The Whalesbone Bank Street

Seafood restaurant · Centretown

The Whalesbone Bank Street

Seafood restaurant · Centretown

2

430 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0Y9, Canada

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The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by Eater - Lists + Maps
The Whalesbone Bank Street by Marianna Massey/Getty
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null
The Whalesbone Bank Street by null

Highlights

Upbeat spot for sustainable oysters & seafood in brick space  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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430 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0Y9, Canada Get directions

thewhalesbone.com
@thewhalesboneonelgin

$$$

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430 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0Y9, Canada Get directions

+1 613 231 8569
thewhalesbone.com
@thewhalesboneonelgin

$$$

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Last updated

Oct 8, 2025

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@eater

The 24 Best Restaurants in Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec | Eater

"By virtue of geography, Ottawa isn’t often thought of as a seafood kind of place, but Whalesbone makes the city the envy of every other landlocked locale. The sustainably sourced seafood dishes, cooked with finesse, offer striking textures and flavors, and you’ll leave wondering why Whalesbone doesn’t sell crispy salmon skin as a bagged snack. The Elgin Street location — spacious compared to the tiny Bank Street flagship — ventures into meatier territory, dry-aging steaks in-house. The Kent Street location and Elmdale Oyster House are under the same group." - Joel Balsam

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-ottawa-gatineau-canada
View Postcard for The Whalesbone Bank Street
@cntraveler

5 Best Day Trips From Montreal: Québec City, Ottawa, the Eastern Townships, Mont Tremblant, and Hudson | Condé Nast Traveler

"When The Whalesbone opened its original (tiny) location on Bank Street in 2001, it gained fame as a premium seafood restaurant in a fish-starved town. The sourcing here goes above and beyond quality—the seafood served is all sustainable and in great part local, reserving oyster selections, for example, to Canadian oyster farms. You can't come here without ordering a dozen raw bivalves on the half shell, but the rest of the menu will beckon with its luscious surf 'n turf, too. There's a pasta, for example, that adds chorizo and salty grana padano cheese to a mountain of clams." - Todd Plummer, Isa Tousignant

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-day-trips-from-montreal
View Postcard for The Whalesbone Bank Street

Kyle Giesbrecht

Google
Delightful Dining Experience at The Whalebone on Bank I recently dined at The Whalebone on Bank with my partner, and it was a truly delightful experience! We started our meal with a refreshing glass of rosé, which was perfectly chilled. Our waiter was incredibly accommodating, offering a generous pour that set the tone for a lovely evening. The food was exceptional. We ordered eight different oysters, which were a highlight of the meal. What made this experience unique was the variety of sauces that accompanied them—beyond the usual Tabasco and lemon, they featured house-made options and even some from a local vendor. It was a fantastic way to elevate the tasting experience! My standout favorite was the octopus appetizer, topped with cashews and a delightful mix of flavors—it was simply to die for! We also enjoyed the tartare, which was fresh and beautifully presented, accompanied by warm bread and butter that complemented the meal perfectly. We ventured further into the menu with the mackerel and the beef, both of which were delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and inviting, making it a great spot for families. The staff was especially accommodating, ensuring our experience was enjoyable even with kids in tow. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend checking out The Whalebone on Bank. It's a fantastic place to enjoy great food in a welcoming environment!

Lynda Dobbin-Turner

Google
We enjoyed an early dinner at The Whalesbone, with the fresh oysters being the biggest draw for my seafood loving husband! Andrew took excellent care of us, explains the various oyster sauces and options. Enjoyed great conversation about travel and our shared interest for ocean life. Loved the vibe of the place. Reminded me of some of our favorite places in Boston somehow. Husband loved the Octopus Tataki and I enjoyed the Sockeye Salmon special. Thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and hope to return when we get back to Ottawa !

Dylan Sinn

Google
By far the best dining experience I have had in a long time. Showed up at 7:45 without reservation on their busiest night (2$ Buck Shuck) and the wonderful staff still were able to provide seating for my date and I. Our server Jared was so incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and most importantly passionate about the menu. 20 absolutely delicious oysters with an amazing array of sauces. 2 delicious white wines recommended by Mr.Jared. 2 classic ABC ambers And finally the fish of the day which was by far the best seafood dish I have ever had. I cannot express how amazing my experience was and will most definitely be coming back every Tuesday. I will be making a reservation out of respect for the staff the next time and will once again sit at the open kitchen bar seating to watch those two skillful cooks create their masterpieces. Thank you Whalesbone for having me. Can’t wait until my next visit.

Shela L

Google
Friendly service, reasonable wait time for the mains but the appetizer came quick. The country fried fish sandwich was filling and well made. I especially enjoyed the batter. The slow roasted beef rib was fatty and had a rich sauce - loved it! My favourite was the smoked octopus tataki - easy on the chewing and tastes phenomenally with the chillies and szechuan peanuts. There’s not many seats so make sure to reserve in advance.

Justin Cheng

Google
I ordered a fish birria my mistake and thought it was a fish birria taco. It was my obvious mistake but the waiter overheard it and the manager generously wrote it off for us. The oysters were the best I’ve been in the city so far with attentive waiters. Highly recommend this place for oyster/seafood connoisseurs for sure!

Stephen Lorne

Google
Wedding anniversary dinner, and we opted for the chef's table with a four-course dinner selected by the head chef with some off-menu items. Each course was a delightful surprise of incredible quality We were treated like royalty. I'll admit to not understanding the comments regarding high prices... We found the quality surpassed the cost. Will absolutely return.

June Johnson

Google
So cozy and atmospheric. The food was delicious and the staff were warm and friendly.

Mackenzie Rice

Google
Amazing service and perfect food. We went for the $2 oysters and ended up trying quite a few different things. Service was speedy and accurate, and the waitress' knowledge was incredible and she was very personable. Sad I didn't know of this place sooner otherwise I would have been in dozens of times before now. Highly recommend, and will definitely be coming back here again.