There is a stretch of Marine Drive in West Vancouver that is thick with small restaurants, patios and shops. Right in the middle you will find the Dundarave Fish Market, a busy restaurant and fish market with a good patio and a busy but attentive staff.

Reading the menu got me excited. As in very. It is all wonderful, delicious looking fish. People around me seemed to be having mostly fish and chips, which was delightful looking, but a bit heavy for the day. I ordered the ceviche. I got an over sized shrimp cocktail cup filled with some really nice nearly-raw seafood on a bed of cucumber: ahi tuna, scallops, salmon, shrimp and crab. ($16.95) The crab was amazing and the scallops were excellent. I enjoyed this, but it was a chirashi don, with cucumbers instead of rice. It was NOT ceviche. At least not what I understand to be ceviche. It was dry, the seafood was almost raw, and there was no obvious citrus, no cilantro, no juice … no ceviche. So while i enjoyed it, I now have a serious craving for ceviche.

The shrimp cakes we tried as well. Unfortunately. They were browned pucks of paste. Near tasteless, under seasoned, and seemingly lacking in shrimp. The dipping sauce I would wager came from a jar. This is confusing, since their crab cakes are said to be “famous.”

I spent a leisurely saturday lunch at the dundarave, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. I would like to try some more of the menu, but from what I can see: choose simple dishes like fish and chips and enjoy the patio. For casual seafood that you will rave about, head to Go Fish instead.

dundaravefishmarket.com/

Address: 2423 Marine Drive,
West Vancouver BC
Phone: 604-922-1155

Hours of operation

Fresh Seafood Counter – 9am until closing

Restaurant
Mon to Thurs – 11am to 9:30pm
Fri- Sat – 11am to 10pm
Sun – 11am to 9pm

Patio is open all year round.
Weather permitting.