My husband and I recently got married at The Common in November 2023. Words cannot express how professional, calming and talented the staff are. The day went off without a hitch. We had 35 guests, everyone enjoyed their meals and drinks. The food is truly one of a kind. It was a beautiful day and I would recommend The Common to anyone for any event big or small!
Where to begin…let’s start with the fact that Cassandre went above and beyond. I had planned my birthday weekend celebration well over a month ago, theatre and dinner reservations…the dining establishment canceled last minute cause they decided to close and sell (hard to believe this was a last minute decision, regardless it left many diners scrambling) - anyway that’s a whole other story. Cassandre to the rescue!! We really wanted to have dinner in Stratford as we are both from out of town. The Common staff went above and beyond to accommodate my friend and I. They were able to find space for us into their cosy and very cool restaurant, and were extremely kind and empathetic to our predicament. I cannot thank the whole staff for rescuing our night and capping off a wonderful birthday weekend.Now the food. Delicious, tantalizing, mouth watering a veritable symphony in our mouths…..I had the steak and my friend had the duck leg….omg. Amazing. Dessert was crème brûlée for my friend and for me a pear cake. We were blown away by the food. Like Stratford, do you know what an incredible gem this place is?!!! The atmosphere is cool and dining space is beautifully decorated!!From the bottom of my heart I want to thank every one of the staff that we had the good fortune to meet and chat with. I’m not sure you understand how much of a difference you made for me today, it I genuinely cannot thank you enough.Highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sharon Vukoja
Was the best meal so far in Stratford and we will be back. Thank you!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bonnie
Amazing food and atmosphere! Would recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Frites
Brian Lapierre
The quality of the food did not match the price point. We ordered the pickerel special ($40) and Khao Soi Gai ($35), and for that cost would expect something excellent. However it was very simple, a seared piece of fish with under seasoned steamed vegetables and (admittedly tasty) mashed potatoes. The chicken curry was not bad, but we were really hoping for something fantastic.The service was also fine, which again is quite below expectations for this level of restaurant.Cocktails and overall atmosphere of the space were very nice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Richard LeBlanc
Been to The Common 4 times over the past 2 years. The consistency at a high level is as remarkable as it is rare. Times visited have varied, as have staff engaged. Have seen every dynamic in those visits. Doesn’t matter, they run a tight ship front of house and outstanding quality and skills back of house.Whether a terrific cocktail, unique appetizer or creative main, the food and beverage is precise and on point. Staff is friendly, attentive, and professional, strikingly different than other establishments who are uneven.Indoor dining is great, sometimes with a live band, which is a nice touch, and the patio is truly magical in ambience, comfort and perfect playlist music.Some comments say pricey, not for the service and quality, frankly it is right on the mark. Worthy of a Michelin star? Darn close IMO, but with that comes a delta in customer demands that may not be worth it to be honest.The Common sits in a rarified space - so good to surprise and delight, but not pretentious or underperforming. It is hard to compare it, which tells me Tim and the crew know what’s what and nail it while Cass and staff perform so well that you leave feeling as you should: pleased, satisfied with just a titch of special.The Common punches above its weight class and may, in fact, be misnamed - it is uncommon - a welcome experience that is hard to find and harder to replicate.Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kiersten Steven
I had my wedding reception at The Common and it was perfect. The team there had so many great suggestions for food, but were always willing to do anything special or specific we wanted. They were happy to do whatever decor we wanted, but they have such an incredible vibe and atmosphere already we didn't need anything else. They have a beautiful outdoor patio, perfect for cocktails on a sunny September evening (or any other time as they have shade and heaters available). The food was amazing and so were the drinks. Everyone on staff (wait-staff, chef, bartender, managers) all know excellent service. You certainly pay the high-end service price, so if that's what you're looking for then The Common is the place to be. A treat for all of our guests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennifer Ferron
We had an amazing anniversary dinner with wonderful service. We look forward to returning next time we're in town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Betty Paynter
Good food. Excellent service. Loved sitting outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Teriyaki Chicken, Charcuterie Board, Chicken Teriyaki Bao, Sesame Crusted Salmon, Pickerel with Caper Pan Sauce, Pan Seared Salmon
Daja Phillips
This is a new place for us and it was quite lovely. Great service, not too loud, and we enjoyed everything!
