If familiarity is the sine qua non of a popular neighbourhood pub, The Red Lion admirably combines it with innovation to deliver a premium dining experience in the heart of Oxford. Boasting a high quality modern British cuisine menu with a Mediterranean touch, it is ideal for a quick meal for customers attending a show at the Burton Taylor Studio Theatre or the Oxford Playhouse, both of which are just a stone's throw away. If the weather?s fine, al fresco dining is an also an option in the pub's spacious courtyard.

A relaxed ambience is made even more inviting with a crackling log fire in winter, while large windows let the light flood in and numerous sofas and chairs actively encourage customers to unwind at leisure. Add to all this, a warm welcome and superb service, special offers each day of the week and plenty of options on the à la carte, it soon becomes obvious what gives The Red Lion the edge over more run of the mill gastro pubs.

Guests can relish a range of British classics as well as pizzas and pastas, not to mention daily specials, all made with the freshest seasonal ingredients including locally sourced fish and meat. Sharing plates of mezze with rustic breads; Romana white onion soup with cheese croute and tiger prawn, chorizo and crab linguine offer a wonderful slice of the Mediterranean. While crispy duck salad with mooli, carrots, hoisin and plum sauce or fruit de mer pizza with tuna, prawns, anchovies and pineapple salsa incorporate influences from farther afield.

There's no escaping the well-loved aromas of classic British specialities at The Red Lion. Be it freshly battered fish and chips with minted mushy peas or calves liver with champ potatoes, crispy shallots and red wine jus, these time tested favourites satisfy the appetite. Steak and Wine Supper Wednesdays with the best steaks and a whopping 50% off on a bottle of red wine is indeed an offer too tempting to resist. Fish and seafood lovers get their own deal on Fridays with chef's fresh fish and shellfish specials and white wine at half the price.
 
The Sunday selection pleases with its succulent roasts with all the trimmings. Fine food and drink come together with the Supper Club menu for two which offers a bottle of the celebrated Rothschild wine with a two-course menu. A prix fixe menu is also available for a quick lunch or early dinner.

Tempting desserts of apple and blackcurrant crumble with vanilla custard, a choux bun with fresh cream, espresso and chocolate sauce or white chocolate crème brûlée brings the meal to a fitting end. A cheese plate with Colliers Cheddar, camembert and gorgonzola could be equally satisfying.

The stylish bar is the perfect place to drop by for a quick drink or linger on for a meal from the bar menu. An extensive selection of delicious aperitifs and digestifs as well as cask ales, chilled draught beers and an expertly chosen wine list offer a multitude of reasons to stay a while longer.

You might also want to consider visiting nearby sister pub The Trout Inn.

More information can be found on their Website.