Deacon Brodie’s Pub

The hot roast beef sandwich was to-​die-​for. The gravy with mushrooms and horseradish was perfect. For something new, I tried the lemon– garlic dressing on the salad. Also, very good. Good service and a nice outside dining area.

A great stop-​in when you’re downtown and looking for a pub. The selection of beers on tap is good.

This place happened to be close to the hotel we were staying at in Ottawa and my partner’s name is Brodie, so you KNOW we had to eat there.
Anyway, the décor is pretty standard for a Scottish pub. Nothing was terribly exciting to look at, but the benches in the booths were comfy and they had some interesting trivia cards on the table to read while we waited for our food.
I ordered the veggie burger and was informed by our waitress that it wasn’t an actual veggie ‘patty’ like a standard veggie burger, but was a slab of tofu and veggies mashed together and fried. It actually said all that in the menu description, but I was extremely pleased that she mentioned it to me. Had I been less careful in my menu reading, I could have been in for a nasty surprise. I got the poutine with my meal and it was absolutely STELLAR. I don’t know how best to describe the gravy other than that it was.. .sassy. I’ve had a lot of gravies in my life (I’m a bit of a poutine fiend), but I’ve never had one like this before. It had a bit of a bite to it without being spicy. It was just amazing. If I lived in Ottawa, I would go there just for the poutine.
Our waitress was prompt and happy and kept our drinks full on a hot day.
If you’re in Ottawa, stop in at Deacon Brodie’s and make sure you try their amazing poutine!

Good for drinks… Not only as good beer menu but an excellent scotch menu! Food is okay too… Not the best but decent, especially if you’re drinking.

Deacon Brodie’s serves primarily Scottish fare, with a few seemingly random internationally-​inspired dishes. Since it opened, I’ve been here a few times on a weekday for lunch and though the food has been good, I wouldn’t call it great.
At the suggestion of a coworker, I had the seafood chowder and a starter size Caesar salad. The seafood chowder wasn’t as creamy as it looked and was quite thin. There was one very small red potato cut, quartered, baby shrimp, and a couple of mussels and clams in the shell, with a toasted half of some thin naan bread. It tasted clean, but lacking in flavor. The seafood and large potato chunks were cooked well, but there was more salt than real flavor and I had to add some pepper. I think enjoyed the Caesar salad more. but it had just a touch too much dressing, as it was fairly rich. The lettuce was crisp, croutons crunchy and garlicky, plenty of bacon and fresh parmesan, and the portion was larger than expected. I saw someone else order the main size of this salad, and even if you have a big appetite like me, it would be very filling and satisfying, especially if you added chicken.
The second time around, I ordered the bangers and mash. It was two of their pork sausages, made in-​house, with mashed potatoes and Scottish colcannon. I was surprised when it came — the sauce, that was supposed to be creamy and made with a single malt smoky scotch, mustard, and apple, was not as tasty as it sounded and mostly at the bottom of the dish, rather than being all over. There was more mashed potato, which was just seasoned with pepper, and the colcannon was chunky and made with sweet potatoes, but didn’t have any kale or that delicious butter center. Some leek on top I think as a garnish. It was all sort of under-​seasoned and underwhelming — maybe I had higher expectations for a bangers and mash dish. It wasn’t bad, but I was disappointed and hoping for more.
More recently, I came with a big group and I ordered the traditional Scottish haggis. I asked if they actually make it in sheep stomach and our server told me they order it from someone who makes them in the traditional manner. It’s also served with a shot of whisky! Haggis is rich and this, too, was a large portion, and even though the mashed potatoes and colcannon helped cut the richness, it was really salty together with the leek and mushroom gravy. Good, but they could get away with serving less. Great to try though, especially if you were splitting it with another adventurous eater (you’d also have to order another whisky shot, of course).
The service is good, same with the food, just nothing outstanding. The drinks are good and at affordable prices. Another casual bar on the Elgin strip serving pub fare. I do appreciate that it’s a restaurant that doesn’t just have your standard fried foods and I can’t lie about how fun that train is that goes around the room, overhead the customers. I would go back, but it wouldn’t be my first choice in the area.

