I wanted to take my wife to a nice restaurant for her birthday and after some looking I decided to take her to Lord Nelson in Burlington. It's located in a small unassuming strip mall. When we entered we weren't greeted and the young coat check/hostess seemed a bit timid and confused. Eventually an older lady greeted us and I told her we had a reservation, which in the notes online I had requested "a quiet table for 2". The lady explained that they were having an "event" today and we could have a table in a private room that is quieter but the table in the main room is much nicer. Not wanting to make a fuss I told her the regular table would be fine. It wasn't too long afterwards I regretted this decision as the main room was very loud, and after another group was seated next to us it got even rowdier. It felt more like a pub during a game night rather than a fine dining restaurant. (This was on a Thursday evening) The hostess did check our coats which was nice. Anyways, I read in the reviews that the Caesar salad is made table side and is really good so we started with that. My wife ordered the Lord Nelson special and I got the Chicken Supreme. Shortly after we ordered we were brought a small platter with pickles, olives, Pate and a bowl of garlic bread. I have been to restaurants before where they bring you complimentary bread but this was 2 tiny pieces of garlic bread. I tried it with the pate but it was better on its own as the pate didn't have much of a taste to it. Eventually the waiter set up the salad table and began to make it infront of us. He appeared to be making the dressing and everything from scratch but I can't be sure as he didn't really explain what he was doing. He just started mixing and mashing and I couldn't tell what some of the ingredients were. It would have been great if he explained what he was doing or even asked if we cared. Especially considering this salad costs almost $50. About 1/3 of the way through he stopped to help another table light something. He took the lighter they were using to try and start up some sort of fondue or something. Then he came back and continued making our salad without washing his hands. Yeah, he's using utensils to make the salad but he's squeezing the lemon with his bare hands and...well it's not hygienic, ya know? Anyways the salad and the experience of having a nice Caesar made traditionally from scratch infront of you is great and it tasted good but not $50 good. It was a bit heavy on the dressing. Our mains came shortly after we finished the salad. My wifes Lord Nelson special featured Beef Tenderloin Tournedos which were cooked to perfection. Very delicious. My Chicken Supreme was also very tasty. Both came with the exact same sides though my cubed potatoes were slightly undercooked. We were too full to finish our meals so we got the leftovers put away for us. They were placed in cheap flimsy containers more suited to Chinese food restaurants, and we didn't get a bag or anything to put them in. Not very fancy at all. We skipped dessert and got the bill. In my opinion it was quite expensive for what we got. I have been to expensive, fine dining restaurants and steakhouses before and this place just isn't worth the cost. As we were leaving we had to wait awkwardly at the front because we needed our coats and no one was there to get them for us. Eventually the young hostess came over and handed our coats back to us in a big bundle. The poor thing seemed very spaced out and out of her element. Anyways, the wife was pleased so Mission Accomplished but I won't be back, especially at that price, and I don't recommend anyone else go unless they have money to burn. TL;DR, Expensive steaks with meh service. read more

See all

The service is only out done by the food. If this was in Toronto you would never be able to get in.

Don't know who Team D is but this is what they messaged me! Why not ...post this! This is unacceptable to me and thought Team D's message was worth sharing as was my response. read more

Lord Nelson Steak House - Can't accept constructive criticism - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Ontario

Hidden away in a strip mall this restaurant deserves all of the hype. Apparently it's a Burlington staple. Old school absolutely delicious steak joint... only not dark and manly. We ordered a lot and while it's not a cheap night out the food was exceptional and so was the service. Special occasions or fancy date night this is the spot if you are near by. read more

See all

An absolutely fantastic dining experience. The place is well decorated, spacious and with very comfort seating. Food is fantastic, absolutely delicious. About $250 meal for two, but absolutely worth it. read more

This place is a real hidden gem in Burlington and the exterior is very deceptive as there are no windows... just a sign next to a door...but once you enter you know you are in for a treat. The food is great. If you order the Caesar salad, the preparation is an elaborate process that takes place on a cart beside your table. The appetizers are all good as are the mains. The soup appetizers are amazing. I have always gone with a fish option for my main and it has consistently not disappointed. The wine list is comprehensive and the desserts and coffees that follow are also good. Price point is relatively high. I would recommend this place for romantic dinners, special occasions, and business lunches. Side note: the interior of the restaurant feels like you are in a dining room on a ship! Finally, how could you ever go wrong with a name like Lord Nelson?!? read more

Extremely overpriced for the food you're getting. Been here a few times for special occasions and it always just feels like such a waste.

