Eastgate Brasserie
73 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BE, GB
Rating: 3.6 ★ (169 ratings)
Details
Nestled at 73 High Street, within the historic Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel, the Eastgate Brasserie offers a welcoming retreat for both early risers and those seeking a leisurely lunch. Here, classic charm intertwines with contemporary touches, creating a relaxed setting to enjoy a menu that features a twist on traditional British and European cuisine. Whether you're starting your day with a full English breakfast, eggs benedict, or opting for lighter fare like smashed avocado on toast, the brasserie caters to diverse palates. Its central location means you are just a short stroll from Oxford's iconic colleges and museums, making it an ideal spot to refuel after a morning of exploration or to plan your afternoon adventures in the city.
As the day unfolds, the Eastgate Brasserie transitions smoothly to offer hearty lunch options, from minute steak with fries to classic club sandwiches and even customisable pizzas. For those with a sweet tooth, delights such as fluffy buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffles, or indulgent cakes await. The brasserie also presents a charming afternoon tea service, complete with freshly made sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of delicate pastries. Situated conveniently for discovering landmarks like Magdalen College and the Botanic Garden, it’s a place where you can unwind and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Oxford's bustling High Street, enjoying fresh, seasonal dishes with a modern flair.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 7:00 – 10:00 AM, 12:30 – 9:30 PM; Tuesday: 7:00 – 10:00 AM, 12:30 – 9:30 PM; Wednesday: 7:00 – 10:00 AM, 12:30 – 9:30 PM; Thursday: 7:00 – 10:00 AM, 12:30 – 9:30 PM; Friday: 7:00 – 10:00 AM, 12:30 – 9:30 PM; Saturday: 7:30 – 10:30 AM, 12:30 – 9:30 PM; Sunday: 7:30 – 10:30 AM, 12:30 – 9:30 PM
Contact
+44 1865 248332
Comments
Pro: The interior is nice with the bee'Keepers' theme all around in the form of drawings on the wall and honeycomb shapes on the wall. Interior felt like a plus.
Con: We went for cocktails and were let down a little. In terms of equipment they were well prepared. Barkeeper pre-chilled the glassware with ice and so on. However the quality of the final cocktails wasn't nice. Mostly sweet without a good balance of flavors. Their 'Mai Tai' would probably make all the tiki people around faint. With a poorly cut, sad lemon slice to top it all up.
In total good atmosphere but poor drinks.
The decor is nice, with lots of oak and mahogany. It has a cozy atmosphere which fit the rainy weather when I went, and while service was sometimes a bit slow, it's not bad for pub grub. I find it hard to consider this restaurant a brasserie, though. I've noticed from their website that their menu was downscaled significantly at some point, so that may be why.
In all, this isn't my favorite restaurant, and I probably wouldn't come again for a full meal, but the ambience makes it worth going for coffee or something similar.
It was my partner and I's 3 year anniversary, and as a last minute (ugh I know) booking, we decided to give this restaurant a go as its one of the last places we haven't been in Oxford.
What a great decision that was! I had put a request on the booking saying it was our anniversary and to place us as far away from kids (not a children person) and they put us in a gorgeous little corner of the room and put little candles and felt hearts on the table, absolutely lovely.
Our waitress was Vera was was so nice and wonderful to us. She was lovely and professional and chatty, but not too much to be over the top. The menu inside was slightly different to the one online but there was no hassle in getting the food that I had wanted.
Our food was outstanding and even for a Friday the wait times were quick and not at all awkward. What's even better is that there was a 20% discount that we didn't know about AND we had a dessert for free. Honestly you can't go wrong when someone goes above and beyond to help make memories. We'll always remember this restaurant and will endeavour to go to more branches in Oxford and beyond!