The Oxford Hotel

LOCATION
Minutes from the city and a short walk from the Leederville train station.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Although Leederville may be well known for its funky boutiques and trendy cafes that line popular Oxford Street, have you ever ventured beyond the busy Vincent Street intersection? Continue walking (or driving) a few minutes past the iconic Luna Cinema and you’ll discover a little gem that offers more than meets the eye. The Oxford Hotel is a legendary corner pub that has been in operation since 1906. After undergoing award-winning renovations and extensions, the hotel reopened in 2001 with a brand new look that respects its past and welcomes its future. A unique sunken cellar with original limestone walls and timber ceiling combines with a glorious main bar and fully-enclosed garden bar to provide plenty of rustic charm and cosiness.

Breathtaking architecture aside, The Oxford has also become popular for its fine pub-grub. The Brickworks Garden Bar and Cafe offers a separate dining area where those with large appetites come to satisfy their yearnings for delicious food. Whether you’re after a quick bite or a more relaxed evening meal, the menu has a wide range of dishes to suit all palates. Kicking off with a grazing plate for two is always my ideal way to start a meal, before digging into a main course fit for a king. Pan-fried king prawns with garlic and chilli, barramundi fillet, peppered lamb rump and 350 grams of char-grilled scotch fillet are just a handful of main dishes that caught my eye. But the fun doesn’t stop there, there’s also a wonderful range of desserts – the warm chocolate pudding served with fruit coulis, blood orange sorbet and cream being my hands-down favourite. The Oxford Hotel is the perfect reason to get off the beaten track and venture past your comfort zone.

Karen Bilsby