Review The Fish Counter - Vancouver

I got the halibut fish and chips and clam chowder. The fish was fluffy, not greasy and best fish from fish n chips that I’ve tasted. The service was really attentive and nice! Clam chowder was different wasn’t creamy was more like a stew. They sell some sauces, seafood on the side. A few spots to sit inside and at the counter. They have glasses for water as you eat. :)

They nailed both the fish and chips! The halibut wasn't oily and had the perfect crispiness. It had the right seasoning and texture, and it was amazing with the tartar sauce. The crab and shrimp sandwiches were also amazing. Overall it's an amazing place and I'll definitely come back for the oyster sandwiches some day!

The blazing heat of a summer day found us here. We had crispy cod tacos, Salmonito, crab and shrimp baguette, and clam chowder. The clam chowder wowed us with its satiny texture and the tortillas in the tacos were super soft. The crispy fried fish was packed full of flavor!We sat inside, eating and watching the world go by. The place is very cozy with its wooden beams and sells pickles and other tangy condiments. Definitely going back!

Consistently superior to any other F&C place in town. Great service but it’s all about the food. I like the cod and have heard their gluten free batter is very good. The bouillabaisse is chock full of seafood, veggies and very rich. Be mindful of the days/hours so as not to be disappointed. You won’t be disappointed.

Best gluten-free fish and chips I ever had anywhere in the world. (~$15) It's hard to find a place that does gluten free batter and also have a seperate fryer for that. Cod was very fresh, the batter is crispy, yet light and not oily. The one piece portion is actually quite filling even it looks small in the picture. (Also comes with alot of fries). Good condiments: A slice of fresh lemon, container of gourmet tartar sauce (likely made inhouse?), and things you can request like ketchup, hot sauce, malt vinegar. Hot sauce seems homemade too. Chips are more like north american style fries, the shoestring kind. I would be having a thicker cut if I had fish and chips where it's a native dish (UK/NZ/OZ), so the chips here were so-so for me, but still warm and fresh... Just feels greasier because of this cut. Luckily there's some very refreshing coleslaw on the side and I really enjoyed that. I think it had cabbage and kale in it. I also tried their clam chowder, also gluten free. It was very hearty and you could tell there are wasn't any artificial flavouring, the flavour was just powered by alot of clams and celery/carrot/potato base. The portion is quite small but it was a nice side to have (~$7). It's not cream based, just very tender potatoes that are driving the thickness. There is a counter for buying fresh fish and fish patties, and local artisanal condiments. The people working are very friendly. Highly recommended for a quick bite, it's about 7 mins wait only.

Super friendly staff, and delicious fish & chips, fish tacos and more. Fast service and super fresh. They also sell their homemade tartar sauce, and several other local products. We stopped here during a flight layover (30 minutes from the airport via the Canada line/walking), and it definitely hit the spot. Would recommend and will come back next time we are in town!

Definitely some of the best halibut fish and chips I’ve had. A little oily but still incredible. The tartar sauce was better than most I’ve had.

Small and very busy place for Fish and chips . The Clam chowder soup on its own is very filling . Its a great tasting soup. The 2 piece cod was excellent as well . It is lighty breaded so it is definitely more fish than breading . Very reasonable pricing , it is a little difficult getting a seat to enjoy but definitely pn my repeatable list .

Best Chowder, best fish and chips in town. They also make incredible kimchi, served with the equally fantastic halibut dumplings. Beautiful selection of seafood, dry goods and condiments. Wonderful people, great service. Awesome place all around.

The Fish Counter has served me some of the best FnC I have had over the years. Great fish, great atmosphere, it feels like a Fish'n'Chip place should feel. And the staff is wonderful, great service, great chats.

Sooooo happy about the gluten free fish!!! Being gluten intolerant, it is sometimes difficult to find good tasting food that is honestly gluten free. These guys do an amazing job of it.

Had a craving for fish and chips for the past week - always walked past this place on my way home, and I always was curious about it. This time I didn't walk past - and had a great dinner of fish and chips! I will definitely be back again in the near future.

This place is the best for fish and chips Fantastic staff Yummy food Xoxoxox

Your gluten free fish tacos are way better than mine. And that makes me jealous! We will also be back for the gluten free (in a dedicated fryer) fish and chips.

This place was amazing! Small seating area but totally worth it.

The best Fish n Chips ever! Friendly staff too. Highly recommended.

Had Halibut and chips Gluten Free! Fabulous and incredibly friendly staff and very accommodating of allergies!

