If you like sea food this place is one of the top places in Ottawa. The price is pretty on the more the more expensive side but definitely worth it. I suggest you give it a try. I also suggest if you’re going in the summer, try the back patio. The poke bowl is extremely good!
sieben seventyseven
Some maybe surprised by my rating. Here is the explanation. Food would be 5 stars but the portions are so small it should be called tapas bar. And I mean the main menu items, I don’t eat much I actually like small portions but this is on another scale. I heard a person leaving the restaurant saying I am so hungry to his friend and I don’t blame him. Service 3 because we felt like no one wanted us there. I felt like we were at a cafeteria. Quick service is usually great but this felt like a ford model T factory in and out in 1 hr. Atmosphere is good but is my previous point can’t make up for the rest. If everything was great I would not even complain about price but for the over all experience not worth it at all.
Pablo Picasso
Everything is great but the comfort of the chairs is awful so take the banquet or the bar area.
Mostapha Bayaa
Busy spot that has great seafood and steak options. Service was friendly and food was delicious. Metal chairs are super uncomfortable for any length of time.
Pam B.
Delish food and a great atmosphere. I booked a reservation based on a recommendation from a local and it was fantastic.
Joseph Smith
My wife and myself booked here for our 28th wedding anniversary dinner. Tall red headed gentleman served us . His name escapes me but he was very hospitable and attentive . The food was incredible. Oysters were fresh and delicious...ordered 24 with a Ceasar for both of us . We had the hot platter . Every item was well-prepared and delicious. We went full out as we tend to do once a year as a treat . The bill was 350 including tip. Will definitely come back . The oysters were the best we have had . The atmosphere was very relaxed and had a great ambiance. Thanks for the great memory. We decided to stay in Canada this year for vacation and we were not disappointed.
Angie Alexander
We are in Ottawa for a girls weekend and Whalebone was recommended by a local friend. We were not disappointed, especially with the service. Our server, Jamie (who didn’t tell us his name until we were leaving and asked him) was amazing. Knowledgeable, attentive and just the right amount of friendly. He gave wonderful food and drink recommendations. Thank you for an amazing evening
Ross Ryan
I know many will agree when I say that the Whalesbone was at one time synonymous with spectacular seafood in Ottawa. I don’t know what’s happened in the intervening years, but this was a deeply underwhelming and disappointing experience.
The wine selection is pretty uninspired. The oyster offerings were quite good but it took a solid half hour for our dozen to arrive. During the wait time, we placed an order of ahi tuna tartare—which tasted like Old El Paso taco seasoning and was served alongside six (6) tortilla chips—and some truffle fries, which were not at all crispy (consistency of warm slugs) and they were noticeably under-seasoned.
All might have been forgivable if it wasn’t for the cost. I couldn’t help but feel like, for the price, I could have enjoyed a far more satisfying meal at a restaurant with a comparable reputation.
All in all, I just left feeling pretty discouraged and I won’t be back anytime soon.
Loïc
The rice was dry and ruined the poke :( And it's super expensive
I went with a group of people on Thursday. I don’t personally eat seafood. However they have not sea food options. Our server was rude. Who hit two of the people in the head once with a tray and the other with her elbow. No apology offered. When asked about when our food would be put after waiting a long time we were told “when it comes out”. I ordered a steak I asked if it came seasoned and was told yes. It was not. You have to pay for the steak (stupid expensive) then pay for seasoning and pay for a side. That’s absolutely ridiculous!!!!! My steak was extremely tough and full of tendons. My bill came to 280$ I just paid and left. However after leaving I noticed I was seriously over charged. Plus they put an automatic tip you are forced to pay. I’m sorry but if your service is crap why am I paying you a high tip? O I should also mention the server DOUBLED THE TIP ON MY BILL AND APPARENTLY did it to others in the party also. I have eaten at many sea food places and never had my steak be so bad and way over priced. I would not recommend this place to anyone at all.
Mark Freedman
Always a great fresh fish menu. Popular, busy and noisy.
Amanda J
Amazing, friendly and personable staff and the food was outstanding! The atmosphere was amazing there. Loved it all!
Justin Devine
great staff, amazing food, cool restaurant look. miss this place since I moved, will be back soon.
isabela jimenez
Love the food here! Only wish it was open for lunch on Wednesdays, my colleagues and I would go here every week.
