315 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J8, Canada
We are an inauthentic take on Southern inspired dishes. We are also known for our cocktails and craft beer.
Came here for dinner and tried the fried chicken and corn bread. The preparation was excellent, the flavours used in the chicken and cornbread felt not to my personal preferences but it was by no means bad, just not what I'd expected. The attention to technique and preparation were all done perfectly so it's not so much a criticism, as not being ideal for my personal tastes. The service was also great, it was nice being able to sample a beer before getting a pint, which was a nice touch and appreciated.
Visited for dinner on Friday, November 8. Me, my ex-wife, our two daughters, and my oldest daughters boyfriend. It was a very special occasion. Besides the fact that all of us were in the same room at the same time for the first time in history, we were also celebrating my older daughter's birthday and her finishing her Masters Degree. Given the enormity of the occasion, I was tempted to tell the staff that they needed to be on their toes; that I wanted everything to be perfect and I didn't want our table waiting for anything. I didn't tell them that and, it turns out, I didnt have to. The entire dining experience was great. Our server (didn't get his name) was amazing. He helped coordinate a combination of vegan and meat-eating patrons. He helped with the selection of cocktails, and most importantly, we didn't wait for anything. The food, drinks, and service were impeccable. And, when someone at the table let it slip that it was my daughter's birthday, we got a free vegan dessert. Which was delicious. And, no, I wasn't one of the vegans at the table. I had the ribs! Thank you to the restaurant and our server for rising to the occasion they didn't know existed.
This is a great place that I recommend everyone to visit here in Ottawa. We enjoyed the delicious food and the atmosphere of this place, but what we liked most was the service of Jamil, I hope I spelled his name correctly 😃 He kept us in a good mood throughout the evening and we will definitely come back when we visit Ottawa again! (I recommend raising Jamil's salary)
I loved everything about this place. There were five of us for dinner, and we started with cocktails and an incredible selection of appetizers that were served on a platter that made it easy to share. I regret not taking a photo of the platter, but we were all so engaged in our conversation that it slipped my mind. For my main course, I chose the cauliflower, which wowed on sight, smell, and taste. I'm looking forward to going back soon.
Best spot for grabbing drinks. They have the sangria in town. Always great vibes. Their outdoor patio is also perfect for hanging out and grabbing a cold one. Highly recommend for dates as well. It's my favorite spot on somerset
A good free hour eating joint if you want good food but all restaurants are closed and pubs are just too greasy. Décore is basic and the place is extremely dim. I guess it would be a good place if you don’t really want to see the people around you u clearly or the food you are eating. Corn bread is quite interesting to try as well as a few of their dishes. Good place to discover flavours but don’t expect a classy joint. Basic barn/ industrial decor.
Great fun atmosphere. Love the speakeasy room downstairs. Good cocktails and tasty appetizers. I truly enjoy the boiled peanuts and the Frito Pie as it brings a bit of fun and corkiness to the meal. • I have enjoyed many meals in this fine institution and tonight was the first time that the mains were a disappointment. • All of our mains were served “cold”, the beef brisket was extreme greasy and the fried chicken was overly vinegary. I sincerely believe and hope this was an “off night” for them as this is a first for me. • The service staff was extremely understanding and took our feedback as constructive criticism. They dealt with this situation brilliantly. Kudos to the front of the house. We will certainly be returning.
We had a lovely meal at Union recently. Food was savoury and well-prepared. Service was attentive and proactive. The cocktail with the singed cinnamon stick that's also a fundraiser for a local charity was a nice touch too. Will definitely come again.
Union: A Feast of Flavors and Ambiance Its only my fourth visit to Union, and yet again, this spot has managed to dazzle me with its trifecta of excellence: drinks, food, and ambiance. Each experience here feels like a curated indulgence, and this time was no exception. Let s start with the drinks. Whether you opt for their Dark and Stormy or the intriguingly named This is Not a Caesar, you re in for a treat. The mixology here is nothing short of stellar bold, balanced, and brimming with creativity. Each sip feels like a crafted narrative, and both cocktails left me exclaiming, Wowzer! For my appetizer, I dove into the Duck Wings. What a revelation! Tender to the point of falling off the bone, the wings had an irresistible mesquite flavor that lingered just enough to make you crave the next bite. It was a smoky, savory prelude that perfectly set the stage for the main course. Speaking of the main course: enter the Mallard Lamb Shank. This dish is culinary poetry. Served atop a divine confit, the lamb was tender and flavorful, its richness enhanced by a medley of peanuts and spices that provided both contrast and harmony. The sous vide preparation elevated the dish to an entirely new level of refinement, delivering unparalleled succulence and depth. Union s ambiance deserves its own standing ovation. The setting is effortlessly chic, warm, and inviting an ideal backdrop for savoring every morsel and sip. Union is a symphony of flavors, textures, and experiences that keep me coming back. It s not just a meal; it s a memory in the making. If you haven t been yet, make it your next culinary adventure.
