5 Spots Where You Can Get Crispy, Golden Fish and Chips in Ottawa
As someone who’s always on the go from Mondays to Fridays, I fully understand the struggle of finding a quick and satisfying meal. I always go for food that can be whipped up fast but also hefty enough to get me through the rest of the day.
That’s why fish and chips are my go-to combo for busy day meals. It’s got protein, fries, and veggies (coleslaw).
In this guide, I’ll share some of the best spots where you can get crispy, golden fish and chips in Ottawa.
The Cheshire Cat Pub
— Media credit: thecatincarp
Website: http://www.cheshirecatpub.com/
Location: 2193 Richardson Side Road
Phone: +16138312183
Opening hours: Daily 11:30 am to 11 pm
The Cheshire Cat Pub is a cozy, welcoming spot known for serving classic British comfort foods, including fish and chips. Typically, they use haddock or cod, which are flaky, tender, and loaded with flavor.
They serve beer-battered haddock from the East Coast with a naturally sweet flavor and a firm yet flaky texture when deep fried. Each piece is cooked to order so it’s served piping hot, tender, and juicy with a satisfying crunch on the outside.
You can choose between crispy, golden chips or a flavor, guilt-free salad. Paired with tartar sauce, coleslaw, and a slice of lemon, the Cat’s fish and chips is a hearty, comforting meal that you will keep coming back to.
Pro Tip:
Cheshire Cat Pub hosts a lot of events throughout the week such as trivia nights and live entertainment. You can check their socials for more information on their upcoming events.
The Glen
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Website: https://theglen.ca/menu/
Location: 6081 Hazeldean Road Unit 1010, Stittsville
Phone: +16138365622
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am to 10 pm
Fri 11:30 am to 11:30 pm
Sat 12 pm to 11 pm
Sun 12 pm to 9 pm
The Glen is a Scottish pub serving an incredible variety of fish and chips, which is why it’s a local favorite. They have everything from lemon pepper to pan-seared, cajun-breaded, beer-battered, and panko-breaded fillets.
If you want a simple, fuss-free dish, order the signature batter, which gives the fillet a crisp exterior without outshining the natural flavors of the fish. The beer-battered fish is thick, airy, and extra crunchy, perfectly complimenting the soft and flaky fillet within.
Paired with thick-cut fries and homemade tartar sauce, this dish will surely satiate your cravings. At your request, they will add a slice of lemon to your plate to help brighten up the flavors.
Pro Tip:
Can’t choose between the signature batter and the panko-breaded fillet? Just get one of each with The Glen’s Mcconoville Special.
The Whalesbone
— Media credit: thewhalesboneonelgin
Website: https://thewhalesbone.com/pages/elgin-street-menu
Location: 231 Elgin Street
Phone: +16135054300
Opening hours:
Sat-Sun 3 pm to 11 pm
Mon-Wed 4 pm to 11 pm
Thu-Fri 11:30 am to 11 pm
The Whalesbone on Elgin has a rustic yet chic vibe, making it a great spot for casual meals and special occasions. Known for its commitment to sustainable seafood, the menu features a variety of fresh, ocean-to-table dishes.
Their fish and chips are a standout. They coat their haddock fillets in a beer batter and deep fry them until they are crispy and golden brown.
Served with thick-cut fries and a side of tangy tartar sauce, this dish offers a comforting, satisfying experience. This combination of fresh ingredients and careful preparation should delight your taste buds and satiate your cravings.
Pro Tip:
Swing by during happy hour at The Whalesbone, which is from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, to get discounted prices on drinks and food.
Halibut House
— Media credit: halibuthousefishandchips
Website: http://halibuthouse.ca/
Location: 2672 Innes Road, Gloucester
Phone: +16138240888
Opening hours: Daily 8 am to 9 pm
Halibut House is a seafood chain with multiple locations across Ottawa. Each spot might do things differently, but you can always rely on them to serve delicious fish and chips in Kanata, Blackburn Hamlet, Strandherd Drive, and other locations.
They serve three varieties of fish—halibut, haddock, and cod. Aside from the traditional deep-fried fillet, they serve grilled fish with garlic butter seasoning, perfect for those looking for a healthier option.
What we like about this restaurant chain is that they offer generous portions at an affordable price. The service is also fast, making it an ideal choice for a grab-and-go lunch.
Pro Tip:
At Halibut House, they offer daily and weekly specials that can help you save a few bucks off your regular orders. Follow their socials to get the best deals.
Pelican Seafood Market and Grill
— Media credit: pelicanseafoodmarketandgrill
Website: http://www.pelicanseafood.ca/
Location: 1500 Bank Street
Phone: +16135265229
Opening hours: Daily 11:30 am to 9:15 pm
Another go-to seafood spot in Ottawa is Pelican. This seafood market and grill serves wild Atlantic haddock in a beer batter or a panko-crusted breading, combined with a bowl of crispy fresh-cut fries.
Every plate comes with tartar sauce and coleslaw to complement the deep-fried flavors of the fish and chips.
One of the things we love about the Pelican Seafood Market and Grills is that the food is consistently good and fast. Aside from this classic comfort meal, you can get the freshest catch, ranging from salmon and lobsters to oysters.
Pro Tip:
Pelican Seafood Market and Grill has a shellfish happy hour from 2 pm to 4:30 pm daily. Drop by within those hours to get a few dollars off your favorite seafood dishes.