If you are a visitor to Ottawa and like to have a casual dinner with fresh seafood, Whalebone is the place! As an Ottawan, I have been to Whalebone on Bank st many times. This little restaurant always gives me the feeling of local restaurants in the ‘80 where every one of the staff says hello to you when you enter the door or waves good-bye at the end. The food is alway fresh and excellent. The servers are polite, tentative and friendly. It makes you feel retro atmosphere because they play vinyl records although the music is a little too loud to my liking. In general I highly recommend Whalebone on Bank street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Ice Cream, Clam Chowder Soup, Oysters on the Half Shell, Fish, Albacore Tuna Crudo
Scott Clarke
A warm and intimate dining experience. Engaging staff, excellent kitchen.
Great intimate spot! Food was delicious, service was spot on, and a fun night out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish, Scallop
Aaron Fountain
It's a pretty expensive establishment, but the food I'd delicious and it has good portions size.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, Lobster
Andrew Hadro (Baritone Saxophonist)
One of the best meals I've ever had. Staff was even better. Trust their recommendations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish
Lorraine Deming
Whalebone is excellent. Jay is adorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Rebecca Langevin
Really nice location, great service and friendly staff. The only negative comment is quality vs price. It's pretty expensive for what you are getting... Bone marrow at $32 ... It was just ok and quite overpriced, it also didn't taste as good because the oysters and the cheese hides the true bone marrow taste... The risotto was 50$ and it was still pretty watery the rice had not fully cooked and absorbed the broth, and there wasn't a big amount of lobster for that price... Still a nice place with nice drinks and a pretty nice wine list, I think the staff is great as well. I was just expecting better food for the price, maybe just rethinking the menu a bit and that's all they need?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Julie B.
Magnificent! Great staff, amazing food, good music, what a great experience!
Hard to imagine a better place for a wonderful night out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Parisien
This was second Whalesbone experience, and first time at the Bank street location. This is a cozy, intimate spot, perfectly paired with cold weather, warm sweaters, and comfort food. I was craving oysters and they did not disappoint, we added the scallops as well. Dinner was light and luxurious, the clam chowder is silky and filling, and the catch of the day was fish from Miramichi with large white fava beans. Incredible food. Our server was enthusiastic about the food, I love when food is presented and described with passion, it makes me feel sacred, like art.
First time going and definitely not the last!Loved the atmosphere and how friendly the staff were. Food was also great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steamed Mussels, Oysters on the Half Shell
Matt
Amazing!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish
Michael Buell
It is truly a culinary delight. The entire experience was fantastic. I left completely satisfied and delighted. Treat yourself and visit the Whalesbone for Ottawas best Oyster
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Risotto, Mackerel, Oysters on the Half Shell, Fish, Steak
Santorini Mediterranean Grill
We had a great time. Great service and very tasty food. We wanted to try a few dishes and each dish was beautifully presented and flavourful. We would definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Aaliyah St. George
first time in ottawa and went here for dinner… spectacular food complimented by amazing service. like seriously amazing staff. the bone marrow dish most def took me to flavour town. atmosphere and music selection was A1. overall, in love.
If you are a visitor to Ottawa and like to have a casual dinner with fresh seafood, Whalebone is the place! As an Ottawan, I have been to Whalebone on Bank st many times. This little restaurant always gives me the feeling of local restaurants in the ‘80 where every one of the staff says hello to you when you enter the door or waves good-bye at the end. The food is alway fresh and excellent. The servers are polite, tentative and friendly. It makes you feel retro atmosphere because they play vinyl records although the music is a little too loud to my liking. In general I highly recommend Whalebone on Bank street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Ice Cream, Clam Chowder Soup, Oysters on the Half Shell, Fish, Albacore Tuna Crudo
A warm and intimate dining experience. Engaging staff, excellent kitchen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish, Albacore Tuna Crudo, Scallop
Great intimate spot! Food was delicious, service was spot on, and a fun night out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish, Scallop
It's a pretty expensive establishment, but the food I'd delicious and it has good portions size.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, Lobster
One of the best meals I've ever had. Staff was even better. Trust their recommendations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish
Whalebone is excellent. Jay is adorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Really nice location, great service and friendly staff. The only negative comment is quality vs price. It's pretty expensive for what you are getting... Bone marrow at $32 ... It was just ok and quite overpriced, it also didn't taste as good because the oysters and the cheese hides the true bone marrow taste... The risotto was 50$ and it was still pretty watery the rice had not fully cooked and absorbed the broth, and there wasn't a big amount of lobster for that price... Still a nice place with nice drinks and a pretty nice wine list, I think the staff is great as well. I was just expecting better food for the price, maybe just rethinking the menu a bit and that's all they need?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Magnificent! Great staff, amazing food, good music, what a great experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder Soup, Lobster Risotto, Mackerel
Hard to imagine a better place for a wonderful night out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was second Whalesbone experience, and first time at the Bank street location. This is a cozy, intimate spot, perfectly paired with cold weather, warm sweaters, and comfort food. I was craving oysters and they did not disappoint, we added the scallops as well. Dinner was light and luxurious, the clam chowder is silky and filling, and the catch of the day was fish from Miramichi with large white fava beans. Incredible food. Our server was enthusiastic about the food, I love when food is presented and described with passion, it makes me feel sacred, like art.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
First time going and definitely not the last!Loved the atmosphere and how friendly the staff were. Food was also great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steamed Mussels, Oysters on the Half Shell
Amazing!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish
It is truly a culinary delight. The entire experience was fantastic. I left completely satisfied and delighted. Treat yourself and visit the Whalesbone for Ottawas best Oyster
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Risotto, Mackerel, Oysters on the Half Shell, Fish, Steak
We had a great time. Great service and very tasty food. We wanted to try a few dishes and each dish was beautifully presented and flavourful. We would definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
first time in ottawa and went here for dinner… spectacular food complimented by amazing service. like seriously amazing staff. the bone marrow dish most def took me to flavour town. atmosphere and music selection was A1. overall, in love.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5