Wednesday 15th October 2025

Lifestyle

The incandescent and the immovable

I went to Ometepe in search of a view, but found something closer to a memory. The island floats inside Lake Nicaragua, its twin volcanoes rising like ancient lungs out...

“Have you heard the new Laufey album?”

We all know the type, or at least the meme. The tote-bag sporting, wired-headphone...

The maddening art of procrastination

In delaying and avoiding writing this piece, I am succumbing to exactly what many...

To read or not to read?

It’s 5pm and I’m standing on a packed, unmoving train, somewhere between Swindon and...

Alcoholism at Oxford University: A Perspective

"Alcohol nearly ruined my life. For many years to come, I think, I’ll still be grappling with its consequences."

Barefoot Bakery — Cakes, bakes, and great values

"What makes it even more special though is the ethos behind it and every single dish on offer."

Temptations Dessert Lounge – Everything sweet, all at once?

"Cookie dough is my weak spot in these kinds of places and Temptations’ options are seemingly endless."

LB’s — Summertown’s one-of-a-kind Lebanese deli

"Summertown’s options are ever growing, but through all of that, it is clear why LB’s has remained a staple."

Whatever floats your boat: Leo Buckley on the realities of the river

“I can sleep and I can host, and that’s all I need. I’m a happy man.”

Mambo Italiano — Carlotta comes to Marylebone

"I will never cease to be amazed by that consistently remarkable ability to reinvent."

Burnout BBQ — Brisket, wings and hot rods

"This is undoubtedly the place to go in Oxford for an authentically fun evening of American food."

Devil-DHD

"Yes, there’s the whole fun-loving “I’m quirky” side to ADHD, but behind the veil of hyperactivity there’s also a lot of despondency and pain."

Why I was ready for Ramadan to end

"Ramadan is not only a physical struggle, but also a spiritual one."

George Street Social — Brunching, but at what price?

"Moving onto the lunch menu, the items here are high quality but also much higher cost."

Cocomelt — Syrian chocolate cafés come to London

"Chocolate is just about my favourite thing in the world and, if you are the same, Cocomelt is one of those places that simply needs to be ticked off your bucket list."

A Beginner’s Guide to Being Single

"I’m going to remind myself of all of the reasons that I am lucky to not be in a relationship at this point in my life."

Oxford’s café scene – The definitive guide

You can never grow bored of the endless variety of spots for work, food, catch-ups, and of course, great coffee.

Salsas del Sol — Will Pouget shines with latest Oxford endeavour

"Now, Salsas del Sol is the Mediterranean spin on Pouget’s good-value slow food revolution."

Hervé Gatineau — more Summertown, more European authenticity

"I did of course also have to grab a baguette to-go, a trip to a boulangerie feels worthless otherwise."

Recipe – Pasta alla Norma

"Typical of Sicily the dish is balanced and uses the finest seasonal produce."

Fasting and Feasting: food as the love language of the Arab world

"Whether fasting or feasting, the togetherness is what’s important."

San Francisco – not just start-ups and juice bars

"Here, you can buy crab cocktails and shellfish straight off the boats themselves and of course indulge in that long-honoured tradition of clam chowder served in giant sourdough bowl."

“I don’t read the news”

"The compulsive need to stay up to date with current affairs at the expense of my mental health (and personal hygiene) led me to reassess the way I inform myself."

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