Vancouver Waterfront Restaurants: A Complete Guide to the Riverfront’s Dining, Wineries & Fun

The new Vancouver, Washington waterfront has transformed old industrial land into a vibrant playground of dining, wine tasting and outdoor fun. A day at The Waterfront might start with a gourmet burger on the patio at one of the vancouver waterfront restaurants and end with sunset cocktails overlooking the Columbia River. Between bites you can stroll along the Waterfront Renaissance Trail, watch kids splash at the Headwaters Wall water feature and soak in sweeping views of the Grant Street Pier. This guide covers every public business along the river – from upscale steakhouses and casual fish bars to tasting rooms, ice cream parlors and hotels – and gives you the inside scoop on what to expect, when to visit and why locals love (or sometimes critique) these places.

Restaurants & Bars

WildFin American Grill

Situated on the ground floor, WildFin is a staple of vancouver waterfront restaurants. It serves fresh Northwest seafood and steaks, craft beer and wine with patio seating overlooking the river. Happy hour draws locals for bites like mahi mahi tacos. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it’s a reliable stop for families and groups.

Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar

Twigs offers a casually sophisticated atmosphere with an expansive martini list and Pacific Northwest cuisine. It’s popular for weekend brunch (10:30 a.m. start) and late‑night cocktails. Located at the eastern end of the main strip, Twigs stays open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Waterfront Taphouse

The Waterfront Taphouse replaced Barlow’s Public House and occupies a second‑story perch with panoramic river views. It serves elevated pub fare and local beers, wines and spirits. If you’re craving comfort food with a side of scenery, this is your spot. Hours extend to 10 p.m. on weekends.

13 Coins

A Northwest classic transplanted to Vancouver, 13 Coins offers 24‑hour‑diner vibes with high‑back booths, huge menus and breakfast served all day. The waterfront location (511 W Columbia Way) is open from 7 a.m. until late evening, and an adjacent coffee house at 558 Waterfront Way caters to morning walkers with espresso and pastries.

Witness Tree Lounge

Perched atop Hotel Indigo, Witness Tree is Vancouver’s rooftop lounge. It features indoor and outdoor seating with sweeping views of the Columbia River and Portland skyline. The bar is known for hand‑crafted and tableside cocktails, along with seasonal small plates. It’s an evening retreat perfect for watching the lights on the Grant Street Pier.

El Gaucho Vancouver

On the ground floor of Hotel Indigo, El Gaucho is a classic steakhouse that delivers on showmanship. Expect 28‑day dry‑aged prime beef grilled over charcoal, fresh seafood and a clubby atmosphere. Reservations are recommended for dinner (Tuesday–Saturday).

The Cove

Located a mile east at Tidewater Cove Marina, The Cove serves fresh seafood and Northwest cuisine in a stunning riverfront setting. Open Tuesday–Sunday, it offers brunch, lunch, dinner and a social hour. Its kitchen sources seasonal ingredients from local farmers and suppliers. The outdoor patio is a favorite on warm evenings, and boaters can dock at Tidewater Cove Marina for a meal.

Shinsen Sushi & Lounge

Opened in 2024, Shinsen brings modern elegance and traditional Japanese cuisine to the waterfront. It offers lunch and dinner with sushi, sashimi and hot entrées, and the intimate dining room makes it ideal for quieter gatherings.

Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar

This burger joint keeps things casual with gourmet burgers, an expansive whiskey list and boozy milkshakes. Patio seating offers Columbia River views. It’s a good lunchtime stop before or after a stroll along the Waterfront Renaissance Trail.

Ruse Brewing’s Crust Collective

Detroit‑style pizzas and craft beer are the draw at Crust Collective. A recent Reddit post praised the pizza’s taste but lamented the price: a former New Yorker wrote that the pies “tast[e] incredible” yet felt “robbed paying $50 for these two baby sized pies”. Expect creative toppings and patio seating overlooking the river.

DOSALAS Latin Kitchen & Tequila Bar

DOSALAS brings Latin American flavors to the riverfront with interactive dining, tapas‑style plates and an impressive tequila collection. The second‑floor “Pearl Deck” overlooks the Columbia River, and the curated menu is designed for sharing. It’s perfect for date nights or celebrations, especially at sunset. Dinner hours run later than most riverfront spots, making it a lively evening choice.

Grassa

Grassa serves handmade pasta and Italian comfort food at 780 Waterfront Way. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., the counter‑service spot is great for a quick yet quality dinner before exploring more vancouver waterfront restaurants.

What A Catch Fishbar

A walk‑up window at 777 Waterfront Way, What A Catch offers fish ’n’ chips, fish tacos, clam chowder and blackberry basil lemonade. It’s the perfect grab‑and‑go option while watching sailboats glide past the Grant Street Pier. Soft‑serve ice cream cones make it a hit with kids.

