The Chester Arms

Did the wine tasting at The Chester Arms and it was awesome. £50 cash only, but totally worth it - loads of generous food, really good wines, and they even let us take some bottles home. Great vibe, definitely doing it again.

Didn't book a table walked in five of us he said there was a 30minute wait so we got a beer and sat in the beer garden and he shouted us in about 20 minutes after definitely wasn't 30 minutes. The food was brilliant steak cooked perfect. Definitely going again and would recommend. We got the two person platter

Having been high on my list of places to visit I finally got the oportunity to visit and give the famous steak platter a try. But did it live up to the hype?? I booked in advance so as to not be dissappointed. We arrived for a 2pm seating and was immediately shown to our table. Upon arrival, the pub had a lovely interior look and vibe feeling very homely and 'local'. It was quite busy but somehow the noise levels weren't crazy and we were able to have conversations without disruption. Straight away we immediately know what we wanted which was the steak platter (rare) for 3 and some bread and dips to start. Our food and drinks orders were taken together. They had an extensive menu for drinks from cask/keg beers all the way to wines, spirits and cocktails. There were no complaints on the drinks, one of my friends who ordered the Bloody Mary said she appreciated the waitress asking many questions to personalise what went into it and the spice levels, and when it arrived it was really well made and had a unique and delicious flavour different to any Bloody Mary she's had before. Now onto the food. The bread and dips were delicious. Demolished in short order. When the steak platter finally arrived I couldn't help but gasp at the quantity and how they'd nailed 'rare' with the perfectly charred outer layer and pink inside. Even though we ordered the 3-person steak platter for the 3 of us we looked at each other and wondered if we would to finish it. However, we immediately tucked in. Everything, and I mean everything on the plate was so delicious. The steak perfectly seasoned and cooked to our tastes; you could tell the meat was very well prepared as there were little if any chewy / sinewy bits. The chips crispy and tasty, just how they should be. The cabbage was the low-key star of the show, which had been cooked with lardons adding another level of flavour. Even the salad was delicious! We had absolutely no complaints. We ordered some extra bernaise and other table sauces but to be honest, the table sauces were not needed as everything just tasted so good on it's own and the Bernaise was made to perfection, paired incredibly well with the steak and was great as a chip dipper. The overall experience in my opinion was faultless, and the friends I was with didn't have a bad thing to say. The food great, service great. For an unassuming local pub, this is probably one of the best Oxford has to offer in terms of a unique dining experience without breaking the bank. Talking of the bill, the steak platter was £70, now between three people that's roughly £24 which for the amount you get, is insane value and should not be overlooked. Will definitely be coming again. Thank you Chester Arms for making a day out with my friends really memorable. I will be visiting again and recommend anyone who reads this review go there ASAP. If you like food, this is without a doubt an Oxford bucket list destination.

Atmosphere was great, food was decent enough! If you’re looking for a feast of steak then this is a no-brainer. Service was average though, I’m a walk in customer, but didn’t get the best treatment, made us (me and my partner) feel like we shouldn’t be there, even though we said we were happy to wait for more than 45 minutes. Even after sitting down, service was okay but slow. Overall experience was good, definitely try again next time but getting my table booked in advance

Friend lives nearby, said we need to try this place in the off chance managed to get a table (very lucky). Our friend said we need to have the Steak platter its amazing. When the plate came...... wow was amazed. The picture doesn't do it justice how big the portion is!!!! We took some home for the dogs. I had fish and chips the batter was abit too thick for my liking, each to their own. It is very dog friendly inside too.

We went for the steak platter, but unfortunately, it was incredibly salty, which really overpowered the dish. It’s a shame, as the ambience of the restaurant was lovely: warm, lively, and with a nice buzz. The wine was very good, and the combination of steak, chips, and cabbage had potential, but each element was overly salted, making the overall meal quite difficult to enjoy. On a positive note, the staff were friendly and accommodating (especially with dogs, which we appreciated). However, they did seem a bit rushed, even though the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy. Overall, I’d give it three stars. While there were some nice aspects, the food’s seasoning really let it down, and we probably wouldn’t hurry back.

Like most people apparently, we come here for the steak platter on special occasions. Service was prompt and very friendly, not at all pressured. Selection of starters was nice; steak platter was amazing as always. Wine choice was good, and there was a really good low-alcohol craft ale too, which is great.

Fantastic friendly pub with amazing service and excellent food. Special shout out to the young lady with funky glasses who made our evening really fun. The steak platter was the best steak I have ever had. Give it a try

A must if you're in Oxford. Staff Food Beers It's better if you make reservations but they also have some tables for walk-ins

We have visited England several times but never on a Sunday. I've been so disappointed to miss their famous Sunday roasts. This season, we found ourselves in the Costswolds over a Sunday and I was excited to partake in this Sunday tradition. After a few internet searches, I stumbled upon an article in favor of the Chester Arms. It bragged about a long line around the block. We made a reservation months in advance. We found ourselves in the middle of an unassuming neighborhood. The restaurant was quaint and filled with locals. That being said, the best thing I can say about the restaurant is local convenience. The appetizers are middle Eastern inspired. You won't find Yorkshire pudding or any good gravies here nor any tender meat. The meat is flavorful but difficult to chew and beef is your only option. This isn't a type of place you want to go to for your Sunday roast but this may be the place you go to if you don't want to drive beyond your street.

