A Cowley Road bar and restaurant has been included in Oxford United’s latest kit launch initiative.
Kazbar appeared in the club’s Culture Inspires campaign, which was unveiled alongside the 2026/27 third kit collection.
The campaign forms part of a broader Inspires Series that highlights Oxford’s community, culture, and diversity.
Filipe, who co-owns Kazbar alongside Fernando, explained that the business originated from Fernando’s café, which offered straightforward dishes including chicken carbonara and picanha served with rice and beans.
According to Filipe, the focus from the outset extended beyond food alone, centering instead on proper hospitality and establishing venues that customers would want to revisit.
The establishment operates as part of a larger hospitality group encompassing Café CoCo, Al Andalus, and services covering catering, events, and university canteens.
The group’s roots trace back to Fernando’s café as the initial venture.
Both Fernando and Filipe have maintained a presence in Oxford for over two decades.
Filipe completed secondary school, A-levels, and university education within the city, describing Oxford as formative in shaping personal identity.
Fernando has worked in the hospitality sector since arriving in the area.
Filipe has accumulated more than 15 years of industry experience.
Neither views Oxford merely as a workplace but rather as a location where roots were established, relationships were built, and a sense of belonging was found.
Filipe characterised Kazbar as emblematic of Oxford’s diversity, particularly along Cowley Road.
The venues aim to project energy, informality, inclusivity, and variety.
Oxford comprises a mix of students, families, academics, residents, and visitors, with the business consistently striving to create environments where all these groups feel at ease.
Staff members receive training to greet everyone warmly rather than simply providing service.
Matchdays bring a moderate increase in Oxford United supporters to the venue, despite its location away from the primary route to the stadium.
Filipe noted that while large crowds are not drawn due to the distance from the main thoroughfare, local supporters do visit before and after matches.
One notable tradition involves an annual group travelling from Sweden specifically to attend Oxford matches and spend several days in the city.
The Swedish visitors become regulars for brunch throughout their stay, providing enjoyment for the venue’s team.
Filipe observed that Oxford’s dynamic population presents both difficulties and benefits.
The most challenging aspect stems from the transient nature of many residents who stay only temporarily.
Conversely, a positive characteristic of the city is that former visitors frequently return and make return visits years later, maintaining connections with the establishment.