This place is amazing! Everything was fresh and delicious! Shout out to our waiter Omar for recommending the Sea Bass. They somehow know how to make grilled Sea Bass taste like bacon! We came here twice while on our trip. Had the Calamari Steak and the Seafood Pasta as well. Everything was great! They also were cautious of my food sensitivities read more

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. read more

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*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. read more

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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

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. read more

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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! read more

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First time here. Great ambiance, great service and very friendly bartender. Hayley makes a great bloody mary. We had the smoked salmon appetizer which was very good. Will come back again. read more

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

I have to say the staff here did really well considering how busy it was during lunch. The woman at the front never stopped smiling and got people in and out quickly and efficiently. The lobster taco was easily the star of the afternoon. For $12, it was loaded with lobster meat. Next would have to be the bacon wrapped scallops! They were divine. The fish n chips were also great. Outside was nice and crispy while the inside was glistening. I also recommend the sea bass taco. With a lunch like this, I'd bet everything on the menu is great! If you're on Catalina Island, stop here! read more

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I really enjoyed coming here on the cruise stop in Catalina. The ceviche was so good snd fresh, and the chips were very crunchy. The gentleman who served us was very nice snd helpful and provided good recommendations. It was a great atmosphere, very tourist friendly. read more

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I had a breakfast and dinner here during my last Catalina visit. The rain and wind caused boat cancellations on 2 days during my stay; several restaurants I was planning to visit subsequently never bothered to open. Lobster Trap is an old reliable standby, a usual stop for me, popular with locals and visitors alike. I would rank Lobster Trap #1 for breakfast in Avalon, before Pancake Cottage and Original Jack's. Naughty Fox is good for breakfast, but doesn't open until 9 am and only 3 days a week in the winter. I ordered the shrimp fajita omelet and it was fine. Note that on the current menu, none of the breakfast entrees come with toast, which is different from the online non-updated menu! I prefer the more costly lobster omelet that I got last time. The breakfast menu has quite a few options--usual choices, seafood, Mexican, Hawaiian-ish, gluten lovers. My dinner choice was clam chowder and local spiny lobster, which was $58. The chowder was nice, quite thick but lots of clams. Served with regular saltines, not oyster crackers. The spiny lobster was quite nice. These lobsters don't have claws, just a large tail that was stuffed with a bay shrimp stuffing. There were fresh veggies (carrots and zucchini) and I chose a baked potato (instead of rice pilaf). Reliably consistent with regards to food, service and open hours, Lobster Trap will continue to be a regular stop for me. read more

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Lobster Benedict, chicken fried steak, some jaeger bombs and mimosa and you're good! Mara was the best server! This is now a regular stop when on Catalina Island! read more

The Lobster Trap - Chicken fried Steak! - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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I tried the cioppino, seafood entree and oysters and I definitely recommend their oysters. They tasted fresh and were a good size. It was $21 for 6 pieces. The cioppino was on the watery side and the seafood entree was pricy and wasn't anything too special. Service was super friendly and accommodating. My friend is allergic to shrimp and they were able to swap out shrimp for more scallops on the cioppino. read more

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I rarely write reviews, but I feel a responsibility to share this experience. We dined at The Lobster Trap on our first evening in Catalina. My daughter and I ordered a variety of dishes so we could try a bit of everything. One of the items was the cioppino, which only I ate (she did not). At approximately 3:30 AM, I woke up with severe stomach pain, intense cramping, and back pain. What followed was hours of vomiting and diarrhea that completely wiped me out. I was unable to sleep and ultimately lost the entire next day of our trip due to how sick I was. My daughter, who ate everything except the cioppino, was completely fine. Based on the timing and symptoms, this strongly points to something in that dish. I'm not writing this to be dramatic or unfair--things can happen--but this was severe enough to significantly impact our trip, and I believe other guests should be aware. I would strongly encourage the restaurant to review food handling and freshness protocols, particularly with seafood dishes like cioppino. I truly hope this was an isolated incident, but I would advise others to proceed with caution. Regrettably our 1st trip to Catalina was severely impacted and we won't be returning to this restaurant ever again. read more