Went here last night, the décor was nice much like many pubs you’ll find in town, our server I don’t think smiled once, nor came to do a quality check on our food, no condiments offered for our burgers, and had to call upon her for refills — of note the place was not packed by any means. As well had to ask what each of the specials were vice it being part of the welcome to the place, no romancing of the food either.
The nachos were excellent, bit of something on every chip. My partner had one of the beef burgers which he thoroughly enjoyed though not too impressed with the whiskey gravy poutine. I had the lamb burger which sounded awesome and was recommended on here — maybe if I had some ketchup offered to me it would have livened up the flavours of what I found to be rather bland.
We left full, content but by all means not wow’d by the experience.

Good beer selection! Good service, poor tequila selection but meh, don’t expect tequila in Canada. I like the vibe

The food was really good but the service was a little slow. Good selection of drinks.
Shared nachos to start, which were your average nacho fare. Pretty hard to make nachos poorly.
My friend ordered the fish and chips and said they were much better than your standard pub. I am not sure that I have ever seen him order anything other than fish and chips so he may actually be an expert on that.
I had the special burger, which was a mac and cheese burger and it was pretty good. The burger was seasoned well and the portion size was good. The mac and cheese didn’t particularly add anything, but it wasn’t detracting from the food either.

I was in town for two weeks and this instantly became my go to pub. Good steak for a pub, and the Cesare salad came with huge chunks of real bacon. A good selection of microbrews on tap and all for a decent price.

One of the people in my group really wanted English pub food, and from the look of many other pub menus, they were going for the foodie crowd and forgetting how to serve pub food. We went to Deacon Brodies because they had the traditional dishes. I tried a flight of 4 sample beers because I was indecisive — nice to get to sample a bunch which was a equivalent of a pint of beer. We got the warmed brie and caramelized onions which was OMG, out of this world! I haven’t had my taste buds explode with ecstasy like that in a long time. Buttery, cheesy and awesome on naan bread. For dinner, we had the Cottage Pie, Forfar Birdie and a special, Chicken and Leek Pie. They were all tasty and good (although nothing as mind blowing as the warmed brie). Nice atmosphere, service was good, definitely worthwhile if you’re looking for classic pub dishes and a huge beer selection.

First visit, 9pm on a friday 1 – 2 months ago. Table of two. Very good steak, very good service, good menu, happy to have discovered a new place. Not just another mediocre irish pub. We were surprised to see how empty the place was, but we had a great time.
Second visit 7pm last night, we went back with friends, the place was full of people, great. Everything else, not so great.
‘ok’ service, our server looked tired, but she took our orders and brought food and drinks, no real complaints.
**the worst steak i have ever had, anywhere, ever**. We ordered two, both were cold, undercooked, fatty, barely edible. I learned that most places precook the steaks and just reheat when customers order… I had to ask the server to reheat the steak after a few bites, I just couldnot continue, they reheated it… it still was lukewarm. i ate half of it because i was starving and left the other half because it was disgusting. I politely let the server know when we left, she claims they cooked a second steak for me and not just reheat. New steak in 5minutes? anyway. She apologized but did not look surprised, at all.
I would probably consider giving them a second chance if I was offered a refund or a better apology (anything to show that they care, and that this is not the usual way they serve food) I just hope the steak was not old and I wont have food poisoning… either way, I am never going back. Very disappointed.
If you have to go-​Avoid anything but the basics, fried, usual finger foods are ok, the drinks are ok.

This place use to be a go to for some super tasty and satisfying appetizers that would please the taste buds in every way until recently, they have removed the smoker and head chef. The chicken flutes are lack luster and the amazing Chimichurri sauce is off the menu. They duck wings were smoked in house and mouth-​watering one time, now they are basic. NOT RETURNING!

