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Social - Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Social - Ottawa

4.6
4.6
1030 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
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • 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 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 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: (855) 805-9231

  • Location

    537 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z6

  • Neighborhood

    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

Popular dishes

What 1,030 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

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  1. GK

    GillianK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was the perfect date night! Our server, Sarah was lovely-knowledgeable, thoughtful and genuine.. The food was tasty and presented nicely.. will definitely recommend and visit again!!
  2. P

    Pedro

    Ottawa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, good service and reasonable pricing. I definitely will go for lunch or dinner again!
  3. JS

    JessicaS

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great experience at Social and will definitely be back. Our server Vee was amazing, great food and cocktails, beautiful ambiance.
  4. KP

    KeithP

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food1service5ambience5
    Excellent service, the place is amazing. my burger was excellent. My fiancée had the special but it only had about 3 small pieces of pasta. The rest was all vegetables and mostly onions. Very disappointing. I wanted to mentioned something but didn’t want to embarrass her. I don’t feel the value for what I paid was worth it but I’m seeing it more and more with inflation so I rarely go out anymore. Was going to come back with a group but am considering not.
  5. A

    Ann1

    Toronto

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Solid classic menu not too expensive. I had the lamb shanks and it was perhaps the best I have ever eaten. Huge shank, fall off the bone tender, delicious sauce and roasted veggies.
  6. n

    nancy

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We visited for a work-lunch and had an awesome experience. Brittany is an attentive and amiable server. She thought of our every need.
  7. SR

    SuzanneR

    Ottawa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A friend and I had dinner before an NAC show, I mentioned in the Open table reservation that we needed to leave by a certain time. Our waiter was fantastic. He was well aware of our time limit, he was gracious, funny, and an amazing waiter. The food was very well presented on the plate and excellent. The cheesecake dessert was very good, light but rich and very well presented. It had been awhile since we had been to Social. We recommend it.
  8. SA

    SandraA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband and I moved back to Ottawa after 20 years. Social is still a guarantee of excellence!!! The food is amazing, the ambience is just perfect for a romantic dinner or for a get together with friends! The service is just perfect! Sarà and her colleagues made us feel comfy and relaxed in a very elegant and professional way. We will come back soon and many times in the years to come! Bravo!!!
  9. PR

    PierreR

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    No written comment. All was excellent. We will be back.
  10. S

    Sherryb

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful place! The service was fantastic! Two of us had the steak frites and two had the chicken club. We all enjoyed our meals immensely. It was a wonderful way to spend a snowy afternoon.
  11. DR

    DanieleR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Social Restaurant provided us with a fabulous meal, great service, comfortable surroundings and made this birthday celebration unforgettable.
  12. C

    Carole

    Montreal

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service, great food and superbe ambiance!
  13. K

    Kaitlin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time visiting and it won't be the last. The service was great, perhaps a little bit slow - but it was a busy Friday night so that's totally expected. Cocktails were exceptional, and my duck confit was superb. Ended up with a free dessert because they punched in the wrong one the first time and just gave us both.
  14. SS

    SieSie

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    I was disappointed with my meal (chicken), was pretty plain & also not very warm. My husband loved his burger though. No complaints on his end. My drink was OK, but definitely not $15 worth. Wine glasses were about $20 which I find very pricey. Overall our experience was just OK. I may come back & try something else, just to give it a fair shot.
  15. M

    Michael

    Ottawa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Lovely ambience with live music. Good food and friendly efficient service.
  16. LJ

    LadyJ

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 3, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    The decor is nice but the bench seat isn’t secure and was shabby looking. The food was ok but not great. The duck was dry and the steak was Over cooked. The fries were not good. Our server was nice. Overall it’s an ok place but not as good as expected.
  17. RP

    RobertP

    Montreal

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Our evening was very enjoyable, the service was good. The food and the ambiance were great!.... We will be back
  18. PH

