Il Principe

Head down Cowley Road and you'll find Il Principe tucked among the neighbourhood's brilliant independent shops—this is where you come when you're serious about Italian food. The counter's lined with proper prosciutto, mortadella and salumi you won't see at Tesco, alongside fresh pasta, quality oils and cheeses that taste like they actually came from Italy rather than a supermarket's "Continental" aisle. It's the kind of place locals pop into for dinner party supplies or midweek ingredients, unpretentious and genuinely useful.