this place is located right in front of the beach, honestly was 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. read more

Amazing just delicious food! 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. read more

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The best smash burger I've ever had I love it. Tha Cadillac margarita was missing Grand Marnea. Wife loved the fish tacos. Daughter liked the shrimp scampi read more

This place was so good! We ordered the fish tacos and fish and chips (when in Catalina). The food came quickly and the waiters made sure we were well taken care of. read more

Food comes out hot and fast! The servers were very attentive to our large group and all the food tastes as advertised. It's busy and lively but it doesn't take long to get a seat. read more

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Nice restaurant on the main walkway by the beach. We got sat down pretty fast and the servers were very good. Always came by and asked if we needed anything. The food was just as fast. Got our appetizer, the spinach artichoke dip, then our entrees, ahi tuna Poké bowl and classic smash burger. All the food was delicious! A few things to note. The bathrooms are on the 2nd floor of the restaurant, which we thought was interesting. Their menu doesn't list their non alcoholic beverages, like sodas or teas. Just ask the server and they'll list them. Also doesn't serve tap water, only bottled. I'd recommend everyone go to this place for sure when visiting Catalina Island! read more

El Galleon - Spinach Artichoke Dip, Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, Classic Smash Burger - American Near Me - Avalon, California

Came here for lunch with my fam. Friendly hostess and waitress. Staff was very welcoming and patient as all 10 of us looked over the menu. I ordered the baja fish tacos. My wife ordered the caesar salad with chicken. My tacos tasted fresh however I felt they needed a bit more flavor. Fish had a light batter and was missing that crunch I like from a typical fish taco. They did have a nice green creamy sauce on top that gave it good flavor on some bites. A little more of that sauce would have given it more of a kick. I ended up putting some tabasco sauce and that made up for it. My wife's chicken caesar salad was also fresh. Standard salad with a good dressing. Ordered a paloma beverage and unfortunately was quite disappointed. It was a bit tasteless and lacked some flavor. Maybe it was due to the ice melting quick that watered down the drink. Regarding the price point, it was quite expensive but I wasn't surprised because of it being located on an island. If I go back I will order the fried chicken sandwich, I took a bite from my nieces sandwich and it was delicious. Had the most flavor out of all the plates I tasted! Also was one of the cheaper dishes at $18! All in all was a decent restaurant and made for nice memories. read more

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I don't even know where to start. This place went above all my expectations. You usually hear how Catalina food is overpriced for the food you get but the food here is worth every penny. I got the shrimp linguine and my boyfriend got the smash burger and it was by far the best pasta dish I've had in a while. The staff are extremely nice and attentive. A day ago we visited a nearby restaurant and ordered virtually the same dishes but they were way more expensive, and food and service was mediocre at best. However at El Galleon it is all amazing and worth it! read more

El Galleon - Shrimp linguine and Smash burger - American Near Me - Avalon, California

Sip back an relax. Pour decision make for a good Happy Hour. That is what was happening as we entered the restaurant at midafternoon. There are two menus during this time regular menu and bar hour menu. Ambience is what it appears bar on the beach of Catalina Island. A place where you can wine a little and laugh a lot read more

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Smash burger also ordered! Delicious crispy edges smothered in cheese, brioche bun. Flank steak and fried garlic fries - the best tasting food right after a long bike ride. Server took the food outside to where we were sitting beachside. Casual ambience and menu posted Outside so it's easy to order to go. During cruise time, the place is packed and loud. Much easier to procure food after they dissipated. They participated in taste of Avalon too- delicious morsels of shrimp tacos. I went back today to eat some more. Worth the calories and trip. read more

El Galleon - Flank and fries! Obsessed - American Near Me - Avalon, California

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My favorite spot on the island ! I love sitting outside and people watching while I eat my lunch ! The happy hour smash burger is the best on the island and I think I had an artichoke daily ! The service is good and it's the best outdoor ambiance on the island. Oh and did I mention the cool kids menu with it served up in a Benito box. I didn't find that out till the last day . I ate here 5 out of 7 days and loved it! read more

