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    El Galleon

    3.9 (440 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    El Galleon Photos

    Business Info

    EL GALLEON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    More like El Galleon

    Recommended Reviews - El Galleon

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    Calena A.

    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.

    Spinach Artichoke Dip, Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, Classic Smash Burger
    Matthew B.

    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!

    The front entrance
    Ki D.

    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

    Flank and fries! Obsessed
    Lin F.

    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.

    Caesar salad (with chicken)

    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.

    Kids chicken strips box
    Jona H.

    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!

    Bill W.

    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.

    Christian G.

    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.

    Shrimp linguine and Smash burger

    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!

    Fish tacos
    Karla P.

    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.

    Spinach dip
    Aria R.

    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.

    Calamari steak strips @ El Galleon, Avalon,CA 1/26/26
    Chris C.

    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.

    Calamari starter

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    24 days ago

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    5 months ago

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    Jim U.

    Thank you so much for your business. Truly appreciate it.

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    6 months ago

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    Jim U.

    Thank you so much! We will give Isaac a shout out!

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    1 year ago

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    Luis A.

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    4 months ago

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

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    5 months ago

    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!

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    11 months ago

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    Page 1 of 11

    El Galleon Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Galleon

    What is hightop seating?

    High tops are the same height as a traditional bar. Regular tables are 32 inches off the floor, high tops are 42” where you sit on a chair with longer legs and generally a foot rail or a situation with your feet do not touch the ground. They’re very… 

    What's the restaurants number? I tried calling but it doesn't even ring. It says the number isn't set up?

    Try 310-874-6368 We have been having phone line issues and this is direct to the GM LUIS>

    What time is Happy Hour? We'll be visiting at the end of September. Thanks!

    If I remember correctly it was 3-6 but at the bar only. You have to sit at the bar.

    I've been trying to reach this establishment for the last few days. No one answers the phone. I've sent a DM on instagram, I've emailed the general manager all to no avail. I was wondering if they take reservations?

    Email info@bluewatergrill.com

    Is karaoke back and also can I bring my dog?

    Will karaoke be available in august?

    Thank

    Is karaoke available again?

    As soon as teh Governor allows it we will start! Sorry

    Would we need to make reservations ahead of time? Taking a trip in May, thanks!

    What time does this place really closes? Just went there at 10pm and it's closed.

    Hi when we've been there, they're open late (1:30am) on Friday and Saturday nights

    View All 12 Questions

    Luau Larry's - Oysters

    Luau Larry's

    3.7(809 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    •$$

    She had their signature wiki wacker rum drink with the free straw hat…read more Nice experience. We sat at the end table and looked out from inside.

    We came to Luau Larry's with high hopes because we had heard so many great things about the…read moreatmosphere and drinks. Unfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing... We were a large party of 14 adults and 2 children. Before entering, we specifically asked if children were allowed inside and were told they were, as long as they stayed seated at a table and did not sit at the bar. Based on that, we decided to come in. Some of our group had already ordered drinks at the bar, and we were given two tables.. Unfortunately, there was some kind of miscommunication with one of the servers. He apparently understood that part of our group was only going to sit at the table and not order anything. In reality, our entire group was there to order drinks; we simply weren't all ordering at the exact same time.. Instead of clarifying the misunderstanding, the server became extremely rude and kicked members of our party out while the rest of us were already ordering drinks. The way the situation was handled was completely unnecessary and unprofessional... It escalated so quickly that nobody wanted to argue or make a bigger scene, so the people who had not yet ordered simply left.. What makes this even more frustrating is that this was a large group of adults who were planning to drink.. With 14 adults and only two children, the restaurant easily lost hundreds of dollars in potential drink sales because of how the situation was handled... To be fair, the bartenders who helped us with our first round were actually nice and friendly.. Unfortunately, the interaction with the server completely ruined the experience for us. The drinks themselves also weren't anything particularly special... We probably should have asked to speak with a manager at the time, but everything happened so quickly that we just decided it wasn't worth the hassle.. We came in excited to check out a place we'd heard so much about, but unfortunately left extremely disappointed. Based on this experience, we won't be returning...

