Fred's in West Vancouver

Food is delicious and the service is great! Highly recommend.

I rarely leave a negative review, and I a doing so, hoping the owners of the restaurant reads it to be aware of how their business is being handled. We have been going to this restaurant for any years and we always loved the food and services they offered. Unfortunately the last time we made a reservation, the person at the entrance whom was a young lady and mentioned she was their NEW manager, was extremely rude, unprofessional and impolite. She made us wait for 10 minutes while being on the phone and not even acknowledging we were standing and waiting for her, after she finished her phone call, she did not even apologise for making us wait. Then she offered us a table at the Café Crema, We mentioned that we made a reservation at Freds and we like to be seated there please, she stated we dont have any tables! Even though there were 6 tables empty! When we pointed out to her that there are 6 tables empty, she stated they made a booking and reservation for those! When we pointed out that we also made a reservation 3 weeks ago as well, she stated we can not offer a table to you here and only can offer you a table at the other section, while being very rude in her tone. So we decided to leave and never go there. It is such a shame that such a wonderful restaurant, with good food, hires such an unprofessional and inexperienced person to manage their business which treats their local and loyal customers in such horrible way. We will never go there again, neither any of our friends, until this new socalled manager gets changed.

This restaurant is so loud I could barely hear the people across the table or the server. In addition, the lighting so bright that it really had the ambience of a cafeteria. I could see clearly what everyone had on their plate! Also, it was quite pricey, $30 for a burrata salad. ?

Had the worst experience with the manager so we decided to finish our drinks and go elsewhere.

First time visiting, service and food were great! had the meatballs and pizza and tiramisu. Harriet and Carlene were amazing! will be back. cheers

Very expensive for what you get. A few pieces of cauliflower and chick pea fries will cost you $40. Not very sophisticated with their dishes; more amateur cooking.

We were celebrating my daughters birthday, and after dinner, we planned to order cake to mark the special occasion. However, a short blonde waitress picked up our plates and packed our leftovers, even though we were still deciding whether to eat or take them out. She then proceeded to clean the table with a wet cloth, making us lift our glasses so she could wipe underneath them. After that, she brought us the bill without us asking for it. We had barely started looking at the bill when, less than a minute later, she returned with the payment machine. My daughter was still enjoying her glass of wine! I askedthe waitress if we could take the wine to go, and of course, she said no. I then asked why she was rushing us, and she replied, Me? No, I just noticed you were looking at the bill. (Which she had brought just a minute before, without us requesting it.) We FELT UNWELCOME at FREDS while celebrating our daughters milestone.

Words escape me re recent comically rude treatment by latest new management and chef, but I have warm and grateful words for Shak, Sammy and the rest of the servers who are truly spectacular, professional, talented, hardworking people whom we very much enjoyed getting to know, and will miss. Bon Voyage then.

A real shame to see what s happened here. What started as a new favourite local spot for excellent food, drinks, ambiance and service, has become unrecognizable. Now TWO wonderful managers have been sent off for who knows what reason, and our experience with current management couldn t have been less tasteful. Dish quality has noticeably declined as well. In a big bad way. Whether that s due to ingredient budget cuts, or low morale given the new leadership (Sept 2024), I don t know. Until recently, I was dining here almost weekly. I didn t bat an eye at paying a premium, when the service and menu quality were top-notch. But now, I m just left with a bad taste in my mouth. Literally and figuratively. I m not one to go out of my way to write a negative review, in fact I think this is my first. Prompted by the humiliating and tactless encounter we recently had with the new (is she interim?) manager. I just hope that ownership can take notice before it s too late, because I m not the only one who feels this way. Fred s was such a win for Ambleside. We had it so good, but now it s just so bad. Edit: Below is my 5 star review from about a year ago, when Fred s first opened. I ll leave it here, because the management and staff at the time were truly excellent. Many of whom are still there today, and I ll miss seeing them all the time. To them, thank you for so many lovely experiences and meals together. Lucky to have this gem of a spot on the North Shore. The ambiance, the menu, the hospitality... they got it right. Looking forward to continuing to make my way through their menu. So far I can say that the ricotta al forno is a go-to starter, the campanelle al pesto and cacio e pepe never miss, and the lamb sirloin is an actual work of art. Last minute resos are tough to secure (for good reason), but dont turn down a chance to sit at the bar for a charming and equally lovely dining experience. It might even be my preference. Check it out so that you can say you were there before they earned their spot on the Michelin guide. Its surely on the horizon. Cheers to Fred! That guy knows whats up.