Best fish and chips I have ever had, flavourful and melt in your mouth delicious. Vancouver is very lucky to have this place!

景色いいから立ちながら食べられるっしょだと途中疲れます、座ってゆっくり食べるべき。 フライの衣が美味しいの！！

I live in arizona everytime im here im at the counter luv it

Located on Main Street near 22nd, The Fish Counter is one of the few places that offer really decent seafood at a more than reasonable price. Run by a couple of guys who could be (and were) running a top-end restaurant and who are more than a little conscious about sustainability, Robert C Clarke and Mike McDermid. We arrived just after noon on Saturday and got in the short line to order. The system is order at the register and pick up at the counter. There are a few counters where you can stand and eat or a few benches with no tables where you can maybe work something out using your lap. Pleasantly cluttered, this is both a place to eat, get take out and a fresh and frozen fish and shellfish store complete with a few other gourmet items. We were here to eat of course and we started with a Cod Fish Taco. Served on a corn tortilla, this pretty good-sized piece of deep-fried cod was crispy and hot. A nice little slaw on top provided some contrast and a bit of a creamy sauce. Very nice!I always order Mushy Peas when it is on the menu. It just sounds so cool and authentically British. This was almost a little buttery, very tasty and really stood out compared to what I have had in the past. So once I had an Oyster Po-Boy in New Orleans and now I think I know everything about them. To the best of my recollection, the bread wasn't quite spot on here but so what? It was a delicious sandwich of amazing fat deep-fried oysters and other tasty things. I barely remember past the oysters! Finally, we had one piece Halibut and Chips which to my eyes, appeared to be two pieces. It was not a mix up as the cook called it as he passed it to me. I believe they just want it to be a generous serving and that impresses me to bits. Halibut is not cheap! Firm and wonderful this was some of the best fish and chips that we have had in a long time! The frites were good too being of the thinly cut variety. So call us officially fans of these two gentlemen and their crew and their little store. Vancouver's best fish and chips? Just maybe!

THE BEST fish & chips in Vancouver, in my  humble opinion.  Crispy fish and lots of fries with a side of creamy slaw.    I go for the halibut, as it is my favorite fish, but I'm sure the other choices are equally delicious .Also raw sustainable fresh fish and shellfish for sale - you cook.   And various sauces and add ons.Not much seating space so  if I'm not lucky enough to get a seat I just take it home.

This is a small fish shop located on Main Street in the "hip" Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. On one side of the room they have a display of raw fresh and frozen seafood, as well as various canned goods and sauces, most of which are sustainable and locally sourced. On the other side of the room, they have the kitchen where fish & chips and other cooked food is being prepared. I had their 1 pc Halibut & Chips with an extra piece of Ling Cod, which was very fresh and quite tasty. The seating is quite limited: there are only a few counters and benches available. I do wish that they could add some seats for their counter at the front of the room (currently you eat standing), but then again, I'm exceptionally lazy. All in all, this is a fantastic place for some quality, fresh and sustainable seafood.<br/><br/>1 pc Halibut & Chips ($14.95):<br/>4/5<br/>This was served with a side of slaw, tartar sauce, and a good amount of fries. The coating on the halibut was fantastic: light and crispy. The fish was meaty and flaky, and most importantly very fresh, without any off-putting smell. I did find the fish to be bland on its own however; I don't think that they seasoned the meat at all. I personally didn't really care for the slaw, which seemed to be dressed in some mustard and had a strong peppery flavour. Their fries were almost like actual potato chips as they were quite thinly sliced and very crispy (and tasty).<br/><br/>1 pc Ling Cod ($9.99):<br/>4/5<br/>Once again, coating was incredibly light and crispy. The fish was juicier than the halibut, and again was extremely fresh and had no off flavour whatsoever. Again however, the fish did not seem to be seasoned and was a bit bland on its own.

This is by far the best Fish and Chips place I've ever been to! I would recommend all my friends to visit this place! It would be sad if I didn't discover this place!!!

My friend brought me over to try out Fish Counter on Main street in East Van over the weekend. I’ve passed by this place myself a few times while driving and always noticed it was busy with people filling up the  shop. Upon entering, I was quite surprised that this was not a full service restaurant.  On one side of the shop is like a general store with a small fridge and shelf selling different products. You can kind of peek through the picture above to see what I mean.  Further in, there is also had a big seafood fridge where you can buy sustainable seafood, “Ocean Wise”.