El Galleon - Kids chicken strips box - American Near Me - Avalon, California

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Decided on a day trip to Catalina and got hungry for lunch. Came to El Galleon. Seated right was way. Staff were friendly and attentive. We orders the half rack of ribs w/ coleslaw and fries and the rosemary chicken w/ asparagus and scalloped potatoes to share. The food was hot and fresh. The ribs were fall off the bone and tender. Coleslaw fresh. The chicken was moist and delicious. The scalloped potatoes were exceptional. All in all, the food was hot, fresh and delicious. The restaurant was clean and tidy and the staff was very attentive. We will be back. read more

Incredible food the prime rib is guaranteed the best I've ever had they offer a lobster tail add on for $25. The service was incredible. The ambience is nice but more over everything that my guests and I ordered was cooked perfectly and no complaint whatsoever. great food great prices great service go you will love it. read more

El Galleon - American Near Me - Avalon, California

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Stopped by when our cruise ship came to port in Avalon. It has a very cute vibe inside and we came for happy hour. The drinks were very good and so were the prices. The restaurant is nice and big and there's plenty of seating at the bar and throughout the restaurant. The bartender was nice and efficient. Definitely a great option for a bar to stop at compared to all the other bars on the strip. read more

El Galleon - American Near Me - Avalon, California

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Great food, great times! We had a wonderful time, they took care of us. Pretty wild how it turns into a club environment at night. We'll be back! read more

Really disappointing experience with DJ Luis. We were there for karaoke and kept patiently waiting for our turn. There were probably only about 20 people left by the end of the night, yet he continued telling us we had to wait (we waited close to two hours ) and never allowed us to sing. What made it worse was that he repeatedly asked for tips and made it seem like tipping him would get us bumped up in the karaoke rotation. We watched other people get opportunities while we continued to be passed over. The whole situation felt unfair, unprofessional, and honestly left us feeling like we were being discriminated against. Karaoke is supposed to be fun and welcoming for everyone, not based on who is willing to tip the DJ to get moved up. Unfortunately, this experience completely ruined our night, and I would not recommend this place to anyone looking to have a fair and enjoyable karaoke experience. read more

Excellent, fast, kind, efficient service. Ordered : clam chowder, fish tacos, calamari app , shrimp app and it was all great . We like it so much webwere craving a burger and had their burger and it was great. I would definitely come here again. Nice clean trendy restaurant. read more

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Had an amazing dinner at El Galleon. We sat at the bar, and honestly, that made the whole experience. Isaac, our server, was the highlight. Super friendly, attentive, and actually engaging, not just going through the motions. He took the time to walk us through the menu in a way that made it easy to understand and helped us choose confidently. That alone elevated the experience. Beyond just service, he made it feel personal. He even shared helpful tips about getting around the island (like the ride system), which was a nice touch and made the night feel more local and authentic. Food was great, ambiance was lively, but the service is what really stood out. If you go, sit at the bar and ask for Isaac, he genuinely makes the experience better. read more

El Galleon - Spinach dip - American Near Me - Avalon, California

We were hungry and looking for food and saw they had a chicken Mac and Cheese that was supposedly a favorite which brought us in. When we got it we were greeted with the driest, not cheesy Mac n Cheese we ever tasted it just tasted like straight pasta no seasoning or sauce or anything. The chicken was ok aside from the fact that it tasted unseasoned and the spiciest thing ever even though it's not marked as a spicy item. We asked the server to swap it out for a smash burger which he originally recommended. That burger he brought out was the greasiest thing we have ever tasted and eaten. The whole bottom bun was soaked and dripping with grease and the burger itself needed some more salt and seasoning which is crazy. If I had to compare it to something it would be the nasty patty from SpongeBob with how greasy it was. We also ordered the swordfish sandwich, the meat was fresh and the tartar sauce was good but it needed more flavor or lemon to go with it didn't really taste seasoned or anything. And I ended up chewing a piece of highly seasoned plastic that I found in my fries. When we told the waiter about the Mac n cheese and the piece of plastic he never really reacted to it almost like it's a common occurrence or anything. Np apologies or anything from anyone and we still paid full price from lackluster and honestly gross food. The drinks were alright but it's hard to mess up a beer and margarita Honestly might be the worst restaurant we have eaten at which is why we are leaving on of our only reviews ever. Would not recommend this place at all and would steer clear of it. read more

