Outstanding seafood restaurants in Vancouver
With the Pacific Ocean right on our doorstop, Vancouverites don’t have to go far to sample fresh-off-the-boat seafood. From casual neighbourhood fish counters to waterfront fine dining, these local restaurants have you covered for your next catch of the day. [Image courtesy of Fanny Bay Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market; Photo credit: John Sherlocke]
Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar
1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver BC V6B 5T4Housed in a converted warehouse building at the corner Hamilton and Helmcken, the Blue Water Café is a longstanding anchor along Yaletown’s trendy restaurant row. The internationally acclaimed seafood restaurant is known for its innovative East-meets-West menu and raw bar, which combines the best of West Coast cooking with Japanese culinary traditions. The multi-tiered seafood towers – topped with oysters, prawns, scallop ceviche and other fresh-water delights on ice – are a must try if you’re dining with a group. Keep in mind the prices here are in keeping with the restaurant’s esteemed status and exceptional quality.
Chewie's Steam & Oyster Bar
2201 1st Avenue W, Vancouver BC V6K 1E9Don’t be selfish when it comes to shellfish. Given its prime waterfront location in Coal Harbour and crowd-pleasing menu, Chewies is the perfect spot to tuck in to fresh seafood with a gang. NOLA-style soul-food dishes highlight Cajun and creole flavours and feature much more than just fishy fare; so you can suck back icy cold raw oysters while your squeamish pals nosh on beef short ribs or Southern fried chicken. Try to leave work early to take advantage of buck-a-shuck specials and $5-drink deals, available from 3:00 to 6:00 pm daily.
Yew Restaurant & Bar
791 Georgia St W, Vancouver BC V6C 2T4Perched on the second floor of the renowned Four Seasons Hotel, Yew is a literal love letter to the Pacific Northwest. The dining room displays a natural woodland-like decor (the oversized communal dining table was hewn from a Vancouver Island maple tree), while the seasonal offerings showcase a bounty of locally sourced ingredients. Executive chef Ned Bell impresses locals and visitors alike with his passion for sustainability and approachable seafood lunch and dinner menus, which include fresh oysters, daily raw bar selections, tackle-box nibbles and signature fish and meat dishes. The inclusive kitchen even offers vegan options for fish-phobic diners.
The Fish Counter
3825 Main St, Vancouver BC V5V 3P1This neighbourhood fishmonger on Main Street does it all: offering both takeout and dine-in service (although seating is limited) as well as a fresh fish counter and deli area stocked with ready-made items to take home. Owners Rob Clark and Mike McDermid helped establish the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program back in 2005, so you can be sure the seafood here is responsibly sourced. The menu includes oyster po’boys, crispy cod tacos, clam chowder and B.C. seafood bouillabaisse. You can’t go wrong with the classic fish-and-chip platters – available with halibut, salmon, lingcod or pacific cod.
Fanny Bay Oysters
762 Cambie St, Vancouver BC V6B 2P2It doesn’t get much fresher than the tide-to-table fare on offer at this Stadium District seafood spot. Owned by Vancouver Island’s famed shellfish farming outfit, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar serves up an array of underwater delights and even has an on-site retail market for those who want to flex their own culinary skills at home. From clam chowder and ceviche to mussels and a delectable maple-glazed salmon burger, the menu here is a veritable seafood smorgasbord. Oyster fans can slurp back 10 different Pacific Northwest varieties: Kusshi, Olympia, Golden Mantle, Royal Miyagi and, of course, Fanny Bay.
Coast
1054 Alberni St, Vancouver BC V6E 1A3Fine dining is done right at Coast, the Glowbal Group’s ode to all things under the sea. The bustling Alberni Street dining room attracts guests throughout the day with its menu of locally sourced oysters, chilled crustaceans, fresh fish and shellfish, and elegant nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls. If you want to sample Coast’s upscale cuisine at a slightly more affordable price point, try the signature seafood lunch boxes for less than $15, or stop in during cocktail hour (2:30 to 5:30 pm daily) to sip $5 beer, wine and cocktail features while nibbling on half-priced snacks.
Rodney's Oyster House
405-1228 Hamilton St, Vancouver BC V6B 6L2Oysters are shucked and slung with jovial Maritime hospitality at this lively restaurant with locations in Yaletown and Gastown. Order slippery morsels on the half-shell accompanied by freshly shaved horseradish and a range of spicy sauces, or go for the lightly breaded pan-fried oysters with tartar sauce. The regular menu also offers chowders, steamers (mussels and clams) and an array of hot and cold seafood selections, but be sure to check out the chalkboard for daily features. Rodney’s also offers a special Low Tide menu from 3:00 to 6:00 pm (Monday to Saturday), with oysters priced at $1.50 a pop.
Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
108-777 Broadway W, Vancouver BC V5Z 4J7There’s nothing quite like selecting your meal while it’s still swimming. Live-seafood tanks and intricately prepared dim-sum dishes set this fine-dining restaurant apart from its Chinese-food contemporaries in the Fairview Slopes neighbourhood. Executive chef Sam Leung has earned numerous culinary awards for his refined Cantonese cuisine prepared with a distinct West Coast flair. The dinner menu features a la carte options such as pan-fried jumbo prawns, sautéed scallops and baked fish filets or you can opt for a set menu featuring regional delicacies like fish maw soup and braised abalone.
WildTale Coastal Grill
1079 Mainland St, Vancouver BC V6B 5P9This 100-seat spot in Yaletown has become a local favourite thanks to its contemporary coastal cuisine, daily specials and laid-back California vibe. Founded by the team behind The Flying Pig, WildTale specializes in Ocean Wise-friendly seafood and fish dishes executed with refreshing simplicity. On the lighter side, you’ll find uber fresh seafood salads topped with colourful veggies, and raw selections like oysters and ceviche. Those with a larger appetite can opt for under-the-sea comfort foods such as Nova Scotia scallop fettuccine or blackened steelhead with gnocchi in a heavenly scallop and rock shrimp cream sauce.
The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant
1535 Johnston St, Vancouver BC V6H 3R9Sure, there’s no shortage of seafood options on Granville Island, but you can’t beat the view at The Sandbar. Tucked away under the Granville Street Bridge, the waterfront restaurant treats diners to a lovely view of False Creek and the city skyline. The diverse menu has a little something for everyone (sushi, seafood platters, pastas, mussels and clams) and will appeal to devout seafood fans and picky eaters alike, with plenty of landlubber alternatives such as salads, flatbreads, steak and even pad Thai. We love the signature Sandbar cedar plank salmon served with rice and seasonal veggies.
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