2 North Parade

Oxford

Set within Oxford’s bunting-clad North Parade, this charming produce store takes full advantage of its Cotswaldian location, working with regional farmers to fill its larder with fresh fruit and veg, organic dairy goods (including cultured butter) from within a 25km radius, handmade jams, pickles and chutneys and locally cured meats. Owners Peter Slade and Victoria Borondo are fanatical about quality; they opened the deli in 2013 having been inspired by the high-level goods coming out of local farms. Everything sold is responsibly sourced with the core values of provenance, quality and integrity reigning supreme.

There is an air of nostalgia in 2 North Parade’s simple design: vegetables are displayed in rustic woven baskets set against plain white tiles scrawled with handwritten price lists, while freshly pressed jars of apple juice – from nearby orchards, of course – are nestled in wooden crates. In May, you can expect to see bundles of fresh asparagus on show, delivered daily by Charlie Gee, who packs the haul from Medley Manor Farm on the back of his bike. It’s all wonderfully reminiscent of an old-school greengrocers. The pantry offering, however, is a roll-call of modern artisan tradition, from single-origin wood-roasted coffees from a roaster down the road, to long-fermented spelt, wheat and rye sourdough loaves (courtesy of Oxford bakery Sourdough Revolution), via farmhouse cheeses – Welsh blue Perl Las pairs wonderfully with the fruit loaf – and a best-of-British line-up of charcuterie. After plundering the shelves for quotidian provisions, head to the meat counter’s tempting selection, from slivers of chorizo to fennel-laced pancetta and the showstopping lemon and lamb merguez. Made for a simple supper, it’s best-paired with one of the excellent Oxfordshire wines on sale – we’re fans of the barrel-aged Côté Bothy. Follow it with a generous helping of the courgette and lime, which deserves a permanent spot on your shopping list. 01865 552311, 2northparade.com

Beth Galloway.