Dive into Richmond’s Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration

Locals and visitors are licking their lips in anticipation for the 2023 return of the Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration. From May 16 to June 18, this year’s event serves-up a mouthwatering menu of tasty activities––including fresh-off-the-boat sales of spot prawns and more, expert on-stage cooking demonstrations, a family-friendly Spot the Spot Prawn experience and a delicious seafood-focused citywide restaurant promotion.

Spot Prawns and More

The fun starts on May 16 when the colourful fishing boats of Steveston’s Fisherman’s Wharf start selling their freshly caught B.C. spot prawns straight from the vessels. There’ll be a party-like atmosphere on most days as visitors promenade along the floating dock and peruse the glistening bounty piled high on the gently bobbling boats.

It’s a great chance to chat with friendly fishers, check out lots of additional catch-of-the-day seafood––look for octopus and spiky sea urchins––and also soak up the authentic heritage atmosphere of shoreline Steveston Village. The historic home of Canada’s largest commercial fishing fleet, Steveston has long been the heart and soul of the B.C. seafood sector.

For most Seafood Celebration visitors, the spot prawn delicacies will be the biggest hook. Before you leave the Wharf, make sure you pick-up a bag of the freshest and sweetest-tasting spot prawns you’re ever likely to try. And don’t leave it too late: they’ll only be available here as long as supplies last and if you miss them in 2023, you’ll have to wait until next year for your next fresh-catch opportunity.  

Expert presentations

The Wharf will also be the site for this year’s much-anticipated Culinary Stage. This free-entry alfresco happening runs on June 10 and 11, and includes entertaining and accessible cooking demonstrations and handy insider tips from local seafood-loving chefs.

It’s a great way to pick-up first-timer advice on preparing spot prawns and other B.C. seafood as well as learning new and perhaps unexpected methods for cooking and serving our regional ocean bounty. Leading this year’s guest presenters is Chef Robert Clark, celebrated pioneer of sustainable seafood, multi-award-winning restaurateur and 2020 recipient of the Order of Canada.

Family Fun

Download or pick-up your Spot Prawn Bingo Form at the Steveston Tram, track down the six dedicated locations and then count how many Demetrius prawn images you find at each spot. Finally, count up the total number of prawns you’ve found and then return your form to the Steveston Tram ballot box. Return it by June 18 for a chance to win some great prizes!

Time to Eat

If cooking crustaceans at home seems like a stretch for you––or you’d rather sample the delectable creations of some well-seasoned chefs instead––the Seafood Celebration’s Dine About feature will also be calling your name.

Running June 1 to June 18, more than a dozen restaurants in Steveston and wider Richmond will be serving their own special dishes this year––and a diverse array of approaches with spot prawns and other seafood will be on the table.

New for 2023 is a free Dine About digital passport that enables you to view participating restaurants and menus and receive $2 off each Dine About dish! It even includes a $2 discount for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, where the region’s salty seafood backstory comes to life.

Curious about this year’s special Dine About dishes? Steveston Seafood House and Little Mexico Cantina will each be serving their own delicious versions of spot prawn ceviche. O’Hare’s GastroPub will be offering crispy Cajun spot prawn heads this year.

Hungry for more? Cask Whisky Vault’s Dine About special is a decadent spot prawn and caviar tartare, while its sister establishment BRUNO Restaurant will be offering spot prawn truffle gnocchi. Over at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, Globe@YVR will be serving a couple of special options, including spot prawn and cherry gazpacho.

Shoreline-hugging Blue Canoe is planning poached spot prawn with avocado and mango salsa this time around, while 75 West Coast Grill is taking a different approach with a delicious-sounding smoked sablefish main. Back in Steveston Village, Five Roads Brewing Co. is offering a spot prawn taco main, while Catch Kitchen + Bar is serving-up a sizzling garlic spot prawn dish.

Get out your calendar and book a table or two at some of these popular local restaurants. And be sure to add a Fisherman’s Wharf visit, a Culinary Stage presentation and a fun Spot the Spot Prawn experience to your plans at the same time. The second annual Steveston Spot Prawn and Seafood Celebration is about to drop anchor, and you won’t want to miss the boat!

Last Updated on June 1, 2023 by Tourism Richmond