The Fish Counter is a sustainable seafood shop and casual eatery located in the heart of Mount Pleasant.  They exclusively serve Ocean Wise seafood ranging from fish and chips, fish tacos, sandwiches, soups and salads. The concept behind the Ocean Wise program is to “educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood as they work directly with restaurants, markets, and suppliers when making purchasing decisions”. The owner of The Fish Counter, Robert Clark, actually grandfathered the Ocean Wise program with his business partner and marine biologist Mike McDermid! My last visit here was actually a couple of years ago when they first opened doors in 2015...

Sorry to disappoint but I found this place very overrated.  For a place with a couple of bench seats with no table or a standing table with no seats it's inconvenient to eat to say the least.  We ordered 2 pieces of cod and chips, 2 pieces of fried oysters and a bouillabaisse.  There's not much to service since it's help yourself and the food came out reasonably quick.  What was disappointing was how salty the fish, oysters, coleslaw, fries and tartar sauce were.  Basically everything except the bouillabaisse was over seasoned.  Too bad.  The batter was also a tad on the thick side.  I much prefer Padjo's but then again this is on Main St so I don't have to drive all the way out to Richmond.  For the price, it was reasonable but what was disappointing was how they nickel and dime you.  For my 2 pieces of fish and chips and 2 fried oysters I got a small serving of tartar sauce included.  When I was running out after eating 1 piece of fish and a few fries they charged another 50 cents for some extra sauce.  Really?  I can deal with the lack of proper seating for diners but how stingy can you be?

The ratings don't lie they, are serious about their fried seafood here. I wasn't feeling fries today so I can't comment on those but the oyster po'boy I had was probably the best plate of food I've eaten in Vancouver outside of a fine dining restaurant. It's a little obscure from the classic new Orleans style but that's what makes it so unique, I cannot wait to get back for another. We're talking 3 juicy fried oysters on a bed of arugula and kimchi topped with fresh made tartar sauce all on the most satisfying soft but crisp french baguette. Along with it is a nice simple coleslaw, seasame dressed beans, carrots and an amazing beet salad....don't get me started on the beet salad it was so good I had to ask for the recipe. Turns out it's written on their to go containers. <br/><br/>One note: this isn't the place to come for a cozy night out, you order, the food comes up, and you can either take it else where or stand/sit at one of the few benches or counters they have inside. Don't worry you won't be in there long, once you take the first bite it's impossible to stop until it's finished.

Who remembers C restaurant? He spent some time working for a friend of mine before starting the fish counter. Was great to see him @ slowfish 2015. <br/><br/>Fresh seafood prepared daily. Great fish n chips. Keeping it simple and letting ingredients speak for themselves. Oyster po'boy was quite tasty.<br/><br/>Food 4<br/>Atmosphere 4<br/><br/>A great place to pick up fresh seafood.<br/>Often crowded 12-2pm. I would avoid that time for a better experience.

In my opinion this is the best place for fish in chips in Vancouver! Today's special was Arctic char n' chips, and I chose that. The Arctic char was not dry, it was really moist and the taste was super fresh. The batter was not too heavy. The ratio of batter to chips was spot on, unlike some other places which have too much batter and not enough fish. (By the way, the batter was golden and fried to guilty perfection.) One piece of fish was already a generous portion unlike what I thought. The fries were crispy and fluffy, and the coleslaw was not smothered in tartar sauce like some other places serving fish and chips, which was a good thing. The fish is sustainable and they obviously care about the quality of their seafood. They sell some fresh fish and sauces too, frozen foods, and other things, like a shop. The fresh wooden look was really nice too! The idea of eating on benches or standing up is smart, but I wish they added some small tables. It wasn't too crowded like it usually is, and I like that the place is not too loud. It's not too hard to miss, with a large navy blue canopy. The Fish Counter is meant for a quick eat or a takeaway. Really popular, and deservedly so! I really can't think of anything bad about this place!

Amazing little spot that gets you truly fresh fish and appears to be very popular. We had an order of the fish and chips and chose the Ling Cod out of the various choices. <br/><br/>The fish was battered and fried to perfection on a bed of fries with some lightly pickled slaw. The fries were good. The fish itself had no fishy taste after which was amazing.

I am a fish and chip lover. Have had them in Ireland, Scotland, England and every fish and chip shop in B. C. The Fish Counter is the best. Fish has a crispy batter not oily. Portions are generous Cold slaw and Caesar salad is tasty. Fries are done right. Oyster<br/> Po-Boy is done to perfection. Always a crowd but wait times are short so I suggest you give them a try.

