Oxford, MS: Where to Eat, Sleep & Tailgate
Planning a trip to Oxford for an Ole Miss football game? We've got your game weekend covered with tips on where to stay, eat, drink, and tailgate! Image: iStock
Welcome to Oxford, home of the University of Mississippi Rebels! If you’re heading to town to catch an Ole Miss football game, here’s what you need to know about where to stay, eat, drink, and tailgate. First, a few key facts:
- SEC Team: Ole Miss Rebels
- Coach: Pete Golding
- Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
- 2026 Schedule: olemisssports.com
- Fun Fact: The Ole Miss Rebels were the first college football team to fly to a road game, taking a plane to Philadelphia in 1937 to play the Temple Owls.
WHERE TO STAY IN OXFORD
While Oxford has plenty of familiar hotel names, including Hilton, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta, the three stays below offer a little more local flavor and are especially popular on game weekends.
The Oliver Hotel
425 South Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 371-1400
The Oliver Hotel pairs boutique luxury with an unbeatable downtown location, just off the Square and minutes from the Grove. The 40-room property features four spacious suites, in-room dining, and Kingswood Restaurant & Bar.
Graduate Oxford
400 North Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-3031
Situated on the Square and just a mile from the Ole Miss campus, Graduate by Hilton Oxford leans into local history and Rebel spirit with playful, collegiate-inspired interiors. The 136-room hotel also features a lobby café and The Coop, its rooftop terrace bar serving cocktails and comfort food alongside sweeping views of Oxford.
The Inn at Ole Miss
120 Alumni Drive, University, MS 38677 • (662) 234-2331
For fans who want to be in the middle of the action, The Inn at Ole Miss is hard to beat, sitting right on campus and less than 150 steps from the Grove. Amenities include an outdoor pool, restaurant and bar, fitness center, and nightly downtown shuttle — an easy home base for game day weekend.
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WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN OXFORD
If you’re looking for a bite before the game or a few provisions for your tailgate, these spots near campus are some of your best bets.
4 Corners Chevron
502 South Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-0275
Fried chicken from a gas station? Trust us on this one. A longtime Oxford tradition, 4 Corners Chevron is famous for its hand-battered, double-dipped chicken-on-a-stick — a favorite that draws long lines on game weekends.
Ajax Diner
118 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 232-8880
A fixture on the Square for over 20 years, Ajax Diner dishes up made-from-scratch Southern comfort food, from chicken and dumplings and fried catfish to Mississippi pot roast, meatloaf, and daily plate lunches.
Big Bad Breakfast
719 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 236-2666
The original Big Bad Breakfast location serves hearty Southern breakfast and lunch favorites, including house-cured Tabasco Brown Sugar Bacon, crispy fried chicken, and Original Grit Girl grits.
Bouré
110 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-1968
Set in a former drugstore, Bouré serves “upscale, down-home” Creole-inspired favorites like shrimp and grits and jambalaya. Head upstairs for cocktails — including its popular Pickle Martini — and a seat on what the restaurant dubs the largest balcony on the Square.
Bottletree Bakery
923 Van Buren Ave, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 236-5000
Bottletree Bakery has been turning out scratch-made European-style breads, pastries, bagels, and specialty coffee for more than 30 years. The cozy, art-filled bakery is currently open Thursday through Sunday mornings, making it a worthy early stop before a day on the Square or in the Grove.
City Grocery
152 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 232-8080
City Grocery pairs inventive Southern cuisine with an intimate, historic setting under James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence. Grab lunch or dinner downstairs, then head to the more casual upstairs bar for a late-night cocktail.
Handy Andy’s
800 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-4621
A no-frills Oxford institution since the early 1970s, Handy Andy BBQ is beloved for smoky pulled pork, char-grilled burgers, and crispy tater tots.
Jinsei
713 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-0109
Jinsei is a sleek Japanese restaurant and lounge just off the Square, known for creative sushi rolls, fresh sashimi, Kadoma Tuna, Tebasaki wings, and craft cocktails.
Saint Leo
922 East Jackson Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 380-5141
Saint Leo brings big-city style to Oxford with seasonal, wood-fired Italian fare made from scratch. A 2017 James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant semifinalist, the beloved spot serves lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and an afternoon Bar & Pizza menu.
Snackbar
721 North Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 236-6363
Just off the Square, Snackbar has been Oxford’s self-described, semi-upscale “living room,” serving Southern brasserie fare, craft cocktails, and fresh raw oysters from around the country.
Volta Taverna
710 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 236-1871
Housed in a converted gas station, Volta Taverna is a local favorite, serving Greek cuisine with a Southern spin, from gyros and hummus to its signature Hotty Toddy Balls. The pet-friendly patio is a game-day favorite, and margaritas are half-price on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
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BARS IN OXFORD
If you’re in the market for a pre-or post-game drink, here are a few hotspots to check out — equally well-suited to celebrating or drowning your sorrows.
The Coop
400 North Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-3031
Located inside the Graduate Oxford, The Coop has been named one of the best rooftop bars in the U.S. by Men’s Journal. The local hotspot offers specialty cocktails and sweeping views of the Square.
Funky’s Pizza & Daiquiri Bar
1012 East Jackson Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 259-2881
In addition to made-from-scratch pizzas, Funky’s is also known for delicious daiquiris. Drinks are often named after celebrities, such as the Miley Cyrus Daiquiri.
Library Sports Bar
120 South 11th Street, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-1411
As Oxford’s largest bar, Library Sports Bar truly has it all, including two patios, 20 (yes, 20!) TVs, and three dance halls. Check the bar’s social media before visiting, as they often host live music, too.
Miscellanea
306 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 715-3445
Miscellanea Spirit House is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, with richly layered rooms, rare spirits, and globally inspired bites. Stop in for evening drinks Wednesday through Sunday or make a weekend brunch reservation — the menu stays intentionally under wraps until you arrive.
Nightbird
425 South Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 371-1400
Tucked away in The Oliver Hotel, Nightbird is a modern-day speakeasy offering an array of unique cocktails and a social-media-worthy interior. Follow on Instagram for clues on entry.
The Blind Pig Pub
105 North Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 234-5119
Conveniently located on Oxford Square, The Blind Pig Pub is best known for its delicious sandwiches. It’s also a great spot to grab a brew, offering over 20 beers on tap.
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WHERE TO TAILGATE IN OXFORD
Oxford has arguably one of the best and most straightforward tailgating scenes.
- Tailgating in The Grove is the quintessential Ole Miss game day experience, complete with a sea of red-and-blue tents. With the exception of university-reserved tents, spaces are first-come, first-served beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Prefer to skip the setup scramble? Tailgate Group can handle it for you.
- Ole Miss fans are known for dressing up on game day, so think sundresses, skirts, polos, and button-downs rather than your standard stadium attire.
Hotty Toddy!
Click HERE for the complete SEC City Guide!
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