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Go Fish Ocean Emporium
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Fish & Chips Seafood, Fish & Chips [Edit]
1505 W 1st AveVancouver, BC V6J 1E8
Neighbourhood: Granville Island/False Creek
(604) 730-5040
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 11:30 am - 6:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
135 reviews for Go Fish Ocean Emporium
Review Highlights
"Tacones: 2 with atmosphere for $9."
(in 37 reviews)
"Now, onto the scallop sandwich."
(in 13 reviews)
"Can't wait to come back on a sunny day."
(in 10 reviews)
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135 reviews in English
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Review from Sarah D.
10/31/2011
It was a beautiful August day, and consequently the same day as my first ever Yelp elite event. I had made the journey down to Granville Island to purchase some oysters and meet up with the lovely Kari C. and Larry L. -two awesome folks who, until that time, I had never met. Once our shopping venture was done, Kari posed the question "is anyone hungry?" Damn right, I was, and you can always trust a Yelper to make a great recommendation. She mentioned Go Fish, and how she and her mom always eat here whenever they visit Granville Island. Well, why the hell not?
Kari warned me that we would have to wait in a long line, although she assured me it was well worth it. Indeed, the line was long; however everyone seemed to be in a good mood, and menus were being passed back and forth so that people could later order their food with German efficiency. Kari maintained that their fish and chips is the best in the city, however I saw a scallop sandwich on the menu, and being a scallop lover I knew that it had to be mine.
When we finally reached the front (about 20-30 minutes after arrival) we placed our orders and were advised the food would be ready in about ten minutes. When our name was called, we received our baskets of goodness, and were told we could take them to eat wherever we'd like, so long as we promised to return them. How terrific is that?! We ended up sitting on the seawall down the road, enjoying the most picture-perfect scenery, outstanding food and hilarious conversation. Wow -I'm making this out to be a Yelp date or something.
Overall, Go Fish is an amazing place and Kari was right -it IS worth the wait. -
Review from Natalie B.
Vancouver, BC
11/16/2011
Great fish & chips. I bring out of town guests here whenever the weather permits.
I love that you can choose from several different fish types. Your serving comes with a huge supply of french fries and a nice side of slaw.
I have never tried the other items on the menu, but a foodie friend of mine swears by their tacones.
The only drawback is the line-up when the weather is nice. I have waited up to 30 min just to place my order (it was totally worth it)
A hint - Granville Island Brew Pub allows their patrons to bring in outside food. Try bringing your fish & chips into the pub and watch the jealous looks from other tables as you sip on Granville Islands beer sampler and eat your meal.
Enjoy! -
Review from Rheanna F.
Vancouver, BC
11/13/2011
Am i the only one who thinks this place is being just a little bit sneaky by putting their stand right in the fisherman's wharf? I suppose their location and the slogan 'in support of local fisherman' suggests that Go Fish buy their primary ingredient from local fisherman at the wharf who sell their fresh catches only 15 feet away... but this doesn't seem to be the case.
When i mentioned to my boyfriend's dad, a fisherman who has been based out of that dock for over 30 years, that i'd always wanted to try Go Fish since i kept hearing good things about it, he said don't bother, because the fish you get there isn't any better than what you'll get anywhere else. As far as the local fisherman know, the only 'support' they get from Go Fish is that they pay rent at the Fisherman's Wharf. No one in their tight knit fishing community has anything to do with their ingredients.
I do love me some fish n chips, and while i imagine that their batter, dips and coleslaws are super yummy, i'd rather skip the huge wait in their line up, because i sorta feel like they're trying to trick people into thinking their ingredients are fresher than they actually are. If you want really fresh, really local fish, i'd recommend buying some smoked salmon from the actual fisherman at their sales pier, only a 3 minute stroll away, and if you want fish n chips, there's a place at the entrance to Granville Island that has a smaller wait and FANTASTIC food! -
Review from Robin M.
11/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
You go, you order some fish, you sit by the water, you watch tourists decide on which fish they may wish, you enjoy your ish of fish.
Fresh fish, crisp chips, chilly-day chowder, sesame oil in the coleslaw? Yum.
And repeat.Listed in: Fast Food, Granville Island
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Review from Christian H.
