LaLa Social House
181 King St S, Waterloo
(519) 742-4242
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We have eaten here before and the food was very good. Decided to go back again. There is a new menu and the food was spectacular. The menu included lots of GF choices for those with celiac. The apps specifically the tartar, asparagus and oysters, were a hit. The entres from the steak to the vegetarian sunchoke mushroom dish were enjoyed by all. Service was efficient and friendly. Excellent atmosphere. Look forward to going back.
Recently hosted our wedding reception here and it was amazing! Outstanding service, great hospitality, and importantly, delicious food and drinks! Also a stunning venue. Not one detail was missed. We can't wait to return time and time again for dinner and cocktails.
We came here excited to try a new place with some friends. The resturant is below a condo building and the closest parking is the The Bauer Kitchen/Vincenzoes parking lot. The menu is small and curated. The resturant itself is beautifully decorated and the service was good. You should expect higher priced menu items here. The waitress asked us what we wanted to drink and I gave my order and she left before my partner could give his in which he waited a while for her to come back. When she did come back with my drink and was helping my partner decide on his she asked him what cocktail he normally orders and he said a Caesar and the waitress said that Lalas had a signature Caesar, but it wasn’t even on the drinks menu… I am a baked brie fanatic and I would not reccomend ordering it from here. They paired the brie with a peach/thyme compote, bread, and lettuce… which was very odd. As for our mains, we ordered their curried rice noodles and they were amazing ! I will also mention that the restaurant manager had a weird aura and checked in on our table twice, standing a little too long at the table waiting for our approval of the meals. We saw him following the waitresses around empty handed while they were serving customers their meals. It was odd as well. We will be coming back to check out their 4-7pm happy hour appetizers and drinks.
EDIT: Came here for their Happy Hour from 4-7 where everything is $7 !!! Great food (Grilled cheese, oysters, and tuna tacos which were some of the best food we've had in a while), great service from Ferdinand, and great drinks (definitely recommend the spritz).
EDIT: They changed their Happy Hour, everything is no longer $7 and their menu is completely different (no more oysters, grilled cheese, or tuna tacos). The hours are now 4-6pm as well. This is super unfortunate as we’ve been recommending Lala’s to everyone. It was shared that the owners realized they were losing money on Happy Hour but last time we were here it was packed ! We will not be returning or recommending this so-called “hidden gem”.
Sat on the rooftop patio for an event. Space was beautiful. Great food. Nice service. Steak and fries were excellent. I’d come back!
I had an absolutely fantastic experience at this restaurant! From the moment I walked in, the service was top-notch—friendly, fast, and welcoming. The staff really made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable.
I ordered a burger, and it was both filling and delicious—juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. The appetizers were also impressive, packed with flavor and presented beautifully.
The atmosphere of the place really stood out. The décor is stunning—modern, clean, and thoughtfully designed. Even the washrooms were spotless and stylish, which added to the overall great impression. (love the hand soap and lotion)
I’ll definitely be coming back. This place nails it on all fronts: food, service, and ambiance. Highly recommended!
Went here for a cocktail with my friend to catch up.
🌸Really nice place and the ambient is amazing.
🌸 A bit pricey for their cocktails and food tho.
🌸 Parking is also not available in this place, you can park on the side of the street if there’s any available parking space but me and my friend have to park in LCBO parking lot and have to walk for like 5 mins.
Great experience. Staff were very welcoming. Server was quick to take drink order and fill up our water throughout the evening. The atmosphere is beautiful, you can tell the owner put thought and money behind the inter design which makes a huge difference in the overall dining experience. The food was excellent, I had the lamb which tasted great and was a reasonable portion size, not huge, but definitely felt like I got my monies worth. Wife had the burger, which might have been a bit too thick for her to handle, I ended up eating most of it. Luckily there were lots of fries for her to enjoy. Overall a great higher end dining experience that I would 100% recommend.
