Social Restaurant + Lounge in Ottawa

I had an amazing experience recently with my husband. The food and atmosphere was on point. We had a lovely experience with Brittany who was able to help us pick really great apps and main. Will be going again!

Went today to celebrate a special occasion. Our server, Brittany, couldn t have been better - full of useful information when asked, kind and patient with everyone in our group, and totally efficient. It was quiet enough to be able to hear everyone at the table. Brittany really made the experience extra special.

Had dinner with a colleague after a long day. Such a beautiful restaurant, food was good, drinks were amazing, the best part was our server Maddie who made us feel like we were regulars. Great service!

Very pleasant atmosphere for a nice dinner. Wonderful steak dinner. Great service.

This place will have a limited menu (and no you won t know about it before leaving) starting at 9:30 I guess their kitchen is either unionized or work multiple jobs just don t waste your time and go elsewhere.

Food was excellent. My wife had the lamb shank, and I enjoyed the panko crusted pork chop. Restaurant is beautiful. Service could use a bit of work. Our table asked for a few items that did not arrive and require reminders. Overall a minor issue, but the service was not up to the atmosphere and quality/skill of the kitchen staff. Ill come back again during my next trip to Ottawa.

3 people. 2 drinks each. No food. Menu was not enticing and very pricey. Staff was ok. No more. Decor was B+. Cost us $100.

Lucy is amazing

Exactly what youd expect from a downtown dim lit restaurant in the market, Maddy was a W server though

Good place for a drink but this is definitely not a place for a fine dining experience.

We had an incredibly frustrating experience at this restaurant. After being seated, we waited 45 minutes before anyone took our food order and 25 minutes just to get drinks. Not once did a server come to check on us or see if we were ready to order. We eventually had to get up and find someone ourselves just to place our order. The food was alright, but nothing special and certainly not worth the hassle. The lack of attention and care from the staff completely overshadowed the meal. Definitely won t be coming back.

Nice interior. But very noisy. We can hardly participate to a conversation. Service very insistent, not efficient and not pleasant. Food is average but ok. Wine very expensive for the quality

On Saturday, August 24, 2024 we had an engagement dinner for our son. Just wanted to say thank you to all the staff especially to the ladies that took care of our party - couldnt of asked for better service. The chefs for a great meal, our planner Brittany for such an amazing experience Food

The ladies serving us were so nice and friendly and the food is very good. Hat off

Good food. Decent service.

Had a great experience, awesome service. The burger and parm fries were delicious!! Definitely gonna go back to try it other items.

Solid food. Patio looks awesome. A tad cold and windy at the bar

Beautiful large terrasse in the back. Good selection of entrees to share. Service was ok. There was also a musician. The duck entree was excellent

Food was delayed 2+ hours for group of 10. Taste was mediocre. Not worth it.

I ordered the IDK (bartender s choice) and was absolutely blown away. Our server Madison and bartender Pranay created something magical. It was the perfect drink for a Saturday night in the market. We can t think of a name for it. Order it and come up with your own!

**Social: A Gourmet Experience to Remember** 24 july 2024 My wife and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary at Social Restaurant and Lounge, and once again, we were delighted with the experience. Weve become avid fans of this place, and this visit only strengthened our love for it.From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel special. They knew our preferred table and had everything set up perfectly. The selection of wines was impressive, and we were guided to pair the best options with our meals. As usual, I explored the tequila options at the bar, as we have a tradition of trying a new tequila with each visit.This time, I decided to try something different from the menu, and it was a great choice. My wife did the same and was thrilled with her meal. The food was outstanding, as always, and the service was top-notch. The live music added a wonderful touch to the evening, making it truly memorable.Thank you to everyone at Social for making our anniversary so special. We cant wait to return for another fantastic meal! ---- ------------ My wife and I recently celebrated her birthday dinner at Social, and it was an evening to remember. From the moment we stepped through the door, the staff went above and beyond to make our experience exceptional. I had meticulously planned the evening with the restaurant staff, and they surpassed all expectations. Not only was the food exquisite, but the level of support and attention to detail from the staff was outstanding. As a special touch, I had flowers delivered for my wife, and the team at Social ensured they were beautifully displayed on our table, adding to the romantic ambiance of the evening. Our waiter was not only attentive but also had a fantastic sense of humor, making us feel relaxed and at ease throughout the meal. He even went the extra mile to capture some amazing pictures of us to commemorate the occasion. The bartender impressed us with their skill and creativity, crafting delicious drinks that perfectly complemented our meal. Together, we selected an incredible tequila to try, enhancing our dining experience even further. Overall, the entire team at Social made us feel like VIPs, and my wife was absolutely thrilled with the gourmet experience. Were already looking forward to returning for Valentines Day this year, knowing that well be in for another unforgettable evening of fine dining and exceptional service.

Second time coming here, a year apart. Group of 10, we spent a little under $1000. Drinks were exceptionally slow. Service was alright, but nothing spectacular. The decor is beautiful, but that s about it. I asked a server if she could turn on the music for a little bit of ambiance and that seemed to be an inconvenience. the food wasn t great. It wasn t terrible, just bland and nothing to justify their prices. This place is not worth the money. No ambiance, service isn t good, and the food is mediocre. Nothing upscale about this place besides the look. we were the only table in the restaurant on a Friday night. Would not recommend to others and would not go back again.