Vancouver, BC
2/9/2012
I just moved to Vancouver a month or so ago with my partner. We were walking down False Creek and we came across Go Fish. It reminded me of our trip to Malaysia, where you would find a great seafood restaurant in the middle of nowhere. We decided that we were hungry and the prices were great. We shared the 2 Cods + chips (fries), and coleslaw for $12 plus tax. We sat down and ate and oh my God, the coleslaw was so good. I don't know what they put in it but it was amazing. The chips were perfectly salted and the fish was really good too. It was a perfect meal for us to split. I only took one star off because it was a little slow for my liking on that day. Other than that... Perfect...
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Review from Victoria J.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2012
By far the better Go Fish location. For the best fish and chips in Vancouver, go here. The fish was perfect and the fries were very addicting. I also really enjoyed the coleslaw, but they only give a tiny cupful. They use some sort of dressing in their coleslaw, which I find tastier than the creamy coleslaws I've tried at other fish and chips joints.
This place is by the dock near Granville island and outside, so it's cold sometimes, but it's worth it. Sadly, in the summer time they have an insanely long line-up everyday. When it's colder (like in the winter) you will get your food quicker and there's more of a chance of getting a place to sit and eat. -
Review from Michael F.
11/7/2011
They are closed on Mondays. Remember that.
Had a scallop sandwich and oyster tacone.
The cole slaw is very good. The scallops were cooked well, good texture and doneness, but not much crisp/browning on the edges. There are a lot of other (tasty) fillings in the sandwich and the mild scallop flavor and texture got lost behind them. Cabbage, greens and mayo based schmear were otherwise great.
Oyster taco was meaty and strongly flavored. Lots of big juicy delicious oysters. The sauce was vinegary and a little sweet, had more of the great slaw/cabbage inside the taco. Tortilla was meh, but can't expect much this far north. -
Review from Jacqueline T.
Coquitlam, BC
9/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Yes.. go before the crowd gets there. Because after your purchase, you're still waiting a good 15-20 minutes before you food comes. Its building your anticipation for the fried goodness~
I gotta give props to the fried fish: as its not as oily as many other, and remains crispy on the outside, and silky in the inside. I'm not too big of a fan of the fries.. (they should consider trying different cuts). Their tacones are delicious and worth the $5.50, as size is pretty large and comes with a side of pickled coleslaw as well.
In terms of the fish and chips.. its $8 for 1 slice of cod and chips.. where as its $5 for just the cod. Please understand that its granville island.. And you're paying for the outdoor ambience and scenery. So suck it up. The sizes of the fish varies.. but i've been lucky to get a fish that was about 6inches in length and pretty thick too, but i've gotten smaller ones as well.
Service: Hmm I've had better. Maybe they're allowed to be more coy and cold, since their so busy and popular.. but I wish they would share a smile with you, and atleast pretend that they are happy to serve you. But you won't have to deal with them for too long. Its a pay and find your own seat (goodluck, on a busy day).
Great to go on a hot summer day.. but downside when you go: Everyone else will be there as well. Longest line I've been in was +1 hr to pay, +1 hr to food. No joke.
Random: Their tap water.. doesn't taste as great as B.C. tap water should :O -
Review from Ly H.
8/14/2011
Best darn fish n chips ever. I especially like the cod, which is nice and moist. Halibut would be a close second, followed by salmon. The fries are pretty good too.
Don't come here if you are in a rush.
Go Fish is best enjoyed on a lazy day. I spent a lovely time there today with no agenda, nowhere to go and nothing to do. I spent an hour and a half there today with friends and family, on a wonderful Vancouver summer afternoon. About half an hour in line, another half hour to get our food, and then chilling at the nearby lily pond enjoying lunch and watching a family of ducks paddle around.
In order to avoid hunger brain get some fruits and snacks at Granville market before hopping into line. -
Review from Michelle R.
Vancouver, BC
7/14/2011
I'm kinda torn about this place.
On one of the first sunny days of our unpredictable Vancouver seasons where people wear shorts at the first sign of a cherry blossom blossoming....we felt like having fish and chips. My grumpy partner was HUNGRY.
The lineup at Go Fish looked LONG. The kind of long that surely meant a wait for food that a hungry man cannot take. BUT, because he swears by the fish and chips here, he was willing to wait and I was tasked with the tall order of keeping him entertained in the lineup for 45 minutes.
After we ordered, it took another 15 minutes to get our food.
Total time from desire to satisfaction- 1 hour.
