It's good food, nothing great though. It took a while for it to come and there were dirty glasses and napkins. I've had better service before. read more

First off, the beer selection is great. Right where it should be. Overpriced? Definitely. Just like the rest of Canada's complacent little capital city. Atmosphere is great. The Manx suffers from its own success sometimes and might be worth visiting off-peak hours. On the other hand, the burgers specials have never, ever, disappointed me. Not once. Not in any way. I've had them here topped with kimchi, slathered in garlic sauce, with sauteed mushrooms, pickled cabbage, provolone, blue cheese, and on we go. They never mess it up. read more

After a painful post-race afternoon, I walked what seemed like a long distance to The Manx. For those who don't know, this place would look like just one of Ottawa's million pubs. They have beers on tap and a food menu. It's located a few steps down and has relaxed waitstaff who are OK if you nurse your one beer all night. However, for those who do know, they bypass all of Ottawa's million pubs and head straight for this creative, vegan-friendly art gallery/bar/restaurant. What a shock! We accidentally sat down where the art patrons were to be seated. So, we moved over and took a look at the menu, ordered beers and vegetarian tacos. Amazing- that was tofu? could have fooled me! The art wasn't what I wanted to buy, but it was so cool to see half the place full of burger and fries-eating folks and the other half sipping red wine and buying little paintings. So whether you go for the food, the music or the art, this is the one Ottawa pub to take a short walk away from the market for. read more

Fresh and innovative healthy menu options. Vegetarian haven! Small "hole in the wall" with unique seating. Staff is always friendly and helpful. Amazing beer and food. Ever experience here is a win! read more

Cozy, yet busy, brickskeller-style downtown restaurant. Their lamb curry wrap and Lebanese chickpea burger are outstanding. Fries are done just right. Nice selection of beers and ales. Excellent service. Overall a fun, affordable place. Warning: there may be a fairly lengthy wait to get a table. read more

Nice pub. They have their own brand of beer so it's a bit more unique than your average pub. I didn't order for but the people beside me seemed to be enjoying their dishes. Apparently there's a speakeasy but I ended up just sitting in the main area. This place was popular but had a more diverse crowd in terms of age and occasion. Would recommend and would visit again! read more

Ottawa never sleeps. Certain pubs are packed on Sunday and Monday nights and this place is no exception. Cosy basement pub for locals with above average food with presentation and reasonable prices less than $20. Pints $7. But wine a little pricy. No tv screens. Get in early or you will be disappointed as it's not that big. Hard to find at night. read more

Dinner: Food is tasty and pleasantly creative. Decent portions. Prices not bad. Plan for big lines and cozy - possibly too cozy - environs. Definitely go, but not when you're desperately starving or wanting peace and quiet. read more

Was here years ago with someone from town. Went back myself this time to try the food over a beer, found the veggie burger to be good. I agree with one of the other comments about a lot of other bars are like this one, but there is nothing wrong with siting down with a beer and some of the food at the Manx read more

Great place. For a pub, the food is exceptional although a bit pricey. Brunch and dinner here weren't the best meals I've ever had, but they were thoughtfully prepared and creative. read more

We found this place on yelp and decided to go there since the food looked good. Since we were a big group, we called ahead to make sure they had room to seat us. On the phone we were told that having a large group would be fine so we made the long trek to the restaurant. When we arrived the situation was very different. The hostess was blatantly rude to my friend who was just trying to figure out if they could still seat us like they had said on the phone. They wouldn't even let us come inside the restaurant even though it was very cold outside. Not worth the good food when the wait staff disrespects you. If you're looking for tasty, affordable brunch in the area this is not the place. There is a restaurant on the next block called the Standard which is a tastier and more deserving alternative. read more

Yes, the eggs benedict are extremely good. The whole place had a nice energy, the service was quick and friendly, and the cozy bar was a perfect place to saddle up for brunch. read more

I got excited with all the positive reviews this place was given, it's just a pub. Decent food.

