Dishoom Permit Room Oxford
North Bailey House, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2RP, GB
Rating: 4.9 ★ (11648 ratings)
Details
Dishoom Permit Room Oxford brings the vibrant charm of Bombay's Irani cafés to the heart of Oxford, establishing itself as a stylish and atmospheric destination. The venue boasts a post-colonial art deco vibe, complete with warm lighting, patterned floors, and a delightful collection of art from local Oxford and South Asian talent gracing the walls. Paying homage to the lively Permit Rooms of 1970s Bombay, the space centres around an impressive bar, creating a welcoming and bustling ambience that truly stands out.
The cuisine celebrates flavour-packed Indian comfort food, presented in an irresistible style, with the restaurant operating as an all-day bar-café offering everything from breakfast to dinner. Diners can enjoy a tapas-like array of small, shareable plates alongside more substantial dishes. Signature offerings include the legendary 24-hour black daal, the rich chicken ruby curry, and crispy chilli cheesy garlic naan bites, whilst breakfast is famously served with epic bacon naan rolls. The drinks menu is equally impressive, featuring expertly crafted spiced cocktails like the Feni Martini and Clover Club, alongside refreshing mango lassi soft serves and ethically sourced coffee.
This versatile establishment is ideally suited for a wide range of occasions, from quick lunchtime stops to more exuberant family dinners and intimate date-night feasts. Its welcoming atmosphere and communal tables make it perfect for larger group gatherings or casual lunches with friends and colleagues. With themed Carrom nights on Tuesdays and resident DJs spinning vinyl on Thursdays, Dishoom Permit Room Oxford provides a spirited setting for those looking to savour delicious Indian food and delightful drinks in a truly engaging environment.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Contact
+44 1865 597777
Comments
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a cute, authentic, tasty place.
The only dish that didn’t quite hit the mark for me was the crispy spinach chaat. It felt more like spinach pakora topped with yogurt and tamarind sauce, and the tamarind sauce was a bit too sweet for my taste. Adding some potatoes or chickpeas could have made it feel more like a traditional chaat and balanced the flavours better.
That said, this wouldn’t stop me from visiting again. The rest of the food was great and overall it was a very positive experience.
Food excellent as always. Comfort food for me. I always enjoy coming here, be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I'm slowly working my way through the menu.
And let’s not forget the desserts — honestly, all of them were incredible, but the mango kheer truly stood out. It was the ultimate end to a perfect meal — creamy, refreshing, and just the right amount of sweetness.
A huge thank you to Evy, who took such wonderful care of us. Her warmth and recommendations, especially convincing us to try all the desserts, made the experience even more special. Because of her, we didn’t miss a single bite of what Dishoom has to offer — and we loved every bit of it.
This was our second visit in less than a week — we came back especially for the crispy spinach salad, which we loved so much the first time. All the dishes we tried were full of flavor and beautifully prepared.
A very thoughtful highlight was when we asked for a dessert and a small celebration for our young daughter’s birthday. They kindly refused to charge us for the it as a lovely birthday gesture, which we truly appreciated.
An amazing dining experience overall. Highly recommended, and we will definitely be back again.