The Lobster Trap - Receipt of our dinner order. - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Friendly atmosphere. The restaurant was busy, but your orders come out quick. I see a lot of teamwork. When we needed refills, another waitress would accommodate. I was disappointed on their cioppino dish. It needed more variety of seafoods. Mostly fishes and shrimps as shown on picture. I would definitely be back. I want to try other dishes on the menu. read more

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We stopped by Lobster Trap while visiting Catalina Island and overall had a really good experience. The clam chowder was excellent -- rich, comforting, and full of flavor. We also started with the crab cakes, which were well-seasoned, flavorful, and a great appetizer. The only downside was the lobster roll. The portion of lobster meat was generous and definitely a good value, but the meat itself was very plain and lacked seasoning. A little melted butter or some Old Bay would have made a big difference and really elevated the dish. That said, the quality of the food overall was solid, and with a small tweak to the lobster roll, this place would be even better. I'd still recommend stopping by, especially for the chowder and crab cakes. read more

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

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We spent Christmas here in Catalina and just adored it. I was thinking that I want to live there even though it's a bit touristy. Most people take golf carts to get around town. If I were to move here there are two requirements that are must haves; a golf cart and a boat. Most definitely! Okay now to the Lobster Trap. The thing was that a lot of restaurants and stores were closed because of the holiday but some were open because it's a favorite tourist destination. This spot was right across the street from our hotel so that was so nice and convenient. It was very busy but after a short wait we were seated. My daughter and I ordered some jalapeño poppers to get us started, I mean it's not the best choice for a seafood restaurant but we love them and they were excellent with a excellent ranch dip on the side. My son and I both got the New England Clam chowder in a bread bowl that was so yummy but so huge we couldn't finish it. My daughter got the fish and chips and just loved it. Joe got the seafood sandwich which he loved. Our waitress was adorable and I wish I remembered her name but she was a beautiful Hispanic gal. Even though it was crowded we got excellent service. very timely and we had a great high top table that was separate from the large dining room which was nice, less noisy. When I come back and I will to back to visit this will be the first on my list. read more

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As hyped up as The Lobster Trap is in Catalina Island, it lives up to its name and reputation with rich seafood dishes and generous portions. By taking into account the food options on the island and the quality/quantity of food, The Lobster Trap is a solid 4 star. Food quality was great as the lobster roll and clam chowder had great depth in flavor. The lobster was cooked to perfection and not rubbery at all. Great seasoning and use of their seasoning and mayo to give nice texture and moistures. There was a lot of quantity of lobster (my picture doesn't do it justice because half of it is spilled at the bottom when I was slicing the sandwich). Just keep in mind that it took longer for me to get the food. The clam chowder was unique as it had a lot of depth in clam flavor and cheesiness, which made the dish creamier and richer than a normal clam chowder (comparing to Seattle's chowders and others I've had in Europe). Don't be fooled by the pictures, the clam chowder is a sizable portion that is probably 2-3 servings. I happened to share with 3 people as a side. Service-wise was straight forward and efficient. Simple and no extraneous talks or back-and-fortha other than ordering food and servers supplying us with water. Keep in mind that this place can get busy if you don't go at opening hours (my family and I happened to get there right when it opened and got seating quickly, but it looked like there were a lot of people after we finished eating). Overall, great place to eat if you're on the islands and looking for seafood. It can be pricier, but it is worth it for better food especially on Catalina. Ambiance was traditionally setup like a seaport bar or hub. There were a lot of fun sea animal props, which added to the "lobster" and "ocean" vibe. read more