Everything about this place is wonderful. From the photos of dogs on the walls, smiling servers (even when very busy) to wonderfully prepared food and well selected drinks created wonderful memories.

Where do I start... This place is just amazing, great price for the amazing steak platters. The pictures attached are for a 2 person which you can see is great value for money. The platters always come out piping hot, defo worth the wait! Only criticism is that you do need to eat the steak fairly quick otherwise it tends to get slightly chewy - but that's just my opinion. The ambiance is fantastic and just so lovely, and the drinks manage to go down lovely whilst you wait. The only reason why I did not give 5 starts was because the Waiter was rushing our booking, then came over later and seemed off-tone and rushed us again with Dessert. Other than that this place is 10/10 definitely recommend

This is, without a doubt, the best food I've ever had. I went to the Chester Arms two years ago and I'm still drooling at the thought of the vegetarian mezze and steak platter. We got both to split between three people and it was more than enough for all of us. Everything on the veg plate was incredible. I couldn't pick a favorite bite because each seemed to be better than the last. And the steak platter was the most delicious and tender meat I've ever had the pleasure of eating. Do everything that you can to get to the Chester Arms--you'll be up late dreaming of your meal for years to come.

Chester Arms is a pub, but I would say their food is of restaurants quality. We went there after numerous recommendations of the steak they make. Despite being 8 in the evening on a school night, the place was pretty full, so good job that we have booked! The menu is very small, however, whatever they do is of a superb quality. However, if you go for a steak (and I suspect that's the main reason people go there), be aware that the wait is 45 min, as it takes to time to cook the dish. The main dishes are mostly for sharing, so it's much better if you are not on your own! We ordered an option for 3-4 people (we were 5) but it was more than enough! In addition to mouthwatering rare stake, the dish came with chips and veggies. I had no room for dessert left, but if it's as good as food I am so coming back!

Excellent Sunday Roast! Very tasty food and make sure you go hungry. I am willing to take a detour to Oxford to enjoy a meal there again.

Holy shit. I was recommend to come here by a local and damn this was one of the best steaks I've ever had. Staff: So friendly and nice! Interior: It's kind of hot so find a nice cool spot unless you good with the heat. Food: Steak Platter: This steak will have you wait about 30-45 minutes. But damn it's totally worth it! I was just waiting for time to pass waiting for my mouth to salivate. And once the steaks came I was like damn. Definitely can split the large one with two people. Overall: I will warn you you will fall asleep into a coma after this steak. It's so good that you just want to eat it and eat it and then go to bed lol

This is the pub your UK dreams are made of. Stop going to the corporate owned pubs; don't dare step into a Green King or a Wetherspoons. Take a cab, bus, or walk over to this little pub near Iffley to enjoy a few pints of local craft beer and well cooked UK pub food. If its nice out, they have a great backyard area too! On their normal menu, they have a lot of the hearty pub food you would expect like crispy fish and chips. But the real gem of the menu is the steak for two, which comes with a variety of sides and is surprisingly delicious. On Sundays, stop by for an authentic roast.

Great place, great service, great food, great music. Really nothing bad to say. We have just moved in to Oxford two days ago, and this pub is exactly the kind of places we were hoping to see here..! Will come back for sure.

Excellent cultural experience for visitors who enjoy good beer, food and local ambiance, especially its people

Ridiculously delicious meat and veggies!! Best time ever, it's a 'must-do' when in Oxford!

This neighbourhood pub has great steak platters. Friendly staff and a good atmosphere. Pints can be pricy but they have a good selection

Crowded on a Sunday lunchtime, hmmmm I wonder why? Because the Sunday lunches are lovely, as we've learned. The Sunday lunch menu only has I think 4 choices - chicken, beef, pork with crackling, and nut roast. I got the beef, and though we did wait a fair while for food and drink, we were rewarded with super hot plates of tender beef with creamy horseradish sauce, crispy roasted potatoes, homemade yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese plus all the usual veggies, and rich gravy. If there's something better to have on a hungover morning, I couldn't name it. It's a cute, rustic looking place, though I found it a little chilly and the tables are in weird places - we were hidden away behind a pillar - but if I lived here, I'd be wanting to come every Sunday afternoon. Parking is a nightmare around here, by the way, so plan ahead!

On a rainy evening, some live music writing your "memoire" with a half pint of 1664. The pub is an extension to your home, something you can enjoy in the evening or in the afternoon known only to the people who live nearby. If you are in Oxford, rainy or sunny day, please come by for a few minutes or for longer.

Nice music from time to time. Good alcohol selection. Friendly atmosphere. Pub food.