Topside in Avalon was a really solid experience overall. The lobster ravioli was hands down the best thing we ordered — easily a 10/10 and worth coming back for by itself. We also tried the Portobello sandwich and the swordfish tacos; both were good and enjoyable, just a bit average for the price compared to the ravioli.
What really stood out was the service. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive, and we had almost no wait to get seated, which was a huge plus. The restaurant was clean, welcoming, and had a great vibe.
Not a perfect meal across the board, but definitely a great spot in Avalon and one I’d still recommend, especially for the lobster ravioli.
Amar Prasad
Went there for drinks while waiting for people in our group to finish their activities. Super friendly bar staff. Didn't order any food. Sat at the rooftop with some great views. There is no service on the rooftop. Cleaning up from the previous clients, glasses, bottles etc. could be timely.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Celena Hernandez
Came in at 2:50 on a Sunday. Stood by the door waiting to be seated. It was not busy. No one acknowledged we were there for awhile. After all of that time, the bar tender finally walked over and told us they were closed..... Closed at 2:50 on a Sunday?? Interesting when the hours state closed at 8:30pm and other patrons were in there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mary
I Love the food here, amazing spot for locals.
Kody Osborn
My favorite place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
matthew michlin
Who know if the food was any good. We were seated and then no one ever came to offer drinks or take our order. We left after 20 minutes.
Service: 1
Ann Lenz
Omar was great. He made sure we had everything we needed, he was friendly. The restaurant was clean and the food was excellent. We had the smash burger with fries and BLTA with Shrimp and fries and Buffalo wings. Everything tastes fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aaron A
If you’re able to get in contact with the restaurant they respond quickly and they helped me out with a special reservation for a Bachelor party dinner I was planing. I know the food is good here so I wanted to return with my friends for a special meal and drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Diana Schleisman
Omar is a great bartender. The Avalon Spritz is a fun and sweeter take on an Aperol Spritz but it's nice to have something custom named after the area. My husband got the pain killer and he said it was good. The rooftop views are fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Catch me if you Can R
Me, my wife and daughter came here and the bartender was an awesome dude. The food was very good. Pricy but good. 2nd time to the island and would come again.
We were there with a large party on a Sunday night at 6p and were the only other group in the restaurant. We had made a reservaton to ensure service. The greeting was strained. We were sat in the main room, the lights were on full blast. The server was nice, however, it took them 10 minutes after being seated to be greeted or given menus. They turned another group away just before 7p saying they were closed. I would have preferred to go to NDMK.
Trent Eisenberg
Fantastic restaurant with a great ocean view if you sit outside. We both ordered the surf and turn steak/lobster and it was incredible. Our server/bartender Omar was amazing! He was very welcoming and warm, is a local to the island and has lived there his entire life. He truly elevated the experience and took great care of us. Highly recommend this place for a nice dinner on the island
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sasha M
One of the nice, easygoing restaurants near the harbor. It’s never too crowded, so you can enjoy a quiet meal every time you visit. Sitting on the terrace is especially nice with a pleasant outdoor view. The food is generally quite good. I ordered hot tea, but they only gave a few tea bags with hot water — it felt a bit overpriced for what it was.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
John
The owners of this establishment should be ashamed. Their advertisement was grossly misleading and exaggerated. We travelled to Catalina Island from Dana Point and based on what Topside advertised we expected something nice. After looking the place over, all areas and levels, we left and will never return. Dark, in total disarray and not a single customer.
James Norcross
Had a great pre-wedding party, friendly, Great bar and good atmosphere
Topside in Avalon was a really solid experience overall. The lobster ravioli was hands down the best thing we ordered — easily a 10/10 and worth coming back for by itself. We also tried the Portobello sandwich and the swordfish tacos; both were good and enjoyable, just a bit average for the price compared to the ravioli.
What really stood out was the service. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive, and we had almost no wait to get seated, which was a huge plus. The restaurant was clean, welcoming, and had a great vibe.
Not a perfect meal across the board, but definitely a great spot in Avalon and one I’d still recommend, especially for the lobster ravioli.
Went there for drinks while waiting for people in our group to finish their activities. Super friendly bar staff. Didn't order any food. Sat at the rooftop with some great views. There is no service on the rooftop. Cleaning up from the previous clients, glasses, bottles etc. could be timely.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Came in at 2:50 on a Sunday. Stood by the door waiting to be seated. It was not busy. No one acknowledged we were there for awhile. After all of that time, the bar tender finally walked over and told us they were closed.....
Closed at 2:50 on a Sunday?? Interesting when the hours state closed at 8:30pm and other patrons were in there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I Love the food here, amazing spot for locals.
My favorite place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Who know if the food was any good. We were seated and then no one ever came to offer drinks or take our order. We left after 20 minutes.
Service: 1
Omar was great. He made sure we had everything we needed, he was friendly. The restaurant was clean and the food was excellent. We had the smash burger with fries and BLTA with Shrimp and fries and Buffalo wings. Everything tastes fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you’re able to get in contact with the restaurant they respond quickly and they helped me out with a special reservation for a Bachelor party dinner I was planing. I know the food is good here so I wanted to return with my friends for a special meal and drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Omar is a great bartender. The Avalon Spritz is a fun and sweeter take on an Aperol Spritz but it's nice to have something custom named after the area. My husband got the pain killer and he said it was good. The rooftop views are fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Me, my wife and daughter came here and the bartender was an awesome dude. The food was very good. Pricy but good. 2nd time to the island and would come again.
Restaurantji Recommends
We were there with a large party on a Sunday night at 6p and were the only other group in the restaurant. We had made a reservaton to ensure service. The greeting was strained. We were sat in the main room, the lights were on full blast. The server was nice, however, it took them 10 minutes after being seated to be greeted or given menus. They turned another group away just before 7p saying they were closed. I would have preferred to go to NDMK.
Fantastic restaurant with a great ocean view if you sit outside. We both ordered the surf and turn steak/lobster and it was incredible. Our server/bartender Omar was amazing! He was very welcoming and warm, is a local to the island and has lived there his entire life. He truly elevated the experience and took great care of us. Highly recommend this place for a nice dinner on the island
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the nice, easygoing restaurants near the harbor. It’s never too crowded, so you can enjoy a quiet meal every time you visit. Sitting on the terrace is especially nice with a pleasant outdoor view. The food is generally quite good. I ordered hot tea, but they only gave a few tea bags with hot water — it felt a bit overpriced for what it was.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
The owners of this establishment should be ashamed. Their advertisement was grossly misleading and exaggerated. We travelled to Catalina Island from Dana Point and based on what Topside advertised we expected something nice. After looking the place over, all areas and levels, we left and will never return. Dark, in total disarray and not a single customer.
Had a great pre-wedding party, friendly, Great bar and good atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Loading...