Tomo Ottawa Review – Stunning Sushi in the ByWard Market with One Frustrating Flaw – Average EV Score: 6.9/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Tomo Restaurant Overview
109 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P5
Tomo is located right in the heart of Ottawa’s ByWard Market on Clarence Street. As expected for this area, there is no dedicated parking, so you’ll need to rely on street parking or nearby paid lots. Finding a spot is not always easy, especially during peak hours. If you’re driving, plan extra time.
Inside, the restaurant has a very nice ambiance and decor. It feels polished and modern without being overly flashy. The lighting is warm and inviting, making it suitable for both date nights and small group dinners. The space gives off a higher-end sushi experience while still feeling comfortable.
We arrived right at opening, and within a short time, the restaurant filled up almost completely. Nearly every table had reservations, which says a lot about its popularity. It’s clear that this is not a place you casually walk into on a busy night and expect immediate seating. Reservations are strongly recommended.
The staff were very friendly and welcoming from the moment we walked in. Service was attentive and professional throughout the meal. Since we already knew what we wanted to order, we placed our full order right away. That decision worked in our favour because the initial round of dishes came out impressively fast.
However, after finishing most of our original selections, we decided to add one more item. That extra order took about 20 minutes to arrive. By the time it came, we were already feeling full and honestly didn’t even want it anymore. It wasn’t a major issue, but the contrast between the lightning-fast first round and the noticeably slower second round stood out.
Overall though, the experience was very positive.
Would return? Yes.
Masu Tataki
Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Price Paid: $23
Benchmark Price: $23
EV Score: 7.5/10
Order Again? No.
The Masu Tataki from Tomo was a nice start to the meal.
The salmon pieces were fresh and tender, with that clean texture you want from quality fish. The highlight here was the sauce. It added depth and brightness without overwhelming the salmon. The balance was excellent — flavourful but not heavy.
This was a good but not necessarily outstanding appetizer.
Truffle Fries
Menu description: Crispy shoestring fries tossed in truffle oil, topped with Parmesan cheese and shaved truffle.
Enjoyment: 5.5/10
Price Paid: $16
Benchmark Price: $12
EV Score: 4.1/10
Order Again? No.
These fries from Tomo were a bit of a mixed experience.
On paper, truffle fries are hard to mess up. And to be fair, some of the fries were exactly what I was hoping for — crispy, well-seasoned, and aromatic from the truffle oil.
But the problem was consistency. Only a portion of the fries had that perfect texture. The majority weren’t crispy enough. If most of them had reached that ideal crispiness level, I would have enjoyed them far more.
It was a generous serving, but I ended up leaving about half uneaten. At this price point, I expect better consistency.
Bluefin Otoro Sashimi
Enjoyment: 8.5/10
Price Paid: $29
Benchmark Price: $25
EV Score: 7.3/10
Order Again? Maybe.
The Bluefin Otoro Sashimi from Tomo is clearly one of the premium items on the menu — and priced accordingly.
You receive only three pieces, and they are thinly sliced. For the cost, I would have preferred slightly thicker cuts. That said, the texture was exactly what you expect from otoro: buttery, tender, and rich.
It melted nicely and delivered that luxurious mouthfeel you look for in fatty tuna. Still, portion size versus price makes this more of a splurge than something I would order every time.
Scallop Truffle Roll
Menu description: Torched scallops, crispy Black Tiger prawn tempura, bubu arare, cucumber, creamy avocado, and a zesty spicy mayo-mango sauce, finished with truffle salsa.
Enjoyment: 8/10
Price Paid: $32
Benchmark Price: $28
EV Score: 7/10
Order Again? Maybe.
This roll was very good overall.
The scallop pieces were slightly smaller than I anticipated, but they were nicely torched and flavourful. The crispy prawn tempura inside added texture contrast, which worked well.
One thing that stood out positively was the rice quality. The rice was excellent. You could see each individual grain, and it wasn’t mashed together — something that can easily ruin sushi texture if done poorly. That attention to detail makes a difference.
The flavour combination was satisfying and balanced. Definitely one of the stronger rolls we ordered.
Chirashizushi
Menu description: A vibrant medley of sashimi atop seasoned sushi rice, garnished with fresh microgreens.
Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Price Paid: $15
Benchmark Price: $18
EV Score: 7.5/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Chirashizushi from Tomo was a pleasant surprise in terms of value.
Given Tomo’s upscale positioning, I expected this dish to be more expensive. Instead, it felt fairly priced for what you get.
The sashimi pieces were very fresh and nicely cut. The rice again was excellent — properly seasoned and not mushy. Texture matters with sushi rice, and Tomo does this well.
The only element I didn’t care much for was the cucumber. It didn’t add much and slightly disrupted the overall flow of flavours for me. But that’s a small critique in an otherwise strong dish.
Overall, this was one of the better value items on the menu.
Omakase Roll
Menu description: A chef-selected assortment of the freshest fish, complemented by masago, cucumber, and avocado.
Enjoyment: 7/10
Price Paid: $28
Benchmark Price: $28
EV Score: 7/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Omakase Roll from Tomo was quite good.
Our version included asparagus, avocado, red tuna, and salmon. Again, the rice quality was noticeable — not compacted or mushy. Each grain was distinct, which made every bite feel lighter and cleaner.
The fish tasted fresh, and the overall combination worked well. The only disappointment was that they did not use real wasabi. At this level and price point, I would expect authentic wasabi rather than standard paste.
Still, the roll itself was satisfying.
Matcha Tiramisu
Enjoyment: 8/10
Price Paid: $12
Benchmark Price: $12
EV Score: 8/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Matcha Tiramisu from Tomo was easily one of the best matcha tiramisus I’ve had in a long time.
The texture was super creamy and smooth. The matcha flavour was present but not overpowering. It struck a perfect balance between earthy and sweet.
It’s rare to find a dessert that feels refined rather than overly sugary. This was an excellent way to end the meal.
Final Thoughts
Tomo delivers a high-quality sushi experience in the ByWard Market. The ambiance is inviting, the staff are friendly, and the food quality — especially the fish and rice — is strong.
The Masu Tataki, Scallop Truffle Roll, Chirashizushi, and Matcha Tiramisu stood out as highlights. The Otoro was delicious but pricey for the portion size. The Truffle Fries lacked consistency.
Aside from the delay on the additional order, service was efficient and professional. The restaurant filling up quickly at opening speaks volumes about its popularity.
If you’re looking for a polished sushi experience in downtown Ottawa and don’t mind the parking challenge, Tomo is a very solid choice.