Spot prawn season arrives—head to the docks for the festival

Spot prawn season has arrived, and every spring Vancouver's food scene shifts into full prawn mode—special menus appear, seafood counters see lineups form before opening, and local chefs race to showcase one of B.C.'s most beloved seasonal ingredients during its short window.

If you want the ultimate spot prawn experience, skip the restaurants and head straight to the docks. The annual Spot Prawn Festival returns to False Creek Fishermen's Wharf for its milestone 20th anniversary celebration. The event brings together chefs, fishers, and seafood lovers for a full day dedicated entirely to the local catch.

Spot prawns are prized for their delicate sweetness and firm texture—nothing like the industrial frozen prawns at most grocery stores. When they're this fresh, at the source, the difference becomes obvious. The festival gives you direct access to fishers, the chance to taste preparation styles you won't see elsewhere, and the rare opportunity to understand where your food actually comes from.

Spring seafood in Vancouver doesn't get more authentic than standing at the wharf, watching boats unload, eating from a chef's hands. It's the kind of event that reminds you why this city's relationship to the ocean matters.