I have enjoyed fine dining around the world and this place just doesn't meet my expectations. Decor is outdated, food is "ok," and staff smelled like cigs and smoke. Definitely will pass on this place next time I get invited here. read more

My family has been coming here for special occasions for years. I enjoyed this food in the womb (mom was 9 months pregnant and coming here for dinner). Nick is always around, ensuring everyone is having the best time possible. If you're especially lucky, he'll make your table side caesar salad personally. Order the caesar salad. Chowder, to die for. Oysters Rockefeller are excellent (and I'm usually a traditionalist when it comes to oysters). The steak is consistently on point, as is their lobster. This is what a steakhouse is supposed to be. Great service, great food, good wine selection, and a nice atmosphere. This is one place I recommend to anyone coming to town, looking for a excellent meal. read more

This was by far one of the best meals I have had in a very long time!! The scallops were life changing, the table side ceaser salad was amazing, and the waitstaff was nothing short of exquisite. Yes, the Lord nelson is a little high priced, however it is well worth the experience. read more

Worst restaurant experience in a very long time. We were sat right near where the waiters hung out. The food was good but the waiters were incredibly unprofessional. It was hard to focus on my mom's birthday dinner when the waiters were nonstop talking about their trouble with their women and recommending prenups to each other. We politely mentioned this to the manager who said "I have told them 100 times not to do this but they don't listen to me". Disgusting... Absolutely terrible experience and we will not be going back! read more

Fantastic dining experience. Very classy atmosphere. Beautiful place for a couple wanting a romantic experience with amazing food. I had ordered the lobster dinner which was so huge and tasty. I could not eat it all even with the help of my friend. I asked for a take out container. The next day I made a fantastic lobster omelette. My friend had a steak which was huge and delicious. We were so full that unfortunately had no room for desert. Prepare to spend money, as you know these places are well worth the money and the experience. You get what you pay for. read more

