Best Seafood in Ottawa

Ottawa's seafood restaurants range from casual fish market grills to upscale raw bars and award-winning fine dining. Whether you're craving fresh oysters, sustainable catches, or seafood towers, these 5 spots deliver quality from coast to table.

1. The Whalesbone — The Oyster Authority

The Whalesbone at 231 Elgin Street has separate lunch and dinner menus, which name Executive Chef Michael Radford. The Elgin location's menu should be checked separately from the group's other restaurants.

The official location page describes seating for 140 guests, a summer backyard patio, an oyster bed, a wine selection and a dedicated beef-aging room. Ask your server about the current oyster varieties.

What to order: Oysters from the day's selection; the lunch menu's $28 beer-battered Atlantic haddock Fish & Chips with tartar sauce, coleslaw, lemon and fries; or the dinner menu's named chilled platters, The Little Chilled and The Big Poppa. The fish-and-chips listing does not state piece count, weight or whether tax is included, and it is absent from the posted dinner menu.

Good to know: Lunch is Thursday and Friday from 11:30am. The official lunch page gives a 3pm finish, while the branch's September 24, 2026 Instagram notice gives 4pm; call 613-505-4300 to confirm the cutoff. The official Elgin page links online reservations.

Neighbourhood: Downtown (231 Elgin St)

Checked October 23, 2026 (2026-10-23): official Elgin location, lunch menu, dinner menu and September 24 lunch notice. Menus and availability can change.

2. Pelican Seafood Market & Grill — The Market Fresh Choice

Pelican Seafood Market & Grill combines a fish market with a restaurant at 1500 Bank Street in Blue Heron Mall. The family-owned business began as a market in 1978; the Grill was added in 1996.

The posted shellfish happy-hour menu lists 100 PEI oysters for $185 from 2–5pm. Confirm the day's offer before visiting. The lunch and dinner menus also include named seafood towers such as The Bobby Dazzler.

What to order: Wild Atlantic Haddock Fish & Chips with beer batter or panko crust, coleslaw, tartar sauce and fresh-cut fries. The lunch menu, marked as starting October 16, 2026, lists one piece for $21 or two for $28; dinner lists $29 without a piece count. Takeout lists one piece for CAD$20.99 or two for CAD$27.99, excluding tax. No fish weight is stated, and the dine-in menus do not say whether tax is included.

Good to know: The official site posts daily Grill seating for lunch 11:30am–4:30pm and dinner 4:30–9:15pm, plus takeout availability 11:15am–7:45pm. These seating periods are not a confirmed kitchen cutoff, and the market has different hours.

Neighbourhood: Bank Street at Blue Heron Mall (1500 Bank St)

Checked October 23, 2026 (2026-10-23): official lunch menu, dinner menu, hot takeout menu, order page and business history. Prices and availability can change.

3. Aiāna Restaurant Collective — The Fine Dining Experience

Aiāna Restaurant Collective brings award-winning Canadian cuisine to downtown Ottawa under Chef Raghav Chaudhary. While not exclusively seafood, their farm-to-table approach includes exquisite fish preparations that have earned Wine Spectator recognition.

The refined atmosphere, seasonal tasting menu, and carefully curated wine list make Aiāna ideal for special occasions. Diners praise the "exquisite halibut" and "succulent scallops" for their beautiful presentation and flavour.

What to order: Exquisite Halibut, Succulent Scallops, Chef's Tasting Menu, Seasonal Seafood Plates.

Good to know: Reservations highly recommended. Social Hour Tue-Fri 3-6pm.

Neighbourhood: Downtown (50 O'Connor St)

4. Mati — The Mediterranean Tower

Mati on Preston Street specializes in modern Mediterranean cuisine with a strong seafood focus. Their signature seafood towers are show-stopping centerpieces featuring oysters, tuna sashimi, hamachi, lobster tail, scallops, and more.

The restaurant combines refined crudo preparations with charcoal-grilled dishes, offering both raw and cooked seafood options. The sophisticated cocktail bar and Little Italy location add to the elevated dining experience.

What to order: Seafood Tower, Tuna Crudo, Charcoal-Grilled Octopus, Lobster Tacos.

