitchen and Lounge
21 Temple St, Oxford OX4 1JS
Rating: 4.1 ★ (561 ratings)
Details
Mint Kitchen and Lounge offers a distinctive Lebanese dining experience, set within a beautifully decorated interior that blends casual modern dining with a relaxed lounge setting. Guests discover a warm, welcoming atmosphere throughout the venue, which notably stands out for its dedication to providing Oxford's finest shisha experience, featuring top-of-the-line equipment and an inviting outdoor shisha garden. This establishment on Temple Street successfully harmonises exceptional food, premium drinks, and an outstanding shisha offering.
The cuisine primarily focuses on authentic Lebanese dishes, thoughtfully prepared with high-quality halal ingredients and traditional spices, while also drawing inspiration from Arabic, Asian, and Mediterranean flavours. Patrons can savour succulent grilled meats, such as the mixed grill platter and lamb shawarma, alongside a tempting array of fresh mezze like creamy hummus, crispy falafel, and sambousek. Complementing the meals are signature non-alcoholic cocktails, speciality coffee, and refreshing options like Kiwi & Mint Lemonade, ensuring a comprehensive dining experience.
This welcoming establishment is particularly suited for those who appreciate genuine Lebanese cuisine and a relaxed ambience. It provides an ideal setting for unwinding with friends over shisha, enjoying a family dinner, or celebrating a special occasion. Mint Kitchen and Lounge also appeals to non-alcohol drinkers and specific communities seeking a premium social environment away from traditional pub culture, making it a versatile choice for various gatherings, from birthday celebrations to a casual catch-up.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Friday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Saturday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Sunday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Contact
+44 1865 246660 | http://mintlounges.co.uk/
Comments
We ordered the mixed grill platter with fries, spicy potatoes, falafel, soft drinks, and a couple of shishas. The shisha was okay, not the best I’ve had but decent. The mixed platter was good overall, though the kafta was too hard and had a strange taste. On the other hand, the falafel were excellent…perfectly crunchy with great seasoning. The spicy potatoes were tasty as well, but extremely hot and missing a touch of garlic and coriander for that authentic flavor.
Prices are a little on the higher side, but given the limited options in the area, it’s still a worthwhile spot to visit for a relaxed meal and shisha.
I would like to personally thank Omar, who prepares the shisha, and the Egyptian gentleman for the incredible Kunafa it was absolutely delicious! The staff were exceptionally friendly, constantly checking in to ensure everything was perfect.
The interior is beautifully decorated, creating a calm and relaxing environment. Plus, you can even play Tawla, adding to the enjoyable experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to unwind and try something new!
The seating areas were beautiful with a running colour theme throughout which I found to be very aesthetically pleasing.
The customer service was my favourite thing about my whole experience (I personally think it holds very high importance).The staff were absolutely lovely and kept up with all of our questions happily. After receiving my food I realised that there was tahini on it, which I am allergic to, and they exchanged my plate for me at no extra cost.
Most importantly I thoroughly enjoyed the food and drinks. The presentation was very nice and it all tasted just as good as it looked!
I would definitely come here again :)
Parking can be a bit tricky, but the owner mentioned that you may be able to park in the permit holder section after 6pm. It’s probably best to double-check with them just to be sure.