TLDR: Worst of the Sequoia resturants, will not be returning (updated).
Visited around 4pm on Sept 22, 2025.
The good: The sashimi was great, signature wok squid was good, I thought the crab and artichoke dip was okay but friends thought otherwise. I forgot what the dessert was but it's a coconut caramel seasonal cake of sorts, really enjoyed that. General food presentation is okay too. The interior looks nice and the outdoor seating seabreeze is pretty good although the chairs weren't the most comfortable.
The bad: Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna was dry and flavourless, as was the roasted mushrooms. Oysters are not cleaned properly (though I'm not sure if they normally are supposed to be, sand aside it tastes okay, I'm no connoisseur). On the theme of sand, our clam chowder also had sand in it (had 3 sips, got sand twice), the server said they'd strike it from our bill. We weren't given a chance to order a replacement or anything else before they took it and left. The server was friendly and conversational but we'd prefer a good food focused dining experience above all else.
The ugly: We had another event to run to after so we didn't check the bill at the end, but upon later review, it turns out we were charged for the clam chowder anyway.
Update: The manager reached out and refunded the clam chowder. More refunds were offered for some other dishes but were not taken since they were finished.
Daisy Freiedman
-
September 23, 2025
I recently visited Sandbar Seafood Restaurant for my birthday, and it was a truly lovely experience. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the evening had a nice, intimate feel—especially dining by candlelight.
I started with oysters, followed by lobster and their seafood pasta—everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. It was truly seafood fine dining at its finest.
While the service was a bit slow at the beginning, it definitely improved as the night went on, and the staff made a real effort to ensure everything was enjoyable. A thoughtful highlight was when they brought out a candle with my meal to celebrate my birthday.
I had a wonderful time and would absolutely recommend Sandbar to anyone looking for quality seafood, a relaxed atmosphere, and a memorable dining experience.
Le Duc des Critiques Malicieuses
-
August 18, 2025
The Sandbar does have a way of leaving one rather well-looked after. This was my second visit and once again the service was attentive to the point of being the true highlight. The food itself is sound, fresh and competently prepared, though it lacks that elusive spark that makes one sit up and say good heavens, that was brilliant. Still, when a restaurant treats you properly and ensures you’re comfortable from start to finish, one forgives the absence of fireworks on the plate. In short, steady cooking paired with exceptional service makes for a respectable return.
Kale Ellis
-
November 18, 2025
This place is pretty good, the food was wonderful and the service was really great.
I had the tuna and it was pretty good, but not the best that I’ve had. I have been to plenty other places that did it much better, and had a much better price tag as well.
I think the environment is extremely overstimulating and chaotic as well, and the musical is actually pretty horrible.
Other than that, I thought, I can’t give it a low rating because I think it was all pretty good.
Nelia Lepska
-
September 26, 2025
I really wanted to visit this place with a beautiful view... but other than the pretty picture, I didn't get any pleasure.
The food was tasteless. I ordered burrata with prosciutto and received a Costco set.
The fries were boiled, not fried.
The mussels were with coconut milk, but this wasn't indicated in the dish description.
The only thing that was tasty and memorable was the squid.
The service? Also, not everything was great. They mixed up the dish we ordered, and then something we didn't order appeared in the light. Everything was fixed, but it was unpleasant.
Our Address
1535 Johnston Street, Creekhouse #102, 1535 Johnston St #35, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S6, Canada
Claim Listing: The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant
Please Login or Register an Account to Claim Listing
TLDR: Worst of the Sequoia resturants, will not be returning (updated). Visited around 4pm on Sept 22, 2025. The good: The sashimi was great, signature wok squid was good, I thought the crab and artichoke dip was okay but friends thought otherwise. I forgot what the dessert was but it's a coconut caramel seasonal cake of sorts, really enjoyed that. General food presentation is okay too. The interior looks nice and the outdoor seating seabreeze is pretty good although the chairs weren't the most comfortable. The bad: Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna was dry and flavourless, as was the roasted mushrooms. Oysters are not cleaned properly (though I'm not sure if they normally are supposed to be, sand aside it tastes okay, I'm no connoisseur). On the theme of sand, our clam chowder also had sand in it (had 3 sips, got sand twice), the server said they'd strike it from our bill. We weren't given a chance to order a replacement or anything else before they took it and left. The server was friendly and conversational but we'd prefer a good food focused dining experience above all else. The ugly: We had another event to run to after so we didn't check the bill at the end, but upon later review, it turns out we were charged for the clam chowder anyway. Update: The manager reached out and refunded the clam chowder. More refunds were offered for some other dishes but were not taken since they were finished.
I recently visited Sandbar Seafood Restaurant for my birthday, and it was a truly lovely experience. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the evening had a nice, intimate feel—especially dining by candlelight. I started with oysters, followed by lobster and their seafood pasta—everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. It was truly seafood fine dining at its finest. While the service was a bit slow at the beginning, it definitely improved as the night went on, and the staff made a real effort to ensure everything was enjoyable. A thoughtful highlight was when they brought out a candle with my meal to celebrate my birthday. I had a wonderful time and would absolutely recommend Sandbar to anyone looking for quality seafood, a relaxed atmosphere, and a memorable dining experience.
The Sandbar does have a way of leaving one rather well-looked after. This was my second visit and once again the service was attentive to the point of being the true highlight. The food itself is sound, fresh and competently prepared, though it lacks that elusive spark that makes one sit up and say good heavens, that was brilliant. Still, when a restaurant treats you properly and ensures you’re comfortable from start to finish, one forgives the absence of fireworks on the plate. In short, steady cooking paired with exceptional service makes for a respectable return.
This place is pretty good, the food was wonderful and the service was really great. I had the tuna and it was pretty good, but not the best that I’ve had. I have been to plenty other places that did it much better, and had a much better price tag as well. I think the environment is extremely overstimulating and chaotic as well, and the musical is actually pretty horrible. Other than that, I thought, I can’t give it a low rating because I think it was all pretty good.
I really wanted to visit this place with a beautiful view... but other than the pretty picture, I didn't get any pleasure. The food was tasteless. I ordered burrata with prosciutto and received a Costco set. The fries were boiled, not fried. The mussels were with coconut milk, but this wasn't indicated in the dish description. The only thing that was tasty and memorable was the squid. The service? Also, not everything was great. They mixed up the dish we ordered, and then something we didn't order appeared in the light. Everything was fixed, but it was unpleasant.