Olives Delicatessen

This is my favorite place to get food due to its convenience and quick service. Their sandwiches also taste great, though I usually get the same thing each time (a baguette of goat cheese, onion marmalade, roasted peppers, rocket). They also have a ton of marmalades and jellies on display for sale. I wish they gave out loyalty stamp cards though, because I would definitely benefit from that pretty quickly. Sandwiches are under £5 each, some even less than £4.

The people at the counter are always very friendly, accommodating, and helpful. My last meal (chorizo, hummus, roasted peppers, rocket, cucumbers, olive oil, black pepper, lemon juice on ciabatta) in Oxford was here before I boarded the bus to the airport.

This is, quite simply, the best sandwich place in the entire world. I live in Washington DC (used to work summers in Oxford, which is when I became addicted to Olive's) and I have seriously considered hopping a flight to the UK just to get another one of these sandwiches.

Why are they so good? It starts with the bread. They have the most amazing small baguettes; just the exact right amount of chewiness, while the crust is perfectly crisp, but not so hard you have to crush and mangle your sandwich for a bite. Then there are the many delicious options for what you can put inside. Everything is very fresh and tasty, from their homemade pates, to their fresh-sliced Parma ham, to their amazing cheeses, it is all just ridiculously delicious. Cannot go wrong here.

Have to give this place 5* as I am an olive person.very much so! The quality of stock here is fantastic. All are of high taste and colour. The bread is perfectly matched and you just keep scoffing it!!!
Lovely staff who don't mind you having tasters. Best take your own little botttles for the oils.

This might be the best sandwich place I have ever tried. It helps that it is packaged in an olive green storefront proclaiming it's virtues. But while you might come for large array of olives, you stay for the fresh, impeccable quality ingredients in the setting of a traditional Italian shop.

In true Italian fashion, Olives sells pastas, sauces, Mediteranean pastes, soups, rustic bread, olives, and biscuits imported from Italy. And you will have plenty of time to acquaint yourself with the delectable surroundings as there will be a queue at lunch time. Be ready.

You cannot go wrong with anything here, from simple salmon and peppery rocket and lemon to some of the more creative like wild boar pate with brie and tomato. Get your baguettes, your paninis, your ciabattas with cured meats and fresh cheese. If the Baguette of the week isn't fishy, I choose to go wild and take a chance of its rotating suggestion written on the blackboard. Otherwise I love any combination of parma ham, buffalo mozzarella, basil, olive oil... The price is reasonable and I have actually been guilty of having a panini for lunch and in anticipation taking a sister panini for dinner the same day. You know, just to avoid the inevitable walk there and back.

My absolutely favorite sandwich place. Ingredients are fresh and the bread is chewy and delicious. I love trying the baguette of the week.

These are some of the best sandwiches I have ever had. Consistently fresh ingredients. Always delicious.

After leaving Oxford, I missed this place about as much as anything else.

Yum! I stopped in during a walk for some cappuccino and pain au chocolat, and this place was buzzing with people getting fresh panini. The selection of meats and cheeses in their deli display was very tempting, and everything smelled so good - but I stuck with my original reason for being there (coffee and pastry - which was excellent). I'm definitely going back, though!

There's nowhere to sit, so this is definitely a good place to stop to pick up a quick yummy sandwich and go for a picnic.

Cute little Italian sandwich shop on High street. Convenient location and delicious baguettes!

This is well worth a visit at lunch time for a good baguette - there's lots of fresh meats, salamis and cheeses, all served with a lovely dressing and with salad freshly prepared. Try the pate too for a treat - really tasty.


This is also a deli, selling lots of goodies from around Europe. There is also ice cream in summer and you can get champagne here too around exam time (ideal as it's just opposite the exam schools!).


The best things about this place is the staff - all really friendly and keen to help. You really get the sense that they care very much about the business and want you to come back again.

We stopped in Oxford for a tour of the colleges and just to see the town. It was suggested to us to check out Olives for a great sandwich and we were not disappointed. I had one of the favorites, rocket, mozzarella, Olive salad, sun dried tomatoes and I added chicken. Had to be one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. If you are in the area check it out!