The Whalesbone Elgin Street

Ohhhh Whalesbone, how we love you! Definitely a top favourite in Ottawa. The freshest seafood we can have, best oysters around and service is always impeccable! The pictures say it all. That pasta is so delicious. Highly recommend this place to all seafood lovers. We are huge fans of Rodney’s Oyster House in Toronto and this place is as amazing!

As someone (46 years old) who has traveled the world, most recently Alaska, Maine, Italy, New Mexico, New York, I would say this has to be the best meal that I have ever eaten! I started with the East Cape P.E.I & Fortune Bay oysters, paired with the Habanero Potato purée sauce and cleaned the shell with the bourbon. Next, I moved on to the seafood chowder which immediately made my taste buds tingle and could pick out the dill. Finally, I had the Australian flat iron steak cooked medium (which for once actually came out medium), paired with the mushrooms. I can’t say enough about this place and want to come back as soon as possible! Everyone was super nice and fast, never having to ask for anything. The guest to my left (Erin, a local) was so nice to chat with and showed me some great things to do in the area! Lastly, I met the owner and I had to express how awesome this place was, and the fact that he didn’t ask me to leave a review, was great as well!

Had a really lovely and cozy early dinner here.

Tried the lobster roll (duh) and fingerling potato salad. Not huge into oysters so wasn’t sure if I was making a silly choice going here but the Food was delish!

Vibe was good. Drinks were yummy. Service was perfect and the staff are great. Everyone else’s food looked amazing too. Will be back here soon.

We celebrated New Year’s last night and had an amazing experience.
The oysters were extremely fresh and delicious, the dry aged steak was incredible , and all of our dishes were delicious everyone was very happy and satisfied.
Excellent service and a wonderful overall experience. Highly recommended! 🌟

Dropped in to enjoy some fresh oysters and sat at the oyster bar. The service and staff knowledge were truly outstanding — honestly, some of the best I’ve experienced in years. The team was exceptionally attentive, making me feel genuinely pampered, all while maintaining a friendly, kind, and welcoming attitude. Kudos to them.

Fresh Oysters
I started with a dozen oysters and appreciated the excellent recommendations. They were fresh, full of flavor, and offered with a great selection of condiments, toppings, sauces, and garnishes. The freshly grated horseradish stood out with a bold, spicy bite — excellent.

Bone Marrow
While the presentation was lovely, with pomegranate seeds and greens, the portion was disappointing. At under 3 ounces for $35, the value felt quite steep for what is meant to be the main component of the dish. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this item based on portion and pricing.

Seafood Chowder
Absolutely delicious — rich, full of seafood, and bursting with flavor.

Overall, a great place with incredible service and very strong seafood offerings. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fresh and cooked oysters and seafood.

Delicious food and attentive service at this beautiful seafood themed restaurant in downtown Ottawa. I was there with a group of five people in total and we had a lovely dining experience, including good wines and delicious food. Not an expensive, but definitely a great experience!