I have no issue contacting and referring businesses following a positive experience. This, sadly, is not one of those times. My wife & I were part of a large private birthday party in February 2019. Having never visited The Lord Nelson we were very much looking forward to dinner. Upon entering the restaurant at 6:45pm we were immediately taken with the nice décor, and were greeted before checking our coats and being directed to the private room, where the waiter was already busy taking drink orders and espousing his ability to handle large parties with multiple bills. Shortly after 7:00pm, our guest of honour was addressing the room, reminiscing about the path to his milestone birthday, and thanking all of us for being there to celebrate with him. Except he never had the chance to finish his thoughts, as the waiter entered the room and immediately started talking about the night's specials before saying that he'd be taking orders quickly. It was then pointed out that none of us had even received a menu yet! He returned with a stack of menus, which he plopped in front of each of us. We were reconnecting with friends - not making a meal choice a priority of the moment - but our waiter immediately begin taking orders ... and became visibly frustrated when individuals weren't ready to order when he got to them. When orders were completed to his satisfaction we began to anticipate ordering another round of drinks, but it was not to be. Not only did we have to approach another staff member to have refills of water, but we were never even asked if we'd like anything else. As a result, my wife & I nursed our one and only beverages for almost 4 hours! With a party as big as ours (over 20), there should have been at least 2-3 more staff assigned. Oh, and the meal? We ordered the Caesar salad ($34) for no other reason than we both enjoy it. It turned out that multiple guests in our party also ordered the Caesar salad, so we all anticipated a 'private' table-side salad for two to be prepared in front of us. Instead, every order was made en masse in a single large bowl at the far end of the room, before being portioned out and served. Ultimately I received about ¾ the amount that my wife did, and we did not get the individual service which is incorporated into the price ... yet I was still asked to pay $17 each for a regular bowl of simple salad. My wife chose the Penne Chicken Alfredo ($30) as her main, which seemed to be no more than about 1 1/2 cups of pasta with an everyday sauce, with a chicken breast mixed in. That she had to wait over 10 minutes to get shredded cheese on top of it meant that it had cooled significantly by the time she began to eat. My choice was the Chicken Parmesan ($40), and though it tasted very good, 2 lightly breaded chicken breasts topped with tomato sauce & cheese and served with 9 green beans and a small scoop of cauliflower au gratin does not justify the cost. In the end, between the two of us we had a salad, a basic pasta dish, a common chicken dish, 1 cocktail, and 1 glass of wine ... and our bill was north of $130!!! This was certainly not 'fine dining' as the restaurant's tag line suggests. Our waiter was flat-out rude and impersonal. When refilling water glasses during our meal he spilled ice cold water down my wife's shoulder, offering no apology despite her obvious reaction. On two separate occasions my wife moved about the room to talk to friends and was bumped into by the waiter without any warning, acknowledgement, or apology. A simple 'excuse me' or 'pardon me' beforehand or 'sorry about that' after the fact would have been appropriate. My wife ate only about 2/3 of her pasta, then received attitude from the waiter when asking for a take home container ('well, you'll have to wait now'). Before any of us had begun to leave, the waiter began undressing the table ... not the normal clearing of used dishes mind you, but of other table amenities and decorations. As we WERE leaving and saying our goodbyes at the private room door, the waiter (again without so much of an 'excuse me') walked between myself and friends to continue undressing the room. In squeezing past us he caught his vest on a button of my shirt and ripped his vest. We both heard it, and when I informed him of what happened he said, 'that's just great'. It was all I could do to keep my composure in front of my friends. The Lord Nelson was aesthetically pleasing and we enjoyed spending time with our friends, but it was among the worst dining experiences of our lives, based on equal dissatisfaction of both menu pricing and sub-par service. We couldn't wait to leave, and we will not be returning. ** As an aside, using email addresses on business cards at the door I sent this entire note to the GM & the owner the following day and never received so much as an acknowledgement ... maybe they'll take their customers more seriously now. Brutal! read more

The food was good, not great, but the service was terrible. We did not have the Caesar salad made at our table - they economized with our neighbours! It was slow and inattentive and very disappointing. The overall impression was an overpriced restaurant and I would not go back. read more

Tonight's dinner was a belated birthday celebration for my husband and we attended with our daughter. We have driven by this restaurant many times and I decided to make a reservation through Open Table for tonight. I will start by saying that this is one of the most enjoyable meals I have had in quite some time. Service is unbelievable. They attend to your every need and are very accommodating. Our daughter started with a Caesar salad that was made at table side. She loved the freshly prepared dressing and very fresh lettuce and bacon. We each had a different steak. Mine was a peppercorn NY that was cooked to perfection. Perfectly medium rare. The peppercorn sauce was not overpowering as it can sometimes be. The meat was very tender. I started with a French Onion soup. The broth was delicious and not too salty. It was filled with carmalized onions and the cheese was plentiful and flavourful. After all of this we even made the decision to have dessert. I shared a Milky Way mousse cake that was light, delicious (and a mile high). Our bill came to just over $300 and was worth every penny. The Lord Nelson is definitely the kind of restaurant you would go to for a special occasion when you want to be catered to. We will definitely be back. Thanks for a wonderful evening. read more

I've been going to this restaurant for a very long time. The food is super consistent. Their veal is to die for. The Portsmouth chowder is delicious and meal unto itself. The make the caesar salad beside you and it incredible as well. They have increased their wine menu nicely. The wait staff are all professionals and take great care of you. Nick the owner is always around making sure is going well If you order the veal listen carefully and you will hear them hand tenderizing the meat! I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and will be back time and time again! read more

2 Caesar salads with steak strips instead of chicken for lunch this past Monday was very nice but was significantly spoiled when the bill was presented... $105.00 for that and 2 coffees! No mention prior to ordering what the price would be. They tried to say we each received a full steak when I clearly saw one brought from the kitchen to the gentleman making the Caesar. This was an awful shock to both myself and the senior lady who was treating me to lunch. Obviously I stepped in and paid half the bill. Shameful. Who would ever contemplate charging $105.00 for 2 salads. Incredibly poor show. Won't ever return! read more