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It's called the lobster trap cause you get trapped into going multiple times on the same day! First photo is a limited edition lobster burger-when someone in the kitchen messes up but sends it out anyways. (Delicious mistake btw) Second is actually right after dinner. Have you ever eaten at a fancy diner and the gf is still hungry-you end up at McDonald's? Yep, sort of like that but with more lobster. Anyways, no need to say how deliciousmaxxed it was. The proof was in the pudding- I went multiple times on the same day. **I also met one of the chefs. He looked like a Latino Butcher, from The Boys. read more

The Lobster Trap - Round 2- same day, had to re-order for an actual roll. - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Wow, super spot, local catch, fresh new accommodating...... The food was fresh, well prepared and served with a smile. I would go back in a heartbeat. Everything was on point and it's in a great location right off the main strip. Easy enough for a few oldies to make it there from the ferry! read more

Great clam chowder, okay lobster roll, fantastic vibes all around. Reasonably priced for the quality of fish and very quick service. This place is better than some of the "fancier" seafood spots on the island. read more

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

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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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We came here for an afternoon drink and appetizers on a Tuesday. We sat at the bar. What made this experience five stars was how friendly the staff was. We had the jalapeño poppers and coconut shrimp for snacks. The coconut shrimp, especially the sauce that is provided with it, was absolutely delicious. I wish we had more of an appetite to try more of the menu. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Casual spot with excellent service. I originally went there for the spiny lobster(I am from the East Coast)but ended up getting hooked on the shrimp cocktail instead. The house made sauce was delicious: a little tangy with just the right amount of spice, and the avocado and chips paired perfectly with it. The lobster itself was simple and good, steamed and served with butter. I prefer spiny lobster over Boston lobster personally, and no claws to deal with. I'd definitely be a fan if they ever decided to make a lobster cocktail! read more

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A lively spot on Catalina Island, the popular restaurant had a bit of a wait when I went on a saturday evening. The interior was mostly wooden. The service was alright - the waiters still checked in every once in a while. But personally, the food was just alright for me. The ceviche just didn't taste that good and the chips were soggy. The vegetables weren't really seasoned. The fish was pretty good though! It was fresh, but nothing special. read more

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this place was a pretty decent clean seafood resto. we had the oysters in a half shell, seafood combo fish and chips, and lobster sandwich. server was nice and quick! read more

The Lobster Trap - oysters - 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

Catalina Island doesn't have many restaurants but hey, makes picking a place to eat easier right? So Lobster Trap, despite the name, gives many other yummy options besides lobsters. We got a lobster roll and sea bass and poke dish which kept us quite full during our time on Catalina Island. The poke was seasoned nicely and standard, not much more to it. The lobster roll is very generous with how much lobster they give you, the bread is a little dry and lackluster but hey, we're here for lobster. Not overcooked, the lobster lives up to the restaurant name. The sea bass was nice for its price and you have many ways to prepare it, I wonder if we had not gotten it fried if it'd have been more tender. We got it breaded so it felt a little dry but the sauces made the sea bass a lot better thankfully. Of course, nothing completes this meal out without a nice beer so don't forget that! All in all? This is a good place to eat at before you spend the rest of the day walking around (or golf carting around)! read more

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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

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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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

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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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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Kind of a tourist trap on the island but what isn't right? Service was great, relaxed cool vibes, but I've had better lobster rolls at their price. They offer different breads for the roll so make sure you ask. There are options on the menu for everyone so this is a decent spot for groups and families. I would rate this place a 3.5. read more

The Lobster Trap - Lobster roll (on French roll) - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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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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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

We loved this place because it was tucked on a side street in Catalina avoiding the mad traffic of cruisers (we were one of them). We got here a little early and were seated right away. However, about 45 mins after we got there there was a line outside. It took a bit of time to get our order in and to receive the drinks and food, but once it came it was delicious! I really enjoyed oysters and a lobster roll, the table had poke, other apps, soups and orders from the fish and chip part of the menu. Over all it was lovely lunch. read more

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

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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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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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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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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