Beans and Bus Stops
There’s nothing quite like unwinding with a great cup of coffee or tea and watching the world go by, starting a fascinating book, or discovering a lovely new stop-off point during the day.
Oxford is brimming with wonderful cafes, but the coffee shops featured in the list below were picked mostly on the basis of two factors. Firstly, every cafe needed to serve more than just a good brew. They might be anything from commitment to a social cause to an extraordinary location to something distinctive that went beyond great coffee. Secondly, each coffee shop needed to be within walking distance from a bus stop.
So, whether you're seeking a cosy nook to spend hours people-watching, a convenient break on a day trip, a quick lunch getaway or an exciting new venue to explore, here are some of our picks for coffee shops in Oxfordshire.
A tale of two beans at Coco Noir, Headington
Over 5,300 years ago, the domestication of the cocoa bean marked the beginning of an incredible journey. Little did anyone imagine that subsequent generations of bean would find themselves the star ingredient in a gorgeous chocolate shop located in the suburbs of Oxford. But they did, and the residents of Headington are all the richer for it.
Coco Noir is not the largest establishment in Headington, but it is rather special. Imagine a street cafe in Paris with vintage Rococo decor, flanked by displays of continental confectionery and patisserie on shelves, dressers, and in display cabinets, and you start to get the idea. Inside, the atmosphere is friendly and unhurried, and the owner is keen to make people feel at home. Best of all though, the coffee is strong, the Italian pastries delicious, and the chocolates a real centrepiece. All are freshly made and contain at most six ingredients and more importantly, they are sold individually, so you could purchase a cheeky few to accompany your coffee. Or if you’re feeling slightly flusher and have a deserving family member or friend in mind, you could leave with a beautifully wrapped box as a gift.
The chocolate shop is run by local entrepreneur Majid Yazdani, who originally came to Oxford to study Mechanical Engineering in the 1980s. During his studies, he helped at Coco Noir and ended up managing the shop for five years under the Ghomshei family's ownership. Even though he spent some time working at UBS bank, he remained closely involved with the running of the cafe. Recognising the power of chocolate to delight and please, he subsequently funded the chocolate shop as a startup and has never looked back since.
Top 3 positives: Freshly-made gourmet chocolates, strong coffee, and a welcoming owner.
Nearby attractions: C.S Lewis House, The Headington Shark
A secret garden with a purpose at Café Restore, Cowley
Tucked away from the bustling Cowley Road, through a colourful gate, lies a secret leafy garden with a noble cause. As you step under the archway far from the madding crowd, you are immediately welcomed into a green sanctuary that beckons all ages and stages to unwind, if just for an hour or two. This colourful garden is dotted with whimsical willow structures that invite games of hide and seek, the odd cosy nook to sip coffee in, and a quaint summer house. Wildlife-friendly borders and an array of shrubs and trees cocoon this space from the wider world.
The Garden Café, overlooking the main lawn, is run by the mental health charity Restore and supports individuals in managing their mental health challenges. The staff are kind and caring, with some of them busy learning new skills in catering while gaining invaluable work experience in a compassionate environment. Lunches are freshly prepared on-site, ranging from hearty soups to creative, colourful salads. Pre-packaged sandwiches need not apply.
Here you'll find office workers escaping their computer screens, single mums wrestling valiantly with wriggling toddlers, long lost friends catching up over coffee, and a solo traveller or two curled up with a book. This cafe is truly run by the community and for the community, and it serves great coffee to boot.
Top 3 positives: Strong coffee, landscaped garden, positive cause
Nearby attractions: Cowley Marsh nature reserve, international food shops, vibrant street art. Cowley Road carnival is held yearly.
Fine beans meet prime location at Jericho Coffee Traders
Jericho Coffee Traders, a speciality espresso bar on Oxford High Street, is a fine pitstop for coffee lovers. The small and perfectly formed cafe exudes bags of character with friendly baristas who are clearly passionate about their coffee. The coffee here is memorable in a great way; think strong flavours with caramel and blueberry, topped with real chocolate flakes, and served in vivid turquoise cups—the same colour as the family’s much-loved iconic Vespa tuk-tuk. To top it all, a glass counter tempts with a small but tasty array of locally made pastries, including vegan options. Kinder Bueno cookie with your coffee? Don’t mind if I do!
