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    Harbor Reef Restaurant

    3.4 (162 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Seafood
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Harbor Reef Restaurant Photos

    HARBOR REEF RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Harbor Reef Restaurant

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    Happy customer
    Patty S.

    Shrimp was very good. Outside sitting is comfortable. People are nice. They close at 3pm, but if sitting outside you can use the area for as long as desired. The bar side opens at 4pm and they do serve food. We had dinner there and it was amazing. They have specials as well as their regular menu. We ordered wings for appetizer from the regular menu and the sea bass (local fresh fish) from the special. It was a bit spicy for me, BUT everyone else at the table very much enjoyed it. One of my friends ordered a side salad, which looked amazing and a small bowl of french onion soup, which she very much enjoyed. Note: their fountain drink soda machine is not the best... Coca Cola doesn't even taste like soda... I trust it was a one time thing. Nevertheless, we didn't get our drinks until after I was done with my food.

    Kaelin N.

    Got lunch after a 2 hour jet ski excursion from Long Beach. Order at the counter and find a seat in the non-reservation section, which is very small. It's what you would have expected. Mid food. Enough to be fed. Don't expect flavor town or to be blown away. It was also very crowded. You have to stalk about to grab a table and chairs, and with how busy they are, you end up wiping it down yourself. No other options on the island, but don't expect too much.

    Outside
    Marina O.

    I ordered a fruit cup and a latte, and unfortunately it was one of the worst experiences I've had. The latte was probably the bitterest I've ever tried, and the watermelon in the fruit cup tasted like it had been sitting around for a week--it had already gone bad. On top of that, the service was not welcoming at all. Definitely won't be coming back, even if it's the only place around and I'm hungry.

    Fish and chips
    Isobel L.

    After four days and three nights of backpacking food, lunch at Harbor Reef Restaurant felt like a well-deserved feast. I ordered the fish and chips (sweet potato fries), which was truly delicious. The fish was lightly fried, fresh and tasty; the fries were crisp and not overdone. My dining companion described the burger as just okay. Drinks are serve-yourself at the drink bar including free refills. Service was pleasant and helpful and pricing was actually reasonable considering you're on an island. The view of the pristine harbor is stunning and worth the price of lunch.

    Cesar salad
    Sarah S.

    Just a few notes on the only restaurant area they have : 1. They have different lunch and dinner times so you have time guidelines for food 2. Patio and restaurant ordering are different but you can order from the restaurant and get it to go to eat on the patio ( ‍) 3. Bees love the bar area so hopefully your not afraid of the bees Food is expensive but to be expected .. it's an island .. where else you going to eat Overall wait times not too bad , food was decent . Staff was friendly . Took a star away for all the confusion of ordering in the restaurant but then had to reorder from the bar only to have to go back into the restaurant to get one item ( crazy part - it comes from the same kitchen- insanity at its best )

    Chilaquiles and iced coffee

    We ate lunch, dinner, and breakfast at the restaurant in Two Harbors and were very happy with the (1) quality ingredients, (2) price, and (3) generous portions. Perhaps it was due to being on the trail for multiple days ahead of eating here, but everything we had other than the fish sandwich was amazing (it was only ok). Pictures here show burgers, wings, garden salads, a club sandwich, and my favorite, chilaquiles! The decor is simple and nothing fancy. The staff were all very friendly. We appreciated being able to fill our bellies at such a great eatery before hitting the trail.

    Michael L.

    This is my third time visiting this establishment over period of years and the food is always on point. The other reviews I'm always amazed that they expect higher quality service or cheaper prices. This place is more on the level of a divey bar with a restaurant capacity. This is not your typical restaurant where you're gonna get tableside service so there is some active involvement in placing your order and making sure you get it. The food is great. The staff have always been friendly. This time I was able to sneak in before buccaneer weekend, which was good as I imagine this place quite lively

    Fish and chips

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    Ask the Community - Harbor Reef Restaurant

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    Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe

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    4.2(3.7k reviews)
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    Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe is a must-visit spot for anyone who loves fresh…read moreseafood and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. The fish was incredibly fresh, the portions were generous, and everything tasted like it came straight from the ocean. The outdoor patio has an amazing Malibu vibe, with beautiful views and a casual setting that makes the experience even better. The staff was friendly, the service was quick, and you can tell they take pride in serving quality seafood. A perfect place to stop after a drive along the coast. Great food, great views, and a true California beach experience. I'll definitely be coming back!

