Browns - Oxford

There were three concurrent group bookings of 10 plus people right next to us, which made the evening really noisy and unbearable. We were having to shout to have a conversation. This really didn't make for a relaxed dinner!! The food was ok, although overpriced for the portion sizes. Service was good and staff were friendly and attentive. I'd suggest that if they are going to cater for these large groups, which Browns never did before, that they consider the seating arrangements and consider how this affects smaller parties. We left after our mains and went somewhere quieter for desserts and coffee!

We enjoyed a family meal here. The food was good but the service seemed disorganised and was rather slow. The noise level was high at times.

Had to move tables twice, first one next to a speaker and the second under very bright lights.

Food was okay except had to send the vegetables back as were cold and the Irish coffee was not that great either. Staff very good though.

Very friendly and efficient staff and service. The food was very good.

Would probably benefit from a smaller menu, lots of choice but not done well.......

Service was adequate

Wonderful food. Went twice whilst staying in Oxford for three days. Lovely staff, delicious food. Lots to choose from from the menu. Great ambience too.
Thoroughly recommend!

Solid meal nice price.
Nice service.
Very nice ambience and very clean.
Very good steaks and fish/chips
Def would recommend

Three groups of us drove an average of 90 minutes to this central location that we were told could comfortably accommodate a large group of us (11). We sat for lunch at 12:30 in line with our booked time. The available menu items were very limited with three main popular items already unavailable at this early stage of the day. The sole waitress tried her best but was slightly overwhelmed and could have done with some help. We had vouchers for cocktails that were redeemed almost begrudgingly, which we were surprised at, compounded by another raised eyebrow when we also used a £10 off voucher. I think staff in restaurants offering such promotions would be able to deliver a better experience to their customers by realising that perhaps the reason people drop a decent amount of their hard earned money on lunch in such establishments is because these occasional promotions do offer a little incentive to go there in the first place. Anyway suffice to say we were wholly underwhelmed and the food was average at best on this occasion.

After a week of nice “coaching inns” and gastropubs, we were looking for a more upscale establishment for our last dinner before finishing our visit to the Cotswolds and Oxford. Browns had the more modern ambience but the food and service were somewhat uneven. Given we had 6:45 reservations, the restaurant was not all that busy but there was a large table of what appeared to be students who had just graduated or finished their term. Staffing could have been more generous to keep things moving. The “happy hour” cocktails were decent; the Aperol spritz tasted like the ones on Lake Como and the Amaretto Sour was excellent. Our sourdough loaf arrived with a nice crust and steaming hot inside. My roasted chicken was presented nicely with a tasty brown sauce on the side. My wife’s fish and chips (she wanted one more before leaving England) was on the other hand had sections that were disappointing soggy. Not even close to the fish and chip at the Hare & Hounds in Westonbirt. Tried the Cavendish sparkler made in Kent since I have heard that England was making reputable wine particularly their sparklers. Unfortunately the Cavendish turned out to be a disappointment especially at almost 9 pounds for a stem. My wife thought she would have enjoyed a good Prosecco more.

Lovely Sunday roast would really recommend it
Browns

It was a busy Saturday night, and the service/welcome was a little sporadic and disinterested. The layout with some of the tables was a little messy. However, the interior and food are decent, and I like the menu. I have been before, and it was better last time when it was a little less busy.

Took our daughter and couple of friends for birthday Sunday lunch - service was efficient and very friendly, food was tasty - particularly the Roast Chicken with ALL the trimmings! We didn't have to ask for more water it just arrived and waitress very politely asked the youngsters for id for the celebratory bottle of fizz. We didn’t have pudding as we were all full from the perhaps over generous size of portions for main course.

I noted it was the wife’s birthday but they never mentioned it

Really disappointing and patronising service.

We had dinner in Browns recently and celebrated my twins 18th birthday. The food and service was excellent and they made us feel very special. I would highly recommend Browns. Our waiter was also excellent Ilias

We were rushed through – in and out (2 course meal with drinks) in 45 minutes! Gave the impression it was not cooked to order. Starters were fine. Mains were disappointing (Chicken Schnitzel was small, dry, fibrous and not very tasty). It was also really hot in there (unseasonably warm outside though). Wasn’t worth complaining though – just wanted to get out.

