Calabash Bistro

Name: Calabash Bistro
Address: 428 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6B 2J7
Telephone: (604) 568-5882
Price range: CAN$30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

390 Reviews

CAN$30 and under

Caribbean

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 21, 2024

10:00 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

Innovative
Romantic
Great for creative cocktails

The Calabash Bistro in Vancouver, serves up Caribbean cuisine in a creative and unique, environment. The atmosphere is inspiring and artistic, and the menu at Calabash Bistro is a unique combination of West Coast and West Indian flavors.

Start your meal off at Calabash Bistro with a serving of Jamaican patties or jerk wings, and maybe try a mango and goat cheese salad. But make sure to leave room for the main course. Entr�es and staples include oxtail, fried fish, a vegetarian platter and much more. You�ll also find a number of curries and jerked dishes.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$30 and under
Cuisines
Caribbean, African, Canadian
Hours of Operation
Dinner Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am
Phone number
(604) 568-5882
Website
http://www.calabashbistro.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Cullin David
Catering
Calabash can provide all types and sizes of catering, from food to bar to rentals. We can also take care of the music.
Private party facilities
Calabash provides family style set menu's, Canapés, Buffets, live music and fully themed evenings.

Location
428 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J7
Neighbourhood
Gastown
Cross Street
Pender & Carrall
Parking details
Street parking, public lot at Tinseltown.
Public transit
Number 22 bus, Number 19 bus, Stadium Sky train.
Entertainment
Calabash is a restaurant, with a licensed live music venue.The entertainment features live performances of reggae, hip-hop, funk, and poetry. Local artists are making Calabash an epicenter of the Vancouver music scene. There is a DJ spinning all evening. Music is essential to the Calabash experience where the island sound is bumping all day.The downstairs lounge area of Calabash hosts Foundation Radio, an online radio station that plays roots, reggae, jazz, blues, Motown and funk music. Calabash has created an intimate live venue that Vancouver needs.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Dancing, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Calabash Guacamole$17.00
Freshly prepared mango guacamole made Calabash style, served with plantain chips, tortilla chips and chicharon (Vegan option available)
Mango & Goat Cheese Salad$15.50
Fresh Mango, Cucumbers, Peppers, Red onion, Grape Tomato, Mixed Greens, Crumbled Goats Cheese & House Dressing
Poutine$15.00
Jerk Fries Smothered in Brie Cheese and your choice of Jerk or Curry. Chicken or Veg
Jerk Pork Belly$18.00
Crispy Pork Belly & Coconut Dumplings, with Caramelized Pineapple, Bell Peppers, Fresh Cilantro & Jerk Sauce
Wings$16.00
Jerk Marinated Wings, Fried Crispy served with Jerk Aioli. Choice of Jerk, Tropical Glaze, Salt & Pepper or Berbere
Jerk Mussels$18.00
Local fresh mussels, steamed in coconut rundown, jerk marinade, white wine, ginger & garlic, finished with lemon and cilantro
Patties and Sauce$12.00
Choice of 2 Spicy Beef, Chicken or Veggie. Choice of Mango Tamarind or Jerk Aioli.
Hearty Vegan Soup$11.00
Mixed veggies, coconut milk and curry, blended, hearty & healthy.
Coconut Dumplings$9.50
House made, Fried Coconut Dumplings, with Mango/Guava Butter

