The Lobster Trap
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This place may not have the best views of the ocean, but they definitely have the best food. The seafood pasta is a must try, with tons of different types of seafood in generous portions and made perfectly. And I gotta highlight the service. Our server (I believe his name was Justice), was the best server I have ever had at a restaurant. So friendly, helpful, attentive, and polite, always checking up on us at regular intervals. We ordered 3 dishes, and while we were enjoying the tacos and clams, there was no more room on our table so he noticed and said he can keep the pasta under a heat lamp until we finished and cleared up some space on the table. This attention to detail was really great and elevated our experience. The interior is also well decorated and open with plenty of seating.
I came here with my family, and honestly, the server made the whole experience amazing. Not only that but the food was super good, too! I don't know if it was just me, but you could definitely taste the difference in the fish; it tasted very fresh. Even though the place was super busy, the vibe was still really nice. I loved that we got to sit at the "boat" table up the stairs, it was such a cool setup! Definitely a great spot.
Casual and festive, The Lobster Trap features generous cocktails and friendly service. The lobster roll was a menu highlight, while the sautéed calamari is for those who appreciate very saucy dishes. It really is amazing how well the staff delivers given the high foot traffic.
Good seafood spot on Catalina! The highlight of this meal was the Rockefeller oysters! I got the seafood pasta with garlic sauce and I wish it was a little saltier. the clam chowder and san dab was good. The tacos was alright. the waiter, justice, was super nice!
I sat at the bar and Nicolas (apologies in advance for misspelling) was friendly and attentive. I had asked for his opinion on two dishes and he suggested the lobster roll (as he prefers to order it), and it was PERFECT. Tasty, flavorful, well portioned. Coleslaw was good and French fries were well seasoned (Don't let the presentation fool you) Thank you Nicolas!
The Lobster Trap is a local favorite on Catalina Island for casual seafood and drinks. We came here just before lunch started, but they let us order from the regular menu anyways. It's a cute fisherman-themed restaurant with bar seating, as well as counter seating where you watch the chefs prepare food. As a tourist, I had no idea of what to eat on the island, and looked at the top most popular choices. This is the choice that was not a chain restaurant. - New England Clam Chowder (bread bowl) Pretty good, creamy, perfectly thick, clam chowder with no-nonsense ingredients; a good amount of clam and small potato cubes. I love it when a clam chowder's main chunks are just clam and potatoes. The bread was good due to being toasted, but didn't have too much taste or chew as a sourdough. It was more like white bread. It would have been nice if garnished with some herb, but I understand the concept of a simple and plain fisherman's meal! It's expensive for a chowder, though, and wish we had a bit more. - Lobster Roll Costs $30 and comes with fries or coleslaw, with choice of white bun, wheat, or sliced sourdough bread. I wasn't even asked for my selections - they just chose for me, which was actually my preference. They serve fresh lobster caught on the coast, but unfortunately I went off-season. The lobster is mixed in a creamy tarragon sauce (which was barely present - seems they more slathered it onto the bread than the lobster) and while I could tell it was from frozen, there were a lot of thick chunks. The fries needed seasoning, and the bread roll seemed odd with the lobster; I'm used to delicious buttery rolls, but this was just like a plain bread crossed with an English muffin. The Lobster Trap, dare I say it, almost seemed like a trap, but I did think the fare seemed overall accessible for seafood in a tourist strip. They were also very nice and accommodating, and I loved the lemon slices with our water. Our small meal was overall expensive and not too filling, but it was enough to get us through the day.
Local place to get some good local catch lobster. Unfortunately the season for catching fresh lobster was Oct-March. But they still have some frozen catch from the season. Food: * coconut shrimp *lobster-good but was drench in some cream/butter, wish I knew,I like it just steamed. *clam chowder - very good, very filling. *sea bass- fresh and tasty (lemon and garlic) * halibut- fresh and yummy (garlic and caper sauce) The seafood is very fresh, maybe not the healthiest prepared..., but a ll very tasty and casual atmosphere. Service is really good. Seems to be a local spot.
The Lobster Trap was one of the restaurants we dined at on our trip to Catalina Island. We all thoroughly enjoyed our food. The service was attentive and to top it off, we saw Blueface dining there and we took pictures with him! The ambiance was casual and very busy. There are TVs there to watch the game. I saw a bar. This place is great for families and friends getting together. I think you should call to get on a waitlist. It's a popular restaurant. I ordered 3 tacos and seemed vegetables. My sister ordered a pasta dish and the other ladies orders I don't remember but I will post their dishes because I took pictures. I like The Lobster Trap. It has a nice vibe. I truly enjoyed my tacos.
*Fresh fish- locally caught and sourced which is a huge plus *Delicious and creamy clam chowder which I had both times I went and liked. * Got the Seafood Kabob- the swordfish was delish... but overall kinda bland when it came to seasoning/ flavor * clam strips were yummy *The monkey balls were tasty but a little too oily (yes I know they are fried) *Full bar with several beach favorite cocktails *Service was hit or miss. Went there when it was busy and the server was amazingly attentive. The second time was after the lunch rush and not very busy but our server was just not on their game.