Always one of my favourites in Ottawa. Incredible food. Great service. And a great vibe. This place has been a go to for many years!
Amazing food and drinks and excellent service! Every time is such a treat!
Delicious and unique cocktails
You need to stay on place to be on the waiting list, could improve that with a SMS system considering the waiting time is 1h30. Otherwise nice place
This was a surprise, and not your average southern resto. Nice cocktails! Great starters! Delicious mains! (and Ive never been a fan of grits or cornbread). Worth a look.
Nice resto, friendly service, old decor and quite loud when there are a lot of people.
A great bar for a date night or a drink with friends. The service is outstanding, the drinks are great. Really cool atmosphere.
Lovely place and very friendly staff. Great menu and yummy food
Where to start.. first, they had us (a group of 20 adults) crammed together so close our elbows were all touching, which made for an awkward and uncomfortable experience. The food was bizzard to say the least, I have no idea who ever thought boiling peanuts, shells and all, would be any good. Imagine wet, soggy nuts with a discussing poached shell aftertaste. There s a reason nuts are always roasted, people! The one interesting and enjoyable dish was the fried deviled eggs. Besides that, the main dishes are a confusing combinations of flavors. The fish and chicken were under salted, the spices in the rice, blackened mix, sauce surrounding the plate, green dab of remoulade and pickled onion did NOT go well together and the fish still tasted like nothing since there was zero salt on the fish itself. They should honestly work on enhancing the ingredients, instead of bombarding them with 20 different odd flavours. I had an upset stomach for 2h after and I honestly didn t eat much. Oh and I m not sure who thought serving olive tempenade with roasted hot pepper purée was a good idea, but they should rethink a few of their life choices. (I bet its the same person who likes to boil nut) Aside from the food and the horrible seating situation, the staff was very friendly and pretty professional, one of them was high and stinked of cannabis but whatever.
Went on a friday evening at 8. Didnt need a reservation at that time. Seemed like it got busier the longer we stayed. Wanted to split appys, but then decided to go with a entrees on the waitress suggestion, then just shared from those. Fried devil eggs were an interesting meal, but the best was the fried chicken. Super good! Their cornbread was unlike anything Ive ever had before tho. Perfect consistency, and absolutely delicious, but has quite the burning after-taste, which I didnt mind at all. The dish I ordered was not quite up to par with the other two. The bone-in pork chop was quite the letdown for $36 on the menu. The side of beets and pureed peas was refreshing, but didnt make up for the lackluster pork chop that I myself have fried better at home, at a fraction of the cost. However, upon informing the waitress of this, she apologized and removed my order from the bill, which is the reason Im giving them full 5 stars for this review, because of that customer service provided by their wait staff. She couldve haggled with me about a 50% discount, cuz I did eat a good portion because I was hungry. We compensated her well on the tip for that level of commitment to her customers, and will like to be back in the future as well because it was a great place downtown. I loved the wine bottle lighting fixtures and the art on the walls was very engaging. Lighting was like a warm, electric candlelight glow. Loved this place! Parking: Circled around the block once to find a spot good for two hours roughly two and a half blocks away from the venue. Wasnt difficult to walk to it from there.
We had the pleasure of having our wedding here last year in the Jabberwocky room! We highly recommend as an option if you want to stay away from certain venues that add ridiculous surcharges just because your event happens to be a wedding. Planning with Ivan prior to the event (even though we had only decided a few months in advance) was relaxed and seamless. He was very helpful and available to discuss logistics with our photo/video team, recommended our officiant, Nikki. We had just under 50 guests, they were served punch & charcuterie pre-ceremony. We then had a few courses served on high tables, everyone was able to mingle freely or have a seat at tables. The service was very attentive and friendly, always having food & drinks flowing, clearing where needed. Since we started early afternoon (before service opens), we were able to have our signing in the Staffroom (Speakeasy) and have photography sessions during the day. Weve been coming here on and off for over 10 years, we love the atmosphere, appreciate the values of the owners, respect the pride and efforts displayed in this industry. My guests also agreed that it was the best restaurant wedding they had been to, chefs kiss <3
Union Local 613 in Ottawa is a casual spot with a cozy, industrial vibe. The food is creative and the cocktails are amazing with unique flavors! The service is typically friendly and efficient. Its a great place for a relaxed dining experience.
Love this spot! Food is inventive and delicious, staff is wonderful. Just a great vibe solo or with friends. Make it a point of visiting every time I m in Ottawa. Check out the speakeasy downstairs if you have time!
Not cheap, but fresh and creative food and drink.
We ate downstairs behind the bookshelf, very nice environment and friendly staff. The braised pork is amazing!
