Cowley Road
About
Cowley Road is Oxford's most diverse and lively high street — a mile-long strip running east from Magdalen Bridge through the multicultural heart of East Oxford. This is where the city shakes off its dreaming spires image and feels like a real, modern, multicultural town. Jamaican restaurants sit next to Polish delis, independent record shops next to Kurdish barbers, vintage boutiques next to Caribbean takeaways. The food scene is brilliant and affordable — Kazbar for North African tapas, Oli's Thai for outstanding pad thai, Atomic Burger for indulgent American diner food, and a dozen other options reflecting the neighbourhood's diversity. The pubs are proper — The Library, the James Street Tavern, and the Big Society are all good for a pint. The Cowley Road Carnival in early July transforms the whole street into a free festival with live music, food stalls, samba bands, and thousands of people. It's the best free event in Oxford. The rest of the year, Cowley Road is simply where Oxford goes to eat, drink, and be itself without the tourist polish.
Opening Times
Shops and restaurants vary. Most open from 10:00 or 12:00.
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