A host of Oxford city centre and Cowley Road restaurants have signed up for a new initiative that allows diners to enjoy half-price meals at off-peak times.
First Table, the global restaurant discovery platform, has officially launched in Oxford, giving groups of two to four diners the chance to sample some of the city’s best culinary experiences for 50 per cent off the total food bill.
Already live in 13 UK cities, including London, Manchester and Bristol, Oxford is the latest destination to join the growing network of restaurants and food lovers embracing the concept.
Among the first to take part are city centre eateries Comptoir Libanais and Namaste Village, along with BBuona Pinsa Bar, Gino’s, and 100% Pasta in Gloucester Green. Al-Andalus and Pierre Victoire in Little Clarendon Street have also joined.
On Cowley Road, restaurants including Café Coco, Dosa Darlings, Kazbar and Spiced Roots are offering the half-price deal, while The Coconut Tree, Cuttlefish, and La Cucina in nearby St Clement’s have also signed up.
The early-bird offer aims to make dining out an affordable luxury while helping restaurants attract guests earlier in the evening. Diners simply book the first table of the night for a small booking fee and receive 50 per cent off food.
Mat Weir, founder of First Table, said:
“Oxford lives on discovery, from Jericho to Cowley Road and the Covered Market.
First Table lets locals and visitors book the first table of the evening and enjoy 50 per cent off food at brilliant Oxford restaurants, perfect for pre-theatre near the Playhouse or after a punt on the Cherwell.
We are excited to support the city’s independents and help venues fill early seats.”
For restaurants, joining the platform is simple — there are no contracts, sign-up fees or commission, making it a risk-free way to showcase menus, welcome new customers, and fill early tables.
Andi Bershini, owner of BBuona and 100% Pasta, said:
“First Table is the ideal platform to help us reach more people to fill those off-peak tables and attract new diners.
It’s a smart way to keep the restaurant busy throughout the week while giving new guests an easy opportunity to discover what makes our venues extra special and showcase our wonderful food for the first time.”
Founded in 2014 in Queenstown, New Zealand, by tech entrepreneur Mat Weir, First Table began after he noticed a small French bistro offering half-price meals to its first table of the night. Seeing the win-win for both diners and restaurants, he built the platform from scratch.
Today, First Table connects over 3,100 restaurants with 2.6 million diners across the UK, New Zealand and Australia.
