We’ve reeled in Vancouver's freshest fish shops

One of the many perks of living in Vancouver is its amazing selection of fresh fish. Sushi bars and seafood restaurants abound (and many source from the list below) but for those times when you want to indulge at home, make your first stop one of these fish shops.  [Image credit: iStock.com/AlexRaths]

We’ve reeled in Vancouver's freshest fish shops
Alison Cairns By

The Daily Catch Seafood Company

1
1148 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1N1

Friendly, often goofy, always knowledgeable staff makes this sustainable seafood shop an excellent stop on your grocery expedition down Davie or the Drive. Choose from pre-made deli-style seafood salads, a variety of shellfish and of course, gorgeous locally caught fish, fresh or flash frozen at sea. Looking to freeze it yourself? They’ll filet and vacuum-pack your haul at no charge. And don’t forget to grab one of their tasty marinades free with any purchase.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Seven Seas Fish Market

2
2328 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6K 1P1

Cool, blue tile, a wide-open garage-door entrance and a fresh sea air smell: walking into this Kitsilano fish shop, you feel like you’re in a small European fishing town. Cases burst with sushi-grade salmon and tuna, and shelves hold spiked horseradishes, tartar and cocktail sauces. Get your dozen oysters freshly shucked in-store or buy a shucker and master the art at home. Either way, make this long-serving shop a regular stop on your 4th Avenue stroll.

The Fish Counter

3
3825 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P1

For years, south Main Street was in desperate need of a fish counter and in 2013 that’s finally exactly what they got. Spear-headed by Rob Clark of C Restaurant fame and Mike McDermid who runs the Aquarium’s conservation program, the shop not only offers sustainable, fresh fish and seafood, it also doubles as arguably the best fish ‘n’ chips stand in the city. Grab a two-piecer for lunch and take care of dinner while you’re at it.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

T&T Supermarket

4
179 Keefer Pl, Vancouver, BC V6B 6L4

Head to Chinatown’s mega Asian supermarket for some of the more unusual pickings from the sea. Choose from geoduck, sea cucumbers or live crab and lobster, or reach into baskets of clams, mussels and oysters for your pick of the choicest mollusks. Much of their signage is in Chinese, but friendly fishmongers are happy to tell you what’s what.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

The Lobster Man

5
1807 Mast Tower Rd, Vancouver, BC V6H 3X7

One of the original vendors at Granville Island, this open, workshop-like space boasts 25,000 gallons of salt water sustaining Nova Scotia lobster, Dungeness crab from Haida Gwaii and impressive king crab from the frigid waters off Alaska. Not sure how to handle these beasts? Knowledgeable staff will steam your catch on site at no charge or provide you with excellent recipe ideas to tackle them at home.

The Salmon Shop

6
123 Carrie Cates Crt, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3K7

Located in North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay, the Salmon Shop satisfies your desire for one-stop farmer’s market shopping. Pick up some produce across the aisle, a baguette at the corner bakery stall and whatever seafood you’re craving — scallops, sable fish, or of course salmon — and dinner’s in the (reusable cloth) bag.

More from Alison Cairns Alison Cairns
Alison Cairns has been working in writing and publishing for over a decade. A devoted Vancouverite, she loves exploring the hidden gems and new happenings — both cultural and culinary — in the city. She is also a lover of coffee, wine, craft beer and pretty much all food except sea urchin. She staves off the results of these loves by running the seawall, cycling the city and hiking the mountains.
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