Been coming here for years and recently have felt extremely disappointed with this place. They run out food and their salad sizes are very small. The people next to use waited two hours for their food. again, this used to be a place we loved coming too and it is not the same anymore. read more

Food with a view of the water... what more could you want. It makes you feel like you are on the coast. When I ate here the patio had no availability but I can't wait to go out and sit outside watching the water. The drinks are yummy, food is delicious (the pasta is my favorite) and it has the best vibes. I love this place so much it is now one of my new favorites read more

Waterside Social - Pasta - Wine Bars Near Me - Lake Orion, Michigan

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Finally got to try this place. Atmosphere was inviting. We sat outside which was awesome as there were not a lot of people because it was overcast and on the cooler side. We originally got seated inside but thought it was a bit loud with the music and chatter among patrons. It was also colder inside than outside, they seemed to have their air running. So bring a jacket just in case We tried the breadsticks-an absolute must in our book! They were delicious! Hubby got the Cajun chicken pasta and I got the chicken piccata with noodles (noodles or smashed potatoes were the choice). Hubby really liked the Cajun chicken. It definitely had some good spice to it. I thought both my chicken and his chicken was dry to the bone. The flavor of my piccata was fine but I've had better. I will definitely go back, but I will be avoiding any chicken dishes as it was just too dry. The green beans that came with my dinner were nice and tender (my favorite thing on the plate). The pasta is homemade which is cool. I thought my spaghetti was a little spongy but fine. Hubby enjoyed his linguine over my spaghetti noodles. Had the beignets with mixed berry sauce for dessert. Nice, soft and pillowy. These are not super sweet (I'm used to beignets that are super coated in powder sugar, these are lightly dusted). But a solid dessert nonetheless. Waitress was very attentive which was nice (I noticed that all of them in our area were attentive). Took until the end to get a smile but she was fine and did a good job. Great menu and so many good looking choices, would recommend a visit. read more

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Wanted to love this place, walked away wanting more. The food was slow. The service was great with the situation they were put in. The view was amazing and made the night. The quality of food was not or miss - the steak was well done instead of medium rare. The dessert came out with a bag of sugar dumped on it. The green beans were on the raw side. The cheese curds were well done and the bread was amazing! We want to love this place as it has all the potential in the world. Just need to focus on the little details to right this ship to have us experience a 5 star experience. Hoping the best for them! read more

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Location was awesome. Having a lake front location with views of the water is amazing. Staff was super friendly. Highs and lows here. Highs: Water side bread was delicious Wings were great but could have been tossed in a sauce. Pasta dishes were raved about Fries that came with the wrap were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Lows: Pizza egg rolls were served like warm. I wouldn't recommend them. Chicken wrap - I asked for dressing in the side. I'm glad I did as the dressing was quite strong. And for the first half of the sandwiches that was good. However the second half of the sandwich is where I discovered they had started to add the dressing and must have stopped. Made the last portion of my meal less enjoyable. read more

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We have been trying to get in here for several months. Unfortunately, they do not take reservations and this location is very small. We had a special occasion to celebrate and we were determined to get in. This has been such a warm fall so far that we wanted to take advantage of it. We arrived shortly after they opened and fortunately, we got a spot on the deck. What a view! We enjoyed a few cocktails. They change with the seasons. The food was the highlight though. Everything was absolutely amazing!! Pack your patience though. It is likely to be a wait to get in! read more

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Good service, nice ambiance, average food. Beautiful view and you can sit inside or outside. Ordered the waterside bread (a bit harder/crunchier) which tastes like garlic bread. Friend ordered Big Mac salad and a pasta. I ordered a chicken caesar wrap. The fries were good! We also got beignets which were hollow on the inside and chewier after the first crunchy bite. read more

