Oxford is home to a plethora of cafés that serve delicious brunchy goodness. Tucked away on Iffley Road is Bannister's Café, one such venue for tasty brunch.
Bannister's has a bright, welcoming décor, complete with bunting and fairy lights. It has several homely qualities, including a selection of random mugs to take your tea in. The owners have managed to squeeze a large amount of charm and character into their eatery, and one feels instantly welcomed upon arrival.
I ordered the Eggs Benedict with bacon and sausages, while my partner chose the Full English, with an added bubble and squeak cake. We started our meals with a delicious hot chocolate and a lovely fruity orange juice. Our food arrived quickly and was generously portioned. The sausages were the standout for my meal, but the overall meal was delicious. In particular I liked the homemade bread, which arrived on my plate in a huge wedge, and the bacon was cooked to perfection. The Full English was a tasty delight, far removed from a greasy spoon alternative. The homemade beans were light and fruity on the palate, while the bubble and squeak cake was a lovely addition to the meal. The only questionable element was the mushroom ketchup, which was an aesthetically troubling grey gloop, but a fine taste. It had the disadvantage of reminding us of the 'grey stuff' from Beauty and the Beast. Overall are meals were bountiful delights, a very good brunch.
Finally it came to the desserts, with Bannister's offering a wide selection of cakes to choose from. My partner went for the passion fruit and mango pavlova, a treat that the owner said he had not produced for a while, and a lemon drizzle muffin. The pavlova was delicious, a light creamy pleasure, brimming with fruit, while the muffin was a fine, tasty, if somewhat dry, cake.
In addition to our gorgeous meals, the staff were very welcoming to us and very accommodating to our rambunctious baby. The intimate nature of Bannister's could limit the size of the group that can be served there, but there is ample seating outside for those who want to brave the beautiful English weather. They also do takeaway brunchy goodness, which may prove a devilish temptation on my walk to work.
Brunch at Bannister's was a delight. The food chosen was, for the most part, outstanding, and it is amplified by a warm atmosphere and welcoming staff. Seek it out for a great start to your day.