The Barley Mow

Head down to Warwick Road and you'll find yourself in a proper neighbourhood boozer that takes its food seriously. The Barley Mow does the whole pub grill thing competently — think juicy steaks, burgers that actually taste of something, and sides that don't feel like an afterthought. It's the kind of place where you can show up in your weekend clothes, grab a pint, and get genuinely good food without any faffing about. The crowd's mixed: families early doors, proper locals later on, and it's got that unpretentious vibe that makes Banbury pubs work best. Nothing fancy, nothing Instagram-baity — just solid cooking and better-than-average hospitality.