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Too loud! You Can't enjoy dinner because it's so loud you have to scream at the waiter or waitress just to order and scream at each other to converse. Way too loud they need sound dampeding material on the floors or something. Can't hear yourself think. Food was bland and not good. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs. Spaghetti was cold. Mom sent her steak sandwich back because there was barely any meat on the sandwich and the fries were cold. Husband got a BBQ chicken Pizza and it was okay but nothing he'd come back for. The best thing about this place is the deck and the view. But not the food. read more

Location,Location and great food , service & wine ! Sunset city, on patio - after huge thunderstorms. New owners? , new name. House salad -house dressing- large & good. Shared spaghetti- meatballs & shrimp linguine - excellent- homemade pasta , larger portions. Bottle of Sauvignon blanc. Kasey our server was soooooo good & accommodating! Fairly priced! read more

Waterside Social - Wine Bars Near Me - Lake Orion, Michigan

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Great view of Lake Orion. It's very loud inside when it's full. Very casual, diner like menu. The Cajun pasta there has been my favorite though read more

I liked this place! Came for a birthday dinner for two coworkers and it was a pleasant experience. You can dress or be casual here which is nice. Plenty of seating and service was attentive and fast. Our waitress was friendly and patient. I got the Orange Maple Cured Faroe Salmon and it was delicious. Good portion size, not heavy on the sauce and the rice patty was a great addition. I do not like spicy and the chili sauce was good - I did not feel any heat eating it. Comes with some spinach salad too which was a good side. My coworker is gluten free and they had a lot of options for her. We also got desserts. I had the Bananas Fosters Bread Pudding and it was amazing! Good banana flavor with the addition of caramel. We also got the beignets which were delicious and was a hefty portion. I heard they make their pasta so I can't wait to come back and try it! My only "complaint" would be that it's so noisy inside. You feel like you are shouting to talk to the person sitting next to you. read more

Waterside Social - Fried Beignets - Wine Bars Near Me - Lake Orion, Michigan

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The BEST homemade pasta ever!!! Holy cow! Must order! The Cajun, the fettuccine Alfredo, and the shrimp linguine are to die for!

Dined in on a Friday evening! Pros- Great menu, everyone liked their food, fair pricing, great views, the server was very nice Cons- SO loud and SO hot, most of the workers seem very young and inexperienced I would definitely go back but would want to sit outside, sitting inside was very unpleasant. read more

A little different looking from when it was the Orion Boathouse, but essentially the same bones. Pros: service is friendly and prompt. Food is tasty. Portions are not overwhelming, both times I've been here we haven't had any left over to take home. Cons: lighting is splotchy - our table was so dimly lit that my husband had to use the flashlight on his phone to see the menu. The next visit, the lighting at a different table was just fine. Another con is the plastic cups they use for water. I'm not at a tailgating party, I'm an adult, and I hate plastic cups. What a waste of money and way to add to the landfills. There is no reason to use plastic cups! The Caesar salad on our second visit was way over-dressed, and really light on the lettuce. The first time it was perfect though. Staff was friendly and efficient. We will be back, especially because there's a lot on the menu we want to try. read more

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Had a wonderful dining experience at this restaurant. We sat on the patio on a beautiful sunny day. Our server, Braedon, was a pleasure to interact with as he was very cordial and responsive throughout our evening. The food was also very good - we had their new Cannelloni with meat sauce and Fish & Chips. Would definitely return and recommend the restaurant for the ambience, service and food. read more

This place has changed names and rebranded from last summer. Still the best thing hands down is the view and outside. Amazing! Our server Lexi was SUPER but as was the situation before, too many tables and tasks assigned to their wait staff. They were all HUSTLING but food service was slow and beer must have sat at bar waiting for our mixed drink as it was room temp and huge disappointment on a hot night. But the view is a great place to sit and wait for sure. The fries were meh at best and entrees good. Our server recommended the Philly Cheesesteak rolls for an app and they were delicious (I didn't get a photo). Love they took reservations, it was PACKED at 5:30 on a weeknight. And I mean PACKED. Which is great for business but not even close to enough parking. Took over 15 minutes to find a spot bc navigating "rush hour" traffic on Lapeer and needing to trust people to actually stop when you activate the crosswalk lights was CRAZY. We ended up parking in downtown lot by fire station. Overall, its a great concept and unbeatable location but need to figure out how to handle being busy. read more