I recently hosted a surprise party for my mom at this restaurant, and I cant say enough about how wonderful the experience was! The service was top-notch, and the food was absolutely delicious. The canapés were perfectly timed, and the bottle of bubbly was ready as soon as my mom arrived. A special shoutout to Maddie, our server, who went above and beyond. She spoke French fluently, which was a huge plus for our francophone guests. Maddie treated us like family, ensured that our gluten-intolerant guests had the right food, and even served my mom s wine in a special glass she had for her 60th birthday. When my mom accidentally left the glass behind, Maddie kept it safe until she could come back for it. Everything was just perfect. A big thank you to the team for making the event so memorable!

Salmon was delicious !! Great menu , friendly staff and warm atmosphere

We were a group of about 12 people, for a special occasion, and had a wonderful time. The food was great, cocktails were lovely (havent had a Gibson in years), and all of the staff were very welcoming, but the service from Miranda was top notch and really made the evening special. Kudos to everyone who showed us an excellent time!

Great atmosphere and food! Tried a bunch of appys and dinner and dessert and tasted great!

We were a very large group and they couldnt handle it. Salmon was good, steak was good but fries were cold and soggy

Sunny afternoons in a cozy courtyard patio. Drinks and the Mariposa Duck confit. Finished with a sumptuous cheesecake. Courtyard patio is an amazing venue but the cobble style patio is difficult to walk on and some tables are quite wobbly. The cheese cake was so awesome I forgot to take a picture. Staff are friendly and attentive.

The food is just horrible

To be honest, we went there as a group of 10. We reserved prior to going and it was during brunch time. The coffee came dripping from all sides and the waiter dropped it. We asked to get it replaced. And they did, yet it was still in the condition as per the photo attached. Brunch was average. The overall experience really is mediocre vs. the prices. Atmosphere and outdoor area is lovely. Wish they took care of the place more. It s central and a good spot.

Went here for a work event for a party of 10 on a Monday at 5:30. We showed up and they required fixed menu requiring starter, main, and dessert. Not that big a deal, but unexpected. I had the soup, steak and crème Brule and it was all great. Service was not good between courses, getting more drinks was impossible because the server didn t come around. Once the dessert was delivered no server showed their face at our table for 1 hour 20 minutes when I got up to get them. We were planning on getting more drinks but abandoned that idea. Server finally brought bills like 20 mins after that and we found that in addition to the fixed/forced menu, they added a $30 table fee per person and 20% mandatory tip. Apparently you don t need to do your job when the tip is already included Suffice to say, it doesn t matter if the food was good, I will not be returning, and I ll be spreading this cautionary tale.

Came during happy hour for 10 oysters and parm fries - the oysters came from PEI and were great! Sat out in the courtyard patio - excellent ambience.

Very well received, excellent meal, pleasant staff, very good advice I recommend thank you very much

Excellent meal, pleasant atmosphere and welcome.

I always come back to this restaurant when I visit Ottawa. It has always been exceptional service, this time the wait was way too long but the serving staff and the food definitely made up for it. I would still highly recommend the restaurant as my last two visits before this one were PHENOMENAL.

BRAVO and thank you for the excellent service and courtesy!!! Kyra treated us with great care. The food is delicious. We highly recommend.

Quality has dropped in this place! Food doesn t taste as good as it used to be. We had two ribeyes, duck, two pastas and all of us had the same experience with food. Steaks had excessive amounts of rosemary and fat, pasta was bland, duck was over cooked. Never going back again, for the money I m paying I can go to better restaurants. Also; in the few times we went there; we always left Hungry!!!!

Staffs are amazing

Stopped in for lunch with the wife and it wasn t very busy but it was Good Friday ordered this club sandwich and it was probably the best one I ve ever had. And I ve had a lot of them. Everything in this sandwich meshed and went so well together . Was amazing. Now we are eager to return for dinner!

This is a stunningly beautiful place. The food is next level and a new fave for lunch. Service is excellent as well too and they are very accommodating. Vegetarian options: BBQ CHICKPEA WRAP | V. FRIED CHICKPEA FRITTER , HOUSE MADE BBQ SAUCE , PICKLED ONION , CARROT SLAW , MIXED GREENS SERVED WITH CHOICE OF HOUSE FRIES OR SALAD

Very comfortable, cozy atmosphere. Great tasting food, however, extremely small portions leaving you still hungry. For the price of the meals I would expect a bit more food. Ordered the chicken and received 3 pieces of carrot and a tiny potato that was cut in half. Our server was not very present during the meal. Drinks took a while for some, the server took a while after meals arrived to see if anything was missing, and they even sent someone else to take payments at the end of the night.

Another outstanding night at Social on Sunday 25 Feb 24. I was greeted by name as I walked through the door, which was very sweet and certainly impressed my 4 dinner companions who dont dine there as regularly as I do. The menu has recently changed - I wish the lamb shank was still there - but still filled with wonderful, pefectly cooked, and beautifully presented options. The ribeye steak continues to be a favorite but my table was also very impressed with the Chicken Supreme. The oysters were exquisite, as was the beef tartare. I am normally a traditionalist for beef tartare - which they also offer - but I opted for the Chefs interpretation on the menu and enjoyed it thoroughly. The skillet crumble for dessert was also a favourite at the table. The service throughout the evening was top notch, as it always is. Very attentive without being intrusive. That cant be a tough balance to achieve, but the staff at Social are experts in that. Cant wait to return! Thanks again to everyone at Social for another fabulous evening!

Sad we missed out on the croissants dessert, as those are for weekend brunch only...YET, we had such an uplifting experience as early as a Monday afternoon, with Britney, our server who made sure we left Canada with the most cheerful and warm feeling. Let me not forget to mention the best tastiest cocktails and a mix of oysters with a Steak Frites ( want some more again) thank you thank you Social for keeping your standards high and delivering!

