Fish is one of the healthiest foods to eat. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and low in fat which is super heart friendly. If you live in Vancouver, you have no excuse not to eat fish. Situated right on the pacific ocean, Vancouver has a plentiful supply of fish and restaurants that make amazing fish dishes.

I love to eat out, but I also love to cook. Two of my favourite ways to enjoy food in the summer is visiting a lovely restaurant patio on a gorgeous day or taking to my outdoor grill to BBQ up some salmon steaks or halibut.

Here is a list of some great restaurants in the Vancouver Area that are known for their seafood dishes:

Monk McQueens Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar – www.monkmcqueens.com

• There are many tasty dishes to choose from at “Monks”. And the bonus of dining here is the beautiful patio with stunning views of False Creek.

The Fish House in Stanley Park – www.fishhousestanleypark.com
• Situated in one of the most beautiful settings in Vancouver, this is a great restaurant to enjoy salmon, oysters, shrimp and more.

The Boathouse – www.boathouserestaurants.ca
• With seven locations and award winning dishes, this is the perfect place to go to fulfill your seafood cravings.

Blue Water Cafe and Raw Bar – www.bluewatercafe.net
• This restaurant serves only wild fish which is prepared by two chef’s, Frank Pabst who is in charge of the west coast meals, and Yoshiya Maruyama from Japan who prepares the raw dishes.

Pajo’s – www.pajos.com
• Unlike the other restaurants on this list, Pajo’s is a much more casual eatery, which is famous for it’s fish and chips.

If you’re a fan of the home BBQ, here are some great ways to cook salmon, tilapia, and halibut on your outdoor grill.

Maple Soy Salmon – Add equal parts of soy sauce and maple syrup combined with garlic (how much is up to you). Marinate for as long as you wish and throw on the barbecue.

Lemon Butter Dill Tilapia – Melt butter butter on stove, add lemon juice, and garlic. When the mix has chilled add either fresh or dried dill and pour over tilapia. I like to let the fish marinate for a bit (20-30 minutes) but you can barbecue right away if you don’t have time!

Halibut with Cilantro Garlic Butter – I found this recipe on-line and just loved it. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-halibut-with-cilantro-garlic-butter/detail.aspx

Ideally you should aim to eat fish at least twice a week, but the more the better! (Photo courtesy of Abel Cheung)