Pajo's Fish & Chips at Steveston Wharf — Restaurant in Richmond

Pajo’s Fish and Chips – Steveston Wharf

Location: Steveston Wharf, Richmond, BC

Food

Two Halibut Tacos with Fries Pajo’s Fish and Chips, known for its coastal charm, serves up a pair of halibut tacos that ultimately fail to impress. The fish was warm but disappointingly bland, lacking the seasoning and flavor expected from a dish of this caliber. The tacos, despite their appealing presentation, were underwhelming, with no standout ingredients or unique flavors to elevate the experience. The accompanying fries were average at best—crispy but not particularly noteworthy.

Rating: 4/10

Zucchini Sticks The zucchini sticks were served warm, with a light crunch, but the dish was marred by a watery dipping sauce that detracted from the overall enjoyment. A more substantial, flavorful sauce could have significantly enhanced the dish, but as it stood, it was simply passable.

Rating: 5/10

Ambiance

The setting at Steveston Wharf offers a relaxed, open-air experience that stands as one of Pajo’s strengths. Dining on a dock with a view of the water provides a charming atmosphere, perfect for a casual meal. However, the presence of seagulls and other birds is a notable downside, as they can be a nuisance while eating, particularly for those who prefer a more peaceful environment.

Rating: 6/10

Price

While the location offers a scenic view, the pricing feels somewhat steep for the quality of food provided. Given the unremarkable flavors of the dishes, the prices appear inflated, making the value-for-money aspect less compelling.

Service

The service, unfortunately, was subpar. While the staff member at the counter was polite and friendly, the experience left much to be desired in terms of attentiveness. When I asked about the Pajo’s chowder, I was informed that it was sold out, despite it being early in the day—raising questions about the restaurant’s stock management. Additionally, after cleaning the bench beside me, the staff member did not check in to see how we were enjoying the food, which felt like a missed opportunity for engagement.

Rating: 3/10

Verdict

Pajo’s Fish and Chips at Steveston Wharf offers a pleasant location, but the overall dining experience fails to live up to expectations. The food, though decent, lacks flavor and originality, while the service and pricing do not provide the value one might hope for in this type of setting. While the waterfront ambiance may draw some visitors, the overall quality makes it unlikely that I’ll be returning in the...

Hands down, the BEST fish and chips I’ve had in Vancouver!

Pajo’s is an absolute gem if you’re looking for fresh, crispy seafood with a view. We visited on a sunny afternoon, and everything about the experience was spot on—from the food to the setting.

We ordered the halibut and cod fish & chips, red snapper burger, squid tacos, cod taco, and a ginger beer. The batter on the fish was light, crunchy, and perfectly seasoned. The halibut was melt-in-the-mouth good, and the cod was flaky and fresh. The red snapper burger was a surprise favourite—juicy, flavourful, and satisfying. The tacos were loaded and fresh, with a good balance of crunch and tang.

But what really makes Pajo’s special is the location. You’re sitting right by the water, seagulls overhead, boats passing by—it’s the perfect Vancouver summer vibe. There’s lots of outdoor seating, and it’s great for families, dates, or even solo foodie trips.

Service was quick, staff were friendly, and everything was served hot and fresh. I’d recommend going on a weekday or early lunch if you want to avoid crowds.

If you're visiting Vancouver or just haven’t been to Pajo’s yet—go! It’s one of those places that lives up to the hype. Can’t wait to go back and try more...

We came here based on the good reviews, but found our experience to be subpar. I wouldn't give them more than a 2.5 star rating.

While not something they can control, Pajo's location on the wharf means very windy and less than desirable dining conditions. Due to this, we got our food to go and ate in the car instead. We were surprised that they didn't have takeout boxes, so our food was placed in open containers inside a paperback. This made eating without a table more difficult, as everything was piled onto the small box with no way to grab fries from under the fish without things falling off.

We liked that our food was made to order as it meant it was fresh and hot. Unfortunately, the fries were not seasoned at all and we didn't grab ketchup because it was only available from a large pump dispensed into little cups. Needless to say, the soggy (from the fish sitting on top) bland fries were terrible. The fish was ok, but pieces were rather small. The batter also didn't stick and separated from the fish completely.

Overall, definitely not the best fish and chips I've had and absolutely not...