Captain’s Boil West Hunt Club Review – Messy Seafood Fun with Solid Flavours – Average EV Score: 6.1/10

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.

Captain’s Boil Restaurant Overview

290 W Hunt Club Rd #4b, Ottawa, ON K2E 0B7

Captain’s Boil is one of those places you go to when you’re in the mood for a hands-on, slightly messy, seafood-focused meal. Located on West Hunt Club, it benefits from a large shared parking lot, making it easy to access without worrying about street parking or tight urban spaces.

The restaurant itself has a pretty large dining area, and during our visit, most of the tables were filled. It’s clearly a popular spot, especially for groups. The energy inside is lively but not chaotic, and the casual setup makes it well suited for sharing dishes and eating with your hands.

Captain’s Boil is best known for its seafood boils, where your choice of seafood, seasoning, and sauce is cooked together and served in a bag. It’s meant to be interactive — you put on gloves, dig in, and enjoy the flavours directly from the bag. That experience is part of the appeal.

The staff were friendly and welcoming, and even though the restaurant was busy, the food came out pretty quickly. Service was efficient, and the overall experience felt organized.

While the seafood boil is their signature, we tried a few other items on the menu.

Would return? Maybe.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Enjoyment: 5.5/10

Price Paid: $18

Benchmark Price: $15

EV Score: 4.6/10

Order Again? Yes

The Bacon Wrapped Scallops from Captain’s Boil were decent but not particularly memorable.

The bacon was nicely crispy, which added good texture and saltiness. However, the scallops themselves were slightly overcooked, which took away from what could have been a standout appetizer. Scallops are at their best when they’re tender and almost buttery, and these leaned just past that ideal point.

The biggest drawback was the value. It’s quite pricey for only four scallops, and given that they weren’t perfectly cooked, it makes it hard to justify ordering again.

It wasn’t a bad dish, but it didn’t stand out enough to recommend.

Cajun Fries

Enjoyment: 7/10

Price Paid: $9

Benchmark Price: $9

EV Score: 7/10

Order Again? Yes.

The Cajun Fries from Captain’s Boil were surprisingly one of the highlights of the meal.

We asked for them to be extra crispy, and they actually delivered on that request. The fries came out with a very satisfying crunch and a well-cooked interior.

The Cajun seasoning was well balanced — flavourful without being overpowering. It added a nice savoury kick that worked perfectly with the crisp texture.

These were the kind of fries you keep reaching for without thinking about it. Simple, well executed, and enjoyable.

Definitely a side worth ordering.

Deep Fried Calamari

Enjoyment: 6.5/10

Price Paid: $16

Benchmark Price: $16

EV Score: 6.5/10

Order Again? Yes.

The Deep Fried Calamari from Captain’s Boil was solid overall.

The batter had a nice golden brown colour, which immediately suggests proper frying time. It was crisp without being greasy.

The calamari itself could have been slightly softer, but it wasn’t rubbery. It sat somewhere in the middle — not perfect, but acceptable.

The seasoning was pleasant and added enough flavour to keep the dish interesting. While not exceptional, it was a dependable appetizer.

Seafood Fried Rice

Enjoyment: 6.5/10

Price Paid: $19

Benchmark Price: $19

EV Score: 7/10

Order Again? Yes.

The Seafood Fried Rice from Captain’s Boil was another strong dish.

The portion size was generous, making it good for sharing. The shrimp and scallops were nicely cooked, maintaining their texture without being overdone.

The rice itself had good seasoning, flavourful without being overly salty or greasy. It wasn’t flashy, but it did exactly what it needed to do.

This is one of those dishes that works well alongside a seafood boil or as a standalone comfort option if you’re not in the mood to get messy.

The Seafood Boil Experience

Even though the individual dishes above were decent, it’s important to recognize that Captain’s Boil is primarily about the boil experience.

The concept of having seafood cooked with sauces and seasonings inside a bag, then poured onto the table, is part of the fun. It’s interactive, casual, and designed for sharing.

It’s not refined dining — it’s about flavour, spice, and enjoying seafood in a more relaxed way. If you’re coming here expecting plated elegance, you’re at the wrong place. If you’re coming here to roll up your sleeves and dig into seafood with friends, it makes sense.

Final Thoughts

Captain’s Boil on West Hunt Club offers a fun, casual seafood dining experience with convenient parking and a lively atmosphere. The large dining area and quick service make it a practical option for groups.

The Cajun Fries were excellent, and the Seafood Fried Rice was solid. The Deep Fried Calamari was decent, though not outstanding. The Bacon Wrapped Scallops were the weakest dish due to slight overcooking and high price relative to portion size.

Overall, this is a place you visit for the seafood boil experience, not necessarily for refined appetizers. It’s about bold flavours, casual vibes, and sharing food with friends.

Would I return? Possibly — but primarily for the seafood boil and the fries, rather than the scallops.