Browns Socialhouse Centretown image

Browns Socialhouse Centretown

Restaurant Bar

👍👍 After a long day at work, my buddy and I decided to stroll around downtown Ottawa, looking for a spot to grab a quick drink before dinner. We first walked past Brown's Socialhouse but circled back to it a few blocks later. It turned out to be a great decision. Since it was a quiet Monday night, the... People often mention great, good, drinks, service, friendly, atmosphere, time, chicken, social, burger,


Address

160 Elgin St #1, Ottawa, ON K2P 2C4, Canada

Website

www.brownssocialhouse.com

Contact

+1 613-695-3030

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (938 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 11 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 12 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 12 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 10 pm
  • Monday: 11 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (26) good (20) drinks (19) service (18) friendly (14) atmosphere (11) time (11) chicken (10) social (9) burger (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Minh L. 6 months ago on Google • 72 reviews
    After a long day at work, my buddy and I decided to stroll around downtown Ottawa, looking for a spot to grab a quick drink before dinner. We first walked past Brown's Socialhouse but circled back to it a few blocks later. It turned out to be a great decision. Since it was a quiet Monday night, the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. We found a cozy spot to sit and began with drinks. I ordered a Coffee Buzz Martini, which was fantastic. It blended the rich flavors of coffee with the sophistication of a martini perfectly. I couldn't resist getting another drink, my go-to Amaretto with coke, which they made just right. The drinks set the tone for a great evening. What really made our night special was the excellent service. Even though it was a slow Monday, the staff were friendly and attentive, making us feel like valued guests. To sum it up, our visit to Brown's Socialhouse Centretown was a pleasant surprise. It offered a relaxed setting for a chill evening with great drinks and top-notch service. Whether it's a Monday or any other day of the week, I'd recommend stopping by for some quality downtime.
    37 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Steven L. 2 months ago on Google • 209 reviews New
    Not worth the money. We ordered nachos and cauliflower bites. The bites were good, but the nachos were a disappointment. The cheese was melted on top, but not underneath, the beef was overcooked and the garnish was processed. Then, we discover a kitchen service charge on our bill for the cooks' salaries! I saw no fee notice beforehand and aren't cooks paid employees? No explanation beyond that. I will not be going back.

  • 5/5 Paige D. 4 months ago on Google • 175 reviews
    Took a party of 10 here this past weekend and everyone was very pleased with the taste and quality of their food. Only remark was that the fried chicken ramen was a bit too spicy with the addition of the chilies. Favourites included the Dynamite Roll and Blackened Chicken Cowboy Salad. Bustling spot in downtown Ottawa with friendly servers (Trent was great!)

  • 5/5 matthew w. 2 years ago on Google
    Arrived very tired and jet lagged form multiple connecting flights. It was 4 degrees and due to the protests most places to eat eat were closed. We googled places open near us and found browns social house was a block away. They had a very eclectic menu and let me clarify being from the south, it was only 4 degrees, so location ment alot, and it was open. Outside looked awesome if it was summer time, inside was a mix of class and elegance with hipster bar. It was warm and comfortable. Due to the mandates, it was empty. We had to show proof of vaccination just to enter, but honestly I loved to quiet atmosphere and personal attention. Menu is crazy original. We had pork dumplings in chili sauce for appetizer. No picture because we devoured them so quickly. Some of the best burgers I've ever tasted. Honestly, top 10 burger of all time no matter what country. Also got a gralic butter steak cooked exactly as requested and very delicious. Now the drinks. Most of you know my reviews on drinks is considered on how well you can make a basic margarita. Its an easy drink but can be messed up just as easily. I also judge on simple options such as sugar on the rim verse salt and is there a fresh lime or orange or none at all etc. So simply put, top 3 margarita ever. And I've had alot. Staff was incredible, atmosphere was great and food delicious. If visiting Ottawa I recommend this place. It is however very popular we found out at night. We tried to go back for drinks and it was packed, reservation only. This shows just how popular to the locals it is as well. In a city full of great food and bars, browns social house nears the top of the list of all around quality.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joe S. 2 years ago on Google
    This lovely atmosphere restaurant we ordered 2 Apps, dessert and 1 Main with upgraded sweet potato fries for the high price of around 70. The highlight dish was definitely the Nachos because each chip has toppings no matter if it was on top or at the bottom of the plate the Nachos had toppings. For that reason alone 5 stars. Staff is also great and fun atmosphere.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Lisa-Marie S. 11 months ago on Google • 61 reviews
    If you like a really noisy atmosphere with five or more TV screens distracting your dinner guest's attention away from conversation then this is the place for you! The service was really good. Everyone was eager to please and we appreciated that. The food was tasty too but the portion I was given was puny. I ordered the chicken salad with greens, dates and honey lime dressing. I don't like feta cheese and am allergic to walnuts so those items were left out. I was really surprised with the portion of food I got. I'm pretty accurate with measurements (coming from diet culture and weighing and measuring my food for 12 years) and I can say without a doubt that the portion of chicken less than 4 oz. If a customer asks for something to be left out, well, I don't know about you, but I would be inclined to add in more of something the customer wants. The price of the dish depends on the ingredients used. Feta cheese, walnuts, probably fairly pricey. Those were omitted so maybe add in a bigger handful of lettuce? My partner was satisfied with his burger and fries but I left Brown's Socialhouse still hungry after eating a teeny tiny piece of chicken and two cups of lettuce with a few cherry tomatoes and some dates. $22 for $5 worth of ingredients.

