Oxford Mail food critic Katherine MacAlister gives her pick of the best restaurants around.

Oxfordshire is really coming into its own food-wise, making it impossible to ignore. Those willing to travel can enjoy some real gems in the Oxfordshire countryside, where pubs, restaurants and cafes are being revived with increasing regularity. Or stick to Oxford itself and try somewhere new.

In no particular order:

Fallowfields - makes an enormous effort to entertain and enchant its guests. Growing much of the produce on the onsite farm, Mark Potts in the kitchens is using Fallowfields to make a name for himself.

  • Fallowfields Country House Hotel, Faringdon Road, Abingdon OX13 5BH
  • 01865 820416
  • www.fallowfields.com

Branca – the best place to kick back and relax with a cocktail or try the relaxed Italian menu. Great for people watching and always busy.

  • Branca, 111 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford OX2 6AJ
  • 01865 556111
  • www.branca.co.uk

Oli’s Thai – Tiny but perfect, it’s hard to get a table it’s so popular, but this gem off the Cowley Road will give your tastebuds a run for their money.

Taberu – Everyone is raving about this new Japanese restaurant on Cowley Road with afficianados saying it’s the best sushi outside of Tokyo, praise indeed.

  • Taberu, 100 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JE
  • 01865 434100

1855 – Not so much a pub as a wine bar, this is a fantastic addition to Oxford’s culinary line-up and a real boost to the Oxford Castle site, serving a wonderful variety of wine and a tapas style menu, day and night, in a sexy, contemporary setting.

Magdalen Arms – Gastro pub extraordinaire, this former snooker hall/pub continues to serve wonderfully communal food to an appreciative East Oxford audience, its reputation stretching all the way to the big smoke.

Killingworth Castle – My second home, this is where I come on my night off, because I can’t get enough of this lovely welcoming pub and its extraordinarily good food. It has never disappointed.

Muddy Duck – Posh gastro, this opened with a bang and is continuing to pull in the crowds thanks to its contemporary menu, open plan dining and gorgeous village location.

Kingham Plough – Continually inspiring, earthy and beloved chef owner Emily Watkins, she of Great British Menu fame, is the goddess in the kitchen of this quintessential Cotswold pub.

Coco’s/Kaz Bar – stalwarts of the Oxford’s cocktail and fun eats scene, these two Cowley Road restaurants have never stopped serving great food in a convivial atmosphere

  • Coco’s/Kaz Bar, 23 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1HP
  • 01865 200232

The Chester – Refurb of an old pub off the Iffley Road, now a bustling hub of eclectic moreishness. The steak platter is to die for.

  • The Chester, 19 Chester Street, Oxford OX4 1SN
  • 01865 790438

The Hollybush – A lovely pub in Witney bought by Luke Champion from his parents and turned into a fabulously comfy, welcoming little slice of foodie heaven.

  • The Hollybush. 35 Corn Street, Witney OX28 6BT
  • 01993 708073

Cherwell Boathouse – This stalwart Oxford restaurant really comes into its own over the summer months because the views are spectacular, you can punt there and the food is as pretty as a picture.

Oxford Kitchen – This has some enormously accomplished cooking being carried out in the kitchens. Worth checking out.

The Milkshed – What can I say? I virtually live here and still can’t get enough of the food despite its unobtrusive location on a farm off the A34. An absolute must.

Al Shami – Lebanese food at its best situated in this residential street in Jericho where it has been quietly serving fantastic authentic mezze feasts to anyone in the know for the past 20 years.

Sojo – Renowned by local and national critics alike this is the best Chinese food in town.

The Nut Tree – Michelin star maybe, but what also inspires is their community feel complete with an Aunt Sally team. Magical food recently refurbed.

St Giles' Café – It may have changed hands but the great and the good still flock here, one of Oxford’s oldest landmarks, for the fabulous breakfasts

Turl St Kitchen – Sustainable, local and environmental food maybe, more importantly delicious, daily rustic menus are turned out at this central restaurant. Sit at the communal trestle tables and enjoy.

Red Lion – Another favourite, an innocuous looking place in the sleepy hamlet of Britwell Salome, until you step inside to reveal a bustling homage to the food produced by Andrew Hill, while his partner Eilidh
Ferguson runs the front of house. Between them the originality and hospitality of their pub and the exceptional menu remain loyal to local and home grown produce.

The Sweet Olive – Those in the know crowd here on a regular basis for the traditional French cooking, the food is memorable and delicious.

Chequers at Burcot – Steven Sanderson may be young, but his cooking is big and bold. A real young star in the making, set in a lovely traditional pub, his partner Jade making you feel more than welcome.

The Old Post Office – This has been creating a buzz ever since opening a few years ago with a massive refurb job. It’s name is self explanatory but it aims to provide a modern interpretation of an original public house. Its warm and friendly restaurant serves Mediterranean inspired food and modern British dishes.

The Fish – Building up a steady reputation over the years this stalwart sees the likes of Helen Bonham Carter adorning its bar stools and restaurant on a regular basis.

The Perch – Back with a new decor and menu, run by the same people as Mamma Mia and Portabello.The perfect summer venue.

  • Perch Inn, Binsey Lane, Oxford OX2 0NG
  • 01865 728891

The Crown – another new refurb job in Woodstock from the Duke of Cambridge and Anchor stable in Jericho. Light, airy interior and decor.