Lobster trap is absolutely one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Avalon. This is also a local favorite since they open long hours all year round. I really like the newly expanded space, it's very open and bright. Still as lively as usual. The menu is huge with a great variety. Drinks are tasty and very strong. My favorites are lobster roll, fresh lobster, grilled oysters, steamed clams and fresh whole fish. They don't always serve whole fish but when they have that we always order it. The service is always very friendly. This place is a great option for all day eats with great prices!
So we started off in the bar area near the bathroom, the smell of the cleaner was too much, I was getting nauseous and just couldn't. We asked our server who was very understanding if she could move us. We waited for a new table which didn't take long. I was a little skeptical of ordering steak at a lobster joint on an island but why not live on the edge... we also ordered the swordfish and lemon chicken. The lemon chicken was not a favorite but the swordfish and the steak were on point. The swordfish was not fishy, had good texture and was super enjoyable. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium and veggies were good as well. The thing that set this apart from most restaurants was our server. She was extremely kind, helpful and went above to make sure we were all comfortable and taken care of. If I get back to Catalina this will be our go to.
The golf cart rental guy recommended this place to me when I returned my cart. It was a short walk and I was greeted warmly by the hostess. She had a ponytail and was wearing khaki shorts. She gave me a great little high top by the window so I could have good lighting to record some content. I ordered the lobster roll, because when in Rome.... My server, Maricela was delightful. The place was pretty busy, but I didn't mind. I could have sworn the lobster roll was $18. I've never had a lobster roll. It seemed to have a decent amount of meat, but it was messy to eat. The meat kept falling out. The bread should not have been cut in half, maybe leave one side connected. I also ordered the clam chowder to go, which I haven't had yet.The fries were TERRIBLE! They were extremely skinny, small and scrawny. Clearly, just some off brand frozen fries from the grocery store. Super disappointing. But the most disappointing thing was the bill. The lobster roll was $34!!!!! OMG, $51 for one person for lunch. Dang, buyer beware.
We decided to walk to The Lobster Trap for dinner on our first night in Catalina. The place was pretty busy, but we were seated by a window right away, and ordered our drinks. Our server came over pretty quick and we ordered the steamed artichoke to start. It was brought to the table and was hot with cups of mayo and butter. It was perfectly cooked, and we enjoyed it very much. Mr. B ordered a cup of clam chowder that was really tasty and the fish and chips for dinner. I chose the mushroom asparagus cheese tortellini dish and chose the cream sauce. Our meals came out fast and we dug in. Mr. B enjoyed the fish, it was crispy and seasoned well. The fries were barely room temperature so that was a disappointment. But the fish was more than enough and the portion of fries was huge. As for my pasta, the tortellini was good, the mushrooms and trimmed asparagus were cooked well, but the cream sauce was not the consistency of alfredo sauce which I expected, it was thin and a bit watery. I think their seafood dishes are probably better. The flavor of our dishes were really good. Mr. B and I would eat there again, he would have the fish again. I would probably choose another dish or a different sauce. The atmosphere was really fun, and our view out the window people watching was great too.
1 year ago
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
5 months ago
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
8 months ago
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
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
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
4 months ago
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
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
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
5 months ago
Their Cesar salad was crunchy and refreshing. If you're unsure about what to drink you cannot go wrong with their Paloma! read more
6 months ago
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
2 months ago
2 months ago
4 months ago
We came on a Saturday night around 5:00PM and the restaurant was already crowded but we were able to get two seats at the bar. My friend and I shared the crab cakes as well as a lobster roll. I was unfortunately disappointed in both. I felt like overall, the food was average. The crab cakes were very dill-forward and flat, and I'm used to crab cakes that are more packed. The lobster roll was okay, but it didn't taste like a traditional lobster roll given the bread choices, garlic sauce, and the lobster wasn't as good as it could've been. One thing I did like was they didn't charge for water which I was surprised about at other spots in Avalon until I looked up the reasons why. read more
5 months ago
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
5 months ago
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
Stopped by when I was in Catalina a few days ago. Clam chowder - despite how it looks (lacking color). It actually tastes good. It might be a little thick for some. But I didn't mind the thickness. Would've preferred oyster crackers instead of saltines though. "Lobster roll" as they called it - this was very disappointing. I had the choice of white. Wheat or sourdough. I went with wheat. I didn't realize it was going to be burger buns. This burger bun was pretty dense. It muted the flavor and taste of the lobster. There also wasn't a lot of lobster. As for the lobster roll. I think it's having a hard identifying what it wants to be. It's not a Maine inspired roll - it lacked the mayo spread. It's not Connecticut - there was no butter. It did come the burger stuff in the side. Though that's not how I eat my lobster rolls. Would I come back? Eh I don't know. For clam chooser. But not the roll. read more
5 months ago
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
