
Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant
Fashionable rooftop restaurant above the Ashmolean Museum, offering modern European dishes and panoramic views of Oxford.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Fashionable rooftop restaurant above the Ashmolean Museum, offering modern European dishes and panoramic views of Oxford.
"Stunning views and a chic atmosphere make this a worthwhile stop, despite some concerns about value."
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant can get quite busy, especially during peak times.
Visit on Sunny Days
Enjoy the cheerful atmosphere and panoramic views to their fullest on bright, clear days.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern European
Price
$$$
Phone
+44 1865 553823
Address
Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH, United Kingdom
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Panoramic City Views
Soak in breathtaking views of Oxford's historic cityscape from a stylish rooftop terrace.

Gastronomic Sanctuary
Experience delightful modern European dishes with British flavors atop Britain's oldest museum.

Afternoon Tea Indulgence
Enjoy a decadent afternoon tea with sweet and savory treats, including scones and pastries.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant can get quite busy, especially during peak times.
Visit on Sunny Days
Enjoy the cheerful atmosphere and panoramic views to their fullest on bright, clear days.
Consider Lunch or Coffee
Mixed reviews for afternoon tea; lunch or coffee might be safer bets.
Taste the Lattes & Desserts
Visitors have praised the quality of lattes and the delightful selection of desserts.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as the restaurant can get quite busy, especially during peak times.
Visit on Sunny Days
Enjoy the cheerful atmosphere and panoramic views to their fullest on bright, clear days.
Consider Lunch or Coffee
Mixed reviews for afternoon tea; lunch or coffee might be safer bets.
Taste the Lattes & Desserts
Visitors have praised the quality of lattes and the delightful selection of desserts.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant boasts an exceptional location with stunning views, making it a desirable spot for a break. While the ambiance and setting are highly praised, consistent feedback points to a disconnect between the premium pricing and the quality of food and service, with some diners experiencing slow service and underwhelming dishes. However, specific items like vegan afternoon tea and lattes have received positive mentions.
"What a pleasant surprise this was. Great food (nice looking as well as tasty!), lovely veggie options, nice mocktails, we had exceptional service from our waiter. All on a nice outdoor deck in the sun. Perfect."
Justin Keery
"Absolutely atrocious. We went for lunch with my wife and were ushered into a wasp ridden balcony and handed a menu with overpriced mediocre food. The service was awful and the overpriced salad had minimal chicken breast and at £2190 it was extremely disappointing and a touch bland, though the wasps were always happy to add some extra seasoning! Avoid like the plague, it’s now a full blown tourist trap!"
Kia Balali-Mood
"We stopped here at the beginning of our visit to Oxford, starting at the Ashmolean Museum.
Rooftop restaurant, really nice views of the surrounding buildings.
We stuck with lattes and desserts, and we very happy with the food and the service.
A nice place for a break in your busy day !"
Barry Sullivan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant serves lunch and nibbles from 11:30-15:00 and mains from 11:30-16:30. Afternoon tea is served from 11:30-16:30. Please check for any seasonal variations.
While primarily a restaurant, it's possible to visit for drinks, especially coffee and lattes, which have been positively reviewed.
Yes, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance, as the restaurant can become very busy.
The restaurant is considered upscale, with reviews indicating that prices can be high relative to the portion sizes and quality for some dishes.
Yes, vegan options such as vegan burrata and vegan afternoon tea are available and have received positive feedback.
The rooftop terrace is ideal for alfresco dining when the weather permits. Indoor seating with views is also available.
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Britain’s oldest museum is also home to Oxford's most lofty restaurant. This rooftop space has a glass wall that opens out onto a terrace filled with tables, and a grass 'lawn' where you can lounge on deckchairs with views to the rooftops beyond. It’s a great spot for a leisurely coffee and a cake, a relaxed lunch or afternoon tea.
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While not your typical rooftop bar – it’s really more of a restaurant, although there’s nothing to stop you from rocking up for a couple of drinks, we couldn’t write this guide without including this classy and beautiful space atop The Ashmolean. Once you’ve got over the fact that the Ashmolean’s rooftop space is not a bar per se, you’ll have to acknowledge that very few bars are as evocatively located as this one, which is housed in the University of Oxford’s art and archaeology museum, founded in 1683. Not only does it boast unbeatable views, but this space steeps you in all of the amazing culture and history Oxford has built over the centuries.
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Nestled atop the fabulous Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, lies The Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant – a delightful gastronomic sanctuary that shall captivate both your senses and your tummies!. With its stunning panoramic views of the historic city, this culinary haven promises a dining experience so divine, it'll make you exclaim, "Oh my gosh, I'm in foodie heaven!" From the moment your taste buds savor the delicacies meticulously crafted by the talented chefs, you'll understand why the Ashmolean's rooftop is not only a feast for the eyes but also for the belly!. Bon appétit, dear travelers, for Oxford has never tasted quite so good!
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The Ashmolean may be a big player in the world of venerable cultural institutions, with a collection holding hundreds of priceless artefacts and artworks, but all Oxford café-buffs know this is just a smokescreen designed to conceal their greatest treasure from public knowledge: the rooftop restaurant. On a summer’s eve, there is no other café which quite encapsulates that Oxford feeling like this place. Softly dappled light, stylish sun umbrellas, rows of verdant pot plants, and soon you may wish never to return to ground level again.
