Love it! Popped in for lunch as we were in Ottawa for the day. Excellent service. Mussels were delicious, as was the Quinoa salad — best I’ve tasted. Perfect little spot downstairs in the middle of the Byward Market!
Jean T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Toronto, Canada
Haven’t dined here in years. Came with a large group on Family Day weekend. Service was super friendly and efficient. Those in our group that ordered the chowder thought it was very well done. The squash soup was on the bland side. The moules et frites(mussels and fries) were delicious! They need to keep the coconut red curry flavour on their regular menu. Fries were fresh with housemade aioli sauce. Also loved the crispy coated sesame salmon with a creamy orange sauce. The kids portion of fish and chips were as big as the adult size. Will visit again. This location far superior than Orleans location.
Jay B.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Port Orchard, WA
Just had a ouch ordered Mussels for lunch. It was with leak and white wine sauce. The sauce is very salty. Mussels are very very small. Not worth it. $ 17? Had dinner here many years ago while I was visiting, it was good. Now this place is not that attractive. Especially the food, no, not worth it. The waiter is very nice. Otherwise it will even not worth two stars.
Jimmy H.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Montreal, Canada
I had mussels with garlic sauce and my friend had mussels with a tomato sauce. It was on a monday evening and the place was not crowded at all. I don’t have any comment for the service. However for the food, it wasn’t as good as a expected. I find that there wasn’t enough sauce. The mussels were rather small. In addition, I had to add an extra 2.50 to the 17 $ for all you can eat fries. I am giving it three stars because I am comparing it to the mussels of L’Academie, a restaurant in Montréal. I am probably bias and I have not been at that Montréal restaurant in two years but the mussels there are bigger, are only 13 $ and come with a lots of sauce(soup quantity) and lots of fries. Hope this helps.
Amy C.
Rating des Ortes: 2 South Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Service was great, but ordered the«moules and frites» — mussels were the least fresh my friends and I have ever encountered and near the bottom of the plate, some were still gooey and had very strong seafood-y taste. On the bright side, fries were a big portion.
Sandeep M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Went here for dinner. We got Provençale Bouillabaisse and Fish and Chip Special. Provençale Bouillabaisse was quite good, especially the soup was very flavorful. Fish and Chips on the other hand tasted a bit ordinary. The staff was courteous and the service was great. Overall a very good experience.
Dean O.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Warners, NY
Their seafood is not fresh at all. It is three to four days old. I had the oysters and sent them back because they were so old and really tasted bad. The Waitress assured me they were fresh, but once she talked to the kitchen they said it was three to four days since their last shipment.
Ann B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Centreville, VA
Excellent! Seafood Bake for two was fab. Chowder excellent. Simon makes a divine drawn butter.
Pylin C.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Toronto, Canada
Came here for the good reviews but I guess we have different Tastes than others. Food here was so-so we got the mussels in white wine, fish and chips, shrimp pasta, and chowder. They’re all ok good not THAT good there are better seafood elsewhere. But the food was fresh. The biggest room for improvement here was the service. The server failed to tell us what they ran out off until after we already ordered(and by then she had come serve us twice already to get us settled and being us drinks). And they ran out of tuna and mussels so my mussels came with a mix of clams. Then between courses this one guy was responsible for setting the table and he set it sooo weird I even took a picture of it and was confused what he was doing. I got a spoon and a knife while my boyfriend for 2 spoons, 2 forks, and 2 knives and in 2 tiers vertically. Huh? So I took one of his forks and we ditch the rest. Then for the bill, she brought over one that was $ 198 and I was like how was 2 main courses and 2 appies and 1 beer that much??? Turns out she gave us the 4-person table’s bill. So yeah if you like ok but fresh seafood and potentially subpar service, feel free to go here.
David T.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Calgary, Canada
Good but not stellar. Clan chowder could have had more claims and less potatoes. Tuna was over some for medium rare. Mixed grill was better with halibut scallops and tuna. Service prompt and well informed
Ed D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rochester, NY
Food delicious, portions just right to generous, and outstanding service. We walked on 10 min before kitchen closed… street show kept us occupied :)…and waitress and cooks were gracious, helpful, didn’t feel rushed. Thank you all, great team !
