Tim Hughes gets on his bike to try out The Rusty Bicycle

The Rusty Bicycle is the perfect pub. A cosy bolthole where one can while away an afternoon over craft beer, lovely cider and good wine, with cheerful bar staff, quality newspapers and local music mag Nightshift to read, and a plentiful supply of board games.

It’s also a great place to eat.

Having given the place an (unnecessary in my view) makeover, the Rusty has also launched a new menu. This sees its famous pies replaced by sour dough pizzas. And mighty fine they are too – thin, crispy and imaginatively topped. Check out the chestnut, mushroom and pesto (£9) or the curiously-titled ‘I Don’t Give a Fig’ – which boasts fresh fig, artichoke, capers, rocket and parmesan (£10).

The good news for those poor souls who don’t have time to sit around drinking real ale all day, is that they are also available for takeaway.

But while their pizzas are great, it’s the burgers that steal the show. Huge, juicy, topped with a handful of red onion slices and accompanied by a pickled gherkin and a tin mug of chips (£9), the 60z Rusty Burger eclipses any of the pricier chain efforts in George Street.

For a quid extra you can add cheese and rosemary to your chips. For the same price you can also augment your burger with Cheddar or blue cheese, halumi, Napoli salami, or bacon. You’d struggle to beat the halumi, though, which comes in thick chewy slices of slightly salty loveliness – the perfect counterpoint to that tender, dripping beef. And with little pots of English mustard, ketchup and mayo, you can really make it your own.

You’d be a fool to take it away though. Instead sit awhile, sip a half of Arkell’s Moonlight, tackle the crossword, catch up on the news or engage in conversation with a complete stranger. As I said... perfect!

The Rusty Bicycle, Magdalen Road, Oxford 01865 435298