I had the Atlantic ling cod. The fish and chips were light and fluffy. The portions were generous. Very delicious! Plenty of fries and coleslaw. The tartar sauce was good. Would come again!

This is the freshest fish I have ever eaten. The halibut fish and chips is succulent, which a perfect batter and complementary tartar sauce. The cod fish tacos are also yummy. I really appreciated the corn salsa and corn tortillas that accompanied it.

All the great fish & chips places have disappeared the past 20 to 40 years. After having a fish & chip craving, i thought White Rock was too far to travel so i googled for local fish & chips & discovered the Fish Counter. After all these years it was right under my nose at 22nd & Main Vancouver! I highly recommend the halibut & chips! It comes as a large portion in a basket just like the old days, very, very tasty. Next time i'll come back & try the cod & chips! I am coming back for more in the future as i am satisfied & very happy. Thank you FC.

One of the best fish and chips in town! <br/>Fresh battered fish served with thin fries and a side of slaw. The joint is small with limited seating area where you can eat. But its meant for a quick bite or take out. Would definitely visit again.

Crab & shrimp sandwich was delicious, would eat again! Fries were good, slaw was light and refreshing. Loses points for lack of seating but food is super legit. <br/><br/>Would be nice if they added a shrimp po-boy to the menu though, not enough po-boys in this city!

Great place! Real deal fish and chips house. Fish was cooked perfectly, juicy and tender inside and lite batter. Nice selection of fresh fish and market items also available. Friendly and fast.

This is our favourite place to eat out in Vancouver. Delicious, fresh & sustainable fish (and other great eats!). We like the halibut and chips the best. The owners and staff are friendly people who take pride in the shop. They even remember our names :)<br/><br/>We also like to take all of our out-of-town guestss here. They love the gluten-free options (yes, gluten-free fish & chips!).<br/><br/>We highly recommend The Fish Counter.

Really excellent fresh fish. Batter is light and crispy and not too oily. Fries are also really great. Nice guys behind the counter too. Great place!

Before summer ended, I spent the afternoon with a friend exploring Main Street. Both of us had been wanting to try The Fish Counter for a long time, and couldn’t find a better time to check it off both of our lists!The Fish Shop serves up sustainable seafood, and all products are Ocean Wise. <br/><br/>The first thing we ordered was the special that day, the Greek fish taco. This caught my eye because I am a HUGE fan of Greek food and I can’t pass down anything with tzatiki sauce.

I'm English so perhaps it's not fair that I write this review... But for a Canadian fish and chip place this is the best one in Vancouver- saves you the jaunt to Steveston. <br/><br/>We had take out-- holy portions batman! Huge portions... I'd order small next time round. Thoroughly enjoyed my meal. <br/><br/>Restaurant is always busy but I can't comment on the eat in experience- I am yet to do that.

Best fish & chips In Vancouver. Amazing tartar sauce, fresh coleslaw, perfectly deep-fried cod, and a not-too-trendy-just-trendy-enough atmosphere. The chips could be thicker, but they hit the spot. The cashier was a good laugh and really helpful. <br/><br/>Not much seating, but it's meant to be like a proper fish & chip stop. Take it to go and eat it in the park! <br/><br/>

The Fish Counter has been on my list of places to visit this summer and luckily I had the time to venture around the Riley Park/Little Mountain neighbourhood. The Fish Counter somehow combines a grocery store, seafood vendor, and eatery and does so quite seamlessly and appropriately. The eating space is small but the shop as whole is just so rustic and inviting. Summer is probably the best season to visit for dine-in food as there is additional seating outside the shop.

Finally made the time to try The Fish Counter out. It's in the neighbourhood, so I didn't really have an excuse not to, other than the whole "but there's so many place to try in Vancouver" blah blah blah. Anyway, I'm glad I finally went! And on a perfect spring day, too.

Didn't actually have the fish and chips here. I got the kimchi oyster po'boy because why wouldn't I get that? And it didn't surprise me that it was really good. Interesting combination, and the kimchi definitely gave it an additional dimension. Next time I am in Vancouver, I would definitely try other things on the menu.

Why I love this place: thin fluffcrispy layer and the fish was moist. The fries were perfectly crisp and seasoned. It wasn't overly oily or heavy. Service was really quick. <br/>Would I come back: yes, I think this might be the only fish and chip place I will go to now.<br/>Would I recommend it to others: yes!

