Top seafood spots for fish sandwiches in Vancouver
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a crispy oyster po-boy or classic salmon burger on a hot day (or a cold one, even). Here are seven seafood-focused spots in Vancouver where you can tuck into a classic fish sandwich. [Photo credit: iStock.com/ MarkGillow]
Go Fish Ocean Emporium
1505 1st Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 1E8This rustic, blue fish shack serves three different types of sandwiches: an oyster po-boy drizzled with chipotle cream; a char-grilled salmon sandwich with shrimp mayo and Japanese pickled cabbage; and an albacore tuna sandwich topped with sweet chili glaze and “snake bite” salsa. It’s also a scenic place to chow down, with views of nearby Granville Island and False Creek.
The Fish Counter
3825 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P1This seafood counter in Mount Pleasant is known for its local, Ocean Wise products, but it’s also an excellent place to get fish sandwiches to go. The terrific fried oyster po-boy is served in brown paper and is topped with arugula and spicy cabbage tartar. The takeout menu also features crispy cod tacos, a crab and shrimp sandwich with saffron aioli, and a wild salmon sammy with fennel slaw and chipotle mayo. Tip: grab some crispy, spicy halibut cakes on your way out too – they’re ideal for a late night snack back at home.
The Fish Shack
1026 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L5The entertainment district’s resident fish stop is an ideal place to grab a sandwich while watching the game (there are numerous big screen TVs throughout the restaurant) or if you’re in need of substance before heading to a performance at the Orpheum or the Commodore. Favourites include a juicy seafood melt with crab, prawns, B.C. fish, and cheddar on toasted sourdough; and the signature surf burger with salmon, crab, double-smoked bacon and tartar sauce. Yum!
Cactus Club Cafe
1085 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3Rob Feenie makes a mean tuna club sandwich; the celebrity chef’s grilled version is designed specifically for Cactus Club and is available at all locations (I suggest the Canada Place outpost since it has one of the best views in the city). Rare-seared Albacore tuna, tarragon tartar, bacon, cilantro, and pickled ginger are enfolded into a Ciabatta bun and served with fresh, sea-salted fries.
The Birds & The Beets
100-55 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9You’ll feel like you’re in a small-town Maritime kitchen at this charming Gastown café, which offers a range of over-the-counter menu items that take inspiration from honest, local ingredients. The daily fish sandwich is especially – and indescribably – fresh. Sandwiches are prepared with a catch-of-the-day fish (sourced from Vancouver’s Finest at Sea) and topped with the owners’ own homemade pickles and sour cream.
The Union
219 Union St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2B2For a fish dish with a twist, look no further than the Union’s banh mi sandwiches. This industrial-chic, hip restaurant on the edge of Chinatown offers a traditional Vietnamese-style sub that packs a punch. Served on a crunchy baguette, the sweet-and-sour fried fish sandwich is dressed with daikon and carrot pickle, cucumber and cilantro, and gets an added kick thanks to the spicy Sriracha mayo and jalapeños.
Finest At Sea Seafood Boutique
4675 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC V6J 4A3Finest at Sea is the leading provider of fresh seafood on the West Coast. So, naturally, all of the products at their flagship shop in Kitsilano are caught by their own fisherman, and prepared on-site. Available from the shop’s tiny takeout counter, seasonal fish sandwiches may contain anything from B.C. sockeye salmon to halibut to fresh oysters and shrimp.