Great service and awesome food, loved the fried chicken. The server was very nice and polite, service was fast too.
Absolutely amazing food I grew up in the south and anyone in my family would be thrilled to eat it! Food
The food and the cocktails are JUST INSANELY DELICIOUS!!!!! the ducks gravy was one of a kind. The dessert cake was moist, fluffy and just very flavorful. The cocktail, Amethyst, verrrry yummy. The waitress was very friendly. The other waitress (I accidentally ended up upstairs where she was catering a private event) not so much, however. Very good place. Good quality. Go there!
Lovely waitress and patio dinner! The food was delicious and satisfying. The mocktails were incredible.
The speakeasy atmosphere was a lot of fun. Great twists on classic drinks - really tasty. Friendly and helpful staff. Would go again!
Shame of a business blasting other businesses to elevate themselves. Service is meh drinks are meh food is meh do better on your own business before blasting others
I love this place the food and staff and vibe is great never disapointed
I would recommend it to anyone!! Check the bookshelf downstairs ;)
Duck wings and hush puppies were fire
The prices are a tad above average, especially when you factor in drinks and size, but the quality of the food is worth every penny. I dont usually like grits or fried chicken, but both are fantastic here, and the service is excellent.
Fried chicken. Corn bread. Hominy. Oh my. Super service and taps. Yes any time.
Went for a quick small bite. Duck wings were delishious and a large portion! Hush puppies had a delish sauce. Highly recommend.
The food is very tasty, with just the right amount of spice. For starters, we had Deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes. Main was Pork belly and Braised beef ribs. Well served, but not enough to share. The service was very kind, friendly, without affectation. In drinks, the success was hibiscus tea. I take off one star for the slightly excessive price for wine glasses and prohibitive for bottles. I highly recommend it.
Great service #1 !! Amazing food!
Wow. Loved this place Will return again and again
Recommended :) Went for happy hour (3pm-5pm) menu cocktails & bites on the patio. Excellent food, drink & service. The duck wings (drumsticks, actually) are <chefs kiss>. Great cocktails, as always. Food
One of my favorite places to go. The fried green tomatoes and boiled peanuts are amazing as is the mock tail and cocktail selection. Food
A pleasure to hang out at this place. Creative food, and helpful friendly staff
The service was exceptional and the atmosphere lived up to our expectations
Decided to come here on whim. We will be coming back when we visit Ottawa again. Drinks, food and atmosphere are amazing!
Great place to go with a mix of people when you have dietary restrictions in the group. They have vegan and gluten free options that are super delicious! Their drink menu is also great, they are always changing things up to have different food and drink options, you can go all the time and still have new things to try. Vegetarian options: They have vegan and vegetarian options Dietary restrictions: They have gluten free options
Food was very flavourful. Food was definitely geared toward the more adventurous. We enjoyed the atmosphere and our server was lovely. Deviled eggs were amazing. Lots of veg and GF options. Recommend.
This place is awesome! Such a fun cozy environment with great music, friendly service, and amazingly delicious food. I had the grilled lions mane and it might have been the best meal I ve ever had. The fig lebowski cocktail was also quite tasty.
Great atmosphere and awesome service. The speakeasy is a great place to go have a drink. The cocktails were amazing and the bartender was very knowledgeable. The food however was meh, my fried chicken was cold.
The escargot are a much order appetizer. Great craft cocktails and a well curated beer list. Wonderful service and atmosphere.
Great winter warming cocktails
Wow. Outstanding. Love the southern style food and the amazing atmosphere. Highly highly recommend the pork belly, hush puppies, and the duck wings. All were excellent and their cocktails look so good! Will be back soon!!
I went for supper with my friend last night. We were both very hungry and excited to try a new spot with great reviews & a good looking menu. I had a drink & we both had the friend chicken. The drink was phenomenal and unique (it was a warm one with brandy) but here comes why my rating is 4 stars & not 5: The chicken. Me and my friend enjoyed the taste and presentation, but we both agreed 28$ for one piece of chicken and a very small serving of cornbread was far too much. The cut used for the chicken barely had any meat on it which lead to us leaving with a combined bill of around 100$ & not even being full. The value for price for what you get on the dish isn t good at all. I think if it was 2 piece & a larger serving of cornbread it would make more sense. However, the person who greeted us was very kind and warm & the lady behind the bar was awesome as well!
I am so pleased with our experience yesterday. All of our 13 friends loved every single meal and appetizers. Staff was amazing and the place has a great atmosphere. I highly recommend.
We got there around when their late night menu started and the service was amazing. The host was so professional and polite, our server was friendly, and the bartender made the night memorable. The Negroni and cocktails were well balanced and tasty. The food menu past 10pm wasn t huge, but what we did order was creative and amusing as a late night snack should be. :) We had a great night.
