The Oxley

Went there on a weekday for diner. The place was busy. We had the crab cakes, maple short ribs and rack of lamb. We enjoyed everything. The main dishes really stood out though. They were delicious, although on the saltier side. The short ribs were tender and had a nice caramelisation and the sauce was 👌 the service was efficient. I found the sound level to be too loud. We couldn’t hear each other on our 2 people table. You almost have to yell to communicate. They had nice flowers in tiny vases, which added a nice touch. They take reservations and have a patio at the front.

Been to The Oxley a few times now and quality has been up and down almost each time. There’ve been times that I enjoyed my time there and times like this last time where it’s pretty clear that I shouldn’t be spending this much money for what I’m getting. Came for Brunch on a Sunday morning. Our server had an unfriendly attitude of communicating with us. She didn’t introduce herself, and when she walked up to our table the first question was if we were ready to order. She started to warm up towards the end when we were vocal about the poor quality of food. I got the Full English Breakfast ($28) with eggs over easy. The eggs were clearly overcooked and were crispy around the edges. The sausage was extremely dry and tough and was hard to cut and swallow. Their toast for whatever reason tastes like a giant crouton. It was like they dipped it in fat and toasted it in the oven. My company got the Breakfast Board ($27) and there were a lot of berries there that were soggy and didn’t look fresh. This tells me there’s just not a good quality control around the food being put out. These are expensive dishes for what components are included. It’s not worth the price, and the city has no shortage of alternatives for better food.

Sunday brunch, is there a better sentence in the English language? And where better to enjoy a quintessentially English breakfast and beer than The Oxley? The Full English is just that, full! The beer is cask, as beer should be. The indoor space is warm and comfortable, the back patio is a haven of tranquility in a busy downtown space. Staff are knowledgeable and the specials for the good are unique for the area, and the drinks are imaginative and tasty. Go, order the Full English or the Scotch Eggs with the house pickle, you won't regret it.

We had a light lunch at the Oxley. It was a great lunch and we sat in the patio at the back it had good shade and a lively atmosphere. The staff were friendly and attentive

Great visit to this restaurant last night. Service standards were followed very well by the server. She went out of her way to explain more about the menu. The only factor that wasn’t good was she didn’t greet us at all! The menu is on the high price point for what they offer in terms of portions of food items. So, if you are planning on spending a lot, then only it’s worth going here.

I am not sure what took me so long to come here but i think i died and went to burger heaven. The chef chops the meat for the burger! Best burger i ever had- super juicy served with bacon and cheddar/ blue cheese with a side of fries and ketchup - made in house. I needed extra ketchup! Amazing atmosphere and service. Everything on the menu looks so delicious but it will be hard to not get the burger every time!! Also its just beautiful inside! I love that they have a fireplace. Dont be fooled by the 4.3 rating on google this place is 10/10

The Oxley has been one of my go to pubs for years. As close as your are going to get to a proper English pub in Toronto. The food is an amazing, service is friendly and the vibe is what you want a pub to be. Whether you sit at the bar, in the dining area or one of the patios it’s all good. Love the brunch. Love the fact they have real ales! Plus some nice cocktails. Top it off with a great location. Reservations are handy, especially in the summer.

Really enjoyed our meal here, the food was delicious, full of flavor from start to finish. We will definitely be back. Mary was such a lovely server :)

A night for girls who are hunting for well-reputed cocktails in the city, and today we were here at The Oxley! We ordered: (food) # Ploughman's Platter (Shareable). # Calamari & Chorizo Toast # Chips & House Ketchup We had the Ploughman's platter slowly with two draft beers (Pilsner from Junction and IPA from Nickel Brook). The variety of items on the plate can, we thought, fill two of us easily - it came with picked egg, Cured Meats slices, Terrine slices, Aged Cheddar slices, Pickles, Mustard, two pieces of green apples and two kinds of Chutney & Fresh Bread. But we realized that we can go for more food, along with more drinks. Then we ordered Calamari & Chorizo Toast and French fries & House Ketchup. We enjoyed both, especially the French fries. One of the best in the past decade! Light and fluffy inside, with crispy exterior. Calamari & Chorizo's calamari was super tender. The Chorizo brought its own saltiness to the whole topping, and the bread kept its crispiness even with this rich topping. AND our cocktails of the day: #The Oxley G&T # Kentucky Harvest # Spiced Sour # My Drunk Uncle All their cocktails were perfectly balanced, and packed with complex flavor profiles. I especially liked Spiced Sour. Egg white was super fine with gentle touch and mellow the sourness to the perfect level. I sniffed the spice scent for every sip. So good! This place is upgraded version of Pub that is not easily found in elsewhere in Toronto, with quality food and carefully selected/prepared drinks. They change the menu every season. I will come back to try winter menu - very soon!