Once we found our spot on the green grass away from the maddening crowd, we munched. I didn't even have a fork for my coleslaw and had to eat it out of the container like ice cream.
But despite our grumpiness at having to wait, we decided that life was good. I had salmon and fries, he had cod and fries....and it was, at the time, the best we'd ever had.
The cod was 'full bodied'...almost like halibut, and the batter was light. I'm not a fan of scavenger hunting for my fish within a coating of batter.
I'm a fan, but I'd be an even bigger fan without the line up.
Prices were relatively good here too. I think the HST was included in the price...I don't recall exactly, but for both our meals, it seemed relatively affordable.
We were satisfied. -
Review from Andy W.
7/21/2011 6 photos
If you like seafood, this is the place to go. Really good food but good luck getting a seat or table.
Had lunch there a couple times while I was in Vancouver. It's in a weird location but it's really not too hard to find. It's about a block from the entrance of Granville Island.
I didn't think their tacones were all that but their fish and chips were great. They have specials that changes everyday. One day they had a spot prawn salad sandwich special, it was the best thing I've had there. If it's on the menu, get it. Another day, they had whole spot prawns cooked in a soy chili glaze. I'm not a big fan of sweet in a savory dish so the sauce didn't work for me.
After you order, it does take a while for the food to be ready.
They accept credit cards.
If you can't get a seat or table, just walk towards Granville Island, there are some places you can sit with a great view. -
Review from N C.
Burnaby, BC
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I used to love this place and it continues to be my destination place when I visit Granville island. The salmon and chips are pretty tasty but it's really just a food stand. They've made the best of it, there are some seats and benches built on the side. But the waits can be long. The fries are nothing unusual. I usually see customers throw out a lot of fries after they finish their fish.
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Review from Purdy J.
8/6/2011 1 photo
I have mixed feelings about Go Fish... sometimes I like it and other times I don't. It's a place known for it's fresh and local food but be prepared to wait. It's a very small shack located steps from Granville Island with usually a long line-up. If you have all day to hang around with friends, then you'll enjoy the wait to order and then the wait to get your food. Going during non-peak hours is recommended.
There's a small uncovered patio with table seating for about 12 and a bar area with stools. No covered area if it rains.
The food is delicious but it's not health food. Fried fish and chips, creamy seafood soup, Po-Boys, Tacones (white flour tortilla with seafood soaked in tasty mayo based sauce), etc. They do have a salad option but so do most restaurants. -
Review from Louis T.
7/4/2011
Vancouver is kind of like the promised land. It's a city with working transit, without raised freeways all over the place, and it's close to the mountains and the ocean. People seem friendly and even the reaction to the recent riots seems like a goodie two shoes who skipped school once flipping out about it. Oh, yeah, it's really pretty too.
So, basically, all the people complaining Go Fish is too slow are spoiled whiners. Go Fish gives you really fresh local fish, it's well-prepared, and you can hang out and look at the pretty boats while you wait. Just don't go if you're in a rush. I can verify that the fish & chips, oyster sandwich, and tacones were awesome, but I'm sure everything else is too. -
Review from Mike P.
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Every other time I've tried to eat here there's been a huge lineup. A big long wait for a fish n chips stand? Seems outrageous.
Anyways today we went at 4:30pm on a weekday, so only a short lineup.
The food is definitely good, i got the scallop sandwich, which was very tasty (easily the best scallop sandwich that i've ever had...not that i've had many), fortunately my wife's meal came with fries or I would've left hungry. The batter on the cod what perfect (as some have pointed out, it's tough to go wrong with deep fried battered fish). Not sure if i will return here or not, for a couple bucks more I could eat in a nearby restaurant with table service.
A couple of things that bugged me a bit:
- "daily specials" = you pay more, and get less food. If i'm paying $13 for three scallops in a bun give me some fries with it! I guess "special" doesn't always mean sale....in this case it means "these are some super special expensive scallops!"
- no recycling - everyone's eating off paper plates, and out of plastic cups and cans....they had three or four bins next to each other, why not have one for cans, one for compostables, and one for others?
Anyways I would probably head back if I have guests in town and there's no lineup, otherwise maybe I'll check out the new Go Fish restaurant on Broadway and see how that is
One last tip, we tried mixing the hot sauce with the ketchup and it made for a very tasty (spicy) dip for our fries, yum!! -
Review from Brittany W.
