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Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
International
Beer/Wine
British
Honey
Relaunched on 4th of July 2020 as a vegetarian and vegan pub, located on the river Thames in central Oxford. Vegan options are clearly labeled on this creative menu. Open Mon-Fri 12:00-14:30, 18:00-21:30, Sat-Sun 12:00-21:30.
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- Outdoor seating
- Reservations required
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 03 Jul 2020 by Guest
Update business info -
Added by thepunter on 03 Jul 2020
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64 Reviews
First Review by paulabisatt
gall
Points +53
No longer vegetarian - Edit
More than a month ago I reported the update to happy cow: this place is no longer vegetarian, as already mentioned by another reviewer. The listing is still not updated though. The irony of forcing my one star to be two stars “to support vegetarian establishments” etc. is grimly amusing.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-03-13
Pros: Used to be vegetarian
Cons: Not vegetarian
Guest
HazelNutLatte
Points +190
No longer vegetarian, with vegan options replaced... - Edit
The Punter is no longer a vegetarian pub. I was disappointed to see that vegan options has been replaced with fish and octopus. Such a shame!
Read more2 stars for the remaining options good customer service.
Updated from previous review on 2026-02-14
SimonAkers
Pathetic owner has blamed the botley road and labour
Read moregall
Yes, it's unfortunate. I submitted an update to HappyCow using the link on the right, last week, but the "status" doesn't seem to have been updated yet, for some reason. Ah well.
Read moreGuest
AngelaUK
Points +126
Fantastic food and service - Edit
Visited as part of a trip to Oxford & walked here on a dark rainy night. Very welcoming cosy pub interior with candles. We had the weekday 5-6pm 3 courses £27. Miso aubergine starter was gorgeous, lovely tofu texture and Japanese flavours. I had the satay tofu main with tenderstem broccoli and my sister (veggie) had truffle hazelnut pesto penne. Both rich and delicious. We had to get some boxed up to leave room for next course! Sticky toffee pudding with pear and pecan for dessert - also fantastic. Friendly and relaxed atmosphere and waiters very attentive and checked in that we were enjoying the food. Really enjoyed this place and would go back!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-23
Pros: Delicious food , Good value prix 5 menu , Atmosphere & service
Guest
Navelno
Points +30
Best vegan food I had in Oxford - Edit
Lovely atmosphere with really fantastic food. We had the cauliflower steaks which were outstanding — 10/10! Definitely would recommend when visiting Oxford.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan food variations, Lovely atmosphere , Good service
Guest
Happy_Bart
Points +4474
Lovely food - Edit
Very nice vegan options, sadly not fully vegan.
Read moreGuest
ColinM
Points +2285
Chilled pub in a residential area with great veggie/vegan food - Edit
Really relaxed place. Very much a ‘local pub’ feel (but with some great art on the wall). Others have criticised the food quality and portion size. Food is good gastro pub standard. Portions fine if you’re wanting to fit in three courses - not a place for a belt challenging blow out. Oh yes, and the beer is fab. I really liked it and would go again
Read morePros: The Miso glazed Aubergine and tofu starter , The great beer
Cons: Not cheap - but fine for the price
Guest
Piranha_Mike
Points +356
Pretty good - Edit
Obviously it's great to have a veggie restaurant. However, whilst the food was good, I didn't feel it was great. I would have liked to have had the celeriac steak but that wasn't on. I had the lentil and mushroom burger instead. It was ok. The starter (tofu and aubergine) was much nicer. Bottom line is that I probably wouldn't go out of my way to return...
Read morePros: Tofu and aubergine starter , Friendly staff
Cons: Portions a bit on the small side
Guest
MissMac9
Points +82
Ms - Edit
Food here is delicious. Tried the tofu in satay and its probably my favourite dish here. The broccoli was so fresh and tasty and a great contrast to the tempura battered starter of crunchy tasty, gently spicy broccoli.
Read morePros: Pretty substantial, Celeriac dish is also awesome, Great service
Cons: Inability to eat pudding too
Guest
BoboBenny
Points +132
Gorgeous food - Edit
We had a gorgeous meal here, love how it's centred around the veg rather than mock meats or replicating Omni meals. Little bit on the pricey side but well worth it!
Read moreGuest
cheerfulgoat
Points +263
Creative and tasty - Edit
Went here for a celebratory dinner. Cocktails were great (get the Elderflower gin fizz), tempura broccoli was to die for. We almost ordered two. Lentil soup was delicious as well. The mains and dessert were good but not great (celeriac steak was mushy, genovese pasta was heavy and one note, the delice was heavy too).
Read moreOne other complaint is that they put us by the (freezing) door even though it was a celebration and we asked to be moved because the place was empty—they said no. A real bummer for my first and only time in Oxford, for my birthday no less.
Updated from previous review on 2024-09-25
Pros: Cocktails, Appetizers, Art and decor
Cons: Entrees and desert need some work , Wouldn’t reseat us even though it was fairly empty, Very expensive
Guest
denn
Points +561
Banging food - Edit
Really impressed with my burger and fries. Nice little pub.
Read moreGuest
Kadhira
Points +50
Delicious - Edit
Creative vegetarian and vegan food of high quality. I even liked the tofu, that my partner convinced me to taste.
Read moreGuest
VeganRebs
Points +53
Voted top 11 in the Good Food Guide for Vegan and Vegetarian food - Edit
Amazing find-and a must visit. Food was amazing-some of the best vegan food I’ve ever eaten. Good range of dishes from small plates to starters and mains and two whole food burger options. Dog friendly too. Nice beer garden and weekly food and drink offers.