Really good food & drinks, good vibes, good service. I would definitely return and would recommend others to try.
This has to be one of the best places of Ottawa. Who invents drinks of this style? Who makes food taste this great? I dont even want your recipes...just hold a table for me every Friday please! Great service and shout out to the tall guy for one of the best experiences Ive had around town.
The place to be in, specially The Bookshelf.
The atmosphere is amazing, we went there after dinner with friends to get some deserts and some drinks. All deserts were vegan and didn t taste great. They were over priced too 15 per piece. Didnt try the food .
Had such a great experience, amazing food and service! The drinks were tasty and the water was chilled to perfection. Recommend the homemade ginger beer, mulled sangria, halls and oats, werthless nostalgia and the lemonade. The boiled peanuts were hit & miss with our crowd. Greatly enjoyed; shrimp & grits, deviled eggs, curry fries, seitan sandwich and beef brisket. Service smashed it! It was a little slow but considering there was only one server. He made us and the night feel special. Vegetarian options: Limited options but delicious. Parking: Paid parking lot.
Interesting menu with great items. The only thing is there are only a few options so its best to check to make sure they offer something to your taste before you go. Top notch drinks.
Wonderful atmosphere, friendly folks and the food was absolutely delicious. I m so thrilled I decided to give this local gem a try. I have no doubt I ll be back again soon!
Awesome vibe in the speakeasy. Would happily return and roll the dice.
This is definitely one of my favourite spots in Ottawa! My partner and I enjoy coming here for date nights and always visit when our friends are coming from out of town! The Hominy Grits and Curry Fries are a MUST! Their cocktails never disappoint and it s always a surprise with their rotating food menu! Overall the vibes are excellent and the experience is always pleasant as we are always served by friendly staff!
Really cool place. Drinks were good and staff was awesome
great atmosphere, but the service and food were subpar. if youre planning to spend $60/person (like at this restaurant), there are much better places in the area. they made an excellent Manhattan.
Very cute, great date spot. Went last night with friends. Food was alright, drinks were great and service was amazing. Service was the highlight.
Came here to meet up with a friend who I hadnt seen in a long time, it was their recommendation. Probably should have made a reservation but managed to squeeze us in and I could see why as it got quite busy quickly after that. My friend had a couple of appetizers which she very much enjoyed and I had the brisket which was also very good. Cocktails were great and a couple of them were a nice twist on some well know ones. Good atmosphere, laid back, music not too loud so you could enjoy a good conversation. Apparently the street putside is closed off sometimes during the summer and they had a large patio which according to the waiter is a lot of fun. Even a speakeasy downstairs, which wasnt happening when I was there but sounded like it could be fun
They were amazing at explaining the menu items, made my mother and I feel very welcomed. On top of it, the peanuts and cornbread keep us coming back!
Had a wonderful experience the other day. Dined in the Speak-Easy style basement and enjoyed 3 separate cocktails- all expertly mixed. For the main course I enjoyed the Fried Chicken and it was heavenly. We were overcharged accidentally but the staff saw the mistake and rectified it promptly for us. I will definitely be going back.
Amazing staff - awesome food. Really enjoyed brunch here. Online reservations made for easy booking. Creative mugs and bottomless coffee made for a welcome stay.
Love coming to this place. Really cool atmosphere, delicious cocktails. Good location in Ottawa with parking next door and bike lanes nearby.
Service was top shelf, our server was very engaging and really added to the evening for my brother and I. We had blackened basa and fried chicken BUT and a really BIG but. The fried green tomatoes were an absolute standout. I will for sure be returning for those. Quite possibly one of the best things I ve eaten in a long time.
A hidden in plain sight gem located in the heart of Centretown! Super friendly staff, a great beer menu, and a really nice patio located right on Somerset. It is such a friendly and safe spot for folks, I would definitely recommend checking it out!
I ordered the fried chicken at this restaurant, and it was absolutely phenomenal. Although there was a slight mix-up with how I wanted it prepared, the owner (or at least someone who seemed like the owner) promptly took care of it. The overall quality of the food and service was extraordinary. If youre looking for a place to enjoy delicious food and drinks, where your time and money are well spent, this is the place to be!
The first time I went there I was quite disappointed with the dish I ordered - fried chicken - as it was sad and small for what I paid. However, I appreciate how amazing the service is. The owner invited me back to try other dishes and it was amazing! I also love the fact that they are so welcoming to dogs on the patio, overall, its a great local place that deserves to be supported!
Excellent service, delicious food, charming atmosphere. The owner came to our table and was charming. Love this place!
Great service, excellent food, enjoyed the decore.