Despite its central location, Jericho Coffee Traders still feels like a refuge from the main thoroughfare. There’s a lively buzz here but it’s not overwhelming. Inside, you’re immediately struck by how cosy it is. Friends perch on bar stools catching up over coffee, a sole laptop user pores over work, and the odd tourists wander in from the madding crown seeking a quick pick-me-up. If you do manage to snag some coveted outside, you'll have front-row seats to watch Oxford's life pass by—from groups of tourists flocking to University Church opposite, to the iconic bright red CitySightseeing buses trundling by, to (during term time) chatty groups of students walking by.
Jericho Coffee Traders started out in 2009 when husband and wife team James and Elizabeth Armitage saw a Vespa 'tuk-tuk' for sale and thought, "That needs a coffee machine on the back of it!" Two years later, the tuk-tuk became a mobile café and Jericho Coffee Traders was born. Fast forward to now, and Jericho Coffee Traders has five locations across Oxfordshire, including their own micro roastery in Osney Mead. They also offer a coffee subscription business and a coffee school for novices and experts to share their knowledge and love of coffee.
Top 3 positives: Location, infectious passion for great coffee, buzzing atmosphere
Nearby attractions: Christchurch meadow, City Sightseeing Oxford, Oxford Botanic Gardens, The Radcliffe Camera, The Covered Market, University Church
A breakfast with accolades at The Jericho Cafe
Not to be confused with Jericho Coffee Traders, The Jericho Cafe feels very much like a locals' spot with a great buzz and plenty of regulars. Situated towards the end of Walton Street, home to rows of candy-coloured Victorian houses, fascinating eateries, and arty galleries, the cheerful red awning of The Jericho Cafe stands out on the corner of Observatory Street.
This family-run cafe was awarded the accolade of 2nd best brunch in Britain by The Sunday Times, and it's easy to see why. The breakfast menu is extensive and very tempting, offering everything from a Full English to Butterbeans on Sourdough Toast to Maple Berry Waffles, making you seriously consider a second breakfast.
The service at The Jericho Cafe is relaxed, and the food is simple but tasty. The coffee is strong with notes of caramel, and there’s also a good range of teas, from red berry to lemongrass and ginger. The café is spread over two floors, so it doesn’t feel too crowded.
There’s no doubt that The Jericho Café is an institution in the Jericho area, having traded there for 32 years. It’s a place where generations of friends and family members have gathered, serving as an informal meeting place for the community. The cafe’s central location also places it close to other local treasures, such as the independent cinema The Phoenix Picturehouse and the Port Meadow nature reserve.
Top 3 positives: Location, extensive breakfast menu, informal atmosphere
Nearby attractions: Port Meadow, Phoenix Picturehouse, Godstow Abbey
Coffee in a rural idyll at Sandy Lane Farm, Tiddington
In what other place would you sip coffee near a mound of snoozing piglets? And yet, this idyllic scene can be found at a mixed organic farm, located just ten minutes’ walk down Sandy Lane (opposite a garage) from the main road and nearest bus stop.
Sandy Lane is a small, family-run farm that has kept things growing for the last 30 years. It’s committed to organic farming practices, rears pigs and lamb, and grows a wide range of vegetables. Vegetables are harvested the old-fashioned way, and this adds to the charm.
To the right of the entrance to the farm shop, a small booth serves freshly ground coffee—a rich, intensive dark roast with chocolate notes, courtesy of the South Oxfordshire roastery, Horsebox Coffee Company. The booth also offers tea, cold drinks, and generous slabs of freshly baked cake. While there is indoor seating, try to find space on the wooden benches in the front yard. You could be forgiven for wanting a quick snooze as you absorb the pace of this working farm. Or you could buy a takeaway coffee and browse the shelves of bountiful homegrown produce in the farm shop.
Top 3 positives: Strong coffee with chocolate notes, cake, the farm animals, commitment to the community through their open days.
Nearby attractions: Parts of The Oxfordshire Way, Rycote Chapel, Thame Museum (280 bus route to Thame).
Brews with river views at Benson Waterfront Cafe
Imagine stepping off a busy main road and suddenly finding yourself in a riverside haven—and yet this is precisely the main charm of Benson Waterfront Café. Located on the main Oxford to Henley Road, it’s quite easy to overlook it. Yet, a short walk around the main building brings about a dramatic transition. It’s like crossing from one world into another, from the hum of motor traffic to the gentle lapping of the Thames and the relaxed laughter of daytrippers.