I recently went to Freds for the first time with a friend for dinner. Our server was lovely and we split the mushroom pizza and the cacio e pepe which were both delicious. Great sized portions with fresh ingredients. We split a nice bottle of wine but the standout beverage was the Freds spritz - very refreshing! As an added bonus, the location is perfect for a nice walk on the seawall afterwards if the weather is nice. Cant wait to visit again!

How have I not dined at this place sooner! Such amazing food and great vibe overall.

Such a great atmosphere and delicious food! Staff were extremely friendly and helpful, will definitely be back

Freds s. The name alone is so inviting. Conspicuously placed in beautiful West Van. Fred s offers every avenue of cuisine. A delectable ice cream shop, cantina style eatery and an elegant dinning room tucked off to the right of the corner. A little David. W. In the front and some Robbie. R. In the back. Is always a recipe for an amazing bar program and spot on, banger meals front the Kitchen. Barrelled Nigroni s always make the days worries sink to the bottom. Top of my list, try the Tuna Crudo, Ricotta Torte, Burrata Salad, Pizzas and don t forget the Truffles. Make it a date night or just going out with the family. We are always going back.

Had lunch a week ago. Food is tasty but the portions are tiny especially given the price. The ambiance is good but the service not so much. Towards the end of our meal, the waiter repeated came over to ask if we wanted anything else - so much so that we felt rushed and the place was half empty.

This is a great spot for Italian food. Super close to ambleside. Loved the service and loved the food. Obviously will be coming back!

I loved everything about this place! Nice interior, good pizza, and amazing location

Great dinner experience with tasty food. The hostess, named Carlene, was phenomenal. Her proactive approach to the small issue we had is why we will return. Fantastic service and hospitality.

We came for a special birthday dinner and it started out great - very nice table, tasty Lambrusco, a really yummy burrata appetizer. Then - eventually after quite a wait - the main arrived and it was so disappointing. The smallest half chicken ever, poorly cooked broccolini, and a tiny portion of pasta. We certainly did not leave satisfied. And very expensive for what we had. We will never return. I hope they figure it out - it s a lovely space. I will, however, keep going to Crema where everything works.

Excellent food and service!

We had a really enjoyable first dining experience at Fred s- the service was amazing, the food was delicious and that atmosphere was lovely. We will definitely be back many more times!

Such a beautiful restaurant

My friend and I Had a Fantastic lunch of Halibut and a beautiful burrata pasta dish of the day. Erins service impecable and fun as were her recomendations of dish of the day and wine. Besides the delicious food chef Robbie was warm and gracious, taking the time to talk with us and see if our food was to our liking and what we had hoped for....which it was. David the manager was always nearby making sure everything went smoothly. We were informed that they just started serving lunch. I would highly recommend Freds for an inimate, quality lunch with an upscale setting.

Amazing!! We were very lucky to get two seats at the bar on a Saturday night. The endive salad was creative and delicious. The sausage pizza was innovative and wonderful. The bartender was friendly even though he was very busy.

Great place for to share some burrata, pizza, pasta, steak and wine!

While staying here with some friends, found myself with a lunch time break. Came here for some pasta and wine and it did not disappoint! Carlene was fantastic from the wine recommendations to the extra chili oil which helped make the dish. The staff was personable and kind while the food was delicious and quick. If I can come back this week again I for sure will!

Fabulous food, service and ambiance! Such a great addition to Ambleside! Love the charred cabbage!

Freds delivered on all levels! The ambiance is nice and cozy. Small space yet beautifully orchestrated with attention to detail. We were warmly welcomed by David, the manager and cared for by a attentive and kind server. The food was exquisite! I am still dreaming of the Kale Cesar salad and the orecchiette... the pizza was superb. Would return in a heart beat. Why cant we have such a restaurant on Salt Spring?????

We were so excited when Freds first opened and we spent a lot of time there, in fact going once per week for some months. Sad to say but the food has gone so downhill, our last two experiences there were abysmal in terms of food quality. Even our fav dishes were just terribly done. I dont know what happened to this place but we wont be going back again.

Four of us had dinner there a few months back, everything went almost well. My friend and I ordered their Bone-In RibEye. We ordered 2 bottles of wine and we are having a good time. Our server was also a nice young girl. By no means the restaurant is a fancy dining place. You walk-in from a coffee shop and you get an average welcome, food, service, etc that is expected. Our shock was when we got the bill and saw we were charged $200 for the Bone-In RibEye, of course we didnt say anything, we paid the bill, tip and left. To us it was outrageously it wasnt a fine dining or fine steakhouse like the ones you get in downtown Vancouver and you know and expect your dish to be well over $200. We had no issue of paying $200 for a dish but it was respect and common courtesy for our server to let us know the cost of that dish, that dish has no price in their menu and when all the other items in their menu is 30-40 dollars you dont expect one of them all of the sudden to be $200. It felt like they were taking advantage of us and it wasnt a good feeling at all.

