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Riverside dining in the heart of Oxford - The Folly, Oxford, Oxfordshire

The Folly

4.5
4.5
1471 Reviews
£26 to £40
British

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
The Folly, Oxford's unique riverside restaurant.
Join us for elegant food, superb drinks, a charming atmosphere, and a unique location perched on the banks of the River Thames in the heart of historic Oxford.

Book your table online and visit us to indulge in some fantastic modern British food.
Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, Modern European, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–2:15 pm Afternoon Tea Daily 2:30 pm–3:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    01865 201293
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Dan Richardson
  • Catering
    We offer a wide variety of catering options from fine five course dining to buffets, canapes and afternoon teas.
  • Private party facilities
    Make your next occasion unforgettable by hosting it at The Folly, where tradition meets elegance in the heart of Oxford.
  • Private party contact
    The Folly Restaurant: 01865 201293
  • Neighborhood
    Oxford
  • Parking details
    See http://www.no1-folly-bridge.co.uk/parking/ for full parking information.
  • Public transit
    Redbridge Park and rideX3, X13, 35A,B & C
  • Entertainment
    The River ThamesBoats, punting, our Edwardian river launchesSwans, geese etc
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • Afternoon Tea

    £22.95 per person

    Multiple dates available
    A classic British Afternoon Tea, available Monday to Sunday, 2:30pm - 3:45 pm. Please note that card details are required to secure your booking but will not be charged apart from in the event of no-shows in which case we reserve the right to charge £10 per person. Payment will be taken for your afternoon tea when you visit us. Please make us aware of any dietary requirements at least 48 hours prior to your afternoon tea bookings. Optional prosecco upgrades can be booked during the reservation process.
  • Tasting Menu at The Folly

    £75.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Come and sample a selection of The Folly's finest dishes designed to be be enjoyed by the entire table. Optional wine pairing is available and can be added during the online booking process. Please note that card details are required to secure your booking but will not be charged apart from in the event of no-shows in which case we reserve the right to charge £10 per person. Payment will be taken for your meal when you visit us.
  • New Year's Eve at The Folly

    £90.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Join us for a memorable start to the year with a delicious six-course dinner, served in the cosy atmosphere of The Folly. It’s the perfect setting for an evening of great food and great company. We look forward to welcoming you!

What 1,471 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Innovative

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Gluten-free-friendly

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Romantic

  • Oxford/Oxfordshire

    Great for scenic views

  • Oxford

    Best Overall

  • Oxford

    Best Service

  • Oxford

    Best Ambiance

  • Oxford

    Good for groups

  • Oxford

    Healthy

  • Oxford

    Neighborhood gem

  • Oxford

    Good for special occasions

  • Oxford

    Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Folly, a riverside gem in Oxford, offers a "lovely location" and "delicious food" that consistently impresses. Known for its attentive service and stunning views, it's perfect for a relaxed afternoon tea or a celebratory dinner. Despite some service hiccups, many diners describe it as "one of the best restaurants" in Oxford, praising its creative dishes and warm atmosphere.

1,471 Reviews
  1. George

    London

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely restaurant and great food. High Quality produce and very well presented. Staff very friendly, lovely ambience. Being by the river, I would imagine it’s wonderful in summer.

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  2. Jane

    Oxford

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The most beautiful restaurant especially in a window seat overlooking the river. The service is spot on- attentive but not at all intrusive eg when our water ran out it was quickly and quietly replaced before we’d even noticed. We were not hurried along and they didn’t rush to give us our bill. And the food is simply lovely; very attractively presented, very tasty and I just wish I could have eaten more. Can’t recommend enough

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  3. Sally

    Surrey

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1
    Food was cold and had to be recooked. No atmosphere as we were the only diners. Delivery mid meal meant the door was wide open so room temperature plummeted. Main course at £32 was definitely not worth the money.

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  4. Carol

    Oxford

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Mash potatoes with belly pork had a strange taste to say the least. Carrot cake tasted nothing like carrot cake. Pudding portions despite being over priced were very small

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  5. Claire

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a fantastic restaurant! We were still talking about the food today. The serving staff were really friendly and patient. The food was incredible. The place was busy but there was plenty of space and it didn’t ever feel too loud or crowded. Hope to return!

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  6. Michelle

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely afternoon tea. Food was fresh and the scones weee delicious. Service was excellent as well.

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  7. Caroline

    Buckinghamshire

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Lovely venue but VERY cold. I was so shocked that they added 12.5% service charge to the afternoon tea, which was already expensive. Such a shame.

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  8. Maisy

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely place and lovely service . Great for allergies.

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  9. Jan

    Devon

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Very friendly staff. Great service and lovely food. But it was just so chilly in there. People were wearing their coats on the next table. Yes it was a cold day, but no excuse for not boosting up the heat.

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  10. Pal

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing venue and beautiful food! Service was outstanding, cannot wait to return! Thank you for your hospitality

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Folly is rated 4.5 stars by 1471 OpenTable diners.

The Folly does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Folly

1 Folly Bridge, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4JU

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Oxford
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–2:15 pm Afternoon Tea Daily 2:30 pm–3:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, Modern European, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    See http://www.no1-folly-bridge.co.uk/parking/ for full parking information.
  • Public transit
    Redbridge Park and rideX3, X13, 35A,B & C
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Dan Richardson
  • Entertainment
    The River ThamesBoats, punting, our Edwardian river launchesSwans, geese etc
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    01865 201293
  • Catering
    We offer a wide variety of catering options from fine five course dining to buffets, canapes and afternoon teas.
  • Private party facilities
    Make your next occasion unforgettable by hosting it at The Folly, where tradition meets elegance in the heart of Oxford.
  • Private party contact
    The Folly Restaurant: 01865 201293
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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