Farm to Fork Dining in a Cozy Pub Setting: The Ox, Clapham, is One to Add to Your List

Farm to Fork Dining in a Cozy Pub Setting: The Ox, Clapham, is One to Add to Your List

February 1, 2025

During these colder months in the UK, it takes a lot to tear us from the comfort of the couch. Venturing out into the nippy, dark evenings is unappealing to say the least, so when we do, the excursion needs to be well worth the effort. Typically, our destinations will have certain criteria to meet. That is of course, a low-lit, cozy setting, and a mouth-watering menu that simply could not be rustled up in our own kitchens. In other words, a first-class gastro-pub. Fusing the spirit of a traditional pub with an elevated and modern British menu peppered with Asian accents, The Ox is Clapham’s must-visit gastropub, and one which we’ll happily brave the cold for.

As you stroll down Clapham High Street, an elegant portrait of a cow marks the spot. Here, you’ll find The Ox, a warm, welcoming, wood-panelled gastropub. Step inside to the restaurant’s main bar, designed with modern touches and elevated with vintage furniture. Continue on deeper inside and you’ll find the mezzanine restaurant, rooftop terrace, snug, and private events space. 

As we settled in, we perused the selection of classic and decadent cocktails for an aperitif. The food menu was equally as delightful a selection of farm to fork dishes, with beef sourced ethically and sustainably from the group’s family farms in Melrose on the Scottish borders, and dry-aged on site.

After much deliberation, we decided on the braised lamb neck to kickstart our meal. As first timers to this particular cut of meat, we were slightly apprehensive. We needn’t have been. The dish has lived rent-free in our minds ever since. The lamb was succulent and tender, served with gentleman’s relish, apple puree, and granny smith apple- a pairing of sweet and savoury notes. The result? A mouth-watering medley of flavours to tingle our tastebuds with from each forkful. Plus, an after-taste we wished we could savour forever. 

Meanwhile, the luscious pan-seared scallops were served with fish croquettes in a golden-crumbed coating with a soft, pillowy interior. A sweet pea puree, broccolini, and pea shoots were assorted around the plate in a presentation that was almost too pristine to disturb. With our plates clean as a whistle, it was time for the main event.

We couldn’t resist trying the farm to fork cuts for ourselves, so the aged British Flat Iron Steak felt like a suitable choice. This juicy, melt-in-the-mouth cut arrived with triple-cooked chips and a tasty red wine jus to drizzle on top. This was swiftly followed by the roasted fillet of Sea Bass, dressed in lemon butter velouté and accompanied by Jerusalem artichoke. For sides, we went for the maple roasted carrots and parsnips, as well as boulangerie potatoes- layer after layer of creamy, thinly sliced potatoes, baked to perfection.

With the main course devoured, we had little room to spare. However, a glance and a whiff of the sticky toffee pudding being served to a neighbouring table shook us to our senses. Crafted to be consumed with unapologetic childlike glee, the extensive list of desserts are decadent and nostalgic from back in the day. The sticky toffee pudding was ladened with stout toffee sauce and clotted cream ice cream. The perfect ending to our five-star meal.

Proud to be a pub with an undeniably sublime dining experience, The Ox boasts a range of local craft beers alongside a carefully considered wine and cocktail list. Accompanied by its menu of seasonal British ingredients in both elevated and comforting plates, take it from us, The Ox is well worth a trip south of the river. Head to their website to avoid disappointment and secure your table today.

www.theoxclapham.com

Josie is a Journalism graduate from Galway, Ireland. In her free time, she writes for her blog, Naturally Fuelled (@josiewilkins on instagram). When she isn't writing, she enjoys playing the one song she knows on the piano, 'I Giorni', saving the postman from her aggressive Shorkie, and defending brussels sprouts as an all-year-round snack!