The 8 Best Oyster Bars in Ottawa We Can’t Stop Talking About
Nothing says indulgence quite like a platter of premium, freshly-shucked oysters—cold, briny, and great with a glass of wine. On nights when I feel extra fancy, I’ll add a little bit of caviar for a taste of luxury.
When I give in to these cravings, I don’t always spend a lot to treat myself out. Because even though we’re nowhere near the coast, the seafood options abound, with a few spots still offering oysters for a buck per shuck.
Whether you want to spoil yourself with a seafood tower or keep things simple with a plate of dollar oysters, Ottawa’s got a spot for every budget. To help you in your search, we made a list of our favorite oyster bars.
1. Pelican Seafood Market and Grill
– Media credit: pelicanseafoodmarketandgrill
Website: http://www.pelicanseafood.ca/
Location: 1500 Bank St
Operating hours:
Sunday, 9 AM–9 PM
Monday-Thursday, 8 AM–9 PM
Friday-Saturday, 8 AM–9:30 PM
Phone: +16135265229
Must-order: Hanky Panky Oysters
Sometimes, I want plump, briny oysters with a little bit of zest and beer to cleanse the palate. And when the cravings hit, I head straight to Pelican to order our favorite Hanky Panky platter.
Sourced from the Northern shores of Prince Edward Island, these oysters are large and deep-cupped, making them meaty and easy to shuck. They’re quite briny with subtle earthy notes and a sweet finish that pairs well with a simple green salad.
You’ll find other varieties on the menu. But if you aren’t sure which oysters to try, just ask the crew and they’ll be happy to help you pick the right fit for your taste.
Pro Tip:
Before heading to the restaurant, visit their website to check out the available oyster varieties.
2. The Whalesbone Oyster House
– Media credit: thewhalesboneonelgin
Website: https://thewhalesbone.com/pages/elgin-street-menu
Location: 231 Elgin St
Operating hours:
Monday-Wednesday, 4 PM–11 PM
Thursday-Friday, 11:30 AM–11 PM
Saturday-Sunday, 3 PM–11 PM
Phone: +16135054300
Must-order: Oysters and Beer
Not to be overly dramatic, but Whalesbone is my favorite oyster house of all time. I like their spot on Elgin Street, which has the same rustic charm as the OG location on Bank—just less claustrophobic.
Even better, they’ve got a bigger oyster bed now, adding more variety and quantity to your Sunday nights. Without fail, they’ll serve fresh, perfectly shucked oysters for only $2.
On the weekdays at happy hour, you can get a dozen oysters and 2 pints of beer for only $58, which is a pretty solid deal. And if you don’t like beer, you can always upgrade to cocktails or wine.
Pro Tip:
To get great deals, visit during happy hours, which are on weekdays from 4 PM to 6 PM and 9 PM to 11 PM.
3. Riviera Ottawa
– Media credit: dineriviera
Website: https://dineriviera.com/
Location: 62 Sparks St.
Operating hours:
Sunday-Wednesday, 5 PM–10 PM
Thursday-Saturday, 5 PM–11 PM
Phone: +16132336262
Must-order: East Coast Oysters with Mignonette Sauce
If you’re looking for meaty, salty, and briny oysters, Riviera is a great choice—and a fancy one at that. Although it’s a bit pricier than other spots in town, we think the art deco vibes and 80-foot brass bar make it the perfect setting for a fun night out.
Despite the grandeur, it doesn’t feel stuffy at all, probably because of their open kitchen.
Right from your table, you can see them shuck fresh batches of oysters, sourced from the East Coast.
They’re served raw with the classic mignonette and lemon sauces. Just pair them with a crisp glass of wine (or champagne if you’re feeling extra fancy), and you’ll get why locals swear by this place.
Pro Tip:
To enhance the flavors, add a spoonful of white fish caviar. Its smooth, buttery texture and umami flavors pair well with the oysters’ natural brininess.
4. Supply and Demand
– Media credit: jefferylsommelier
Website: http://www.supplyanddemandfoods.ca/
Location: 1335 Wellington St. W
Operating hours:
Monday-Saturday, 5 PM–10 PM
Phone: +16136802949
Must-order: PEI Oysters
Supply and Demand is known for its small plates and raw bar dishes, but it’s the PEI oysters that keep us coming back. Although the selection will depend on the season and availability, they’re always shucked fresh and served over a bed of ice.
Every platter comes with three types of sauces, all whipped up from scratch. But for me, a good old mignonette with its bright acidity is enough to bring out the best in those briny PEI oysters.