    Photos
    Luau Larry's - Inside

    Inside

    Luau Larry's - Ahi Tuna

    Ahi Tuna

    Luau Larry's - Bahama Mama and Spicy Mexican Lolli

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    Bahama Mama and Spicy Mexican Lolli

    Coyote Joe's - FIRE

    Coyote Joe's

    2.8(655 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    •$$

    Most Recently: May 30, 2026 | Coyote Joe's is an amazing Mexican restaurant with a variety of…read moreoptions on the menu! It's also a wonderful place to go if you want a late night bite, as it's open late until 2 AM! Fish & Chips | Delicious & flavorful alongside tartar sauce, & filling! Under From the Sea is where you will find this dish! Salmon Plate | Yes, please! Generous portion of salmon! It's a tasty dish, alongside flavorful rice and beans! Chips & Salsa | I really enjoyed the crispy tortillas and flavorful salsa! Chocolate Cake | Decadent! I did share with friends, as to the rest, I enjoyed every chocolatey bite! Haha! Decor | Festive & fun! A coyote sits on top of the frame of the restaurant and a vibrant Marigold entrance welcomes you at the door! Restaurant is very colorful, rich colors all around, as well as photos and artwork! I was also here when it was decorated for the holidays in October of 2025! Seating indoor as well as on the outdoor huge patio! I've enjoyed both! Customer Service | Wildly friendly! Hi, Nancy! I know Nancy from around the island, at another location! As soon as we spotted each other inside of the restaurant, we screamed, but not loud (hahaha!) and hugged each other! I had no idea that she worked here! Always fun to see a friendly face! Late Night Bite | Open late night until 2AM! Many of the restaurants on the island closed before 10 and sometimes before 9 AM! Overall | Yes, Please! An array of flavorful dishes, festive atmosphere, and friendly customer service... Let's go!

    Beer was warm and flat. Margarita was weak…read more We finally got our food at least 1/2 hour after serving. My husband's food was barely warm. Mine was hot but it was terrible. I took five bites and I was done. Do not EVER eat here.

    Photos
    Coyote Joe's - Decor during October!

    Decor during October!

    Coyote Joe's - Special burrito they are known for. Shredded beef for Jake. Superb! Size for three people!

    Special burrito they are known for. Shredded beef for Jake. Superb! Size for three people!

    Coyote Joe's - Happy hour Paloma

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    Happy hour Paloma

    Topside by NDMK - surprise chocolate cake

    Topside by NDMK

    4.1(229 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    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.

    Photos
    Topside by NDMK
    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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    Rooftop at night with lights and ambiance

    The Lobster Trap - Bread bowl

    The Lobster Trap

    3.8(2.6k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$

    I dined here 10 years ago during my last visit to Avalon and it happened to be recommended to me…read morethat it was still a popular place to eat so I returned for dinner last night. The location is one block from the waterfront and features one large room with a full bar, dining room and then a bar with stools next to the open kitchen all with a nautical theme to it. The restaurant has a vibrant feeling to it. I ordered a cup of the clam chowder ($8) and upon the recommendation of the waitress pucker the seafood pasta ($32) for the entree. The chowder arrived about 5 minutes later and was perfect. Delicious, rich, creamy and flavorful, it was as good as any that I have had (5). The entree arrived about 15 minutes after ordering and had shrimp, scallops, clams and fish on spaghetti in a marinara sauce. Quantity wise it was plenty. Taste wise left me wanting a little more. First, I don't like fish in this dish and should have asked it not be included. My fault. I prefer just the shrimp, scallops, clams, etc. Also the marinara was ok in taste but not my favorite. I gave the entree a 3. I would have preferred it with the also available garlic butter and olive oil sauce instead. Service was very good. I am going to give a 4 score here because I think that my entree dislike was more of an anomaly than normal. I would be happy to return.

    Cecilia was scattered covered and covered She forgot my…read morebeer and had to be reminded By the time I got my beer I was deep into my meal She never even let me know she was late and apologized Only go for breakfast that is the best time

    Photos
    The Lobster Trap
    The Lobster Trap - French toast

    French toast

    The Lobster Trap - Oysters Rockafeller $26

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    Oysters Rockafeller $26

    El Galleon - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

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