It’s no secret that Granville Island is home to some of the best restaurants in Vancouver. We’ve been here a handful of times, and we manage to always stumble upon a new favorite spot to dine, and here’s a bunch of ’em.

We’re no food experts, but we can confidently say that these restaurants definitely hit the spot when it comes to delicious and diverse cuisine.

Vancouver’s Best Granville Island Restaurants

If you’ve been to or heard of Granville Island, you’ll know that this place is just filled with an array of incredible dining options. So much so that it’s a bit overwhelming to decide where to eat.

Well, we’re here to tell you that we’ve assessed the following restaurants based on the criteria below to help narrow down your choices.

Unique Offerings: We selected restaurants that offer something unique to the table. Whether it’s a fusion dish, a creative twist on a classic dish, or a specialty cuisine that you won’t find elsewhere.

Menu Selection: We looked into the variety and range of options on each restaurant’s menu.

Food Quality
• Taste: We sampled almost all of the dishes at each restaurant to ensure that they were prepared with high-quality ingredients and tasted delicious.
• Presentation: We observe the presentation of each dish to see if it is visually appealing and well-executed.

Availability
• Opening Hours: We chose restaurants that have convenient opening hours to accommodate different dining preferences and schedules.
• Seating Capacity: We evaluate the seating capacity of each restaurant to ensure that they can accommodate a sufficient number of customers at any given time.

1. The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★☆ 4/5
Menu Selection	★★★★★ 5/5
Food Quality	★★★★☆ 4/5
Taste	★★★★☆ 4/5
Presentation	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5

Right under the Granville Island bridge is this seafood hotspot that serves made-to-order sushi with live music. Seriously though, a visit to Granville Island isn’t complete without dining at the Sandbar Seafood Restaurant.

You might as well call it the seafood mecca of Vancouver. Here you’ll find fresh oysters, prawns, fish, and basically any other type of seafood you can imagine.

We’re not saying you should, but it’s definitely a good idea to get one of their seafood platters. It’s well worth the price if you’re planning on getting a taste of a little bit of everything on the menu.

But if you’d like a specific recommendation, we couldn’t get enough of the smoked salmon carpaccio. This dish has pickled shallots that add a tangy flavor to the smoked salmon, and we thought the jalapeno vinaigrette added a nice kick of spice.

Indoors, the restaurant is brimming with decorations that take cues from fishing villages, featuring wooden touches and lofty ceilings that create a feeling of spaciousness.

However, we opted to grab a table on the patio, and let us tell you, we had the chance to relish gorgeous views of the waterfront and downtown Vancouver.

Customer Reviews

Excellent food and fresh seafood

“Food was absolutely excellent, so the Sandbar lived up to the hype of a great place to experience the local fish…”

-Anita S.

Amazing food

“The actual Michelin guide needs to come here and give them a star because the food here is so amazing. The service here is awesome! They are so kind and friendly…”

-Jason S.

2. Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★★ 5/5
Menu Selection	★★★★★ 5/5
Food Quality	★★★★☆ 4/5
Taste	★★★★★ 5/5
Presentation	★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5

The food, atmosphere, and music here at Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen are truly a homage to the rich culture of Lebanon.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll see minimalist decor with hints of traditional Lebanese elements, such as intricate mosaic patterns adorning the walls. There’s also an olive tree and clay water pitcher, which are all Lebanese artifacts.

We went here for lunch on a sunny day and decided to go all out with their lunch combos. We went for everything – falafel, cauliflower, shish tawouk, and kafta. To round it off, we added hummus and fried potatoes on the side.

All of these were delicious, but what stood out to us was the falafel. These deep-fried chickpea dumplings were crispy on the outside and perfectly seasoned on the inside.

To cap off our meal, we savored a Lebanese coffee that went down so smoothly, boasting delightful hints of cardamom. We also tried the ‘Arak’, a Lebanese distilled grape spirit with aniseed and it had a unique taste similar to licorice.

Although we have to say, seating here is a bit limited, so we recommend you make a reservation. But if you’re looking to book a table the same day, you’d have to call the restaurant directly.

Customer Reviews

Feels like home

“The food is unbelievable! Everything about Mazahr is perfect, the food, the atmosphere, the music, the owner and the staff. It’s so welcoming, It feels like home!.”

-Vanessa K.

