Oxford

Offering traditional, simple Italian food at reasonable prices, Jamie Oliver’s venture opened recently and has been a huge success. One drawback is that no reservations are accepted, so be prepared to put your name on the wait-list and endure a growling stomach. Favourites include the crab spaghettini, wild mushroom ravioli and the exquisite truffle tagliatelle. You can order a starter-sized portion of any pasta dish, and mains include grilled steak, yellow fin tuna salad and, unusually, lamb chop lollipops. Nothing on the menu is over £17 and most dishes hover around the £10 mark.

Alpha Bar

One of the healthier options inside the Covered Market, Alpha Bar serves up organic, fair-trade food. Sandwiches are reasonably priced, at around £3.50, and you can choose from their many interesting fillings, including baked tofu, seaweed and roasted vegetables. Their salads are priced by the pound and you can fill your recyclable container with good-for-you grains. A favourite among students for lunch, but make sure you get there early - they tend to run out of the more popular ingredients by around 3:30.

The original G&D’s was opened in Little Clarendon Street by an Oxford University student and soon became an Oxford institution. No other ice-cream themed shop has survived long in Oxford due to the fierce loyalty of G&D’s customers. Popular flavours include ‘Oxford Blue’ blueberry, Crunchie bar, Turkish delight and InLight Delight white chocolate with chocolate chip cookie dough. G&D’s also offers bagels, salads and baked goods, all extremely reasonably priced and extremely tasty.

Café Zouk

Café Zouk serves up authentic, traditional Indian and balti dishes at fair prices. Starters are generally between three to five pounds, with mains priced between five to ten pounds. Service can be unpredictable, but the food is good enough to excuse the occasional offhand waiter.

Georgina’s is tucked away on the upper floor of the Covered Market, and this small café has a fairly groovy, hippy-ish décor and atmosphere. You’ll pay more for your sandwiches and wraps here than you would at other places, but portions are huge and, for the most part, healthy. An exception to the latter is their loaded potato skins, which are slightly spiced and come with a heaping of sour cream. Delicious!

The Nosebag Restaurant

An Oxford institution, The Nosebag is a favourite among students who come for the huge portions of their tasty, wholesome food. It’s worth paying the extra couple of pounds for the leftovers you’ll be heaving home – the varied menu includes Hungarian goulash, served with tagliatelle and green salad, spanakopita, pea, asparagus and salmon risotto, and blackeye bean curry. Or you can just pick up one of their delicious cakes.

A cheaper, less ubiquitous version of Wagamama, Noodle Nation is useful for its location on Gloucester Green, near the bus terminal. A blend of Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines, the menu is almost overwhelmingly large and dishes are fully customisable. 10% student discount with card.

Doing its best despite the location of a Caffe Nero just a few doors down, Combibos is an excellent place for a cup of coffee and a pastry. Sandwiches are unspecial but the pictures of rock ‘n’ roll stars and quotations on the walls provide a hip setting for a chat with a friend.

Quod Brasserie & Bar on the famous High in Oxford, with its terrace and bar forms the hub of The Old Bank Hotel

Raymond Blanc’s French brasserie is intimate and full of charm. Considering the quality of the food, prices are extremely reasonable – a rack of lamb, potatoes and cabbage will set you back £17.50, and for vegetarians the grilled Crottin goats’ cheese and beetroot tart is an exquisite choice. A great place for a date or to bring your mother.

Lunch options include Waldorf salads, oak smoked salmon and varied sandwiches, but the real draw here is the afternoon tea. For £16.50 you get a couple of sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, handmade chocolate truffles, tea or coffee and a glass of champagne. True extravagance!

Gee's is an Oxford restaurant serving traditional British food with an emphasis on seasonal food, simple, good cooking and value for money

One of the best sandwich shops in Oxford. Cheap, lightning-fast service, high-quality food. Offers a great selection of sandwiches warm and cold, paninis, pastys and cakes. Friendly and efficient staff.

Delicious California style burritos for about £5.

Spice Lounge

[ (http://www.spiceloungeoxf...)] 193 banbury road, oxford spice lounge has a delicious indian and bangladeshi cuisine with a very friendly staff. they offer a lunchtime buffet on sundays from 12 noon to 3pm. at the spice lounge the emphasis is on organic and creative dishes. ethnic recipes are used to provide a diverse, unusual menu, while focusing on healthy eating.

The Mitre

One of the oldest and biggest pubs in the city centre, it has been serving the public since 1261. It is a listed building with a pub and restaurant on three levels with lot of nooks and crannies which allow guests to have some privacy if they wish. Main courses are predominantly meat succulent steaks, mixed grill, ribs, but the menu has something for seafood lovers, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. A fantastic deal 5.99 on some meals before 6:30PM including famous and popular rump steak with chips and salad.