The Purple Mango

If you're passing through the area, whether you've come off the M40 or you're exploring from further east, Banbury works as a natural stop, and this restaurant offers a proper place to eat in the evening.

The menu covers aromatic curries, tandoori specialities, and the range of dishes you'd find in Indian and Bangladeshi cooking. It's somewhere locals come back to regularly, which generally means the food and service are worth your time. The atmosphere is relaxed and easy, so it suits families, groups of friends, or anyone who just wants a good meal after a day out exploring.

Banbury itself deserves a few hours if you're in the region. The town has been a market centre for centuries, and that history shows in the way it's laid out and in its buildings. The canal basin is pleasant to walk around, and the town centre has real character rather than the feel of a standard shopping street. Once you've spent some time looking around during the day, The Purple Mango gives you a straightforward, dependable dinner option that breaks up the evening nicely before you move on or get settled for the night.