North Vancouver, BC
5/20/2011
Delicious and fresh from the ocean, but inefficient customer service and operations - so ineffective, it made my experience that I was expecting to be fabulous, a complete waste of time. I just had a nice run in the sun around False Creek and wanted to enjoy some killer tacones (I do love them) from Go Fish. The line had only 12 people ahead of me, which seemed fair, but if I had waited to get my order, it would have taken 70 minutes - no exaggeration.
Originally, I anticipated a good 20 minute wait with 12 people ahead, but it took 45. Apparently, people can call in orders and are given an expected wait time of 20-30 minutes, which is the same as people waiting in line AFTER THEY ORDER!
I waited 45 minutes, and right before I was getting ready to order, I heard the worker say to the people ahead of me "Ok, that's $25. It'll just be a 20-30 minute wait." So after you order, you have to wait another 20-30 minutes! I was meeting a friend and I couldn't afford the wait, so I wasted all that time for nothing. I was hoping for a quick healthy grab and go lunch after my run, but ended up being disappointed. Not impressed in the least.
Three suggestions for improvement:
1) If you're setup street-kart style, people have certain expectations. Operate accordingly please - should be "order, grab and go" style, NOT wait an extra 30 minutes after you place an order.
2) Priority should be weighted in favour of the people who are present vs. those calling in for quick pickup.
3) There needs to be communication around the two waits (before AND after ordering)-- via signage or staff. It's not fair to have people waiting like that with the extra unanticipated wait - many of us in the line shared these same feelings.
Tips for customers: Perhaps it's not best to go on a perfectly sunny Friday at 1PM or just call in your order! -
Review from Jen H.
4/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Halibut & chips = fantastic, so delicious!
And thank goodness it was b/c it cost $21 CAD for 2 pcs halibut, no drink, for essentially a food stand meal. Waited over 20 mins during a completely non-busy 3:30pm time in wet, 40 degree BC weather.
Now, that's an authentic BC experience! -
Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
7/5/2011
On a beautiful sunny day, the wait can be 1.5 hours and that's on a weekday.
But, you decide what you want in line. (30 minutes)
Order: Halibut and chips. (Halibut is the best quality)
or
Tuna Cone if you want something less fattening. Then share the chips.
The lemonade is nice, and be sure to load up on tartar sauce, vinegar and ketchup.
We watched for chairs and then got two overlooking the water.
Wait time after order: 45 minutes.
I left with a burn, but was almost happy to have a burn in Vancouver!
The fish was delicious and so were the fries. A close second to another fisn-n-chip place I reviewed, but the best view!
Total price for two and 1 drink: $20 even. -
Review from Michelle F.
9/1/2011
The fish and chips are divine, but make sure to get some chili curry ketchup to spice up your fries.
The fish and chips are pretty darn good. Light and crisp and very fresh. Cod makes the best fried fish in my opinion.
This place is *extremely* popular. Expect to wait to order and then another 30-45 minutes to get your food. Some customers were't expecting this and started yelling at the staff (Not cool guys. If you want fast, go to McDonald's). -
Review from Casey D.
Vancouver, BC
5/29/2011
Have heard so much about this place over the years but only tried it a few weeks ago. It was a sunny Saturday and stupid me, I should have known that the lineup would be ridiculous. But we were there and oh what the hell, why not? So we got in the crazy lineup and waited an insane amount of time. By the time we got our food, it was about 45 minutes later. Luckily we got seats on the patio and by that point, I was ready to say that it wasn't worth the wait. Ordered a salmon tacone and one piece of cod, by itself, no chips. Took the first bite out of the tacone and hot damn, I really hated to say that it was good, but yeah, it really was that good. It was so simple too. Fresh fish, a kickass coleslaw (no mayo) and I'm not sure if there was much else in there, but for whatever reason, this was like the best thing I could have eaten that day.
I polished off my tacone in no time and then proceeded to try my piece of cod. The batter was light, which is how I like it. I hate when the batter is too thick and it feels like you're eating a donut wrapped about a piece of fish. But this was light and crisp. Greasy? Well, it's fish and chips, so there's no way around that. But squeeze on some lemon and it's all good. I'm not into the chips, so for me, I just stole a couple off my friend and that was enough. Not much to say about chips. I guess you'd have to ask someone who's more into them than I am. But I think I found my perfect combo - a tacone and a piece of fish. If you're going to wait in line that long, you may as well order a bunch of different things.