2 months ago
We don't have enough good things to say about this place! Everything was fantastic from the service to the vibe. Our server was amazing and attentive. The food was absolutely fantastic, so worth the stop while you are in Catalina read more
Went to Catalina island for a couple days and was told this place was a must. I sat at the bar and Alex was super energetic and overall killing it. The place seems like it's constantly busy but they do a good job keeping up with the pace. The decor in there is awesome and gives the place a good vibe. I ordered a Michelada and lobster eggs Benedict. The Michelada was made proper and the meal itself I have no words. It was so delicious I enjoyed every bite. I definitely recommend this place! read more
2 years ago
As one of the very few dining options during the off season, The Lobster Trap is a great option. They recently re-did the restaurant and it looks great! A lot more welcoming with big windows and pretty ambiance, while still keeping their cheeky and funny signs on the walls. We came for an earlier dinner, which was a good idea as they ended up on a wait due to the limited options on the island this time of year. We were seated in their upper "boat" area which is always fun. The food was yummy and our server was attentive. read more
1 year ago
Cute lobster joint on the beachfront with lots of seafood options. The cocktails are strong. We got a Paloma and a naughty mule. We got jalapeño poppers. We also ordered the lobster roll warm with fries. We didn't expect it to come out on a burger bun. The server was friendly. read more
1 month ago
2 years ago
I don't quite get why they have such amazing reviews. We came here based on the reviews and while the food was fine, it was pretty expensive and definitely not worth the price we paid. The ambiance is casual and obviously sea-themed. The floor is definitely interesting as they have stones covered with a transparent laminate so go with the ocean theme. We ordered a yellowtail sandwich and a fish and chips with half and half (fries and coleslaw). The yellowtail was ok. It needed more than the sauce and accompanying veggies to make it flavorful. The fish and chips were definitely the better of the two dishes we ordered. The breading was not super thick and the fish inside was not overcooked. The accompanying fries and coleslaw were ok, fried being better than the slaw. Their peach cider was very good. Again, nothing bad about the food, just not worth the price we paid for it. read more
8 months ago
23 days ago
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6 months ago
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
4 stars only because these Chargrilled Oysters were just not it. No flavor. Too much cheese. I was expecting a NOLA type vibe. Ordered the chicken wings as an appetizer with plans to get seafood after but the wings were SO GOOD that I ended up ordering more and having that as my entree. Best wings in Catalina! No complains! Sever was super cool too! The wings are the main star though! 10/10!! read more
1 year ago
If you're visiting Catalina Island, The Lobster Trap is an absolute must! The ambiance is the perfect blend of laid-back island vibes and lively local energy--fun music, nautical décor, and a warm, welcoming feel that makes you want to linger. The service was outstanding--friendly, attentive, and quick, even though the place was bustling. You can tell the staff genuinely enjoy what they do, and it adds so much to the experience. Now, the food... wow. The steamed artichoke is a hidden gem--perfectly cooked, tender, and paired with a dipping sauce that makes it addictive. I also had the fish sandwich, and it might just be the best I've ever had: fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Whether you're here for a casual bite or a full-on seafood feast, this spot nails it. Great food, great people, and a true Catalina Favorite. read more
1 year ago
We were recommended to eat here from some locals and it did not disappoint! Great cocktails and food! The service was great! We loved the decor. read more
1 month ago
My friend and I came here for lunch during our day trip to Santa Catalina Island. The interior was fairly spacious with much fish decor, photos and signage all around. There was a comfortable, familiar feel to the place. I went for one of the fish entrees, and was able to choose the fresh fish, as well as how it was prepared. I selected the Macadamia Crusted Sea Bass, which was served with steamed vegetables and baked potato or rice pilaf. I decided to have it with baked potato because I thought it would come with all the fixings. However, it only had butter, sour cream and green onion - No bacon or cheese much to my disappointment. The potato was very bland. Steamed veggies included broccoli, carrots, zucchini and had very little taste. At least I enjoyed the Sea Bass, which was tender with a slight crisp from the well seasoned and satisfyingly nutty macadamia crust. Service was solid. Our waiter was friendly and helpful with the menu. Pricing was on the higher side, but on par with other restaurants in the area. I wasn't impressed with my meal, so wouldn't return. read more
1 year ago
Nicki is the hostess with the most-ess! Sat at the bar and had Freddie as our bartender. He was attentive and so personable. Ordered the Caesar salad with blackened chicken and a hard boiled egg. Delicious. Cold beer and a shot to cap off the afternoon. Thanks Lobster Trap! read more
29 days ago
1 year ago
Just strolling around the area and found this great spot for some seafood! Food was great! Just surprised how they serve calamari that way read more
More info about The Lobster Trap
128 Catalina Ave
Avalon, CA 90704
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(310) 510-8585
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https://www.catalinalobstertrap.com
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What's the wait time like for two people on Friday nights?
We ate on a Sunday and we always eat early. We had half the restaurant to ourselves. They do take reservations! Hope this helps your decision.
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The Lobster Trap - seafood - Updated September 2026
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