Catalina Charlie&#x27;s

•$

This place is so cool! We visited while we were here on a cruise. The staff was friendly, the vibes…read morewere great, and my cousin said the drinks were on point. They have a jukebox you can play music on, a pool table and a decent amount of seats. We left to explore more and then came back and it got really crowded, my guess is that it is one of the more popular bars here on the island. This place will definitely be one of our stops if we ever come again.

Weird, weird vibes. A local dive bar that doesn't seem to be the go-to place for locals, just…read moremisbehaved tourists. Prices are normal and there's a reasonable amount of seating, but the crowd the is just strange.

Entrance

Bar seating

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Mini beer shot!

Catalina Island Brew House

4.3(424 reviews)

Great coffee spot stop with a nice selection of baked goods…read more Please come and create your own adventure.

After stepping off the boat and checking into our hotel, we wandered down Front Street, stopping in…read moreat Catalina Island Brewhouse for lunch. It wasn't busy as it was during the week, and we found a table on the patio. Mr. B ordered a flight to try and we ordered a pineapple jalapeno pizza. I know many say pineapple doesn't belong on a pizza, but we happen to like it. The crust of the pizza was thin and covered in melted cheese, chunks of pineapple and slices of jalapeno. It was the perfect amount of spice and the pineapple calmed it down by adding a hint of sweetness. The beer was great, the pizza even better and you just can't beat the views of the bay. Service was good, and we were off to a good start of eating on Catalina Island.

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Entrance

The Locker Room

4.0(107 reviews)

•$

I loved this place! I went 3 nights in a row. It's such a good vibe and good ambience. The drinks…read morewere good and there's a pool tables and music. And I had different bartenders and they were all great. Totally recommend.

Was excited to try the local dive bar, but the minute we stepped through the door, there was no…read moremusic playing, dead quiet, and a white man at the bar shouted at his other white friend a racial slur that neither of them should be using... Immediately walked out. Bummed that this behavior is tolerated here! Terrible vibe due to the lack of music, but also terrible ethics it seems... This was 8pm on a Friday.

Watermelon Mint salad

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Flx Biergarten

4.6(154 reviews)

0.0 mi

Every time I have come to Catalina since 2024 I have made sure to stop by the Flx Biergarten…read more Great beer, seltzer, and hard kombucha choices alone with N/A options like soda (coke products) Sizes are pints, steins, pitchers, and ((drum roll)) DA BOOT (64oz, don't worry you can share) They have yard games like cornhole and Beirut (beer pong). It's cool it being your own card games too. On the weekends I've caught some good live music, too! Hungry? They have all beef hot dogs, pretzel with beer cheese, polish sausages, pickled eggs, etc. Heatlamps and some fire pit tables are lit a night to keep you warm but keep in mind it's outside to check the weather and dress accordingly. I've been to Catalina solo, traveling alone as a woman I'm happy to report: I felt very safe and comfortable in the Biergarten. Bathrooms are in the back, in some of those fancy portable toilets (including a handicap ramped stall), so you don't have the leave the Gartën for anything. The owner Michael is so friendly and will remember the regulars from the main land (thanks for calling me a Legend haha), and shout out to Jack who works there too for his fun and kind energy.

The only beer garden on Catalina Island! It has a laid-back atmosphere and was our last stop before…read moreboarding the ferry home. There are two beer pong tables and cornhole available to play. The service was fast, and the space was clean, with plenty of seating. Since we had eaten lunch before stopping by, we only had a chance to try the pretzel with cheddar cheese. I highly recommend this place for its cozy vibe and drinks. We played UNO to complete the night.

More clear picture of belching beaver seltzer 5.5

Make it a cheers picture

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The beer truck

The Naughty Fox

4.0(468 reviews)

Great service Great view…read more Fun drinks Food options Got the buffalo milk. Wish it had a bit more cocoa but they didn't cheap out on the vodka

For being on Catalina Island, the fish is not as fresh as I expected. I ordered the poke nachos,…read morethe spicy poke bowl, & the blackened salmon. It'll surely fill you up, but the protein is scarce & tastes mediocre at best. However, there are not too many great restaurants in this area so it might be worth your time still. The service was excellent & the setting was really cutesy. I wish I ordered the açaí bowl, it looked delicious.

Bar

Chicken wings

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Ahi Poke and Catalina Salad. So high quality, delicious and refreshing after our hike and travel.