Tried the fish and chips, crab and shrimp sandwich, and the dairy free seafood chowder. Hands down the fish and chips was the best out if the three. Delicious fresh fish with homemade coleslaw. The fish batter was light and fluffy. The other two were decent but not outstanding. I would come back just for the fish and chips though!

A shop with a fish market and kitchen. God bless this place. What a great concept and addition to main street eats. Highly recommend this place to anyone. Chowders are lovely and comforting. Today I got the po boy sandwich. It is so gooooood, and messy lol. To my surprise I found out that there was kimchi in it! What a great twist/combination. Sandwich also came with some pickled cabbage. They take your order at the till, then when your food is ready they call your name. This place doesn't have much chairs or tables so just be aware. It's pretty much street food style, order and eat by the windows or outside. They always have fresh seafood coming in daily. They also prep sauces and soups as well to bring home to enjoy!<br/><br/>Update: April 2 2016<br/>Just woke up with my girlfriend and we went scrubbed out. Ordered the fish tacos. $20 for 4!<br/>Oh man the fish is so light on the batter and fresh. I woke up instantly. Our poor husky pup was watching us eat, couldn't help but give him a little cod to keep him quiet lol. Then we tossed some malt and siracha on it. Pow! We are full and had enough to eat. 2 tacos is a meal, one is a great snack. Tacos are generous in size.<br/><br/>

The Fish Counter has really great product in terms of wish – they are Ocean Wise and always fresh. Their food is really good too – I mean, fish are chips can be really bad if you get them other places, but theirs are fresh, crisp and tasty. That being said, it is really expensive – even their raw product is overpriced.

Must try clam chowder!. The clam chowder (dairy free) was super yummy and light! <br/>The batter for the fish is very light as well, I like it!

The fish and chips were excellent. Clam chowder was pretty good too. But the crispy cod taco was not good at all. The fish was a bland soggy mess.

The Fish Counter is the one and only take out place I would order food from! The GF fish & chips is amazing and you'd never know it was GF! Having Celiac disease so it's awesome to find a place with a dedicated GF fryer to accommodate allergies. The fact that it is also Ocean Wise makes it my favourite place for a quick meal or to shop for fresh seafood! I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't already! :)

Not memorable!. Nice decor and atmosphere. Great service. Fish was good. But what ruined it for me was the fact that they use frozen french fries. There are other, excellent fish and chip shops in Vancouver that have great fish and make the fries right before your eyes from fresh potatoes.

Great little spot!. Been here a couple of times and was highly impressed with the food quality. All the seafood is OceanWise and the soups are very good as well. I've had the Salmonito and it was delicious! Highly recommended. They are also serving up dairy-free and vegan soups daily, so it's really a place that can appeal to everyone in your party. Next to the tiny restaurant is their store that carries all their seafood and some ready many salads and other delicacies as well. The only problem I have with the place is the lack of seating. Not a good place for families or disabled individuals. <br/>Overall, I'm always impressed with this place and look forward to my next visit!

Yum Yum. Best halibut and chips in a long time. Delicate batter, fresh, tasty, plump perfect halibut. Yummy chippies. Great spot prawn and crab cake. Good service. Delicious dinner. I hope they move to Victoria soon.

That was the best fish and chips I've had in a very long time. Fresh fish prepared properly. Clam chowder was very good and there is no dairy in it. I usually don't do tartar or coleslaw but I finished it here. I had a couple of oysters too. Highly recommended

Almost great... I went here for the fish and chips and to check out the seafood retail side. I was excited - Ocean Wise seafood, great location, etc. but it fell a bit short for me. Specifically, the fish in the fish and chips was a bit dry and heavy instead of that wonderful flaky, light, moist texture that great fried fish has. I've had fantastic fish and chips in Vancouver, so it's hard for me to recommend this place unless they up the game. I might be willing to try again to see if it was just an off day.

Crispy and delicious!. I love fish and chips and am always on the hunt for a place that prepares, fish with perfect crispy, light batter and 80% of the time I feel gross afterwards because of the grease BUT today I was sooooo happy to discover The Fish Counter! <br/><br/>Finally, a place where I can enjoy fish and chips and not regret my indulgence later. The fish taco was refreshing, crisp, satisfying. Definitely could have eaten more of those. The 1 piece halibut was a good sized portion, amazing light, crispy batter and the fries were delish. Tarter sauce had fantastic flavours. Coleslaw was ok...I give it a 6.5/10. We bought a jar of fish taco sauce and a jar of mango salsa. The fact that everything is sustainable/recyclable makes this place all the more special. <br/><br/>The Fish Counter has a nice vibe, cool and casual atmosphere. I will go back to buy other ready made fare and try the fresh fish. <br/><br/>I wish this place lots of success! Give it a try.