  • 5/5 Angie J. 7 months ago on Google • 54 reviews
    Had a fantastic lunch experience. Many amazing options available, prompt service, clean restaurant, great place to socialize. I ordered the tuna poke bowl and it was the perfect portion size and very delicious

  • 5/5 Souad S. 1 year ago on Google
    Downtown Ottawa has so many options to choose from.but we decided to try Browns Socialhouse. Their terrace is open but we sat inside seeing it was a bit windy We were greeted by their friendly staff quickly, once we looked through the menu we knew exactly what to order. Nice variety in their menu, everything looked amazing , and the burgers.. massiveeeee The wait for the food was reasonable, watch the hockey games highlights and enjoyed our time. bar is located in the center of the restaurant and so many drinks to choose from. The food was great I would go back on my next ottawa visit
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Marzuka K. 2 years ago on Google
    I went there for a weekend brunch and liked their posh interior and friendly service. We ordered the veggie burger with lettuce bun and corned beef hash which took over 30 mins to arrive even though the restaurant was not full. The portions were smaller than other brunch spots. In terms of taste: the burger tasted ok and the beef hash part of the corned beef hash tasted quite good but the hollandaise sauce on top of the eggs were split and chunky instead of smooth and creamy, which is not something I expected from an upscale eatery. We would have sent it back but did not want to sit for 30+ mins. I would visit again but with more time on my hands so I can send the food back if its not up-to expectation.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dan S. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent food and drinks served by awesome staff in a beautifully decorated place. Well priced delicious large portioned food served in a very friendly and inviting restaurant. Despite it being a little noisy, it is nonetheless lots of fun and enjoyable.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kimberley H. 2 months ago on Google • 40 reviews New
    Very busy and loud place. Its great for groups though! We had the Dragon Bowl with Teriyaki Chicken and the Tikki Tuna Poke Bowl, which were both big portions and actually pretty filling! The Baked Carrot Cake dessert was unfortunately not good. It came super burnt and we ended up barely eating any of it.

  • 5/5 Pradyumna G. 2 years ago on Google
    If one likes a bar which also happens to serve some of the yummiest mains in town, this is just the perfect restaurant! They have quite a wide variety of dishes to choose from during the pandemic times and their service is just great! Service is quick and their cocktails are made to perfection! The patio is very pretty and there’s ample parking space available. Defiantly a must visit!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Céilí M. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a cool spot! The patio has an amazing bright atmosphere (even on a rainy day!). The patio is covered and has pull-down rain shields so the rain didn’t bother us in the slightest. The restaurant is brand new and the decor is super trendy and fun. The food is excellent, we had a soup, salad and garlic bread combo and a southwest rice bowl. Both had amazing flavour and were super fresh! The service is also excellent, Taylor was super attentive and accommodating. They take some time to chat and get to know their guests which is lovely. Definitely will be returning to try their social hour appetizers and drinks!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Joon B. 4 months ago on Google • 26 reviews
    I went there recently with my friends around 5:30ish and there were many people already. I did the reservation when I got there and waited 30 minutes. Overall, the food was great, and the atmosphere was also great (general pub). But I think the service was…. The server was kept walking through our table and glanced our foods but never asked whether we are satisfied with the food or want something more…. Whenever the dish is empty, he just grabbed it away from us without asking anything. I know the restaurant was busy, but I was expecting to be asked a little like “how was the food? Can I take this dish away if u don’t mind?” Something like this. The price for the pop is also little too much ig (4.5dollars for just a canada dry..) was little pricey but i had a good time with my friends :)

