alpha bar

The boxes of food here are absolutely delicious, fresh and customisable. Lashings of vegetarian options; in fact there's almost no meat or fish. For sheer taste, Alpha Bar is one of the best lunch options in central Oxford, especially to take away and eat on some grass in the summer. It also used to be a major bargain but prices went up a little while ago. Cans of drink are significantly overpriced; just pick one up at the newsagent in the market! Judging by the queue of over-supported students with massive posh hair who accumulate there at lunchtime, prices aren't deterring their core crowd. It is a bit bloody tasty so I'm not too surprised, and to be honest the volume of food you get still makes it good value.

I know lots of people who used to swear by this place, and rightfully so: friendly service, tasty food and it’s good for you. You can choose what goes in the box, and the size of the box, and it’s all healthy, simple ingredients so you feel all healthy. It’s a great chance to try out lots of yummy salad ingredients that you might not be sure you like. My favourites: the olive tapanade and tofu, which is unusual considering I don’t like olives and I normally find tofu quite repulsive.

A word of warning, though: I say lots of people used to swear by it because over the past year or so they bumped up their prices, so they charge by weight. They also seem to have changed some of the salad options so some of the ingredients are already mixed together. I don’t like not knowing how much my meal will cost until the end, especially when a small box can easily end up over a fiver. It’s hardly justifiable when you can eat a nice salad in a cafe for that much. If you can accept that, then go for it! It’s worth trying anyway, because it really is delicious, and at least it’s better for you than most other lunches for a fiver.

Absolutely the best salads in Oxford. They are really imaginative and delicious. Healthy and vegeterian but definately not the usual.
Noodles, miso, black bean salad, couscous, puy lentils, red and green pesto. All fab.
Lovely staff too.

I’m not a health food nut (sorry) but if there’s a picnic needed for a day out in Oxford, this is the only place to come. Whatever you opt to order - salad box (mixed salads in a box with toppings, mains, extras) or sandwiches (fresh artisan bread) - you won’t be hungry at the end.

You’ll have gone a long way towards your five a day without even noticing it too.

And you won’t break the bank here either: they even give student discounts on top of their very reasonable prices. This place will suit a vegetarian or vegan but offers meaty options too. The hallmark of it though is fresh, fabulous flavours and a lovely smug feeling after you’ve eaten.