    PeterH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding selections from the fixed price menu, lots of options for both, the vegetarian and meat eaters in the group. Attentive service by our server PM, who provided great guidance on the wine selections and plied us with extra bread while waiting between courses. The pace was unhurried, and the the ambiance relaxing. We enjoyed the live music on this special occasion, New Year's Eve. We will be back!
  19. JF

    JamaicaFun

    Ottawa

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing cocktails! Great food! Fantastic service!
  20. T

    Travel

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner experience and plan on going back next new year's eve. Thank you and Happy new year!!
  21. LL

    LauraL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had the warm beet salad which was delicious. Also had the scallop and pork belly appetizer, and the pork belly was out of this world, which was a total surprise. This is my new "go to" restaurant.
  22. O

    Ottawafamily

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall4food2service5ambience5
    Ben is amazing ! Always a pleasure to be at his table !
  23. SK

    SaraK

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Went on Wednesday 29th at lunch time for a business meeting of 2. The waitress was very friendly and helpful. Quiet and warm ambiance and Food (duck fit) was excellent . Thank you again.
  24. FB

    FrancoisB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 21, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Lunch; food was good; service a bit slow, but its holiday season so they were busy.
  25. a

    altshot

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great restaurant in the Byward market. A solid local alternative to the bigger chains.
  26. LP

    LeeP

    Exclusive

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very upscale dinning at a reasonable price. Food was delicious. Highly recommend the ling cod!!
  27. RM

    RunMDC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall3food1service4ambience4
    Service was good, but the food disappointing. Duck Confit and gnocchi was room temperature. A lot to spend for unheated food.
  28. A

    Arella

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience. Took my mom out for dinner. The waiter was super nice, food is really good. Definitely worth going.
  29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff party
  30. A

    Anonymous

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I enjoyed the seats that we were allocated. Food was great and so was the service. Bathrooms are a little outdated but that's a detail.
  31. J

    Josee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service, foods was very good and the afternoon was quiet for a great get together with friends.
  32. KM

    KathyM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Service was wonderful and ambience was great. Our table was beside too close to the front door and the service station, but otherwise everything was great. Ben was charming and attentive as a server - a fun night out had by all!
  33. AM

    AnnM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous service and delicious food. The vibes there was amazing. Will most definitely be dining there again!
  34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very nice restaurant. Delicious food, cozy atmosphere, great service.
  35. RM

    RailiM

    Vancouver

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Lovely room, incredible food, charming service. Have the Mariposa Duck Confit...you'll thank yourself. Will definitely be back when in Ottawa next.
  36. D

    Diner

    Toronto

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved our dinner at the Social. The ambiance is great (although towards the end of the dinner, the music was a little too loud to talk over), and the food was very good. Little extras like a refill on the coffee and free bread would be nice. I don't really like when restaurants make you pay for every little thing. But the service was awesome and we were not rushed.
  37. s

    sarah

    Montreal

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The server we had (women with the curly hair) is definitely one of the best servers there! Impressive service. Friendly- informative- knowledgeable- patient and kind. Will come back again
  38. m

    madeleinec

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a gourmet breakfast. The eggs poached so nicely. The beans extraordinary and the presentation lovely.Cheers! Madeleine
  39. LS

    LouiseS

    Ottawa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 1, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We had excellent service at our 11:45 setting(sorry, don’t know my servers name). Overall we enjoyed everything there. The menu suited all of us. One girl thought chicken was dry in her salad- only complaint. Will be back.
  40. JM

    JamesM

    Toronto

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Fast and friendly reception and service. Comfortable seating at a window table. Background noise and music was almost subliminal and very unobtrusive. Food was beautifully presented, large portions, and delicious. The chef was willing to modify a dish to suit my wife’s vegetable preference. The restaurant has a downtown vibe and slightly historical decor. A most enjoyable informal dining experience.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer 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 4.6 stars by 1030 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
Google Map for Social - Ottawa

537 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z6

Additional information

  • Cross street

    George / York

  • Neighborhood

    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 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • 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: (855) 805-9231

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