We went to Union local 613 curious about the fried chicken. Even our server recommended it when we asked. Unfortunately, It was extremely disappointing. The cons: The breading/crust lacked flavour and you do not get to choose white or dark meat (they only serve legs). They give you sauce options for the chicken. I chose the bbq sauce: it was ice cold (off putting) and tasted generic. The cornbread was the worst thing on the plate. It had absolutely no flavour, it was overly greasy, and dense/grainy instead of fluffy. I couldnt eat it. The price for this plate of food was not justified ($34 for a chicken thigh!!). The Pros: The best thing on the plate was the vegetables: a mix of greens and corn. That was very tasty. The chicken was well cooked and juicy (despite lacking flavour). The service was very friendly and attentive. The drinks looks interesting (although we didnt order anything), so may be worth to go back for the bar. Just dont get the chicken...
Original menu. Good food. Great drinks. Lovely service. Really charming. Can t recommend it enough!
Love the patio, fried chicken, smoked trout, and awesome service!
Wonderful atmosphere, amazing food
I ve eaten here maybe 12 times. Sipped a brew or cocktail about 2 dozen more. Throwing this review down now because my experience has been nothing other than stellar every. single. time and this crews deserves all the stars.
Great food, really attentive servers and an overall fun environment. Highly recommended!
Love this spot! Some of the best cocktails in Ottawa & a fun speakeasy room in the basement.
Great place, amazing atmosphere, and the best of people. and the food has always been delicious, for the past 13 years they have been serving up Ottawa. Thank you U613. Food
Best old fashioned in the city! Don t sleep on their brunch either.
A restaurants atmosphere is a make it or break it for me. If it s too uptight, relaxing is impossible. If the staff are miserable I feel guilty for even being there. Not at Union 613 which is ran by community minded owners who stick their necks out for their staff and create a wonderful atmosphere for patrons. Their food is as delicious as it is unique, telling of the diversity of amazing souls who work there. If you re looking for something cool, visit their speakeasy! A neat little surprise in the restaurants basement The duck hearts are my favourite, but also need to give props to the amazing boiled peanuts. Everything on the menu is fantastic!
I recently had dinner at Union 613 with some friends and it was one of the best restaurant experiences I ve had in a long time. As an appetizer I ordered the southern fried escargot, along with the blackened basa as my main. Both were cooked to perfection and paired exceptionally well with my cocktail called Sweet Dreams R Made Of Lychee . To top it all off, the staff were very hospitable, and kind, and we never had to wait long for service even though there were a lot of patrons. I m looking forward to going back again soon with the family to try their brunch!
Ottawa needs more of this. I go there every time I visit.
I love this spot. The vibe, the food, the service, and the owner s level of social responsibility and community engagement. It s hard to find a place like this in Ottawa. The cocktails are delicious and expertly made. The food is inventive, fun, and always tasty. Highly recommend.
We dont eat out often, but if we do, at least 50% of the time its at Union Local 613. The menu is always interesting with great choices to accommodate our food needs. The food has always been excellent, as has the service. We appreciate the extended patio on a reduced traffic road during the summer! Vegetarian options: The though that goes into the vegetarian options is really appreciated! So much more interesting than the ubiquitous stir-fry in other places.
Over the years, this restaurant has remained high on my list of recommendations when friends and family are looking for good bites, good drinks, and good vibes. Knowing that they treat their staff well and that they support the community is the cherry on top. Make sure to try their wonderful wine selection and their hominy grits! I also think it s very cool that the street is shut to car traffic on summer weekends so patrons have greater access to this awesome spot.
The food and service was amazing! Definitely a must try. Lucky I came with a group so I got to try almost everything on the menu. My whole group said this was hands down the best meal we had on this trip to Ottawa. Drinks were delicious too all 5
Very rude waiters! He pulled the menue out of my hand and told us to leave the resturant.
I love the comfy feeling as if youre in your own home. Although the food is pricey, the atmosphere is really nice. There is a secret bar downstairs by the washroom before you turn, thats hidden behind a bookshelf. Dont push the bookshelf away, just pull! Its like a door.
Kind of felt like a worse version of Prohibition down the street. High priced meal with tame flavours. Might have been a 3/5 but my wife made the mistake of ordering a brownie that sounded very attractive on paper but turned out to be a dry brick. Great for insulating the nice old buildings on somerset but not so much for eating. Im still hearing about that horror story 6 months later.
We liked the location, decorations and atmosphere. Definitely has the hipster vibe going on. Menu is way overpriced though, $35 is too much for an okay chicken leg.
Union Local 613 is a place I keep coming back to. A model restaurant in Ottawa, they are truely unique on the food they make, their service and their advocacy in the community. Delicious food and tasty drinks. A must visit if you are in Ottawa.
Nice place but drinks were very expensive for the quality of it.
Great spot. Lovely service. The grits were a bit too spicy for my taste. My partner is vegan so I am thankful for options for her on the menu.