this place is pretty good. The drinks are really nice, service is quick. They had a great charcuterie board that had lots of different things that we've never tried before but everything worked perfectly! We definitely come back here again.

Best gastro pub in Yorkville! Highly recommend their regular bar fair and asking for what cool beers they may have on offer. Also they serve a fantastic salad. Don't recommend brunch.

British pub in yorkville. Food is very good gastopub style Fish and chips are good nice batter and not too greasy. The kale salad with panfried salmon is yummy! Most of our experiences at the Oxley have been very good and the one time, we experienced a few minor issues, management reached out to address our concerns. The company has a policy of charging $0.75 cents for condiments (a table spoon of hot sauce in our experience.) Not sure if this is just me but I find this policy outrageous. When $17.00 + tip + tax on (total 23.50) on a sandwich charging for hot sauce is unnecessarily irksome to me.

4.5/5 In my ongoing pursuit of Toronto's best fish and chips, I've visited notable establishments like Fresco, Sea Witch, and Old Yorke. Unfortunately, most of them fell short of my expectations, except for Old Yorke. However, a new contender has emerged that might just surpass the reigning champion: Oxley. Upon entering Oxley, you'll be greeted by an ambiance that effortlessly combines the elegance of a British pub with a welcoming atmosphere. The expansive back patio invites patrons to relax and enjoy their meal in style. With a two-story layout, it creates a secluded garden-like space that feels like a hidden gem. Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the fish and chips. Oxley's choice of fish is the haddock.The delicate, golden batter encases the fish perfectly, providing a satisfying crunch. Unlike the heavy batter found at Sea Witch, each bite at Oxley strikes the right balance between fish and coating, ensuring a delightful texture and flavor combination. Accompanying the fish are a range of delightful flavors. A sprinkle of flaky salt enhances the natural taste of the fish, while a gentle squeeze of lemon adds a refreshing citrus kick. The tartar sauce, slightly thicker than usual, surprises with its light and tangy profile. And here's where Oxley takes an unexpected twist: their unique sauce, reminiscent of the iconic butter chicken, adds a captivating dimension to the dish. The fusion of vibrant tomatoes, warm spices, and succulent fish creates a harmonious and memorable flavor experience. Let's not forget about the fries, which offer a departure from the ordinary. These larger-cut delights boast a fluffy interior and a golden exterior, reminiscent of the chips found in authentic British establishments. Although they may lack the traditional crunch, their unique texture adds an interesting element to the overall enjoyment. While my search for Toronto's ultimate fish and chips continues, Oxley has undeniably made a lasting impression. If you're seeking a top-notch fish and chips experience in a welcoming setting, Oxley is an establishment that deserves your attention.

Solid service. Good food. Crispy Smoked Chicken and Fish & Chips were delicious. Nice ambiance.

A popular restaurant in Yorkville serves classic English cuisine with a country/home-style menu. If you like game and other meats, but want relatively "classic" cooking, this is the place to go! I've only been here a couple times, but really enjoyed it! It's also known to be a great place for a drink - the intimate and cozy setting is quiet and secluded and not too crowded. Be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment and to make sure you have enough accommodation. All things aside, prices here are on the high side, so for me, going to Oxley is an absolute treat. The food here is reasonably portioned and being in Yorkville, plus their unique menu, it all makes sense. If you like their food, that's great! I don't think everyone likes the food here, so be sure to check out the menu and research what's available before you come. Also, there are daily specials so make sure you ask and don't be shy - is it hot or cold, raw or cooked ...... If something on the menu doesn't sound familiar, all questions are reasonable and necessary to get a feel for the dish. I really appreciated their service, they were very patient with all our requests and it made for a very good experience.