Many food options

“Food was freshly made and it tasted really good. Many choices ti select and portion are big as well…”

-Van T.

3. Juicy Joe’s Burgers

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★★ 5/5
Menu Selection	★★★★★ 5/5
Food Quality	★★★★☆ 4/5
Taste	★★★★★ 5/5
Presentation	★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5

Yep, you guessed it. Juicy Joe’s is all about burgers, and while we know that you’ve probably already had your fair share of burgers, this joint is definitely worth trying when you’re in Granville Island.

We’ll just get right into it and tell you that you can’t go wrong with ordering anything on their menu. You can opt for the classic cheeseburger or go a little crazy with their truffle mushroom and Swiss burger.

We absolutely devoured their juicy bacon cheeseburger. The patty was so juicy and perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of char on the outside.

The bacon added a smoky flavor that pairs well with the cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, raw onions, and their signature home-made mayo sauce.

We ate this alongside an order of poutine and crispy chicken tenders. So it’s safe to say that we definitely indulged too much here at Juicy Joe’s.

So much so that we had to ask for the secret to their burger recipe, and you know what we found out? Grass-fed patties! These patties are known for their rich flavor as well as their leaner profile compared to conventional beef. 

We were also happy to know that Juicy Joe’s also has burgers for our vegan friends out there. If you’re looking for a plant-based option, their ‘Impossible Cheeseburger with Avocado’ and ‘Not-So-Chicken Burger’ are both delicious choices.

Customer Reviews

Best smash burger ever

“We had a bacon cheeseburger and a truffle mushroom burger, both were excellent! Probably the best smash burger we have had in a while…”

-Morgana C.

Fantastic, juicy burgers

“Great burger joint with fantastic, juicy, smashed burgers and crispy fries. I’ll be coming back here often…”

-Mattisse H.

4. Tap & Barrel • Bridges

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★★ 5/5
Menu Selection	★★★★☆ 4/5
Food Quality	★★★★☆ 4/5
Taste	★★★★☆ 4/5
Presentation	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5

Tap & Barrel • Bridges is situated amidst theaters and comedy shows, right along the perimeter of False Creek. The establishment offers ample space, and their fantastic patio is where we highly suggest you enjoy your meal.

This restaurant has a little bit of everything—they’ve got salads, burgers, pizzas, steak, and a handful of yummy desserts. Basically, if you’re looking for comfort food while exploring Granville Island, this joint is a must-visit.

The happy hour beer prices were reasonable, the food was delicious, and the servers were nothing short of attentive and friendly.

The burgers here are marvelously huge and juicy, and we can’t emphasize enough how yummy everything was. The PB&J burger was a nice surprise, as we had never had a burger with bacon jam before, but it was exquisite.

Our favorite, however, out of all the dishes we had here was the ‘Cajun Chicken Bowl’. And no, we’re not trying to force you to choose this over burgers and pizza, but the dish is truly exceptional. 

The chicken was tender, and the cajun spice was bold and, you guessed it, spicy.  But if you want to go the burger route, they also have the ‘ Cajun Chicken Burger’, which is equally scrumptious.

Customer Reviews

Huge and juicy burgers

“I went there for a family dinner a few evenings ago and had a really good experience. The burgers we ordered were huge and very juicy…”

-Al M.

Large patio along the waterfront

“Large restaurant and patio set along the waterfront on Granville Island. It offers a casual dining experience for those looking to get out of the sun…”

-Chris

5. The Vancouver Fish Company

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★☆ 4/5
Menu Selection	★★★★☆ 4/5
Food Quality	★★★★★ 5/5
Taste	★★★★★ 5/5
Presentation	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5

Another seafood joint here on Granville Island is the Vancouver Fish Company. This harborside restaurant boasts an endless selection of fresh seafood, including local favorites like fresh oysters, wild salmon, and king crab.

The atmosphere here at the Vancouver Fish Company is casual but upscale. You’ve got sports playing on multiple TVs throughout the restaurant, and modern wood accents give it a trendy vibe.

Our advice? Go for the seafood platters. Personally, we loved the ‘Surf N Turf’, as we get to enjoy fresh seafood with Tomahawk steak, and it was just absolutely divine.

The serving is also quite generous, which makes sense since this dish is meant to be shared. But if you’re in the mood to indulge in a solo seafood feast, the ‘Halibut Fish N Chips’.