I hate to say it, but it lives up to the hype, and is worth the wait in line. But still, I think I might have to strategize and go on a cloudy, rainy day to avoid a lineup. Only thing better than good food, is good food with no lineup! -
Review from Jonathan L.
Vancouver, BC
5/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you're looking for fast service, don't come here. But if you have time, the food is well worth the wait. Seriously, on a sunny day your wait can be upwards to an hour, but it's some of the best fish'n chips you'll have in Vancouver.
It's not the perfect fish'n chips dining experience, but nothing is perfect. Remember, you can't watch Batman Begins without putting up with the "acting" of Katie Holmes. -
Review from Lisa C.
8/14/2011
Blep! Half an hour wait to order + 45mins wait to get food before 5pm. The best fish and chips I had was in Queenstown New Zealand at a stand next to the harbor with better view and no wait.
Go Fish's batter and coleslaw is better than Red Fish Blue Fish in Victoria.
Cod was juicier than the Halibut at Red Fish Blue Fish.
Dark brown color of Tuna in the Tacone does not look fresh.
Coleslaw is of the Japanese variety (soy/vinegar/sugar) rather than the mayo kind. Decently flavored. -
Review from Carol L.
Vancouver, BC
9/7/2011
I'm sure you find it unusual that I should be the only one with a bad review. But listen to this:
We always had fish and chips from inside the market at Celine's. One day, a friend of mine told me about this Go Fish and insisted I went for it! So, I did. We waited in line (there's always a line) for about 30mins. I was there with my family, so we got 5 orders of Cod and Chips. We waited another 30-45mins before our order came up. To our absolute horror... The food looked terrible. My dad ordered a 2 piece Cod and Chips, which came out looking like a 1 piece Cod with a scrap dug out from the bottom of the fryer as the 2nd piece. 2 of our orders came with chips that looked like they came from the bottom of the fryer again. Mine, in fact, looks like they poured all the left-over chips from other people's plates and served it up to me.
It was very disappointing for I have heard only the best about this place. Would I go back and give this place a second chance? No. Because the price was higher than Celine's anyway. Celine's is consistent; I'd rather know I'm getting a good meal EVERY time and not have to gamble! -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 3/4/2011 1 photo
* Revisiting the past *
It has been a really long time since I last visited Go Fish. Don't know why. Perhaps it was the ridiculous lines after it got written up in the NY Times.
I returned on a whim recently and had an absolutely wonderful grilled albacore tuna sandwich.
They glazed the tuna with a thickened ponzu, and placed it on a freshly toasted bun with a bit of wasabi mayo. The tuna was grilled nicely with it still being a bit raw inside while seared on the outside. The sandwich was completed with a nice variety of veggies including kaiware, mixed greens, a slightly spicy fresh salsa, and some toasted sesame seeds. All of the flavours blended nicely. Photo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
The side of cole slaw was their classic one using red and green cabbage, toasted pumpkin seeds and a hint of sesame.
On a sunny day this is still a lovely spot - a little fish shack right by the docks with a nice view of the water, boats, the bridge, the mountains in the background, and downtown. I won't wait as long for my next visit.Listed in: Something fishy (hopefully…, Granville Island
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/8/2008
I don't have too much to add to what has already been said about the offerings. Yes, it can have… Read more »
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Review from Rachel F.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2011
Being as surrounded by water as Vancouver it is, it's only natural to want to partake of the ocean's bounty. There is no better place to do it than Go Fish on Granville Island, which is one of the best places to get fresh, delicious and authentic fish and chips by the water.
Nestled in a sweet spot at False Creek's harbour, steps from the Granville Island Market, Go Fish appears from the outside as little more than a rough-hewn shack of a place ... which it sort of is, but don't let that stop you.
Locals (and plenty of tourists in the summer!) regularly line up to get their hands on the little shack's fresh fish. The restaurant prides itself on supporting local fishermen and that is reflected in their very simple menu. Go Fish scores highly for their location; it's hard to think of a better view or fun eating experience of the city. In colder months the restaurant has gas heaters on their patio to counter the chilly air, but even still there's something inherently warming about eating fresh fish and chips a mere steps from the ocean...
Being the purist that I am, I rarely stray from the beer-battered cod with French fries. One piece with fries is more than adequate, but the fish is so light and delicious you'll kick yourself if you don't order two. The fries themselves were magical, as they managed to retain their crispy goodness in the fresh ocean air on a chilly autumn evening.
