The Durham Ox

16/09/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHEF JAY! ❤️

Today is all about our Chef Jay — the man responsible for all the incredible tastes that come out of our kitchen and a huge part of what makes The Ox what it is. ❤️
But this birthday is extra special because it’s his first birthday as a Daddy. 🥹 And judging by these gorgeous pictures, he’s got his hands full with his two favourite girls.

We think he’s finally met his match… because we all know who the real boss is now! 😂👶🏼

Jay, you’re so much more than our Head Chef. You’re our friend, our family and someone we are incredibly lucky to have by our side. We appreciate you, your talent, your hard work and, most of all, you.

Have the most amazing birthday, Chef. We love you loads. ❤️🎂

Happy Birthday, Daddy Jay! 🥰

11/09/2026

NEW SEASON. NEW MENU. NEW FAVOURITES. 🍂✨

Autumn is officially incoming and tonight is the night we unveil our brand new Autumn Menu!

Think cosy nights, candlelight, roaring log burners and plates of gorgeousness… we’re ready for you, Autumn. 🤎

10/09/2026

🇮🇹 ITALIAN TAPAS HAS LANDED… and she’s looking VERY good. 🇮🇹

A little look at what went out last week… and yes, we’re still not over it 🤤

A few last-minute tables have become available THIS EVENING — so if you fancy a little Italian feast, you know what to do. 🍝🍷

📞 0115 854 7107

🐂

09/09/2026

06/09/2026

🥳 OUR TWINNIES’ BIRTHDAY! 🥳

Today we’re celebrating our very own birthday double act… Chef Jade & our housekeeper Layla! 🥂🎂

Jade… there are many ways to describe you, but we think Mummy Ox fits the bill perfectly. ❤️
Never has there been a woman who makes this place feel more like home. You’re full of warmth, fun and absolute joy to be around — and then you go and turn into a serious machine in that kitchen! 🔥👩‍🍳
We’d be absolutely lost without you.

Layla… relatively new to the fam, but you’ve never felt like a stranger. And now we get the absolute pleasure of having you keep our place looking immaculate — honestly, there isn't a speck of dust brave enough to cross your path! 😂✨
You’ve slotted into Ox life perfectly and we’re so lucky to have you.

So, to our birthday twinnies… HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS! 🥳❤️
We hope you have the most fabulous day — although we know it’s only the warm-up…

See you later for PARTY TIME! 🍾💃🏼🎉

04/09/2026

WE’VE BEEN A HOT MESS… BUT WE MADE IT! 🥵😂

The FINAL WEEK of our Summer Menu is here!

What a summer. ☀️
Crazy temperatures, sweaty kitchens, melting staff and quite frankly, we’ve all been one degree away from a meltdown. 😂🥵

But we’ve survived, and now it’s time to say goodbye to our much-loved Summer Menu.

FINAL WEEK. FINAL CHANCE.
Then we’re swapping sunshine for cosy season. 🍂🔥

Bring it on. 🐂❤️

03/09/2026

🇮🇹 TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! 🇮🇹

Our Italian journey officially begins tonight and we are super lucky to be looking at a very busy month ahead — you lot clearly fancy a trip to Italy! 🍝🍷

We’ve had a couple of little tables sneak back in for tonight…
5:30pm or 8pm 👀

Fancy being part of night one? 0115 854 7107 📞

02/09/2026

🎄 DECEMBER AT THE OX — HERE’S THE LOWDOWN! 🎄

We know you lovely lot like to get organised, so here’s everything you need to know about our festive opening dates 👇

✨ FESTIVE FAYRE ✨
Kicking off Friday 20th November and running every Thursday, Friday & Saturday right through to Saturday 19th December.
Festive feasting is officially ON. 🎅🏼

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD CHRISTMAS TAPAS 🌎
Our Christmas tapas adventure begins Wednesday 25th November, running for 4 weeks until Wednesday 16th December.
Four weeks. Four festive Wednesdays. A whole lot of Christmas deliciousness. 🎄🍴

🎅🏼 CHRISTMAS BREAK 🎅🏼
We’ll be closing our doors from Monday 21st December for a little festive breather...

✨ BUT WAIT... ✨

🥂 NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE OX 🥂
We’re cooking up something VERY special for our FIRST EVER NYE at the Ox and trust us... you’re going to want to know about this one. 👀

More details coming oh-so-soon... 🍾✨

30/08/2026

HELLO, AUTUMN… WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU 🍂

Just look how gorgeous she is! 😍 Our brand new Autumn Menu is officially here, and quite frankly, she’s a bit of a beauty!

Cooking from Friday 11th September 🍽️

Cosy season is just around the corner… think candlelight, a roaring log burner, good food, great w**e and absolutely nowhere else you’d rather be.

Summer had its moment, time to get cosy 🍂

28/08/2026

SSSSSHES BACK! 👀💃🏼

Well… kinda 😂

Not officially back-back just yet, but our girl is dipping her toe back in with a little phased return… and last night we got the girl gang back together! 🥹❤️

It was SO good having Lauren back alongside us again — honestly, we’ve missed her more than we can say.

The three of us back together? Dangerous. 😂🐂

Welcome back Loz, we’ve missed you! ❤️