Great Fish and Chips!. Was anticipating this place being good and was not disappointed. Went in last night for take out fish and chips, got one halibut and one ling cod. Fish was decent size, great quality, served with lots of shoestring fries, tartar sauce, and a DELICIOUS light and fresh house coleslaw. <br/><br/>Also got pickled herring and determined it to be tasty as well. Will definitely be going back for more of their offerings soon.

It wasn’t the best fish and chips I’ve ever had, it was a tad on the oily side. I’m also not a huge fan of battered, deep fried things (I know, call me crazy) so I probably didn’t enjoy my meal as much as someone who is a fan of battered, deep fried things. I had the Oyster Po’Boy which was tasty but again, I found the batter to actual oyster ration a little too high on the batter side. Overall, yummy but very, very filling!  

DC wanted to try out the Fish Counter so we went there for dinner tonight. It’s located on Main St between E 22nd and E 23rd Ave.  First off, there’s only street parking so I suggest you park once you find a spot, even if it’s a few blocks away. There really isn’t a lot of seating area and most people get food for takeout. Luckily, I was able to grab a seat while DC ordered. We got 2 pieces of halibut and 1 ling cod fish and chips as well as an oyster po’boy. The total was $36 for the two of us (so pricy!) But it’s because they only serve the freshest seafood and it is sustainable (woohoo!). Overall, the food was not bad. I’ve had better fish and chips elsewhere but the fact that I actually ate oysters must mean that it’s very fresh.

After stalking the papered over windows on Main Street for months, we happened upon opening day this week for chef Robert Clark's The Fish Counter . Part deli (ceviches and salads to go) and part pantry (jarred soups and sauces made in house,) and part fishmonger (sustainable and beautiful local specimens like ling cod), it's a one-stop shop for this festive season. Buy your New Year's Eve oysters straight from the oyster shucking station, and do refuel on the restaurant side with a steaming bowl of seafood bouillabaisse that is every bit as sophisticated as something Chef Clark would have served at C Restaurant. Only here it is $7 and served wistfully on a tin tray and eaten at a stand-up bar. Now that has us hooked. —Sarah Bancroft 3825 Main St., Vancouver, 604-876-3474, www.thefishcounter.com © Copyright 2014 Email to a Friend Close &laquo Previous story Next story»

Hey guys! While dining at restaurants that are specifically restaurants is fun, how about restaurants that also sell grocery products? The Fish Counter can be that type of restaurant. Is this hybrid flavour of dine out just another Safeway or something better? Read on to find out. Food:  Team Tastic came here and ordered a  One Piece of Halibut and Chips , a  Two Piece of Ling Cod and Chips , a  Cod Taco , and a  Dairy Free Clam Chowder . The Ling Cod was amazing. Super soft on the inside and very crispy on the outside. In comparison, the Halibut didn’t have as distinct this contrast of crispy and soft, but that could be why it’s larger than the Ling Cod. The Cod taco was pretty cool. It’s a small, traditional-sized Mexican taco and comes in a double-taco shell so you don’t accidentally rip a hole in your taco. The Dairy-Free Clam Chowder was the most interesting of the bunch; dairy-free means no milk or cream, but this Clam Chowder was still pretty goopy as a regular chowder. I wonder what’s different, but this was a very pleasant surprise for me since I’m lactose intolerant. In any case, this place is way better than any fish Safeway has at their cafe counter and the taste is top notch among other restaurants on Main Street. Features: Since this is both a restaurant and grocer, there’s only space on the inside for about 15 guests, but during the summer the patio could be used for more seating. The washroom is a little bit hidden, but if you’re a customer you should be able to ask to use it. Water and condiments are self-serve here, and so is bussing your table (the PIN pad for payments doesn’t ask you for a tip). Service: Service is pretty simple here; you pay for your meal beforehand and grab some condiments and a seat to wait for your food. After 5-10 minutes, your meal is ready from the open kitchen and the cook gives you a smile as you grab your plate. Everyone is super friendly here so props to them.

