Aromi has opened its first Oxford site, bringing Sicilian sourdough pizza, pastries, arancini and coffee to St Michael’s Street.
At a glance
| Business | Aromi |
| Where | 1–3 St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2DU |
| Opened | 6 July 2026 |
| Opening hours | 8am to 6pm |
| What it serves | Sourdough pizza, arancini, focaccia, cannoli, Sicilian patisserie and speciality coffee |
| Why it matters | The Oxford site is Aromi’s fourth location and its first outside Cambridge |
| Website | aromi.co.uk |
A Sicilian eatery and bakery known for its Cambridge cafés has opened its first Oxford site.
Aromi is now trading at 1–3 St Michael’s Street, serving sourdough pizza, coffee, arancini, focaccia, cannoli and Sicilian pastries in the heart of the city.
The opening marks the brand’s first move outside Cambridge, where Aromi has built a following since opening in 2013.
The Oxford site is the company’s fourth location and forms part of a wider expansion that also includes plans for a gelateria on Turl Street.
What is Aromi?
Aromi is a Sicilian food business founded in Cambridge by four family members with roots in Acireale, Sicily.
The brand traces its inspiration to Caffè Cipriani, a Sicilian café established in 1957, and describes its food as handmade, prepared daily and based on family recipes.
Its Oxford opening brings the same approach to St Michael’s Street, with a focus on pizza, bakery items, patisserie and coffee rather than a formal restaurant model.
For customers, that means a casual city-centre stop for breakfast, lunch, coffee, a slice of pizza or something sweet during the day.
What is on the menu?
The main draw is Aromi’s sourdough pizza, which the business says is made with dough fermented for 48 hours.
The pizza is slow-fermented using flour, water and yeast, then served by the slice through the day. Aromi says its flour is imported from Italy and milled to a specific protein content for its dough, while cured meats and cheeses are sourced directly from Italian producers.
The bakery side includes focaccia baked fresh each morning, spianata, a Sicilian flatbread topped and baked to order, and arancini, the Sicilian street food classic.
Sweet options include pistachio cake, homemade tiramisù, cannoli filled with sheep’s milk ricotta and cornetti filled with Sicilian pistachio cream.
| Menu area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Pizza | 48-hour sourdough pizza, served by the slice or whole |
| Bakery | Focaccia, spianata and arancini |
| Patisserie | Pistachio cake, tiramisù, cannoli and pistachio cornetti |
| Drinks | Freshly brewed coffee and speciality coffee |
Director says Oxford was a natural next step
Francesco Genovese, director of Aromi, said the business was excited to become part of Oxford’s food scene.
He said: “We’re excited to become part of the Oxford community and share everything that makes us who we are.
“From the dough we ferment for 48 hours to the gelato made fresh every morning and the family recipes passed down from Sicily, every detail matters.
“We can’t wait to share the full Sicilian experience with Oxford.”
Aromi describes Oxford as a natural companion to Cambridge, calling the two cities “two of England’s greatest university cities” with one Sicilian soul.
Part of Oxford city centre’s changing food scene
Aromi’s arrival adds another food and drink name to Oxford’s central streets at a time when the city centre continues to evolve beyond traditional retail.
Oxford City Council has previously highlighted a range of new businesses opening or completing lettings across the city centre, including cafés, restaurants, specialist retailers and cultural attractions.
St Michael’s Street already sits close to several busy parts of the city, including Cornmarket Street, George Street, Gloucester Green and the Covered Market.
For Aromi, the location gives it access to students, shoppers, office workers, tourists and residents moving between Oxford’s main retail and hospitality areas.
Planning your visit
| Address | 1–3 St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2DU |
| Opening hours | 8am to 6pm |
| Nearest central areas | Cornmarket Street, George Street, Gloucester Green and the Covered Market |
| Best for | Pizza by the slice, coffee, lunch, Sicilian pastries and takeaway bakery items |
| Social media | @aromicaffe |
| Website | aromi.co.uk |
Why it may appeal locally
Oxford already has a competitive food scene, but Aromi brings a clearly defined Sicilian offer to one of the city’s busiest central streets.
The combination of pizza by the slice, coffee, pastries and savoury bakery items makes it likely to appeal to people looking for informal food rather than a long sit-down meal.
Its Cambridge background may also help. Aromi is already known in another university city, and its Oxford opening gives the brand a chance to reach a similar mix of students, workers, visitors and local residents.
The opening also adds to the growing number of food and drink businesses helping to keep Oxford city centre active throughout the day.
FAQs
Where is Aromi in Oxford?
Aromi is at 1–3 St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2DU.
When did Aromi Oxford open?
The St Michael’s Street site opened on 6 July 2026.
What are Aromi Oxford’s opening hours?
The press release lists opening hours as 8am to 6pm.
What does Aromi serve?
Aromi serves sourdough pizza, arancini, focaccia, cannoli, Sicilian patisserie and speciality coffee.
Is this Aromi’s first Oxford site?
Yes. The St Michael’s Street opening is Aromi’s first Oxford location and its first site outside Cambridge.
How many Aromi locations are there?
The Oxford site is Aromi’s fourth location, following its three Cambridge locations on Bene’t Street, Peas Hill and Fitzroy Street.
Is Aromi opening anywhere else in Oxford?
Aromi’s Oxford careers page says the business is also expanding with a gelateria on Turl Street.
Where can people find updates?
Updates are available through Aromi’s website and its Instagram account, @aromicaffe.
