Lacto
Ovo
International
Organic
Breakfast
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Cafe in a 1320 building with vaulted ceiling and garden. Offers breakfast and lunches, smoothies. Open Mon-Sun 09:00-16:30.
22 Reviews
First Review by katupiry
satanistnichtsoeine
Points +2525
Historic Dining with a View in Oxford - Edit
We stumbled across Vaults & Garden by chance and only later realized it’s located in the oldest building in Oxford. Easily one of the most special and beautiful places to eat in the city - historic, atmospheric, and truly stunning. The restaurant usually offers at least one vegan dish and often several vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone.
Read morePrices are reasonable and the portions are generous. We were very lucky to get a table, as it was extremely busy that day due to university graduation celebrations - the whole city was full of graduates and their families. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere remained pleasant. There’s also a small garden with a lovely view of the Radcliffe Camera. Inside, there are long tables that almost feel a bit like a university canteen in terms of vibe, but in a charming way.
The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, even with all the hustle and bustle. I had the tempeh rendang curry, which was really delicious, and we also tried the soup of the day - a leek and potato soup - which was excellent. Afterwards, we had a matcha latte (very good) and banana bread with chocolate chips, which was also lovely.
Since I was in England, I felt obligated to try a traditional scone with clotted cream and what I believe was raspberry jam. Verdict: it’s fine, you can do it, but you don’t have to. I do like scones and I’m glad I tried it, but honestly, I prefer them plain and they’re also very easy to make vegan.
Overall, a truly memorable place thanks to the setting, the friendly staff, and the solid food. Definitely worth a visit when in Oxford.
Updated from previous review on 2026-01-17
Guest
SaraNorlin
Points +3980
Uniquely beautiful - Edit
This place is worth going to for vibes alone. The vegan breakfast was satisfying and the coffee was good
Read moreGuest
BethW555
Points +70
Great stop for lunch - Edit
Had a nice little portion of soup and bread for a very reasonable price. Had a beautiful view of the Radcliffe Camera whilst eating it!
Read morePros: Beautiful setting, Fresh food
Guest
Sarahdcox
Points +522
Unique spot in Oxford with wholesome cafe offer - Edit
This cafe is in a fabulous location with beautiful views out to Radcliffe Camera. Counter service with a good selection of vegan options, couldn’t fault the quality of the food - perfect for a tasty lunch.
Read morePros: Beautiful location , Reasonable price with good portion size
Guest
mcld
Points +1300
Fabulous breakfast in an amazing space - Edit
It's a superb room, a vaulted old church building. My vegan breakfast was fabulous: lovely home made beans, big braised mushrooms, and a lovely guacamole on toast. Every item had great flavour with fresh herbs in. The space is big, friendly and relaxed. It's an Oxford institution! Oh and their house blend of tea (English breakfast style) if delicious too
Read moreGuest
Tamy
Points +3397
Best for breakfast - Edit
Lovely little nook in the basement of an old church. One of the coolest places in Oxford location-wise to have a meal.
Read moreFood is tasty and reasonably priced. I’ve enjoyed the carrot and red lentil soup, vegan Oxford breakfast, and fruit scone. Given that the vegan breakfast is the same price as the non vegan one and has food taken out (e.g., eggs, sausage), I felt like it could have included more of the beans and veggies. My portion of beans was just a handful of beans. But flavor wise it was delicious. Especially the bread! Their homemade scone was also fantastic.
Drink-wise I tried their teas and chai latte and did not find them great.
Service is friendly but unhurried. Prepare to wait to order, and if you’re in a hurry, avoid lunch, especially around noon. Also, their vegan options are ok, but could be better both flavor and variety wise.
Updated from previous review on 2023-12-30
Pros: Bread, Vegan pastries
Cons: Slow service , Few vegan options
Guest
sethorn
Points +54
Good place for lunch - Edit
Soups are usually, if not always, vegan. Baked meals as well as desserts available. The restaurant is set within a 14th century building. The garden overlooks the Radcliffe and historic tombs.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-11-07
Pros: Location, Many vegan options, Delicious soups
Cons: Can be expensive , Popular so seating can be challenging
Guest
xleah_love
Points +324
Great breakfast with a view - Edit
The breakfast was great, we had the Vegan Oxford. We sat down in the garden, right next to St. Mary’s, which was great. The food was amazing, especially the beans and the tomato! Great flavors and good value for money. Would definitely recommend!
