The Magdalen Arms

This might be the best pub in Oxford. Their garlic aioli actually tastes of garlic. Their ham croquettes actually have ham in them
I was served by Felix and he handled my questions with professionalism and skill on a busy Friday night. Great gent with great customer service skills and an excellent pour on the madri. Menu looks lovely - I only wish I could have sampled more! Compliments to the chef.

This is a painful review to leave because the Magdalen used to be one of my favourite pubs in Oxford. Unfortunately, the last three or four visits have been consistently disappointing.

The food just isn't what it used to be. The menu feels noticeably slimmer, especially on a Sunday. I used to recommend the Sunday roast as one of the top three places in Oxford for lunch, but now the choice is little more than rump beef or pork belly. I can understand why chicken isn't offered, most people would probably choose it unless it was priced alongside the beef and pork, but the overall offering has lost much of what made it special.
The bar is another surprise. The drinks selection feels oddly limited, particularly in the middle of summer. No fruit ciders is a strange omission.

One visit summed things up perfectly. I asked for a J2O (or equivalent) with lemonade. No. Pineapple with lemonade? No. Orange juice with lemonade? "Yes," apparently. What actually arrived was a homemade lemonade costing around £6. Nobody mentioned they couldn't make what I'd asked for or checked whether I'd like something different, they simply made the decision for me. It wasn't awful, but it certainly wasn't what I ordered.

Something worth noting, it can get very loud during busy dining hours. We have left on a few occasions because the chatter travels pretty well from bar to dining area, the louder it gets the louder people talk to get over the drone, but this isn't a Magdalen thing just a result of the layout I believe.

The waiting staff deserve real credit, they've always been friendly, attentive and a genuine asset to the pub. The bar staff, however, often seem like they'd rather be anywhere else. Even a simple attempt at friendly conversation feels like an inconvenience, and the welcoming atmosphere the Magdalen was once known for has largely disappeared.

Ultimately, value for money is where this all comes together. The Magdalen used to justify its prices with great food, a good selection of drinks and a warm atmosphere. Now it feels like you're paying more and getting less. I genuinely hope it finds its way back, because I'd love to be able to recommend it again but sadly, I can't at the moment

We came based on recommendations saying the pub had great food. We tried the rillette and I had the Spanish rabbit and chorizo. The food was ok, but not great. Noone in the group was very excited by what they had. The service, on the other hand, was great, staff really helpful, friendly and attentive. Ah, and a note about serving wine in summer - please keep it cooled!

My family and i visited last sunday 31st may.There were 7 adults and 4 children.The staff were amazing above and beyond.Every single waiting staff were so attentive and helpful.This has to be the best sunday dinner i have ever had .Obviously we ordered way too much but mostly got finished. We had the steak pie and beef wellignton between us .Incredible quality and huge portions.We live in the midlands but will definitely make the journey again .Thank you so much to all the staff and you are all a credit to the owner of this establishment.Not everyone has patience with small children but we felt very welcome indeed.

Such a great pub with friendly service, outstanding food & very decent wine list & prices.

Exceptional food, great pub. We (4) shared the lamb shoulder and still had loads to take home

This is a lovely pub with a very nice ambience, great atmosphere and friendly staff.

The food menu is ambitiously spanish, hence the gastropub status, but perhaps a little bit too ambitious. Me and my friends all had a few different courses (I had the Rabbit and chorizo). No complaints but the courses we had didn’t really come to live.

But it’s a nice place and definitely worth a visit if you’re nearby.

- Value for money? Yes
- Worth a detour? No
- Best for (occasion)? A few pints
- Would I go back? Yes

Far too expensive for the quality it provides.
I've order some risotto, because how can one mess up rice? This looked and smelled so bad it was untastable.
And I know it's a pub... so I'll say it - their fish and chips was the worst I've ever had also. Do not recommend it.

Good food.
We were a big table and they forgot to cook one of the onglet (we ordered 2), however they easily and quickly solve the issue by splitting the cooked onglet between both orders, while waiting the second one to cook to split it up again. Not a problem at all, all contrary, as finishing the first part, we got the second part of the onglet nicely warm.
So they know how to find good solution when needed.
The atmosphere is not bad but it get very noisy when the room is full. Also. What is going on with the taps in the toilet? The taps (in male and female toilets) must be constantly pushed to get water for washing the hands. So you wash one hand at a time. It is very inconvenient and annoying. Obviously in the grant scheme of life, it is nothing, but it would be great that the taps do what they are supposed to do, running water by themselves.

After fangirling over the beautiful food at the Canton Arms in Stockwell, I had their sister pub in Oxford marked on my maps. As part of a road trip we stopped at The Magdalen Arms for lunch and how wonderful it was. The menu concept is the same as that of their London pubs; authentic international/mediterranean classics executed very well. This time we went for the Sicilian style polpette in dandelion broth and then we had the Provençal fish stew accompanied by the house focaccia. Both dishes were divine, made with fresh seasonal produce and the fish was cooked to perfection. A must when in Oxford and when you’re looking for a traditional English pub but with fabulous food that goes way beyond the standard beige offering. What a lovely Gastropub with welcoming, attentive staff.