Luau Larry's

3.7(803 reviews)

If you are on Catalina Island and need a lively place for dinner, then Luau Larry is a good place…read moreto go. I got the luau Larry special and ordered the Wiki Wacker as a drink. The sandwich was OK and I was able to sub out the fries for curly fries. I really like the curly fries as they were well seasoned. The drink was a little bit strong. Personally , I would order something else off the menu again, but keep the fries. It was very crowded, but we were able to get sat within 10 minutes on a Saturday night. It was very loud inside with very loud music playing. If you're into the loud bar vibe wanting to get drunk and have fun then this is the place to go. But, if you want a more quiet place to actually talk to the people you're with go somewhere else. I love my hat that came with my Wiki Wacker. Definitely give it a try if you want drinks and a more lively place for dinner and drinks.

Went here to get my wiki wacked and it was pretty enjoyable. They're a very casual tiki bar with…read morefood offerings. Staff seemed to give us the side eye while being jovial with others; not sure what prejudice they had against us. Normally I can forgo blank stares, but I expect a little more when I'm in a tourist area. - Wiki Wacker Both tropical fruity and alcoholic at the same time. You get a hat or sticker with it, and we weren't asked which one we preferred. The strength is similar to a long island, due to the mix of rum and brandy. Decent blend that had a pretty light to deep orange gradient, and an extra pineapple slice. We had fun with the straw hat, so it's fine that fate declared we receive this souvenir. - Buffalo Milk I preferred this drink over the Wiki Wacker, but I can see some people not being into it. It tastes like a creamy nothing. I liked it because the flavor was very, very subtle; it was like an icy, subtly creamy, subtly banana, subtly bitter smoothie topped with whipped cream and nutmeg. Nothing about it has buffalo in it. I would get this again. To sum it up, theming is nice and drinks are aesthetic, yummy, and effective. I love the wide open windows for the natural light and breeze drifting in, and if you're seated near the front, you can people watch.

Inside

Ahi Tuna

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Bahama Mama and Spicy Mexican Lolli

The Sand Trap

4.0(483 reviews)

0.3 mi

•$

Quick & Good, no fuss. Conveniently located by the Golf…read morecourse, they have a bar. Good food & drinks, great prices. And they have a HH!!

No frills & not beachside but worth the walk for a great value especially for happy hour after…read more2:00pm daily. $2 street tacos had a lot of meat & decent sized. $22 pitcher of margaritas that actually had alcohol & not just mixer in them. Good size patio & I would go again!

Seating inside at #TheSandtrap

Chilaquiles with eggs

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Seating inside at #TheSandtrap

Bluewater Avalon

3.9(2.7k reviews)

0.0 mi

•$$$

We had a server named John we told him our ferry was leaving soon and made sure he got us what we…read morewanted in time! Shoutout John :)

I've been to the Carlsbad location of Bluewater and decided to eat at their Avalon location during…read morea recent trip to Catalina. It's located right on the water and in the center of all the activity Catalina has to offer. I like Bluewater because it's a safe option for larger groups and has enough variety that everyone can find something to eat. There were a few of us so we ordered beer, virgin coladas, regular coladas, calamari, fish tacos, fish and chips, a Caesar salad, and of course had several servings of their delicious sourdough bread with whipped butter. We were seated right up front on the water and under umbrellas so we didn't burn in the sun. The food came out at a nice pace with our favorite being the calamari. I enjoyed the mix of peppers and calamari. The fish and chips were good, though one of the pieces seemed a little rubbery and I thought it might've been the way it was cut before fried. We hung out for a couple of hours since it wasn't overly busy, were taken well care of by the staff onsite, and enjoyed the views and our meal.

Picturesque views of the Casino!

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Crab Cake perfection!

The Lobster Trap

3.8(2.6k reviews)

Our first stop upon landing on Catalina! He started off…read morewith the oysters, which were delectable and Monkey Balls-very unusual, but quite tasty! I had to get the lobster roll, which was actually very yummy! The tacos were just OK. Service was really quick and fast and friendly, and it was very busy atmosphere since the weekend was just beginning! Definitely try the lobster roll... Quite yummy!

Arrived during the rush and it was very hectic. The staff seemed super busy and a little…read moreoverwhelmed. The food tasted good, although the French dip was soggy within 5-10 minutes of receiving it. Ended up not getting charged for our sodas, which bumped the rating up to a 4 stars at the last second. Would recommend, especially during quieter hours.