Great pizza and a wonderfully helpful and patient staff, even when dealing with a hectic night of orders. Beautiful location!

The sausage pizza was amazing with tiramisu dessert

Amazing service and food. The orecchiette was one of the best pastas I ve ever had.

Delicious food! Can t wait to try more of the menu items.

This is a fantastic restaurant. Friday night-prompt service, remarkably good food, excellent pacing with our food. Those of us who have spent time in the industry recognize a restaurant that really is doing it well. This restaurant is doing it well. I cant think of a single complaint. Even prices were appropriate for level of quality and service.

Good service 2 pizza for 35

I initially went to Fred s when it first opened, and a few times after that. It was wonderful and the service was impeccable. However, the last two months or so it has gone down hill. It appears they have new management or there was a change in owner because the service is not at all what it used to be and the food quality has decreased. This is very upsetting because when it first opened I fell in love with it, the whole idea is great and the old staff were great. I hope the management goes back to whatever they had before.

West Van needed a spot like this for the better part of 25 years. Its tight and cozy, music is every tune you love to hear...., conversations are everywhere, service is warm and consistent, all employees are knowledgable, Italian menu bistro style and just killer- have tried every single item except the Duck. (that goes for the pizza too- mushroom/ arugula is my fav! ) New mgmt started about 6 weeks ago and although a bumpy first couple days - I would say things are right back to the vibe prior to the change- less turbulent, more consistent and even flowed evenings. Ill be transparent and say my husband is the bartender--- which means Im there a lot, 2/3 times per week. Its a cozy, noisy, energetic place with fantastic food and wine. The bar is a smattering of locals and visitors and EVERYONE talks to EVERYONE! Are there sometimes whoopsies? Of course, but most, if not all are met with grace and lets fix that.... New manager David is one of my beloved favs from West, if any of you went there before a performance at The Stanley theatre, or read his articles on Mixology- hes Vancouvers restaurant Guru Hes working is operational magic and ensuring Freds is here for the long haul. January is busy and that is saying a lot! Im personally a fussy patron of the restaurant industry. I want an experience, not just Cache Pepe and a glass of Cab/Sav.... and this place delivers! Consistently.

I have to eat gluten free. There were many options available. My dinner was excellent. Perfectly cooked and very tasty. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Came in for their soft launch and it was fantastic! West Vancouver has been dying for a classy venue with curated cocktails and food to match. Fred s finally fills this void. Perfect for date nights, drinks with friends or a solid meal with associates. The food was spectacular and the cocktails were equally as great. The hanger steak was one of many great dishes we enjoyed. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and very quick to offer great recommendations and get to know you. We will definitely be coming back to enjoy the atmosphere and soak in the newest hotspot in Ambleside.

Food was awesome! The staff are super friendly and accommodating. The restaurant itself is a vibe. Huge thumbs up. Great addition to the west Vancouver community.

Where do I even begin? First = vibes from staff. So fun, playful, professional, experts. Not just our server - the whole team! Next = food. Melt in your mouth crudo, complex and balanced proteins. Bright and charred veg. Next? Amazing wine list. Accessible and diverse. Bravo! I think I found my new favourite place. Special shout out to Adam for incredible service. Will definitely be making the trip from Squamish monthly!!

Great cocktails, great food, great times! Our server Carlene was fantastic!

Exceptional service, wonderful food and great ambience. Will definitely be back to enjoy some of the other offerings on the menu.

Definitely a restaurant I will revisit. Service, food, and drinks were wonderful (thanks to Adam and Carlene). Nice view, free parking, the halibut was cooked perfectly. Our favourite dishes were the Cappelletti and the Carrots. Least favourite was the tuna crudo. We re so delighted this restaurant has opened in the neighborhood. Bravo!

Great location, even better food! Nothing beats home made pasta and the pizzas were fab. Would recommend and definitely going back!

Great experience at Fred s. Staff were accommodating, food was delicious, drinks were great, decor was nice. Would recommend!

Sat at the bar for our first (NOT last) dining experience at Fred s. Wonderful atmosphere great menu and super wine and cocktail list AND service is awesome. Pasta!! Cacio e Pepe meat balls See ya soon Fred!

Unbelievable food. Our favourite dishes were the meatballs, Buratta, hanger steak, halibut, and Calamarata pasta. Atmosphere and service were outstanding. Cannot wait to go back.