The batter is made with Granville Island beer, and the tartar sauce that comes with it is the perfect complement to the crispy fish.

The Vancouver Fish Company also has a fair selection of Granville Island draught beer, which you won’t wanna miss as these staples are the perfect accompaniment to any seafood dish.

Customer Reviews

Swish yet casual restaurant

“A swish yet casual restaurant next to a marina. It was a good choice for chilling out with friends on the patio while catching the early evening sun…”

-Angus

Beautifully-presented food

“Great atmosphere and views from the restaurant. Super nice service and environment overall. Food was amazing and presented gorgeously…”

-Liv T.

6. Sprig Contemporary Greek Kitchen

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★★ 5/5
Menu Selection	★★★★★ 5/5
Food Quality	★★★★☆ 4/5
Taste	★★★★★ 5/5
Presentation	★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5

Think about the Mediterranean flavors of fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme. That’s what you’ll get here at Sprig Contemporary Greek Kitchen.

This restaurant is inside the famous Granville Island Public Market, and they’re famous for their wraps. We’re talking falafel wraps, pita wraps, and Greek salad wraps.

What stood out to us the most here is the ‘Chicken Souvlaki’. This dish is served with lemon potatoes, briami (greek veggies), Greek salad, tzatziki (salted yogurt), and pita.

The chicken in this dish is quite unique, as it’s soaked in a lemon-garlic marinade that makes it very juicy. We dipped it in the tzatziki sauce, and it was so creamy we might as well have been eating it with a spoon.

But we heard that the lamb here is the bomb, so we also ordered a lamb wrap, and boy, it didn’t disappoint. It was so flavorful, and we liked that it came with lots of veggies, like fresh purple cabbage.

The line-up here gets quite long, so expect to wait a bit. But in our opinion, the wait is well worth the amazing food you’ll get to enjoy. 

Customer Reviews

One of the best eateries in Granville Island

“There are many wonderful eateries at Granville Island Public Market and Sprig is definitely one of them. If you like falafel or spanakopita, you must try this place.”

-John K.

Fresh and high-quality food

“Quality and fresh food! What a fantastic gem at the Granville Island Market.”

-B G.

7. Market Grill

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★☆ 4/5
Menu Selection	★★★★★ 5/5
Food Quality	★★★★★ 5/5
Taste	★★★★★ 5/5
Presentation	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5

Whether you’ve arrived early on Granville Island or are just passing through, the Market Grill is definitely a must-visit, as they offer a hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu.

Word on the street is that this joint cooks up mean burgers and has a reputation for their juicy, perfectly seasoned patties, so you know we just had to check ’em out.

The owners, Brenden and Stephen Bissett, really made sure to accommodate different customer preferences, as aside from their beef burgers, they also offer alternatives such as salmon, chicken, and veggie burgers.

We couldn’t resist, so we got three burgers on the menu: beef, salmon, and veggie. And while these bad boys were definitely worth the hype, the standout was the salmon burger.

The Cajun-seasoned salmon was moist and flaky, drenched with their homemade salsa, sour cream, and mayo, and topped with fresh lettuce and tomato.

We also got a side order of fries, poutine, and gravy to top off the meal. And to wash it all down, a glass of draft beer really hit the spot.

Customer Reviews

Best burgers in Vancouver

“One of the burgers in Vancouver! The beef is sooo delicious and their poutine is also great!!.”

-Dustin N.

Great location and variety of food

“It’s a great location and the perfect spot for a quick bite while exploring Granville Island. They offer a good variety of food.”

-Helen R.

8. Sen Pad Thai

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★☆ 4/5
Menu Selection	★★★★★ 5/5
Food Quality	★★★★★ 5/5
Taste	★★★★★ 5/5
Presentation	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5

Another gem inside the Granville Island Public Market is Sen Pad Thai. This spot is inspired by the many street food stalls in Thailand, and they serve tasty stir-fried pad thai noodles.

We’ve ordered quite a feast here, as we indulged in different dishes like pad thai, braised pork belly, thai curry, and Thai garlic chicken wings.

Dishes here at Sen Pad Thai are very tasty, at least for us. But for us, what really makes their noodles unique is that they use clear sheet noodles that have a distinct chewy texture.