Great pub w friendly staff. Bartender, Laura, is very engaging w stories of her world travels. Best pub for the $ I’ve found in Canada… Where else in Canada can you get a pint for $ 6…and a large variety. Admittedly, I did not eat but the sandwiches that people around me were eating looked delicious… If your in Ottawa, I recommend checking it out. Also, read the story behind the name– very interesting

This was a pleasant surprise. There are entirely too many cookie cutter pubs that try to be all things to all people and tend to fail because of it.
Deacon Brodie’s, at first, I thought would be another one of these pubs. It’s not.
First off, this place leans Scottish. I’m not going to say you can go to Scotland and find a pub quite similar, but there is a definite Scottish influence.
The menu has a lot of classic pub items, but I was encouraged to find out they do the smoking of meats and other preparations in-​house. Try one of their burgers and you’ll cry tears of joy — mine was that good.
*Edit*
Now that I live close to this pub and have tried more items on the menu, I have to say the food is hit or miss. The burgers are great, the whiskey poutine is meh. The duck wings are quite good, but the seafood chowder is nothing special. I do eat here fairly frequently, and the food doesn’t stop me from coming back, but I am careful when I order.
The on-​tap beer selection is another positive. They have local favs (Beau’s, Kichissipi…), but they also have Old Speckled Hen and other imports that you don’t find just anywhere.
And if you’re into Scotch — you’ll want to check out Deacon Brodie’s. The Scotch selection behind the bar looks pretty darn good.
Beyond the logo looking, well, incredibly phallic, this is a good bet for anyone looking for a real pub with a bit of originality (they have a freaking train inside the bar).

This is my second visit. My first was disappointing. I had the «Bangers and Mash» very nice, good flavones and nice size portion. Good beer choice BUT no Guinness at 4pm on a Saturday!!? I went for an «Old Speckled Hen» always good.
Lots of people but not crowded or over noisy.
Cute waitresses.

There are a number of pubs on Elgin Street but this one is now at the top of my list! An authentic-​feeling Scottish pub with a lovely patio off Elgin street. The patio faces north so is shaded for lunch time — great for a hot hot day. On a cooler day bring a sweater. It’s nice that the patio is not right on Elgin street but rather the side street — it’s just that much more quiet and quaint. Good friendly service. Terrific menu, including a wide variety of beer. The menu has som Scottish dishes (nice since this is a Scottish pub) but also has traditional pub fare. The burger and fries are very yummy. Very decent portions, I couldn’t finish everything on my plate.
If you are looking for a decent pub with good food and drink, reasonably priced, this one won’t disappoint you. I will definitely go back.

Pub is reasonably good and portions are reasonably large. One downfall is that at lunch time the patio, which is off the main street, is in the shade.
The servers’ outfits are nice.

This place has replaced the Mayflower – so it’s got some pretty big shoes to fill. I have to say that I like what they’ve done with the interior – it’s got a sort of rustic feeling, but dressed up a little bit. The best thing about the interior is the little train that tours around the pub – love!
The menu is pretty decent, some traditional pub fare and some Scottish dishes as well. The food I’ve had here has been good. The bar is well stocked. There is a great selection of beer and cider – and some fun cocktails.
The staff were good – prompt and friendly. The patio is gorgeous – on the Cooper side, not the Elgin side, which makes it one of the better patios I think, because you get less people staring as they walk by.
My only complaint, is that on two occasions I’ve been seated at the same table inside, in the corner kind of – but the other tables in the area are so close together that anytime someone from any table wants to move it’s awkward. But otherwise, a great little pub.

They had a great beer and cider selection, including gluten free beer and ciders on tap. I ordered the lamb burger with fries. The burger was somewhat bland tasting, though juicy and not over-​cooked. They could just use better toppings. A fried root vegetable patty certainly didn’t add anything to it. I wouldn’t order it again. My friend was happy with his regular burger, and the house salad was full of a variety of fresh vegetables. The fries were standard, and came hot and crispy. Our food came out quickly, and our server was attentive without being overbearing. If you’re looking for well priced, decent pub fare, you could do much worse.

I must say I was hesitant when this place opened — as if we don’t already have enough pubs on Elgin street right? Well this place delivered big time! An authentic-​feeling Scottish pub with a nice terrace off Elgin street (so you don’t get the same amount of noise as you do at Sir John As and Fox & Feather)… not to mention the first pub I have found outside of Scotland that actually serves Haggis! Don’t be turned off by the name people — it’s delicious and I highly recommend giving it a try. If being adventurous is not your thing the lamb burger here is also pretty good — but based on what my friends have told me so is just about everything else they’ve tried on the menu.
Place also has a miniature rail track set up around the restaurant with a train that passes by your table. A nice touch to an already pleasant atmosphere. Give it a shot!