Vancouver has seafood worth seeking out. Fresh catches arrive daily, handled by chefs who know how to bring out the best in every ingredient. Some places serve oysters straight from the water, while others grill fish over an open flame, keeping flavors clean and natural.
Each restaurant has its own approach. Some build menus around what the ocean provides that day, ensuring the freshest options possible. Others take inspiration from different cuisines, blending flavors in ways that stand out.
Some keep it simple, while others push boundaries. No single way is better—each spot offers something different for those who appreciate quality seafood.
1. Blue Water Cafe
| Location | 1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Seafood, Sushi, West Coast |
| Atmosphere | Elegant, upscale, warm lighting |
| Specialties | Sablefish, oysters, seafood tower |
| Reservations | Recommended, often fully booked |
Blue Water Cafe is the place people mention first when talking about seafood in Vancouver. It does not try too hard, but it does everything at a level that feels effortless. The staff moves with quiet precision, and the kitchen turns out seafood that is as fresh as it gets.
Plates arrive looking perfect but never overdone. The focus is on flavor, not decoration.
Sablefish is the must-order dish. It is buttery, rich, and cooked to perfection every time. The seafood tower is another standout, loaded with fresh oysters, clams, mussels, prawns, and chilled lobster. Sushi options are also excellent, made with top-tier ingredients.
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Even the simplest dishes, like grilled salmon or seared scallops, feel refined without losing their natural taste.
Drinks match the quality of the food. The wine list is extensive, and cocktails are well-crafted without being overcomplicated. Service is smooth, and servers know the menu inside and out. It is not the cheapest spot, but the experience justifies the price.
Anyone looking for top-tier seafood in Vancouver should try it at least once.
2. Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
| Location | 845 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Seafood, Steakhouse, Contemporary Canadian |
| Atmosphere | Elegant, modern, with a touch of West Coast charm |
| Specialties | Charcoal-grilled sablefish, seafood tower, caviar service |
| Reservations | Highly recommended, especially during peak times |
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar stands out by delivering high-quality seafood without unnecessary distractions. Located inside the Sutton Place Hotel, the restaurant has a refined but relaxed feel.
The space combines West Coast style with European touches, featuring tile floors, a sleek marble bar, and deep leather seating.
Chef Roger Ma leads the kitchen with a menu built around fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The charcoal-grilled sablefish is a must-try, glazed in a balanced soy-sake reduction and served with local bull kelp.
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The seafood tower brings together oysters, mussels, prawns, and chilled lobster for those who want variety. Those looking for something more indulgent can go for the caviar service.
Drinks are not an afterthought here. The wine list offers strong pairings for seafood, and cocktails are crafted with the same level of attention as the food. Service is smooth and professional, with staff who know the menu inside and out.
Tables fill up quickly, so booking ahead is smart. For anyone after a polished seafood experience in Vancouver, this spot deserves serious consideration.
3. Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
| Location | 762 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Seafood, Bar, Canadian |
| Atmosphere | Casual, inviting, with a focus on fresh seafood |
| Specialties | Fresh oysters, seafood tower, clam chowder |
| Reservations | Recommended, especially during peak hours |
| Contact | +1 778-379-9510 |
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market brings seafood straight from the source. Owned by a company that farms oysters, clams, and mussels on Vancouver Island, the restaurant guarantees fresh shellfish every day.
Located near the stadium district, it has a laid-back atmosphere, making it a great spot for anything from a quick oyster tasting to a full seafood feast.
Oysters are the main attraction. Choices rotate based on availability, but Fanny Bay’s own oysters are always on the menu. Sweet, briny, and served on ice with classic mignonette and horseradish, they are as fresh as it gets.
The seafood tower is another highlight, featuring a mix of chilled crab, prawns, mussels, and more.
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For those looking beyond raw shellfish, the menu offers dishes like geoduck prepared with sherry-bacon jam, heirloom tomatoes, and frisée on toasted sourdough.
Fried sablefish collars bring a mix of crispy skin and tender fish, topped with a soy reduction and served with shishito and sweety drop peppers. The clam chowder is another favorite, packed with fresh clams in a rich, creamy broth.
The drink selection pairs well with the menu. White wines dominate the list, chosen to complement shellfish, while cocktails focus on bright, citrus-forward flavors. Service is quick but never rushed, and staff know their seafood well enough to offer solid recommendations.
4. Salmon n Bannock Bistro
| Location | 1128 West Broadway #7, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Indigenous, Canadian |
| Atmosphere | Intimate, cultural, decorated with Indigenous art |
| Specialties | Bannock, wild salmon, bison ribs |
| Reservations | Highly recommended due to limited seating |
| Contact | +1 604-568-8971 |
Salmon n Bannock Bistro is unlike any other restaurant in Vancouver. It is the only Indigenous-owned and operated fine dining spot in the city, serving food that connects directly to local traditions.
The space is small but warm, with Indigenous artwork covering the walls and a menu that pays respect to ingredients that have been used for generations.
Bannock is a staple here. It comes in different forms—soft and warm as a side, crispy as a base for open-faced sandwiches, or as the foundation for a bannock taco. Wild salmon is another highlight, served either smoked, seared, or slow-cooked to bring out its deep, rich flavor.