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Another restaurant we REALLY wanted to love. A few minutes from our home and great water views, with boat up access, this should have been a home run. We arrived and they couldn't find the open table reservation, but they came through. When I showed them the confirmation email, they seated us immediately. We sat inside. It was obnoxiously loud. Just about impossible to carry on a conversation. The servers were attentive and friendly. Drinks were decent, and the menu looked like a great value at the prices. Unfortunately it went downhill from there. Wife had Chicken Marsala. The chicken was good. The pasta was listed as garlic and oil. It had a hint of garlic flavor and a lot of red pepper flakes. She was done after one bite. I like hot food and my opinion was "hot and flavorless." Unfortunately my wife has little tolerance for spicy food, and the red pepper bled into the chicken. She ate less than half and gave up. I had the perch. It was thin, flavorless, and overcooked to the point that I asked for them to redo it. I got slightly thicker perch the second time. It was still overcooked, but edible. To their credit, the green beans and smashed potatoes were great! Side note: the couple sitting next to us also had problems with their order. He ordered chicken and was served salmon. The view was spectacular. We'll give it another chance, but we'll sit outside and try something easy like pizza or burgers. Top it off, 5 minutes after we got home, I got notice that the restaurant had cancelled my open table reservation. I I hope they get better. read more

Everything about this restaurant was wonderful, staff, atmosphere, food. Would definitely recommend. read more

Good food and service But got a big headache because of the noise level, needed some Tylenol but they didn't have them Have to scratch off our weekly rotation list Too bad! read more

I've been several times since the opening and have yet to try something I did not like. My favorite cocktails on the menu are the espresso martini and dockside glow. Both delicious and the bartenders are very social. I highly recommend ordering the parmesan fries. They are a favorite every time I go. Their chicken Caesar wrap is one of my favorites and I am VERY picky about my chicken. It's a fun atmosphere and is a great place for dinner and drinks with friends. This will definitely be my new spot! read more

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Waterside Social is hands down one of my favorite spots in Lake Orion! The menu has something for everyone, from fresh, made-from-scratch pasta that's always perfectly al dente to delicious shareables, vibrant salads, and mouthwatering entrees. Every dish is full of flavor and clearly made with care. The drinks are creative and absolutely to die for, whether you're into craft cocktails, wine, or a fun seasonal special. The staff is always welcoming, and the servers go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience. And you can't beat the view -- sitting lakeside on Lake Orion adds such beauty and charm to every meal. Highly recommend for date night, girls' night, or just a relaxing meal by the water! read more

Waterside Social - Calamari app! - Wine Bars Near Me - Lake Orion, Michigan

Mediocre. Nothing special. Drinks weren't great, watered down. Pasta, chicken tenders and bread plus 2 drinks almost $100.

Food was fresh and delicious. Mocktail was perfect. Great ambiance/location on the water. Friendly staff. We don't live in the area but would definitely come back when we're near by. Thank you for a great dinner experience! read more

Great food, great service and fantastic view of the lake. Hot honey pizza is amazing.

This was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in recent months. I brought a party of six to this location and the service was absolutely atrocious. While there were maybe four tables there were several table servers huddled in the little room by the bar oblivious to customer needs. It took forever to get greeted at the table and it took forever to get basic drink service to the table. It appears that the place is run by a bunch of very young people that may not have a good grasp on customer service and a good dining experience. read more

Can't beat the water view, the service was excellent. This is our second time coming to the Waterside Social. I ordered the crispy chicken sandwich unfortunately I hadn't seen a piece of chicken this small, maybe three ounces at the most. My wife had the smash burger, it was good but I think they were nickel & diming you by charging you $2 to add lettuce, tomatoes & onions (It was stated on the menu however) and .75 for a side ranch to go with the French Fries. read more

