Your Ultimate Guide to Oxford, Mississippi's Local Favorites

Whether you just found your home in a sorority or you're a seasoned Ole Miss sisterhood member, Oxford, Mississippi is one of the best college towns in the South and the local scene is a huge reason why. From rooftop cocktails to TikTok-famous shopping, here's your go-to guide for the spots every girl in Oxford needs to know.

Oxford, MS isn't just home to the University of Mississippi it's a full-on destination. Nestled around The Square, this charming Southern city punches way above its weight with James Beard-nominated restaurants, boutique shopping, and a coffee culture that'll get you through every early morning class.

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, planning a date night, or just exploring with your new

sisters, these local favorites are your must-visits.

■ Lost Pizza Co. — Because Pizza Nights Are Sacred

800 College Hill Rd, Oxford, MS 38655

If you haven't been to Lost Pizza, are you even an Ole Miss student? This Oxford staple has been serving up award-winning pizzas since 2017, but the brand's roots run deep in the Mississippi Delta. Started by two college roommates with a dream, Lost Pizza now spans 28 locations across 6 states. What makes it special isn't just the pizza (though the made-from-scratch toppings and Delta-inspired flavors are genuinely incredible). It's the vibe, think Mississippi blues and juke joint culture wrapped into a laid-back dining experience, complete with a rooftop patio and upstairs bar. Wings, Delta hot tamales, and craft drinks round out the menu perfectly.

Best for: Late-night post-chapter pizza runs, celebrating Bid Day, feeding a whole pledge class

Pro tip: The rooftop patio is THE spot — grab a table before it fills up.

■ South Depot Taco Shop — Your New Gameday Go-To

1004 Van Buren Ave, Oxford, MS 38655

Rated #8 out of 138 restaurants in Oxford on Tripadvisor, South Depot Taco Shop is the kind of place you'll find yourself coming back to week after week. This modern Mexican fusion spot lets you build your own tacos, burritos, bowls, salads, and quesadillas with fresh, customizable ingredients from fajita steak to chicken to tofu.

But here's why it's truly a fan favorite: South Depot transforms into a full-on bar scene on game-day weekends, with a full bar and a kitchen that stays open later than most spots in town.

Best for: Quick weeknight dinners, gameday pre-gaming, group outings with your chapter

■ The Coop — Oxford's Best Rooftop Bar (No, Really)

400 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655 (atop The Graduate Hotel)

Men's Journal named The Coop one of the best rooftop bars in the entire country, and one visit will tell you exactly why. Perched on the fourth-floor terrace of The Graduate Hotel, The Coop serves handcrafted cocktails and Southern comfort food with sweeping views of Oxford's iconic Square. The menu is equal parts indulgent and unpretentious, their signature smash burger and Rebel tots are legendary, while the BBQ pizza and chicken tenders keep things fun and familiar. The aesthetic blends yesterday's elegance with sleek industrial touches, making it the perfect backdrop for a girls' night out.

Best for: Celebratory nights out, rooftop sunset drinks, impressing out-of-town guests

Hours: Mon-Thu 4-10PM | Fri-Sat 2-11PM | Sun 2-9PM

■ The Graduate Hotel — Oxford's Most Instagrammable Stay

400 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655

Whether you're hosting family for a game weekend or just want to sip a cocktail somewhere stunning, The Graduate Hotel is a must-know Oxford landmark. This boutique hotel sits right on The Square and is dripping in collegiate charm, think pink floors, seersucker sofas, and retro Ole Miss-inspired decor that makes every corner a photo moment.

With 136 rooms, a fitness center, complimentary bike rentals, free shuttle service, and two in-house dining options (The Coop rooftop and Cabin 82 cafe), The Graduate is the perfect home base for your parents' visit or a treat-yourself staycation with your big or little.

Best for: Family weekend stays, sorority events, bachelorette parties, that iconic lobby photo

■ Caffecitos — The Cutest Coffee Truck in Oxford

1801 University Ave, Oxford, MS 38655

You'll recognize Caffecitos by its signature bright yellow trailer and the line of loyal customers wrapping around it every morning. This beloved mobile espresso bar has been an Oxford staple since 2021, co-founded by Chad Collier and Pablo Corona and it shows. These guys know coffee. From espresso and frappes to smoothies, teas, and snacks, Caffecitos has everything you need to fuel a full day of classes, meetings, or recruitment prep. The community-first vibe makes it feel less like a transaction and more like a morning ritual.