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Bison also plays a major role on the menu, showing up in hearty stews, burgers, and ribs that fall off the bone.
Dishes focus on deep, natural flavors rather than unnecessary complexity. The game meats taste bold but not overpowering. The wild rice blends and berry reductions balance out the richness of the proteins. Even the desserts, often featuring Saskatoon berries or maple-glazed ingredients, keep things rooted in tradition.
Drinks include a mix of local wines, craft beers, and some lesser-known Indigenous beverages made with ingredients like spruce tips and huckleberries. Service is attentive but never rushed, with staff eager to explain the significance of each dish.
5. Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio
| Location | 1600 Howe St, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Peruvian, Japanese, Seafood |
| Atmosphere | Elegant, waterfront, scenic views |
| Specialties | Nikkei-style sushi, sablefish, seafood ceviche |
| Reservations | Recommended, especially for patio seating |
| Contact | +1 604-681-1164 |
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio brings together Peruvian and Japanese flavors, a combination that might seem unusual until the first bite proves otherwise.
The restaurant sits right on False Creek, offering a view that matches the quality of the food. Sunsets on the patio add to the experience, making it a prime spot for anyone looking to pair great seafood with a perfect setting.
Sushi plays a major role on the menu, but it is far from traditional. Nikkei-style rolls blend Japanese technique with Peruvian ingredients, using flavors like aji amarillo and cilantro in ways that stand out.
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The seafood ceviche is another essential order, packed with fresh fish marinated in leche de tigre with just the right balance of acidity and spice.
Sablefish is the signature dish, and it lives up to the hype. Marinated in miso and served with dashi-braised greens, the fish melts effortlessly with every bite. Other highlights include grilled octopus with Peruvian chimichurri and prawn risotto with a hint of truffle. Each dish reflects a mix of cultures without ever feeling forced.
The cocktail list leans heavily on pisco, the national spirit of Peru, offering well-crafted drinks that enhance the menu’s flavors. The wine selection is strong, featuring bottles from South America, Japan, and the Pacific Northwest.
Service is polished without being stiff, keeping the experience relaxed but refined.
6. The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant
| Location | 1535 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC (Granville Island) |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Seafood, West Coast |
| Atmosphere | Casual, waterfront, live music |
| Specialties | Cedar plank salmon, seafood platter, fresh oysters |
| Reservations | Recommended, especially for patio seating |
| Contact | +1 604-669-9030 |
The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant sits right on Granville Island, giving it one of the best locations in the city. The space is large, with multiple levels, an open kitchen, and a rooftop patio that offers a direct view of the water.
At night, live music sets the tone without being too loud, making it a comfortable place to settle in for a long meal.
Cedar plank salmon is the dish that keeps people coming back. Cooked over an open flame, it soaks in the smoky aroma of the wood while keeping the flesh tender. The seafood platter is another highlight, stacked with chilled prawns, mussels, clams, and crab.
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Those who want something lighter can go for fresh oysters, served with a classic mignonette and a squeeze of lemon.
The menu covers everything from fish and chips to sushi, offering a mix of simple and more refined options. Tuna tataki with sesame dressing and crispy shallots stands out, as does the seafood paella, loaded with saffron rice and a generous portion of shellfish.
The clam chowder is thick and hearty, with a deep flavor that suggests it has been perfected over time.
7. Coast Restaurant
| Location | 1054 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Seafood, Sushi, West Coast |
| Atmosphere | Stylish, modern, energetic |
| Specialties | Oyster bar, sushi rolls, miso-marinated black cod |
| Reservations | Recommended, especially on weekends |
| Contact | +1 604-685-5010 |
Coast is the kind of seafood restaurant that feels lively the moment you step inside. The space is sleek, with high ceilings, a raw bar in the center, and a steady flow of people looking for fresh seafood and strong drinks.
The energy is different from the quieter, waterfront spots. It is fast-paced, buzzing, and designed for people who want a social dining experience without sacrificing quality.
The raw bar is the best place to start. Oysters come fresh from the best suppliers, shucked to order, and served with classic sauces or the restaurant’s own unique mignonettes.
Sushi rolls add another layer to the menu, blending traditional techniques with West Coast flavors.
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The spicy tuna roll has just the right amount of heat, and the lobster roll, topped with truffle aioli, delivers on flavor without going overboard.
Miso-marinated black cod stands out among the entrées. The fish is rich, buttery, and perfectly balanced with a light, umami-packed glaze. The seafood linguine is another solid choice, loaded with clams, mussels, and prawns in a white wine garlic sauce.
For those who prefer something grilled, the whole sea bass comes crisped up and served with seasonal sides.
The cocktail menu is just as much a draw as the food. Bartenders mix up a strong lineup of classic and house-special drinks, and the wine list includes a good mix of international and local selections. Service is quick and professional, keeping up with the high-energy vibe of the place.
Last Words
City seafood options deliver quality, variety, and freshness at every level. From upscale fine dining to casual oyster bars, each restaurant offers something different. Access to fresh catches and skilled chefs ensures that anyone who values great seafood will find plenty of options worth trying.