Was in town visiting a friend. The drinks were perfect and nothing beats good food/company! I forget our waiters name, but he was super friendly and attentive
Highly recommend the Curry fries on the late night menu!!
I had a poor experience. Food was okay, server asked if i liked the cocktail, so i gave my honest opinion. The server then insisted to make me something i could not refuse but i politely declined. He still insisted and would not take no for an answer, very pressurizing and not very respectful of my response. Also a bit overpriced for my liking, especially if i have a server in my face about trying all the drinks on the menu.
Unique recipes and good atmosphere and service
My girlfriend and I were visiting Ottawa from Toronto for a family members wedding and decided on a whim to try out Union Local 613. Boy are we glad we did. The food was amazing - both my starter (biscuits and gravy - its much better than it sounds, trust me) and main (pork belly with warm potato salad, buttermilk cream, swiss chard, chutney and capers) were both amazing, the biscuits were clearly sped from the oven to your plate and the gravy was tasty, while the pork belly was done absolutely perfectly. The staff - Haley, Nicole and Jameel were amazing, both very attentive and experts at their jobs, and their house-made cola is excellent too. This place is absolutely worth the visit, and we will be going again.
We had a big group and maybe our server was overwhelmed and needed more help but by the end he was a bit impatient with us Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options on the menu for sure
This little restaurant hidden away in downtown Ottawa. Pulls its weight in service, food and style. It offers 3 different vibes depending on what floor you are on and delivers on any occasion. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff, outstanding food and the detail isnt held back on the drinks. Vegetarian options: Vegan friendly meals and considerations taken for the visitor. Dietary restrictions: Let the staff know what you can eat and they will provide you an option. Parking: Parking available next door in public parking lot.
Fantastic food and beer list. It was pretty busy
Overall good experience with friendly staff and good tasting food. Portions are a bit smaller than expected (for the prices) as many of the dishes we ordered left us wanting for a bit more - ended up ordering the cornbread which was also somewhat of a small serving too. Taste, however, was great on all dishes and marinated steak was cooked to perfection. Parking: Street parking is free after 530 and the restaurant is conveniently located next to a parking lot so plenty of parking in the area
Given the reviews I went in with high hopes. Lovely wait staff, friendly, efficient and eager to serve. Asked them to choose between the pork belly and the fried chicken. They said both were great but the fried chicken was the 2nd best chicken in the city. Honestly it does not even make the top 10. Maybe even lower. My friend tookt ye pork belly. He said it was good but an hour after eating his stomach wasnt so good. Desserts were ok but not memorable. My crab cake starter was the best thing I had that night but again it was at best good and not amazing. Maybe it was an off night for the kitchen, that can happen. But Im not rushing back to see if that was the issue.
I have visited Union Local 613 a handful of times, and although my past experiences have been lovely, I unfortunately received poor service last night. We sat right at the bar and the bartender was very condescending, smug, and rude at times, which made us feel unwelcome from the moment they greeted us. I started off by ordering a non-alcoholic beverage, but our bartender tried to convince me to try one of the new cocktails. Once I graciously declined for personal reasons, they replied with a snarky comment, which was a bit uncomfortable. As the night went on, we felt as though they were excessively flirtatious and forward with certain comments, which rubbed us the wrong way. We were having a conversation with guests beside us and they also expressed the same concern. On a positive note, the food was delicious and we always enjoy the ambience.
Love the seitan sandwiches. Yum. And, Ill die on this hill, best fries in the city.
Atmosphere is great and so are the cocktails. The food was disappointing. My husband and I order the Union Fried Chicken. Kale and grits were tasty but the 1/4 chicken was tasteless. I paid extra for the Nashville Hot and there was no flavour, just additional grease. Firstly, I wish I knew it was dark meat, and secondly, it is hard to get past the $32 price tag for this basic meal. We also had the Curried Fries. Again, $16 for some fries with curry sauce in the bottom and sprinkled with some green onion and tsp of feta cheese. As far as value goes-this place is not it. But if you want a fun atmosphere and yummy drinks, than check this place out.
fun spot and ambiance, however the blonde bartender working downstairs was rude and condescending
The drinks and service from Shannon was absolutely amazing!!
We had a reservation for two but they seemed to make a mistake with tables and reservations, that made us feel not really welcome. Then we specifically asked for not spicy dishes, and Everything we ate contained jalapenos. To be fair, the food quality was good, but sadly our dishes came almost cold, thats unacceptable for the price. About cocktails, we ordered gin and tonics, but we received two cocktails with more hibiscus flavour than juniper. The lager was really good. We did not stay at the Speakeasy so we cant tell anything about it.
Very yummy cocktails and great food and snacks. Atmosphere is pretty cool. Our server Tamara was very nice and provided excellent service.
