The annual Spot Prawn Festival is returning to False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf for its milestone 20th anniversary celebration.<\/p>\n
Every spring, Vancouver\u2019s food scene shifts into full spot prawn mode.<\/p>\n
Restaurants build special menus around them, seafood counters see lineups form before opening, and local chefs race to showcase one of B.C.\u2019s most beloved seasonal ingredients while the short window lasts.<\/p>\n
But if you want the ultimate spot prawn experience, head straight to the docks.<\/p>\n
The annual Spot Prawn Festival<\/a> returns to False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf for its milestone 20th anniversary celebration. The event brings together chefs, fishers\u00a0and seafood lovers for a full day dedicated entirely to the local delicacy.<\/p>\n Hosted by the Chefs\u2019 Table Society of BC in partnership with the Pacific Prawn Fishermen\u2019s Association, the festival is widely considered the city\u2019s signature celebration of the season \u2014 and arguably the best way to taste the ingredient prepared in multiple styles, all in one place.<\/p>\n Festival highlights:<\/p>\n
Where: 1505 W 1st Ave.<\/p>\n When: May 31<\/p>\n Tickets: via\u00a0Eventbrite<\/a><\/p>\n Participating chefs and\u00a0restaurants include: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Torafuku, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar, Glowbal, Maxine\u2019s Cafe, and Blue Water Cafe.<\/p>\n Beyond being delicious, attending the festival directly supports local fishers and B.C.\u2019s culinary community.<\/p>\n Where to Eat Spot Prawns Around Vancouver<\/p>\n Miku Vancouver<\/p>\n Miku Vancouver<\/a> is currently featuring a limited-time BC Spot Prawn Crudo highlighting contemporary Japanese flavours and pristine West Coast seafood. For an elevated experience, booking Miku\u2019s Chef\u2019s Table during the season offers a polished seafood journey with seasonal spot prawn dishes woven throughout the multi-course tasting menu.<\/p>\n Where: 200 Granville St. #70<\/p>\n UCHU<\/p>\n UCHU<\/a> is offering an exclusive five-course Nikkei omakase at its intimate 10-seat raw bar. Available Tuesday through Thursday until at least June 11, the experience highlights Japanese-Peruvian flavours paired with local spot prawns. Reservations can be made online via OpenTable<\/a>.<\/p>\n Where: 158 E Pender St.<\/p>\n Published on Main<\/p>\n At Published on Main<\/a>, a limited-time feature pairs fresh spot prawns simply with smoked garlic confit, butter, white wine, parsley, lemon and lemon thyme, keeping the focus entirely on the purity of the local ingredient.<\/p>\n Where: 3593 Main St.<\/p>\n B House Restaurant<\/p>\n B House Restaurant<\/a> is celebrating with two seasonal dishes. The guest-favourite Firecracker Spot Prawns features a half-pound of prawns in a rich chili garlic butter sauce and lobster stock served with house-made Japanese milk bread. Also available is the bright B House Way Spot Prawn Ceviche, tossed in a warm citrus coconut sauce with herb oil and crisp taro chips.<\/p>\n Where: 2270 Commercial Dr.<\/p>\n Como Taperia<\/p>\n Como Taperia<\/a> is adding a Spanish-inspired touch to the season, serving fresh B.C. spot prawns alongside farro, morcilla, green garlic\u00a0and a hint of tarragon.<\/p>\n Where: 201 E 7th Ave.<\/p>\n Fanny Bay Oyster Bar<\/p>\n Fanny Bay Oyster Bar<\/a> is featuring a trio of seasonal offerings. Guests can enjoy Spot Prawn Sashimi at the bar for $9 per piece (with an option to fry the head for $1), or order Grilled Spot Prawns with a vibrant chimichurri sauce for $36 (four pieces).<\/p>\n Where: 762 Cambie St.<\/p>\n Glowbal Restaurant<\/p>\n Glowbal Restaurant<\/a> has launched a West Coast\u2013inspired lineup across lunch and dinner. Midday diners can choose between a Chilled Spot Prawns Salad with a lemongrass chili emulsion and a Spot Prawns Radiatori in chardonnay cream. The evening menu shifts to Spot Prawns & Clams with vadouvan velout\u00e9 and warm naan, alongside a refined B.C. Spot Prawns & Hokkaido Scallop Crudo.