I've been to The Manx a few times. The food has always been quite good, and I like the cozy atmosphere. No complaints about the staff, but nothing stands out as them being particularly exceptional (hence the four stars instead of five). Definitely my favourite Pub in/near the downtown core to have dinner. Haven't been later in the evening for just drinks, so I can only really evaluate it as a place to have dinner. ***** UPDATE: Went there for brunch over the weekend, and had a really positive experience. I had to wait a while to get a table, but despite that my friend still hadn't arrived when I was at the front of the line. The waitress still seated me, even though I told her my friend would be a few minutes (I offered to wait until he showed). He ended up taking a good 15 minutes, but the waitress didn't give us any trouble at all even though I said he would be less than 5 minutes. The food took longer than expected to come but our server was nice so we didn't care. She even gave my friend extra jam to take home when he told her how much he liked it! ***** SECOND UPDATE Last time I went there for brunch (couple weeks back) they dropped the ball. I think I had to ask for a glass of water three times and it took forever. I think water is a pretty simple/standard request. They were busy and the staff seemed stretched thin. We were in that table tucked in the corner right beside the entrance - it seemed like the server had kind of forgotten about us for a good portion of our meal. I usually have a good experience there though, so I'll give them the benefit of a doubt and not change their rating. read more

First time in Ottawa and my husband and I went to The Manx for dinner. It is a below ground low roofed pub that was crowded at 8:00 pm. We got one of the last two tables left. After ordering a pint of beer of which they have a good selection, I ordered beef shank with scalloped potatoes and Swiss chard. My husband order a breaded pork chop that came with creamed butternut squash and green beans. They were both healthy portions that were presented beautifully for a very reasonable price. My beef was mouthwatering tender and The scalloped potatoes were delicious. They had an ever so mild hint of nutmeg that was lovely. I loved the accompanying stir fried Swiss chard. It made me feel I was eating a really exquisite home cooked meal. But, in my estimation my husbands pork chop was the better of the two dishes. The delectable creamed butternut squash was the winner on the plate. The other side was Green beans which arealways good too. A really nice culinary surprise in a pub setting. You should go. read more

Manx never disappoints. The food was amazing - I love their pork chop with bacon gravy!! And the beer is always really great with lots of new options each season. I love it. read more

The vegetarian food here is fantastic. I've been coming here for years and have never had a bad meal. My favourite's are the Vegetarian Tofu Tacos and Grilled Chicken Warp substituted with tofu. During the winter it is always packed and there can be a bit of a wait. Summer is the best time to go, since most people are out on patios. The atmosphere is so cozy and the staff are all really friendly. read more

I love this place. Great beer on tap, friendly staff, and an eclectic menu that's constantly changing. I drag people here for post-work beers whenever I get a chance. Warning: if you go in the evenings after 5:30 or so, you WILL be waiting in line for a table. read more

Small but lively. Lots of choice on draught beer and great food. Occupancy is about 90 and that's stretching it.

I expected nothing and was surprised. This is a bare bones pub, with a great selection of beer and a kitchen that is pumping out some great food. People were there for the food, which shocked me considering it felt like a setting for Coronation Street. Many customers had only water!!! Very tasting burger, lamb curry wrap looked great, the trout special was amazing and they have wicked salads. Fresh and made with care, the staff are friendly and will engage in conversation if you desire. read more

I would stab my mother for the Tofu Tacos. Hands down my fave meal OF ALL TIME! And the homemade hot sauce - hot DAMN!

