A lively seafood spot downtown with an impressive raw bar and the best seafood tower in Toronto for group dining. The oysters, lobster, and crab are impeccably fresh and the cocktails are excellent.
Neighbourhood: Financial District · Address: 100 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1K9 · Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30AM–10PM | Fri–Sat 11:30AM–11PM | Sun 11AM–9PM · Price Range: $$$ · Phone: (416) 366-7827 · Website: https://pearldiver.to · Editorial status: Not yet verified
It’s hard to beat the freshness or the show-stopper seafood towers here, especially when you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for a group dinner downtown. Whether you’re after oysters, lobster, or just a well-executed plate of fish and chips, you’ll leave satisfied.
Pearl Diver’s raw bar focuses on quality and traceability, with oysters sourced from both coasts and a rotating selection that keeps things interesting. They’re one of the few downtown spots truly built around communal seafood feasting, and you’ll find both suits and regulars crowded around the bar. Happy hour oyster deals and their ‘oyster passport’ program set them apart from Toronto’s other seafood places.
Pearl Diver is a downtown mainstay for seafood obsessives, run by industry vets Patrick McMurray and his team. The room is unpretentious with worn wood tables, nautical touches, and the constant hum of people sharing oysters, chowder, and generous seafood towers. The raw bar is a focal point, always piled high with bivalves shucked to order. The kitchen balances classic fish house fare—think fish and chips and chowder—with creative daily specials, plus an excellent cocktail list.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for groups or on weekends, but walk-ins sometimes snag bar seats.
The Seafood Tower for Two—it’s loaded with oysters, crab, lobster, and shrimp, and it’s exactly what you came for.
Yes, it’s ideal for groups of 4–8, with big tables and shareable platters—just book ahead.
Appetizers $15–$24, mains $28–$50, towers and platters $80+ depending on size.
WTF Toronto creates guides using independent editorial research, official sources, local knowledge and firsthand experience where available. Commercial relationships are disclosed where applicable.