The Five Fishermen celebrates 30 years of dishing out fish this year with a repeat win in the Best Seafood category over repeat runner-up McKelvie’s. General manager Gary MacDonald attributes it to “being proactive and up-to-date with the trends diners are looking for. We change the menu twice a year,” he says, crediting chef Chris Burton with being innovative, training his kitchen staff well and letting them contribute. But with all that innovation, there’s still a place for old favourites. “I’m blown away by how many people [come from away] and can’t wait to get at the mussel bar,” he marvels.
2nd: McKelvie’s, 1680 Lower Water, 421-6161
3rd: Salty’s, 1869 Upper Water, 423-6818