Mains

Jerk Chicken$24.00
House Marinated Jerk Chicken, Rice 'n' Peas, Calabash Coleslaw, Ripe Plantains & Jerk Sauce
Chicken Curry or Roti$23.00
House made Curry Chicken & Yukon Potatoes, served with rice and peas and salad or wrapped in a roti
Fish Curry or Roti$23.00
Freshly seasoned and spiced Fish Curry & veggies, served with rice and peas and salad or wrapped in a roti
Goat Curry or Roti$29.00
Slow cooked goat on the bone, with potatoes, served with rice and peas and salad or wrapped in a roti
Vegetarian Curry or Roti$22.00
Yams, zucchini, potato, chickpeas & cauliflower slow cooked in curry paste & coconut rundown, served with rice and peas and salad or wrapped in a roti
Kung Fu Roti$24.00
Jerk chicken, curry veg, roast pineapple, red onion, peppers & spinach wrapped in a roti with salad
Jerk Fried Fish$22.00
Wild Alaskan cod with jerk marinade, battered and fried in Calabash fry flour. Served with Calabash coleslaw, mango citrus salsa, fresh lime and choice of jerk fries or rice "n" peas
Ackee & Saltfish$24.00
A Classic Jamaican breakfast. Saltfish, ackee, bell peppers, red onion, and tomatoes. Served with rice 'n' peas & coconut dumplings
Oxtail$30.00
Slow Braised Oxtail, Rice 'n' Peas, Coconut Dumpling, Ripe Plantain & Calabash Coleslaw
Vegetarian Platter$23.00
Curry veggies, fried plantains, rice 'n' peas, Calabash coleslaw
Roti Stack$26.00
House Made Roti, Stuffed with Spicy Veggies, Goats Cheese, Ripe Plantain & Spinach, Smothered in Coconut Rundown Sauce, Served with Calabash Coleslaw. Vegan option available
Jerk Fried Chicken Burger$19.00
Jerk Fried Chicken, Portuguese Bun, Mango salsa, Jerk Aioli, Jamaican Ketchup, Tomato, Coleslaw, served with fries or house salad
Jerk Beef & Oxtail Burger$19.00
House marinated Chuck Beef & Oxtail Patty, Portuguese bun, Mango salsa, Jerk Aioli, Jamaican Ketchup, Tomato, served with fries or house salad

Desserts

Mango Banoffee Pie$11.00
Fresh Mango, Banana, spiced Rum Cream, Dulce de leche, Ginger crunch and House Brittle
Warm Bread Pudding$10.00
House made Warm Bread Pudding, served with Ice Cream and daily toppings
Crispy Fried Roti$8.00
Served with cinnamon sugar, ice cream and rum caramel

Calabash Cocktails Tall

Calabash Dark and Stormy$15.00
Ginger infused rum, housemade ginger beer, ginger syrup, fresh lime juice, angostura Bitters & topped with shaved coconut
Calabash Rum Punch$14.00
Lemon hart demerara rum, wray & nephew over proof rum, soursop, guava, pineapple, passionfruit, vanilla & star anise
Coconut Jumby$14.00
White rum, coconut water, lemongrass, mint and agave syrup
Sorrel Wall Flower$14.00
Dark rum, gin, muddled lemon, bitters, simple syrup & house made habiscus tea

Calabash Cocktails Short

Spicy Plantain Margarita$14.00
House marinated plantain tequila and infused chilli tequila, banana liqueur, shaken over ice with salted rim
Reggae on Broadway$14.00
Chill infused tequila, dark rum, fresh lime, mango puree, lime leaf
Get Up Sour$14.00
Sailor jerry spiced rum, sombra mezcal, fresh lemon, simple syrup, egg white & cranberry bitters
Kingston Ol' Fashioned$14.00
Appleton reserve, ginger syrup, black walnut bitters
Ti Punch$14.00
Lime, demerara syrup & choice of rum, built and stirred over ice: appleton reserve, diplomatico reserva, english harbour 5, flor de cana 7, havana club 7
Barrel Aged Cocktail$15.00
We Barrel age our own classic cocktail, generally its rum based. Changing! Ask you server for details

Rum Flights

Our rustic shelves are decorated with more than 80 kinds of rum that originate from over 20 different countries and territories. To assist your adventure into this historically colourful beverage, we've carefully compiled a roster of rum flights, complete with tasting notes for your pleasure and convenience. With such complex diversity between each bottle, we encourage you to ask one of our friendly team members about navigating further into the dark and stormy seas of our rum collection. Where the rum is never gone