We also think the noodles absorb the flavor better, so you get a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and savory tastes in every bite.

We made the bold choice of putting in their ‘Thai spicy’ sauce, and boy was it worth it! The spice level was just right, but if your tongue is not trained to handle heat, you might want to opt for a milder sauce like the fish sauce.

The Thai milk tea also tasted very authentic and complemented the flavors of the noodles perfectly. If you’re going for the spicy sauce, this drink is a must-have, as it balances out the spiciness.

Customer Reviews

Authentic Thai cuisine

“Incredible dishes for Kra Pao with crispy pork belly and Thai Tea. They are all real thai cuisine.”

-Nunthawat S.

Consistently fresh food

“Of all the food vendors at Granville Island, this spot is by far the best! The quality of the food is incredible and consistently fresh.”

-Paul R.

9. Tony’s Fish & Oyster Cafe

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★★ 5/5
Menu Selection	★★★★☆ 4/5
Food Quality	★★★★★ 5/5
Taste	★★★★★ 5/5
Presentation	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5

Fish n’ chips and beer? You’d want to drop by Tony’s Fish & Oyster Cafe. You won’t miss it; it’s right at the entrance to Granville Island with the bright red awning with the restaurant’s name on it.

Seafood enthusiasts will surely enjoy the variety of seafood delicacies here, and we’re about to share with you the feast we had here.

Starting with ‘Tony’s Famous Fish and Chips’. The salmon was smoky, and the chips were more juicy than crispy, which we thought was okay because once we’d dipped them in their homemade sauce, we weren’t so mad anymore.

You can also score a fair amount of seafood here, such as mussels, clams, chowders, and various seafood platters, including scallops. We got the tiger prawn platter, and it was deliciously sauteed in garlic herb butter.

Fair warning, though: here at Tony’s Fish & Oyster Cafe, they don’t take reservations. Also, once the restaurant is full, they only provide takeout, so you may not get a seat during peak hours.

But you know what? We noticed that customers don’t seem to mind waiting for at least half an hour to get a seat. That’s when you know the food is great.

Customer Reviews

Delightful seafood restaurant

“Took the family out to this establishment for lunch today. Tony’s Fish & Oyster Cafe proved to be a delightful culinary escapade for seafood enthusiasts like myself…”

-Joey C.

Best fish and chips in Vancouver

“We wanted to try fish and chips in Vancouver and this place did not disappoint!.”

-Sahana I.

10. Alimentaria Mexicana

CRITERIA	RATING
Unique Offerings	★★★★☆ 4/5
Menu Selection	★★★★★ 5/5
Food Quality	★★★★☆ 4/5
Taste	★★★★☆ 4/5
Presentation	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Opening Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Seating Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5

Experience authentic Mexican staples here at Alimentaria Mexicana. Right along Johnston Street, you’ll find this trendy Mexican eatery with wooden umbrellas shading the outdoor seating area.

We found ourselves having dinner here, and it was just gorgeous at night, with night lights and patio heaters making us very cozy while we enjoyed our meal.

Starting off with the ‘Albacore Tuna Ceviche’, we then continued to chow down on the main dishes, and there’s one dish that we found noteworthy. The ‘Halloumi and Grilled Cactus’ was definitely a unique surprise to us.

This dish is made with charred tomatillo salsa verde, which is tart and tangy. And there are a couple of pickled red onions, avocados, and cilantro in it as well.

If you’re looking to try other Mexican staples aside from the usual chorizo or ceviche, this dish is a must-try. It’s salty, smoky, and the salsa verde puts in that extra kick of flavor.

We also found the steak, shrimp, and lamb dishes to be quite superb. They too come with corn tortillas, and we were more than happy to order in homemade churros for dessert.

Customer Reviews

Authentic decor and food

“Authentic decor, Made in Mexico goods to take home in the store at the back with a 10% discount if you shop while dining in…”

-D M.

Incredible food

“The food is incredible!! They make an amazing green chorizo and potatoes with salsa Macha, an unreal Dish!!…”

-Angie T.

FAQs about Granville Island Restaurants

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That ends our list of the best Granville Island restaurants. Remember to bring cash as some of the restaurants may not accept credit cards. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to make reservations in advance.

Still not convinced whether Granville Island is worth visiting? Check out our article of what exactly this vibrant community has to offer.

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