Very rude host/server. If you want to sit downstairs, be prepared for some patronizing treatment. I made a reservation downstairs for after-dinner drinks on my dad s birthday. Unfortunately, our dinner beforehand went overtime and we were late for our reservation. I called and warned that we d be 30-45 mins late for our reservation, and was told it d be no problem. When we arrived, I was made to feel like dirt for being late, was told they tried calling me , even though I had no missed calls, and was told the downstairs was fully booked and there was nothing they could do. We were sat upstairs, which is fine (I know we were late), but we continued to be treated rudely when we asked if we could be seated downstairs when tables were available. We did end up getting seated downstairs 15mins later (fully booked?), and the bartender, Shannon, was AMAZING. I just didn t appreciate being treated passive-aggressively upstairs. If I d known the treatment I d get, I wouldn t have come. Atmosphere is great, but lots of bars in Ottawa have a great atmosphere with better service.
I ve been here a few times and I have mixed feelings about this place. I would say the value isn t great for the prices you re paying. The $28 fried chicken I got was pretty bland and honestly no better than what you d get from a fast food place. The corn bread was the blandest, least-good corn bread I ve ever had. The steak was nice, but was a bad cut full of gristle. On the upside: the veg is fantastic, the service is pretty good and the atmosphere is really nice. I want to like this place but it ll probably be a while before I go back.
The ambiance and decor are unique in Ottawa, especially the speak easy. Ordered the pork belly and it was a bit dry but an interesting combination of flavours. Sadly, I was really taken back by the rude service. Our server was extremely patronizing, heavily sighing, huffing and eye rolling at any request. We were hosting colleagues from the UK and really embarrassed by the service.
One of my fav restaurants in Centretown. Great cocktails, atmosphere, and staff :)
Union Local 613 is a cocktail-forward space where drinks are inventive and always crafted with care. The bartenders, owner, and the rest of the front of house are clearly passionate about entertaining their guests. They are one of the best teams that Ive encountered in recent memory. The room is warm and quirky, the perfect setting for any occasion. Unfortunately, the food is inconsistent. Dishes are generally underseasoned, made all the more obvious by a lack of balance. A number of dishes are fried and contain cream and cheese. Without sufficient use of acid, salt, or sweetness, theres nothing to cut through the fat, and the dishes can feel flat and heavy. Regardless, the drinks are so good and the staff are so charming, I will gladly return to this cosy restaurant.
Went there for my birthday dinner and the service was great! The food came out cold (all four dishes) and I felt the for the Grilled Lions Mane dish which I ordered, there was barely enough food. It would be better if the dish came with a side dish or something more.
Gem. Total gem. AMAZING food, incredible service and a vibe that was top notch. Do not live in Ottawa but will be coming here for sure next time were back. What a special place.
Everything here is amazing! The food the drinks the atmosphere! You have to come here!
Great restaurant. Great food, amazing staff, excellent cocktails.
Amazing place! Great food and atmosphere! Could not recommend more!
Atmosphere was totally overbearing and bad vibes. I wouldn t order any food from this place ever Save yourselves and stay away
Bad place to go to. Food was cold took a long time to arrive at table. There was a cockroach under our table. We left as fast as we could. Big fail.
Terrible restaurant, terrible owner, a disgrace to canada as a cherry on top. You can also tell by the owners responses to criticism, that he is pretentious and full of himself. Seems to have an inflated ego over his subpar food.
Terrible Food and Arrogant Owners, stay away
Overpriced for the quality they serve. Not recommended.
Worth the visit !
Very nice service and atmosphere. We really enjoyed the southern cuisine. The fried green tomatoes are awesome! Grits Excellent! And I would recommend the Nashville fried chicken! With a side and appies is plenty! We will be back!
Staff is amazing. Great beer taps. Be warned, Nashville hot is goddam hot!
Good unique vibe, food is a little lacking, salad not always available, fairly small but great service.
Its okay, the fried mushrooms are very salty
There is a really cool secret area downstairs, servers were awesome and friendly.
Great service!!! Finally went after discovering Union Local 613 via a local podcast during the pandemic- was NOT disappointed!!
A fun place to eat. Great food. I had their delicious crispy chicken sandwich. Just great. It can get very busy at times.
Great drinks and atmosphere.
Wow, really impressed with the taste of food at this restaurant. Excellent service! Thanks for the excellent recommendations Eric!
SERVICE=5 !! FOOD=1.5 COCKTAILS=5 The service and atmosphere was awesome. The waitress was really nice, fast, and overall great! Super impressed with the service!!! The atmosphere was very chill and had a cool vibe. Cocktails were very good! The sweetest old fashion Ive ever had, but it actually worked very well. The other cocktails were well made. Nice that they make their syrups in house. The food however was inedible. We got several dishes that the table shared and no one was really able to eat it due to the excessive salt. I dont think Ive ever tried food so salty. EVER. Even after some cocktails the food was still so salty we couldnt eat much. Im not sure if the chefs/cooks have ever tried their own food, because if so, it wouldnt have been sent out. It was a waste of food, we left full plates and no one wanted to take it home it was so bad. Im not sure if maybe our experience was just a one time thing, or if their food is always like that. Will return for cocktails and the atmosphere, but definitely wont be eating there ever again.