Once you venture around the building, you’re greeted effectively by riverside destination complete with day boating activities (courtesy of Bygone Boating), a Hoseasons holiday park, as well as the café itself. The outdoor seating area, set on an expansive stepped terrace, offers breathtaking westward views down the Thames and across the opposite bank to the lush green countryside. Originally a modest shop and café serving holidaymakers and boaters with souvenirs and essentials, Benson Waterfront Café has since developed into an easy going, relaxed eatery. Its comfortable decking area now attracts a whole array of visitors—from friends and couples to cyclists, walkers, and solo adventurers.
River cruisers line the waterfront while ducks paddle leisurely, and holidaymakers amble along the riverbank. Here, you can enjoy a good cup of coffee, freshly made pastries, and homemade cakes, as well as front row seats to river life, from families messing about on the river to ducks paddling leisurely hoping for a handful of duck food (available at the café) to be thrown their way. The café is also open from brunch through to supper so it’s a good way to bookend a day of boating if you are naturally drawn to water. Or if you prefer someone else to steer, a ferry service operates to Benson Lock and can be booked for a one way or round trip to Shillingford, Dorchester, Days Lock.
Top 3 positives: Riverside location, good cake selection, perfect for boat watching (or having a go yourself)
Nearby attractions: The Thames Path, boat hire with Bygone Boating, Dorchester Abbey (by boat or bus to Dorchester-on-Thames)
Coffee in a tractor shed at The Snug
Coffee sat opposite a field of alpacas, anyone? The Snug in Dorchester is a bit of a find—simply a lovely, converted tractor shed nestled in the heart of a family-friendly sustainable farm and home to over 60 alpacas along with horses, pigs, goats, and sheep.
Inside, the spacious cafe boasts a wraparound veranda overlooking one of the alpaca fields. Concertina doors bring the outside in during warmer weather, while a cosy log burner provides warmth on chilly autumn days. The barista-standard coffee, featuring roasted, nutty notes, is sure to satisfy most coffee fans, and it’s served to your table, which is a nice touch. There’s also a hearty breakfast and brunch menu available for those who want something to eat.
The Snug also sells products from local suppliers, including cheeses, chutneys, oatcakes, and jams, alongside a selection of beautifully crafted gifts. And outside visitors can engage with the farm animals through activities like lambing open days in the spring, alpaca walks, and beekeeping excursions. The owners have clearly put a great deal of thought into their conversion, and the menus are seasonal with options for younger ones, making it a lovely destination for all ages and stages.
Top 3 positives: Polite table service, strong coffee, alpacas
Nearby attractions: Alpaca walking, Dorchester Abbey, countryside walks to Wittenham Clumps
Woodland brews and peacocks at Harcourt Arboretum
From spring to autumn, you'll likely find yourself walking past a brilliant blue horsebox next to Peacock Gate, aptly named in honour of the arboretum's most precocious and colourful residents.
Actually owned by Horsebox Coffee Co., this coffee cart serves locally roasted, sustainably sourced coffee that's ideal for either the beginning or end of a stroll around the arboretum. Parkland and woodland surround the horsebox, and there's a small scattering of tables and chairs available allowing you to fully enjoy the views.
One of the many resident peacocks (descendants of those brought here from the Indian subcontinent in the 19th century), may be spotted fanning its feathers as it passes between the tables. Peacocks are the kings of this place and they frequently strut around the cart, admiring their reflections in the chrome.
If the tables and chairs are occupied, then picnic benches further along the path offer equally lovely views of the meadows, tree-lined paths, and rolling countryside. The barista-standard coffee is bold, chocolatey, and pleasing. It's worth pairing this with a cake from the small selection available—the brownies are particularly noteworthy.
The pace is easygoing, and the woodland setting has a calming effect, encouraging visitors to slow down and savour the simple pleasure of a great brew and a woodland view.
Top 3 positives: Bold coffee with notes of chocolate, woodland views, resident peacocks and peahens
Nearby attractions: Harcourt Arboretum, All Saints Church (Nuneham Courtney Estate), Dorchester Abbey