Beautiful space. Great bar. Fine menu. Professional service. The lamb burger special was tasty. Chunky chips, British style. Overall, a great gastropub skewing to the higher-end but managing to remain grounded in the otherwise rarefied air of its Yorkville locale.

The Oxley, like it's sister pub Queen and and Beaver downtown, excels in creating a great English pub atmosphere with great beer and drink options. However, the food, despite some efforts at upscale English pub food, falls apart a bit on the execution. The fish and chips plate looked great, but was seriously under-seasoned, and the batter was falling away from the fish. The fries were likewise under-seasoned, and also cut thick and under-fried, creating more of a baked potato effect. The tartar sauce, homemade and in an individual ramekin, was ice cold and rock-hard, likely spooned out in advance of service and left in the fridge. I cut it with a knife! The interior is great, all dark wood and antique furniture. The crowd is on the mature side and they appear to do a brisk after work business. A great pub for a drink and conversation, but the food falls short of its ambitions.

Great atmosphere. Managed to get the big comfy leather couch across from the fireplace. The lobster and fish pie was SO tasty and satisfying. Accompanied by green buttered peas. Could have ordered the whole menu! Attentive service made it a most pleasurable evening.

The ambiance is fantastic and the food were decent. Highly recommend the Scotch Ale on the menu. Service were amazing, especially memorable with that one bearded bartender

Cozy, quintessential British pub serving up great drinks and the best fries in the city. Prompt and friendly staff kept our water glasses filled all night. Great patios in the summer. Homey and gorgeous inside just please don't take too many Instagram photos.

RECOMMEND: Three decades since I'd lunched in Yorkville and I wandered in to The Oxley and was rewarded! Good service & ambiance sitting inside at the bar during the heatwave but the seating outside would be fantastic on the right weather day or hour. Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Yukon dumplings & peas served in an accent broth. If this pub was in Los Angeles I would go there often. If you are local take advantage of their delicious fare!

Great ambience and a fab place for a casual meal or first date. I love the fish and chips. The service is generally good, but being in Yorkville, it can be a bit...entitled and lacking warmth. At one visit for a work party, my colleague ordered a coffee that was not to her taste. Instead of just politely asking if he could bring my coworker something else, the server spent 5 minutes going on about how it's great quality coffee that was freshly prepared (eye roll)

Visiting from the US/ SF area. Food was cooked well and presentable but overall, type of food was not to our liking. Choice of indoor, outdoor front or back and upstairs dining in Yorkville fine shopping area. Came here for brunch on Saturday. Hostess was accommodating; our main server was a bit pessimistic. Would recommend another choice.

A lovely, not-too-noisy interior. We've eaten outside on the front patio before. The service was very good, and prompt, on a busy Mother's Day. While on the pricey side, the food was excellent and tastefully prepared. We started with mimosas made with fresh orange juice, and a dry bubbly which struck the right note. I had the Full English, with very tasty baked beans, fluffy scrambled eggs and really excellent sausage (low on fat -- though the bacon added some!). My wife's Hog Town Benedict (I had a bite) was superb. A very good coffee was served. We lingered, enjoying.

True Yorkville gem, great food and selection of beers and cocktails. Definitely the best spot in the area to stop by after work at for a drink and appetizer

The Oxley used to be a good spot to hang out it no longer is ! In a recent visit we moved from the patio inside since it started to rain. The room was empty except one table , the young man that sat us stated he could not take the order and a waiter would be with us shortly . This never happened waiters were passing by and never even looked at us so we waited and waited ...the other table near us discovered an "unidentified" object in their food we finally got up and left !

We stopped in for a drink while walking around Yorkville enjoying a winter's evening. A warm and inviting space that just looked like the perfect choice when walking by, and we weren't disappointed. We chose the upstairs bar and dining room, and got great seats. The bar tender was extremely friendly, and discussed our drink preferences as he educated us on spirits we had not tried yet. After a lengthy discussion about gin, he pointed out the two he felt I would enjoy the most, and I ended really enjoying his first pick. My spouse enjoyed a hard cider. We weren't hungry enough to eat, but all of the food coming out for the tables looked very appetizing, we will make sure to save room for our next visit and stop back.

