Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply, Ottawa

Wall Mural at Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply

I can tell you with confidence that the best fish sandwich in Ottawa can be found at Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply. At last, the Ottawa equivalent of the The Fish Store in Toronto.

Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply is not to be confused with The Whalesbone Oyster House restaurant. Although related, they are two different places in two completely different locations.

The Whalesbone Oyster House is the main restaurant whereas Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply is the warehouse kitchen that supplies seafood to The Whalesbone Oyster House and other Ottawa area restaurants. To see a list of restaurants they source to, click here.

Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply

On Fridays and Saturdays, the retail shop opens to the general public where fresh cooked fish sandwiches and chowder are also served.

Fish at Whalesbone

Scallops and Smoked Fish at Whalesbone

The fish sandwiches have become my regular secret Saturday afternoon indulgence.

This past Saturday, the sandwiches were completely sold out by the time I arrived at 1:15pm. Whalesbone sandwiches were recently featured in Ottawa Magazine's 101 Tastes To Try Before You Die article, so I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

Here are some of the things I have had at Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply (note the menu changes depending on what is available):

The cod cheek sandwich is nice and meaty. Like all the sandwiches here, it was served with lettuce, mayo, and caramelized onions.

Cod Cheek Sandwich

The blackened cat fish sandwich is one of my favorites. It is perfectly seasoned, and seared nicely.

Blackened Catfish Sandwich

In absence of sandwiches this past weekend, I ordered the halibut chowder. This chowder was very nice: creamy, smoky, and packed with chunks of potatoes and fish. Note that this is not a thick soup.

Halibut Chowder

I also bought myself a sexy piece of troll caught wild BC sablefish this past weekend. I steamed this baby and served it with ginger, scallions, sweet soy sauce, and sesame oil. The fish at Whalesbone come scaled and de-boned.

Troll Caught Wild BC Sablefish

'Troll catching' is an environmentally responsible fishing technique that allows fishermen to quickly release any unwanted catch from their hooks. I recently read a pamphlet on the dangers of eating farmed salmon, and I never realized the health risks it poses to humans, other farmed salmon, and wild fish. You can read more about it at the Farmed and Dangerous website.

Whalesbone is a member of Oceanwise Canada, an association "dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, education, research, and direct action". Any restaurant that displays the Ocean Wise symbol (shown below) is one that makes environmentally friendly seafood choices.

Whalesbone Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply
504 A Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Telephone: 613-231-3474
Set Hours
Friday 11- 5 (Brownbag Lunch till 2pm)
Saturday 11-2 (Brownbag Lunch till 2pm)
* Brownbag lunch is takeaway sandwich & chowder