They have great brunch specials and the best duck for dinner

Food was expensive yet mediocre, and even verged on poor. Very little seasoning or flavour. Waitress was not friendly or accommodating, no salt or pepper on tables and when we asked for them, we were not met with a kind response. The only boon of this restaurant was the cocktails and atmosphere.

The food was perfection, lovely space and atmosphere and the staff were very friendly and attentive

Maybe they should change their name for moody instead of social ! Our server was definitely moody and not so social And because of that everything else was ok Food : 3/5

Food is quite mediocre for the price you pay. Portions are very small. I had a burger and it came with around 10 fried. The burger patty tasted bland and boring. Overall good that i had was mediocre and wasn t the quality i expected from this fancy restaurant.

Great place to celebrate a big event/party! My girlfriend organized a private event for a large group of people and it was excellent. Food was great as well as the atmosphere, and everybody enjoyed themselves. The only problem was the server was being very naggy and a partypooper at times. Otherwise a great place for events :)

Great food and drinks, warm and friendly service, and lovely atmosphere. Good place for a date or for some drinks with colleagues. A bit pricy, but worth the experience.

I recently dined at Social, and while there were some positive aspects, there were also some significant downsides. Lets start with the positives. The atmosphere of the restaurant was delightful, with a cozy and inviting ambiance that made for an enjoyable dining experience. The staff were friendly, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout the meal, adding to the overall enjoyment of the evening. Unfortunately, the positives were dampened by a few notable drawbacks. Firstly, I found the food to be a little overpriced for the quality that was delivered. While the menu offered a variety of options, the execution and taste of the dishes did not quite justify the prices. The flavors were uninspired and lacked the depth and complexity that I had hoped for, leading to a lackluster dining experience in terms of the culinary offerings. In addition to the underwhelming food quality, I was disappointed to find that the chairs in the restaurant were worn down, detracting from the overall comfort and aesthetic of the dining area. This was particularly notable given the otherwise pleasant atmosphere, and it detracted from the overall experience.

Beautiful spot!

Great atmosphere, and the duck confit was the best meal I ve had in my life. 10/10 will be back in Ottawa just for that

Our server Brittany was fabulous - charming and excellent service. The ambience is classy and modern and warm - we ll be back!

Disappointed! We booked a table based on the reviews of this restaurant however the service was extremely slow, We had to wait for 1 hour and a half for the food to arrive. The taste is very average and the quantity is extremely small. Despite all that the bill came and they had already added a 20% tip without giving us the right to choose how much tip to give! This was the most surprising part of it all!

It was our first time there. Wasnt impressed with the service or the food. I would say it was a below average experience overall, and we had to wait over an hour to get our food. But the thing that bothered us the most, and we were 20 persons there, was that they included a 20% tip fee on the bill, a fee we had to pay regardless of our dining experience which was a bad one...

Am very disapointed

The place is really fun! The food was expensive but good. The Service good, I think, could be better. But definitely I will be back!

Their food poisoning adds flavour. I had their social burger which is pretty overpriced for a stomach bug experience as the next morning I wasn t able to keep any liquids down. Among the many bathroom related issues I had after giving this place a shot I m glad this food poison only lasted my entire day at least. Otherwise it would have made me miss 2 days of work from shaking on my bathroom floor because of their bad burger. Even the leftovers of the burger I had unfortunately brought home repulsed me by just it s aroma alone and landed straight in the trash. I definitely got a bang for my buck, a horrible experience and a reminder to never come back. Perhaps it makes sense why there is a weird amount of bad reviews for a restaurant like this. Feel free to try their food poisoning yourself Perhaps more of our complaints to dinesafe will make them change their act

Fantastic welcome and service, the food was truly wonderful in its plating and truly excellent taste, compliments to the Chef and his team, not least the service provided by Sara and her colleagues. We will be back to visit you soon. Thanks

Super chic ,delicious and fine cuisine ,i love it.

If there is less than 1 star horrible place dont go there

Nice service and great food especially the duck confit.

Like many other « chic » restaurant in Ottawa, this place is over rated. The staff is fake and cheap: they could not care less about your eating experience. The food is just barely ok. Their obsession from the moment you get into the door is to bring you the bill. If you have to go, enjoy the decor.

Slow uninterested service. Food was mediocre at best. The Club was the only saving grace to the 5 other dishes. Don t recommend.

A noisy downtown resto with decent and varied menu and good presentation.

Food is good. Staff are decent, they are either overworked or look like they dont care youre there.

Restaurant to avoid! No service, no welcome, no thanks . Ordinary food without flavor. Once the addiction has paid off... we are asked for tips! (20%) why should we leave tips for a non-existent service. The manager laughs in our face and asks us to leave tips knowing that this is not obligatory and that it is up to you. We were very shocked by his attitude. Not even a thank you! Restaurant to ban

Delicious meal and great wine selection! Incredible ambience with an amazing historic court yard. Highly recommend!

My partner and I went there and the service was friendly and the drinks were really good. But when it came to the food it took forever to come out and when it came to me my chicken was raw inside. This place is a good stop for drinks but way overpriced when it comes to bland basic food. They just have a popular name but the quality doesn t live up to the standard

Great

Went there for a business lunch today and was very happy I did. Food was super fresh and tasty and service was fantastic. Will definitely be back. Enjoy.

Brittany our waitress was fantastic! Great atmosphere, food and drink!

Food takes quite a while but it was amazing!