Came here for a special date night after a day theatre thing, and it was completely fantastic!! We had a wonderful bartender, amazing atmosphere, terrific service and sublimely delicious food. Just a win on all levels.Vegetarian options: Delicious vegetarian options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atli Eyvindson
Has potential but lacks in execution.The menu has some really interesting options and shows creativity bringing ideas together. The atmosphere is quaint and the patio is very nice on a summer afternoon. The staff were very friendly and welcoming but, as the evening went on, there was some obvious lack of organization and attention to detail.We ordered the Num Tung and daily fish special (Mahi Mahi) for mains. The Num Tug was good but lacking the kick from the szechuan peppercorns that we were expecting (and were warned about by the server). The fish was plated well but quite raw with only a sear on the outside. The server was very apologetic and had the fish recooked for us. It was unclear if this was the intended preparation or an error in the kitchen. Either way, this lack of attention to details (in the kitchen or description of the dish) should be unacceptable at this price point. We requested a water refill twice during dinner (from two different servers), neither of whom ever brought more water. We had to ask for the bill twice (again from two different servers) and it took almost 20 minutes to get the bill. It seems as though there was some confusion with the servers about who was responsible for our table. At the time, the patio and dining room were ~2/3 full and the number of servers seemed appropriate for the number of patrons.We had high expectations of The Common and had heard positive reviews from our host in Stratford. Unfortunately, the restaurant did not live up to its reputation or price point ($180 for 2xdrinks, 2x apps, 2x mains +tax&tip).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
cap63
This spot was all-around excellent, food, service, ambiance. The menu has wonderful variety with a number of different types of cuisine. We will definitely be back.
Gregory M
We are regular theatre-goers in Stratford and enjoy a fine meal before a show. The Common must have opened right before the pandemic, and we were able to try it for the first time this summer. The Common is on Wellington Street on the triangle containing city hall. It is on the opposite corner from the Avon Theatre, so it's a particularly good location if you are seeing a show there that evening. The restaurant has an attractive interior with lots of old wood (we sat on old church pews), brick, and fabrics. There is also a nice patio in back. We sat inside, but on a nice evening the patio would also have been great. Our service was friendly and attentive. The menu is eclectic (it's available on line, but apparently changes often). We thought the offerings were creative and well prepared. They understand that much of their business is theatre-driven, so we had no trouble getting out in time for our show. With the return of theater following two years of pandemic, we're trying new restaurants and were happy we had come here.
dayhikers
Pretty eclectic menu that apparently changes frequently, so what we had may not be on the menu anymore. We started with Pakoras (Indian), not too spicy. Mains were Steak Frites (tenderloin) and Imam Bayildi (vegetarian eggplant-based Turkish dish), both extremely good. Service quick and attentive.
My husband and I recently got married at The Common in November 2023. Words cannot express how professional, calming and talented the staff are. The day went off without a hitch. We had 35 guests, everyone enjoyed their meals and drinks. The food is truly one of a kind. It was a beautiful day and I would recommend The Common to anyone for any event big or small!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charcuterie Board, Pistachio Crusted Salmon
Where to begin…let’s start with the fact that Cassandre went above and beyond. I had planned my birthday weekend celebration well over a month ago, theatre and dinner reservations…the dining establishment canceled last minute cause they decided to close and sell (hard to believe this was a last minute decision, regardless it left many diners scrambling) - anyway that’s a whole other story. Cassandre to the rescue!! We really wanted to have dinner in Stratford as we are both from out of town. The Common staff went above and beyond to accommodate my friend and I. They were able to find space for us into their cosy and very cool restaurant, and were extremely kind and empathetic to our predicament. I cannot thank the whole staff for rescuing our night and capping off a wonderful birthday weekend.Now the food. Delicious, tantalizing, mouth watering a veritable symphony in our mouths…..I had the steak and my friend had the duck leg….omg. Amazing. Dessert was crème brûlée for my friend and for me a pear cake. We were blown away by the food. Like Stratford, do you know what an incredible gem this place is?!!! The atmosphere is cool and dining space is beautifully decorated!!From the bottom of my heart I want to thank every one of the staff that we had the good fortune to meet and chat with. I’m not sure you understand how much of a difference you made for me today, it I genuinely cannot thank you enough.Highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was the best meal so far in Stratford and we will be back. Thank you!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and atmosphere! Would recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Frites
