Go Fish Ocean Emporium
Family of 4
$50-65 CAD (~$36-47 USD)
Duration
30-45 minutes
Best Ages
All ages
About
Go Fish is a small, no-frills seafood shack on the seawall near Granville Island, and it consistently ranks among the best fish and chips in Vancouver. For families, it's a perfect casual meal that combines great food, waterfront scenery, and the kind of laid-back atmosphere that works with kids of all ages.
The setup is simple: walk up to the order window, choose from a short menu of fish and chips, fish tacos, grilled salmon sandwiches, and a few daily specials, then grab a seat at the outdoor picnic tables or find a spot on the seawall benches. There's no indoor seating — this is entirely an outdoor experience.
The food is outstanding. The fish is fresh (sourced from nearby fishermen), the batter is crispy and light, and the fries are properly cooked. Kids who like fish and chips will declare this the best they've ever had.
The fish tacos are a standout too — fresh, flavourful, and a nice alternative. Portion sizes are generous, and sharing between kids or splitting an order with fries and tacos is a smart move.
The location makes the meal special. You're sitting right on the water, watching boats pass through False Creek, with the Granville Island market nearby and the downtown skyline across the water. Seagulls provide entertainment (and a motivation to eat quickly). It's the kind of meal that feels like a vacation.
The practical reality: Go Fish is popular, and there are usually lines, especially on sunny weekend lunchtimes. The wait is typically 10-25 minutes. It moves reasonably fast. Arriving just before the 11:30am opening on a weekday is your best bet for a short wait. The restaurant is closed Mondays.
Seating is limited — maybe 20 spots at the outdoor tables. The seawall benches and grassy areas nearby provide overflow seating. It's not the place for a long, leisurely sit-down meal — it's a quick, delicious seafood experience that pairs perfectly with a Granville Island visit.
For families, Go Fish works because it's casual enough that nobody cares if your toddler drops fish on the ground, the food is genuinely good, and the waterfront setting makes a simple lunch feel like an occasion. Combine it with the Granville Island Public Market and Kids Market for a full family morning or afternoon.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Tuesday-Friday for shorter lines. Weekend lunch lines can be long. Arrive just before 11:30am opening for first service.
Wait Times
10-25 minutes for ordering on weekends; 5-10 minutes on weekdays
Nearby Food
Granville Island Public Market is a 5-minute walk with dozens of food vendors. The Sandbar restaurant overlooks False Creek. Tony's Fish & Oyster Cafe is nearby for sit-down seafood.
Why Kids Love It
Go Fish is the kind of no-frills seafood shack that every coastal city needs, and it's arguably the best fish and chips in Vancouver. Located right on the seawall near Granville Island, it's an outdoor walk-up counter where you order at the window and eat at picnic tables or on the seawall benches with views of False Creek and the downtown skyline. Kids love it because the fish and chips are exactly what fish and chips should be — crispy, golden batter, flaky fresh fish, and perfectly cooked fries.
The fish tacos are fantastic too. Seagulls circle overhead hoping for a dropped fry. Boats pass by on the water.
It feels like a seaside fish shack adventure. The whole experience — ordering at the window, sitting outside, watching boats, eating with your hands — appeals to kids who are bored of restaurants with tablecloths.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Arrive just before 11:30am opening on weekdays for the shortest wait
- The halibut fish and chips is the premium option — the cod is great too and a few dollars less
- Seating is limited — grab a spot on the seawall benches if the patio is full
- Closed Mondays — plan accordingly
- Walk to or from Granville Island along the seawall (5-minute walk)
What to Bring
- Napkins and wet wipes (it's eat-with-your-hands food)
- A blanket to sit on the seawall
- Sunscreen for outdoor eating
- Cash or card (both accepted)
- Patience for the line — it's worth it
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$50-65 CAD (~$36-47 USD)
Tips to Save
- Share orders — the fish and chips portions are generous.
- Skip drinks and bring your own water.
- The fish tacos are a great-value option.
- Eating on the seawall benches instead of the small patio doesn't cost anything extra.