We had started with the bread basket (small). The serving size was perfect for two people, and the butter/oil provided was delicious but the portion of butter to bread was a little low. Regardless, it was delicious. My wife had the duck, she raved about it and enjoyed every bit of it. As for me, I had the Ribeye. Not only was it cooked to perfection but the jus they put on it was to die for. It was topped with fried potato strings (sinfully delicious) and Kale (not a fan of kale, but I ate the entire thing and I enjoyed it thoroughly). Live music was on point and the cheese cake is absolutely delightful! Very light and airy. The crumble, fruit and whipped cream provided were mouth watering. We ended the meal with some dessert coffees. The Irish coffee was delicious and the Spanish coffee was great as well, as my wife beat me to the bottom of our drinks haha. The reason I gave a 4 instead of a 5 is that the washroom (mens) was not cared for and the bill was astronomical. Otherwise, if price isnt an option. This place is very much worth the visit. I didnt grab a picture of the main course but I did of the cheese cake.

The warm beat salad was an afterthought of large lettuce pieces and gigantic beets thrown together with two scoops of delicious goat cheese. The scallops are just 3 small bite sizes, what the heck? And the carrot salad was great so was the duck pastrami (make sure to get that). We didn t feel like we were celebrating our wedding anniversary and I have been to Social for ALL my special occasions so I m disappointed it didn t even par expectations. Again there is a disconnect between OpenTable and the restaurant as I was suggested the daily special that had dairy when it s my allergy! Server Ben was very attentive. Vegetarian options: Salads are vegetarian.

This was definitely the worst brunch I have ever had in my life. Bring back the café Wim with the old Russian guys playing chess. Please.

Great upscale restaurant with lots of features on the menu. Love the variety of food and it all tastes great. Love this place for a fancy night out

For the setting, atmosphere, price tag, I expected the food quality to wow me. Spending what I spent, for food quality and tastiness that I can easily prepare myself is kind of a slap in the face. I think of myself as a mediocre cook, and my standards are slightly above average at best. And yet, Social failed to meet my expectation. Parking: Parking nearby. Both multi-floor garage, as well as open parking spaces. But not directly linked to the restaurant, some walking needed. Wheelchair accessibility: Null. Steps, and narrow door to access.

I have been looking forward to trying this place out for over a year and I finally had the chance. I was sorely disappointed. Dust in my water glass, waiter slammed down the appetizer they forgot, server didnt give us the wine menu, didnt give us the rundown she gave everyone else seated around us. The music was so loud, the food and service was mediocre that we left after only having our tiny appetizers instead of the entrees we were hoping to order. Classism was clear. Make better food at home and save yourself the headache.

First time in this restaurant and disappointed the croissants at least 2 or 3 days old and they said they gave us extra no wonder why also we asked for 4 plate plus 2 plate for to go and they gave us 5 plates plus 2 for to go and when we tried to bring it up to the waiter he started arguing with us so we gave up however it s the last time for us I won t recommend it

Celebrated my spouses birthday. Service and food were fantastic!

A very nice ambiance, very pleasant service and great management! And very tasty food!

Brittany and Nate were AMAZING! We loved Brittany s energy and she was so funny and kind! Nate was welcoming and even though it was his second shift - knowledgeable. Thanks for making my bachelorette amazing!!!

We were here for a bachelorette and our experience was incredible!! Brittany and Nate were amazing, friendly and hilarious. They made sure we had an incredible time, and truly went above and beyond!

We had an amazing time here. Brittany and Nate were so good, they gave us amazing service and were super fun and personable. We were here for a bachelorette and they went above and beyond to make our time here the best possible. 10/10 would recommend.

Currently in Ottawa for a bachelorette party, Nate and Brittany are absolutely fantastic. They are very welcoming and make you feel like you re family

We had an amazing time on their patio! Brittany and Nate took extremely good care of us. We were there for a bachelorette and they were very welcoming. We were greeted immediately and with big smiles. One of our friends got in an accident in an Uber and Brittany was very sincere and compassionate about the whole ordeal. They made us laugh and they made our experience so much better.

Finally I was able to find the best Aperol Spritz in Ottawa!

Today we were happy to dine on their patio and have service provided by Brittany. She was so friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. She told us about the plates that we were interested in and steered us in the right direction. We had the warm beet salad and the chef special which was a flatbread feature. Well, both of these were absolutely delicious. We spent almost 2 hours on the patio and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. When we lived in Ottawa, we would often dine here but since we now live over an hour away, we visit less frequently. Thanks to brittany and her amazing service and the absolutely delicious food, we will return more often. Thanks for a wonderful experience Darrell

Family took the tomato salad, the scallops and the fried squid, all of which were so awful they sent it back and we left. Dont eat here

Nice outside tables to sit with friends to enjoy a warm eveving. Sadly out of 4 dishes ordered only the pasta was good. The salads tomatoes were mealy, the scallop was way too salty to be edible and the fried squid was tough. The service though was good. But we decided to cut our loses and not reorder even though it was offered. Maybe we hit a rough patch for the kitchen staff. We were sorry it didnt work out.

Mediocre food and service

Good venue service is good. Was a big fan and did review once before regarding the excessive use of salt and gave 3 stars. This time, add to the excessive use of salt the undercooked chicken and one star less of course.