French toast

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Oysters Rockafeller $26

Topside by NDMK

4.1(225 reviews)

0.2 mi

had a delicious dinner here! service was so incredibly amazing, they are extremely nice, helpful,…read morefriendly, and kept checking in on us! this is on the second floor located right next to the trailhead conservancy. they had an outside patio but also from the inside you can still overlook the beautiful water. my smashburger was great but the FRIES were great with it omg. its cut like a potato chip style and i really enjoyed it the lobster was amazingggg they also have us the lobster claws but we couldnt even break it apart, we brought it home and hammered it down lol overall amazing dinner, would definitely come back when i visit catalina. i totally recommend this place!

Overall, I would recommend Topside by MDMK, especially because of the location and atmosphere. We…read morestopped in while waiting for our boat to head back off the island, and it was a great place to relax. The restaurant is on the second level and has a balcony with what is probably one of the best views of the harbor on the island. The location itself is fantastic, and the space has a lot of potential. The food was overall pretty good. I wouldn't recommend the breakfast burrito, but the breakfast tacos were very good. I'd give the food overall about a 7 out of 10. Unfortunately, where this place really needs improvement is organization and service. The staff was nice and friendly, but they appeared to be overworked and understaffed. Just sitting there and watching the operation, it seemed like there wasn't a lot of organization or training. Service was very slow, and the restaurant itself looked somewhat messy. There were dirty rags on the floor and cleaning supplies sitting on top of the reception area near the front entrance. I really believe this place could be a gold mine. The location, views, and overall atmosphere are awesome, and the food has a lot of potential. With better organization, improved training, more attention to cleanliness, and stronger service, this could easily become one of the best spots on the island. I hope they get things dialed in because this place has everything it needs to be something special. For now, I would still recommend giving it a try, but they definitely have room for improvement and need to do better overall.

Lobster ravioli - local lobster caught near Catalina

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Rooftop at night with lights and ambiance

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Brett G.

0

3

0

3 years ago

This place is amazing! Now that they have changed ownership it's much more appealing to go and eat there. I was just there on the 4th and everything was great. I go there every summer and the old place was grungy and gross and the owner would smoke right outside and it would cause the restaurant to smell heavily of smoke. .. whoever the new owner is, well done! Keep it up read more

Mike S.

0

4

24

1 year ago

OMG, Cantina Charlie's! That Hand-breaded Buffalo Chicken sandwich (with added BBQ, YESS ) was absolutely INSANE. Seriously one of the best I've had. And those waffle fries?! Perfection! The new menu is definitely where it's at. GO TRY IT! #CantinaCharlies #BuffaloChicken #WaffleFries #Foodie #AvalonEats #MustTry #BBQAddOn #SandwichGoals read more

Golan D.

0

39

10

2 years ago

I had a great experience at Charlie Cantina. Our server, Chris, was friendly and offered excellent recommendations. The chips and guacamole were generously portioned, and the burrito was delicious. Lovely street view from our sitting. Overall, it was a lovely dining experience that I'd definitely recommend! read more

Jeremy W.

0

5

1

2 years ago

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Catalina Charlie's - bars - Updated September 2026

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El Galleon

3.9

(438 reviews)

this place is located right in front of the beach, honestly…read morewas very unassuming and didn't think too much about going in, but glad I did. pretty good crowd in there for Thursday night dinner. tons of fun, decor, and TVs were playing the dodger game so it was set up pretty well. One of my favorite meals on the trip to Catalina was the Caesar salad. I had here with the added shrimp. The shrimp is delicious and pea so well with the salad. I honestly have craved this salad once or twice already since leaving. Also had a great pesto type pasta, and a special shout out to their scallop potato that came with the lamb chop. Overall, food came out quickly, and the staff was very friendly - recommend for a casual dinner when you are on the island. Note that they only do bottled water.

Amazing just delicious food!…read more You will not regret ordering the Prime Rib. I feel like that was the best dish and my fiancé got the steak and lobster. I also got the calamari super super delicious. I feel like this was actually my favorite spot eating in Avalon Catalina. The bartender was very sweet and friendly telling us all about the good places and secrets about Avalon. I had a glass of wine very well priced and very delicious. The bartender let me try it before I ordered so that was very kind of him.

