Restaurants

Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant

Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6ST, GB

Rating: 4.5 ★ (1774 ratings)

Details

Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant is a truly iconic Oxford institution, nestled in a historic Victorian boathouse that dates back to 1904. This family-run establishment offers a warm, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere, providing an idyllic setting directly on the tranquil banks of the River Cherwell. Guests can enjoy stunning waterfront views, observing passing punts amidst the peaceful scenery, creating a uniquely charming and sophisticated dining experience that stands out.

The cuisine here is best described as modern English with noticeable French influences, always emphasising fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. Head Chef Paul Bell crafts imaginative menus with subtly creative ideas that change with the seasons, ensuring a delightful culinary journey. A significant highlight is the extensive and award-winning wine list, renowned for its depth and value, complemented by a selection of cocktails and traditional dishes such as slow braised Jacob's Ladder or loin of venison.

This charming riverside restaurant is ideally suited for a variety of occasions, from romantic dinners and intimate gatherings to larger celebrations and corporate events. Its fine yet relaxed dining ambience makes it perfect for marking special milestones like anniversaries, or simply enjoying a memorable meal with family and friends. Furthermore, the Cherwell Boathouse operates its own punt station, offering the quintessential Oxford experience of dining combined with a leisurely punt on the river.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 9:00 PM; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 9:00 PM; Thursday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 9:00 PM; Friday: 12:00 – 2:45 PM, 6:00 – 9:15 PM; Saturday: 12:00 – 2:45 PM, 6:00 – 9:15 PM; Sunday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 8:45 PM

Contact

+44 1865 552746

Comments

James D
5 Sep 2026
5.0 ★
We held our wedding reception at the Cherwell Boathouse, catering to 90 people. Trish, Joe and the team were fantastic to work with in planning the wedding, and were very accommodating regarding changes to food and access requirements at the eleventh hour. The food was delicious and we received numerous comments praising the quality. We would highly recommend the Cherwell Boathouse as a wedding venue.
Andy E
27 May 2026
5.0 ★
Beautiful location. The only thing that beats the service is the food. It just doesn't get any better. Will definitely go again.
Stuart Small
23 May 2026
5.0 ★
Enjoyed a fabulous lunch today on a hot holiday weekend Saturday. Felt very fortunate to be seated at the best table, on the porch overlooking the river but thankfully in the shade. The service was excellent, very professional and fun. They catered for my girlfriends dietary requirements (celiac). She had the asparagus as a main, me the brill. Both very good, with great accompanying drinks. We would have stayed all afternoon if we could. Reall excellent, thank you
Charlotte
21 Apr 2026
5.0 ★
Wow! This place is amazing, recommend to go! Staff friendly and welcoming. Food is delicious! My partner enjoyed their steak, best they've had in a very long time.
Lucy Davenport
22 Feb 2026
5.0 ★
An incredible setting to host an event!
I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at Cherwell Boathouse this season and it was beautiful. A waterside setting, with the bride and groom punting in for their arrival, a fabulous wedding breakfast in the marquee followed by an epic party in the lower boathouse.
Highly recommend this venue for any private or corporate events.
Myrna Rickards
15 Feb 2026
5.0 ★
We had a fantastic anniversary meal here last week. The food was delicious and the staff were lovely. The tempura prawns starter and the Coley dish were outstanding. Our table was outside right by the river which was so special. The atmosphere was great. Highly recommend!
Kiran V. Patel
11 Feb 2026
4.0 ★
Good location. Good food and drinks selection. Parking an issue. Lots of people using the punts on a good day, so footfall while dining. Understaffed. Good service when served. Delays in taking orders and delivery of food and service. Our 3rd lunch here as mid way between London & Birmingham.
Mark Girling
8 Feb 2026
5.0 ★
Several months ago I organised to eat at this venue - we were 34 in total. The pre-order was online (great idea) this mean no confusion on the day. Service was excellent, even had some great Christmas decorations up. Food was great - no mean feat with so many covers at the same time. Would return.
Letícia Ventura
10 Jan 2026
4.0 ★
I had quite expectations of visiting this place. They park space is tiny and was full (weekday dinner), had to look for a space outside to park which had restrictions of the amount of hours to park. The place is nice, with good view and option for panting. The main dishes are small, I ordered the lamb option, very tasty. The best dish for me was the Waterloo cheese ordered, well presented and tasty. Coffee was not the highlight, none of us were happy with the coffee after the dessert, opportunity to improve here.
Blake Robinson
12 Aug 2025
4.0 ★
We visited for our anniversary and were welcomed into a lovely atmosphere with friendly, attentive service. We enjoyed a three-course meal each — both the starter and main courses were excellent. However, we were a little disappointed with the dessert cheese sharing board. Having to ask for butter was unexpected, and the portion size felt small for the price. That said, it was still a very pleasant experience overall, and the corkage fee was fair.

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