The Handle Bar Cafe & Kitchen
The Handle Bar Cafe & Kitchen is a cafe, restaurant and bar tucked upstairs above a bicycle shop on St Michael's Street in central Oxford. It serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, caters for meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike, and always has a gluten-free option on the menu.
Photos
James McPhail
Finding it
St Michael's Street runs between Cornmarket and New Inn Hall Street, a couple of minutes from Carfax and the shops. Because the cafe is up a flight of stairs above a cycle shop, it is easy to walk past, but it is worth seeking out for a break away from the crowds on Cornmarket.
What's on the menu
The day starts with breakfast, followed by brunch and lunch in the middle of the day and dinner in the evening. The kitchen is careful to cover different diets, with vegetarian and vegan dishes alongside meat options and a gluten-free choice always available. Coffee is served throughout, and it also operates as a bar.
When to visit
It is a good shout for a late breakfast before exploring the colleges, or a relaxed dinner after a day of sightseeing. The Oxford Union and the Saxon tower of St Michael at the North Gate are nearby, and George Street, with its pubs and theatres, is a short walk away. Because the menu works across the whole day, it is a useful fallback for groups with different diets who want one place that suits everyone.
Highlights
- Upstairs above a bicycle shop
- Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner
- Vegan and vegetarian choices
- Gluten-free option always available
- Minutes from Carfax and Cornmarket
Good to know
- The cafe is up a flight of stairs above a bike shop.
- There is always a gluten-free option.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: theoxfordmagazine.com