The Nosebag is a longstanding member of central Oxford's food scene, known for its home-made cakes and its wide range of salad options. When I went in for lunch, I found the place understandably busy, despite it being a weekday - The Nosebag's reputation and its city centre location make it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Vegetarians and vegans have plenty of choice from the menu - on the day I visited, in addition to the salads, there was the option of soup, tagine, and pasta dishes for non-meat-eaters.

After looking at the delicious array of foods along the counter, I opted for the bacon quiche, with two of the restaurant's trademark salads. I found a table in the rustically-decorated dining area, complete with a cheerful flower arrangement, and tucked in.

The bacon quiche was good, if not perfect - a soggy bottom was made up for by the rich, flavourful nature of the bacon pieces, the fluffiness of the egg, and the flakiness of the pastry crust. For my two side salads, I'd chosen the coleslaw and a red cabbage and apple salad, both of which were excellent. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, and the dressing on the red cabbage salad was piquant without being excessive. With my lunch, I had a mug of coffee (it's always good to find a restaurant that serves drinks in mugs!), which was nicely strong and had clearly been freshly-made, rather than stewed.

There's a good reason why The Nosebag has been going strong for nearly fifty years - their food is straightforward, hearty, and full of flavour. While it's not the cheapest option in the city centre, the portions are generous, more than making up for the slightly higher price. The Nosebag is a comfortable and pleasant place to spend your lunch break - I'm only sorry that I didn't have enough room for cake!