Blue Water Cafe
Blue Water Cafe things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Posts
Yes, this place is expensive, and yes, it is worth it. The drinks, the food, the service, the atmosphere - all of it outstanding and of an exceptional quality. I've been here once before many years ago, and my opinion that this place makes the best Manhattan I've ever had hasn't changed. The drink and wine menu is extensive, with plenty of options available for all different tastes and preferences. As for food, the menu here is divided into a large assortment of largely seafood-based dishes, some beef and chicken-based mains, and their sushi (or "Raw Bar") options. My girlfriend and I started with their Dungness Crab Roll and their Scallop starter, which was cooked with spinach and panko bread crumbs. The Crab Roll was essentially what most places call a California Roll, just with real crab and wrapped in egg paper. Both starters were delicious - such rich, savoury flavors made a great start to the meal. For our main, we split the Sable Fish - it was perfectly cooked, served in a delicious, well-seasoned broth with quinoa, bok choi, and a miso glaze. We also ordered an additional roll - their Spicy Tuna - which practically melted in one's mouth; this was probably my favorite roll I ordered. I also decided to try the Dynamite Roll; I wasnt as big a fan of this as the previous two, but I do have to admit the prawn was very tasty. It makes me think that getting the Jumbo Prawns as a starter would have been a good choice. We ended the meal with the Vanilla Yoghurt Cheesecake. Served with a mango sorbet and a mango/pineapple compote, this dessert was brilliant - I could have easily eaten another on my own, but I held off. Kudos to our server - he was fantastic. Knowledgeable about the menu and full of helpful suggestions, highly attentive, and notably polite, he really helped make the dining experience all the more enjoyable. For the starter, three rolls, a main, a desert, and four drinks, after tip, the bill was approximately $235. For such a superb dining experience, I felt it was well worth it.
LanceLance
00
They serve the best hamachi in Vancouver. Since we first discovered the raw bar, we've been back many times. Because the bar is moon shaped and not linear, and the worktop is on display rather than shielded by a fridge, it is very interesting and entertaining. The raw fridge drawer is at the back behind the chefs, so we can see the amazing variety and fish they have each time they open the drawer. Sushi Chef Masaaki Kudo is scrupulously trained in Kyoto. We could tell from watching him prepare his fish that we will end up with the best pieces of hamachi imported from Japan. When we order sashimi, the temperature of the fish really matters to us. The Bluewater hamachi sashimi is served at the perfect temperature, cold and firm without sinew. Bluewater has so many talented chefs and a rich variety of produce. So they are able to craft off the menu item on-the-fly. Because of eczema, I cannot eat eggs, chicken, gluten and dairy which rules out rolls that contain mayonnaise. Watching them work at the sushi bar, we noticed that they hardly use mayo in their rolls. We love being able to order special items like a real crab hand roll without mayo. We also love that we can ask for a vegan main course with just vegetables. In our experience, not all the waiters can ask the kitchen for a stunning vegetable main dish. Liam served us tonight, and because he used to be a vegan, we ended up with a main consisted of green beans, broccolini, perfectly roasted rainbow carrots, 4 kinds of mushrooms, quinoa, edamame, and micro-greens which was absolutely delicious (and not messed around with until they are unrecognizable like in other vegan restaurants). We've tried the booths and tables in the restaurant. I actually sat at a booth that gave me back ache because the seat was so worn out. Of the variety of tables they offer, we can't imagine eating at Bluewater Cafe without being at the raw bar.
No MSG No Garlic FoodieNo MSG No Garlic Foodie
00
We ventured into Yaletown on day two of our visit to Vancouver. Wow, what a happening place! There are so many restaurants here … Such a lively vibe! I ordered a bottle of 2019 Checkmate Queens Taken Chardonnay from their Dekleva Vineyard. Generous fruit, including peach, pear and nectarine … it offered a balance of acidity and a rich, mineral finish. The menu is extensive … We ended up ordering ten dishes, mainly raw ones. We started with six oysters ($28), two each from Effingham, Shigoku and Barstool. Our server (Melissa) recommended Effingham, but we found the other two to be superior. My favorite was the Barstool. Next up, Halibut Tataki ($22.50, fourteen slices of halibut, dressed with yuzu kosho / tonburi / ponzu sauce. I’d never had raw halibut … It was delicate, similar to sea bream (to me). Next was unagi and Hamachi nigiri … the unagi was fine but the Hamachi lacked the coloration and taste I’m accustomed to. Our main dishes were beef sashimi and halibut. There were fourteen slices of beef tenderloin ($23) dressed with a yu’kke sauce (soy, ginger, garlic, red pepper and sesame), garlic chips and chopped scallions. This was very good, tender and flavorful. The Johnstone Strait Halibut ($52.50) was served with braised kohirabi, baby carrots, sea asparagus, whipped bintje potatoes, chanterelle mushrooms, with a smoked oyster beurre blanc. Halibut is delicate and this dish was a visual treat. We ordered sauteed baby spinach ($10) as a side. The finale was a Black Forest Cake Bar ($16), white and dark chocolate mousse layered with griotine cherries and topped with wafers of chocolate, accompanied by a quenelle of Morello cherry gelato. This was a visual sensation! We enjoyed our time at Blue Water Café though we felt the cost to be a little high for the food and wine served. The nigiri sushi didn’t meet our expectations; every other dish was fine.
