I used to love Brown's. They had a home cooked chicken dish that just felt like love on a plate. Those days are gone. While the burger was big, the flavor was sort of artificial. And the fries did not sing of potato. They sort of mumbled their origins over the taste of cooking oil. I ordered a non alcoholic cocktail with elderflower (which is kind of the second national beverage of England ...the first being beer) and I could be forgiven for thinking that elderflower was just water. I think the bartender used an eyedropper. Oh well. I suppose that is what happens with chains that are long in the tooth. The ambiance was kind of old school and posh pub like. Good place to take the olds when you are in Oxford but I am sure there are better places to go. read more

Browns Oxford - Burger with chips - Wine Bars Near Me - Oxford, OXF

From Chicago, first time eating out in London. After a day of walking around Oxford University, our guide suggested we try Brown's for dinner. We walked in and the bistro type diner was really nice. Very nice ambiance. I went with the fish and chips (4/5). The cod was fresh, and the breading was a tad heavier than I like. Chips were pretty standard fare. For dessert we tried the apple, rhubarb, and raspberry crumble (5/5), really nice sweet and tart combo. Service was very good (5/5). Overall recommended. read more

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Decided to stop by because we where hungry, and did not regret it one bit! When we entered the host wasn't there but he came shortly and seated us right away. We where seated close to the window in a private section. After looking at the menu, we decided what to order. Our waiter was fantastic! I ordered the fish and chips, my little sister ordered the browns burger and my mom ordered the chicken pie which looked delicious. We actually had to ask our waiter what it was called because the people surrounding us where eating it and my mom said it looked so good. I also got the apricot peach and basil drink and my sister got a strawberry lime cider drink. Both where 10/10 bomb dot com! Please try it if you're planning to eat here!!! Then for desert I got the browns trio and my sister got the chocolate fondant which where #chefskiss!!! Everything tasted soooooo good! Ambiance was perfect! Not too busy and loud. I saw a piano so I'm thinking they may have live singers on certain days. Also, the bathrooms are clean - just another plus about this place. Would I come back? Heck yes if I'm ever back in England. 10/10 would come back and recommend! read more

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A group of 5 ate at Browns yesterday, which we do on a regular basis. the food is always very good, fresh, hot and delicious! Nothing seemed to be too much trouble and Alberto served us in a most attentive and humorous manner. He made our evening a real delight. read more

I liked their light breakfasts so much that I came here twice during my week stay in Oxford. There's something to be said about light breakfasts which is why can't they have that in the states? Oh right? Light breakfasts means an egg McMuffin or a donut from DD eaten on the run. Their egg and smoked salmon atop an English muffin and egg with ham and English muffin both accompanied with a white coffee (coffee with milk) were divine. Now, this breakfast might not be acceptable for guys with a huge appetite like my husband has but for me, it was just right. read more

Browns Oxford - the way to start off a day - a white coffee - Wine Bars Near Me - Oxford, OXF

Went there today for lunch to celebrate a family reunion after 5 years of being apart and the food was amazing, especially the fish and Sunday lunch. The chicken skewers and squid were great and the kids in our party had gold coated ice cream. The service was exceptional and Joao our waiter was great, super attentive. read more

My friend Sam told me about this place. He's from Oxford and he said "if you ever make your way to Oxford, you have to try Browns Restaurant..." which i did and I was very pleased with the food! It was GREAT! The service was very good and fast. I ordered the Shepherd's Pie and their awesome desert! I would love to come back here and try it out again... maybe someday. read more

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I've been visiting Browns since a being a young lad living in Oxford. It has always been my favourite place to go. The food is great, always is. Great staff, great cocktails, great atmosphere. Oxford's one and only proper Brasserie! Get there early for table, or just turn up a wait your table and have a drink and take it all in!! read more

We were just visiting Oxford for the day from London, and we asked some people on the street where we should go, and they directed us here. Disclaimer: I'm from the US. I had the best fish and chips. Better than any other I've ever had. The breading was flaky and light, not over-fried like most fish and chips you get in the US. The fries...er..um..I mean, chips, were also very good. Very happy! read more