Service was absolutely terrible... the food marginal at best... avoid at all costs...

I had a good meal here and it was a friendly bar tender to keep me company while traveling and got ditched for dinner. I had a great "brick chicken" dish that really liked with an interesting presentation and a small starter salad that wasn't on the menu but they made for me. The guy sitting at the bar next to me had the fish and chips which looked amazing and he reported they were amazingly good. I was on low carb so that wasn't in the cards for me but this is a pretty good place. It isnt super cheap but it is good!

Very good food but service is very slow - much the same as most restaurants in Toronto. Nice people but I shy away because the service is so slow...

I went to The Oxley in 2021. I remember nothing about this meal other than paying $$$ and feeling like I was in a vintage restaurant. Unhelpful review I am sorry, but if you spent that much money and ate there but you remember nothing about it, it probably wasn't that good. T_T

Sunday night dinner for two, not busy, service was cool (not in the good way), food was great. short rib and a kale salad. tasty, well prepared, nicely presented. The mistake was asking for a glass of California Chardonnay. No wine list had been presented. Buehlers 2019 Indian River, again very good. Then the bill came - $37 for a 8 oz glass. The bottle retails for $37 Cad. This was more expensive than the prepared mains! I don't begrudge tipping 20% on total bills, I understand and am sympathetic to staffing challenges, but gouging on a very basic retail wine like this leaves me with a bad taste. Not impressed.

A deliciously authentic taste of Britain both in flavor and destination; would go again!

Nice place, fast servlce, good prices, You can flnd anything menu. kind and helpful waiters

Gorge atmosphere and food! Such a cute vibe and couldn't get enough of the starter!! Quite pricey but good for Yorkville

We were a late lunch, like 3 pm, but we were greeted warmly and shown to a table in the back...very English hunting/pub decor - wood, leather, fox hunting wall paper. The menu for lunch was ample, some interesting options, but we went for the fish and chips, very happy we did! Also had a Thornbury hard apple cider and a Canadian Red beer. Very happy with the service, the atmosphere and the food...highly recommend!

BLIMEY! An English pub in the heart of Yorkville? You better believe it. Solid fish and chips. Lightly battered scrodfish with hot, crispy fries. Malt vinegar, please! The fish pie looked amazing with the crispy mash on top and they even have some fancy-pants dishes if that's what you're in to. Heck, even the burger looked legit... Now I'm hungry -- great. People talk about the eggs Benedict and I am inspired to come back and get it. A very decent beer selection accompanied all the food of course and the creaky old house is straight out of England. I don't think you can go wrong by stopping in at the Isley for lunch, dinner or anything around or in between.

My server was wonderful, and the beer was good, and she even gave me a taste prior to ordering. The burger was hand chopped meat, but unfortunately, it was 50% globs of fat. Fortunately they fell apart as I was eating them so I was quickly able to see the globs of fat and separate them. The fries were good.

I came here for brunch with my friends to catch up. The place looks great, but the food wasn't the greatest. We all ordered from the brunch menu and thought the dishes were too salty or lacked flavour, except for one dish. We ordered the Fresh Baked Deep Filled Quiche (the side salad was very salty and sour), The Full English (the beans were too sweet and the sausage was very meaty in taste), and the eggs Benedict (this was good). Probably wouldn't come back for food, but maybe for drinks, since they did have a wide range of options.