    Went in for lunch with some friends. The parking situation can be a little misunderstanding. There…read moreis a public lot that requires you to pay $12 right next to the establishment. The restaurant does have its own parking, but that tends to fill up pretty quick. Would recommend passing the restaurant and parking on the right side of the road though there is a bridge that goes underground if you park on the other side. The staff was very friendly, and there was a long line just to order. Went with The, fish and chips, to tacos and ceviche. The fish and chips were the best part. The fish is decent sized and the fries were amazing. Crispy outside with a baked potato inside. I did not try the CVA that my friend did not care for it very much. He did mention that the ingredients refresh, but the flavor profile was not to his like. Recommend getting the three-piece fish and chips to share with somebody. It does get kind of pricey if you order everything à la carte. The views are amazing and definitely appreciate the filtered water station by the patio tables. Very family, friendly, lots of people enjoying the weather and outdoor seating.

    Photos
    Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe - Fresh fish inside @ Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe

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    Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe - Red snapper with fries and cole slaw

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    Entrance

    Topside by NDMK - surprise chocolate cake

    Topside by NDMK

    4.1(227 reviews)
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    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!

    Unfortunately, our experience at Topside by NDMK was extremely disappointing. We first waited 30…read moreminutes because the hostess missed our name on the list. Once we were finally seated, another 15 minutes passed without a server acknowledging us. We asked a busser for water, and he said he would get our waiter. We watched him speak to a male waiter, who looked directly at our table but returned to chatting with the bartender. Four other nearby tables that had been seated after us were also left without service. When the waiter eventually headed in our direction, he walked past all of the waiting tables and stopped to talk with guests who had already been served. After sitting for 35 minutes without even receiving water or being greeted by a server, we left. The couple at the table next to us left as well. It truly felt as though the waiting tables were being deliberately ignored. There are many wonderful places to eat on Catalina Island, but based on this experience, I would avoid Topside.

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    Topside by NDMK - Lobster ravioli - local lobster caught near Catalina

    Lobster ravioli - local lobster caught near Catalina

    Topside by NDMK - Rooftop at night with lights and ambiance

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    Harbor Sands - Sailboat crashed into it.  Nov 2025

    Harbor Sands

    3.9(35 reviews)
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    The food is pricey - but what do you expect being SO remote? The service is great. The ambiance is…read moreso nice -- you're literally away from it ALL on an ISLAND.

    We've been visiting Two Harbors and Harbor Sands 3-4 times a year for many years, so this review…read morecomes from loyal guests who genuinely love this place. Unfortunately, our August 2026 visit was one of the most disappointing we've experienced. The attention to detail that has made Harbor Sands feel special was missing. We noticed trash in the Sands for days, abandoned towels that weren't removed until we mentioned them, inconsistent food and cocktails, and a general lack of hospitality from some of the staff. We also noticed staff socializing in guest palapas and lounge chairs while paying guests were nearby not being taken care of. None of these issues were major on their own, but together they created a noticeably different experience than we've come to expect. Harbor Sands has always been one of our favorite places because of its well kept grounds, excellent service, and attention to detail. With the premium prices today, we still expect that same level of quality. We're sharing this because we truly care about Harbor Sands and hope management can refocus on the little things that made this destination so special. We sincerely hope our next visit this summer reflects the exceptional experience we've enjoyed for so many years.

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    Harbor Sands - Our table before the sun took over , We people watched all the sailers and pups so much fun!

    Our table before the sun took over , We people watched all the sailers and pups so much fun!

    Harbor Sands - Your Turd Island Beach view.

    Your Turd Island Beach view.

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    Harbor Reef Restaurant - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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