Our Story
More Than Just Coffee
Every cup we serve is a small moment of joy, carefully crafted by passionate baristas who care about your experience.
- Free WiFi
- Cozy Seating
- Pet Friendly
- Local Roasters
The Independent Cafe is a welcoming coffee and tea destination in the heart of Oxford, set within the distinctive surroundings of The Old Palace on St Aldate’s.
With a strong reputation built on 310 reviews and an overall rating of 4.20 out of 5, it has earned its place as a trusted favorite for locals, students, professionals, and visitors alike.
The cafe brings together quality, comfort, and convenience in a setting that feels both relaxed and stylish, making it an ideal stop for everything from a quiet morning coffee to a casual lunch or an unhurried afternoon break.
At the center of The Independent Cafe’s appeal is its thoughtful range of offerings. Guests come for the great coffee and excellent tea selection, then return for the inviting menu that suits a variety of tastes and occasions.
Whether you are starting the day with breakfast, meeting someone for brunch, grabbing lunch, or finishing with dessert, the cafe provides a reliable and satisfying experience. It is especially well suited to solo diners and those working on a laptop, offering a comfortable atmosphere where productivity and relaxation can go hand in hand.
With options including vegan and vegetarian choices, quick bites, alcohol, and classic coffee service, The Independent Cafe makes it easy for every guest to find something enjoyable.
The experience is made even more convenient through flexible service options, including dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and on-site service. Accessibility is also a clear priority, with wheelchair-accessible seating and a wheelchair-accessible car park helping make the cafe more inclusive and easy to visit.
Inside, guests will find a casual, cozy, and trendy environment supported by useful amenities such as an on-site bar and restroom. Reservations are accepted for those who prefer to plan ahead, and payment is simple with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
For anyone seeking a high-quality cafe experience in Oxford, The Independent Cafe offers the kind of warm, dependable setting that turns an ordinary visit into one worth repeating.
Our Story
Every cup we serve is a small moment of joy, carefully crafted by passionate baristas who care about your experience.
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Step inside our cozy corner
From our beloved regulars
I often come to Oxford for work, mostly to take my clients to different sightseeing places such as Christ Church. I sometimes have to wait for them while they are in the Christ Church, and this cafe is a perfect location for a quick break. There are plenty of seats available inside, however, due to its good location, it can be busy during the day. It is perfect to get your work done as there are big tables or counter seats with plugs available. I appreciate this cafe a lot as it gives me such a relaxed vibe during my quick break from work. The only thing was sometimes the service can be slow, so I’d recommend sparing at least 40-45 minutes if you plan to get sandwiches etc.
Very independent Cafe with two independent entrances and thus, exits. The seating area is well hidden from the ordering area. Also there are outside tables to enjoy the morning sun. Design is well blended modern with old. And finally, coffee was excellent 👌. Internet- … I would say, non existent despite the password on the wall. So, enjoy the coffee and your mobile phone, as many do.
A very reliable coffee shop right across the street from Christ Church that's not too expensive I feel! Also think a lot of students are here doing work, so if you're looking for a place to seat you might have to share your table with someone. But that said the caramel iced latte is amazing & the sandwiches are fantastic!
I went here a year ago, and I had so much fun, Independent Cafe is one of the nicest spots in all of Oxford, I had one of the nicest coffees and grilled cheese sandwiches of my life. The service was okay, i was a tourist and i did noticed a little bit of grumpiness by the cashier. Overall was excellent.
A lovely little spot to pause and take in the charm of Oxford. The Independent Café offers a peaceful corner with views of Christ Church, great coffee, and delicious toasts. Perfect for resting and recharging while exploring the city – a true little haven in the heart of Oxford.
Gorgeous views and such a beautiful and atmospheric vibe, lovely view of the colleges from the windows. Had a cup of tea and a pastry, pastry was not that great but the atmosphere made up for it!
Located just round the corner from where I work and about two minutes from where I catch the bus this is a delightful cafe. Service is friendly with you ordering at the counter and food and drink being delivered to the table. Prices are pretty much on par with most independents in Oxford and they do a rather nice cinnamon latte, which I had alongside a sausage and egg breakfast bap with the egg being cooked just right still a slightly runny yoke but not so much that it coats your fingers. Only downside is that it is a popular spot and during peak hours can be busy but this is of course a reflection of its popularity.
All around reliable coffee shop off the high street in Oxford. Perfect place to meet with friends, work on offline activities, and people watch across from Christ Church. They also have a selection of baked goods and sandwiches. I'm partial to their seasonal lattes - the maple leaf and banana lattes are my favorites. Note that they have strict rules around computer usage during peak periods. Currently, 11-4 on weekends is laptop free.
Walked into this cafe randomly and got the best cinnamon latte I’ve ever had with a very reasonable price. There are many choices of coffee and matcha you can choose from. Bakeries are also available. There are seats to sit and work or you can just grab & go.
Been living in Oxford all my life and this is the first time I’ve been here and it’s really nice, I went for the Sausage + Egg Buttie (price £7.50) which was delicious and fairly decent size and the Chai Latte (£4.50) which was nice and strong, the way I like it! Fully recommend, the staff were friendly too, also I gather by being in here, it’s very studenty but not noisy though! Will come back, thank you ☺️
Common questions about The Independent Cafe
The Independent Cafe is located at The Old Palace, 85-87 St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1RD, United Kingdom , The Old Palace, Oxford OX1 1RD, United Kingdom.
The Independent Cafe has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on 310 customer reviews.
The Independent Cafe features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible car park.
The Independent Cafe features the following service options: On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery.
The Independent Cafe features the following highlights: Great coffee, Great tea selection.
The Independent Cafe features the following popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, Solo dining, Good for working on laptop.
The Independent Cafe features the following offerings: Alcohol, Coffee, Quick bite, Vegan options, Vegetarian options.
The Independent Cafe features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dessert.
The Independent Cafe features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
The Independent Cafe features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Trendy.
The Independent Cafe features the following crowd: Tourists, University students.
The Independent Cafe features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
The Independent Cafe features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Business Features
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