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Social - Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Social - Ottawa

4.4
4.4
1208 Reviews
CAN$51 and over
Bistro
Top tags:
Opened in the summer of 1999, SOCIAL was received as the perfect blend of restaurant and bar. It was envisioned as a place where guests could enjoy an evening drink without feeling obligated to order dinner too, but where a sizzling menu meant that food was always an excellent option.

20 years later, SOCIAL continues to deliver. Known in the capital city for its ambiant and modern vibe, fifteen-foot ceilings, its secluded and beautiful courtyard patio, and gorgeous stone walls inside + out-- SOCIAL offers an unparalleled atmosphere for a sit-down dinner or some after-work cocktails. Guests can expect high-quality professional service and a menu to match, proving that SOCIAL is truly a downtown destination that has it all.

Come enjoy the culinary experience given by our Head Chef Peter Schulz and his team.
We do not have any live entertainment at the moment, but we hope to bring this concept back in the future!

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 p.m.
Booked 22 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    CAN$51 and over
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, French / Canadian
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:45 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (613) 789-7355
  • Website
    http://www.social.ca/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Dave Godsoe
  • Private party facilities
    SOCIAL has a variety of private and semi private dining rooms and lounges to suit your event needs. We have dining rooms that are a perfect choice for small weddings, rehearsal dinners, client appreciation dinners, pharmaceutical presentations, special family occasions, networking events and more. These bookings are currently unavailable due to COVID regulations in place.
  • Private party contact
    Brittany Weston: (613) 789-7355
  • Location
    537 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z6
  • Neighbourhood
    ByWard Market
  • Cross Street
    George / York
  • Parking Details
    We are located between George St. and York St. on Sussex Drive. You can find meter parking and 2 parking garages on York Street. Parking is also available across the street at 700 Sussex Drive and around the market area.Courtyard accessible by way of George and York St.
  • Public Transit
    There are public transit stops on Rideau street and at the Rideau Center (which is within walking distance).
  • Entertainment
    Live music can be heard every Wednesday night in the summer on the Courtyard - a mix of jazz, acid jazz and blues. An assortment of DJs are spinning on Friday and Saturday nights all year round.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 1,208 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Ottawa

    Good for business meals

  • Ottawa

    Good for business meals

  • Ottawa

    Good for business meals

  • Ottawa

    Good for business meals

1,208 Reviews

  1. Orny

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing perfect 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

    Is this helpful?

  2. StephanieD

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a wonderful time last night. Great service and food tasted amazing !!!!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Frenchy

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great bartender, great service, sexy atmosphere, great for a first date.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Tris

    Toronto

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The social was a wonderful place to dine in. The service was fantastic and very welcoming. The only downside is that the mains were very very salty. The salt flavor overpowered the entire dish.

    Is this helpful?

  5. GregV

    Ottawa

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    It was awesome but I didn't really like my food and it was pricey , Still it's a wonderful place,

    Is this helpful?

  6. MaureenM

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a wonderful lunch. Food was delicious. Service was excellent. Everything was perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Excellent on all aspects. I had the duck confit that was excellent but I wish the portion was a little bigger. Great service

    Is this helpful?

  8. CherylD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    I loved the ambience, great food and friendly service

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Great food and service and accommodating for a large group.

    Is this helpful?

  10. yasu

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Thank you for the wonderful lunch. I could really enjoy it!

    Is this helpful?

  11. AlexF

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    I initially rated this restaurant 5 stars on Google, but this time, I'm giving it 4 stars due to the interior. It would significantly enhance the overall experience if the management considers replacing the worn-out chairs and ensuring they are kept clean. The food was delicious as always.

    Is this helpful?

  12. RegS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great spot for happy hour and fantastic value! Lovely atmosphere too.

    Is this helpful?

  13. Diner11

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this place! Fantastic service and creative amazing food! We come every time we are in town.

    Is this helpful?

  14. Candace

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 9, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    Great location, nice atmosphere, staff was nice, but unfortunately I was completely unimpressed by my meal. I ordered the Warm Beet Salad and it was bland and tasteless. I understand the cost of food and that everything is more expensive now, but a $34 salad should at least taste good.

    Is this helpful?

  15. Denis

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Prene is an outstanding server. Exquisite food. Great nigth.

    Is this helpful?

  16. DaveM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really great food and fantastic service. You get what you pay for and this place is definitely a great choice if you are looking for great fine dining.

    Is this helpful?

  17. ToddN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Pleased with the quality of food and service A1 job.

    Is this helpful?

  18. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A visit to Social is a must whenever we are in Ottawa. Great restaurant and this visit was no exception. Excellent food and wonderful service from Vee. We will be back again!

    Is this helpful?

  19. Trix

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great vegan, GF offering. Impeccable service. Knowledgeable staff.

    Is this helpful?

  20. DanielP

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great restaurant and well situated downtown Ottawa near the Byward market. The food was good with home made fries. A bit pricy but a good experience over all. Thank you Social restaurant!

    Is this helpful?

  21. PRASHANTP

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    Appetizers were to salty, food size were too small, the cutlery was not cleaned.

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  22. lisa

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    risotto under the salmon was cold. i asked for short cook time, salmon was overcooked and dry.

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  23. HeidiD

    Montreal

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    PHENOMENAL! Second time we come here and the service is exceptional. The food is delicious the price is reasonable for what you get. The staff is so friendly. I wish I lived in Ottawa so I could go more often.

    Is this helpful?

  24. SandraM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Excellent service, friendly wait staff. Good food.

    Is this helpful?