The food here is above and beyond most other pubs. I went for brunch on one visit to Ottawa and then back for dinner on my next visit. I will definitely be returning when I'm next in town. For my dinner i had a burger topped with kimchi and gorgonzola (If I'm remembering correctly). Who'd of thunk it? It was so delicious. I love that you can get half salad/ half fries without any hassle. Also the servings of both sides are generous and the quality is high- thick potato wedges perfectly cooked and shredded beets and carrots on a nicely dressed salad. Yum. The only reason that I'm giving it 4 stars is that the service was spotty on both visits. Also, the lineups can be quite long and the pub itself is quite small, so be prepared to wait or have a back up restaurant/pub in mind. read more

I love coming here for brunch. I've had great service here and the food is always well presented. I highly recommend "The Soho" breakfast and their Huevos Rancheros. This is a great spot to catch up with friends and enjoy a good meal. read more

Early Friday night and the line was already out the door. I'm waiting in the entry between the outer and inner doors standing in slush. Should I stay or should I go now? A very welcoming bartender with small green colored menu greets me and offers to bring me a beer. Guess I'll stay. Beyond the Pale Darkness - local brewery recommended. Turns out to be an excellent choice. Glad I stayed. 45 minutes to get a table but well worth the delay. Service continued while in line and the staff worked their tails off while the crowd was chill. Hamburger and salad were far above average pub fare. Highly recommended if you enjoy good beer, food, and don't have a time crunch. read more

I love this place. It's the only pub that has no blaring music and TVs, plus they actually know how to pour beer, and have an excellent selection of brews and whiskers. The staff are knowledgeable and interesting people in their own right, not just hired for looking good in a tight t-shirt. HOWEVER I've now had food poisoning 3 times from the delicious fish and chips - I think it's the tartar sauce, but really unacceptable food safety regardless. And the menu hasn't changed for years... So I go to drink, not to eat. read more

I love this place for brunch or dinner, they have a great variety of options for vegetarians and meateaters. Both times I've come for brunch have been quite busy, but service has still been good. The huevos rancheros is awesome! Know that the brunch menu says "hashbrowns" but you actually get mashed potatoes, which are very good. Dinner is reasonably priced with a nice variety of options. The beer selection is good and mostly local. read more

We're from out of town and came to this restaurant on the recommendation of a local. Tables are super small and on their suggestion we just went the two of us alone because groups with more than that become a bit hard to manage. We started with the bean dip which was AWESOME! Loved it. My partner had a chicken wrap and fries which was meh. The fries tasted really bad. The oil seemed to have been burnt and he didn't eat them. I had the tofu taco, and I have to say that it was one of the best tacos I've ever had. Could really use some more toppings but OMG is it good and I wish I knew how to make them. Spent $70 for the app two mains and one beer. read more

I had heard a lot of things about the Manx. A lot of good things, particularly about their brunch. I decided to go on Halloween (the servers were dressed in bathrobes...pretty easy to remember). It was bumpin , but my dining companion and I decided to wait. We were seated at our table, our drink order taken and menus dropped off. I ordered an OJ and coffee to drink and a breakfast wrap. I got the OJ but lacked the coffee. I kindly asked my server if I could get a coffee. I got a water. A third attempt at some much needed caffeine yielded a cup pretty much thrown on the table. I know when things get busy at restaurants sometimes things are forgotten or mixed up. After messing it up twice I would expect an apology not a heavy dose of attitude. The wrap was ok, but the salad was pretty awkward to eat. I would like to give their dinner a chance, but will definitely not be returning based on service alone. read more

I don't understand why people are obsessed with this place. The food is decent, and ya... it's good. It's so small and always takes forever to find a table. I say if you are in the area try it out, but don't make a special trip for it. The staff is super nice though. read more

This is one of my favourite places in Ottawa to grab a pint or brunch. It's not the best for groups, considering the small size, but I can promise you: it's always packed - which is testament to how good the place is. It's a proper style pub, like one you'd find in the UK, and has no music in the background - unless it's live, which they have occasionally. So this is a great place for a first-date, catching up with old friends or escaping Ottawa winters for a pint. The food has consistently been awesome - especially the breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros. The portion sizes are awesome. Great scotch selection and rotating craft local craft beers, too. read more