Service was kind and attentive. We stopped by for a mid-afternoon snack and beverage. The snack was Calimari Steak Strips à la Sysco. Sorry. I wanted to like you more, El Galleon.. Ambiance was slightly throwback Old Timey, but consistent with Avalon environment. A word of caution. El Galleon Loo is located on the second floor, the stairs to which are a bit dangerous. Watch your footing and use the handrail. You'll thank me for the warning. read more

El Galleon - Calamari steak strips @ El Galleon, Avalon,CA 1/26/26 - American Near Me - Avalon, California

Danielle was are server and was great. Been coming for YEARS this time was so disappointing they changed the best thing on the menu the Calamari from a steak to rings, the clam chowder was watered down and the artichoke dip had no flavor, probably the reason we could get a table at 7 on Saturday nite with no wait. read more

Beautiful location right in the middle of Avalon. Drinks were fantastic. Food was good service was attentive. Everything I needed for a quick stop in read more

We chose to sit in the front to take in the world class people watching. Could have been a concern with good service, but not here. Rosie was attentive, professional and super friendly. Our cocktails arrived promptly and were well done. Took a chance on ordering calamari strips for our starter. Often strips are overcooked. Not the case here. Crunchy Panko breading surrounding tender, sweet calamari. The Asian chicken salad was fresh and flavorful. However, the highlight of our meal was the prime rib sandwich. Rich au jus to dip the massive portion in was superb. This place will be a "must dine" on our future visits to Catalina. Cheers! read more

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El Galleon has always been my first stop when arriving on the island. Unfortunately they redid their menu and removed the Impossible Burger option. I was very disappointed after sitting down and realizing that. If you're looking for vegan options on the island I'd recommend Steve's Steakhouse, Cafe Metropole, and Catalina Cookie Coffee Co! read more

Great view! Good service and great taste of food. Had a halibut and a clan chowder soup read more

El Galleon - American Near Me - Avalon, California

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We went for lunch and stayed into the evening to watch the sunset by the bar. The vibe was great and the food was really delicious. Isac took care of us and made the experience stand out. He was super friendly, made us a unique Caribbean-style drink that tasted amazing, and even shared some cool things about the area. Definitely recommend this place if you're in Catalina. read more

El Galleon - American Near Me - Avalon, California

After a long day at the beach, we stopped by here for some drinks and to get out of the sun. Service was great. Drinks were icy cold. View was amazing! I think it was $9.50 for a pint or $21 for a 32 oz beer! read more

El Galleon - American Near Me - Avalon, California

GREAT spot to eat in avalon. We went at around 6pm on labor day and we got seated immediately. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious all of the food was. Cajun shrimp was juicy and well seasoned. Scallop chowder was very good. Buffalo milk is a must try cocktail in catalina. Basically a milkshake! Space is large with a large bar and plenty of tables. Bathroom is clean. Great location near the pier. Also side note, all the restaurants in catalina serve bottled water that must be purchased so be sure to be conscious of price when asking for water! read more

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Amazing staff and great food. The World Cup games were on all the TVs and everybody was enjoying them.