  25. fitfoodie

    Vancouver

    47 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    A nice upscale ish dinner spot before a show at the NAC

    Is this helpful?

  26. DrKim

    Montreal

    21 reviews

    3.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience5
    Ambiance and cocktails were great. Service was VERY slow (even though it was a Monday and quiet) and very inattentive. We asked for bread to go with the meal, and it came after we were done. When I asked for water they dropped off the water bottle rather than fill our glasses. They poured the wine, and never came back to repour. This is quite an upscale resto and I expected more. My guests were a former provincial premier and an international dignitary - when I am back in town in 2 weeks I will skip The Social.

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  27. Clay

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The server we had was outstanding. She knew her stuff and made the evening great.

    Is this helpful?

  28. JamesM

    Ottawa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 29, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Lovely spot for a classy lunch. Excellent service and delicious mains. Well worth it.

    Is this helpful?

  29. MattT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Lots of great options on the menu, and the food is excellent. The cocktails were also very well prepared. Service was passable, but not worthy of the inflated tip prompts on the card machine.

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  30. PaulL

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall4food1service5ambience5
    The ambience is excellent. For the price, the salmon was below average compared to other similar priced restaurants. No flavour. The roasted chicken was tough and vegetables were soggy. I would recommend this restaurant but not for the food.

    Is this helpful?

  31. GinQ

    Toronto

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience3
    Food was amazing. No complaints there. Server took time from the moment we were seated. Didn’t pay attention to us. He was probably busy so nothing against him.

    Is this helpful?

  32. MarieD

    Edmonton

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The meal was excellent. Two of us had a small bowl of soup- fragrant and spicy. The warm beet salad was excellent and my friends enjoyed the steak frites and the duck- superbly cooked and presented.

    Is this helpful?

  33. Downtowners

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    We enjoyed the desert with lemon curd the best. The warm beet salad was great as was the rib steak and the scallops. The beef carpaccio was just ok.

    Is this helpful?

  34. MP2020

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall2food1service1ambience1
    Way overpriced for what you get in terms of food and drinks. Music was too loud; I had to practically shout so my dinner companion could hear me. Server was inattentive and basically ignored me while focusing on my friend. My experience last night left a bad taste in my mouth.

    Is this helpful?

  35. LucieH

    Toronto

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    We went for brunch and had the eggs benedictine. They came with overcooked potatoes (only, no fruit, no green), greasy and salty. The eggs themselves were fine, but other cheaper restaurants have a nicer presentation and better potatoes.

    Is this helpful?

  36. Liam

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The worst service I have ever experienced. The server never checked up on us. Our plates from appetizers weren’t picked up during the main course. I had ordered a steak and it was cold. After the first order the server never checked up on us and we didn’t have a chance to order a second drink. The food was below par. Did not see service until the bill. Additionally we had called ahead of time for a special birthday request and were assured over the phone they would make the evening special, not only did they disregard the request, we didn’t even get normal service all night. It was a Tuesday night. Genuinely the worst service I’ve ever experienced especially on a special day. Definitely not worth the price. Will never be going back. Initially we had read some questionable reviews but wanted to give it a shot because the menu looked appetizing however it was one of our biggest regrets.

    Is this helpful?

  37. Eric

    Toronto

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    We were propmtly seated. Our server was pleasant but made a mistake with our appetizer order (Oysters instead of squid). Our mains were well prepared and delicious. I mentioned that it was my wife's birthday but they did nothing special.

    Is this helpful?

  38. ErinP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great time. Great food. Best squid I've had. Scallops were also incredible.

    Is this helpful?

  39. Groupofthree

    Toronto

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    We waited a good while before having any service. When we asked the man on the door if we could order drinks he said our server would come soon. Not the right answer! He should have taken our drinks order on the spot. Service needs polishing.

    Is this helpful?

  40. SusanL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fantastic food and service for our romantic anniversary meal. Our server was a delight- knowledgeable, right level of attentive. We decided to have a meal of apps (plus dessert, of course). She guided us away from ordering too much and helped with wine pairings. We had the squid, scallops, and steak tartar - along with a small side if fresh bread which was important for wiping the plates clean. The food was beautifully presented with a perfect combination of colours and textures. It’s been a long time since we’ve been down to the Market. We’ll be back to Social.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Social - Ottawa offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (613) 789-7355.

Social - Ottawa is rated 4.4 stars by 1208 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 p.m.
Booked 22 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Social - Ottawa

537 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z6

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    George / York
  • Neighbourhood
    ByWard Market
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:45 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$51 and over
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, French / Canadian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual
  • Parking Details
    We are located between George St. and York St. on Sussex Drive. You can find meter parking and 2 parking garages on York Street. Parking is also available across the street at 700 Sussex Drive and around the market area.Courtyard accessible by way of George and York St.
  • Public Transit
    There are public transit stops on Rideau street and at the Rideau Center (which is within walking distance).
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Dave Godsoe
  • Entertainment
    Live music can be heard every Wednesday night in the summer on the Courtyard - a mix of jazz, acid jazz and blues. An assortment of DJs are spinning on Friday and Saturday nights all year round.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.social.ca/
  • Phone number
    (613) 789-7355
  • Private party facilities
    SOCIAL has a variety of private and semi private dining rooms and lounges to suit your event needs. We have dining rooms that are a perfect choice for small weddings, rehearsal dinners, client appreciation dinners, pharmaceutical presentations, special family occasions, networking events and more. These bookings are currently unavailable due to COVID regulations in place.
  • Private party contact
    Brittany Weston: (613) 789-7355
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