Read morePros: Whole foods, Dog friendly , Delicious food
Guest
claireyclaire
Points +40
Pick what you are - Edit
This place seems confused whether it’s a vegan/veggie restaurant or a boozer for the lads
Read moreThe staff were lovely and service was great
The food whilst ok and lots of vegan options was a bit meh and massively over priced for what it was. I will say the deserts were lovely but at £8 each, hugely over priced
The decor had a lot to be desired
The location was lovely
This place has the potential to be an incredible vegan/veggie restaurant
But it’s just not quite getting it right
Would I recommend this place; yes
Would I go again; no
Hopefully they make improvements because I would go back if they did
Guest
ninabee
Points +325
Tasy food in a quiet local by the River Thames - Edit
This is a little out of the touristy centre area but sits next to a quiet section of the River Thames and has a beer garden as well as indoor seating. We had the miso aubergine and salad starters, the mushroom burger and curry mains, and crumble and choc orange dessert and were absolutely full (but extremely happy!). Very tasty food and would def go back
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-04-21
Pros: Great vegan food options, Quiet local, Drinks also labelled as vegan
Guest
DavidC500
Points +80
Great! - Edit
Went here with some carnivorous work colleagues who were a little dubious but all thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Food and service was great. Couldn’t fault anything
Read morePros: Service, Ambience, Food
Guest
KatHargreaves
Points +118
Food was lovely but a little expensive - Edit
Really enjoyed the food, I had teriyaki tofu and my boyfriend had a mushroom and lentil burger, which he said fell apart instantly but tasted good. We also had olives which were huge! Staff were lovely too. Overall really enjoyed it but it did seem a little on the expensive side, although I guess that's standard these days!
Read moreGuest
ws6737
Points +57
Will Scott - Edit
Miso glazed aubergine was brilliant!
Read moreGuest
frankensteinsmonster
Points +1824
Take the punt! - Edit
Delicious and varied veggie vegan menu in a gorgeous pub setting on the Thames
Read moreGood flavour and good presentation
Guest
Pauljm
Points +91
Food was lovely. - Edit
On training course, quantity was large enough even for me.
Read morePros: Grilled tofu in satay sauce was lovely., Crumble with ice cream was brilliant
Cons: I Don't live nearer.
Guest
DuncanGunn
Points +61
Absolutely superb - Edit
Our group was recommended The Punter and what a find it was too. Quietly situated on the river bank, a 15 minute walk from the city centre, The Punter offers a friendly reception and delicious food.
Read moreThe decor is stripped back with original artwork on the walls and the atmosphere is calmly buzzing, if that's a thing.
The service and food was superb with a range of salad-based dishes to vegan burgers. If the dish is vegetarian it can usually be veganised.
I had the bolognaise burger (delicious) and the best apple and blackberry crumble I've had.
Highly recommended.
Guest
TheinWin
Points +26
Expensive and bland food - Edit
We were very keen to try this fully veg/vegan pub.
Read moreThe staff were friendly and service was great. Nice ambience to the pub. Food came out quickly.
Overall felt this pub was let down by the food though.
Starters were fine: Parmesan truffled fries and miso braised aubergine and spicy tofu.
The mains were very plain and uninspiring for £17-18 each. Mushroom pasta in white wine sauce, and roasted squash on lentils.
Glad this place exists for vegans/veggies in Oxford, but there is so much potential that has been missed.
Pros: Ambience, Service, Fully Vegan/vegetarian pub
Cons: Food uninspiring, Not good value for money (food)
Guest
BarryHyde
Points +30
Bland and expensive - Edit
I was looking forward to coming to the Punter as the menu looked great. However, the food was quite bland. For the prices paid £17-18 for one main the food was quite basic. We had the mushroom pasta and hasselback squash and were very disappointed with lack of flavour and imagination.
Read morePros: Attentive service
Cons: Bland food, Expensive
Guest
champoun
Points +1983
Nice vegan/vegetarian place - Edit
Located a bit outside the city centre, this little place offers both vegan and vegetarian options. They are clearly marked on the card.
Read moreThe menu is definitely a bit more creative compared to most vegan restaurants so that was refreshing to see.
Friendly staff and fast service but it felt a bit rushed. It’s clear that they need the tables back before a certain hour and it shows in their service.
It’s a bit ashamed that the table I got was literally next to the entrance door. But I understand that they’re trying to use as much of the space as possible. (The restaurant isn’t big to begin with)
So making a reservation is a must because it’s also popular with locals and it gets crowded pretty quickly.
Prices are a bit high but I suppose those are considered normal prices now in the UK.
Pros: Good vegan options , Friendly and fast service , Creative dishes
Cons: Rushed service , A tad pricey but normal for UK I guess
Guest
Fattyted
Points +5318
Stunning food! - Edit
Our visit to The Punter was well worth the journey! The meal was honestly one of the best we've ever had. Everything was amazing, especially the king oyster penne which had the most lush vegan white wine sauce ever. Highly recommend! Wonderful place!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Friendly service, Amazing food
Guest
Silvia73
Points +156
Veramente ottimo! - Edit
Ambiente accogliente (sia dentro che fuori, il piccolo cortile che si apre sul davanti è molto carino), ragazze gentilissime, portate ottime e abbondanti: ci è piaciuto moltissimo!
Read moreA breve distanza dal centro storico (circa 10 minuti a piedi) e affacciato sul lungofiume con le houseboat, consente di fare una passeggiata veramente molto piacevole.
Per noi (una vegana e un vegetariano) è stato davvero il posto ideale!
Guest
katiemall
Points +122
delightful - Edit
the most gorgeous views from the big windows when sat inside! nice location. lots of options - hard to choose. houmous starter and chocolate parfait pudding were my favourites. the lemongrass lime and tomato curry also lovely. shall have to return to try the rest of the menu…
Read moreGuest
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