Meli - Oxford

We asked Agga to prepare food for 50 guests for a birthday party in a nearby pub. On the morning of the party we collected trays of spanakopita (spinach in filo), tiropita (the same with cheese), falafel, gigantes (beans), humous, dolmades (vine leaves) and salads I think more than we had paid for and all absolutely fresh and smelling wonderful. The food was the hit of the party great to see people tucking in and talking about the food with enthusiasm and to be able to serve vegetarian food without making a fuss about it. This is a special place small in size but big in heart. It is not cheap you pay for the ingredients and the care with which it is made but it has real value for money. Independent, consistent, wonderfully tasty and served with quiet pride in her work. What Cowley Road at its best is about. Thank you Agga.

Oxford has two vegan eateries, and co-incidentally they 're at either end of the Cowley Road shopping precinct, one of the most diverse shopping areas in Britain (It was formerly known as East Avenue but it 's grown well beyond that . Meli is at the city end of the road right by the bus stop if you 're not planning to walk (Ask for 'The Plain ' but the walk from Oxford is a pleasant one, weather permitting. The cafe has just three tables. A two seater, a four seater, and an eight (Or more seater, but on a good day you might want to buy takeaway and walk back to Magdalen Bridge. The food is what it is with no pretence. It is also totally home made and delicious. The coffee is made with care, the tea... Well I liked it, but if there 's anything that people can disagree about it 's their tea, I always hesitate to recommend tea! One final point, if you 're non-vegan, fear not, neither am I. But I know what I like.

I was absolutely amazed how fantastic tasting cakes can be, without having to be baked, adding sugar and flour..and the price was excellent for such high quality, hand-made sweets. The owner is also delightful. Absolutely loving and recommending!

I love Meli Deli. The vegan treats are amazeballs. Coffee too! Now it is not really ideal for massive groups of people as the place itself is tiny but a couple of tables are outside too, during the milder season. But it fits smaller groups for sure : . I have recommended this place to a few people already. One of them pointed out that there is no music in the background and he felt awkward as the place is small. But I never minded that. You can't please everyone at all times. : I will be coming back for the lovely americano with soy milk and some vegan cubes of gorgeousness...

Thanks Agata for another great visit. A good combination of informal, but intimate and attentive service. Delicious Greek food, with fresh flavours, and healthy ingredients. My family always feel very welcome.