The waitress does not take the order the right way then added exorbitant charges to the world for no reason for her service errors and gives herself excessive tips without consulting the customers almost 50% of the bill. We pay more than $150 for very basic dishes. We strongly advise against it

My wife and I went here for a date night. Very kind front and wait staff. Chefs board was almost enough to be a meal itself, and was quite nice. Cauliflower steak and duck confit were also yummy. Nice ambiance on the back patio. Would return. Vegetarian options: Cauliflower steak jumped out as a vegetarian option. The daily pasta seemed to be the only other veggie option, and I imagine that might sometimes change (e.g. with a meat ravioli).

Hostess complained about having to walk to the table. Lotsa other restaurants around

The best part of our meal was the wine. The duck was very fatty and the salmon was just okay. The beans with the salmon didnt pair well. The restaurant was filled with smoke from the kitchen half way through the meal which, after checking with our waitress, seemed to be the way things were. This place should be special and unfortunately it just wasnt.

Useless

It is beautiful but it was very quiet the night we went. I will try it another time when its not a Monday night. My friend ordered the tuna plate. Its only tuna pieces served with... Some pieces of a fruit we think? And a bit of a spicy sauce. No crackers or chips or anything to eat the tuna with so we had to ask for it. Almost like having a tartare withing anything to eat it with. That was very strange. The staff said that she will bring it up to the next staff meeting to the chef.

I recommend anyone to come to this place. Service too too slow.

worst restaurant ever.

Took us 3h (we still don t have it) to get our food. We asked the lady and she was aggressive. The food is bad. I almost fell asleep. We ordered a month ago.

There was a reservation for a wedding made 1 month in advance with a choice of 3 plates for around 40 people. We have been seated since 6:30 p.m. then our plates started to be served at 9:10 p.m. We asked for explanations and were told that he had no control over the cooking. The cost per person is $72 plus taxes. For a salad for starter, a main course and 1 choice of desserts. The service is poor.

NEVER NEVER and please NEVER GO THERE , We had a reservation for 6pm , we were there ontime and order our food . They came with food at 9pm without any excuse and I can some client retour they plate cause the meat wasn t warm et no well done. When I comes to get our bill , they charge us 20% as tips saying it mandatory , when the serve was not there . try to speak with the manger on duty ( Sarah) she was unspeakable, she definitely know how to treat customers. Don t waste your time or money to go there .

I was only in Ottawa for a few days and this was the highlight of an already amazing trip. Small hiccup in the kitchen, but they made up for it in spades. If you have the religious flexibility, I strongly suggest the lamb. The foie gras was also very good. Im by no means an expert, but it did bring me back to my days in Bordeaux. Really nice to see big swings, and even better to see you hit it ten feet over the fence. Thanks for everything.

Visiting Ottawa and went to this courtyard three times. So far. They have a happy hour starting at 3:30 with $2 oysters and $6 glasses of wine or draft beer. They also have some charcuterie boards and fries and a couple of other treats. Really amazing. Highly recommend. I sat out in the courtyard enjoying the beautiful warm weather and atmosphere. The oysters were from PEI, very fresh and delicious. I had the charcuterie board that had a lot on it and it was all very delicious also.

Whether inside or in their patio, the atmosphere is excellent. Sometimes there is a musician in the patio and that makes the ambiance livelier. Food and service are superb. Pet friendly, too :-)

Nice setting, average quality food. A Caesar salad for lunch with no more quality.

Great ambience with great food

Good 4 stars. We had the duck and the salmon both really good.

Food is objectively terrible and way overpriced. Everything was bland. The pasta was worse than a Kraft dinner Mac and cheese for 10x the cost. Drinks are okay and vibes are decent. Service is great.

This was my first visit to this restaurant and first outing downtown post covid. Went with a large party (25 ppl) and unfortunately food was very dissapointing. Regular menu was not available for this event (just a birthday). I picked the vegetarian pasta and it lacked flavor. No salt or pepper available on the table for seasoning, which i wouldnt want to use anywyas, but the pasta was so bland (all the other guests shared same opinion). Only one basket of bread was offered for the evening with 8 People. Very dissappointed for a menu that is more than $70, and the regular menu was not available given the size of the party. Overall with 2 drinks, the bill was almost $150 (one person) and the drink was mostly ice. The cheesecake was very good though, best part of the meal. The restaurant is gorgeous and location is prime, but food was very dissapointing. For a lounge, I was hoping there would be more ambiance: there was no dj (this is a saturday night) or place to really move in the room (Felt tight) where we were placed.

We had such a wonderful time here on Friday night! The service was phenomenal, thank you, Chris (Kris?) and friends. She gave excellent and knowledgable recommendations of the menu, made regular checks on us, and ensured we always had a drink (water, wine, mocktail) with our food. The servers treated us like friends rather than customers. Well be back and will definitely recommend to friends.

Where do I even start?!? I was asked by my best friend to coordinate her wedding reception ( smaller, intimate dinner) post ceremony with family and close friends. When I reached out to Brian, the events coordinator, he was prompt to respond, clear in communication, accommodating to requests and adjustments the bride and groom had and overall an absolute delight to plan with. As I am located out of provinces he made the planning seamless and easy for me, and I am so appreciative of that. Fast forward to the night of the event... Brian and his team greeted me and a few bridal party gals with open arms and cocktails at hand as we decorated and set the private doing room for our gathering. The staff were friendly, organized and upbeat. Krista was in charge of our party, and she took care of every single guest as if we were family. The bartender Joe was phenomenal. His cocktails are our of this world. He also was extremely friendly and upbeat the entire evening. The food was delicious. Every single serving that came out was the exact same, delicious and delightful to look at. We were a group of 28 total and everything was absolutely perfect. Dietary restrictions were managed with care and discussed prior. The steak was perfectly cooked, the chicken was moist, the pasta was fresh and unique, the salmon was delicious and had a great presentation. Desserts barely hot the table before the disappeared. On behalf of the bride and groom, their friends and family I would like to thank Brian and his team at The social for making the evening seamless and unforgettable. Thank you

Social is easily one of the best restaurants in Ottawa! Each time we come, the food is mouthwatering, the atmosphere is great, and the servers are all so lovely. If you ever get the chance, I strongly encourage you to do one of their set menus (we did it for New Years Eve). Also - the smoked duck pastrami is probably the best dish we ve ever tasted. A must visit!