Crazy good food! If you're usually the type of person who orders a side salad, stick with the fries here: you won't regret the perfectly seasoned, potatoe wedge sized frites. Never had a bad soup here. Small menu but every item is worth trying. My recommendation: the Lebanese chickpea burger. read more

This is another great brunch spot in a blink-and-you'll-miss it basement location on the south end of Elgin Street. It fills up fast so get there early. I've been told this place is reminiscent of British pubs. With no personal experience to go on, I would have said this is the kind of place where you'd host a poetry reading. This restaurant isn't suitable for a quiet tête-à-tête; elbow-to-elbow seating is just part of the atmosphere. My perfectly-cooked poached egg came with tasty peameal bacon and hollandaise sauce, done right with a hint of lemon. The large mound of garlicky mashed potatoes on the side tasted homemade. The prices were reasonable. read more

Found this place off yelp and wanted to love it but it was okay. I ordered the banana bread french toast and it was good but I found myself still hungry afterwards. read more

This Ottawa's best pub and Ottawa's best breakfast in one package. I love this place.

breakfast rocks....holy line-up this place is crazy, get there when it opens or be prepared to wait.

This little underground pub is the definition of cozy. Dark wood panels and copper tables fill the small restaurant, with quirky artwork on the walls and people sitting at every table. We popped in for a late brunch, and were lucky to not have to wait - the place was full and a small line formed behind us just as we were seated. But it's worth the wait for the homey, warm brunch offerings. My dining mate and I split an eggs benedict and huevos rancheros, both served with an ample portion of creamy garlicy mash. The Manx chefs can cook your eggs to order, so if for some reason you don't want your eggs benny runny, you can ask for it medium (but why would you; runny yolks are the reason for poaching eggs). The prices are more than reasonable (about $12-15 per person, including coffee/tea), and the service is fast and friendly. On a cold, wet autumn or winter day, I can't think of a better place to score a good brunch. read more

Went there for dinner first time after hearing good things. Ordered Mill Street Organic on tap which was great. Reading the menu was a challenge as lighting is very poor and print is pretty small. Very limited selections. We almost decided to leave as we didn't see anything of interest, But as we already had our beers, decided to settle for sandwiches. They were good, but not what we really wanted. Only after paying and walking towards the washroom did I notice the specials on a chalk board, which was not visible from our table. There were six selections, 3 of which I would have jumped at had I known.. And today looking at the menu online, I see there is a line in small print suggesting we check out the specials on the board. Would have taken the server about 5 seconds to tell us about the board. Result: very disappointed with the experience. They were busy and we felt the staff was rushing to get us in and out. Too bad but I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth. Add in large print on the top of the menu "SEE THE OTHER HALF OF OUR MENU ON THE BOARD" read more

After a somewhat disappointing introduction back to the Ottawa restaurant scene after 18 years in Vancouver, I finally realized that this town is all about the pubs. Don't try to find a decent cup of coffee (yes, Bridgehead is all very nice, organic, and free-tradey, but they haven't quite got the knack to making a great expresso drink yet); however, there are lots of places to finds pints a plenty in Ottawa. Head and shoulders above all the rest sits the little below-ground Manx: It's got a great vibe - nice folks frequent the place, great staff who work well with each other in close quarters and a refreshingly creative take on the traditional pub menu that is consistently well prepared in that itsy-bitsy kitchen. From tasty and generously portioned curry wraps, to perfectly prepared Ahi tuna, and yummy pasta selections, this is on the top of my list for casual good eats in Centretown. read more

Don't let the basement location fool you, one of the best brunches in Ottawa. I split the goat-cheese artichoke frittata and the grilled cheese with a friend, yummy. the garlic mash potatoes, a must-have. for good measure, the best scones ever, so took an order home. host was wonderful! read more

Hands down one of the best pubs in Ottawa. Good beer selection, and good food. One of the few places in Ottawa where you can get draft Beaus. Can be hard to find a table at times but that makes for a great atmosphere. read more