Read morePros: Great taste, Value for money, Great view
Cons: Few options
Guest
Karen82
Points +493
Lovely - Edit
Had the salad plate. Very tasty. Great flavours, decent portions at a reasonable price. Helpful, friendly staff.
Read morePros: Delicious , Good size portions , Reasonable price
Guest
KarianneElisabeth
Points +192
Historic building - Edit
This restaurant was in a beautiful, historic building just behind Radcliffe camera. It’s ideally located for a bite while exploring the city center. There were not a lot of vegan options, but the one I had was tasty, filling, and relatively inexpensive. It was a busy place, with lots of students. Full disclosure: my husband said this was like cafeteria food.😂
Read moreGuest
thetofutravellers
Points +6299
Favourite place in Oxford! - Edit
This place is a must every time I visit Oxford. I just love the historic architecture, the friendly atmosphere, the garden with its views of the Radcliffe Camera. The lunch menu is changing, but there is usually something vegan, even if it might be a bit simple. It‘s homey, hearty food that makes you happy.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-11-12
Pros: Beautiful, historic, oxfordish place, Friendy staff, Homey dishes
Cons: Could have more vegan options
Guest
Historick
Points +97
Delicious breakfast and amazing building - Edit
Good and decent priced veggie breakfast place in very old medieval room, a side of a must visit church and close by an incredible library.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-10-15
Pros: Several veggie and vegan options, Home made, Beautiful location
Cons: None
Guest
richtaylor76
Points +155
Great breakfast - Edit
Delicious vegan breakfast with good coffee. Amazing place!
Read moreGuest
VB1983
Points +481
Great little find - Edit
Only been there for breakfast but they had a couple of vegan options on the menu (photo attached). Food was great and very reasonably priced. Not sure about lunch options
Read morePros: Couple of vegan breakfast options, Beautiful setting, inside and out, Reasonable prices
Guest
HaroldasB
Points +15
Good Place to eat vegan - Edit
I'm ate at Vaults recently and it's really friendly place for vegans and vegetarians, i think everyone should try it.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-07-20
Pros: Vegetarian food, Vegan food
Guest
JulianaMarques
Points +372
Nice place - Edit
Good food, exotic place, we can eat close to the graves.
Read morePros: Food, Gluten free, place
Guest
SMH
Points +26
always good veg and vegan options - Edit
The food here is interesting and tasty, and the staff are friendly and good-natured. The Vegan Oxford is my favourite breakfast, a nice twist on a cooked English breakfast. The avocado toast is lovely, just enough spice to add warmth an flavour without overdoing it. Lunchtime offers good veg and vegan choices including seasonal vegetables and soups. They are also a top-ranked sustainable restaurant.
Read morePros: good vegan and gluten free cakes, delicious soups, quick (cantine) service even when busy
Cons: cantine service means queuing at each meal
Guest
Salmorgan
Points +40
Not great - disappointing even - Edit
Was super excited to come here for breakfast to try the Vegan Oxford. Instead of what sounded like an awesome big breakfast situation I got a soggy piece of smashed avocado toast, 3 withered slivers of mushroom, some tomato that was definitely not grilled, literally one (1!!!) leaf of wilted spinach and some cold 'baked beans'. Very disappointed :(
Read morePros: clearly labeled vegan options, good coffee
Cons: quality of food & serving size
Guest
imogenmichel
Points +2750
Decent food but service could do better - Edit
I came here today for lunch and had a nice enough tofu curry but I really struggled with the staff, who appeared to not only not know what was in the food and what was vegan but also really didn't seem to care. A bit of staff training certainly wouldn't go amiss. The price was also pretty steep for what the food on offer was. A shame considering the space itself is lovely!
Read moreGuest
KathrynLamb
Points +311
lovely! - Edit
Beautiful building and location. Always vegan cake and a vegan hot main (usually a tofu curry or similar), as well as soup. Yum! Recently won award for the most sustainable in Oxford too :)
Read moreGuest
treehousecanoe
Points +148
comfortable, hearty, wholesome - Edit
not sure what the other reviews are talking about - went and had a truly lovely meal (always a vegan option I am assured! and gf cakes too), mice generous portions. it is a little reminiscent of a school dining hall, but classic and heartily set up. the food was deliciously healthy as well! will definitely go again!
Read morePros: variety, really tasty environment
Cons: dining hall style - some may not like it?
Guest
katupiry
Points +79
Terrible for vegans - Edit
Not good for vegans.
Read morePros: Staff nice
Guest
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