I learned about Go Fish Ocean Emporium when Andrew Zimmern visited Vancouver, Canada, on his show Bizarre Foods America. It was a rainy day in Vancouver, but that would not keep me from making the journey to the restaurant not far from Granville Island Public Market.
When I say a restaurant, I mean more of a charming seafood shack with outdoor seating and stunning harbor views. These types of restaurants are why I come to Vancouver.
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Arrival at Go Fish
As you might have noticed already, there was no indoor seating. There was limited covered outdoor seating and additional uncovered tables.
You should have no problems eating outside in the warmer months, but you might have to sit close to the propane heaters in the winter months.
Even on my visit on a rainy day, the restaurant was busy with walk-up customers and those taking orders to go.
Rain or shine, the views of False Creek, Granville Island, downtown Vancouver, and all the docked and passing boats are amazing. Even if you don’t eat here, you should walk along the path that borders the creek. It’s truly spectacular.
Go Fish Menu
The menu at Go Fish was simple, using only the freshest ingredients and seafood the Granville Island Public Market chef purchased.
The menu included sandwiches, fish and chips, char-grilled fish, tacones, and sides.
In addition, there were daily specials depending on the season. Be sure to check the daily specials on your visit.
Cod Fish and Chips
It was a tough decision between cod, salmon, and halibut, but I decided to go with the classic Cod Fish and Chips (CAD 14 or about $10.43) served with classic Pommes frites and Pacific Rim coleslaw.
With the fish and chips, you can order one piece of fish or two or more pieces for an extra charge. You can also order fish without fries or coleslaw for a discount.
I loved the fish and chips served in a bamboo dumpling steamer, like those at many Asian restaurants. The plate was also visually appealing and colorful.
If you are a fan of fish and chips, then you know that the batter and crust can make or break the dish. They hit it right on the nail here. The Homemade Granville Island beer batter surrounding the generous portion of cod was puffy, hot, and crispy. Each crunchy bite was seasoned well, slightly salty, slightly sweet, and tasted even better with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
What I loved about the “Pacific Rim” coleslaw was that it was unique and different from other restaurants. It was fresh, the cabbage was crunchy, and it wasn’t drenched in mayonnaise but lightly coated in sesame oil.
A generous amount of chips, or classic pommes frites, were underneath the fish and coleslaw. I have nothing to say about the fries except that they were hand-cut, hot, crunchy, and seasoned well. They reminded me of the French fries at the popular fast food chain In-N-Out Burger.
I enjoyed dunking my fish and chips into the delicious, thick tartar sauce with its lemon and herb flavors. I forgot to ask, but I believe the tartar sauce was homemade.
Seared Tuna Tacones
As I am always hungry, I had to order more. On the day I visited, the daily special was the Seared Tuna Tacones (CAD 7.50 or about $5.59 for one or CAD 14 or about $10.43 for 2).
Tacones are a play on fish tacos with seared fish, cilantro spiked salsa, chipotle crema, and coleslaw wrapped into a white flour tortilla.
The seared tuna tacones reminded me of a simple seafood burrito or kebab, but the flavors surprised me. The seared ahi inside was perfectly cooked and juicy.
The crunchy and fresh coleslaw had the same Asian flavors as the fish and chips.
A sweet and smoky sauce brought everything together, complementing the salty fish, crunchy coleslaw, creamy chipotle crema, and fresh salsa.
I would come back just for their tacones.
Service
On my visit, I ordered at the counter and picked it up when it was ready, so my interaction with workers was limited. The workers, though, were very friendly and gave me recommendations on what to order.
Conclusion
Fresh seafood, incredible views, outdoor seating, friendly workers, and great prices? Do I have to say more?
Go Fish is a must-eat in Vancouver.
Pros
- Fresh seafood
- Stunning views of downtown Vancouver and Granville Island
- Many homemade items made to order
- Locally sourced ingredients purchased at nearby Granville Island Public Market
Cons
- No indoor seating
- Can get busy on weekends
Hours
Summer and Spring
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Fall and Winter
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:0 0PM
Address
1505 W 1st Avenue Vancouver, BC V6J 1E8 Canada
GPS Coordinates: 49.271229,-123.1394596
Map
Last Updated on April 15, 2024
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