Symposium Café Restaurant & Lounge – Oakville

We went there recently for a casual dinner and were quite disappointed. Both the souvlaki and club sandwich came in dry buns… so weird… so bland and the chicken parm was salty. During our dinner the manager went to the next table because the lady’s chicken was also too salty. Our desserts were good so we would only go back for dessert. Service was also not good at all.

Went for a casual coffee and it was great. The appetizer we ordered was hot and fresh, the service was too. Cappuccino was well made and everything was quick. I’m reading other reviews and contrasting it to my own experience… maybe they’ve gotten better. Our server, Alessia, was very attentive even though we weren’t generating a huge bill. Overall, satisfied.

I went to this restaurant today with friends for lunch. The restaurant was maybe half full. It took them 36 minutes to bring coffee. We had to get up and ask for it and then it still took 10 more minutes. The food was fine.
Then when she cleared the plates she just never came back. After sitting there for 30 min I had to get up and find someone.
I spoke to the manager about the appalling service. He didn’t care and didn’t offer any compensation or apologies.
Finally after 40 min the Bills came and I demanded that the coffees be removed as we waited forever.
I won’t be back. Worst service ever.

It’s kind of a bar… a café… a restaurant. Which is not bad, but doesn’t really specialize in anything. I go there because it’s close, I’ve never had a bad experience and have never had something I didn’t like. For a special occassion… it’s not the best place, but for a normal wednesday girls night or a chilled weekend then it’s ok.

I went there few times for dinner and drinks, i like it but I don’t love it. The mussels menu needs improvement.

Mediocre, lacklustre food. The spinach dip tasted like it came from a bottle, was swimming in oil and had a lump of cheddar cheese melted on top that had cooled into one solid piece by the time the server brought it to the table. The entrees were forgettable, I had the Mediterranean tilapia which was completely bland (the only flavour came from the veggie toppings). The other entrees were equally mediocre.
The service was even worse. Our server, although friendly, forgot parts of our order or just didn’t come by for a long time. The price tag is not at all reflective of the food or service. Will not be going back again, or recommending it to anyone! There are many other places that serve the same generic menu at better quality in Oakville.

Best place for sangria and breakfast! Anything else is a toss up. I’ve had pasta there and it sucked! Service is usually pretty great and the patios amazing in the summer.

2.5 stars
Symposium Café and Lounge has an identity crisis that actually works to its advantage in the suburbs. Is it a bar, café or a nice restaurant? It situates itself in convenient strip malls and fulfills all these roles, boasting a vaguely Mediterranean vibe (like, fake vines and fountains and bananas) that contrives a «nice outing» ambience. This makes it the the perfect around-​the-​corner spot in areas that don’t really have around-​the-​corner cafes, bars, or restaurants.
The most recent incarnation of this growing franchise is in the plaza close to my family home.
Service is slightly stiff given the casual air of the patrons, but other than that pretty good. Food is generally alright. Skip the benny at breakfast, french toast is great. Daily deals seem to be pleasers. Tonight I had the burger/​pint deal. Burger was greasy and came with only a single ring of red onion (my dad and I thought that was a hilarious place to cut costs); pint selection consisted of a wide selection of PBR or Sleeman. But hey, it was $ 3.75 at the place around the corner, and that makes it kind of awesome.
What brings this place from ‘ehnn’ to ‘score!’ is simply the fact that it’s THERE– it EXISTS! A place to go in Northern Glen Abbey! There’s a patio in the summer! It’s decorated for Christmas! A neighbourhood joint to grab a bite/​a pint/​brunch! So while Symposium isnt all that great, I’m still grateful this franchise took root where the old Rogers Video used to be (lol), and brought its strange brand of manufactured-​mediterranean ambience to our corner of the plaza.

When the drinks we ordered came a little weaker than I preferred, our server and both managers offered (unprompted) to replace it… twice! Then we got the bill, and the drinks were comped (free)!
Our server was friendly and engaging, and the food (the chicken souvlaki and salmon pesto) were excellent. Very happy with the experience and will definitely be going back.
Great job guys!

Great food, service and atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch, early bird dinner and dinner.
Everyday weekly specials for food, wine, and specialty items.
We enjoy the Synposium experience everytime.