Smart but friendly café, joining the throng of places on the Cowley Rd. We're told the free wifi actually works here! Wooden floors and tables look both sophisticated and practical, and staff seem friendly. Lots of people sit with laptops. There are artworks on the walls some of which are for sale, and the pastries are homemade by a Parisian baker.

This small chain has luxurious coffee shops in Bath, Bristol, Oxford and London, with added art magazines to inspire you as you recharge and caffeinate yourself.

There are various others around town (including on Brookes University campus).

BYO for diners only, firm favourite for student crew-dates, but with better food than other such venues! Available for takeaway through Deliveroo.

2700 board games for you to play; tea, coffee and cake to sustain you. You pay a cover charge per person, and can stay for up to 3 hours. There's plenty of help choosing (and setting up/playing/learning) games, and some for sale if you can't bear to part with them. If your friends are all philistines who don't like board games, or you just want to meet some new people, Tuesday evenings are open gaming so you can come and join a group and maybe play something new. The fourth Sunday of each month is PlayTest, where you can bring a board game you are designing, for members of the public to play and give you feedback.

Time-themed cafe doing breakfasts, sandwiches and the rest.

Unique, vintage-style cafe inside an Oxfam water tank, located in the Cowley Oxfam Superstore. Serving hot/cold drinks, baked goods and savoury lunch options.

Focus on local and organic suppliers. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Also private event catering.