Hi Foodies! In Part 3 of our Seafood Series, we racked our brains and revved up our appetites for the best fish and chips in Vancouver. We realized that though we might not eat fish and chips all that often but when we do, we want ’em to be made fresh, made crispy and downright perfect, every single time.
It’s a high standard to hold, but, it’s the same standard we keep on our all of food tours in Vancouver! Here are the places that our team agreed upon for the best, and most consistent, fish and chips in Vancouver. Enjoy!
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Fish & Chips Spot #1
The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant
1535 Johnston Street, #35
Previously known as Industrial Island, Granville Island was once home to factories, mills, warehouses and shops that produced materials for the local forestry, mining, construction, and shipping industries. The Sandbar Restaurant was once a paint warehouse, and throughout the years, it has been converted into a variety of different venues (including a discotheque, named Mulvaney’s!) before it eventually became the seafood hot spot that locals flock to today. Available for both lunch and dinner, The Sandbar’s Ocean Wise Fish & Chips, which is caught sustainably and ethically, is not to be missed! Served with house-made coleslaw and tartar sauce, their version of this classic comfort food is lightly breaded with a perfectly-cooked flaky interior.
Aside from fish & chips, The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant boasts some of the freshest seafood in the city with offerings such as a fresh oyster bar, wood-burning grill, and their very own in-house Hoshi Sushi bar. Guests can enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy Public Market and step into Sandbar’s sophisticated, airy space to get an up-close look as chefs prepare their seafood creations in the animated open kitchen. If people-watching doesn’t float your boat, be sure to check out one of the many nautically-themed decor elements throughout the dining room (insider’s tip – don’t forget to look up!). To round out your sensory delights, stop by The Sandbar after 7pm daily to check out live music from local artists!
Fish & Chips Spot #2
Tap & Barrel Bridges
1696 Duranleau Street
The newly renovated Tap & Barrel Bridges is always packed with hungry diners! Located mere steps away from the Public Market, Tap & Barrel Bridges merges Bridges’ legacy and iconic yellow exterior with Tap & Barrel’s philosophies, resulting in a vibrant dining experience for all to enjoy. One of my favourite features of this local hot spot is that there are no bad seats – from the cozy and sizable booths, to high tops and tables, you can enjoy stunning views of False Creek and downtown Vancouver from any of their 800 seats in-house!
Their menu is hard to beat too, serving up next level comfort foods that you can feel good about. All of their offerings are seasonally inspired and locally sourced using the freshest produce, Ocean Wise sustainable seafood, Fraser Valley free-run chicken, and Certified Angus Beef. The folks at Tap & Barrel Bridges don’t stop there though – their beverage menus also feature some of BC’s best wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries, including beers made at BREWHALL, their very own award-winning craft brewery! I could go on about all of the fantastic features at Tap & Barrel Bridges, but let’s get back to what’s important here – the fish and chips!
Available for both lunch and dinner, the fish and chips is a favourite amongst Tap & Barrel Bridges employees, and for good reason too! Diners can choose between freshly caught cod or BC halibut that is lightly coated in their craft beer batter before being fried to golden perfection. The result is an irresistibly crunchy outer layer coupled with the perfectly cooked flaky and moist interior. Diners will also enjoy the holy trinity of accompaniments – crispy, salty fries, homemade coleslaw, and tangy tartar sauce for a truly satisfying dish. It’s no wonder people keep coming back for more!
Bonus Secret Spot!
Go Fish
1505 W 1st Avenue
This endearing little blue shack is tucked away in its own little alcove off Granville Island, right at the entrance of Fisherman’s Wharf, making it a sneaky spot that is only well-known to locals. Masked partly by a large bush and partly by a restrictive-looking fence, you might walk along the seawall hundreds of times and only find Go Fish if it’s a particularly windy day and you sniff out the goodness, or if it’s a sunny day and the line of hungry patrons intersects your walking path. Regardless of what brings you to Go Fish, it will be a stop you won’t regret. Their fish is incomparably fresh, as it comes from the boats that dock less than 30 ft from the eatery, and their secluded, waterfront location is an absolute glory on sunny days, with moored boats and the glistening ocean contrasted by Vancouver’s famous skyline.
The menu here is relatively simple, featuring a selection of seafood sandwiches, tacos, sides, daily specials, and of course, their signature fish and chips that feature cod, halibut or salmon. Their portions are quite generous, and are competitively priced considering the high quality of seafood! I was also pleasantly surprised by their Pacific Rim coleslaw – while I’m not a huge fan of mayonnaise, I really appreciate their balance of crisp vegetables with a light, but creamy, citrus dressing. Not to be outshone, Go Fish’s Tomato Miso Chowder is truly drool-worthy! Jam-packed with potatoes, vegetables, and hearty goodness, if you catch it on the menu when you stop by, you know what to do!
Until next time, foodies. Thanks for reading and happy fish-and-chipping!
Catch up on our Seafood Series:
Part 1: Best Oysters in Vancouver
Part 2: The Tuna All-Star Line Up
Want to discover our top foodie picks Granville Island? Join us on the Granville Island Market Tour!