Other Casual Eats

• Kafiex Roasters Gastro Café – A cozy café known for breakfast burritos, French toast and house‑baked croissants paired with award‑winning coffee. Open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m., it’s a welcoming spot at 100 Parkway Place.

• Salt & Straw – The Portland ice‑cream darling opened at 740 Waterfront Way with flavors ranging from sea‑salt‑with‑caramel to vegan options. It’s open 11 a.m.–11 p.m. daily.

• The Yard Milkshake Bar – Build‑your‑own milkshakes with 25 ice‑cream flavors, 60 toppings and gluten‑free, dairy‑free and vegan options are the claim to fame here. Located at 656 Waterfront Way.

• Pop‑Local – A boutique shop rather than a restaurant, Pop‑Local sells goods from more than 300 local makers. It’s a great stop for gifts or treats during your waterfront walk. Hours vary but generally run Tuesday–Sunday.

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

The Vancouver Waterfront has become an urban wine hub. Many of the wineries offer both tasting flights and food, making them destinations for relaxed afternoons.

Maryhill Winery Tasting Room

Maryhill’s 4,890‑sq‑ft tasting room features an expansive patio near the Grant Street Pier with Columbia River and Mount Hood views. Visitors can sample flights of classic and reserve wines and order small plates. It’s open seven days a week.

Willamette Valley Vineyards

On the second floor above Twigs, this tasting room pairs world‑class Pinot Noir with Pacific Northwest‑inspired dishes. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows overlook the river, and weekly specials include prime rib Thursdays and live music Sundays.

Airfield Estates

Airfield’s tasting room offers wines from a 1907 family‑run estate. Tastings cost $15 and are refundable with a purchase. Amenities include a patio, gift shop and pet‑friendly seating. Hours vary by day but extend into the evening on weekends.

Brian Carter Cellars

This space operates as a tasting room by day and a wine bar by night. Happy hour runs weekdays 4–7 p.m., and the tasting room closes later on Fridays and Saturdays. Its address is 660 Waterfront Way.

Valo Cellars & Massalto Wine

Valo focuses on Bordeaux and Rhône varieties along with Burgundian‑style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Massalto offers Italian‑inspired wines. The tasting room at 671 W Columbia Way provides a flight through both producers.

Amavi Cellars & Pepper Bridge Winery

These Walla Walla wineries share a modern tasting room with floor‑to‑ceiling windows and comfortable seating. Guests can book seated tastings with charcuterie add‑ons. Hours vary, but the room is closed Monday–Tuesday. Located at 677 W Columbia Way, the space sits steps from the park.

Barnard Griffin Winery

Family‑owned Barnard Griffin brings its Columbia Valley wines to a tasting room at 665 W Columbia Way. It’s open Wednesday–Sunday and closed early in the week.

Evoke Winery

Formerly Naked Winery, Evoke invites guests to sip wine while watching boats go by the Waterfront. Located at 560 Waterfront Way, it’s open afternoons and evenings every day.

Other Tasting Rooms

• Valo & Massalto – See above.

• Pepper Bridge & Amavi – See above.

• Barnard Griffin – See above.

Hotels

AC Hotel by Marriott Vancouver Waterfront

This sleek, modern hotel has 150 rooms, a state‑of‑the‑art fitness center and a full‑service restaurant and lounge on the ground floor. It offers more than 4,000 square feet of meeting space. It opened in 2022 and anchors the western end of the development.

Hotel Indigo

Hotel Indigo pairs boutique charm with river views. The lobby features a stone fireplace and a canoe‑shaped reception desk, a nod to Vancouver’s shipbuilding history. Guests can dine downstairs at El Gaucho or head upstairs to Witness Tree. The address is 550 Waterfront Way.

Experience Beyond Food

Waterfront Park & Grant Street Pier

The 90‑foot cable‑stayed Grant Street Pier is the focal point of the 7.3‑acre Waterfront Park. Walk along the pier to admire panoramic views or catch a live music performance. During summer, the Headwaters Wall invites children to splash among jets of water while a bronze map of the Columbia River watershed teaches geography. An open lawn, urban beach and picnic tables make the park ideal for relaxing between restaurant visits.

Waterfront Renaissance Trail

The Waterfront Renaissance Trail connects the new development to downtown Vancouver and stretches five miles along the river to Wintler Park. Rent a bike, jog or take a leisurely walk to work up an appetite for the next stop on your vancouver waterfront restaurants itinerary.

Planning Your Visit

The riverfront buzzes on summer weekends, so arrive early if you want patio seating at popular spots like WildFin or DOSALAS. Weekday afternoons are quieter, perfect for wine tasting or shopping at Pop‑Local. Winter brings a cozy vibe; sip hot coffee at Kafiex or watch storms roll in from the comfort of Witness Tree. If you’re exploring with kids, schedule time for the Headwaters Wall and treat them to fish ’n’ chips or ice cream from What A Catch. With so many vancouver waterfront restaurants and tasting rooms packed into a few blocks, the hardest part is deciding where to start.