Welcome to Rum$22.00
Diplomatico Mantuano, El Dorado 12, Matusalem 15
The Classics$28.00
Mount Gay Eclipse, El Dorado 12, Appleton 8
The Island Backroads$32.00
Brugal Anejo, Flor de Cana 12, Bumbu
The Big 3$44.00
Ron Zacapa 23, Diplomatico 2002, Pyrat XO
Good Choice$34.00
Diplomático Mantuano, Santa Teresa 1796, Zaya Gran Reserva

Bottled Beer & Cider

Ask about our feature bottled beers

Redstripe$7.50
Brickers
- 500ml$13.50
Pacifico Clara$8.00
Guinness Tall Can$8.00

Draught

Calabash takes pride in offering local beer from one of the many amazing micro breweries, prices and glass sizes vary

Tap #1 The Parkside Rotating
Tap #2 Strange Fellows Rotating

Wine

White la Vielle Ferme Cote-du-Luberon
- Glass$12.00
- Bottle$53.00
Gehringer Riesling
- Glass$12.00
- Bottle$53.00
Red la Vielle Ferme Cote-du-Ventoux
- Glass$12.00
- Bottle$53.00
Two Oceans Ca/Merlot
- Glass$10.00
- Bottle$45.00
Segura Vuidas Cava
- Glass$13.00
- Bottle$53.00

Vodka

Grey Goose
- 1oz$11.00
- 2oz$16.00
Skyy
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$12.00
Crystal Head Vodka
- 1oz$11.00
- 2oz$18.50

Gin

Gordons
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$12.00
Hendricks
- 1oz$9.00
- 2oz$14.00

Tequila

Teremana Reposado
- 1oz$12.00
- 2oz$18.00
Casamigos Reposado
- 1oz$11.00
- 2oz$17.00
Casamigos Blanco
- 1oz$10.00
- 2oz$15.00
Don Julio Blanco
- 1oz$11.00
- 2oz$17.00
Don Julio 1942
- 1oz$24.00
- 2oz$36.00
Olmeca Blanco
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$12.00
Sombra Mezcal
- 1oz$12.00
- 2oz$18.00

Whiskey / Bourbon

Jack Daniels
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$12.00
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
- 1oz$9.00
- 2oz$14.00
Crown Royal
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$13.00
Glenmorangie 10yo
- 1oz$12.00
- 2oz$18.00
Jameson
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$12.00

Rum

Appleton 21 Year Old
- 1oz$25.00
- 2oz$37.00
Appleton 12 Year Old
- 1oz$10.00
- 2oz$15.00
Appleton 8 Year Old
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$13.00
Appleton Signature
- 1oz$9.00
- 2oz$13.50
Brugal Anejo
- 1oz$9.00
- 2oz$13.50
Bumbu XO
- 1oz$13.00
- 2oz$19.00
Bumbu
- 1oz$11.00
- 2oz$16.00
Cachaca 51
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$13.00
Diplomatico Exclusiva
- 1oz$13.00
- 2oz$19.00
Diplomatico Mantuano
- 1oz$10.00
- 2oz$15.00
El Dorado 12yo
- 1oz$10.00
- 2oz$15.00
El Dorado 15yo
- 1oz$13.00
- 2oz$19.00
Flora de Cana 5yo
- 1oz$9.00
- 2oz$13.50
Flora de Cana 7yo
- 1oz$10.00
- 2oz$15.00
Flor de Cana 12yo
- 1oz$11.00
- 2oz$16.00
Lemon Hart
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$13.00
Matusalem 15
- 1oz$13.00
- 2oz$19.00
Mount Gay Eclipse
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$13.00
Mount Gay Extra Old
- 1oz$13.00
- 2oz$19.00
Pyrat XO`
- 1oz$13.00
- 2oz$19.00
Ron Zacapa 23yo
- 1oz$15.00
- 2oz$22.00
Sailor Jerry
- 1oz$8.00
- 2oz$13.00
Santa Teresa 1796
- 1oz$12.00
- 2oz$18.00
Zaya Gran Reserve
- 1oz$12.00
- 2oz$18.00
Wray and Nephew
- 1oz$9.00
- 2oz$14.00
Plantation Austrailian
- 1oz$21.00
- 2oz$30.00
007 Black Well
- 1oz$15.00
- 2oz$22.00
Santisima Trinidad de Cuba
- 1oz$15.00
- 2oz$22.00
Bira! South Pacific
- 1oz$16.00
- 2oz$24.00
Matusalem 23
- 1oz$17.00
- 2oz$25.00
Merser and Co
- 1oz$13.00
- 2oz$19.00

