What Is a Food Tour on Catalina Island — and Is It the Best Way to Experience Avalon's Restaurant Scene?

Sometimes when you’re traveling, food might be an afterthought. In Avalon, it can be rather convenient to  pick up a pizza for dinner, grab some fish tacos for lunch, and maybe get a little sweet treat on a whim. However, when you come to visit Catalina, there is such a great selection of restaurants to choose from; You’ll want to make some plans to maximize your opportunities for island dining. In addition to traditional vacation fare, Catalina has developed a rather strong food scene for foodies with a more adventurous palate–that is, if you know where to go. Enter: Catalina Food Tours. 

On a Catalina Food Tour, you’ll get to experience a walking tour of Avalon as you sample some of the best and most well loved culinary offerings on the island. Want to discover the best (and the most fun) way to experience Avalon’s restaurant scene? Read on to learn more about Catalina Food Tours.

The basics: A typical Catalina Food Tour is about 2.5 hours long. You won’t miss a beach day or a night out on the town since your activity is packed into a set block of time. On this excursion, you’ll visit at least five different specialty food shops and restaurants in Avalon. The items you will sample include acclaimed local entrees, desserts, and beverages. Tours are available daily, and all year round; you just need to book ahead to reserve your spot. There is a 10 guest maximum for our food tours. Please note: Because alcoholic beverages are served in some tour locations, participants should be 21 and up. 

Get your walking shoes on: A Catalina Food Tour is a walking tour of Avalon. Our guides will lead you through town as you learn a bit about Avalon, its food, its landmarks, and even some local lore and history. The total distance you’ll cover on foot is about one mile. The tours are wheelchair accessible.

Concerned about aversions or allergies? We are happy to make some substitutions for you. When you book your food tour, please be sure to specify if you have specific allergies or food aversions. That way, our participating eateries can be prepared to serve you ahead of time.

Why reserve a food tour instead of just making dinner reservations? A Catalina Food Tour offers so much more than just a dinner out. You’ll truly explore the town, and you won’t just enjoy food; there’s culture and camaraderie as well. Plus, you’ll get to try so many different island delights–from fresh seafood to local specialty cocktails and even some salt water taffy.

Where will we go? The tour begins at the Wrigley Fountain, located on Crescent Avenue where it intersects with Sumner Avenue, just in front of the stage. While food tour locations are subject to change, some of our favorite local stops include: 

• Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co: We like a blended Coffee Toffee Crunch.

• Topside by NDMK:  Surf and turf sliders are a fun starter!

• NDMK: where you’ll find the best poke bowls on the island.

• El Galleon: Come for firecracker shrimp; stay for night time karaoke!

• Catalina Charlie’s: A quesabirria taco here hits the spot. 

• Lloyd’s of Avalon: Try the saltwater taffy, or choose from some of the more than 250 different bulk candy selections.

• The Marlin Club: At Catalina’s kitchsy dive bar, try a mini beer shot or a Channel Island Chi Chi.

• Bluewater Avalon: Crab cakes, crab dip, or crispy calamari? 

• Steve’s Steakhouse and Seafood Some fun starters include: artichoke fritters, blackened mahi, or ponzu scallops on the half shell. 

• Cafe Metropole: The perfect place for some healthy snacks and smoothies. 

• Maggie’s Blue Rose: Have some street corn, some queso fundido, or a signature margarita. 

• Luau Larry’s: Another favorite watering hole–where you can get your wiki whacked, IYKYK.

Tour stops usually include about 5 to 6 places. This gives you the chance to really try all kinds of food and drink while you’re visiting Catalina. 

Traveling with a big group? You have the option to book a custom, private tour with Catalina Food Tours. We can make accommodations for your group, and you’ll plan ahead with our team to establish the details for your personalized food tour. 

A Catalina Food Tour is the best way to experience Avalon’s restaurant scene. Maybe your hotel provides a continental breakfast. Perhaps you plan to go out for happy hour.  But nothing compares to the experience you have when you take a food tour on Catalina Island. Cruising through Avalon with a local guide to some of the town’s best eateries is like stamping a food passport at each new location.  

Are you ready to book your Food Tour?  Tours run daily–rain or shine–in Avalon. Questions about making a personalized food tour for your crew? Give us a call at 310-961-3730. If you’re ready to reserve a food tour date, check out our availability here.