It was our first time at this restaurant. We attended a 40th birthday party Saturday night. The food (tapas style) was very fresh and delicious. The ambience was very nice. The drink selections were great. Everything was top notch. We will be back
LaLa Social House in Waterloo is the perfect blend of style, warmth, and culinary excellence. From the moment we arrived, we were mesmerized by its eye-catching atmosphere—sophisticated yet inviting, creating an ambiance that set the tone for a memorable evening. The food was simply outstanding, starting with the truffle fries, which were crispy, aromatic, and impossible to resist. The in-house made burgers were equally impressive, boasting juicy, well-seasoned patties that were crafted to perfection. To accompany our meal, we enjoyed a rosé wine, light and refreshing, alongside the vibrant Bruja Spritz, a cocktail that packed a punch of balanced flavors. Each sip and bite contributed to an experience that was as delightful as it was satisfying.
Beyond the food, LaLa Social House truly shines in its exceptional service and welcoming energy. Our waitress was not only knowledgeable but also personable, providing thoughtful recommendations that enhanced our dining experience. It's rare to find a place where service feels as effortless as the food is delicious, and this restaurant delivers on all fronts. Whether you're looking for a cozy yet lively spot for a night out or simply craving a top-tier meal, LaLa Social House is an easy choice. With its delicious food, inviting atmosphere, and outstanding service, it’s a place we’d gladly return to again and again.
Lala House is a welcome addition to dining options in KW, although some fine-tuning would make a good restaurant into an outstanding one. Portion sizes are good, and overall quality is fine. My partner and I were pleased with our entrees. My halibut was beautifully prepared; his burger was delicious. The Caesar salad was excellent, but the beet salad could have been improved by more greens and fewer beets. My Manhattan was served with 3 xs the amount of ice needed, which ended up diluting the taste. We each had a glass of wine; both were pretty ordinary. The selection of desserts was underwhelming. The venue is cosy and comfortable. The service attentive, but a bit inexperienced. Overall a good evening.
Restaurantji Recommends
This restaurant claims to be a fine dining establishment, but it is one of the worst restaurants I’ve been to. First of all, it’s not my fault that the reception isn’t at the front. The waiter sent us to LaLa Social House (2nd floor) and said we could sit wherever we wanted. When we chose a table for four, with no one else in the room—just my boyfriend and me—the lady from the bar asked us to stand and wait for the table. A man then confirmed our table but wouldn’t let us sit on the couch (for four) because it was for a larger group; instead, he let us sit at another table for four. So what’s the difference? Lol! Both are table for four. Additionally, the servers were unprofessional. I understand they are new, but if you are claiming to be a high-end restaurant, you should at least train your staff properly. The server spilled a drink on me and didn’t offer to replace it. I let it go because I understand the server is new. I live in the same building and came down to see if this could be a go-to restaurant since they opened to the public, but I guess not. The food and drinks were just okay.
Good.
I enjoyed my time.
Staff are friendly.
Food is good.
Atmosphere is good.
Music is not overbearing like in other restaurants (they could still turn it down a bit though).
They brought out the appetizers at the same time as the meal, which is odd. Usually appetizers should come before.
Cons: a bit expensive, food slow to come out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
The food and aesthetic at this restaurant were fantastic—the dishes were delicious, and the decor was gorgeous. Unfortunately, my experience was tainted by what felt like biased treatment. Despite knowing it was my birthday, the server was cold and dismissive from the start. We were given the wrong menus, and when we asked about their availability, her response was rude and unhelpful. Throughout our visit, the service was inattentive. To make matters worse, as we left, neither the manager nor anyone else acknowledged us, which added to the sense of bias. It was particularly upsetting because the restaurant and food were otherwise excellent.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Overrated. Don’t waste your time! I can see now why they HAD to opened it up to the public. Made reservations for our party two weeks in advance for the terrace and got bumped 5 hours before for a larger party but was not advised until we got there. No apology given and there was only 6 people inside at the time and no one on the terrace for two hours. Very rude to bump us for a large party at the last minute . We sent in an email to the owner on this and they did not have the common courtesy to even reply to either one of couples who wrote in on this Horrible customer service. The food average not worth the money. Super small portions so you will not be full . Menu has like 6 main items to order from. One order at our table was fish and chips. Hope you like all badder and fries. Other menu portions were kids size for $40+. Do not go overrated. It’s a one and done place for sure.
Management lacks!!! They tried to make it elite back fired.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
This restaurants only downfall will be the initial membership subscription model. Horrible idea for the demographic of Waterloo. Now it might be too late to turn the ship around.
Went in for dessert, great taste. They need to do a better job with advertising this place and friendlier service. Otherwise, this restaurant has great potential.
Wish them the best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
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