<\/p>\n Where: 590 W Georgia St.<\/p>\n Coast Restaurant<\/p>\n Coast Restaurant<\/a> features a dedicated seafood menu spanning sushi, small plates\u00a0and entr\u00e9es. Highlights include Live Spot Prawn Sashimi, a mango-avocado Spot Prawn Stack, a spicy Spot Prawn Roll, and a bloody Mary gazpacho Spot Prawn Ceviche. For mains, choose between half-pound preparations (grilled, tempura-fried\u00a0or garlic butter) or a rich Spot Prawn Risotto with bottarga.<\/p>\n Where: 1054 Alberni St.<\/p>\n Desi Indian Lounge<\/p>\n Desi Indian Lounge<\/a> is serving a coastal South Indian-inspired special for the season. The Spot Prawn Moilee Curry ($30) highlights the local catch in a fragrant, coconut-based Malabar curry, accompanied by lemon rice and flaky Malabar paratha.<\/p>\n Where: 1160 Davie St.<\/p>\n Italian Kitchen<\/p>\n Italian Kitchen<\/a> is showcasing coastal Italian elegance with a focused features menu. Standouts include a Spot Prawns Crudo with blood orange and fennel chips, and a luxurious house-made squid ink Tagliolini with Spot Prawns & BC Sea Urchin Cream. They are also offering a one-pound grilled spot prawn combo served with salsa verde, paired with a bottle of wine for $79.<\/p>\n Where: 860 Burrard St.<\/p>\n Riley\u2019s Fish & Steak<\/p>\n Riley\u2019s Fish & Steak<\/a> has rolled out a decadent coastal menu. Starters include Spot Prawns Scampi with garlic confit butter, \u2019Nduja & Tomato Spot Prawns, a Spot Prawn & Scallop Tartare on brioche, and bacon-crumb Whole Grilled Spot Prawns. For a heartier main, opt for the Spot Prawns Spaghettini tossed with a rich prawn bisque and chili crunch.<\/p>\n Where: 200 Burrard St.<\/p>\n Black + Blue<\/p>\n Black + Blue<\/a> brings steakhouse indulgence to the seasonal catch. Appetizers feature a Spot Prawns & Bone Marrow Crostini and a refreshing salad with pickled rhubarb. For entr\u00e9es, guests can choose between a Calabrian chili Spot Prawns Risotto, a Spot Prawns Oscar topped with Dungeness crab and hollandaise, or a shared one-pound,\u00a0charcoal-grilled platter with creole butter.<\/p>\n Where: 1032 Alberni St.<\/p>\n Five Sails<\/p>\n Five Sails Restaurant<\/a> offers a refined, fine-dining approach to the spring harvest. The seasonal features showcase cooked spot prawns elegantly paired with asparagus, caviar\u00a0and a potato beurre blanc, alongside a clean, citrus-driven Spot Prawn Crudo dressed with yuzu kosho gel and avocado.<\/p>\n Where: 999 Canada Place, Suite 410<\/p>\n Where to Buy Fresh Spot Prawns to Cook at Home<\/p>\n Expect 2026 pricing for live B.C. spot prawns to range from roughly $25 to $34 per pound depending on the retailer. Vancouver seafood vendors sell out incredibly fast during peak weekends, so morning arrivals or pre-orders are highly recommended.<\/p>\n False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf<\/p>\n For the quintessential Vancouver experience, head down to the docks where local fishers sell fresh-off-the-boat prawns directly to the public during the season.<\/p>\n Where: 1505 W 1st Ave.<\/p>\n Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market<\/p>\n At Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market<\/a>, live spot prawns arrive fresh daily from local boats and are available through the market counter throughout the season at $34 per pound.<\/p>\n Where: 762 Cambie St.<\/p>\n The Lobster Man<\/p>\n Granville Island\u2019s The Lobster Man<\/a> accepts pre-orders for live spot prawns during the season, helping shoppers secure the day\u2019s catch before it sells out.<\/p>\n Where: 1807 Mast Tower Rd.<\/p>\n
\n\tDock Access: Free access to the docks and live cooking demonstrations.
\n\tThe Chowder: Spot prawn and seafood chowder served with a fresh bun for $12.
\n\tThe Brunch: A premium, stand-up brunch experience featuring six distinct spot prawn dishes prepared by some of BC\u2019s top culinary talent, alongside B.C.\u2019s best craft beverages for $85.
<\/p>\n