
About The Paper Boat Cafe
On Folly Bridge, The Paper Boat Cafe is a cafe serving coffee, breakfast, and pastries by the river. The space keeps a laptop-free and tablet-free policy at its tables, making it a spot for conversation over a screen. Coffee runs through flat whites, Americanos, long blacks, and lattes with latte art, alongside a rotating specialty filter selection. The kitchen turns out sourdough sandwiches, including a ham and cheese toasty with fresh tomato, plus baked goods such as plum cream cheese cake, olive oil cake, and banana slice. Seating spans an indoor room and an outdoor yard that overlooks the water, giving those eating outside a river view. Dogs are welcome throughout. The cafe takes walk-ins rather than bookings, and it opens Tuesday to Sunday, closing on Mondays.
Good to know
- ParkingParking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Menu & Prices
20 dishes- Flat White with Latte Art
- Coffee Shop
- Pastel De Nata
- Coffee Cake
- Matcha Latte
- Espresso
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention riverside outdoor seating, specialty filter coffee, fresh baked pastries and no laptop policy.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention riverside outdoor seating, specialty filter coffee, fresh baked pastries and no laptop policy.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the main draw at this riverside café, with one reviewer calling the flat white one of the best in Oxford and others praising a long black, a proper drip coffee, and an Americano made with Brazilian and Colombian beans. Close behind are the baked goods and light bites: a plum cream cheese and olive oil cake, a banana slice, a ham and cheese toasty with chewy bread and fresh tomato, and a sourdough sandwich, all called fresh. One reviewer found the latte outshined by the pastries, and another enjoyed the Americano but prefers a different roast profile. The outdoor tables by the river and the view come up repeatedly, along with friendly staff and an owner who enjoys chatting with customers. A few note the no laptop policy, and one suggests bringing a book instead. One reviewer who asked about the coffee's origin was given an explanation of the specialty filter coffees that rotate through the year.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the main draw at this riverside café, with one reviewer calling the flat white one of the best in Oxford and others praising a long black, a proper drip coffee, and an Americano made with Brazilian and Colombian beans. Close behind are the baked goods and light bites: a plum cream cheese and olive oil cake, a banana slice, a ham and cheese toasty with chewy bread and fresh tomato, and a sourdough sandwich, all called fresh. One reviewer found the latte outshined by the pastries, and another enjoyed the Americano but prefers a different roast profile. The outdoor tables by the river and the view come up repeatedly, along with friendly staff and an owner who enjoys chatting with customers. A few note the no laptop policy, and one suggests bringing a book instead. One reviewer who asked about the coffee's origin was given an explanation of the specialty filter coffees that rotate through the year.
Featured reviews
- Dr. Harshmeet kaur
“Beautiful café with lovely outdoor seating overlooking the river. The view, atmosphere, and peaceful setting made it a wonderful experience. Loved the coffee, banana slice, and sourdough sandwich — everything was fresh, delicious, and perfectly enjoyed by the riverside.”
- Konstantinos M. G.
“Amazing products! Very nice refreshing drinks! The sweet treats are totally worth it and with good ingredients! We took the local handmade eldflower refreshing drink which was the best choice for a warm day! The tables at the little yard next to the river are probably the best place to enjoy! But the best thing was the service and the people working there! 100% recommended!!”
- Igor Zabłotny
“Spectacular view, top notch coffee. Truly a wonderful place to enjoy a slow day in Oxford. Owner is very friendly and chatting with him is great.”
- I B
“Pastry 10/10, totally fresh, nowhere to hide, perfect bite, cannot be improved upon. The bread in the ham and cheese toasty was equally perfect, chewy but not too chewy, substantial enough for the generous amount of cheese and served with savoury fresh tomato to contrast. The latte was outshined by the baked goods, which are worth going out of your way for.”
- Sherry M
“Cute place for coffee. No laptop policy fyi which is not a bad thing - bring a book instead! Plenty of seating area with outdoor section as well. Proper drip coffee which I appreciated 👌🏽”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Coffee, breakfast & pastries from a bright, plant-filled nook with outdoor tables by the river.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Vegan options
- Casual
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Dining options· 5
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Offerings· 2
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Cafes near The Paper Boat Cafe
- Artisan Café4.53820.3 mi£1–10
cookies, coffee, croissants
- Maya's Stores Oxford4.63230.3 mi£1–10Outdoor seating
matcha made from scratch, specialty coffee, cortado
- 0.4 mi£15–30Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsDelivery
greek desserts and pastries, greek custard pie / bougatsa, iced matcha and coffee
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Paper Boat CafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.8411 | — | — | riverside outdoor seating, specialty filter coffee, fresh baked pastries |
| Artisan Café | 4.5382 | 0.3 mi | £1–10 | cookies, coffee, croissants |
| Maya's Stores OxfordOutdoor seating | 4.6323 | 0.3 mi | £1–10 | matcha made from scratch, specialty coffee, cortado |
| Love Coffee Co. High streetOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Delivery | 4.7713 | 0.4 mi | £15–30 | greek desserts and pastries, greek custard pie / bougatsa, iced matcha and coffee |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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