Good to know: Reservations recommended. Book via OpenTable or call.

Neighbourhood: Little Italy (428 Preston St)

5. Supply and Demand — The Award-Winning Raw Bar

Supply and Demand earned 75th place on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants in 2024. This family-owned Wellington West restaurant focuses on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients with emphasis on vibrant raw bar dishes.

The stylish venue showcases pristine oysters, albacore tuna crudo, and carpaccio alongside inventive vegetable-forward small plates. The constantly evolving seasonal menu keeps regulars coming back to discover new preparations.

What to order: Oysters on the Half Shell, Albacore Tuna Crudo, Carpaccio, Seasonal Small Plates.

Good to know: Open 5-10pm daily. Canada's 100 Best Restaurants #75 (2024).

Neighbourhood: Westboro (1335 Wellington St W)

The Quick Comparison

Restaurant	Style	Best For	Price
The Whalesbone	Oyster Bar	Oysters, Thursday–Friday lunch	$$$
Pelican	Market + Grill	Haddock, fish market, oyster happy hour	$$
Aiāna	Fine Dining	Special occasions, tasting menus	$$$$
Mati	Mediterranean	Seafood towers, crudo, upscale	$$$
Supply and Demand	Raw Bar	Innovative small plates, raw bar	$$$

Seafood Terms to Know

Oysters on the Half Shell — Fresh raw oysters served chilled with lemon and mignonette sauce.
Crudo — Italian-style raw fish preparation, similar to sashimi but with Mediterranean influences.
Carpaccio — Paper-thin sliced raw fish or beef, often with olive oil and lemon.
Seafood Tower — Multi-tiered display of shellfish, raw fish, and cooked seafood for sharing.
Sustainable Seafood — Fish and shellfish harvested using methods that maintain healthy ocean ecosystems.
Mignonette — Classic oyster accompaniment made with vinegar, shallots, and pepper.

Tips

For oyster lovers — Ask The Whalesbone about its current selection. Pelican's posted shellfish happy-hour menu lists 100 PEI oysters for $185 from 2–5pm; confirm the day's offer.
For fish and chips — Pelican has separate lunch, dinner and takeout listings; The Whalesbone Elgin lists the dish on its Thursday and Friday lunch menu.
For special occasions — Aiāna's tasting menu or Mati's seafood tower deliver memorable experiences.
For raw bar — Supply and Demand's innovative preparations showcase seasonal, sustainable catches.
For sustainable choices — Supply and Demand prioritizes ocean-friendly sourcing.
For planning a visit — Check the relevant meal menu: Pelican's prices differ by service, and The Whalesbone's official sources disagree on its lunch finishing time.

For a comparison focused on this dish, see our Ottawa fish and chips guide.

FAQ

What is the best oyster bar in Ottawa?

The Whalesbone at 231 Elgin Street has an oyster selection that your server can explain. Pelican Seafood at 1500 Bank Street posts a shellfish happy-hour offer of 100 PEI oysters for $185 from 2–5pm. Confirm the current selection and offer before visiting.

Where can I buy fresh fish in Ottawa?

Pelican Seafood Market & Grill at 1500 Bank Street in Blue Heron Mall combines a fish market with a restaurant. Its family-owned market business began in 1978 and the Grill was added in 1996. Market opening hours differ from restaurant seating and takeout hours; check the official site for the service you need.

Which Ottawa restaurant has the best seafood tower?

Mati at 428 Preston Street in Little Italy serves spectacular seafood towers featuring East Coast oysters, tuna sashimi, hamachi, lobster tail, U-10 scallops, shrimp, and more. The presentation is show-stopping and perfect for sharing.

What are the best fine dining seafood restaurants in Ottawa?

Aiāna Restaurant Collective (50 O'Connor Street) offers award-winning farm-to-table cuisine with exquisite fish preparations by Chef Raghav Chaudhary. They've earned Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. Supply and Demand (1335 Wellington West) ranked 75th on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants in 2024.

Where can I find sustainable seafood in Ottawa?

Pelican's posted lunch and dinner menus describe its commitment to offering sustainable seafood options; ask about the source of your chosen dish. Supply and Demand on Wellington West also prioritizes sustainable, locally sourced ingredients.