The meal was served with a really, really delicious coleslaw dressed with ginger, soy, toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds. This light Asian slaw was a nice counter to the richness of the fried food. The creamy dill tartar sauce was fresh and homemade, complimenting the fish well. Go Fish has a number of flavoured mayonnaises available for French fry dipping; I always go with the chipotle (the wasabi is apparently quite popular). When I asked one of the young women behind the counter what her favourite dish is, she concurred with me that simple is best and cod is the way to go, (fish taquitos are very popular among those in-the-know). She also highly recommended the fried fresh scallop sandwich which sounded amazing the next time I have $12 for lunch on the Island I know where I am going and what I'll be eating. -
Review from Michael A.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best fish and chips I've ever had! Well, fish, anyway. Fries were good, but nothing amazing.
The HALIBUT! Get that. The salmon wasn't all that great, and the cod was OK.
But the halibut was amazing! Great batter, and great slaw, too. -
Review from Beverly W.
Vancouver, BC
10/15/2011
I have been going to Go Fish for their tacones for a few years now. No matter what the type of tacone I love the combination of the ingredients. There is usually a long line up. The last time I went was in Sept 2011 and I waited 15 minutes for my tacones. It might be a good idea to call ahead to get take-out instead of waiting in line.
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Review from Dana W.
4/7/2011
Heard about Go Fish on Trip Advisor and Yelp, and my husband, especially, is a huge fan of fish and chips. So we made a point of coming here, specifically, for lunch on our 2 day trip to Vancouver.
Totally hands down worth it. It's a little fish & chips hut right by the harbor. When we got there the electricity was out, but they were still serving fish & chips only (nothing else off the menu). Not a problem. I got the salmon fish & chips, my husband and the kids all got cod. The staff was easy-going and helpful - they let us sample the fried salmon to help us make the decision.
The fish (both kinds) were delicious. The batter was crispy, tasty, not too greasy. the fish itself was PERFECT. And the fries had such a yummy flavor. There was a cole slaw, as well -- kind of Asian-style, I suppose, with what tasted like sesame and tamari seasoning - I didn't care for it, but it was interesting.
Anyway, enjoyed it very much - excellent recommendation, fellow Yelpers! -
Review from Cathy S.
2/18/2011
On a blue sky, sunny day this is one of my favourite places to grab a bite to eat. I'm not sure what is more compelling, the food quality or the outdoor setting.
Truth be told I do not enjoy most fried foods but I have tried their halibut and chips and they are better than most. Definitely less greasy and with a lighter and crisper batter than their competitors. What really has me hooked are their scallop sandwiches, the fish tacos, which they refer to as tacones and their mixed greens with the grilled fish on top.
On weekends, the lineups just to place your order can be extremely long and then it can take up to half an hour to receive your food. I am willing to wait in a half hour line to place my order, which for me, one of the most impatient people in the world, is a testament to their food and the beautiful vistas surrounding Go Fish. -
Review from Jonathan M.
10/29/2011
Compared to my other review of a fish and chips place, if you happen to have your passport on you, skip Fairhaven Fish and Chips and go up here. I am hoping they make there F&C's from scratch as they taste like it.
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Review from Kari C.
1/27/2011
Every now and then I get food cravings out of the blue, and this is one of my favourite places to indulge. My tip is to go early on a sunny day as soon as they open, in order to grab a seat and avoid the mid-afternoon lineup.
The staff are pretty relaxed and friendly, and I always order the fish and chips with an Italian orange or lemon soda. Halibut is my favourite order, but I have also tried the salmon and cod, and dining partners and I often trade so we have a variety of battered fish and seafood tacones, all of which are very good.
I worked in the Granville Island Public Market for a while, have been visiting this place for a few years, and never came across an issue with the food. They get their daily seafood from the boats nearby, and everything tastes fresh. I'm a potato fiend though, and always order fries (wherever I go) without salt to get the newest ones. Mmmm. The beer batter on the fish is light and crispy, and doesn't feel too greasy. Best of all, their coleslaw has ended my lifelong grudge with shredded cabbage because it isn't swimming in mayonnaise. Last time I went, there was also a dinosaur in the planter box. Thumbs up!
It's hard to beat a lazy, sunshine-y Vancouver day, sitting on a bench or at a table, and tossing the occasional fry to a happy dog or noisy seagull.
