Forget coordinating calendars and negotiating menus. Near Oxford, the best dining happens on your own terms—where you can savor a solo lunch, meet a friend for coffee, or grab takeout without committee approval. These 11 spots let you eat well, exactly how you want.
Thirsty Beaver Pub & Grill
$ | (608) 296-2999 | WEBSITE
As you might guess from the name alone, Thirsty Beaver—a beloved local haunt in Oxford that’s been serving the community for years—is a prime destination for juicy, perfectly grilled burgers on toasted buns.
But less apparent is that Thirsty Beaver is one of the best spots in the area to gather a crew of thirsty friends: There’s a cozy bar area with enough room to seat a small town, a crowd-pleasing menu that includes everything from crispy wings to loaded potatoes to awesome onion rings, and a wide beer selection right on tap where the fun people in your group can extend the evening if so inclined.
Pioneer Family Restaurant
$ | (608) 296-3121 | WEBSITE
There’s a lot to love on Pioneer Family Restaurant’s classic diner menu: fluffy French toast, hearty meat lovers skillet, and gorgeous pies on display right at the entrance. But our favorite thing about this small-town spot near Oxford is that no matter what size family shows up, everybody in your party can kind of do their own thing. All seating is on a first-come basis with plenty of tables available.
You can certainly take over a booth inside, but the spacious dining area is a great place to post up, enjoy too many milkshakes, and let kids wander over to check out the pie case at their leisure.
Oxford Pub & Grub
$ | (608) 586-5211 | WEBSITE
Sure, Oxford Pub & Grub is basically the small-town equivalent of your favorite neighborhood spot these days, but their cozy pub space in Oxford is still a great place to set up shop for the evening and let your friends come when they can. The welcoming space has a main dining area, a bar section up front, and a casual atmosphere that’s both family- and friend-friendly.
As far as food goes, there’s a solid enough menu with everything from burgers to sandwiches to chili cheese fries, as well as plenty of hearty options.
Andy’s Meats, Inc
$ | (608) 587-2500 | WEBSITE
Andy’s Meats, Inc. is a butcher shop/meat market right in Oxford that somehow also feels like a family reunion. On weekdays it’s usually pretty quiet, which means you can chat with the staff for ages and still feel like you have the place to yourself. Everybody orders individually from the counter inside, and unlike family reunions, this Wisconsin spot has products you’ll actually want to take home (try the thick-cut double bacon).
There’s also a solid selection of imported condiments and plenty of fresh pork and beef.
The Cove Supper Club
$$ | (608) 981-2601 | WEBSITE
The Cove Supper Club in Oxford is a great spot for a classic supper club experience. It’s run with old-school charm, and draws steady crowds for the excellent Friday night fish fry, prepared fresh in-house—and plenty of steaks, ribs, and appetizers like the popular onion straws. The cozy, laid-back operation isn’t enormous, but the festive atmosphere is, and it’ll come in handy when your group wants a relaxed meal with a good view and easy parking.
The fish fry is always a hit, but if you’re committing to a full dinner, our favorites are the perfectly cooked steaks or the tasty ribs with homemade coleslaw and potato pancakes.
The Ox Bar and Grill
$ | (608) 586-6565 | WEBSITE
The classic Oxford bar and grill offers a relaxing atmosphere, complete with a clean interior, gaming machines like pool tables and pinball, and a lively music selection that creates a fun environment. It’s a great place to set up shop on a Wednesday evening when all your friends can make appearances for game night. Everyone orders individually at the bar, and even if all of your invite list shows up, seating will never be an issue.
For food, we recommend the delicious handmade pizza or their wide selection of burgers with unique toppings and as much mocktails and great drinks as you need.
Generations Bar & Grill
$ | (608) 586-6363 | WEBSITE
You may have come here before to shoot some pool with friends, but Generations Bar & Grill isn’t just a place to play games—they serve some very good comfort food as well. Located near Oxford, this full-service spot offers a cozy, sensory-friendly atmosphere that makes it comfortable for everyone, but that’s an ideal set-up when you want to relax without overwhelming stimulation. The Italian beef and steak quesadilla are our favorites among the menu items.
Friendly staff and a super nice bartender only.
Foxy’s
$ | (608) 981-2551 | WEBSITE
Foxy’s unassuming exterior hides a surprisingly warm interior that’s buzzing with locals clinking beer glasses and sharing baskets of crispy tots. The smell of sizzling burgers fills the air, and those amazing patties are the centerpiece of nearly every table. No matter how many friends you bring along, the friendly staff gives their all to make sure everyone has a seat and feels welcome. Without fail, this local bar near Oxford brings comfort and ease back to burger nights.
Arby’s
$ | (608) 296-7068 | WEBSITE
Despite the chain name, this Arby’s near Oxford feels less like a typical fast-food joint and more of a reliable, sit-down spot for a quick, satisfying meal. The move here is to grab one of their signature brown sugar bacon sandwiches or go classic with the cheese and beef deluxe, then settle into the clean, spacious dining area with friends.
This location has ample seating and is open late, making it perfect for an impromptu group hang where people might roll in at different times and with different cravings. Make sure to try their famously satisfying, hot-off-the-grill bacon sandwich to share, then maybe snag an extra order on the way out to thank the friend who drove and had everyone chip in for gas.
Burger King
$ | (608) 296-2600 | WEBSITE
While Burger King works for just about any craving, this fast-food spot is at its best when you swing by for a quick solo meal. The drive-through lane is definitely more for rushed errands, so instead, take your time at the front counter, one of the more reliable service points in the restaurant. The menu is familiar, but filled with classic fast food that includes Impossible Whoppers, golden brown fries, and one of the most satisfying burgers in town.
Frannie May’s Cafe
$ | (608) 586-4881 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a cozy spot near Oxford, Frannie May’s Cafe offers a small-town atmosphere with delicious home-cooking style meals. Most people here are ordering the country fried steak or liver and onions, but there are tasty vegetarian options as well (including a jalapeño omelet that comes highly recommended). The salads are made with fresh greens, and the skillets are generally well-cooked, though the gravy could use some improvement.
Service is good, with attentive and pleasant waitstaff who keep things moving smoothly. Prices are affordable, with most entrees around $12-15, making it a great value. It gets busy during lunch hours, but even at peak times, you’ll rarely wait more than 10 minutes for a table. Also, its location means no one can complain about the drive.