Where to Eat the Freshest Spot Prawns in Vancouver
With access to some of the freshest food in the world, Vancouver's culinary scene is world-renowned. Each May and June, the city celebrates the spot prawn harvest with festivals, tastings, cooking demos, and more.
Spot Prawn Season is Coming
If you've never tried spot prawns, you are in for a treat. BC spot prawns have a sweet delicate flavour and a firm texture. They are also big and juicy since they are the largest shrimp species in BC. Their name comes from the distinct white spots on their reddish-brown tails.
The fishing season for spot prawns is open every year for six to eight weeks from early May to late June. The 2025 season opens on May 14. This short season is the only time of year you can find fresh (not frozen) spot prawns for sale and on restaurant menus.
A Sustainable Catch
Vancouver-based Oceanwise, a global ocean conservation non-profit, lists BC-caught spot prawns on their list of recommended sustainable seafood. The Pacific Prawn Fishermen's Association works with the Department of Fisheries to monitor prawn stocks and ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
The commercial harvest is based around the spot prawn life cycle to allow for maximum growth of the prawns while also avoiding catching females with eggs. Spot prawn fishers also use traps designed to let smaller prawns escape and to avoid catching other species by mistake.
Spot Prawn Festival at Fishermen's Wharf
The highlight of spot prawn season is the Spot Prawn Festival at Fishermen's Wharf in False Creek presented by the Chefs' Table Society of BC and the Pacific Prawn Fishermen's Association. This year's festival takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 11 am to 3 pm.
Head down to the dock to buy fresh BC spot prawns from local fishers. You can also enjoy live cooking demonstrations from local chefs who will share tips, techniques, and inspiration for cooking with spot prawns.
To eat fresh spot prawns, purchase a bowl of ocean-fresh spot prawn bisque served with a bun from the Chef's Table Society and Organic Ocean. To avoid disappointment, pre-purchase your bowl.
For the most indulgent spot prawn experience at the festival, book tickets for the Spot Prawn Brunch. This stand-up grazing event includes six unique spot prawn dishes, each one created by a renowned local chef. The meal also includes local wine and beer pairings as well as a sweet treat at the finish.
Steveston Spot Prawn and Seafood Celebration
Each year the fishing village of Steveston in Richmond marks the season with the Steveston Spot Prawn and Seafood Celebration. You can buy fresh spot prawns from boats on the wharf every day starting on May 14.
The highlight of the festival is Spot Prawn Day on June 7th. It includes live cooking demonstrations, music, circus performers, and kids crafts.
Between May 31 and June 15, you can also try seafood dishes sourced from local fishers at participating restaurants around Richmond.
Where to Buy and Eat Spot Prawns
If you can't make it to the Spot Prawn Festivals in Vancouver and Steveston, you have lots of other options for buying prawns around Vancouver. During the spot prawn season, you can buy directly from fishers on the docks at Fishermen's Wharf in False Creek. Fishermen's Wharf in Steveston is also a great place to buy spot prawns directly from fishers.
Fish markets around Vancouver also stock fresh and frozen spot prawns. The Pacific Prawn Fishermen's Association has an interactive map showing retailers that sell spot prawns all over the region. Fanny Bay Oysters in downtown Vancouver and Lobster Man on Granville Island are two centrally located options for buying spot prawns.
Many local restaurants, especially those specializing in seafood, also offer special spot prawn dishes to celebrate the harvest. Check restaurant websites and social media to stay up to date on the latest spot prawn offerings.