Author: ucizasprod1988

Established in 2002, Tony’s Fish & Oyster Café has become something of a Granville Island institution. Known for their no-frills approach to fish and chips + other casual seafood options, this modest little eatery excels where it matters most – freshness and taste. And believe...me, coming from BC’s west coast, I know a little something about the importance of fresh seafood and Tony’s hits it out of the park. Really, it’s freshness you can taste. Tony’s Fish & Oyster Café, as already noted, is pretty compact in size. I’d guess it can hold approximately 20 or so patrons and, even then, it’s pretty tight. As such, takeout is pretty popular which isn’t very surprising given that Granville Island has a host of comfortable areas to sit. Nevertheless, we chose to dine in. After perusing the menu, we decided to try a cup of the clam chowder, butterfly prawns, Triple Bonanza, and the fish & chips (cod). The clam chowder was a good starter. It was rich, creamy, flavourful and loaded with clam meat. I appreciated that Tony’s allowed the natural flavours of the clam to permeate the chowder rather than drown it out with an abundance of filler. Additionally, the butterfly prawns proved to be a delightful appetizer, as well. They came on a long, slender dish and were resting atop a bed of shredded lettuce. Evenly coated in panko crumbs, they had a nice crunch and were cooked perfectly. The dish also came with a small serving of seafood sauce for dipping. When it came to the main dishes, I decided to have the Triple Bonanza exactly because it allowed me to sample the best of all worlds. I received one generous fillet each of pan-fried cod, salmon and halibut with Cajun seasoning. The plate also came with a serving of coleslaw, house-made tartar sauce and Kennebec fries. The first thing I noticed? The absolute FRESHNESS of the fish. Each fillet was tender, flaky and cooked to perfection. My personal favourite was the salmon; the natural falvours of this fish are such that the Cajun seasoning wasn’t even needed. The cod and the halibut, on the other hand, did seem like they were missing something, though I can’t put my finger on what. Of course, what would a visit be to Tony’s without sampling their fish & chips, which they claim is the “best” in town? We got an order the cod & chips. In short, I thought they were very nicely done. The batter was light, airy, crispy, and not overly greasy. Meanwhile, the fish inside was tender and flaky. Did I also mention it was fresh? Indeed, while I wouldn’t say they’re the best in town, it’s easy to see how and why this rustic little café recently made the Vancouver Sun’s “Best Fish and Chips” of Metro Vancouver list. FOOD: 5/5 SERVICE: 5/5 VALUE: 4/5 RECOMMENDATION: An earlier reviewer said Tony’s Fish & Oyster Café had “fish and chips as good as in Manchester.” Well, I’ve been to Manchester and the fish & chips I had there was nothing to write home about. Tony’s surpassed them in a major way. And, again, while I wouldn’t say this place is home to the best fish and chips in Vancouver, I would say it’s easily the best on Granville Island. Check them out! PS: If you found this review helpful in any way please consider hitting the "helpful" button!More