Set amongst Surrey’s green countryside, Oxshott is a village that combines rural charm with a sense of community. Known for its quiet streets within easy reach of London, the area is well regarded for its welcoming pubs, independent shops, and relaxed atmosphere that reflect the character of Surrey’s more established villages.
Within Oxshott’s restaurant scene, establishments take pride in attentive service, and carefully curated menus with many chefs drawing on the neighbourhood’s high-quality produce. From welcoming pubs serving comforting British dishes to Michelin-starred restaurants with European influence, each plays a part in shaping Oxshott’s growing culinary landscape.
The Victoria
Serving the village of Oxshott for over a century, The Victoria, as mentioned in the Michelin Guide, is an Award-Winning Restaurant and neighbourhood pub situated on the High Street. The establishment occupies the site of a 19th-century beer house, and over time has been reinvented under the leadership of Simon King and chef Matt Larcombe. The Victoria retains original features with exposed brickwork, open fireplaces, and vintage photographs, and guests can dine in various cosy nooks, semi-private dining sections, or a restaurant space with around 25 covers. Chef Larcombe has spoken of Heston Blumenthal’s influence, and operates his kitchen on a daily changing, seasonally driven menu, favouring high-quality suppliers and local produce.
Whilst the menu evolves, certain dishes recur and define The Victoria’s identity. Amongst starters, one may find beer-battered native oysters with seaweed mayonnaise, mushroom parfait with sweet-sour onions, or crispy pig’s head with prune and walnut ketchup. Main courses span salt-chamber aged steaks, free-range heritage pork chop with smoked hispi cabbage, or whole roasted heritage cauliflower for vegetarians. On the sweeter side, apple-pie soufflé, Banoffee pie soufflé, or Victoria sponge with Yorkshire rhubarb often resurface. Its wine list is broad, drawing both crowd-pleasers and rare labels, and the bar also serves craft beers and classic cocktails. The restaurant periodically hosts Taste of Oxshott events in collaboration with local butchers and delis, showcasing local talent and strengthening its ties with the community. The Victoria is evidence of what a top-tier village pub and restaurant can be, serving bold flavours in the heart of the community.
Bella Luna
Another mention for Oxshott’s High Street is Bella Luna, which presents itself as an Italian gem in the heart of the village. The restaurant aspires to capture the warmth of a neighbourhood brasserie reminiscent of those found across Italy, and positions itself as Oxshott’s flagship for Italian dining, bringing family recipes and creativity to its setting. Bella Luna prides itself on being an integral part of its community and has hosted a number of well-known guests, including the football manager Harry Redknapp.
The menu at Bella Luna spans classic antipasti, pasta, risotto, mains, pizza, and desserts. Funghi Bella Luna (baked flat mushroom topped with grilled vegetables and goat’s cheese) features amongst the starters, and other antipasti include Bruschetta al Pomodoro and Calamari Fritti. In mains, Vitello Saltimbocca (veal escalope with Parma ham, sage, white wine, butter & herbs) and Salmon Bella with Parma ham, garlic, prawns, white wine cream are notable standouts. Their pizza selection includes Rucola, Quattro Stagioni, Vegetariana, and Pescatore, amongst others. To finish, classic Italian desserts such as tiramisu, cheesecake, crème brûlée, and profiteroles make routine appearances. Bella Luna’s guiding principle is intimacy through authenticity, offering Oxshott a warm, local and dependable Italian dining experience.
The Bear
Dating back to 1866, The Bear is a classic English pub blended into Oxhott’s village setting on Leatherhead Road. Its fabric and layout have been adapted over time to balance character and contemporary service, and inside, the décor is traditional with warm woods, comfortable seating, and open fireplaces leading to the dining section at the rear. There is also a covered decked front area, with heating for cooler months, and a rear garden for al fresco dining in the summer.
Its seasonal menus are influenced by local British produce, serving Isle of Wight tomatoes with oregano and radish top pesto, and Norfolk mushrooms on sourdough for starters. Hearty staples such as the 10 oz Sirloin steak and chips, with peppercorn sauce and Wiltshire watercress, and cider-battered haddock and chips, with tartare sauce, mushy peas and curry sauce can be found on the main menu. Desserts include blackberry clafoutis, sticky toffee pudding, and Cashel blue cheese with quince jelly. Sunday roasts are a particular favourite with generous portions of locally sourced meats, crisp roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and rich gravy. Throughout the years, The Bear has anchored community life in Oxshott, hosting local gatherings, seasonal events and acting as a social heart. For those seeking authentic British food in a comfortable, village setting, The Bear is an elegant and trustworthy choice.
Starling
Though not in Oxshott itself, Starling can be found just ten minutes away and stands out as a noteworthy mention. Located on Esher’s High Street, the establishment is the debut solo restaurant of chef Nick Beardshaw, formerly of Tom Kerridge’s kitchens. Having spent fourteen years within Kerridge’s sphere, Beardshaw now channels his experience into a modern British neighbourhood bistro and has already earned a Michelin star.
The restaurant’s ethos focuses on provenance, seasonality, and simplicity, using high-quality British ingredients, cooked via classical techniques so that the flavours speak for themselves. Until now, Starling has operated with a succinct menu with no more than five dishes per course, to maintain precision and consistency. Amongst the signature dishes is ‘A Moon-Shaped Pool’, a scallop starter with a Thai-style green curry sauce. Main course highlights include Gigha halibut with seaweed butter, leeks and parsnips, Creedy Carver duck, and Himalayan salt–aged steaks. The raspberry cheesecake and chocolate dessert ‘Balloon Girl’ are inspired by a Banksy mural, the wine list is tightly curated with ten reds and ten whites, and the bar also offers snacks such as Rhodes campaillou bread with butter, nocellara olives, and truffle cheese crumpets. Starling has been met with acclaim, with reviewers praising the warm service, creativity, and ambition of the restaurant. In essence, Starling is more than a new address on Esher’s dining map, it is a local neighbourhood bistro with the ambition of a Michelin-starred kitchen.
These restaurants have become places where neighbours gather, families celebrate, and visitors enjoy village life. The emphasis on local produce, seasonal cooking, and classic service gives Oxshott’s restaurants convenience and charm. Even those just beyond the village, like nearby Esher’s Starling, share that same sense of craftsmanship and community, showing that great dining thrives not only in cities, but in villages too.