Expensive but AMAZING
If you like sea food this place is one of the top places in Ottawa. The price is pretty on the more the more expensive side but definitely worth it. I suggest you give it a try. I also suggest if you’re going in the summer, try the back patio. The poke bowl is extremely good!
Some maybe surprised by my rating. Here is the explanation.
Food would be 5 stars but the portions are so small it should be called tapas bar. And I mean the main menu items, I don’t eat much I actually like small portions but this is on another scale. I heard a person leaving the restaurant saying I am so hungry to his friend and I don’t blame him. Service 3 because we felt like no one wanted us there. I felt like we were at a cafeteria. Quick service is usually great but this felt like a ford model T factory in and out in 1 hr. Atmosphere is good but is my previous point can’t make up for the rest. If everything was great I would not even complain about price but for the over all experience not worth it at all.
Everything is great but the comfort of the chairs is awful so take the banquet or the bar area.
Busy spot that has great seafood and steak options. Service was friendly and food was delicious. Metal chairs are super uncomfortable for any length of time.
Delish food and a great atmosphere. I booked a reservation based on a recommendation from a local and it was fantastic.
My wife and myself booked here for our 28th wedding anniversary dinner. Tall red headed gentleman served us . His name escapes me but he was very hospitable and attentive . The food was incredible. Oysters were fresh and delicious...ordered 24 with a Ceasar for both of us . We had the hot platter . Every item was well-prepared and delicious. We went full out as we tend to do once a year as a treat . The bill was 350 including tip. Will definitely come back . The oysters were the best we have had . The atmosphere was very relaxed and had a great ambiance. Thanks for the great memory. We decided to stay in Canada this year for vacation and we were not disappointed.
We are in Ottawa for a girls weekend and Whalebone was recommended by a local friend. We were not disappointed, especially with the service. Our server, Jamie (who didn’t tell us his name until we were leaving and asked him) was amazing. Knowledgeable, attentive and just the right amount of friendly. He gave wonderful food and drink recommendations. Thank you for an amazing evening
I know many will agree when I say that the Whalesbone was at one time synonymous with spectacular seafood in Ottawa. I don’t know what’s happened in the intervening years, but this was a deeply underwhelming and disappointing experience.
The wine selection is pretty uninspired. The oyster offerings were quite good but it took a solid half hour for our dozen to arrive. During the wait time, we placed an order of ahi tuna tartare—which tasted like Old El Paso taco seasoning and was served alongside six (6) tortilla chips—and some truffle fries, which were not at all crispy (consistency of warm slugs) and they were noticeably under-seasoned.
All might have been forgivable if it wasn’t for the cost. I couldn’t help but feel like, for the price, I could have enjoyed a far more satisfying meal at a restaurant with a comparable reputation.
All in all, I just left feeling pretty discouraged and I won’t be back anytime soon.
The rice was dry and ruined the poke :(
And it's super expensive
Restaurantji Recommends
I went with a group of people on Thursday. I don’t personally eat seafood. However they have not sea food options. Our server was rude. Who hit two of the people in the head once with a tray and the other with her elbow. No apology offered. When asked about when our food would be put after waiting a long time we were told “when it comes out”. I ordered a steak I asked if it came seasoned and was told yes. It was not. You have to pay for the steak (stupid expensive) then pay for seasoning and pay for a side. That’s absolutely ridiculous!!!!! My steak was extremely tough and full of tendons. My bill came to 280$ I just paid and left. However after leaving I noticed I was seriously over charged. Plus they put an automatic tip you are forced to pay. I’m sorry but if your service is crap why am I paying you a high tip? O I should also mention the server DOUBLED THE TIP ON MY BILL AND APPARENTLY did it to others in the party also. I have eaten at many sea food places and never had my steak be so bad and way over priced. I would not recommend this place to anyone at all.
Always a great fresh fish menu. Popular, busy and noisy.
Amazing, friendly and personable staff and the food was outstanding! The atmosphere was amazing there. Loved it all!
great staff, amazing food, cool restaurant look. miss this place since I moved, will be back soon.
Love the food here! Only wish it was open for lunch on Wednesdays, my colleagues and I would go here every week.
Loading...