Lovely atmosphere, the food is sometimes good and sometimes average but I still recommend it..

We had the lamb and duck, both were excellent. Very tender and flavourful

Really good love the food. Prices are very valid . Must visit

Excellent, from start to finish. The courtyard is delightful on a late summer evening. The food is amazing; we had oysters, carpaccio, burger, and charcuterie. Nothing but good things to say about it all. Service was welcoming and professional. Social has been on our lets go sometime list for a while. Glad we finally did!

The food was good the service was awful. We had a very friendly server who kept disappearing. We finally had to ask a server from an adjacent restaurant for help which she happily supplied. When I asked the server where he went he said he was busy polishing the cutlery and folding napkins. A 5% tip was even too much.

Had a very tasty experience with some friends for dinner. We had some great eats that made the evening all the better from good food!

Great service and ambiance. Get the oysters, they come with a cilantro based and a mignonette sauce

Our overall experience at The Social was wonderful. The combination of the high quality dishes, the soft romantic atmosphere, and the generous and kind staff made our experience incredible. We selected that it was our anniversary when booking our reservation and our server surprised us with two shots on the house. The staff go above and beyond to ensure a quality experience for guests. With all that being said, make sure you are prepared to spend a bit extra, as this restaurant knows it s worth when charging for drinks + food. Such a wonderful evening and can t wait to go back!

Nicely decorated space. Drinks were good. The tableware and table wasnt fully clean with bits of stuff still stuck to it. The salmon looked a few days old. Not fresh or appetizing at all. Poached eggs were good but inconsistent. One was still runny and one was cooked solid. Home fries lacked flavour. Overall, not horrible, but youre better off going somewhere else.

Great night with friends. Lovely staff!

Perfect experience! I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent service my family received from Sarah and Nathan. Our family of 6 arrived at Social for lunch, without a reservation, to celebrate my mothers 80th birthday. Sarah greeted us and accommodated my elderly parents. Sarah personally escorted my mother (who uses a walker) to the Sussex entrance so she could enter the restaurant with the use of the ramp. Since my father has hearing aids, he had difficulty hearing us over the voices of the other tables. Therefore, Sarah sat our family in a quiet section of the restaurant. At this point, we were blown away by Sarahs eagerness to make our family comfortable. Nathan was our serve, and he provided excellent advice about the food and wine. We were all extremely impressed with his competence. To top off our heartwarming and delicious experience at Social, Sarah and Nathan surprised my mother with a beautiful piece of cake, candl, and champagne for her 80th birthday. They made my mother feel special, and Ill never forget that act of kindness. I can not imagine better service than what we received from Sarah and Nathan. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Vegetarian options: The Social Bowl can be made vegan, which is how I had it. It was divine! Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible from Sussex (ask for their ramp).

Very salty food, best service

Very professional bilingual service and the food is delicious.

The atmosphere was soft and ambient but the food was a too salty and the service was cold and dull. Overall, too pricy for the quality and quantity of food.

We had our 1 year anniversary at The Social last night and it was absolutely incredible. Staff are amazing, service was fantastic, food was 10/10 with absolutely beautiful presentation and the atmosphere was romantic. Would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a phenomenal place for any event or to make memories youll never forget!

Food was awesome . Server was friendly. Food

Loved our brunch!

Great place to brunch, with good mimosas. The interior is really beautiful too.

We celebrated my friends birthday at this restaurant last night. The interior is gorgeous, it set the perfect ambiance for her special day. Our waiter was super friendly and professional and we waited approximately 20 - 30 minutes for the food to be ready. We ordered 10OZ NAGANO PORK TOMAHAWK (5/5) - I highly recommend this one SMOKED DUCK PASTRAMI (5/5) - same SOCIAL BURGER (4/5) - My husband was not impressed but said it was good This restaurant is on the pricey side, but its definitely worth paying. The overall experience, from the atmosphere to the service and the food, was fantastic. To me, its similar to Zoes. I would recommend it for any special occasion. :)

Great atmosphere, low lighting and very cozy. Food was a little under spiced and not great for the price but try to make it early for their brunch menu, it s $8 fries

We arrive and sit down to the bar at around 10:30 pm, a bartender grudgingly arrives, blindly stares at us, with barely a greeting. Which is like whatever, he s had a busy night. We ask if it s possible to have a cocktail menu, just to see what Social has for drinks, because we weren t necessarily in the mood for a standard drink and I hadn t been in a while. He turns and fumbles with 56 menus under the bar, finally finds ONE drink menu, hey way to go champ . He then returns, and we decided to just grab a martini and we ask, do you have Bombay Gin? He answers, NO! and bluntly says do you see any? We almost took off right there. We ordered a whatever gin martini and that was the end of our stay at the Social. If this guy went to the dollar store to buy a personality and actual class he would have done better than that. Really disappointed for a place like Social that s been in Ottawa for many years. Won t be going back, that guy is basically the poster boy for Ottawa nightlife.