Food is 'OK' for the price. Lift up the table cloth(s) and you'll find a plastic table. A sad sad state of affairs when the going rate for a steak is $50 + ! read more

This is an ANTIQUE not a classic steak&seafood restaurant! Nothing has changed in 30 years! Same shitty plaza! Atmosphere inside comfortable but not intimate! Service is ok but waiter smells of smoke between courses! CAN'T get steaks to perfection every time which is a MUST if you stake your reputation on it! If you enjoy eating in an upscale nursing home( look at the clientele around you) this is the place for you! Prices are outrageous for quality and service! There are at least 6 steak restaurants in the vicinity that are twice as good and half the price! Living(dying) in their reputation! read more

Very nice place to bring your significant other for dinner. Great service and great food. The Portsmouth seafood chowder was amazing. I also loved my tomahawk rib steak. And yes it is a bit pricy but we really enjoyed the dinner. read more

Lord Nelson Steak House - Tomahawk rib steak - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Ontario

the best ever ,,,lets start 1-the most professional staff , friendly ,generous 2-the most delicious variety of appetizers 3-superb main dishes of almost every variety ,,mine is the chicago style steak 4-the venue is magnificent will reserve it for our christmas party to impress my staff. highly recommended read more

On St. Valentines Day, they had a fixed menu. The salad was good. The New York strip steak, done to perfection. It came with a baked potato and green beans, with cauliflower with melted cheese on it. The italian wine was delicious. Expect to pay more on Valentines' Day. Our server was very good as well. The chocolate mouse was perfect. The shrimp cocktail was gigantic in size, it overflowed the plate. The parking lot was jammed, i guess because of St. Valentine's Day. Expect to pay more on St. Valentine's Day. But well worth it. We would not hesitate to return again. read more

Go for the Oysters Rockerfeller - Then Leave My wife and I enjoy a good steakhouse once and a while but left The Lord Nelson unimpressed and disappointed that for a such high price tag we were delivered an experience that wanted for so much. Right off the bat, I complained about something I've never done before - I sent back my menu. It was crusty with bits of food stuck to the plastic page protector and the paper was greasy. As a 22 year Food and Beverage veteran (chef) I notice these kinds of details. The menu's replacement landed moments later without apology and service was flat from then on in. My wife and I locked eyes and considered another restaurant, but I was craving Oysters Rockerfeller for days and this is the only restaurant around that serves them ($28/6). They were fantastic. The squid was not - slimy and under cooked with mushy breading. I was not about to continue complaining as I now felt like a pest and swallowed the squid with a wince. I asked for bread to mop up the delicious butter/hollandaise/oyster liquor goodness and was delivered bread that was cold and staling, akin to the overall experience. We shared a steak (very good), mashed potatoes (lumpy and luke warm), onion rings (from a GFS box and extremely salty), 2 glasses of wine and a cocktail. Total damage with tip, about $220. I advise bringing your dollar to Barberians or Jacobs and Co. Downtown Toronto, as here you will find only an amateur and lackluster experience typical of most archaic Burlington and Oakville restaurants serving a thinning and aging customer base. read more

While we had good service on Christmas Eve, the food was sub par. Veal was overcooked and the shrimp were rubbery. Only one member of our party had a nice meal. Please be advised that with prices charged things like rice, potatoe etc are considered extras and not included in your entree. I called the owner on boxing day and he immediately started screaming at me and wouldn't let me talk. Needless to say we will never go back and will spread the word. read more

Excellent food ! Frendly staff ! Filet mignon to die for. Before I came here I had no idea ceasar salad can be so delicious.

Fantastic place to eat. The shrimp cocktail was to die for. The special tonight was halibut with a lemon cream sauce with capers and shredded leeks - outstanding! Even the cauliflower and green beans were amazing. The linguini with lobster...truly exceptional. I wish I could find a recipe like theirs. Wine was very good and size was knowledgable about the wine list. Staff was wonderfully attentive and friendly!!! The owner was a joy to talk to. Next time I am in Canada I hope to come back! read more