It was graduation day in Oxford and my sons birthday. We were lucky to get a table at browns. It’s been a while since I was last in browns, several years and I was really pleasantly surprised. For the pianist on the grand piano to the decor, the buzz, and the food. My son Jamie’s new favourite restaurant.

We had good food - delicious perfectly cooked steaks, excellent chips, hot sour dough bread and pasta with mushrooms. The service was unfortunately rather chaotic and our sides arrived late, but the staff didn't charge us for them and they were at all times courteous and helpful and did everything with a smile.

Despite having confirmation of our booking for 6 people on my Note Book , the receptionist insisted it was for 4 but eventually decided to swap tables to accommodate us, I did not like standing there being made to feel uncomfortable - no apology. Noise so bad it was difficult to hear anybody sitting next to you, impossible across the table. Sadly it was therefore impossible to hear the pianist apart from the odd note. As for recommending Browns, from the point of good food and service yes, hopeless unless you can cope with the volume of noise. I accept that it was a Friday night and there were those celebrating getting their degrees, and that maybe Friday night is not the best night to go if one wants peace, but Browns has a good reputation and we wanted our Australian guests to have a good experience of Oxford and its restaurants, therefore not the best.

Unexpectedly good! Excellent variety of food and drink in a large and pretty space. Would go back!

Always enjoy coming here excellent food and service

Great pre-theatre meal, good choices, friendly service, tasty food and very pleasant atmosphere.

A very nice restaurant, lovely food and great and friendly service. Would highly recommend.

We only had one night in Oxford while traveling and chose Brown's for dinner. Broad choice of menu and tempting lobster specials. Wish we could go back a few times to try everything! Shared the lemon tart for dessert and it was excellent.

Been going to Browns for years and it has its ups and downs. On this occasion it was disappointing. The MC wanted to seat us very close to another table when the restaurant was mostly empty and was miffed when we asked to move. It took a while to place our order and while the food was generally good, the (expensive) steak was over cooked. It wasn’t good value bearing that in mind and my maxim “could have done it better at home” applied on this occasion. The waitress was excellent though. Hopefully it will all be ‘up’ again next time.

I don’t think the breakfast is great value. Better for an evening or lunchtime

Really great experience! Went on a Sunday night and had great service and food.

Food was delicious and our host was very pleasant and efficient

Very busy so difficult to hear each other. Food and wine great. Good location.

My husband and I decided to check browns out again for our anniversary. We've been to browns a few times over the year and always found it very nice, but sadly to say it has changed. The food was over priced for what it was. The service was very very laid back. One of the waitresses took our food order while just leaning over the side where we were sat, I had to ask for water on our table which I think should just be given to you. My husbands lager tasted off which totally killed it for him!. I ordered the lobster risotto but In fact was crab meat. No candles in the tea lights on the table which was a shame. Browns what's gone wrong????.

Good food and really excellent service including when my father cut his arm.

The manager was not aware of the special offer with Open Table and claimed that there was no way for me to have the offer of £11.95 for two courses. My phone was out of battery and I could not show the email. I had to go to the hotel in Oxford, charge my battery as much as to be able to show the offer. 45 min later, the manager accepted that I was not lying and served the food as requested.

A very good experience for a 50th birthday meal. Good food and excellent service - price is about right for this restaurant. Nice bar too.

I have been to Browns many times over the last twenty years. I felt this time that despite the menu looking large, there were in fact not many things to chose from for main course. My lamb was mainly meat with some peas and gravy. It's a convenient place to go and quite average. Nothing really bad or really good.

Browns was excellent - food and service, but no thanks to Opentable as they have stopped using this booking system so if I hadn't checked direct with Browns, I would not have had a table reserved.

We went to Brown's for afternoon tea and had a nice time. For 14 GBP per person and you get a three tiered platter with small sandwiches, desserts, scones, jam and clouded cream, etc. We had a teapot to split between the two of us with milk and sugar. It was a fun time and a decent price for high tea compared to other local places.

They seemed understaffed, which affects the quality of service... Food is good but not outstanding

Good food but the restaurant was full on Father's Day so the service was quite slow. We were not in a hurry so it all worked out well.

Great food, cocktails and atmosphere but don't book on open table as they don't use it. Came in and my reservation was not on the system, but they sat me down very quickly.

As with all the Browns restaurants, there's always a good feeling here. Lovely light, with good space between tables. Menu always imaginative. Staff anxious to please. Lovely lunch time!