Gerard LeeGerard Lee
00
My favourite dish from here is the SABLEFISH. Also, love the service here! This is a fancier but cozy dinner spot, I like how there’s some part of the kitchen designed in the space so you can watch them too. They do have private rooms if you want to book them with the min spend. I went earlier on in the year for my birthday! This time I brought back some friends to try the place out. They always have their unlimited bread with some yummy housemate chickpea spread. We ordered the shellfish plateau (for a bit more you can add another piece so it’s 4 pieces instead of the original 3 it comes with usually) - oyster was very clear yummy and light, the cocktail sauce is on point for the prawns. Clams and mussels were just okay, but their jellyfish ceviche mmmm my favourite too (reminds me of the Chinese marinated jellyfish dishes~ vinegary mm). Halibut tataki - yummy yuzu sauce with some caviar, the kick of the green chilies is what added to this. Missing a little something more… can’t quite put my finger on it though hm. Sablefish- yummy sweetness from the outer layer mixed with the light and delicate meat it’s not overpowering at all and keeps you wanting bite after bite. Though sometimes the bok Choy is not consistent and over cooked. Sadly mine had a decayed leaf in the inner layers this time. Cowboy steak - tbh we weren’t that blown away with the flavour the sauces were very good but steak needed more salt had the marbling was okay. If you order dessert you can ask for them to write the names! I Recommend the lime panna cotta - mango compote (with cilantro but I couldn’t really detect the cilantro flavour at all- and I don’t like cilantro because it tastes like not good soap to me) they let us change up the mango gelato for their other flavours. I chose raspberry! Make sure to do reservations! Anyways service is great, professional!
Michelle HavvagoodeyMichelle Havvagoodey
00
Choosing a restaurant in Vancouver is not an easy task, with the cities' reputation of offering some of the most exquisite culinary experiences available in the Western world. Thankfully, I was visiting with my man who among his many talents has an experienced, discerning palette. We reserved a table in the heated patio, which was a cool atmosphere under a warm series of heat lamps they were adept at adjusting! The patio also provided interesting & colourful atmosphere as you get to subtlety people-watch, and a few small scenes unfolded that Blue Water Café staff handled with finesse and class! Kudos to the entire staff's discreet and compassionate approach to the poor guy behind us who's date walked out on him and a mouth-watering 3 tier seafood tower! I loved gazing around the patio area and greenery, and savouring the very enjoyable company of my man on a very memorable trip. Our server, Chris, was one of the most personable, knowledgeable and passionate-about-his craft professionals I have encountered in many years. He has a very warm, likeable approach and drops some great one-liners while answering our questions about the menu, offering his recommendations, and even delving into the Toptable ownership story that my bf is quite familiar with and avidly follows. On Chris's mention, we ended up visiting Thierry's (their chocolate/cafe) the next day for an espresso and a pastry. (I'm lucky, I know! x) Ask for Chris's section if you can when making your reservation, word is it that "he knows a guy that can make that happen" with whatever request you throw at him with respect to their divine menu. Shout out to their oyster selection, the freshest salmon, and delectable dessert offerings. Thanks Chris, you rock!
Christy Turner Aurora MediaChristy Turner Aurora Media
00
We were visiting Vancouver from Toronto and had dinner at Blue Water Cafe on Saturday September 11th (and Sunday September 12th!). We were so impressed by the food, the service and the ambiance. The seafood tasting for 2 is not to be missed, the scallops and sablefish were absolutely delicious. Ingredients are very fresh, beautifully prepared and presented. Our server Tara brought our experience to the next level. She provided excellent service, we felt taken care of from beginning to end, she is very knowledgeable about the menu and she made this experience exceptional for us. It was so special that she was one of the main reasons why we decided to go back the following day for dinner in order to try more items in the menu (including the Sole Meuniere that had sold out on Saturday, that they put on the side for me and was to die for!!! I am from France and I can testify it was excellent Sole Meuniere) Everything is cooked to perfection, very flavourful. We also had desserts on our 2nd dinner and once again they were delicious and using top quality ingredients (valrhona chocolate for the dark chocolate cake!) Saturday was a busy night and you can tell that everybody is synchronized, all the staff is very professional and their system is well thought of which results in guests receiving an impeccable service. Special mention regarding the communication between the staff. On Sunday (2nd dinner) our server Chris already knew we had come the day before and what we had for food and drinks, one more way to make us feel special. There is literally nothing negative to be said about the food and service. Price-wise, this is excellent value for money and totally worth it! Please open in Toronto...and bring Tara!!!!
Angéline Le MénachAngéline Le Ménach
00
Nearby Attractions Of Blue Water Cafe
BC Place
Rogers Arena
CF Pacific Centre
Vancouver Art Gallery
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Orpheum
JW Marriott Parq Vancouver
David Lam Park
Commodore Ballroom

