The historic venue of The Grand Caf is available for the exclusive enjoyment of you and your guests. Whether for a lively party celebration or a discreet social function with your friends and business colleagues we offer the opportunity for you to entertain in candlelit elegance. The site of the first coffee house in England (according to Samuel Pepys' Diary, 1650): The Grand Caf has now become an Oxford institution.
During the day serving lunch, cream teas and high teas all perfectly at home in the opulence of the marble-pillared, historic gold-leafed building. We are open 7 days a week and though we are unable to reserve tables, we always strive to seat our customers within a few minutes except at busy times.
During the day serving lunch, cream teas and high teas all perfectly at home in the opulence of the marble-pillared, historic gold-leafed building. We are open 7 days a week and though we are unable to reserve tables, we always strive to seat our customers within a few minutes except at busy times.
Services
If you take the time to look through the history books, you will find that The Grand Caf as it is now, stands on the precise site that housed the very first Coffee House in England. According to a number of trustworthy sources, including Samuel Pepys, a Jewish entrepreneur named Jacob established the first English coffee house in 1650.
Over the years, the site has been a Coffee Shop, an Inn, an Hotel, a Grocer's Shop, a Co-op and a Post Office. The Grand Caf as it is now was established in the mid 1990's. The very earliest record found of this site in Oxford was penned in 1391 when an Inn called "Tabord" was leased by St. John's Hospital [where Magdalen College stands today].
Very often referred to as 'an institution', we at the Grand Caf have a well-deserved reputation for providing the quintessentially 'English' delight 0f Taking Tea. We source our fresh produce, patisserie, teas and coffees from local suppliers, delivered daily from the historic Covered Market and central Oxford.
Private Hire - The historic venue of The Grand Caf is available for the exclusive enjoyment of you and your guests. Whether for a lively party celebration or a discreet social function with your friends and business colleagues we offer the opportunity for you to entertain in the candlelit elegance of The Grand Caf the site of the oldest coffee shop in England.
Reviews (15)
Irina Gainullina
Jan 23, 2022
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The staff is rude, angry, unfriendly and uncaring. The food is greatly overpriced and poor quality. They took twice payment and refused to refund. I have contacted my Bank, who will start legal investigations for unfair business.
Don't spoil your experience about Oxford. Try to avoid! There are other very nice Cafes in Oxford. Just opposite Rose Cafe, which claims to be a very old Cafe with a nice food and service, also very nice Cafe at Weston Library - nice food, friendly staff, clean toilets.
Don't spoil your experience about Oxford. Try to avoid! There are other very nice Cafes in Oxford. Just opposite Rose Cafe, which claims to be a very old Cafe with a nice food and service, also very nice Cafe at Weston Library - nice food, friendly staff, clean toilets.
Helena Emilie
Jan 06, 2022
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Shiva Eghbal
Jan 03, 2022
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The cafe is unique and we wanted to have coffee and cakes there, but they refused to give us seats.
It was 6 of us and they said they will only give us seats if we want to dine and order food.
Not even after we told them we will be quick
We had to stand by the door to order take away coffee which they brought after 15-20 minutes.
Not the right way to treat customers!
It was 6 of us and they said they will only give us seats if we want to dine and order food.
Not even after we told them we will be quick
We had to stand by the door to order take away coffee which they brought after 15-20 minutes.
Not the right way to treat customers!
Caitlyn Brinkman-Schwartz
Nov 16, 2021
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Had to leave the cafe without finishing my mediocre, overpriced drink because I had the audacity to answer an urgent business email whilst on the premises. Of course I was informed of this only after receiving said drink, and of course I still had to pay. The Grand Cafe seems to be doing its best to emulate the worst sort of a London members club, with all of the snobbery and none of the service.
Lisa Cramp
Nov 16, 2021
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Colin M. Danks
Oct 31, 2021
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Crystal Lai
Oct 30, 2021
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Joshua Wong
Oct 26, 2021
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Shweta Bhowmik
Sep 30, 2021
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Elite, historic, resplendent! Loved every bit of it. The place is always busy because of its popularity among locals and tourists.. so be prepared for a loud cafe experience instead of a quite and cosy one.. but all worth it! You might have to queue for 10 to 15mins, if not more, to grab a seat for yourself, so plan accordingly. The coffee varieties are nice, especially the Government Java Coffee. Do try a slice of the warm and delicious chocolate brownie if you have a sweet tooth.
Ronny
Sep 30, 2021
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Food is actually good, especially the individual pastry. The high tea is over priced. Don’t get me wrong, the scones and sandwich are not bad, just that £20 for one person portion… I would expect a bigger portion in a nicer environment. The worst of all is the service. Service is awful. The waitress didn’t smile at all. It feels like she doesn’t want to serve anyone at all. We asked to move to a side table if any comes available and she simply refused to help…. people coming to The Grand Cafe to enjoy a nice afternoon tea as it promotes… but this server will NOT make this place to
Pete Charlton
Sep 12, 2021
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Wow. I don't know what most other commenters were expecting, but this cafe is just fantastic.
Food and tea: Just delicious. Scones were fluffy, jam and cream fresh and light, tea was strong and rich. Cold drink selection looks great too.
Service: Amazing. It helped having a cute little one with us, but the staff were genuinely lovely, "chef" gave us a free portion of fruits for our louder/more upset than usual 15 month old.
Atmosphere: Refined, relaxed and charming. It's a small space and the chairs are a bit large but with no one on tables next to us it was fine.
Cost: The price is expected
Food and tea: Just delicious. Scones were fluffy, jam and cream fresh and light, tea was strong and rich. Cold drink selection looks great too.
Service: Amazing. It helped having a cute little one with us, but the staff were genuinely lovely, "chef" gave us a free portion of fruits for our louder/more upset than usual 15 month old.
Atmosphere: Refined, relaxed and charming. It's a small space and the chairs are a bit large but with no one on tables next to us it was fine.
Cost: The price is expected
John Findlay
Aug 26, 2021
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Cansu Kurtaran
Aug 25, 2021
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Worst service I’ve ever had. The waitress (black girl long hair) was so rude and seems like she hates her job and from customers as well. We ordered 3 cream tea. They brought the tea in the tea pot. When we poured the tea in to the cups we noticed that it was full of water. No colour no taste at all. Basically they put too much water but less tea leaf. They told us to wait for 5 mins and end of 10 minutes the tea was still light colour and had only water taste. I complained and they brought new tea but still no taste. I don’t recommend here to anyone.
Jannat Shah
Aug 11, 2021
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Came here for tea and scones at around 11am while on a mini break in Oxford. Enjoyed Lady Gray tea with a scone.
Feels more like a café than a tea room and prices are a bit high. No social distancing in the restaurant, staff not wearing masks, cramped all patrons on the right hand side even though the venue had more space throughout.
Vegetarian options available, no vegan options so far as I can see. Service was okay. Not blown away by the venue considering the history of the place being the "first coffee house in England".
Service was basically clearing our table while we were still having
Feels more like a café than a tea room and prices are a bit high. No social distancing in the restaurant, staff not wearing masks, cramped all patrons on the right hand side even though the venue had more space throughout.
Vegetarian options available, no vegan options so far as I can see. Service was okay. Not blown away by the venue considering the history of the place being the "first coffee house in England".
Service was basically clearing our table while we were still having
Olivia Williams
Aug 10, 2021
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