Went there last night, at last, been trying to get there for weeks. Did not disappoint! Pizza we know and enjoy from Crema, the other menu items are the stars. Fantastic service from Adello! If I can offer some other feedback Early days I know, but you might want to find some better mid range priced wines.

From beginning to end the experience was excellent. I ve been searching for an elevated spot to dine with friends and take out family and this is what I ve been waiting for. Can t recommend enough (starters) Burrata, Ricotta, Tuna Crudo, (pasta) Cacio E Pepe (wine) anything the owner recommends as he nailed our bottle. Thanks Fred s! Amazing night!

Great service, great ambience, and great food! The ricotta al forno is a must have. The pasta is made in house daily - we had the orecchiette and it was lemony, spicy, and perfectly balanced. Amazing meal!

Vegetarian options: Great variety of veggie pastas, and pizzas. Food

Stop reading and go make a reso! Everything about Fred s was fantastic- the decor, the size, the menu, the drinks, the service, the location. Everything. We tried many of their dishes and they were all great. Standout dishes were the Ricotta al forno and the Burratta with rhubarb mostarda.

Great menu, ambience and service ! Good place for an excellent dinner outing without having to really dress up. Food

A very welcomed space for West Vancouver. Simple ingredients that do not disappoint. Quality, value, and ambiance meet the mark, with service leaving room for improvement. As a newly minted establishment, we re sure they will raise to the occasion with time.

We were on the waitlist while there were open tables. We were forgotten about. We were put on the waitlist at 6:30 PM; we were told the wait time would be approx. 40 minutes. we were seen to the table at 8:00 PM. Server came to take the order at 8:08PM. Order was put in at: 8:14 PM. Food was served at: 8:25 PM. Food was good, but the experience was hindered by the unnecessary wait in the beginning. It seems that their waitlisting system is ineffective for communicating with the customers, which can lead to frustration. Server checked in with us about twice during the visit to ask how we were. It may have been an honest mistake by the staff to keep us waiting while tables were open, but Im willing to give them a benefit of the doubt.

Delicious food, perfect service and really good 80 s music I loved it.

Really fun spot. Atmosphere is really cool and friendly. Had a Fred s Spritz cocktail, focaccia, Campanella el pesto and the prosciutto pizza. The cocktail was classically great. The focaccia was wonderfully light and served hot, a little too much oil and herbs for my taste, made it a little bitter. The Campanella was awesome, buttery herby and perfectly al dente. The prosciutto pizza was good, the crust was perfect the topping were high quality and good overall but a bit sweet for my taste. Would love to try the pepperoni next time. Due to the small space and high concentration of tables this is not an accessible restaurant. I can t imagine how any space using accessibility aid would fit in the space. All that said it s and awesome new spot in West Van.

Such a great neighbourhood restaurant! Burrata appy was delicious. Cacio e pepe off the charts! Shaq the bartender took phenomenal care of us - thank you for a great experience. Can t wait until next time!

Finally had a chance to try Fred s and it was great! The food is good and the place has a cool vibe. A great addition to West Vancouver- only gripe is we were pretty rudely rushed out - I guess the staff was eager to go home. There were at least two tables left enjoying our drinks and birthday desert when the lights came on and one staff member started mopping the floor right by our feet! A disappointing end to an otherwise great evening

I had a fantastic experience at this restaurant! Despite a slight delay past our reservation time, the staff went above and beyond to make it right. They even treated us to a complimentary drink, which was a delightful surprise. Once we were seated, the service was nothing short of amazing. Our waitress, Jessica, was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the entire meal. We were celebrating our engagement, and Jessica made us feel truly special with her warm hospitality and thoughtful gestures. The food was outstanding, and the overall atmosphere was perfect for our celebration. We will definitely be returning on our next visit to Vancouver. Highly recommend this restaurant for both the exceptional food and the outstanding service!

10/10 beautiful service

Experience is always good here. Loved our server tonight, Jessica, she was lovely! Food

Great food, owned by very friendly people

Okay service, good wine selection and a very nice Caesar salad. But the pasta wasn t impressive enough for 5 stars.

Food was not ok wont try it again

Amazing food, and great service. Must be experienced. Food

I was counting days down to try Fred s but will probably not try it again.. the restaurant was extremely noisy and loud, which we decided to have portion of foods packed just to leave. Me & my friend couldn t hear each other and didn t enjoy our time.. The service was really good. :) For foods, the pizza was extremely tasty but I the duck dish, which was pricey was undercooked.

Average and overpriced. The carne cruda was good, the duck is fine, but 1/3 of a breast for more than $40 is just too much. I m still wondering why those green beans were added to the rigatoni it is not a good combination, killed the dish in my opinion. Service was ok. Very loud. Won t be coming back.