The Star

The Star is tucked away on Rectory Road, a residential street between Cowley Road and Iffley Road, and it has the unmistakable character of a pub that belongs to its neighbourhood. It's small, friendly, and run with the kind of care that you can feel the moment you walk in.

The pub has survived various threats over the years — potential closures, development pressures — and the fact that it's still here is testament to how much the local community values it. The garden is small but well tended, and on a summer evening it fills with east Oxford regulars who treat it as an extension of their living rooms.

What to order

Real ales from local and regional breweries, well kept and fairly priced. The selection is modest — three or four cask options — but every one is worth drinking. No food kitchen, but they sometimes have bar snacks or welcome deliveries from nearby takeaways.

The vibe

Intimate and community-spirited. The Star is the opposite of a destination pub — nobody travels across Oxford to get here, but nobody who lives nearby would dream of going anywhere else. Conversations flow easily between tables, the regulars are welcoming, and there's a genuine warmth that no amount of interior design can manufacture.