Pancake Cottage

3.6

(500 reviews)

Most Recently: May 30, 2026 | Catalina Island Avalon | The Pancake Cottage is one of my favorite…read morebreakfast restaurants on Catalina, especially when I'm craving a hearty breakfast! Chilaquiles | Flavorful, saucy and a bit spicy, just how I like it and quite the hearty breakfast! It's my favorite item on the menu and I've ordered it many times! Scrambled eggs are tasty, rice is incredibly flavorful and the fresh sliced avocado along side makes it a perfectly mouth watering dish! Orange Juice | Fresh squeezed, and refreshing! Breakfast Burrito | Delicious, hearty & full of flavor! You want to order this when you're super hungry or get half of the burrito to go! Bloody Mary | I highly recommend! Tasty, refreshing, and can be perfect with breakfast! Customer Service | Wildly friendly & attentive! Popular | Popular! There is usually a long line for breakfast! Simply go inside, asked to put your name on the list and enjoy waiting inside or outside and enjoy the view of the beach/scenery! Inside | It's quite the spacious restaurant! There is also a bit of seating in front on the outside patio! I've introduced plenty of friends to this restaurant, and we've sat both inside and outside, enjoyed both! Overall | Yes, Please! The Pancake Cottage is definitely worth the wait! The food is excellent, customer service is awesome!

After arriving at the island, we were starving and decided to stop here and try out the food. I…read moreended up ordering the Big Skillet Scramble (no onions) along with Apple Juice. The skillet itself wasn't really my favorite, so I only managed to get halfway through it at most, which was a bit of a bummer. The Biscuits N' Gravy, on the other hand, were absolutely delicious!! I immediately devoured those lol. I think if I came back, I'd definitely try something else, perhaps something from the Combos section. Still, the staff was nice :)

The Naughty Fox

4.0

(468 reviews)

Great service Great view…read more Fun drinks Food options Got the buffalo milk. Wish it had a bit more cocoa but they didn't cheap out on the vodka

For being on Catalina Island, the fish is not as fresh as I expected. I ordered the poke nachos,…read morethe spicy poke bowl, & the blackened salmon. It'll surely fill you up, but the protein is scarce & tastes mediocre at best. However, there are not too many great restaurants in this area so it might be worth your time still. The service was excellent & the setting was really cutesy. I wish I ordered the açaí bowl, it looked delicious.

Original Jack's Country Kitchen

3.7

(1.5k reviews)

Most Recently: May 31, 2026 | Catalina Island, Avalon | Original Jack's Country Kitchen is…read moredefinitely one of my breakfast favorites on the island! Customer service is top-of-the-line, the place is full of personality, and the dishes are memorable, especially for breakfast! Fresh Fruit Crepes | My absolute favorite item on the menu! The crepes are neatly rolled up, stuffed with Nutella, topped with whipped cream, strawberry, blueberries, bananas & just a delicious bite of goodness! It's a sweet way to start the morning for breakfast and I enjoyed every single day! Swedish Pancakes | One of my favorite items on the menu! The pancakes are thin, sauced up with savory yet sweet Lingonberry sauce! Absolutely delicious! I've had this dish several times! In fact on my most recent visit, upon arrival, I had this very dish while seated on the outside patio! Eggs | Fluffy & delicious! Orange Juice | Refreshing! Customer Service | Excellent! Incredibly friendly, helpful with the menu and it's great to seeing familiar faces with each visit! Busy Bee | This restaurant is super busy, especially for breakfast! Be sure to arrive early if you want to get a seat and/or on the list!! You will easily find a long line of people waiting to get in! Decor | Spacious inside & a bit of seating on the outside patio in the front! Funny sayings throughout the restaurant, as well as photographs and a whole lot of personality all-around! Overall | Yes, please! It was fun introducing my friends to this restaurant on my most recent visit! They enjoyed their dishes as well! I'm looking forward to returning and enjoying my favorites from the menu! Let's go!

Solid greasy spoon breakfast in Avalon, my first time delving into the world of short stacks and…read moresausage links on Catalina. Asked a local about where to find such a place, he immediately mentioned Jack's, which I followed up on. At a place like this, you sit at the counter, no questions asked, and I wonder why they even have another option. For the rookies, I guess. Only drawback was that they don't have water. Bottled water, sure, but no tap water. It's an island, I get it, but everywhere else has water offered. And, for what came to a $30 breakfast (without a drink), yeah, water might be a nice token. Regardless, glad I came, but in a city as unique as Avalon, I'll continue to diversify my breakfast options next time...