The quality of the food did not match the price point. We ordered the pickerel special ($40) and Khao Soi Gai ($35), and for that cost would expect something excellent. However it was very simple, a seared piece of fish with under seasoned steamed vegetables and (admittedly tasty) mashed potatoes. The chicken curry was not bad, but we were really hoping for something fantastic.The service was also fine, which again is quite below expectations for this level of restaurant.Cocktails and overall atmosphere of the space were very nice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Been to The Common 4 times over the past 2 years. The consistency at a high level is as remarkable as it is rare. Times visited have varied, as have staff engaged. Have seen every dynamic in those visits. Doesn’t matter, they run a tight ship front of house and outstanding quality and skills back of house.Whether a terrific cocktail, unique appetizer or creative main, the food and beverage is precise and on point. Staff is friendly, attentive, and professional, strikingly different than other establishments who are uneven.Indoor dining is great, sometimes with a live band, which is a nice touch, and the patio is truly magical in ambience, comfort and perfect playlist music.Some comments say pricey, not for the service and quality, frankly it is right on the mark. Worthy of a Michelin star? Darn close IMO, but with that comes a delta in customer demands that may not be worth it to be honest.The Common sits in a rarified space - so good to surprise and delight, but not pretentious or underperforming. It is hard to compare it, which tells me Tim and the crew know what’s what and nail it while Cass and staff perform so well that you leave feeling as you should: pleased, satisfied with just a titch of special.The Common punches above its weight class and may, in fact, be misnamed - it is uncommon - a welcome experience that is hard to find and harder to replicate.Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had my wedding reception at The Common and it was perfect. The team there had so many great suggestions for food, but were always willing to do anything special or specific we wanted. They were happy to do whatever decor we wanted, but they have such an incredible vibe and atmosphere already we didn't need anything else. They have a beautiful outdoor patio, perfect for cocktails on a sunny September evening (or any other time as they have shade and heaters available). The food was amazing and so were the drinks. Everyone on staff (wait-staff, chef, bartender, managers) all know excellent service. You certainly pay the high-end service price, so if that's what you're looking for then The Common is the place to be. A treat for all of our guests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an amazing anniversary dinner with wonderful service. We look forward to returning next time we're in town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food. Excellent service. Loved sitting outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Teriyaki Chicken, Charcuterie Board, Chicken Teriyaki Bao, Sesame Crusted Salmon, Pickerel with Caper Pan Sauce, Pan Seared Salmon
This is a new place for us and it was quite lovely. Great service, not too loud, and we enjoyed everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Came here for a special date night after a day theatre thing, and it was completely fantastic!! We had a wonderful bartender, amazing atmosphere, terrific service and sublimely delicious food. Just a win on all levels.Vegetarian options: Delicious vegetarian options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Has potential but lacks in execution.The menu has some really interesting options and shows creativity bringing ideas together. The atmosphere is quaint and the patio is very nice on a summer afternoon. The staff were very friendly and welcoming but, as the evening went on, there was some obvious lack of organization and attention to detail.We ordered the Num Tung and daily fish special (Mahi Mahi) for mains. The Num Tug was good but lacking the kick from the szechuan peppercorns that we were expecting (and were warned about by the server). The fish was plated well but quite raw with only a sear on the outside. The server was very apologetic and had the fish recooked for us. It was unclear if this was the intended preparation or an error in the kitchen. Either way, this lack of attention to details (in the kitchen or description of the dish) should be unacceptable at this price point. We requested a water refill twice during dinner (from two different servers), neither of whom ever brought more water. We had to ask for the bill twice (again from two different servers) and it took almost 20 minutes to get the bill. It seems as though there was some confusion with the servers about who was responsible for our table. At the time, the patio and dining room were ~2/3 full and the number of servers seemed appropriate for the number of patrons.We had high expectations of The Common and had heard positive reviews from our host in Stratford. Unfortunately, the restaurant did not live up to its reputation or price point ($180 for 2xdrinks, 2x apps, 2x mains +tax&tip).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
This spot was all-around excellent, food, service, ambiance. The menu has wonderful variety with a number of different types of cuisine. We will definitely be back.
We are regular theatre-goers in Stratford and enjoy a fine meal before a show. The Common must have opened right before the pandemic, and we were able to try it for the first time this summer. The Common is on Wellington Street on the triangle containing city hall. It is on the opposite corner from the Avon Theatre, so it's a particularly good location if you are seeing a show there that evening. The restaurant has an attractive interior with lots of old wood (we sat on old church pews), brick, and fabrics. There is also a nice patio in back. We sat inside, but on a nice evening the patio would also have been great. Our service was friendly and attentive. The menu is eclectic (it's available on line, but apparently changes often). We thought the offerings were creative and well prepared. They understand that much of their business is theatre-driven, so we had no trouble getting out in time for our show. With the return of theater following two years of pandemic, we're trying new restaurants and were happy we had come here.
Pretty eclectic menu that apparently changes frequently, so what we had may not be on the menu anymore. We started with Pakoras (Indian), not too spicy. Mains were Steak Frites (tenderloin) and Imam Bayildi (vegetarian eggplant-based Turkish dish), both extremely good. Service quick and attentive.