Well, it's a nice sit-down place, I'll give it that. And the menu looks great, at least for those people with functioning pancreases. Is the plural of pancreas pancreii? In my first breakfast trip in the land of Good God This Place is both Ancient, Hallowed and Darn Pretty, I learned that Bubble and Squeak has something to do with potatoes, bacon and I forget what else. Which is too bad, I mean, from a carbohydrate standpoint, as I would love to eat something called Bubble and Squeak. It sounds like a carwash, but it's for your mouth. I wound up getting the cheapest thing on the menu, a sausage sandwich, plus a side dish of strawberries. Then I threw away the grilled bread. Which is unfortunate, as it looked tasty. The waitress asked if I wanted ketchup with all-new extra corn syrup (OK, I added that detail. It's not new) and something called brown sauce. I said, "What's brown sauce?" She had no idea. It turns out it has sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and, as I recall, dates. So I asked for some butter and spread that on the sausages. I shouldn't have eaten here. I should just tackle a stray pet and eat it. Or buy a can of something and a can opener. I'm sure, like I said, that this place is really great for people with pancreii. Diabetics should be prepared to throw away much of your plate or poke/squirt yourself a lot. I also find it very un-American for a country to not give you a refill of coffee for free. Toto, we are not in Boston anymore. read more

Delicious British food. Excellent steaks - and we are snobs for great Angus, NZ and Australian beef! Great fish and chips. Chill ambience. Loved it. Not super expensive read more

On the whole, Browns offers good, reasonably priced food that is enjoyed in tasteful surroundings. The menu offers a wide selection, accommodating most tastes. Certainly, in our party of 5, everyone enjoyed their meals very much. The service was quick and efficient. Booking is most definitely advised, but can be done online (use your favourite search engine). On the downside, expect to be packed in like sardines. read more

I've been to Brown's a few times for dinner and each time was a nice experience. The food was lovely, the staff were friendly and attentive, cocktails were reasonably priced. Their fixed price menu has a good selection and is a great deal: two courses for £11.95 (add a third course for £4) between 12noon - 7pm on weekdays. read more

I have a good memory of going here late at night, about 40 minutes before closing time, with my best friend and drinking obscure beers with our meal. The place was practically empty so we felt like we had it all to ourselves, and the waiter was very congenial. The food is good, but not excellent- on the better side of average, satisfactory if you're hungry, and as mentioned they have some interesting beers. I've eaten here during peak dining hours and at lunchtime too, and it can get a bit too crowded or noisy during those times. Also, sometimes the music is too loud, though they did turn it down once when I asked. If you're going to go and eat here, try doing it when everyone else isn't. read more

Super good little place for brunch. A little pricey, but I really enjoyed the vegetarian breakfast!

I used to eat here all the time as a student in the early 90's. It was extremely popular and at a time when choices were limited it was great. Took my family there on a nostalgic trip and wow....how times have changed. Portions were much smaller, quality of the food not a patch on what it used to be and it all looked a little tired to be honest. (As I suppose I do after all these years!). It was fairly sad overall. Saving grace was the waitress was excellent. Hence the 3 stars. read more

carrot & coriander soup lobster with salad nice atmosphere read more

I have been going to Browns for over 10 years and I have witnessed a steady decline over that time. I am afraid to say today was the last time. Firstly we were greeted by an unfriendly hostess who was not too pleased when we wanted to choose seating away from the crowd. As it was early, our area filled up in the time we were there so not sure why she bothered to tell us that. She even said that if we chose to sit there we would not get their full attention! The salads we ordered were sad and the phone kept ringing for the hour we were there. I wanted to post a bad review when we went at xmas as our food was awful, but forgot so today was really the last time. Goodbye Browns! read more

Came here with some friends and had a good dinner. They had a wide selection on the menu to fit all appetites. I had the fish and it was cooked perfectly; others' dishes including fish and chips, burgers, and pasta, were all well enjoyed. Prices are quite reasonable, especially for the UK. I would definitely visit again! read more

Consistently good food and good service. Despite a cavernous interior the place is quiet and conversation can go on nicely. It's always crowded. I have never had poorly prepared or bad-tasting food at Brown's and highly recommend it. read more

I have been a customer of Browns since 1977. Originally it was a good cheap student hang-out salads, various spaghetti dishes, pies, and very cheap wine. Oddly, the average age of its customers seems to have tracked my own ever since, and the place now caters to tourists and oddly-dressed saddos perhaps trying to recapture their lost youth. No students in sight. Within a generation Browns has gone from being buzzy and fun, to middle-aged and boring. It's become more expensive, though still not bad value, but is such a dull place. Food a mishmash of bland and predictable, and the wine is over-priced. read more

poor slow service overpriced mediocre quality food staff with an attitude poor ventilation read more