Kyle C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Toronto, Canada
I went here over the weekend thanks to great reviews from fellow Unilocal reviewers. First off, what you’ve previously read in other reviews are true. This is a two fold restaurant, a fish bar/sushi bar restaurant type at the main floor and another full service restaurant downstairs. Went here for lunch on the civic holiday this weekend and the patio was jammed full. The hostess was great though. I asked for a table for 2 and the hostess told me there were no seats in the patio(obviously) but that there were seats downstairs. I told her downstairs was fine so she gestured towards the door and my friend and I went down. A we got down we were a bit surprised to find the restaurant completely empty aside from two tables. We were promptly seated and offered water to start. I love it when they automatically bring water because I like to take my time with the menu before deciding what I want to drink. She came back a while later to ask us what we would like to eat. I ordered a haddock fish and chips and my friend ordered the same. A few things really stand out to me about this restaurants. It’s the little things but they make a huge impression. Firstly, I love to lather my fish and chips in tartar sauce. Normally when I get fish and chips, restaurants are really stingy with the tartar sauce. Not Lapointe. Before our dishes arrived, the waitress dropped off a plate with two ramekins. One full of ketchup for the fries and one full of tartar sauce. In addition there was a bottle of vinegar as well, for those who may feel inclined to vinegar their fries. I know I do! When the food arrived I was a bit disappointed in the size of the haddock. They certainly were not large. A fair size, but definitely not large. I slathered a dollop of tartar sauce on and bit in and it was delicious. The fish was moist and the batter was nicely crispy. Not overly crunchy but not soft either. The perfect amount. The fries were a bit dark which I was concerned that they away have been burnt but it turned out to be a non issue. You do get 2 pieces of haddock so while the actual fish is small, the portions are enough to fill you up. The dish also isn’t overly greasy which believe me some restaurants seem to like to serve you a bowl of oil along with your fish n chips. Not here though. Overall the taste of the fish and the fries sold it. While nothing mind blowingly amazing came about from this lunch, Lapointe gets a solid 4 stars for delivering a classic meal the right way. The taste and quality of the food was above average and if I was in town again, I’d give them another go for sure. If you like seafood and you’re in Ottawa, give Lapointe a visit. You won’t be disappointed.
Melissa F.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Toronto, Canada
The food here is delicious Very generous high quality portions. Tuna appetizer– it comes cooked but I asked if it could come seared and they said no problem– delicious. Fish and chips– generous portions– lightly battered, nice meaty fish– fries were just meh– but didn’t matter. They give you a VAT of ketchup and tartar so no need to ask for extra if you’re also the fatty type who dips their fries in ketchup. Calamari salad– warm– delicious. Just excellent all round.
Tom R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Ottawa, Canada
Lapointe’s is one of my favourite fish/seafood restaurants in Ottawa, a real hidden gem. It’s a bit of an odd place because there is a Sushi bar on the main floor but a great fish restaurant in the basement, I always pick the basement. When we arrived the service was quick and attentive, we were a group of 6 and the waiter was very polite. For drinks they have an OK beer menu and an OK wine menu, not great but it’s not really why you are there. Some of our group had appetizers, one friend had the clam chowder which is frickin’ amazing(I have had it before) while another had a combo plate with salmon rillette(a sort of pâté), some salmon, and a cod cake, all of which was amazing. For main course I had a Provencale Bouillabaisse with salmon, clams, shrimps, mussels, and other fish and it was excellent! Others had Calamari, and fish & chips which everyone seemed to enjoy. Prices are reasonable given the quality. The décor is very nice, clean and open but not trying too hard to be over fancy. Also props to them for having really nice washrooms, a lot of places forget about the washrooms and they can leave a lasting impression(good or bad). Also the acoustics are good so you can hear your conversation(although it wasn’t crowded so it was hard to tell). Overall this place is great and I would definitely go back.
Eileen L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Thornhill, Canada
Came here for lunch with my family on a Saturday. The place was empty at noon and started to fill up quickly soon after. We started with the mussels appetizer. Nice and flavorful garlic and wine broth. Complimentary bread was soft and warm with citrus infused butter. Our table had grilled trout; cooked to perfection, not dry at all. Though it could have used some salt and pepper. Lacked flavor. Haddock fish and chip was light and crispy. Cod cakes came in 4 pieces. Taste was good but not amazing. Clam chowder was a little on the sweet side and not thick enough for my liking. Overall the meal didn’t live up to my expectation of previous reviews. Nothing to write home about.