Scotch

Glenmorangie 10$10.50
Ardbeg 10$13.00
Balvenie Caribbean Cask$14.50
Glenfiddich 21 Rum Cask$41.50

Non-Alcoholic

Sorrelade
Hibiscus and ginger cold tea, simple syrup, 7-up
Ginger Beer
Housemade ginger beer, Ginger syrup, fresh lime, Cinnamon
No-Rum Punch
Guava, Passionfruit, Pineapple, Soursop Juices, Lime, Sorrel

What 390 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on all time ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
3.2Value

Noise • Energetic

390 Reviews

R
Richard
Vancouver
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
The food is great there but they ran out of a few items and service was pretty slow tonight. I've been there before and kind of expect it. I love it there though.
Is this helpful?
S
Shelly-Ann
Toronto
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
I had to go to another restaurant to eat right after because I was starving after attempting to eat at this spot. Food was awful and seemed stale. Roti on the stacked roti felt like it was 2 days stale. Wings were flavourless and clearly unseasoned. It was a Saturday night and I was expecting a bit of a vibe. 10 mins in they shut off the music. I could hear everyone’s conversations. We had to ask them to turn it back on after it was off for a while. Best thing was the rum punch. Unless you’re going for drinks only I’d avoid this spot. It’s like no one from the Caribbean even works here. 👎🏾
Is this helpful?
C
Chanece
Vancouver
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on September 14, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Food was not good at all. As a Caribbean person I will say the food was lacking spice and flavour. Music was vibes though
Is this helpful?
M
Martin
VIP
Vancouver
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Ownership of the restaurant changed last year and the changes are substantial. Food and drinks are still good but nowhere near as good as under the previous owners. Service was abysmal. Our table got food all at different times. Entrees came before appetizers. Appetizers came before drinks. Unfortunately we won’t be returning.
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HH
HeidiH
Vancouver
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our server was patient and fun, and we were a big, demanding group ;) Love the music and vibe of the dance floor - it’s energetic and inclusive, and seems to attract good folk e.g., I saw a guy bring a very drunk woman a glass of water and it warmed my heart.
Is this helpful?
A
Abar
Vancouver
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My friends and I had such a great time at Calabash! The food was delicious - we shared the veggie curry (which comes with fragrant rice, a beautiful salad and plantains), a side of roti and the coconut dumplings with mango butter (to die for!). The spicy plantain margaritas were amazing - our server added a special touch for us, so that made us feel pretty special. The staff were all so kind. After we left, we went back for dancing later. They played great music and it was a wholesome, fun vibe. The place is highly secure. We felt very safe inside despite it being in the DTES area.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Vancouver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 2, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is the best restaurant in Vancouver. The delicious oxtail positively reacts with your taste buds.
Is this helpful?
CR
CarmenR
Vancouver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 27, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was very tasty and properly spiced; drinks were amazing. Service was friendly and welcoming. Vibe is very positive and energetic, definitely Caribbean vibrations.
Is this helpful?
A
Ally
Vancouver
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Always the best evening out when I go for dinner and stay for dancing!
Is this helpful?
P
Porsha
New York City
5 reviews
1.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
This was my second time visiting Calabash while in Vancouver and it was very disappointing. Cold food delivered to table. They expected us to pay full price for dessert items, but they had no ice cream due to not being able to keep it cool. Definitely not real Jamaican cuisine. Truly disappointing and a waste of money. Oh and the view were the homeless eating off the ground outside.
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FAQs

Calabash Bistro offers delivery in partnership with Skip The Dishes and Uber Eats. Calabash Bistro also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (604) 568-5882.