Apart from the seafood dishes, we like the cozy space. It has a warm, neighborhood charm, where you can peek into the open kitchen, sip some wine, and maybe make new friends.
Pro Tip:
If you’re planning on swinging by for dinner, book a table ahead of time because this spot fills up fast, especially on weekends.
5. Le Poisson Bleu
– Media credit: lepossionbleu_ottawa
Website: http://www.lepoissonbleu.net/
Location: 610 Somerset St W
Operating hours:
Wednesday-Friday, 5 PM–10 PM
Saturday-Sunday, 10 AM–2 PM, 5 PM–10 PM
Phone: +16136561638
Must-order: Oysters with Chermoula Sauce
Dollar oysters are slowly disappearing, but I know one place in town that still offers them every Wednesday—Le Poisson Blue. All night long, they’re priced for a buck a schuck with a minimum of 6 pieces and a maximum of 12 per person.
Aside from the classic mignonette sauce, we always go for the Moroccan chermoula, a herby and zesty dip that perfectly complements the briny flavors of the oysters. If we’re feeling fancy, we’ll top it with a little bit of caviar.
The roe’s rich, buttery texture gives the dollar oysters a touch of decadence. Although sturgeon is a bit more costly than salmon, it’s worth it if you want that creamy, slightly nutty flavor and that satisfying pop in your mouth.
Pro Tip:
For the best seats in the house, book the Chef’s Table. You’ll have unobstructed views of the food being prepped and plated.
6. Rabbit Hole
– Media credit:rabbitholeott
Website: https://www.rabbitholeott.ca/
Location: 208 Sparks St.
Operating hours:
Monday, 5 PM–12 AM
Tuesday-Thursday, 4 PM–12 AM
Friday, 4 PM–2 AM
Saturday, 5 PM–2 AM
Phone: +16136950500
Must-order: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell
Located in a century-old building, the Rabbit Hole is a culinary gem with interesting cocktails and thoughtfully curated dishes. Every Wednesday, you can get freshly shucked oysters for 50% off the regular price.
Apart from the usual lemon, mignonette, and horseradish condiments, they offer a selection of hot sauces. The tangy, spicy flavors cut through the brininess, making each bite taste more balanced and satisfying.
If you’re dining here, you might as well drop by Jackaloupe, a speakeasy serving some of the most creative cocktails in town. You can only access it through a hidden elevator, so you need to book ahead to get in.
Pro Tip:
On Friday and Saturday nights, they impose a strict dress code. Avoid wearing streetwear or casual clothing of any kind.
7. Metropolitan Brasserie Restaurant
– Media credit: metropolitanbrasserie
Website: http://metropolitainbrasserie.com/
Location: 700 Sussex Dr
Operating hours:
Monday-Wednesday, 11:30 AM–11 PM
Thursday-Friday, 11:30 AM–12 AM
Saturday, 10 AM–12 AM
Sunday, 10 AM–11 PM
Phone: +16135621160
Must-order: Malpeque Oysters
The Metropolitan Brasserie offers a taste of France right on Sussex Drive. While they do have great charcuterie boards and steak frites, it’s the raw bar that draws us and many other locals here.
Their oysters are served fresh and perfectly shucked per order. Sourced from the Malpeque Bay, the variety is known for being meaty yet tender with a slight brininess and sweetness.
The best deals are on Thursdays because they offer a buck per shuck. On regular days, the oysters cost $2 to $3, depending on the selection, which is still pretty affordable compared to other spots around.
Pro Tip:
The oyster special is available all day on Thursdays, so you can swing by anytime you want.
8. Speakeasy Tapas Lounge
– Media credit: speakeasy_ottawa
Website: https://speakeasyottawa.com/
Location: 55 York St
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Wednesday, 4 PM–11 PM
Thursday, 11:30 AM–11 PM
Friday-Saturday, 11:30 AM–1 AM
Sunday, 10:30 AM–10 PM
Phone: +16132416221
Must-order: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell
Speakeasy Tapas is a prohibition-era themed restaurant and bar, serving $1 oysters all day, every day—a rare find in Ottawa. And while the affordable price might make you raise an eyebrow, the quality of their seafood will speak for itself.
All of the oysters they serve are consistently fresh and shucked to perfection. They’re served on a bed of ice with a few sauces and condiments to enhance their natural flavors.
Apart from the seafood, what we like most about dining here is the live music. From jazz nights to Latin dance parties, there’s never a dull moment at this spot.
Pro Tip:
During the warmer months, the patio will be open to the public, so don’t forget to reserve a table there ahead of time.