Avalon Grille

3.8

(1.4k reviews)

•$$$

Very pretty restaurant and good service. My shrimp linguine…read morewas just OK. Needed more flavor and the Seabass was OK as well. We thought this would be one of the better restaurants on the island, but it was just OK. Ok is not bad. Just ok. :)

May 29, 2026 | Catalina Island, Avalon | What a beautiful & elegant restaurant with memorable…read moredishes! Seabass is top tier, the candlelit moody lighting at dinner & cozy atmosphere, topped off with excellent customer service from the moment we walked in made Avalon Grille a great way to dine with friends! Seabass | Mouthwatering delicious! While at the Taste Around Avalon event, Seabass was on the menu & immediately caught my eye! Seeing the chef cook the dish at a grill on the patio during the event was exciting! Served fresh onto my plate & met with pure pleasure to my tastebuds... I knew I had to have it again! Seasoning, tenderness, & pure delight with every bite! It was one of my favorite dishes at the event! I highly recommend! Lobster Mac & Cheese | Shared | Yum, the combination was amazing, as well as noticeable & flavorful bites of lobster was full-on yum! Beet Salad | Shared | Yummy! I absolutely love beets & this salad was delicious, as well as refreshing! Friends Shared & Enjoyed | Pork Chop, Seabass, Espresso Martini & Dragonberry Mojito! Bottle | Wine was on point! We shared a bottle of delicious Red Wine! Discovered | While at the Taste Around Avalon, it was immediate love at first bite of the Seabass! The flavor, tenderness & seasoning...yes, please! The dish made such an impression that I knew it would be the perfect place to have dinner with friends on their first night on the island! Customer Service | Top tier! Our server Elvis was amazing, helpful with the details of each dish we inquired about & attentive! Thanks again! Overall | Yes, please! Simply writing about the Seabass makes me crave a bite! I highly recommend Avalon Grille, as it's an all-around win!! Let's go!

Original Antonio's

3.1

(535 reviews)

Came to Catalina for a one day weekend getaway. After the…read moregolfer cart ride, we were hungry and looking for a quick bite with no line and this place caught our eyes. We ordered a large pizza with half cheese and half pepperoni. The pizza was delicious with just the thickness that we liked and the appropriate amount of ingredients. We also ordered an individual ( small) garden salad which was kind of sad looking, so not recommended. It's nice to sit outside and chat up with the people sitting next to you and all is jolly.

Appreciate that they have a gluten free crust option, although it was kind of burnt, it was still…read morepretty good. I got it without cheese. Would be great if they had a dairy free cheese option! Service was good. Place is small inside and was crowded and very hot.

Cafe Metropole

4.2

(549 reviews)

Most Recently: May 29, 2026 | Catalina Island Avalon | Cafe Metropole is a bright, healthy café,…read morewhich offers a number of tasty bites! There's a little something for everyone! It's also a bit of a gift shop! Favorites | Flavorful Falafel Pita bursting at the seams with healthy ingredients, including tomatoes, tzatziki, red onions, cucumbers and feta! I absolutely love the savory Tomato Basil Soup, it's a winner! I first tried the soup alongside a sandwich while on the island for NYE w/4 friends! We dined on the outside patio! I have also enjoyed their lightweight (not thick) Green Smoothie; green, refreshing and vibrant! #1 Stunner | Their Sweet Potato Fries are a standout! I've never had sweet potato fries quite like this before, and they offer a number of sauces to go along if you prefer! Each bite was memorable and I highly recommend! Customer Service | Friendly & helpful with the menu! Gift Shop Vibes | You will find cute candles, hats, accessory bags, and cute little items located against the wall, and right before you reach the register! Seating | A few tables inside, and thank you reach out to her area, including some umbrella-filled tables! Overall | Yes, please! This healthy café is an overall plus, filled to the brim with feel-good food & drinks ! Let's go!

This is where we like to have a simple breakfast or lunch. The store is very small inside. But the…read moreoutdoor patio is very spacious and cozy. They have an extensive menu with healthy options. Also great beer and wine choices. Limited vegetarian and gluten free items. We like the crooked hard iced tea and white claws. Our favorites are stuffed avocado, bbq chicken fries, tuna melt, cubano, potato salad and açaí bowl. The service is always very friendly and foods come out fast. A great place for healthy quick bites!

Catalina Island Brew House

4.3

(424 reviews)

Great coffee spot stop with a nice selection of baked goods…read more Please come and create your own adventure.

After stepping off the boat and checking into our hotel, we wandered down Front Street, stopping in…read moreat Catalina Island Brewhouse for lunch. It wasn't busy as it was during the week, and we found a table on the patio. Mr. B ordered a flight to try and we ordered a pineapple jalapeno pizza. I know many say pineapple doesn't belong on a pizza, but we happen to like it. The crust of the pizza was thin and covered in melted cheese, chunks of pineapple and slices of jalapeno. It was the perfect amount of spice and the pineapple calmed it down by adding a hint of sweetness. The beer was great, the pizza even better and you just can't beat the views of the bay. Service was good, and we were off to a good start of eating on Catalina Island.

Harbor Sands

3.9

(35 reviews)