I came here on a Sunday to grab brunch with a friend. We seen the reviews on YELP and it was just a couple feet away from where we were. The outside of the restaurant was so welcoming. I loved the red building and the decor. Gorgeous patio, too bad it was way too cold to sit outside. When we walked in, we were waiting for awhile to be seated. We thought that was super odd since we kept making eye contact with three other servers and the bartender. Nothing says awkward when customers are waiting to be seated and the servers/host are just standing behind the bar for a couple minutes exchanging glances. My friend said "you think we be seated by now...." and I agreed with her. After 5 minutes, the host leaves her spot from behind the bar and asked if we had reservations. Please keep in mind that she wasn't doing anything behind the bar and took that long to come greet us. Not cool. We didn't have reservations but she finally seated us down. From there, it was the male french server that turned our experience from blah to great. HE WAS AWESOME and totally made us forget about our horrible experience with the blond host. He told us his name was Anthony, told us the changes in the menu and was super quick and efficient. I ordered the eggs benny with Peameal. For 17 bucks in a brunch place that is located in Yorkville, that is reasonable to me. I thought there would be some kind of hash or potatoes with it. It was still delicious. I wouldn't order it again though, it was a different take of eggs benedict that I wasn't used to. The hollandise sauce tasted differently and the consistency was a bit thicker. The poached eggs and peameal was served on two halves of a scone. It was yummy, but next time I will try something else. I should have gone with the fish and chips! My friend ordered the full breakfast. She had no complaints, and it was super filling. I didn't think it was necessary to book reservations, there was several empty tables available so I was really puzzled to why we weren't seated or greeted right away. Food was still delicious and Anthony was super amazing. He is a great server, my friend had small requests and he was super quick to fulfill them. Happy Eating fellow YELPERS.

The interior of the restaurant is beautiful and the back patio is a great spot! The service started off terribly. We got to the back patio and there were three tables seated. The server tried to place us at a table for 2 directly beside two other tables. We indicated that we'd prefer to be further away from others as there is a pandemic - she rudely told us we needed to sit at a table for two. (To note, there was another group of two at a four top) She begrudgingly told us we could have the table further away and then indicated it was reserved in two hours. How many two tops come in at 4pm and sit in excess of two hours? Understand the need to have as many tables as possible but the patio was only us for most of our visit - the host was just digging in unnecessarily. She was also seen not wearing a mask. Togarashi chips were great, fish and chips were good but the chef did not strain the grease and it was soggy and swimming in oil. See photo of the oil on the plate. Seafood pie came out and the top was hot but interior was room temperature- they quickly replaced. Seafood should be cold or hot - not slightly warm. The server did wipe down and sanitize the debit machine. Overall - ok. The food issues can be overlooked, the initial greeting cannot.

The Oxley is in the fancy Yorkville neighborhood and the decor matches the area. It's a beautiful restaurant with an even more gorgeous back patio. The style and design just fits. The old clock in the back is a nod to the past yet the style of the patio keeps it modern and looking to the future. However, the dining experience wasn't the very best. The service was a bit slow and the food was not good. We ordered Scotch eggs and they came out cold and not tasty at all. The drinks were decent. They have a big list and even a cider, but they were all overpriced. If you want some good Instagram shots, go here, but otherwise there are better bars/restaurants in Toronto.

The good - great location. Staff are nice. Decent selection of drinks. The not so good - we have been the maybe 4 times in the past 6 months. Every time we have been disappointed with the food. As a Brit who's in Toronto a lot, I was hoping for some home comfort food and a good local. The roast dinner today, was really poor. They put lettuce on it! I mean why would you ever do this! They really need a good British executive chef. I also had a really poor Scotch Egg a few months back and another bad meal.

Mains are okay. I ordered a dessert, a coconut espresso flan, which turned out to be a gray, curdled mess. It looked so unappetizing and tasted awful. I returned it, but they didn't even take it off the bill. Also, noise levels are so high, you are yelling the whole time to your dinner companions.

Gin drink choices v. Good. Toe rags, chorizo bites & sardine apps all very good. Salty and delicious accompaniment to drinks. Rabbit gnocchi good per my kid. We're big eaters, so app and dinner didn't stuff us. Dessert was also nice- chocolate mousse a orange and toffee pudding. We sat out back in patio, which didn't not feel big city. I liked it.

Excellent Lamb chop delicious and I love the courtyard so private and beautiful. and service is good as well.

I have been to the Oxley a couple of times and enjoyed my experience each visit. On my first visit catching up with a friend over lunch, I ordered the fish pie and was in comfort food heaven. Creamy sauce studded with tons of yummy seafood and a baked buttery potato topping - omg amazing. My mom and I enjoyed a lovely brunch on my most recent visit this past weekend. I opted for the smoked salmon on freshly baked scones with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, very very good. For my mom's dish, she chose the daily quiche (mushrooms and aged white cheddar that day) which was served with a fresh green salad and loved it. Absolutely will return when in the neighborhood again.

