WATER ST. CAFE MENU

🕰️ Water St. Café in Gastown, Vancouver, is a historic dining destination offering West Coast cuisine, fresh seafood, handmade pastas, and their famous crab cakes. Located by the iconic Steam Clock, it combines a classic bistro atmosphere with live music, a tapas bar upstairs, and menus crafted from local ingredients for brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour.

Water St. Cafe menu in Vancouver:

🍽️ Lunch & Brunch Menu

Served until 3pm.

🥟 Appetizers

• Bison Carpaccio

  Thin-sliced bison with pink peppercorn crust, truffle aioli, crispy capers, balsamic glaze, and grana padano. Upgrade with house-baked focaccia.

• Mini Duck Spring Rolls

  Crispy rolls stuffed with five-spice hoisin duck, served with sweet chili sauce.

• Mixed Olives

  A medley of olives marinated in house spices, fresh herbs, and aged balsamic.

• Vegetable Spring Rolls

  Golden crisp rolls paired with sweet chili sauce.

• West Coast Crab Cakes

  Blue crab and baby shrimp blended with corn sofrito, saffron aioli — a Water St. tradition.

🧀 Burrata

• Burrata & Pesto

  Creamy burrata with parmesan and pistachio-basil pesto. Upgrade with grilled focaccia.

• Burrata Caprese

  Served with heirloom tomatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto, basil oil, and balsamic glaze.

🍳 Brunch

• Avocado Toast

  Creamy avocado on house focaccia with heirloom tomato salad and balsamic glaze. Upgrade with a poached egg or burrata.

• Good Morning! Wild Mushroom Gnocchi

  Gnocchi with wild mushrooms, truffle cream, chèvre, and a soft poached egg.

• Nutella & Banana Waffles

  Fluffy waffles topped with brûléed banana, whipped Nutella cream, and maple syrup.

• Black Stone Benny

  Crispy bacon, tomato, and arugula on focaccia with hollandaise and potatoes.

• Mushroom Benny

  Roasted mushrooms and basil pesto hollandaise with crispy potatoes.

• Smoked Salmon Benny

  BC smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche, hollandaise, and crispy potatoes.

🍔 Handhelds

• BC Salmon Burger

  Fresh grilled salmon with tartar sauce, tomato, onion, and romaine.

• Double Premium Burger

  Two beef patties with double-smoked bacon, American cheese, pickles, and garlic aioli.

🍝 Pasta & Gnocchi Tradition

• Rigatoni Arrabbiata

  Rigatoni in spicy pomodoro sauce with burrata, herbs, and basil oil.

• Seafood Gnocchi

  Jumbo prawns, scallops, and clams in lemon dill cream with soft gnocchi.

• Spaghetti Alle Vongole

  Manila clams sautéed with white wine, butter, herbs, and heirloom tomato.

• Spaghetti Bolognese

  A timeless veal and pork ragù with rosemary beef jus, parmesan, and fresh herbs.

🥗 Soup & Salad

• Caesar Salad

  Crisp romaine, garlic dressing, grana padano, and crispy capers. Upgrade with chicken or salmon.

• Water St. Salad

  Mixed greens with cucumber, beets, heirloom tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and citrus dressing.

• House-Made Daily Soup

  A chef-inspired soup made fresh daily.

🥘 Extra Fun To Share

• Garlic Cheese Toast

  Herb-garlic bread topped with mozzarella, parmesan, and chèvre.

• Italian Potato Salad

  Potatoes tossed with citrus dressing, fennel, apple slaw, corn sofrito, and herbs.

• Roasted Wild Mushrooms

  A mix of earthy wild and cultivated mushrooms with fresh herbs.

• Grilled Focaccia

  House-baked daily with balsamic and olive oil.

• Lemon Pepper Fries

  Fries dusted with signature lemon-pepper seasoning and served with garlic aioli.

➕ Enhance Your Dish

• 1/2 Avocado – Fresh and creamy.

• Grilled Chicken – Citrus and herb marinated.

• Seared BC Salmon – Local, pan-seared.

• 3 Jumbo Prawns – Sautéed in white wine garlic butter.

• Grilled Focaccia – Two slices, house-baked.

• Whole Burrata – Imported from Puglia, Italy.

🍽️ Dinner Menu

From 3pm. An inspired selection of West Coast classics and Italian traditions, prepared with fresh local ingredients.

🧀 Burrata

• Burrata & Pesto

  Creamy burrata paired with parmesan and pistachio-basil pesto.

• Burrata Caprese

  Heirloom tomatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto, balsamic glaze, and basil oil with burrata.

🍴 To Share or Not to Share

• Bison Carpaccio

  Pink peppercorn crust, grana padano, truffle aioli, crispy capers, balsamic glaze. Upgrade with house-baked focaccia.

• Garlic Cheese Toast

  Whipped herb-garlic butter with parmesan, mozzarella, and chèvre.

• Italian Potato Salad

  Warm citrus dressing with fennel, apple slaw, corn soffritto, and fresh herbs.

• Mini Duck Spring Rolls

  Five-spice hoisin duck wrapped in crisp pastry with sweet chili sauce.