We had a lovely brunch today with Kiefer as our server. The food was delicious - Avocado and Smoked Salmon Toast, Chef s Hash of the Day, and the Social s Breakfast all beautifully presented! One of us was in the mood for an eggnog and Kiefer sought some out from his neighbourhood sources. Now that s service! The decor is elegant and the light snow just added to the wonderful atmosphere! We highly recommend and will definitely be back again soon

Incredibly disappointing meal here yesterday evening. My husband ordered the 12 oz ribeye steak and was served some kind of cut up meat hidden under fried onions. When he brought this up with the waitress (that maybe he had been served the steak frites instead) she dug in saying that it was definitely the ribeye because it wasnt served with fries. It was not a steak, however, and it DEFINITELY was not 12 oz of meat. It was a sub standard $64 entre. $64!!! I ordered the $42 salmon dish and the fish was overcooked and not flavourful. Never going back. Spent over $200 for two people and we left disappointed. Waste of money. Dont throw away your money by eating here. You can eat better for half the price elsewhere.

The service was amazing! We had our company Holiday party there and it was awesome. The team there had everything under control. The atmosphere was great! Beautiful building and a spectacular courtyard in the back all lit up at night with string lights. The food was spectacular. The chairs were comfortable and there was lots of space to get up and mingle. The cocktail menu was extensive and unique. It was the perfect venue for an event. Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian options that are delicious. Dietary restrictions: They handled all the dietary restrictions for our group without any issues at all. Parking: There is no parking at the restaurant, but lots of paid lots in the area, as well as street parking if you can find it.

Vegetarian options: Salads cauliflower steak fries parmigiana fries cheese board side broccoli and usually a soup and a pasta are available. Dietary restrictions: Staff is knowledgeable in many different restrictions and happy to alter dishes to meet dietary restrictions.

Superb discovery in the city center! The wine was excellent, the waiters advice was superb and we had a wonderful evening. I recommend!

Went to this restaurant expecting a culinary adventure, but it turned into a comedy of shrimp proportions! Paid a small fortune for three shrimp that probably had more expensive taste than I did. 12 dollars for 3 shrimp. Ay Karamba! The mussels were trying to be special, but they forgot to send out the memo. I assure you that there were no fireworks in my mouth. And the brownie had an identity crisis. No ice cream to complete its dessert dreams! Service was top-notch, but the food left my taste buds questioning their life choices. Overpriced and underwhelmed (Just like my life) Never again!

The portion of the food is relatively small, the atmosphere is not bad, the taste is average, not the kind that is worth eating. Low cost performance.

Recently went to Social to celebrate my cousins engagement - appetizers came out fairly quickly, but then we had to wait over 2 hours for the entrees. Halfway through the wait they brought out limoncello shots to apologize for the delay - limoncello is a desert liqueur and not appropriate for after appetizers, or to be paired with the red wine the table was drinking. They also werent paying attention to who was drinking alcohol and who was not drinking and placed a shot directly in front of a sober person. I cant speak for the other meals, but when the duck was brought out it was overcooked and tough. We waited 2+ hours for overcooked food. Absolutely awful, will not be returning.

Great place with amazing ambience. Always come here when I am in Ottawa. It is centrally located in downtown Ottawa, but the stone courtyard with creepers growing make you feel as if you are in Europe. The vibe is quite different from the street outside and for the better. The servers are great, super friendly and professional. My mom forgot her phone and was able to find it easily with the help of the server. The food and drinks and quite good as well. This time we ordered white wine, the charcuterie board, fries and soup and everything was great. Earlier we have ordered oysters, champagne, and a couple of dishes for lunch as well and they all were good. Would recommend booking a place in advance as it can get crowded, specially in summer!

First of all, the short hostess in the patio, who was working in the evening of yesterday, is the worst Ive ever seen. I dont think she should interact with the public at all. She talks to you with an attitude as if shes doing you a favour and you would have to beg for simple requests. We sat for 10 minutes without menus, and when I waved to her that we needed menus, she would respond with a gesture that we should wait. She never came and we had to ask another one. Before we left, we asked her for a one to-go box and we never got it. We were a party of 7, the food took more than an hour to arrive. Two plates came cold... The waitress was nice and acknowledged the situation and took them off the bill. I think Im being very generous giving 3 stars because of the hostess and the overall experience.

I had dinner with a couple of my colleagues and the food was very good! The warm goat salad was very good and the rib eye steak was so good!

W resteraunt, came here with friend. Staff very friendly plus food was very very good and i would recommend :)

Amazing restaurant dined here and had the social burger and it was the greatest burger I ve ever had 10/10 restaurant 10/10 service 10/10 food. Great spot to eat with friends or family. Definitely will revisit soon.

This was my first time here. The vibe seemed amazing when we arrived. As its on the fancier side but has a lounge vibe. Im giving 3 stars cause the food and cocktails were amazing. But for the price of the restaurant the service is under par I would say, they don t come often enough and take the menus away . Also a little situation happened. About 30 minutes after we ordered our mains, the manager then came over to tell us they were unable to make one of the main courses. They did try to make up for it by giving another app. But they should have told us right away. Idk if I would come back or recommend it to others. Over priced for what it is.

Really nice happy hour menu. Friendly staff, tranquil patio, and good food. The tuna was so amazing that I had to order another plate. Will go back soon!

Overpriced for what the plates actually contain. The cod was basically just a handful of green beans (which were mostly stringy fibers), and a small piece of cod. I could get over that, but the service was awful. I am still leaving 2 stars because the courtyard is super pretty, and the live music was great. Overall it was disappointing.

