A “regular ’turn to’ restaurant for a tasty, enjoyable and relaxed Italian meal”, where the “pizza and pasta staples are supplemented by a range of daily changing specials”; even those who visited in opening week a decade back “are yet to be disappointed”.
See the Hardens Guide review

“AUTHENTIC ITALIAN!! Try the specials!! Do book for evenings!”

I love La Cucina, I love everything about this restaurant!! It's great for parties or for a long night with your friends. I wouldn't go there for a quiet, romanitc meal on a Saturday night, because it is buzzing and busy, but if you get a good table, that doesn't matter too much. I have been there many, many times and I usually have a special. Last time I had ravioli with truffle oil - absolutely gorgeous and reasonably priced.

The pastas don't tempt me, but the pizzas are great & I can never decide. Staff are super-friendly and always happy to help with suggestions and if you have a vegan or celaic, they offer alternatives to the menu. The open-plan kitchen is a definite jewel, it's massive and looks so appetising with big bowls of fresh fruit and veg. You can even talk to the chefs. Let staff know if there is a birthday, they make it really special, with music and a candle on a dessert, if you didn't bring your own cake.

I also go there during the day if I only want a coffee, they do a really good one and I sometimes sit there for hours with a book looking out onto St. Clemens. They also do take away meals and coffee. It is my favourite for a reason.

“Excellent Italian food and service”

We selected this restaurant after reading the reviews in TripAdvisor and it did not disappoint. The food was really tasty and value for money. The service was attentive and when asked about the food was very informative. Would not hesitate to return.

"Great family run Italian restaurant”

A visit to La Cucina is like a trip to Italy - there's always a great 'buzz'. Clientele is mixed - old, young (some very young) - family groups, couples - all sorts. The place is warm & friendly - staff charming - food varied & of a good standard. I am so pleased to have it on my doorstep!

We have lived in Oxford for five years now and, however many restaurants we try, La Cucina remains top of the list. It has all the ingredients, literally. A friendly welcome, a varied menu with interesting specials, gorgeous Italian food and staff who really seem to care that you have a lovely meal (charming to adults, attentive to children and willing/able to cater for different dietary needs such as gluten free). You can even learn Italian in the toilets! We think it's great.

“One of our favourites”

We consider ourselves very lucky to have moved closer to some of Oxford's best restaurants and I certainly count La Cucina amongst them. Dining again last night was another chance for a shining example of a great restaurant ticking all the right boxes. The food is unbelievably fresh and the open-plan kitchen a welcome addition for any foodies that enjoy watching their food being created for them!

The specials are just that: special. A little pricier than the most items of the main menu, they are still well worth sampling. I've had a great venison stew, a delicious quail dish and two fabulous (albeit artery-furring!) cheese starters. There's usually game on offer when in season, which delights me, and it's always very good. On the other hand, my partner has ordered the same dish every time we have eaten there! Despite my protestations that ordering simple spaghetti with chili and garlic at a restaurant is just wrong(!) he insists that it is some of the nicest, simple spaghetti that he has ever had. Not sure what that says for my cooking...

Puddings are good - I'm a massive fan of the desert wine that comes with some little almond biscuits for dipping and R likes the apple tart. Of course if you've had a starter you probably won't need a pudding, but La Cucina is one of those restaurants where the food is so good, it would be rude not to over-indulge!

“Best independent italian restaurant in Oxford!”

I walked past La Cucina many times without paying much attention, and recently found out I've overlooked an Italian jewel!

The little independent restaurant looks lovely inside, and you can buy many Italian products in there, but the best thing about it is obviously the food! I love Italian food but it's easy to get pizza-fatigue when the only places you can go to are chains.

We had an utterly delicious flatbread with sardines on it, and I chose a goat's cheese and roasted vegetables salad - massive portion and though it's a classic it did not taste boring at all! I'll definitely be heading to La Cucina again.

“Great Service”

Fast service. You can see what goes on in the kitchen, even for a very busy night, the kitchen never faltered.

La Cucina Reviews