Got any fives? -
Review from Lucinda C.
Vancouver, BC
12/28/2010
If you want a fish burger, this is the place to go. They have a huge variety of fish and I wish I can go back every week to try them all. I ordered the tuna burger and I love the spread that was added in.
Not many people like fish, but for a person that grew up eating more fish than beef or even chicken, I love it and I can't complain. The fish was cooked through, no raw or cold spots.
It's pretty hidden in Granville Island and some people do get frustrated because they can't find the place. Be patient and ask the store owners, they are extremely helpful!! -
Review from Newton F.
9/5/2011
Tasty fish and chips. Be aware though that this place has quite the crowd get there early and snag a good place to sit
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Review from Ernesto G.
4/11/2011 4 photos
Oh so good!
After all these years, I finally got to try Go Fish and it did not disappoint. The line up wasn't too bad (10-12 minutes) and once you place your order, it takes between 6-12 minutes for your food to be ready.
The cod is good, but the halibut is better. Not too much batter, which I like and they serve it piping hot, which I also like. The fries seem almost endless and are super crispy. You even get a small container of coleslaw; see photos.
The service is excellent; very friendly and helpful.
Can't wait to come back on a sunny day.
Tip: There are a few parking spots for Go Fish, but only park in the ones facing the water. -
Review from AJ R.
10/1/2011
We had just arrived by boat to Fisherman's Wharf nearby and happened to walk by this place just before they closed (7PM during summer). I ordered a BBQ oyster sandwich which was outstanding! Oysters cooked just right (not too much) great tasting sauce and a unique but excellent cole slaw with a hint of sesame oil on the side. Yummm!
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Review from Pia W.
8/28/2010 1 photo
I can definitely see why there would be a line up for the fish and chips here at Go Fish. As long as you are mentally prepared for a line-up, there's really no excuse why one would not come here for the classic fish and chips (Just make sure you have someone you can chat with line up with you).
Special of the days are written on a blackboard right next to the order window. After my 15 minute wait, I ordered a 2 piece cod and chips to go. My dinner partner ordered a 1 piece cod and chips with a salmon. A tacone is pretty much a wrap with the fish of your choice and other veggies in it. They take down your name and yell out for you when your order is ready. Sometimes I wonder if anyone has tried just take someone's order without really paying.
Our order took around another 20 minutes to complete, but judging from the volume of people that were there, I would give them a break on their wait times. And besides, it is right next to the waterfront: Just take a stroll down and enjoy the weather (unless it is pouring) and time will fly faster than the X-43 (unmanned plane that tops at Mach 9.6).
Go Fish also have a bunch of designated parking right next to their establishment. So if they run out of room, you can also eat-in in your car. Great idea for a date -- parked facing the waterfront, and eating Go Fish's delicious fish and chips.
Back to the food -- Everything was fried perfectly with the fish inside still nice and moist. You can really taste the freshness of the fish -- mmmmm, just writing about it makes me want another piece. The batter is light and crisp, not doughy at all. The chips are pretty good too (can't beat the awesome fish though) -- without a doubt they are made from real potatoes (unlike some other fries I have eaten elsewhere).
Love the location, love the food, even better that they support local fishermen -- I am eying their scallop burger for next time. -
Review from Michael A.
North Vancouver, BC
9/17/2011
Arrived for the first time with all the yelps i had read swirling around in my mind, raising my temperature and preemptively commenting "Uggh, i'm too hungry to wait an hour for fried food" and this classic, "I'm not sure i can eat it if it's ugly". I let my wonderful wife do the ordering, as usual when i'm in a tizzy, and she got us two wraps, cod and chips and a grilled salmon for THE BABY!!!
It was 11:45am when we arrived, ordered at 11:50am and received our food at 12:02pm. There was some stress about where we were going to sit in the patio area but a table opened up as our names were called and so we sat and ate it quite comfortably, albeit, our table was being stalked the whole time by most of the pairs of women who formed most of the lunch crowd.
The fish and chips was quite good but i do believe i have had better, and much worse... much. The taco/wrap things were really quite good, no buts. The grilled salmon... wow, dry, wow. THE BABY was clearly upset by it. She did eat it at home though, when i mixed it with cottage cheese, so... i don't think that's helping the review.
We'll be back... -
Review from jason g.
7/27/2010
The best fish and chips in Vancouver.
