Floating right on the water at Steveston Harbour, Pajo’s Fish and Chips has been Richmond’s best-known fish and chips stand since 1985. If you have searched for the best fish and chips in Richmond, BC, or wondered where to find fish and chips in Steveston, this guide covers the menu, location, and everything worth knowing before a visit.
Address
12351 3rd Avenue, Richmond, BC (Steveston Wharf, at Bayview St & 3rd Ave)
Phone
(604) 272-1588
Hours
Open daily, roughly late morning through early evening. Hours shift with the season.
Confirm same-day hours on Pajo’s official site before visiting.
Price & Payment
Counter-service, cash and card accepted. Fish and chips combos are mid-range for the wharf.
Menu prices change often; see current pricing on pajos.com.
A Steveston Original Since 1985
Pajo’s got its start in 1985, when founder Patricia Branch and business partner Joan Whettlaufer set up a small fish and chips stand at Steveston Wharf. Both women had husbands who worked as commercial fishermen, and that connection to the water shaped the recipe from day one. Four decades later, the Steveston Wharf location is still the flagship, and it is the spot most people picture when they think of Pajo’s fish and chips.
The business has grown to include locations at Vancouver International Airport and Rocky Point Park in Port Moody, but the Richmond wharf location remains the original, and for many visitors, the reason to make the trip out to Steveston in the first place.
Order at the Water’s Edge
Pajo’s sits on a floating dock at the corner of Bayview Street and 3rd Avenue, right in the middle of Steveston’s working fishing harbour. Guests order at the counter, then find a spot on the dock or the boardwalk to eat while watching fishing boats, seagulls, and the occasional seal work the harbour. There is no formal dining room, so this is a walk-up, eat-outside kind of stop, best paired with good weather.
Because the restaurant floats on the water, seating is limited and fills up fast on warm weekends. Arriving earlier in the day or on a weekday tends to mean a shorter line and an easier time finding a bench.
Pajo’s Fish and Chips Menu
The menu centres on a handful of Pacific fish, all served in Pajo’s signature tempura-style batter with fresh-cut fries and house-made tartar sauce. Fries are bottomless with every fish and chips order, and the fries themselves are cut from Kennebec potatoes grown in Delta, BC.
Tip: Gluten-free buns are available for the burgers, and the fish itself is naturally gluten-friendly in most preparations, but always confirm current allergen handling with staff before ordering, since fryers are shared.
Where the Fish Comes From
Pajo’s is a certified Ocean Wise partner, meaning its cod, halibut, and salmon are sourced under the Ocean Wise sustainable seafood program. For a restaurant built on its catch, that sourcing standard is a meaningful part of the pitch, and it lines up with Steveston’s identity as a working fishing village where the seafood on the plate often came off a boat docked a short walk away.
Good to know: Pajo’s previously operated a stand at Garry Point Park, a short drive from the wharf, but that location has since closed. The Steveston Wharf address above is the current Richmond location.
Getting to Pajo’s Without a Car
TransLink routes 401, 402, and 406 all connect Richmond-Brighouse Station to Steveston Exchange on Chatham Street, from which it is a short walk down to the wharf. Cyclists can follow the West Dyke Trail directly to the dock, and there is a mix of street parking and nearby lots for anyone driving in, though spots get tight on sunny weekends.
“A fish and chips shop couldn’t have a better location than Pajo’s, right on the edge of picturesque Steveston Harbour.”
What to Do Nearby
Steveston rewards a slow afternoon, and Pajo’s sits within easy walking distance of most of the village’s main draws. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is a five-minute walk along the boardwalk and covers the history of the fishing and canning industry that shaped the area. Steveston Village itself is worth a wander for its shops, cafes, and historic waterfront buildings, while Garry Point Park is a short bike or drive away for open views of the Salish Sea and Gulf Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pajo’s flagship Richmond location floats on the water at 12351 3rd Avenue, at the corner of Bayview Street and 3rd Avenue, right on Steveston Wharf.
Pajo’s is one of the most recommended fish and chips spots in Richmond, known for its waterfront setting and Ocean Wise-certified fish. It is often mentioned alongside Dave’s Fish and Chips as one of Steveston’s two long-running favourites, so which is “best” tends to come down to personal taste and whether you prefer dockside takeout or a sit-down counter.
The core menu is tempura-battered Pacific cod, halibut, rock snapper, and sockeye salmon, all served with bottomless fries and house-made tartar sauce. There are also fish tacos, smash burgers, hot dogs, a garden burger, and sides like poutine, mushy peas, and coleslaw.
No. Pajo’s operated a stand at Garry Point Park for a number of years, but that location has closed. The Steveston Wharf address is the current Richmond location.
Both are Steveston institutions. Pajo’s, open since 1985, sits directly on the water and leans into that dockside atmosphere, while Dave’s Fish and Chips, open since 1978 on Moncton Street, offers a licensed, sit-down dining room. Many visitors try both on the same trip.
Yes. Pajo’s is a certified Ocean Wise partner, meaning its cod, halibut, and salmon meet the Ocean Wise sustainable seafood program’s sourcing standards.
TransLink routes 401, 402, and 406 run between Richmond-Brighouse Station and Steveston Exchange on Chatham Street, a short walk from the wharf. Cyclists can also reach it via the West Dyke Trail.
Plan the Rest of Your Steveston Visit
Pair fish and chips at the wharf with a walk through the village and a stop at the cannery.