Had an awesome experience at El Galleon thanks to Isias--seriously one of the best bartenders I've come across. From the moment we sat down, his energy was on point! He made us his signature shot on the house and then made it as a drink! SERIOUSLY UNREAL! You'll have to ask his name of the shot because when he tells you the color makes sense! ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Thank you my brother for the great experience and eye patch! read more

El Galleon - American Near Me - Avalon, California

Wow! Not worth it. The food is unseasoned and the mashed potatoes taste like it came out of a box. I was not happy with my salmon and mashed potatoes at all. I tried my siblings food and they also weren't the best except for the steak/prime rib. Baby sister said her Alfredo was not as good as Olive Gardens... that says a lot. read more

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Fantastic service (Dani is top notch!) Delicious food (prime rib sandwich was divine: bread perfectly toasted, meat perfectly sliced) Kids menu listed good options. The drinks are good value. Nice atmosphere. Perfect location. read more

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The roasted garlic mash potato. I am 99.9% sure that it was POWDERED mash potatoes. It was super soft and grainy, no structure, just no hint of real potato. Also no garlic flavor or even salt??? As a matter of fact everything lacked a bit of salt read more

El Galleon - Prime rib with roasted garlic mash and white cheddar mac n cheese - American Near Me - Avalon, California

We had a really great dinner here on a wednesday night in catalina. We got flatbread, sprouts and mac n cheese sides. It was delish!

Giving this place 5 stars for their incredible patience and solid food. We were here for such a long time enjoying a drawn out meal killing time before the ferry. Our server was patient with our indecisiveness and the food came out SO fast. The nautical theme was fun and the food was solid. Especially liked the clam chowder. Great place to watch some football and hang out. read more

Had a wonderful experience at El Galleon! My family and I visited Catalina this past Memorial Day weekend. We were quite a large group of 7 people and several restaurants were telling us more than an hour long wait for a dinner table with no reservations. El Galleon was able to seat us right away even though they were pretty busy and we ordered and food came out very quickly. I had the tuna poke bowl which was so delicious and tasted so fresh! The place was clean and all the servers were extremely friendly and helpful. Prices were reasonable considering you're on an island, and for the amount of food we ordered, I would say we got a pretty good deal. All the plates were well served and presented, all of us left happy with our tummies full!! Definitely will be coming back on our next trip! read more

El Galleon - Blue Hawaii cocktail - American Near Me - Avalon, California

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The staff is great and I was really happy with the cocktail I ordered. The meal was good, I enjoyed the scalloped potatoes and asparagus but I thought the prime rib was too firm for my taste. I would have preferred a more tender/fatty cut, this was more firm. (Med-rare). Overall quite good but not my favorite. read more

After a few seafood heavy meals we decided it was time for a steak, and what better place that somewhere serving up prime rib everyday? My mom and I ordered the 20 oz prime rib to share and added the shrimp. For the side we each got the grilled romano potatoes, which was basically mashed potatoes shaped into a patty and thrown on the grill to get a nice crisp exterior, very good! Every part of the entree was really good and full of flavor. We ordered the prime rib medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. We shared a caesar salad because we felt like we needed some veggies, this was just okay and I'd probably skip it next time. Wine was also just okay, the list had a decent variety, but I think some of them had just been opened a little too long or maybe got too warm. I tasted a couple before ordering a glass and didn't like any of them, so ended up going with one I didn't try and that was just okay too. The place had a total old school steakhouse vibe with the round chandelier and paintings of ships and different vantage points of Catalina all over the walls. read more

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The bar has a great environment from the staff to the food to the drinks. Their zucchini fries and onion rings were exactly what I needed. The bar seating is great for a quick drink or to stay and chat. Their award winning Peanut Crumble blended cocktail was to die for. If you're living in Avalon or just visiting, this is a MUST STOP. read more

El Galleon - Bar Top - American Near Me - Avalon, California

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This was our first time in Avalon. We narrowed down several restaurants to this one. Big mistake. The food was mediocre at best. We ordered the fish and chips. The clam and scallop chowder and the roasted Brussels sprouts. The clam chowder had no detectable scallops and has sand in it. The French fries came out cold. . The fish was greasy. And the Brussels suitors were totally raw. Our waiter seemed like he didn't enjoy his job and when I told him about the Brussels sprouts He seemed. Annoyed, although he did offer to remove them from the bill. Speaking of which it took forever to get our bill. The inside of the restaurant is nice , it's too bad the food didn't match it. read more