Opens form 1130 am to 630pm tuesday through Friday, noon to 630 on the weekends, and gone fishing on mondays.
It's probably the fresh air, the fresh sea water, the beautiful weather, but these damn fish and chips are pretty damn good. It's actually a little pricey for this hole in the wall restaurant but it's worth it.
I stuck with the cod. They also have a halibut and salmon option. I just don't think these types of fish would fry well. Meaning, I just think they would dry out.
The cod came with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, lemons, malt vinegar.........basically all the fixings for fish and chips. I would try to avoid the line by coming either very early or very late, but definitely a must when in Granville Island/False Creek. -
Review from Suiki S.
Vancouver, BC
4/7/2011 5 photos
What at Glorious Day in Vancouver! The Sun is Out, Sakura is Blossoming, Spring is in the Air and perhaps Love too. On a sunny day like this, I can hear my stomach calling out for one of my many summer visits to The Go Fish Ocean Emporium in Granville Island. Located at the Fisherman Wharf on Granville Island, Go Fish serves up the BEST Fish & Chips in the city. They also recently renovated their patio deck - it is simple, lay-back and relaxing. If only Go Fish serves Martini - I would be in heaven
After picking up some of my cravings like the Honey-dip donut at Lee's and the savoury Bison pepperoni and Prosciutto di Parma at Oyama Sausage; we arrived at Go Fish at 11:30 am to avoid the long dreadful line-ups. If you come here on a sunny weekend in the Summer months; be prepared to wait at least 30 to 45 mins to order and pick up your food. Go Fish is infamous for their long line-ups but it's well worth the wait.
Go Fish offers a variety of seafood choices on their menu ranging from Fish and seafood Chowder, Grilled Salmon and Sea Scallop platters, Oyster Burritos, Fish Tacones, Seared Albacore Tuna Sandwiches and their famous beer battered Fish & Chips. Everything is freshly made when ordered; that explains the even longer wait time in addition to the wait up to order. For Lunch, we ordered:
2 piece Fish & Chips Halibut $18.99 - Love it! I would recommend the Halibut over the Cod ($11.50) even though it is a little bit pricey. The halibut was really fresh and the piece of fish is quite sizeable. The batter was not too thick nor oily. The fries are crispy and nicely seasoned not too salty. The coleslaw is not your typical mayonnaise based dressing. It is an Asian inspired coleslaw with rice vinegar and aromatic sesame oil and seed - I love it.
2 Tacones $10.00 - You have a choice of salmon, seared tuna or oyster tacones. These soft shell tacos are rolled up in a shape of cones hence the name " Tacones". I chose the salmon and oyster tacones - each tacone is garnished with salsa tomatoes, alfalfa spouts, cilantro and Asian coleslaw - it is light and refreshing. The Salmon is perfectly cooked - very juicy and not dry. If you like oysters, you must try the oyster Tacone or Burrito - it is delightful.
Overall, I love the experience at Go Fish especially on a Sunny Vancouver Day. I would highly recommend arriving early (before 11:30) to avoid the long dreadful line ups and to find a seat to enjoy your food on their lovely patio.
Food - 4 stars
Ambiance - 3 1/2 stars
Décor - 3 1/2 stars
Service - 3 stars
Value - 3 1/2 stars -
Review from Fiona H.
Vancouver, BC
8/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
My friend has been telling me about this place for the past three summers and Granville Island is literally a 10 minute walk from my apartment! I don't know why it's taken me this long to go!
It is by far the yummiest fish 'n' chips I've had here in Vancouver. We ordered the cod and it was so good! I love that the batter isn't caked on like most fish 'n' chips places. The size of the fish is actually what you see, not a small morsel hidden in a brick of batter. It was light and melted in my mouth. I also recommend the salmon tacones.
I really wanted to give them a 4 star but am a little turned off by their service. There was two Korean tourists in line in front of us that were treated quite rudely. There was obviously a language barrier for the poor girl. So instead of saying her order, she pointed at the menu.
The girl behind the cash just kept barking at her, "I can't read that, just tell me what you want." This went on for a couple of minutes before the order was finally put in.
I know they do get busy but we were the third order in line and there was maybe 3 more behind us. It wasn't that bad. Plus being situated right by Granville Island, you should expect lots of tourists who don't speak the language. Give the girl a break and just look at what she's pointing at on the menu.
Overall, food was excellent. Service skills needs improvement.