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There’s a lovely rooftop restaurant at The Ashmolean Museum, where you can soak up city views while tucking into a spot of afternoon tea. Expect a decadent spread of sweet and savoury treats: classic sandwiches of smoked salmon and herbed cream cheese, and pulled ham and piccalilli, ahead of tea-infused scones. Finish on a sweet note with a selection of carefully crafted pastries, which include matcha and strawberry battenberg, lemon sponge with raspberry drizzle, and raspberry eclair.
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A celebration of food and wine alongside art and culture, the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant provides the perfect setting for any occasion. Dine in our bright, airy restaurant or on our spectacular rooftop terrace, enjoying panoramic views of Oxford’s iconic spires. Located at the top of the world’s oldest museum, the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open onto a spacious terrace, ideal for alfresco drinks and dining when the weather permits.
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Situated above the world's oldest museum, The Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant offers breathtaking views across the city of dreaming spires. You can take afternoon tea inside and admire the view through floor-to-ceiling windows, or, weather permitting, enjoy afternoon tea outside on the terrace. The afternoon tea menu is often themed to match the museum's current exhibition, but they always endeavour to feature local produce.
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Located on the rooftop of the prestigious Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, the Ashmolean rooftop restaurant offers a unique dining experience with stunning views of the city. With a menu that features a blend of modern European cuisine, guests can enjoy delicious dishes while taking in the picturesque surroundings. The restaurant provides a sophisticated and elegant setting, perfect for a special meal or celebration.
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For those who prefer their drinks with a side of culture, the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant offers a sophisticated rooftop experience atop one of the world’s oldest public museums. Atmosphere: The restaurant exudes elegance, with its glass walls providing a bright, airy feel during the day and a romantic ambiance at night. The terrace, while smaller than some others on this list, feels intimate and exclusive.
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The Ashmolean Museum is one of Oxford’s most popular tourist attractions. With a collection featuring everything from Egyptian mummies, to twentieth-century sculptures, it’s the kind of place that just about anyone can get behind. However, not a lot of people know about the institution’s fabulous rooftop restaurant, where my grandmother once very generously took me for a birthday meal.
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The Ashmolean is a world-famous museum that brings in visitors from all over Oxford and beyond, but did you know that there's a rooftop restaurant and bar at the top?. After a day of art, culture and history, there's no better way to wind down than by quaffing prosecco in the sun. They serve one of the best afternoon teas around, starting from as little as £29.50 per person.
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Britain’s oldest museum also houses Oxford’s most prestigious restaurant. This rooftop space has a glass wall that opens onto a terrace filled with tables and a grassy “lawn” where you can relax on lounge chairs overlooking the rooftops beyond. The menu is also not bad and features a limited number of imaginative, well cooked and well presented dishes.
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Not only was the Ashmolean Museum recently named as 'one of the best in UK' but its café is the perfect area for views of the city with a coffee and cake or afternoon tea. One reviewer said: “We stopped here at the beginning of our visit to Oxford, starting at the Ashmolean Museum. “Rooftop restaurant, really nice views of the surrounding buildings.
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The Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant, located at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, offers a delightful Afternoon Tea experience. The Afternoon Tea is often themed to tie in with the museum’s current exhibition, adding a unique touch to the traditional spread. Guests can enjoy a variety of teas and indulge in delicious scones served with homemade jam.
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This stylish eatery offers breathtaking views of the cityscape, along with delicious contemporary cuisine. Whether you’re enjoying a romantic lunch for two or a night out with friends, the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant is the perfect place. With its stunning setting and fabulous menu, it’s sure to make your visit to Oxford an unforgettable one.
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If you’re looking for a beautiful view of Oxford’s skyline, the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant is certainly the best option. Sitting atop the Ashmolean Museum, the rooftop terrace offers great views and some pretty fantastic food too. There’s an assortment of savoury bites, scones and desserts, all washed down with an excellent pot of tea.
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Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant is a fashionable spot housed above the renowned Ashmolean Museum. It serves modern European dishes with British flavours, and let me assure you, everything there is delicious. You can join them for lunch or afternoon tea, and it makes for the perfect spot to gaze out over the rooftops of Oxford.
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The Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant is one of the best rooftop bars in Oxford. Located atop the world-famous Ashmolean Museum, this bar offers stunning views of the cityscape below. With its exquisite menu and delightful cocktails, the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.
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The rooftop restaurant at the Ashmolean museum is perfect for a romantic afternoon tea after a stroll around the museum. It offers picturesque views over Oxford, perfect for a daytime date. The afternoon tea selection includes scones, petit fours and homemade cakes which is sure to make your date feel like royalty.
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For some of the best views in Oxford head off to The Ashmolean to see the gleaming spires stretching away into the distance. Dine on the terrace in the summer or gaze out of the huge windows as you enjoy lunch, cocktails or dinner. Have afternoon tea or enjoy free jazz most Thursday evenings.
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Why not combine a touristy trip to the museum with relaxing in the sun?. The Ashmolean Museum boasts a spacious spot on its roof where they serve a variety of British and European dishes. If you want something even more special why not book in for afternoon tea?.
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Many people visit but don't notice the stairs which lead up to a beautiful rooftop spot for you and your date. Pop on up to seek out this classy dig and have a chat about how you're literally so into the edgy contemporary art in the museum below.
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The Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683. Our world famous collections range from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art, telling human stories across cultures and across time.
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The Ashmolean Museum’s Rooftop Restaurant over on Beaumont Street garners praise thanks to its menu but also the grass “lawn” with deckchairs allowing visitors to see the views to the green hills beyond.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit