Fresh off the boat with three hungry teens. Popped into The Lobster Trap for lunch and left happy and well fed for a reasonable price. I had biscuits and gravy which was better than my own and only $8 Kids had pancakes, chicken waffle and poki salad which was all awesome as well. Bathroom was clean and the atmosphere fun and happy. Understandable why it's 'a local favorite' I'd come back here another time, as the menu is pretty vast, something for everyone read more

The entire visit was great. The ambiance, the food the service. Delicious food and drinks. The waitress we had was very attentive. I can't remember her name for the life of me. So sorry! But she was the best. Cheers to her. read more

The Lobster Trap - Bread clam chowder soup - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Tried a few different places to eat while visiting Catalina Island this past weekend. This place was the most memorable. The ribeye steak with the grilled zucchini and asparagus was amazing. I didn't have anything to eat that morning but the steak was so big, flavorful, and juicy it hit the spot. I could not finish it because the portions were huge. I will make it back over there soon. Only a 70 min boat ride from the LBC but worth every minute. Great food, atmosphere and customer service. Love the signs next to my table. read more

The Lobster Trap - Incredible view from hotel. - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Catalina Island is such a cool place to visit and walk around. The Lobster Trap fits the vibe of the island perfectly. Fresh seafood with a laid back island vibe. read more

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Came by for some lunch on the island and got seated at the bar after about 5-10 minutes so not too bad for ~2pm (late lunch). After a couple minutes we were given menus to browse. We were given waters with the lobster trap logos and told we got to keep them as souvenirs so that was nice. Food took a while to come out even though we saw it waiting at the kitchen table, so slightly cooled down when we got it served. Also while waiting we saw someone squeezing the water out of a bag of lobster which was the same ones in the lobster roll so not super fresh. We ordered the following: - fish & chips 6/10 -- you get three pieces of fried fish, and it comes with either fries or coleslaw. Two of the people in my party got this so we got one of each. Coleslaw was just cabbage and had no flavor at all. Fries were salted but not crispy at all, it was soggy so probably cause it was out for a while just waiting. The fish was crispy but my first bite was all fried batter, too a while to get to the fish but the fish itself was good. Presentation not the best. - calamari appetizer 7/10 -- not bad, comes in rectangle shapes, not what I was thinking cause usually they're circles. It was okay, good flavor but rating was made up by the cocktail sauce. - lobster roll 5/10 -- honestly kinda disappointed. For a place called the lobster trap I thought it was gonna be fresh lobster or have the typical roll bread, esp for the price. it was served on 2 slices of bread with toppings on the slide, which were not good either. The lobster didn't taste good, and was just small chunks, and rubbery. The tomato slide was pretty much the top and didn't taste right. Then for the slide of fries with it, it was just dumped on the plate and also soggy. Ambiance - 8/10 it's nice, they have lots of themed decor which was cute. They have bar seating, table seating, and high table seating. It's also open door so didn't get super cool inside. Kitchen is also open so you can see everything inside. Service - 7/10 they were nice, just had to wave them down to ask something each time (menu, utensils, water, check, etc.) Misc -- you get to keep the water cups as souvenirs so that's nice at least. read more

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Service is terrible. The servers are rude and food can take upto an hour to be served after ordering.

This review is mainly for their clam chowder...probably the best clam chowder I've ever had. IT'S SO GOOD. For lunch, I ended up ordered their hot lobster roll with wheat bread (little did I know that when choosing the bread it's the actual bread that the lobster comes in...lol duh) But then again why would you get the choice of choosing the bread when usual lobster rolls comes in bread rolls... Anyways, when my lobster roll with wheat bread came out I was unimpressed. The meal itself was okay but I think it would have been better if the lobster was in a regular roll. I wasn't super impressed with the lobster roll but more impressed with their clam chowder. I wish I had order the clam chowder bread bowl instead of a cup of the chowder with the lobster roll. I might give this place a try again when I'm back and order a different bread for the lobster roll haha. read more

great restaurant with a fun shack ambiance! i took a lot of time deciding what to get off the menu, but the photos on yelp werent doing it for me lol. my sister and i opted for the lobster rolls because it made sense to order lobster at a restaurant called lobster shack. it was one of the best lobster rolls ive had! for $30, it was full of meat. i ordered it on sourdough and there was a yummy kind of butter or aioli on it that added more flavor. we also had the calamari-- but it wasnt our favorite. after a long day hanging out on the beach, we were also happy to find outlets here to charge our phones! would return for another lobster roll read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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My partner and I ordered oysters Rockefeller and 2 lobster rolls. The oysters were completely overwhelmed by cheese and cream. We both had to remove so much in order for us to taste the oysters. Never in my life have I had any oysters like that, I do not recommend unless you truly love artichoke and spinach creamy dip and don't really like oysters. We ordered lobster rolls because of the name and were hoping this would be a signature item. Welp, we were super disappointed. The reviews are right to say the amount of lobster is generous, however the cook is rubbery and the seasoning is abysmal. Plus it's on a brioche bun so it's a sandwich. Super disappointing for a place called the lobster trap. We didn't even eat half. The server, bless her soul, was kind, attentive and funny. She was great. Honestly, every restaurant we've tried in caother than Eric's on the pier) has been impressively mediocre :( read more

The Service by Rosandra was amazing! The food was delicious, the drinks were perfect, and the atmosphere was clean and fun! I can't say enough about this restaurant... It is Avalon Gem! Thank you for always delivering fresh seafood, clean atmosphere, and welcoming service! read more

Great spot for lunch and great cocktail. Even though they were busy, our server took great care of us. Highly recommend if you are going to be on the island. read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Friendly staff and fast service. Mushrooms fried well with the ahi inside. Flavorful and juicy. Quite pricey for this though. Lobster roll was fine. Generous portion. However the fries were a little too soggy and didn't feel fresh. Bread on the pasta was AMAZING. Soft and crispy. Excellent to dip with the pasta. read more

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Came here for an early dinner and the food did not disappoint. There wasn't much of a wait as it was a weekday in the off season. But everything tasted fresh. The service was also good. Loved the decoration inside along with the separate bar area read more

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Really good food , my cocktail was really good. Everyone is pretty nice & friendly. A lot of locals come dine here , something that I noticed . I will be back . read more

The Lobster Trap - Lavender lemondrop - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Long, wet day. Finally got to our townhouse after 8 pm. Luckily The Lobster Trap is open until 10 pm. Our son got the fish and chips and loved both! My spouse got a grilled haddock sandwich with coleslaw and loved every bit of both. I got a house salad (fresh, crisp veggies) and some lovely grilled shrimp. We were all very happy. Our server was friendly and fun. The atmosphere loud but not unbearable. The interior is fun and comfortable. read more

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The tacos were not good. No seasoning, no flavor, nothing. Over cooked lobster and shrimp. Really wanted to like this place but the food quality made it difficult. Only thing that saves this place a little is that the staff were on point. No problems at all with the service! read more

Their Cesar salad was crunchy and refreshing. If you're unsure about what to drink you cannot go wrong with their Paloma! read more

The Lobster Trap - Small Cesar Salad - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Delicious! My family and I stopped by and shared the lobster plate. Stuffed with shrimp stuffing, with butter and lemon on the side. Filling and so good! Service was great, she was very attentive. read more

The Lobster Trap - 1.75 lb lobster with rice and steamed veggies - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Best service and clam chowder! We arrived a bit early because we are on a cruise, but we knew exactly what we wanted. The BEST clam Chowder in Southern California! Is this worth a cruise to Catalina-Ensenada or a trip on the Catalina flyer???? Well, it actually did come up in our pro/cons list as a tip 5 stop!!!! Unfortunately I do not have pics of the chowder, but it was insanely good as always. We were here early, but I would love to try one of their fish sandwiches. We already know the fried clams and raw oyster are read more

Went reluctantly there for breakfast and were super impressed! Great food! Pleasant wait staff, clean dining area and did not have to wait! Highly recommend you try them out! read more

Came to the island for a birthday celebration at Descanso Beach. The locals raved about The Lobster Trap, so after the beach club, birthday crew headed over to the restaurant. I'm not sure how the wait normally is on a Saturday, but our party of 20 were seated immediately. You can't come to a place called "The Lobster Trap" and not order something with lobster. So I ordered the lobster roll. I wasn't that impressed. I was expecting it to be a well dressed, buttery split-top bun with mounds of lobster meat. Instead, it was a dry bun with very little dressing. The saving grace was that they do give you a good portion of lobster meat. The lobster roll comes with lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and onions on the side. But who puts that on a lobster roll?!?! Haha Service was great! Everyone in our party was satisfied with the service. read more

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This place is a MUST TRY in Avalon. Our favorite restaurant there & our tour guide said it's the only restaurant he & his wife who live at the island eat on. Kitchy/interesting fishing decor - love the boat booth up top! Everything on the menu is fire, fresh, & great portion. Service can be slow during busier times, but definitely friendly! read more

The Lobster Trap - Boat booth area - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

OMG! This place is amazing. First, it is recommended by the locals. While not cheap the food is outstanding, as is the service. Laura was our waiting person, and we got extra attention that was not expected. She made the experience personal and terrific. It is a very relaxed restaurant ambience. We had a local Lobster that was amazing and included stuffing, the monkey balls were delicious, and the ciopino was so flavorful that we couldn't finish it all. The lobster bisque had a huge lobster flavor as well as distinct pieces in it. The clam chowder was possibly the best. Have ever had anywhere. Overall so far this was the most outstanding experience on the island so far for food and drink. Yeah, they have a full bar too. Overall, highly recommended and we will be back before the go. read more

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Breakfast is the soooooo good! Must have! We had the lobster Benedict and I substituted for cottage cheese and tomatoes, and it was so fresh and tasty! The chicken fried steak is just a massive amount of food and so good! The lobster trap is a must go for breakfast lunch and dinner. I swear it's the best restaurant on the.island!! read more

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The food was really good. The fish was moist and well seasoned. The green rice tomato oil roasted corn and avocado relish was a nice addition adding to the flavor. read more

The Lobster Trap - Blackened swordfish - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Food was great, I loved the clam chowder, 10/10 recommend!! Lobster roll was huge.. not really my favorite but it's worth trying. Service was quick. Shooters were good too! read more

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Had high hopes going into this store with so many positive reviews from multiple social media, but my experience is just ok. The clam chowder presentation surprised me as it is so plain and tasted too creamy which is like eating the cream directly. Had the fried fish and it is regular fried fish. The position is generous but some fish also comes with lots of rice and potato to make it feel big portion. One dish is too salty so we don't finish it. They also allows customers to take in dogs (not looks like service animal) and eat next to you. I don't hate dogs but this is disgusting and also this is probably against the law as department of health codes strictly prohibit live animals. read more

Great place to eat for lunch upon arrival to Avalon. The food was good and the ceviche tasted super fresh. The ambiance is very festive and customer service was good as well. Enjoy! read more

The Lobster Trap - Shrimp Ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Came here through a cruiseline and was looking for something refreshing to eat on a sunny day. The inside is very large and comfortable. And the service was great. I ordered the ceviche as an appetizer and it was fantastic! read more

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This was the best place we had for dinner during our 4 night stay in Catalina. We had the lobster and it was cooked perfectly. The prices are reasonable.land service was excellent. The atmosphere can get a bit noisy when busy. read more

Stopped in for breakfast during our three day weekend and even though the wait was extremely long to sit down and to be served, the food was pretty good. This place can get very popular depending on the time and day so be prepared to wait a bit. Inside was very crowded so we had to sit at the bar, but we were just a party of two so we didn't have to wait as long as some of the larger groups. Inside is quite large, they have many different sized tables, but no outdoor seating. Our server was very polite, but it took at least 15 minutes for her to come over for the first time and take our drink/food order and all of our food items came out very slowly. When they did come, some of the items were missing, but the taste quality was there. For my first visit, I ordered the Crabcake Benedict with avocado, and they forgot the avocado when it first arrived as well as some other items from other members in our party. That being said, the crabcake was actually very good and this Benedict was the best of the three that I had on the island during my visit. Pricing is pretty fair and the menu does have a lot of good options. I would definitely recommend if you are in the area and would give it another try in the future next time I visit the island. read more

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Whenever I'm in Avalon, I eat at The Lobster Trap. It's got great food and a great bar and a great staff. It's recently expanded and better than ever. It's not one of the fancy places on the boardwalk, it's the cool, quality place down a side street. The fish is always fresh and cooked expertly. I grew up on the coast eating seafood my whole life and just had one of the best pieces of swordfish ever! Everyone else in our group was thrilled with their order, too. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. I come back every time I'm in town. read more

The Lobster Trap - The Lobster Trap bar - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

OMG... this place has the BEST lobster I've ever had in my life. The biggest & the best. I also love the shrimp stuffing it comes with. It's a cute casual place with tons of other options. I also have to point out that the service was Excellent! Yum yum yum!!! Just look at my picture :) read more

The Lobster Trap - Lobster - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

There was a pretty long wait - around 30 minutes. Write your name down and walk around while you wait, which works out well since you can grab coffee or a donut nearby until your number is called. The place has a bar and plenty of seating with a casual, chill vibe. Music playing in the background adds to the atmosphere. Food-wise, it was okay. Nothing amazing, but not bad either. We ordered the lobster roll on sourdough, clam chowder, and shrimp scampi. The clam chowder was the good and best of the three. The shrimp scampi was very average. Service was good overall. Friendly staff and an accommodating host. Go in without high expectations. It's like a regular bar food, featuring lobster. read more

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Laura was our server and was pretty nice. I know she had a lot of tables so at times we had to flag the busboy for some water. Our appetizer got to our table at a good time but our entrees took a moment. I must say it was pretty full so understandable for the delay. I enjoyed the Littleneck Clams that we ordered. Very tasty, fresh and hot in temperature. The clams were like a soup that hit perfectly because the AC was blasting in the restaurant so we were all cold. We all ordered the lobster roll sandwich and a cod sandwich. They were good. Nothing out of the ordinary in my opinion. The clams were honestly my favorite because they were flavorful and they came out right away. This place was recommended by several locals but overall I felt this place was decent. read more

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Oh! My! God! The fact noone is hyping up the lobster trap is a blessing. Let it remain a hidden gem because honestly... Best lobster roll Best oysters Rockefeller ($26) We have ever had!!! The staff. The service. The food is unmatched! I am so glad we came here before he headed back to the mainland. read more

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Came here for brunch after walking past and were swayed by the fact that there was no wait (Sunday around 11am). I ordered the waffle with chocolate chips, bacon and eggs over medium. We were seated at the bar area, and the food came out within maybe 10 minutes which was quite fast! The waffle was fluffy on the inside though it could've used more chocolate chips (they only sprinkle them on the top and for $2 extra I expected a little more). The waffle also split in the middle which made it kind of fall apart and was harder to eat so I ended up just grabbing it and eating it with my hands. The eggs were not seasoned at all, which I don't mind, and it paired well with the bacon dipped in the yolks. When we left close to noon, the restaurant did seem to fill up quite a bit and there was a line out the door so I guess we had great timing! read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

A seafood restaurant serving up fresh fish and seafood. This place is hidden away from the main walkway, but everything is just so close to each other! Service was a bit slow at times but we eventually was able to flag down our waitress. Grilled fish sandwich - I think it was the yellow tail, but don't remember. Wash was grilled well done. It was seasoned with some old bay seasoning so it was delicious. Bread was good as well. Nice to try. Fish and chips - Monster pieces of fish and chips, we upgraded to the local halibut fish. Chips were the same as with the sandwich, just wish it was more crispy! Nice to try. read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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The food was great. I thought I ordered a lobster roll, but it was more of a sandwich. Great service, soda never ran out. They had sports channels on. It was busy, but I nice flow busy. read more

The Lobster Trap - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Beautiful setting, disappointing experience. The atmosphere was undeniably great--exactly what you'd hope for in a coastal spot. It came highly recommended, but turned out to be a classic tourist trap. Our waiter had the charisma of a folding chair and vanished more often than he appeared. The food? Just average, nothing memorable. We skipped the Blue Water Grill we know and love back home to try something new on the island... big mistake. Should've stuck with the familiar and saved ourselves the regret. read more