Very disappointing! The menu lacks variety and creativity. The dishes are ordinary and very expensive. The worst part is that the place is poorly kept, the chairs were dirty since my clothes were stained with large, greasy and disgusting circles at the back... Not recommended for all these reasons!!
Chicken was good but fried a minute too long, making it borderline burnt. Nice suds and service. Vegetarian options: A nice tomato salad and fried green tomatoes.
Went for drinks only, cant comment on the food. The cocktails are really good, the vibe inside is nice. The bartending gentleperson certainly knows their stuff. Will keep the place in mind for the future libations
Vegetarian options: Great veggie + vegan options
Nice staff, but youre payiny for the trendy location. Jammed everyone that sat inside to the very back near the extremely smokey kitchen. Fried chicken was very different and not at all to all three of our tastes. Fries dried out, cornbread is smal, thin and dried out too. Fried green tomatoes were good, but had grated orange cheddar with it which was odd.
Great drinks and great food, but the downstairs is not always open which is unfortunate.
Loved the atmosphere and service.
Great service and great food. Wine list is improving.
Visited the second level at Jabberwocky! Absolutely fantastic drinks and wonderful staff. Will definitely be back and am already recommending this place to others!!
Menu could be more descriptive (so ask questions) - ordered the ribs, got ribs, no fries or anything, ordered the fried green tomatoes, didnt list a coating on them. The food was fantastic, server was great, speak easy atmosphere was cool.
Ordered the shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and the breakfast and it was delicious. We were so happy as the food hit the spot. For drinks we had Not a Cesar and So, Apparently - both were so creative and amazing flavours coming together. Must try!
Food was delicious and would recommend, but I have to note that our server was really rude which was upsetting. would not leave ratings like this, but when all we did was get up to ask for the bill as we werent sure whether to pay at the table or at the front, he got snappy with us.
Excellent food and drink menu. Verrrry spicy Nashville chicken, excellent fried green tomatoes, the cornbread was a bit too rich with the butter (and too much butter), but otherwise delicious. The beer menu options were excellent. Superb service, too
Always amazing food and original beer selection with an incredible drinks menu that changes with the seasons. Top notch team, beautiful patio with stunning artworks by some of the best local artists this town has to offer.
Tried Union Local for a dinner out and it was nice that the street was blocked off so that there was more space available. The food tasted good in terms of flavoring. Fried tomatoes were unique but a similar style to onion rings. Only disappointment was the fried chicken burger which had a piece of chicken that was so thin and small that you can barely see it in the picture
Company cold called me AT 6AM!!! across the country!!
I had the Nashville spiced crispy seitan sandwich and it was unreal!!! If you like spicy order this now! It has quit a kick. So delicious. I will be ordering it again for sure. 5 stars!!!
Place was busy and as soon as we got there I could tell why. Drinks were clever and tasty. The Nashville chicken sandwich was amazing. Fries were surprisingly well done for a bar/speak easy. And to top it off our service was super friendly and helpful.
Been here a bunch of times. Most recently was at a party in the speakeasy. It was amazing. The staff were super attentive and the drinks were excellently crafted.
Why 2 stars and not 1: because of previous good experiences but my recent visit did not go well. I and friends arrived 10 min late for our Opentable reservation(2:10 pm on Sunday) and the manager who according to him is the co-owner showed up and said that the store was already closed . He said your reservation was for 1:45 . I showed him the email for the 2pm reservation, he looked at his watch and said well you are late (and by that time it was 2:14pm). So I said if we were here at 2 you wouldve let us in? He said yes His approach was veryyy bad and unprofessional. When we arrived we were normal and smiley( as smiley as you can get through our masks). Maybe he had a bad day? Who knows but as a manger and co-owner you need to be honest with your customers and at least admit the mistake. Long story short, it was embarrassing for me to invite my friends (who had recently moved back to near Ottawa after many years), knowing they drove 30 min to meet up.
The speakeasy ambiance and drinks are amazing!!!
Best food. Epic service and incredible cocktails.
Great chill looking spot for drinks
We stopped by for a few drinks. Great atmosphere and staff.
Ok so heres the thing. The service is incredible. But the beers and cocktails? Amazing. Yet the ambiance and the vibe were also 10/10. I hate it here. dont go. Wow. Love it. Terrible dont go here unless you want an incredible bar with good service. yucky!!!
Cosy, veggie and GF friendly, incredible cocktails. Truly a gem of a spot.