Enjoy Lunch and Afternoon Tea over the beautiful views from our Rooftop Restaurant and Terrace.
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Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Enjoy Lunch and Afternoon Tea over the beautiful views from our Rooftop Restaurant and Terrace.

Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Stunning views and a chic atmosphere make this a worthwhile stop, despite some concerns about value."

TIP

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.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11AM

Cuisine

Modern European

Price

$$$

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Panoramic City Views

Panoramic City Views

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

The best restaurants in OxfordStunning Rooftop Bars In Oxford For Drinks With A ViewA Guide to the Best Restaurants for Date Night
Gastronomic Sanctuary

Gastronomic Sanctuary

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

Tripper - Guide - 15 perfect restaurants in Oxford, United KingdomAshmolean Museum Rooftop Restaurant | Oxford
Afternoon Tea Indulgence

Afternoon Tea Indulgence

Enjoy a decadent afternoon tea with sweet and savory treats, including scones and pastries.

TikTok6 Afternoon Teas To Try Now In Oxford
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Festive indulgence alert! Afternoon tea at @Ashmolean Museum Rooftop Restaurant in Oxford has taken a festive twist and it is delicious. #ashmolean #ashmoleanmuseum #afternoontea #thingstodoinoxford #visitoxford #creamtea #oxfordfoodie #oxfordrestaurantreview
@redkitedays
16 likes • 1.8K views

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.

@Ashmolean Museum Roof top restaurant in oxford!!
@kctk99
3 likes • 104 views
Such a fun Friday night showcasing my bespoke wedding stationery on the rooftop of the iconic Ashmolean Museum in Oxford ✨ Gorgeous views across the city, and so many lovely couples. What a cool space for a wedding! I loved experimenting with my new @cricut_uk to create these bright, autumnal, personalised menus 🌸🧡 Incredible flowers by @cotswoldbotanical Venue @ashmoleanrooftop @ashmoleanevents
@alittlebrushuk
4 likes • 81 views

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.

Saturday fun activity was to visit ashmolean museum in oxford, a place where you will be amazed by the collection they have from all around the world @Ashmolean Museum #oxford #ashmoleanmuseum #visitoxford #museum #archeology #tourist #visituk #oxforduniversity #livingabroad
@amirdiary_
79 likes • 1.8K views

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

4.6
(491k reviews)

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

Spectacular city views
Chic rooftop ambiance
Vegan afternoon tea

What People Dislike

Overpriced food and drinks
Slow and inattentive service
Inconsistent food quality

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.

Google Review

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.

Google Review+2

Yes, vegan options such as vegan burrata and vegan afternoon tea are available and have received positive feedback.

Google Review

The rooftop terrace is ideal for alfresco dining when the weather permits. Indoor seating with views is also available.

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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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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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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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