About Us

Our Story

What’s it all about?

The Chester Arms is a community-centered, independent pub in the heart of East Oxford crewed by a talented and friendly team serving fine food and drink 7 days a week.

We aren’t part of a chain or tied to a brewery so the combination of food menus, drinks menus, events and charming character of the Chester Arms is truly unique.

We’re proud to receive so much fantastic feedback, in person and online (take a look at our Google reviews at the bottom of this page for a sample). It’s great to know that our cosy little pub puts a smile on so many faces. Whether it’s for a good meal, a refreshing drink, friendly service or the just atmosphere we hope you’ll come and join us sometime soon.

Culinary creativity

Eat

We offer delicious food served daily (see full opening hours at the bottom of this page) to suit any appetite or preference.

Our menus are crafted with passion for the food we serve, made with the finest ingredients sourced from selected suppliers and prepared with love and care. Every cut of meat is carefully selected, every chip is hand-cut, every baked bean is homemade and every salad is prepared fresh and crisp.

Take a look at our menus

A drop of the good stuff

Drink

Along with the traditional favourites, we serve a wide range of excellent crafted beers; on tap, or bottled to take out. Our choice range includes creative and refreshing regulars from the local Loose Cannon Brewery. We also have a wide range of Whisky, Gin, Rum and soft drinks to choose from. Our coffee is roasted a stone’s throw from The Chester Arms, on Magdalen Road so you’re always guaranteed a fresh brew with first-rate flavour.

See the full drinks menu

Fun and Games

Enjoy

Sunday night is Quiz Night. Fact. (Unless it’s Wine Tasting Night )
The, renowned Chester Tester attracts a spritely crowd of weekly hopefuls for lighthearted and enlightening competition. Come bathe in the collective knowledge (and ignorance) of some of the finest company Oxford has to offer. Cash prizes, laughs and banter all for £1 per person. Be sure to arrive early to grab a table!

Wine Tasting at The Chester is another favourite on the calendar. Every 2 months, the fine people at local wine merchants; Welch & Co select an assortment of award winning wines for you to sample. For only £30 per person you can savour the character of 8 excellent wines along with canapés throughout the evening and take a bottle of your favourite home with you. Get in touch for dates and to book your place.

There’s lots more going on all year round, so keep an eye on our Offers and news page or sign up for our newsletter to keep in the loop

Testimonials

What People are Saying

“The food was fantastic and the service was exceptional.”

"The staff were friendly and cheerful and nothing was too much trouble. Will certainly come again and recommending to my friends and family.
THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL MEAL."

Jovo

“Will definitely be coming back.”

Came here as a recommendation from some friends, so worth it. We had the steak platter and it did not disappoint. The steak was booked perfectly, chips were amazing and even the sides (cabbage and bacon?!) were incredible. Will definitely be coming back.

Harriet

“Warmly recommended”

"The slow cooked pork Sunday roast is just amazing and delicious! Warmly recommended"

Julie

"Top spot"

"Food was superb the local beers amazing and the huge portions are served in a chillout settings .. top spot"

Stefano

We’re proud to receive so much fantastic feedback, in person and online – take a look at our Google reviews at the bottom of this page or click on one of the TripAdvisor certificates below for a sample.

It’s great to know that our cosy little pub puts a smile on so many faces. Whether it’s for a good meal, a refreshing drink, friendly service or the just atmosphere we hope you’ll come and join us sometime soon.

Opening Hours

Monday	12pm – 11pm
Tuesday	5pm – 11pm
Wednesday – Friday	10am – 11pm
Saturday	10am – 12pm 4pm - 11pm
Sunday	Closed

Kitchen Hours

Monday	12pm – 2.30pm
Tuesday	5:30pm – 10.45pm
Wednesday – Friday	12pm – 5.30pm 7pm – 9.45pm
Saturday	9am – 12pm Breakfast 12pm – 1.30pm Lunch 5.30pm – 8pm Supper
Sunday	Closed

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The Chester Arms

Reviews powered by Read more reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

Tiffany Lim

4 out of 5 stars

posted 3 months ago

Recommended by friend to try their steak! When we tried to call in for booking on a Tuesday, the lady was not very friendly. She just said it is fully booked and I asked if we could walk in, she sounds not very attentive and said yes.

So we visited on a Tuesday evening, the steak was in good portion and reasonable price. However, we have better steak quality served in Oxford.

Their customer services in the restaurant is the point which makes me not giving 5 stars. No service we gain the whole night beside a staff taking order and bringing food. Asked for bill, waited for 10 minutes then the girl said she had forgotten about our bill.

Recommend you to try Porterhouse if you are looking for good steak.

Richard Harris

5 out of 5 stars

posted 5 days ago

Absolutely top notch. The food is beautiful the beer is clean. Steak platter is a must. Staff are lovely (even if I am biased because some are friends. I don't love them that much though).

Giacomo Sepe

posted 2 months ago

Absolutely lovely pub, we came here for a Sunday roast (they open at 12 and there's a queue to get in so arrive by 11:45 latest!).

The staff were friendly and more than happy to accommodate my gluten and nut allergies - I was able to have any of the roasts, just without the Yorkshire puddings which was fine!

Will definitely be back on our next trip to Oxford.

Naveed

posted 11 months ago

I had heard about the Chester Arms from different friends over the last couple of years but finally made it down there for lunch today.

Two of us shared a steak platter for 2/3 people at £42, so even if it was steak and chips, still only just on the high side for Oxford at £21 per head.

The meat was succulent, the chips were crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, the salad was fresh and the bacon-cabbage was rich and buttery.

The only criticism, if any, was that there was a lot of oil on the plate at the end, probably from the chips. But then again, stopping myself from eating every last bit of food on the plate is probably more of an issue for me than for the chef...

Thomas Carlton

Fantastic pub, good selection of beers and cider on tap and in bottles. Food options are a more limited but all are excellent!
But everyone is here for the steak platter, and it truly is tremendous, options for 2/3/4/5 people, and it will fill up everyone, some of the best chips I've had in Oxford, the cabbage and bacon is magnificent, and the steak is perfectly cooked!
My picture is of the platter for 2/3 people.

Read All 752 Reviews