Café Coco, St Clements, Oxford

Opened in 1992 and not painted since as there's a graffito to the rag washed wall signed from that year. On the same wall there's also a glowing encomium written by none other than the patrons' daughter, Florence Pugh, their little girl drumming up business which she has enjoyed for 19 years. There's eclectic décor and pugh - sorry pew - seating to some of the walls. Acoustics are poor and a strange device delivers ice into a bathtub occupied by a mannequin; the resulting noise is like a landslide though wasn't enough to drown out the sounds of a crying baby. There's no draught beer here and as it was early, I opted for a ginger and lime chilled drink which was very refreshing. Food is an absolute gallimaufry of pizza, burgers, the obligatory mashed avocado on toast and some oddly incongruous Greek-inspired dishes which extends as far as applying tzatziki or feta cheese to a pizza of all things! I opted for the rather small pepperoni pizza which was a bit McCain's, far too salty, oily and not great - I couldn't finish it. This place may be a pleasant haven on a horrid road and good for tea, coffee and maybe even a cocktail, but I'd be inclined to eat elsewhere, not that Oxford is spoilt for choice when it comes to decent eateries.

Another Cowley Road bar. No ale except Old Hooky in bottles. Does live music.

Official site of Café Coco - www.cafecoco.co.uk

Official site of Café Coco - www.cafecoco.co.uk