Popular for its waterfront location, the Sandbar is equally known for its celebration of fresh, local, and sustainable seafood.
The restaurant has recently launched a new bivalve option that’s sure to complement their existing sushi bar and happy hour options.
The Sandbar (1535 Johnston Street) on Granville Island has recently added an Oyster Bar, helmed by Brandon Johal, to the first floor of their restaurant. The 20 seater bar will be open for shucking Thursdays to Saturdays from 3pm to 9pm, first come, first served.
The bar has a wide daily selection of oysters, both sourced locally and from further afield (market pricing). BC options include Effingham, Kusshi, Fanny Bay, and Chef Creek. You can also sample east coast oysters, like Raspberry Point, Irish Point, and Conway Point (all from PEI), as well as Village Bay from New Brunswick.
In addition, Royal Miyagi from Washington and Kumamoto from California will be on offer. Housemade cocktail sauce, mignonette, and tarragon horseradish will be served as accompaniments.
Enjoy half a dozen (or a dozen), along with a glass of white or red wine ($6) during Happy Hour (3pm-6pm, Monday to Friday at the lounge or bar), as well as nibbles, like ahi tuna poke sliders, from the Happy Hour menu. Hoshi’s Sushi, like the Dragon Roll with BBQ eel, cucumber, avocado, and tobiko, make for more substantial snacking after your oysters.
Other Recommended Places for Oysters on the Half Shell:
Blue Water Café + Raw Bar (1095 Hamilton Street): An elegant spot in the heart of Yaletown that offers a daily selection of fresh oysters (recommended with iced vodka).
The Boathouse (various locations): A seafood chain that offers a consistent experience at scenic local spots.
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar (845 Burrard Street): A sleek establishment in the Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver that wins awards for its culinary inventiveness, overall experience, and showcasing of fresh, local seafood.
Chewies Oyster Bar (1055 West Hastings Street; 2201 West 1st Avenue): An oyster bar that takes its inspiration from the high octane eating in New Orleans.
Coast Restaurant (1054 Alberni Street): Part of the popular Glowbal Group, Coast offers an upscale seafood experience.
Coquille (181 Carrall Street): This pretty restaurant in Gastown is fancy while still being inviting for an unassuming catch-up over oysters and cocktails.
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar (762 Cambie Street): Run by a company on Vancouver Island known for their oysters, this bar offers a wide selection of oysters, as well as seafood dishes. They also sell fresh seafood on the premises for take home eating and cooking.
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House (777 Thurlow Street): The granddaddy of Vancouver’s oyster scene. Old school in the best of ways.
WildTale (1079 Mainland Street): A Yaletown restaurant that offers an approachable take on fresh seafood in casual, yet refined surroundings.
