A truly lovely pub just off the Cowley Road; James Street Tavern is homely and quite frankly a brilliant place to relax.

A superb range of ales and ciders and friendly staff complete what is a proper decent experience.

Sadly the excellent chef left recently, and due to a kitchen flood food was not being served. The hiatus is over though and food is back on the menu - though not on a Monday. Food times can be a little random and the new menu does not offer a huge amount of choice.

On a recent visit my partner and I ate calamari, which was delicious, though had been put through a lot of salt which though I like, others may not.

For mains we both had the special burger which randomly comes with a slice of pineapple and a slice of beetroot as toppings. It actually works and again was most delicious.

Not pretentious nor too rowdy, this is one of the best pubs in Oxford. Awesome. Oh, a real fire too!

Decent pub just off the Cowley Road. The beer is decent, as is the atmosphere. Unlike the inner city pubs, you're guaranteed to get a seat. Could be a little busier at times, but can't fault the pub really.

Two pints of Speckled Hen served were very flat. Complaints to the barman met with dismissive comment that draught beer is meant to be flat. I've been drinking beer for some 40 years and can tell a bad pint when I taste one. A surprising response from a pub that also serves beer from its own micro brewery!!
Left the beer undrunk on the bar.