  • 5/5 Anna W. 2 months ago on Google • 25 reviews New
    There was so much to like at Elgin Street Brown’s social House! Parking was easy and available. The food was great quality, delicious, and the right quantity. I felt like I was being “fed” and not just teased with a tiny bit of food as most restaurants are doing these days. The prices were most reasonable… And here was what I am paying for in addition to Great Food: Excellent service where the waiter made sure to be friendly and provide us with what we needed. He made suggestions and he was definitely personable and enjoying himself. But not trying to be the center of attention. I also checked out the bathrooms and they were immaculate! That tells me everything I need to know - that the kitchen would be immaculate as well! The design and the decor of the place were impressive. I love the materials used and the layout which was conducive to accommodating a lot of people, but not creating a noisy, messy, or crowded atmosphere. Excellent shows on the television… I was starstruck watching the big wave surfing! What a welcome treat that hardly any restaurants in Ottawa provide! For the record I had the lettuce wraps which featured an incredible, slightly spicy sauce, extremely fresh and crispy lettuce that actually separated into small little bowl-sized pieces that I could scoop the chicken and vegetables into quite easily! Lettuce wraps often come with completely immovable parts… But clearly at Brown’s social house, somebody has already tested the dish to see that it is functional and usable and doable! (and easily edible, especially when you have to put your own food together! ) Good job! It wasn’t messy or sloppy and I was able to really enjoy my lettuce wrap. This might sound a little bit overly detailed but I wanted to make sure that you know I noticed these small things… because I am a very, very picky diner! Nobody rushed us to pay our bill. We had a wonderful time and I will be back again! Basically ticked all the boxes for me!

  • 4/5 Angela R. 1 year ago on Google
    Dinner for 2 got the Gyoza to start, was very tasty and juicy 10/10. Got the Smokehouse burger w fries and Blackened Chicken Caesar salad. The burger was delicious as well as the fries. The salad was okay but the chicken was very salty & when mixed with the salad I couldn’t finish it but once told the server they graciously provided a discount on that dish. Happy with the experience overall, would come again & just order something different.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jesse S. 1 year ago on Google
    Service was fast! We both had a burger and quite enjoyed it. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Only complaint would be that it would have been nice to have gotten a refill on our drinks sooner but that is a small detail. I'd go back to this location.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Anna L. 1 year ago on Google
    Service was 11/10 - didn’t get his name but he was very attentive and super friendly! Portion sizes are slightly smaller than barrhaven location but food is just as good. Calamari looked underwhelm but still tastes great. 100% would recommend the nachos, Florida special sandwich and blackened chicken fettuccine Alfredo. Winter hours are slightly different from summer hours (kitchen closes earlier and no social/happy hour on certain days)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Shane N. 2 years ago on Google
    Really not that great. The margarita was made with an overly sweet pre mix, not even a real drink. The dry ribs were greasy and super basic. The burger was nothing special and had lukewarm fries. The lettuce wraps were served with half an iceberg lettuce. It looked comical. The service was also bad. Like, we didn't get a chance to order mains before our app was delivered. Drink service took forever. And our dirty plates from our app were never cleared for the entire meal. I have no idea how this place can score so high. Ottawa must have some really low standards.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 D & N H. 8 months ago on Google
    Server was not familiar with the menu. Server was not attentive to anticipating the needs at the table. The server was asked specifically to ensure that there was absolutely nothing spicy on the chicken tacos. The server brought cold food and the chicken tacos were extremely spicy. French fries were not edible as they were bathed in salt, greasy and cold. Avocado eggs Benedict was cold. We asked her name twice and she was still not clear about it. Waitress did not return to the table to check on food, quality or customer satisfaction. The waitress gave half price on a meal that could not be eaten. Apparently this is some kind of deal. Let me be clear that this is an extremely poor overall review
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Kimberly S. 1 month ago on Google • 19 reviews New
    Went here this am for brunch. The ambience was nice and my rose mimosa was tasty. Unfortunately, the kitchen messed up both of our poached egg orders- my partner ordered poached hard and they were poached soft. He was gracious about it and didn’t mention anything, but it is frustrating! Also unfortunately the server was inattentive. Unlikely to return, at least to this location.

  • 5/5 Kurt & M. 8 months ago on Google
    On day 8 of our trip, we desperately needed what we know in Vancouver to be a reliably good quality meal and standard of service. You didn't let us down, thank you. The service was friendly and fast, and our food was delicious and homey. Server was Britt. Update: We came back for brunch the next day. Result still the same. Thank you!

  • 5/5 Michael W. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice selection of wines, beer, and cocktails. We were in between a wedding ceremony, and a reception, they gave our group of 8 an outside table quite quickly, took our orders, and served us promptly and pleasantly. The maitradee was very helpful, and kind

  • 5/5 Ryan D. 3 months ago on Google New
    Great spot. The food was excellent and very well priced. I was impressed with the quantity and quality of the food for the price. Honestly one of the best restaurants I've been to. Their drinks are solid too. They have some nice-looking beers, cocktails, and mixed drinks. I had the in-house lager which was great. Lastly, the vibes are absolutely immaculate. I will certainly be back to try out some other dishes and other beverages. Cheers.

