Santa Catalina Island Restaurant Tips by GracesTrips Top 5 Page for this destination

Channel House Restaurant: Not bad, not great

I suppose I expected more. The first night we had dinner last year in Catalina, we ate here. The dinner we order at that time was okay, not great. I didn't realize that this was the same place until we walked in. I wanted to make reservations at the Country Club restaurant but they had a special wine dinner with set meal. My boyfriend isn't good with not being able to choose what he would like to eat and my daughter and her boyfriend are not old enough yet to drink wine. So, I made reservations at the Channel House. This time I ordered the Filet Mignon. A bit expensive but it was good. My boyfriend had the rack of lamb. He said it was okay. The kids had the shrimp scampi and they didn't say much. You can dine inside or outside. So, I don't know that I would recommend dinner here but it wasn't bad.

Address: 205 Crescent Ave., Avalon, CA 90704

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 310.510.1617

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 3

Theme: American

C. C. Gallagher: Latte and Scrumptious Dessert!

This appears to be a gift store but the surprise is inside. There is no Starbuck's on the island but this comes pretty close to it. You can get your latte fix and a gourmet dessert to boost. My boyfriend and I had coffee and dessert for breakfast. It's not cheap, the bill came to $22. But I thoroughly enjoyed it! The gift store part of the store has some wonderful wares for sale. From books to perfume to serving dishes to wine to purses, etc. This is one of my favorite places to go to!

Favorite Dish: Fresh fruit tart was just great! The raspberries were flavorful and just a tad of dark chocolate lined the bottom of the crust beneath the creamy custard. My boyfriend had a slice of Blackout chocolate cake. It was very rich. They also have a variety of regular pastries and croissant sandwiches, cheese wedges to have with wine and granola fruit cups. They also have frappacinos.

Address: 523 Crescent Ave., Avalon, CA 90704

Comparison: more expensive than average

Other Contact: Info@CCGallagher.com

Phone: 310.510.1278

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Dessert

Antonio's Pizzeria: Good Pizza!

Food was suprisingly good. I just wanted one slice of pizza. You can't have just a slice if you dine inside. If you order outside, you can. Inside, the place is decorated with very old 8X10 photos of 50's and 60's movie stars. Lots of old memorabilia like beer signs and mounted buffalo head.

There's two of them in town. One on 230 Crescent Avenue. Their phone number is 310.510.0008. We ate at the one on Sumner.

Favorite Dish: Pizza

Address: 114 Sumner Ave., Avalon, CA 90704

Comparison: less expensive than average

Other Contact: antonios@catalinaisp.com

Phone: 310.510.0060

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Pizza

Cold Stone Creamery: I Scream, U Scream for Ice Cream!

There is no Starbucks on Avalon but they have a Cold Stone! If you haven't tried, you should. They take your favorite flavor(s) of ice cream and mash in nuts, candies, fruit, cake, whatever you like. It's pretty good. I prefer gelato but this is pretty good, too!

Address: 118 Sumner Ave., Avalon, CA 90704

Comparison: about average

Phone: 310.510.8951

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Ice Cream

Website: http://www.coldstonecreamery.com

Mi Casita: Mexican Food

FYI, I have not had a meal here but thought I would provide the information.

Favorite Dish: Don't know.

Address: 111 Claressa Ave., Avalon, CA 90704

Directions: Saturday and Sunday 10 am- 3 pm
Monday through Friday 10:30 am - 3 pm

Other Contact: micasita@catalinaisp.com

Phone: 310.510.1772

Rating: 0

Theme: Mexican

The Pancake Cottage: Another Great Breakfast place

They serve breakfast until 3 pm. I woke up with a hangover and a traditional breakfast didn't sound good. So, I ordered the lox served on bagel with cream cheese. I substituted the potatoes for cottage cheese. Lettuce, tomato and onion (I didn't have the onions) along with the meal. It was very good.

Address: 603 Crescent Ave., Avalon, CA 90704

Comparison: about average

Phone: 310.510.0726

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Breakfast

Country Club Restaurant: Upscale Dining Experience

Very Elegant. You can dine inside or outside (depending on the weather). A great view from inside the restaurant overlooking the harbor. Harald had the wild boar (sounds exotic but basically it tastes like pork) and I had the filet mignon. We ordered the roasted duck appetizer which we shared. We were allowed to bring our own bottle of wine (corking fee was applicable). Service was good and the ambience was wonderful!

Address: 1 Country Club Dr, Avalon, CA

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Up the Hill by the Catalina Canyon Resort

Phone: 310 510-7404

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/poin_countryClub.php

Joe's Place: Good Breakfast!

Right on Main Street. I had an interesting breakfast. I thought it was suppose to be an omelet but it was a scramble of eggs, bell peppers, cheese and tortilla chips served with salsa and potatoes. The tortilla chips in the scramble were really good!

Address: On Main Street

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Diner