Best for: Pre-class caffeine runs, morning recruitment fuel, grabbing something cute for your feed

Hours: 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM daily

■ Katherine Beck — Your One-Stop Shop for Southern Style

134 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655

Right on the Square and impossible to walk past without stopping in, Katherine Beck is the gift boutique Oxford deserves. This contemporary Southern shop carries everything from the latest jewelry trends and designer handbags to home goods, luxury baby items, and crucially for Greek life; a full Greek section stocked with collegiate and personalized gifts.

Looking for the perfect Bid Day gift, a present for your big, or something special for your pledge class? This is your spot. Katherine Beck also offers bridal and baby registry services, making it a go-to long after your college years are over.

Best for: Bid Day gifts, big/little presents, sorority swaps, holiday shopping

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

■ El Charro Cocina & Cantina — Authentic Mexican Since 1995

699 Sisk Ave, Oxford, MS 38655

Oxford's longest-running Mexican restaurant, El Charro has been feeding the city since 1995 and got a fresh, eclectic rebrand in 2021 that elevated everything the food, the atmosphere, and the cocktail menu. Every item on the menu is made fresh and from scratch daily, from the lamb barbacoa and chipotle chicken breast to the hand-crafted margaritas. This isn't your average Tex-Mex chain. El Charro is the real deal an ambassador for authentic Mexican

cuisine done right, in a vibrant atmosphere perfect for a casual dinner or a laid-back happy hour.

Best for: Margarita nights, chapter dinners, an affordable and delicious date-night option

Hours: Sun-Thu 11AM-9PM | Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM

■ Saint Leo — Oxford's James Beard Darling

922 Jackson Ave E, Oxford, MS 38655

Saint Leo is in a category of its own. Named a 2017 James Beard Foundation 'Best New Restaurant' semifinalist and home to a 2019 James Beard-nominated bar program, this wood-fired Italian gem is the kind of place that makes Oxford feel like a major food city.

Owner Emily Blount built Saint Leo around the ethos of feeding people the way her mother did: with generosity, intention, and incredible ingredients. The menu rotates seasonally with an emphasis on local purveyors, from-scratch cooking, and the earthy magic of wood-fired pizza. The brunch menu is equally beloved, and the cocktail program is genuinely one of the best in the state.

Best for: Celebratory dinners, impressing your parents, date night, Sunday brunch with the girls

Reservations recommended — this place fills up fast. Hours: Tue-Fri Lunch 11AM-3PM, Dinner 5-10PM |

Sat-Sun Brunch 10:30AM-3PM, Dinner from 5PM | Closed Monday

■ The Pants Store — TikTok Made Me Buy It (And You Will Too)

818 Jackson Ave E, Oxford, MS 38655

Don't let the name fool you The Pants Store is so much more than pants. This TikTok-famous, third-generation family-owned shop (founded in 1950!) carries a seriously curated mix of men's, women's, and children's clothing, shoes, and accessories from brands like Free People, HOKA, Cole Haan, Columbia, Southern Marsh, and Gold Hinge. The Oxford location is their newest, but the brand's reputation for exceptional customer service, quality styles, and reasonable prices has followed them here. Free in-store alterations, complimentary gift wrapping, and free shipping on online orders over $100 make this one of the most well-rounded shopping experiences on Jackson Avenue.

Best for: Building your Oxford wardrobe, gameday outfit finds, gifts for literally anyone

Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM | Sun 12-4PM

The Bottom Line: Oxford Has Everything You Need

From your morning Caffecitos run to a late-night rooftop cocktail at The Coop, Oxford, Mississippi delivers a local scene that rivals cities ten times its size. Whether you're brand new to Ole Miss and just found your home on Bid Day, or you're a senior soaking up your last semester, these spots will be the backdrop to your best memories.

Hotty Toddy, and welcome home.