A colourful new addition to English Bay will take over a prime location in Vancouver’s West End.

The casual seafood restaurant Papi’s Seafood and Oyster Bar will open on Thursday (June 6) at 1193 Denman Street at Morton Avenue, across the street from Morton Park where the A-maze-ing Laughter sculpture is located.

This new establishment will take over the location, which benefits from panoramic views of English Bay, from the former Beach Bay Café and Patio, which opened in 2015 but closed in February of this year. (The previous Raincity Grill had closed in late 2014.) 

Papi’s is being launched by the Viaggio Hospitality Group, which ran Beach Bay Café and also owns and runs Cibo Trattoria, UVA Wine and Cocktail Bar, and Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio.

The menu will span offerings from casual appetizers to locally sourced main dishes, such as freshly shucked oysters, ceviche, crudo, and a signature seafood platter. A bar menu will include sparkling wine and Champagne, signature cocktails, and craft beer on tap.

The venue will be to seat up to 75 diners indoor, with an additional 34 guests outside on the patio. (Receptions will be able to host up to 100 guests.)

Chef Max Straczek, formerly of Fable Kitchen and Fable Diner, and who has appeared on the Food Network and Top Chef Canada, will head the kitchen and sommelier and general manager Alessandro De Pieri will lead the front of house team.  

The restaurant will be open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with full details being revealed on the opening date.