BC Place
4.4
(5.1K)Click for details

Rogers Arena
4.5
(4.9K)Click for details

CF Pacific Centre
4.3
(5K)Click for details

Vancouver Art Gallery
4.3
(3.6K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Blue Water Cafe
JOEY Burrard
Black+Blue
Glowbal
Cafe Medina
JINYA Ramen Bar - Vancouver Downtown
Chambar Restaurant
Jam Cafe
Shabusen Yakiniku House
Breka Bakery & Café - Davie
Thierry Alberni

JOEY Burrard
4.6
(3K)$$
Click for details

Black+Blue
4.5
(2.9K)Click for details

Glowbal
4.5
(2.5K)$$$
Click for details

Cafe Medina
4.5
(2.1K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2W9, Canada
Map
Phone
+1 604-688-8078
Call
Website
bluewatercafe.ca
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(1.6K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Destination in a heritage warehouse space offering sustainable seafood with innovative touches.
attractions: BC Place, Rogers Arena, CF Pacific Centre, Vancouver Art Gallery, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Orpheum, JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, David Lam Park, Commodore Ballroom, restaurants: JOEY Burrard, Black+Blue, Glowbal, Cafe Medina, JINYA Ramen Bar - Vancouver Downtown, Chambar Restaurant, Jam Cafe, Shabusen Yakiniku House, Breka Bakery & Café - Davie, Thierry Alberni

- Unable to get your location