Food is mediocre. Service, at least the waiter that served us, is poor (indifferent attitude). The physical space is very well done and the back patio where we are is charming. Overall I'd try some other place.

Ordered half dozen oyster but only five very small ones and the sixth one only shell with garlic on top... Food portions are small. Tastes are ok but obviously overpriced. It's hard to even give it a 4 star as a three dollar sign restaurant.

Good Staff, very attentive. Food was very tasteless and mediocre. Portions were tiny as well, so do order appetizers. Very limited wine menu.

Very easy environment and decent food. Would try something else next time . Service is good.

Had dinner here on a Thursday night during a long weekend visit in Toronto. It's pearly an after work spot but also seemed to have a real community vibe in the middle of yorkville. It's in a trendy brownstone right downtown with FIL lighting and industrial meets vintage interior. They have great variety of gin drinks and the fish and chips smelled heavenly and was clearly very popular since everyone around us got it! We got the lobster pie and the duck. My companion said his pie was amazing and left not a drop on the plate. The duck was cooked a bit more then imposed to personally but was a solid medium on a bed of beans. We went for desert, I got warm toffee cake which was a unique and delicious choice! Would absolutely recommend to anyone in the air for good vibes, good food, and the feel of a classy experience in yorkville for a reasonable price.

We came here for lunch on a weekday. It wasn't busy but our food took a really long time. I ordered the Fish and Chips and it was really good. My boyfriend ordered the buttermilk chicken with coleslaw. The coleslaw was very vinegary and saugy. I did not like the coleslaw. The buttermilk chicken was crispy, not oily, and delicious. My fish was crispy and the fish was thick and meaty. Their tartar sauce and ketchup were home made. They were delicious. The only con about this place was the price. My fish and chips was $20 and the buttermilk chicken was $24. Food took forever so it was tough during the lunch time on a work day.

I'm not sure what has happened to the quality control and general oversight at the Oxley, but it appears to have gone downhill since my last visit several years ago. Somewhere in my photo there is a tepid $28 lamb burger smothered in mayonnaise and goat cheese. My recollection was that the food and service here were exceptional, but perhaps those days are gone. Recent reviews on this site would also suggest the same. Come on guys, do better!

Sunday afternoon, dearth of decent bars in the neighborhood. Wandered on over to this pub - a classic English watering hole including the furniture and bar taps. Settled at a table, dimly lit with a lamp to the side (perfect). Was quickly given menus by our server (not very pub-like) which includes some interesting options. Decided on the Pressed Beef Tongue Chips ($7) to go along with a pint ($8.25). The "chips" are a handful of well fried beef-tongue bites served alongside mustard aioli. Wonderfully breaded and the aioli provides a nice kick. Kinda wished there was more, but it kept the dish cheap. Service is quick and the space was nice to relax. Good spot to drink and talk with friends.

Really good but busy weekend brunch spot - serving pub fare - in Toronto's upscale Mink Mile neighbourhood. Service was great and food was served up quickly. I was there at 10:00 on a Sunday, sat down, had some water, blinked and the place was buzzing with people all of a sudden. I suggest you make reservations and probably in advance for brunch - I haven't been for dinner but it's probably a good idea to book ahead of time. Ok, back to the important stuff! The food. The presentation of the food was a bit lacklustre but it was tasty which is really what it's about. I had the cranberry walnut French Toast, because, why not? It was two slices of toast covered in maple syrup (and ice cream and maple butter - I can't have ice cream but if I could I don't think I'd have it at 10:00am, maybe that's just me) anyhow, the French Toast was pretty good. It was sweet, crunchy and the hit of walnut and cranberries was unexpected but pleasing. I was glad it was only two slices- perfect amount for me. The service was efficient and our server was very attentive, making sure we were seen too right when sat down, that we had everything we needed as we were served and topping up our coffees. Love a place that pays that much attention to their guests! I think I will go back for dinner sometime.

Pretty average pub fare offerings. I had the burger which is chopped sirloin and I honestly wish I'd gotten it a little less cooked (my go to for burgers is medium). The bite of fish and chips that I had was nice and fresh without too much breading. Drinks were tasty. Only thing to complain about is our waitress. She acted like she was surprised we were there and that it was a pain to serve us. Seems pretty consistent with previous reviews.