Calabash Bistro is rated 4.5 stars by 390 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 21, 2024

10:00 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

Order delivery or takeout

428 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J7

Additional information

Cross Street
Pender & Carrall
Neighbourhood
Gastown
Hours of Operation
Dinner Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am
Price
CAN$30 and under
Cuisines
Caribbean, African, Canadian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street parking, public lot at Tinseltown.
Public transit
Number 22 bus, Number 19 bus, Stadium Sky train.
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Cullin David
Entertainment
Calabash is a restaurant, with a licensed live music venue.The entertainment features live performances of reggae, hip-hop, funk, and poetry. Local artists are making Calabash an epicenter of the Vancouver music scene. There is a DJ spinning all evening. Music is essential to the Calabash experience where the island sound is bumping all day.The downstairs lounge area of Calabash hosts Foundation Radio, an online radio station that plays roots, reggae, jazz, blues, Motown and funk music. Calabash has created an intimate live venue that Vancouver needs.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Dancing, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.calabashbistro.com/
Phone number
(604) 568-5882
Catering
Calabash can provide all types and sizes of catering, from food to bar to rentals. We can also take care of the music.
Private party facilities
Calabash provides family style set menu's, Canapés, Buffets, live music and fully themed evenings.

Calabash Bistro

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Jerk Fried Chicken Burger

Jerk Chicken

Coconut Dumplings

Appys

Calabash Guacamole$17.00

Mango & Goat Cheese Salad$15.50

Poutine$15.00

Jerk Pork Belly$18.00

Wings$16.00

Jerk Mussels$18.00

Patties and Sauce$12.00

Hearty Vegan Soup$11.00

Coconut Dumplings$9.50

Mains

Jerk Chicken$24.00

Chicken Curry or Roti$23.00

Fish Curry or Roti$23.00

Goat Curry or Roti$29.00

Vegetarian Curry or Roti$22.00

Kung Fu Roti$24.00

Jerk Fried Fish$22.00

Ackee & Saltfish$24.00

Oxtail$30.00

Vegetarian Platter$23.00

Roti Stack$26.00

Jerk Fried Chicken Burger$19.00

Jerk Beef & Oxtail Burger$19.00

Desserts

Mango Banoffee Pie$11.00

Warm Bread Pudding$10.00

Crispy Fried Roti$8.00

Calabash Cocktails Tall

Calabash Dark and Stormy$15.00

Calabash Rum Punch$14.00

Coconut Jumby$14.00

Sorrel Wall Flower$14.00

Calabash Cocktails Short

Spicy Plantain Margarita$14.00

Reggae on Broadway$14.00

Get Up Sour$14.00

Kingston Ol' Fashioned$14.00

Ti Punch$14.00

Barrel Aged Cocktail$15.00

Rum Flights

Welcome to Rum$22.00

The Classics$28.00

The Island Backroads$32.00

The Big 3$44.00

Good Choice$34.00

Bottled Beer & Cider

Redstripe$7.50

Brickers

Pacifico Clara$8.00

Guinness Tall Can$8.00

Draught

Tap #1 The Parkside Rotating

Tap #2 Strange Fellows Rotating

Wine

White la Vielle Ferme Cote-du-Luberon

Gehringer Riesling

Red la Vielle Ferme Cote-du-Ventoux

Two Oceans Ca/Merlot

Segura Vuidas Cava

Vodka

Grey Goose

Skyy

Crystal Head Vodka

Gin

Gordons

Hendricks

Tequila

Teremana Reposado

Casamigos Reposado

Casamigos Blanco

Don Julio Blanco

Don Julio 1942