Our Story

Set above Oxford’s historic High Street, Shezan brings together heritage-inspired Indian cooking and contemporary sharing plates in dining rooms with a history dating back to 1915.

Since 2002, we have welcomed guests to these historic rooms, drawing inspiration from the flavours of Old Delhi and Old Lahore. Every dish is freshly prepared in our own kitchen, combining traditional recipes with a contemporary approach to Mughal Indian dining.

A pencil drawing of 135 High Street, Oxford, with the Shezan sign above the shopfront — 135 High Street, Oxford

Over a Century of Dining on Oxford's High Street

Long before Shezan, these first-floor rooms were part of Oxford's restaurant life. Their story reflects more than a century of changing tastes, traditions and hospitality.

An archive photograph of 135 High Street when the first floor was a restaurant, above Finlay & Co tobacconists — 135 High Street, when the first floor above Finlay & Co. was a restaurant

1915

Sidney Slay’s Refreshment Rooms

The documented history of these rooms as a place for dining begins.
1925

The Swiss Restaurant
1928–1977

Town & Gown Restaurant
By 1978

Gate of India

Indian dining becomes established in the historic rooms.
2002–Today

Shezan

Under the present ownership since 2002, the restaurant began as Café Zouk and later became Shezan, continuing the building’s long culinary tradition as Mughal Heritage Dining.

“Historic Rooms. Contemporary Shezan.”

“Today, Shezan brings together the character of its historic Oxford setting with heritage inspired Indian cooking and relaxed contemporary dining.”

On our walls

Mughal classics

The paintings that hang in the dining rooms — court gatherings, musicians and miniatures in the Mughal manner, the same tradition the kitchen cooks from.

Our Story

Sidney Slay’s Refreshment Rooms

The Swiss Restaurant

Town & Gown Restaurant

Gate of India

Shezan