A very nice place. The Brunch Burger was delicious.

One of the best places in Ottawa to dine in.

In a nutshell, nice looking place with a good looking menu that delivers your food over 1 hour late which by then is ruined because its cold. Many people have had a similar experience. I would not recommend.

Great patio and restaurant! Amazing service and food!

Great dining experience! First, the ambiance is pretty, trendy and cozy (not pretentious). Our server was friendly, knowledgeable and made just the right amount of visits to our table. Enough to be helpful and you don t feel forgotten but not too much that it s intrusive and annoying. The food was terrific! We shared a plate of oysters and a plate of calamari to start. The oysters were fresh and delicious. The calamari was one of the best I ve ever had! For our mains I had the steak and frites which was cooked perfectly and served with a demi-glace (sauce) and broccolini. My husband had the lamb tenderloin with roasted mini potatoes and cherry tomatoes. Both dishes were great! For dessert we shared a citrus crème brûlée and dark chocolate ganache which were exquisite! They have a good drinks selection and the drinks were good too. All in all a wonderful dining experience in the heart of downtown Ottawa, steps away from Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the NAC.

the server (seems like a new girl) is insanely RUDE and RACIST. Had a lunch there on July 18th. After I seated, a server came with an irritated attitude, asked me if I have any question. I told the girl I was ready to order and she yelled at me NOT YOUR SERVER and ignored me all the way, then she served and smiled to the table of white customers. If I was not in a rush to catch my train, I would have asked her name. Food is disappointing; or because I had already lost any appetite. Never had such a terrible experience before, so just wanna give a heads-up for any Asian or colored customers.

I thought the breakfast was great

Sat outside in the patio, great ambience! Appies, beers, main course were flavourful!

Came here for my birthday dinner on the weekend. Our reservation was at 7:15 and we didnt get our main until 9. The server was rude the whole time, and was definitely the cause for the meal being late- Im sure she didnt put it in until we asked where the food was. My husband ordered a beer that never came, and we never got cutlery or plates for our appetizer. They tried to make up for it with a glass of champagne and bread (though we had already paid for a basket of bread earlier) which was appreciated. When we finally got our food, mine was covered in olives which I had asked not be in the dish. Not giving one star because the food was decent and the manager was understanding, but I have never encountered such a rude server.

Stopped by the patio for their social hour (basically happy hour) and had some oysters and drinks. My server Miranda was friendly, attentive and present.

Really great service, beautiful location and live music! The only downside is that there are not a lot of vegetarian options

Amazing IDK drinks from the bartender. And the blueberry cheesecake with raspberry sorbet topping. And the oh so refreshing mojito to finish. Try it yourself!

Hosted a corporate event here in August 2022 and it was a disaster. There was a number of issues which occurred and led me to write this review. 1. The venue promised us the patio for our event, two hours before the event started they informed us that the patio would not be available due to a movie shoot they forgot about. 2. Most of the food we ordered and paid for at the event did not get served until the end of the event at which point most of the guest had left, probably to go eat somewhere else. In all there were three full tables of uneaten food at the end. 3. At the end of the event around 8pm I asked the manager if he could seat 8 of my directors and my events team for dinner, I figured this wouldnt be an issue as there were many open tables at the restaurant. The manager informed us that the chef didnt want to cook anymore and told us to go elsewhere. Management was fully aware of each of these issues and took little to no steps to address our issues. The lack of preparedness and professionalism was an embarrassment to my organization as we were hosting a key Board members and high profile politicians from across Ontario. If you are looking to host an event in Ottawa do not use Social as your venue.

Social used to be my favourite restaurant in Ottawa for the last two years, specifically because of their tasty food, the atmosphere, as well as their delicious drinks. I have visited countless times, and I would have never thought that I would feel the need to write a review. But from time to time, when I visit the restauarant, I feel as though the customer approach has become less professional, and very money focused. It is clear that some (not all, I really enjoyed the majority of them) of the waitresses do not have a passion for serving customers but just to collect their maximum tip money or to get your order and get you out of here quickly. Several times did I feel rushed and also I felt like the waitresses were annoyed at me when taking my time- brought down from my experience there. However, some other days I would have to wait for a very long time for a waiter to take our order- way too long, but that would only usually happen in the dinner time. Recently, it is notable that the approach has become less professional and I would not consider this a fancy restaurant anymore. You can not have class with only good atmosphere and beautiful food, but the energy and manners need to be aligned. It is unfortunate that some of those who serve the customers have to give others a negative picture of the restaurant, I have been a frequent customer but I do not know if I would enjoy going back anymore.

We were a large group with a reservation planned weeks ago, Waited 1 hour just to take order between 4 choices of dish. Waited another 1 and a half hour to get our dish. Wont recommand for large group.

The ambience is great - nice relaxed vibe. Good menu choice - caters well for gluten free. Service was friendly and helpful. Food was very tasty. An enjoyable evening Dietary restrictions: Catered well for gluten free

Worse food..atmosphere is terrible. Hard to find parking! I ordered a special dessert and the deliver was pathetic! We wont be back. It was a complete waste of $$

The food was amazing. The charcuterie plate was much bigger than expected and I enjoyed the lamb shank. The service was excellent. The ambiance inside is great for any occasion.

One of Ottawas best fine food and wine dining experiences

Gorgeous aesthetic and quiet calm ambiance, take the opportunity for the bartenders surprise drink for a treat for your tastebuds ;)

Cool vibe and great service Only wish if the menu was more varied