We were incredibly disappointed with our experience at Waterside Social and will not go back. It is not worth our time or money. Pros Our waitress was amazing! She was friendly, fast, and an all-around good server. The flourless Espresso Chocolate Tart was really good and the only thing our party of 6 enjoyed. Cons No reservations or call ahead seating - Their website indicates you can make reservations on Open Table but the restaurant says they do not take reservations or have call ahead seating. Yet, we were unable to get a seat on the patio, despite their being three open tables because those tables were being held for other guests. When the hostess was asked to clarify how they could hold tables since they don't do reservations or call ahead seating, she had no answer. So, clearly they do have reservations for certain people. They need to clarify this policy. Food - the food was completely underwhelming and flavorless. The crispy lake perch and both the perch and barbacoa tacos were flavorless, like eating cardboard. The big mac salad was average but had very little burger on it. The linguine with shrimp was overcooked and salty. Ambiance - it was so loud that we could not have a conversation. Additionally, our waitress could not hear us ordering, even though we were speaking loudly! It was unbearable to sit there and eat due to the volume. They say it is scratch dining that is delicious, with great ambiance, we disagree. They have a lot of kinks to work out and we are not confident they can do it. Too many changes need to be made, starting with the food and ambiance. There are other better restaurants to go to instead of Waterside Social. read more

Wanted to love it here, the drinks were good, but the food wasn't so great... very very slow service as well

Amazing food, beautiful views, great service, HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Excellent Steak Frites, pizzas, handmade fresh pastas, hand breaded cheese curds, try it all! read more

Homemade pasta is a step above. Nice to see a local place working so hard ! Place is packed and really fun vibe! Definitely great addition to our little community! Can't wait to go back ! read more

Well I'm not sure if we hit the right Saturday night to be here but everything was excellent. We even got here at 9pm. The wings were excellent, the salad my wife had was great, and my blackened salmon was also perfect. The server Angelina was professional and very good. The food came out extremely fast. Can't recommend enough and so much better than the old owner. read more

So wanted to like this place! Bad parking situation to begin with! Walk in only that's fine but put a time limit on your dinners Especially during events! We waited 2 hours for an outside table! Inside was so loud was there music playing???IDK!!! To loud! Ordered a drink from the bar worst drink ever asked for a splash more alcohol was charged an additional 8 dollars so paid 21 dollars for a bad espresso martini! However bartender was friendly! Food not bad but nothing special! Don't waste your time!!! read more

Best view on the lake with great pasta and pizza. My server Carissa was excellent as well

Very underwhelmed with this restaurant. I hated it. Smelt moldy( genuinely like rotten, sweaty ass)

The waitress was very polite and had to do way too many apologies because of food coming out slow or not at all. never had enough water on the table and the outside dining area a carpenter in our group mentioned what poor workmanship was done read more

Great location, not so great use of it. Food was nothing special and honestly bland, super loud inside, and always busy. Not really sure why though. read more

The host was overwhelmed and would not seat us at an open table and said that every open table was reserved inside and out. We had drinks at the bar and the entire time the open tables remained open. Also, there's no shade or cover outside on the patio for some reason. It was really really loud too, at an uncomfortable level. There were dirty dishes and glasses left out. read more

Waterside Social is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots to eat in Lake Orion. They offer a unique experience with fresh food, lake views and an amazing staff! The salmon is my favorite. read more

Beyond impressed! We started with the bread, which was amazing. We both had pasta for our entrees and it was also incredible. The service was attentive and friendly, and the views are absolutely unbeatable! We will be back to try out more of the cocktails! read more

service was great. food was great. i would def recommend. chicken marsala was best i ever had. expresso martini also good. we were there just shy of 4. we were wanting a meal vs lunch but they were willing to let us order iff dinner menu which is what we wanted. i would love to go back in summer , on the lake and get apps. they have lots of apps that look soo good. read more