• Roasted Wild Mushrooms

  A medley of wild and cultivated mushrooms, finished with fresh herbs.

• Water St. Salad

  Spring greens, edamame, heirloom tomatoes, sunflower seeds, red & golden beets, citrus dressing.

• Caesar Salad

  Romaine hearts with grana padano, crispy capers, and house-made Caesar dressing.

• House-Made Daily Soup

  Chef’s daily seasonal creation.

• Lemon Pepper Fries

  Fries dusted in signature lemon-pepper spice with garlic aioli.

• Mixed Olives

  Marinated with aged balsamic and fresh herbs.

• Vegetable Spring Rolls

  Crispy rolls with sweet chili sauce.

• West Coast Crab Cakes

  A Water St. tradition: blue crab, baby shrimp, corn soffritto, and saffron aioli.

🍖 Main Event

• Grilled Haida Gwaii Halibut

  Served with Italian potato salad, fennel & apple slaw, gremolata, and seasonal vegetables.

• Oven-Roasted Chicken a la Parmesan

  Crispy free-range chicken with burrata, paired with spaghetti alla pomodoro.

• Tomahawk Steak

  Roasted garlic, gremolata, heirloom tomato, and seasonal vegetables.

• Grilled Halloumi

  Primavera vegetables, cannellini bean & tomato ragù, fennel & apple slaw, finished with basil pesto.

• Pan-Roasted BC Salmon

  Local salmon with Italian potato salad, fennel & apple slaw, maple vinaigrette, and seasonal vegetables.

🍝 Pasta Tradition

• Butternut Squash Ravioli

  Asiago, ricotta, roasted squash, sage butter, and pistachio oil.

• Spaghetti Alle Vongole

  Manila clams with white wine butter sauce, fresh herbs, and heirloom tomato.

• Rigatoni Arrabbiata

  Spicy house-made pomodoro with burrata ball, basil oil, and fresh herbs.

• Spaghetti Bolognese

  Classic veal & pork ragù with rosemary, parmesan, and fresh herbs.

🥔 Dinner – Gnocchi

• Mushroom Gnocchi

  Wild & cultivated mushrooms with truffle cream, chèvre, and fresh herbs.

• Seafood Gnocchi

  Jumbo prawns, manila clams, baby scallops, in a lemon dill cream sauce.

🌟 Enhance Your Dish

• ½ Avocado

  A fresh, light upgrade to any plate.

• Grilled Chicken

  Marinated with citrus and fresh herbs.

• Seared BC Salmon

  Fresh local salmon, seared to perfection.

• 3 Jumbo Prawns

  Finished in white wine garlic butter.

• Grilled Focaccia

  Two pieces, baked in-house daily.

• Whole Burrata

  Creamy burrata sourced directly from Puglia.

🍷 Sunday Prix Fixe Menu

Every Sunday from 5pm until close. Price is per person for a chef-curated three-course menu (choose one dish per course). Selections change weekly.

🍰 Desserts

Pastry Chef Isagani Sales

• Affogato

  Vanilla gelato served with house-made gluten-free almond and chocolate biscotti.

• Dark Chocolate Budino

  Rich chocolate pudding with a molten lava centre, cocoa nibs, and a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

• Tiramisu

  Classic Italian dessert of coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone mousse and coffee liqueur.

• Cannoli

  Two rotating-flavour cannolis, ask your server for today’s offering. Upgrade: add one extra cannoli.

• Fresh Fruit Sorbetto

  Seasonal sorbet topped with fresh fruit coulis, candied pistachios, and fresh fruit garnish.

☕ Liquid Desserts

• B52 Coffee

  Baileys, Kahlúa, Grand Marnier, topped with whipped cream.

• Pick Me Up

  Baileys with French press coffee roasters espresso served over ice.

• WSC Coffee

  Baileys and Frangelico with whipped cream and a Drambuie float.

• Espresso Martini

  Absolut vodka, Kahlúa, cold brew coffee, lightly sweetened.

• Shaft

  Baileys, Absolut vodka, Kahlúa, and French press coffee roasters espresso over ice.

🍷 Happy Hour Menu

Available daily from 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

🍇 Wine

• Blasted Church Viognier

  Crisp BC white with bright stone fruit notes.

• Hillside Syrah

  Bold BC red with dark fruit and peppery spice.

• House Red Blend

  Easy-drinking BC blend, smooth and balanced.

• House Rosé

  Refreshing BC rosé with a dry, fruity finish.

• House White Blend

  Light BC white, perfect for sipping.

🍸 Cocktails

• Ginseng Rye Old Fashioned

  Ninety Distilleries rye, ginseng, and orange for a West Coast twist on a classic.

• Moments Sangria – Summer Sippin’

  BC red wine with peach schnapps, soda, and fresh juices.

• WSC Caesar

  Absolut vodka, spice, clamato, pickle, and house garnish.

• Highballs

  Your choice of vodka, gin, white or dark rum, served with soda or juice.

• Spiked Raspberry Lemonade

  Beefeater gin, raspberry, lemon, and soda.