... fry was excellent, but fish was actually borderline dry; kennebec fries were subpar, especially on the heels of the ones I had at Central Bistro; slaw was surprisingly good.

Located on Main Street in Vancouver is a business that focuses on sustainable seafood, The Fish Counter. The shop has a fish market along with a kitchen that offers fresh and made to order food, and C'est la vie a Maggi and I came for the food. When we walked up to the front doors, we did not know which door to go through and chose the one that leads to the restaurant side. As we entered, there were open cupboards blocking the entrance and a cashier staring at us without saying a word, so I felt guilty because I thought we walked through the wrong door. Fortunately, Maggi confirmed if we could enter and the cashier responded with a "yes" before walking to close the cupboards, so I did not feel bad. After looking around, we noticed the menu posted on the wall and proceeded to the cashier. The atmosphere was a bit awkward and not inviting because the cashier was not friendly, but we did not mind since The Fish Counter can be considered a fast food joint. As for the interior, it looks fairly nice and the shop is well ventilated. The fish market side of the shop does not have an overwhelming smell too. The menu is posted on the unfinished wooden walls and looks very playful. There are cute ocean creatures and an easy to read but playful font. As for the selection of food, The Fish Counter offers fish n' chips, sandwiches, tacos, soup and one kind of salad. We arrived during a slow period so the seating arrangements were not an issue, but the seats are quite limited. There is only one table and a bar, along with a couple of benches. Since I dislike wasting food, I suggested for us to share an order of fish n' chips and to add on another piece of fish because every order comes with fries and coleslaw. Neither of us are huge fans of fries or coleslaw anyways and we agreed to not waste food. HALIBUT, "Served with fresh cut kennebec fries, kale and coleslaw, and house-made tartar" ($11.00) We started with the halibut which is flaky and not overcooked; however, the fish does

I don’t get to eat seafood often, so knowing MissVancouverPiggy tries almost anything I made this our first destination of three. She was keen on the choice as she has heard good things. This all black building is home to both “Fish Counter” the restaurant and “Fish Counter” the store with an actual counter of fish for sale. One name, one building, two entry points. With the two doors we were made to feel uncertain of which to take. We settled on the one leading towards the restaurant side, as told when we peered it and saw seats and a kitchen. We chose wisely only to be barred entry by cupboarded doors left open. Gingerly opening the door we were acknowledged, but not greeted by their hostess/cashier. No hello, no direction, she similar shut the cupboard and walked back to her post. We were left to wander. Luckily the menu to our right was so eye catching. It certainly matched the decor. Painted on parchment it was made to look like it weathered a storm on the high seas. Each new feature was a new page stitched onto the original tapestry. Fish and chips in your choice of five different fishes, including the newest addition: sturgeon. Soup, sandwiches, and tacos. Everything featured their Oceanwise, locally sourced and sustainable seafood. After deciphering the menu you place your order at the register perched in between the two fish related businesses. Because it served both the store and the restaurant there was no tip function when using debit. The host places your order with the chef adjacent. When ready your name is called and you claim your dish at the counter. We sat ourselves at the only table in the seating area. What was left was either sitting room behind a bench without a table, or standing by a counter without a seat. Being the first of five parties to arrive we definitely snagged the best. Our little corner gave us an unrestricted look into the kitchen. A view that the counter up front blocked. A chef in white, deep frying potato sticks and breading fi

...favourite thing of the day. The oyster were large and also fried beautifully, the bread was crispy on the outside but held up well to the relatively wet toppings, and the kimchi added a nice kick! Not something I’ve seen on an oyster sandwich but I look forward to seeing it again

Local chef and sustainable-seafood champion Robert Clark finally opened the doors to his new business venture in December, called The Fish Counter.  It’s on Main Street (between E 22nd and E 23rd avenue) The left half of the business is a fish monger, featuring whole fish, freshly filleted fish, and shellfish on ice. While the right half is a kitchen offering hot seafood for takeout. There’s also an assortment of prepared items in a cold deli display (like fish cakes, chickpea salad, kimchi, candied salmon, rice salad with corn & peppers, whole steamed crab, etc). The menu board changes daily, depending on what came in from the fishermen.  I understand the fish & chips, the clam chowder and bouillabaisse are popular items. I ordered the (single piece) Pacific Cod & chips. This is a single piece of pacific cod, dipped in batter and deep-fried to a beautiful light crisp, and served over a large serving of crispy french fries and a small side of freshly shredded coleslaw. The fish is mois

The warm soft tortilla was filled with moist and flaky wild salmon!!! It was perfectly cooked and a lot tastier than I expected and very juicy too. Inside there was also fennel, onion, cilantro and chipotle mayo which gave the otherwise soft wrap some crunchy texture in every bite.