Janna L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Bakersfield, CA
3 of us went for lunch today and tried out Lapointe’s. It was a great choice, we quite enjoyed it. The service was perfect. Not at all busy on a Monday afternoon at 130pm. You could sit on the patio but we opted for downstairs. Very casual, come as you are! Love the whole grain bread that came out as soon as we ordered as we were starving!(2 kinds of butter) Ordered — all Chef Specials. The Mediterranean Fish and Chips. The fish batter was light, not overwhelming, almost needed a little more seasoning(pepper). The fries were crispy and enjoyed. Shrimp and Scallop skewers with the soup of the day(cream of broccoli with bacon and provolone cheese — YUM!)(that was my meal!) The scallops were a little undercooked for me but this is a personal preference. Shrimp and Scallop skewers with chef’s salad. The candied pecans looked incredible and the whole salad spilled beautifully across the plate. Great lunch portions. Would return in a heartbeat and would highly recommend to anyone who loves fresh seafood!
Alison I.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Mississauga, Canada
This is a true lesson in not judging a book by it’s cover. You walk in and see a sushi restaurant, but if you go down the stairs it’s a cozy, quaint restaurant. The service is knowledgable and attentive and the food is delicious. If you go, the clam chowder is a must have. It is so flavourful and is filled with big, juicy clam morsels. I wish I had ordered a bowl instead of a small cup. The icing on the cake was that when my pasta dish arrived, it was covered in parm cheese. Usually I feel awful that the server is just standing for«hours» grating cheese on my plate. It was so wonderful having all that cheesy goodness from the get go. I will definitely be coming back the next time I’m in Ottawa.
Dean D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, WA
The service was great. Nice atmosphere and comfortable seating. Many of the dishes my partner and I watched come out of the kitchen looked great. They had a nice menu with numerous fresh fish options. I just chose to go down the fish and chips road, yet again. They offer I believe five different fish options for this preparation and I went with the haddock; It was OK. So far, Aulde Dubliner & Pour House just has ‘em beat by a mile in my opinion. At least with regards to the fish and chips. As for the appetizer I ordered, OMG; The Lapointe Calamari Salad is just awesome. Lightly breaded and fried calamari rings mixed with a salad and an excellent sauce. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything quit like it. I highly recommend that as an appetizer and the Claim Chowder was apparently a hit with my partner. If I return to this restaurant, I’d probably go with one of their non-fried fish dishes.
Paul B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Dartmouth, Canada
What a great restaurant in The Market. Don’t be fooled by the upstairs Sushi setup — which may be good — but continue down the stairs to the restaurant. Warm and inviting, nice clean lines, it is an excellent example of what a basement restaurant should be. It has a great feel without feeling like a cave. It is not very big, maybe only 30 seats with the bar in sight. Excellent sound control which makes for nice conversation. Service was great, nice smiles from everyone, water glasses always full, and a tempo which matched ours. The food was of good portion and taste. The pieces of tuna and salmon caught both the eye and the stomach. Nice use of unusual items such as parsnip, brussel sprouts and fennel — which I have to admit were barted and shared around the table to meet everyone’s pallet. I had the jambalaya with shrimp and swordfish. When the waitress returned to let me know that they were out of swordfish, there was only a momentary frown until she continued with«but you can have tuna.» Nice way to keep me happy. The meal took longer than I had expected, because it was just such a great place to linger over water and relax. Definitely going back to this place!
Nicole B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Ottawa, Canada
This is an excellent place to pick up a piece of fish for dinner. The selections are always fresh and the store is kept impeccably clean. They make sushi here, so you can buy ready-made sushi to have at home. But better still, you can by sushi-grade fish to make your own sushi. I have been learning to make sushi, but am not that good yet and I have got some great recommendations on fish here. If you don’t know what you want, ask them whats new. The employees here always seem happy to suggest something for you and will give you tips on cooking it correctly.