🍺 Beer

• Happy Hour Lager

  Crisp, refreshing 15oz pour.

• Happy Hour Pale Ale

  Hoppy, balanced 15oz pour.

🍴 Tapas Menu

Served family-style, when ready

• Butternut Squash Ravioli

  Asiago, ricotta, roasted winter squash, white wine sage butter, and pistachio.

• Grilled Halloumi

  Served with balsamic glaze and gremolata.

• Lemon Pepper Fries

  Dusted with signature lemon pepper spice and garlic aioli.

• Mixed Olives

  House-blend spices, aged balsamic marinade, and fresh herbs.

• Vegetable Spring Rolls

  Crispy rolls with sweet chili sauce.

• Whole Burrata

  Extra virgin olive oil and cracked black pepper.

• Grilled Focaccia

  House-baked daily, with olive oil and balsamic.

• Italian Potato Salad

  Tossed with citrus dressing, corn sofrito, fennel, apple slaw, and fresh herbs.

• Mini Duck Spring Rolls

  Spiced duck wrapped and served with sweet chili sauce.

• Roasted Mushroom

  Wild and cultivated mushrooms sautéed with garlic butter and fresh herbs.

• West Coast Crab Cake

  Blue crab, baby shrimp, corn sofrito, and saffron aioli — a Water St. Café tradition.

🍽️ Tapas Menu (2nd Floor Gastown)

All Night Happy Hour – Every Thursday Evening

🥟 Tapas Selection

• Butternut Squash Ravioli

  Asiago and ricotta-filled pasta with roasted winter squash, finished in a white wine sage butter and topped with pistachios.

• Grilled Halloumi

  Golden-seared halloumi cheese with balsamic glaze and fresh gremolata.

• Lemon Pepper Fries

  Crisp fries tossed in signature lemon pepper spice, served with garlic aioli.

• Mixed Olives

  House-marinated olives with a blend of spices, balsamic, and fresh herbs.

• Vegetable Spring Rolls

  Crispy rolls served with sweet chili sauce.

• Whole Burrata

  Creamy burrata finished with extra virgin olive oil and cracked black pepper.

• Grilled Focaccia

  House-baked focaccia with olive oil and balsamic.

• Italian Potato Salad

  Tossed with warm citrus dressing, corn sofrito, fennel, apple slaw, and fresh herbs.

• Mini Duck Spring Rolls

  Five-spice hoisin duck wrapped and paired with sweet chili sauce.

• Roasted Mushroom

  A mix of wild and cultivated mushrooms sautéed with garlic butter and fresh herbs.

• West Coast Crab Cake

  A house specialty—blue crab, baby shrimp, corn sofrito, and saffron aioli.

📖 See the current Water St. Cafe menu on their website

⭐ Customer Favorite Menu Items

• West Coast Crab Cakes

  A house tradition — golden crab and shrimp cakes with corn sofrito and saffron aioli.

• Seafood Gnocchi

  Soft potato gnocchi tossed with jumbo prawns, scallops, and manila clams in a lemon dill cream.

• Braised Beef Short Ribs

  Slow-braised until tender, served with seasonal vegetables and rich pan jus.

• Bison Carpaccio

  Thin-sliced bison with peppercorn crust, truffle aioli, capers, and balsamic glaze. Upgrade with focaccia.

• Mushroom & Truffle Butter Gnocchi

  Wild and cultivated mushrooms folded into creamy truffle sauce with chèvre.

• Smoked BC Salmon Plate

  Local smoked salmon paired with crisp greens and bright accompaniments.

• Crab & Shrimp Chowder

  A creamy, comforting bowl with seafood highlights, loved by regulars.

🍽 Dining Experience

• Set in a heritage Gastown building, with exposed brick and tall windows.

• Main floor offers bright, bustling energy, while the second floor provides an intimate setting with live music.

• Known for attentive service and a classic bistro atmosphere.

• Evenings often feature live jazz performances upstairs.

🚗 Parking & Accessibility

• Valet service available (commonly $8–12).

• Street parking nearby (limited to ~2 hours, higher evening rates).

• Waterfront Station just a short walk — SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express all connect here.

• Wheelchair accessible with accessible seating available.

📍 Landmarks & Location

• Located in the heart of Gastown, directly across from the famous Steam Clock.

• Steps away from cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and historic buildings.

• A Vancouver staple since 1988, making it a go-to dining spot for both tourists and locals.

🛍️ Ordering Options

• Dine-in with online reservations available.

• Takeout and delivery offered directly through the restaurant.

• All-day menu covers lunch, dinner, and late-night dining.

• Happy Hour & Tapas menu on the second floor with shareable plates and drink specials.

💬 Customer Feedback

• Guests rave about the crab cakes, gnocchi, and short ribs as must-try dishes.

• The historic charm and live music make it a favorite for date nights and special occasions.

• Pricing is seen as premium but worthwhile, though some note variable consistency on busy nights.

• Desserts like tiramisu and budino, along with house-baked focaccia, get frequent mentions.

This menu was last updated: 1 month ago.