  • 5/5 Jasmeen Kaur A. 2 years ago on Google
    Everything we ordered tasted really good. Kudos to the kitchen crew. Thank you for making our experience great :)

  • 5/5 Grace L. 2 years ago on Google
    Pretty patio, good example of socially distanced tables, good food and drinks!

  • 5/5 Anila 5 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    This is our go to place for food and drinks. Order anything from the menu it tastes amazing. We were surprised by butter chicken combo (did not post a pic here) .. I bet it tastes better than most of the Indian restaurants in Ottawa.

  • 5/5 Gaby J. 10 months ago on Google
    First time, with colleagues for lunch. Tried to famed #28 dragon bowl with crispy tofu. Yep, delicious and well portioned! I look forward to going back for it again, as well as trying some other menu items such as the tuna poke bowl. Some of my colleagues got that and it looked very yummy. Service was great, felt taken care of. Def a good lunch spot in Centretown. Diverse enough menu to satisfy different food preferences.

  • 5/5 Ad_vent_ur_ist 2 years ago on Google
    I love this place. The ambiance, the service, and the food. It's located in the center of the city and very elegant. Do not miss on ordering tacos with salad ;)

  • 5/5 E 8 months ago on Google
    Have been to Browns many times (10+). We like the food, the patio, the atmosphere, service, and the drinks. Not a fan of the more recent menu changes. They took away some of the drinks we like such as the Derby but they still make them. Also changes the cauliflower bites recipe and made it a social hour thing. They made it for us outside of social hour as a special request but at $11 for a few tiny pieces of cauliflower, while it is good, it's not that good. The beef bowl, poke bowl, sandwiches, and many ore are all good here. Patio gets sun during the day and is shady at night so dress warmly if needed. Washrooms are single person and last time we went weren't very clean but never noticed that on prior visits.

  • 4/5 zelda 3 years ago on Google
    they asked us for our names and numbers for contact tracing which I appreciated. odd music choice, varied a lot but they played good news by mac miller so no complaints. Nachos were very good, but pretty expensive as they were $19. Veggie burger was also very good and the sweet potato fries were perfect, although they were $2 extra. overall a very delightful food experience and would have given 5 stars if not for how expensive it was.

  • 4/5 A C. 1 year ago on Google
    Food was good. Place was filled with customers. Cocktail I had wasn't all that tasty

  • 5/5 Rosaria S. 2 years ago on Google
    Definitely one of my favorite restaurants! Staff members are friendly and professional, food is consistently amazing at every visit (with many options for gluten free and vegetarian/vegan), drinks are refreshing, and great atmosphere. It's my go-to restaurant whenever I am out to hang out or just to wind down after a long day. Thanks, Browns, for all your hard work!

  • 4/5 Danny M. 2 years ago on Google
    Lively place to meet up with friends for drinks or a casual laid back meal. Good food, friendly prompt service. Everyone who dined enjoyed their meal

  • 3/5 Jeremy H. 1 year ago on Google
    The staff were helpful and friendly. I had the fish & chips and was very disappointed with the portion size of the meal. The fish was good tasting but the amount served is 1 piece cut in half, not a 2 piece meal. Standard size fork in picture for comparison. Atmosphere would have been enjoyable if not for the infestation of what I think were fruit flies coming from the restroom area. Has room for improvement, the staff busted it out during a busy lunchtime. The poki bowls have not disappointed in the past. Don't sit in back near restrooms.

  • 5/5 Jesus R. 2 years ago on Google
    Brown social has the best french dip sandwich in the city eyes closed. The service is great and a new indicator to my reviews... hey hae high chair and changing table in the family washroom. It is just an amazing place. (I would love it more if they added some local beers like collective arts, or dominion city)

  • 5/5 Kim R. 2 years ago on Google
    Needed somewhere for a quick pre concert supper, this looked like the perfect spot. Servers were friendly and attentive to the fact we were on a time crunch. Food was very good. Ambience and music great. We sat out on terrace as it was a nice evening. Inside has a sophisticated feel and I will be revisiting to try their cocktails as they all looked delicious!

  • 5/5 Mikhaila J. 2 years ago on Google
    We decided that we wanted to go out for drinks tonight and I asked a local Facebook group for a recommendation on a great cocktail place. We live literally two minutes away and have been meaning to try this place. It was super busy on a Thursday night, the music is great and super lively. All genres. Our server Chanel was AMAZING. I cannot rave enough about her. She was so prompt, friendly and attentive. Made great recommendations and had a great conversation with us. We literally told her we will request that she be our server every time we come in. Browns is our new date night location !! Thanks again Chanel! ❤️


Call +1 613-695-3030 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid parking lot
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Paid multi-storey car park
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Happy-hour food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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