I started noticing this sight on Main Street few months ago and wondering what is going on. The sign says The Fish Counter . And the place has two types of counters. One to buy fresh seafood from and the other to order fish and chips from. And the place is ran by "two seafood lovers with a passion of conserving our oceans". Wonder if each has a counter to run? The fresh seafood counter is one of the better looking, smelling and probably tasting fresh seafood in the city. The selection is not as large as you'd find elsewhere, but I am guessing that is a function of focusing on sustainable, quality and fresh options. The other counter is for food. Freshly made fish and chips that are very nicely fried and you can definitely tell this is quality fish from the taste. Coleslaw is not too creamy. The fries need some work though. A pleasant experience despite being busy and wait is too long.  But then we took our food and sat on a bench on Main Street savouring the meal and watching the beaut

After checking out Kiely’s blog , it looked like the Oyster Po Boy was a must-order! Three pulp and juicy oysters, lightly battered and fried. Did your salivary glands just turn into a waterfall? Yeah, me too. The fixings were kimchi, argula and a light spread of creamy dill mayo. Seriously indulgent. I didn’t add any fries ‘cos I knew that I was going to be satiated by this sandwich alone. I al

  How to open a restaurant on a budget and still achieve the hipster cool vibe. The Fish Counter will teach you how to open a restaurant on a budget. You do not need fancy furniture, nor sexy waitresses. You do not need eye catching graphics or menu boards. Nevermind! In fact, limit your seating space, arrange for recyclable wooden forks that tastes like tongue depressor, a few metal trays lined with parchment paper, some recyclable take out containers and you are ready to rock and roll. Now that’s a restaurant with low overhead costs. Common, wouldn’t you rather save your earnings for a dividend payout?     Halibut Fish and Chips (1 piece) 11.90: The fish and chips at The Fish Counter wasn’t particularly bad. In fact it was quite decent. Lightly battered, crispy and still moist. The fries were thinly sliced although a slightly on the soggy side. The coleslaw was bright and had a nice mix of kale and cabbage.   The Fish Tacos 5.95 each: Perhaps we should have strategically placed our l

It was a rather interesting setup they had, one side of the store was for fresh seafood pick up and a salad bar. And the other half (in this picture) is a cafeteria line up to order and a pick up counter. There were a few benches outside the restaurant, and literally “a counter” where you can stand and enjoy your food. However, there is one table for 2 that can enjoy the comfort of sitting down. So a great hint is find a spot before ordering (especially during peak hours) or else prepare to stand and hold your food while eating.

The Fish Counter is a new small joint that opened up on Vancouver’s own  Hipsterville , Main Steet. Opened by Oceanwise co-founders Chef Robert Clark and Marine Biologist Mike McDermid . Clark was behind the brilliance of C restaurant. They’ll only serve seafood that’s available in season and sustainable. Sustainable fresh fish market Think of this place like a standup only cafeteria/ market. There are only two benches, no tables. I wanted something light; I figured I wanted to go restaurant hopping on Main St , so I ordered their dairy free seafood chowder. The broth had a powerful punch, amazingly fresh and flavourful.  However, where is the seafood? I think I found pinky-nail pieces of clam, probably 7, and a sliver of salmon. Dairy Free Seafood Chowder I was eyeing the seafood bouillabaisse and that looked delicious and hearty. Damn, should have gotten that inste

Northern Divine sturgeon tostadas from The Fish Counter and Chef Rob Clark.

I had been hearing that the combination fishmonger and cafe used their leftover fish bits from the retail side in the bouillabaisse or the chowder, the parts too small to sell could be battered and put into fish tacos. Not only that, all the utensils and take-out trays are compostable, they use mason jars for water glasses (it is Main Street after all) and you bus your own empties back to the aluminium trays above the compost bins. This all sounds very worthy, but would the resulting hot food be any good? Oh yes , is the only answer I can give. Oh very much yes. Where to Eat in Vancouver for Del

The Fish Counter is what happens when you team up an award winning chef renowned for seafood sustainability, and a marine biologist that help spearhead the Ocean Wise program. Main Street’s latest seafood pantry and neighbourhood takeout offers a variety of fresh seafood, take home to cook items, and a selection of casual takeout menu items. Fish and chips anyone?