Harbor Reef Restaurant & Bar

We had such a pleasant lunch at Harbor Reef. We got the watermelon salad, chaat-chos, and the fried chicken burger with gochujang and kimchi. Everything was delish! The watermelon saladwas so refreshing and scrumptious. It was a little bit overdressed, though, so if you are particular about your dressing-to-salad ratio maybe ask for the dressing on the side. The chaat-chos were surprisingly good! They really did get a good chaat Indian flavor going. I only wish they serve it with actual naan and not pita bread. The kimchi fried chicken burger (can’t remember the actual name) was SO GOOD. Loved the potato roll, the flavors, and the spice. The fried chicken thigh was juicy and crispy. Overall, a truly great experience!!

We came up for a late lunch and had the BEST time. Our server Caroline was very sweet and accommodating (we had a few special requests) the food was 😋 we had the Chaat-chos as an appetizer, but we dug in so fast, I didn't get a picture. My husband had the black bean burger and I had the ahi tuna and my friend had the oke poke and it was all very fresh and tasty. Thanks again to Caroline for the exceptional service. We hope to come back soon and taste the rest of the menu.
I almost forgot to mention the fresh cut potato chips were also great 👍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Yum!

We stopped for lunch at Harbor Reef while we were visiting Catalina. We were actually the first people to get the lunch menu (which starts at 10:30) and it was great.

We got their burger, their hot dog with bell peppers and bacon, and their nachos. All 3 were delicious and fresh. The nachos were generously topped, which I appreciated because dry nachos suck :(

The seating outside was beautiful and gives you a good view of the palms and sand.

Everything pictured came to 46 dollars, which I think was fair for a heavy lunch, especially in a more touristy area.

Good eats! 😼

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place rocks! My group went twice during our backpacking trip in Catalina. Shout out to the chef and staff for being awesome. Highly recommend if you're in the area!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food tasted a bit off. Like something wasn't fresh or had been sitting too long. Not just bland, but questionable. The wait staff seemed completely disengaged, like they'd rather be anywhere else. No energy, no hospitality, no effort.
Beautiful location, but it feels like they're phoning it in and coasting on the view. Would not recommend.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Our most recent visit was awful. The food was shockingly bad. The orange cauliflower was soggy and flavorless. The pub burger tasted like it came off a cafeteria tray. It was dry, bland, and low quality.
Worse than the food was the atmosphere. The energy in the restaurant was cold and off-putting. The staff all looked miserable.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Food was good, service was fast. Place is very beautiful and nice. We god some hot dogs

Home-y, inviting, and surprisingly good food for feeling so remote.

Spent Thanksgiving here and it was well worth the trip. Great food and service! Beautiful location with plenty of areas to explore

Swordfish is really good.

Mackenna was the BEST server! So friendly, so helpful in selecting what to order. We came back for dinner when we saw Mackenna was working that day.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bison Burger, Red Pepper Hummus

Spent a whole day here at a cabana, looked after by Hunter.
Food and service were both excellent, atmosphere was sublime. Will be back again and again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The worst banh mi I’ve ever had. Just dripping in a terrible BBQ sauce. Was having such a good time at Two Harbors, until tasting this sandwich with its cardboard fries.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

My friends and I were staying in Catalina for a wedding and we ate at this restaurant 3 times and always had an amazing experience until the night of August 21st. After the wedding ceremony we were trying to finish the night by getting a nice dinner. We walked in at 7:52pm to get a table for 6 and the hostess working that night said, “talk about coming in last minute huh? Let me see if a server wants to serve you tonight.” I was confused and asked her what time they closed and she checked her phone and said, “in 8 minutes.” At this point we didn’t even want to eat there any more because we felt like we were a burden. The 3 times we’d eaten there we spent about $400 each time and left a 25%+ tip after every meal. After working in the food industry for over 5 years you don’t make people feel unwelcome even if they come in last minute. You tell them that the kitchens already closed for the night and you extend your apologies. We were on a nice trip and I understand we could’ve checked the restaurant closing time online but it doesn’t change how you should treat guests.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 1

Harbor Reef boasts an unbeatable island vibe that captures the essence of a tropical escape. Nestled in a prime location, it’s the kind of spot where you can kick back, soak in the atmosphere, and feel like you’re truly on vacation. The setting is picturesque, with a laid-back ambiance that screams paradise. However, that’s where the charm ends.

Unfortunately, the food and drinks at Harbor Reef fall flat. The menu, while promising, is poorly executed. The flavors are bland, the ingredients don’t seem fresh, and the overall quality is disappointing. Whether it’s a simple burger or a more ambitious seafood dish, nothing seems to hit the mark. The drinks are similarly lackluster—weak cocktails that taste watered down and uninspired.

The service is mediocre at best. The staff, while not rude, lacks the attentiveness and enthusiasm you’d hope for. Orders are often slow to arrive, and the overall experience feels lackadaisical. It’s clear that the lack of competition has allowed Harbor Reef to settle into complacency. With no need to outshine rivals, there’s little incentive for them to improve.

In a nutshell, Harbor Reef is a place to enjoy the scenery, not the dining experience. If you’re after great food and stellar service, you’ll likely leave disappointed. However, if all you want is a cool drink in your hand and a view of the ocean, it might still be worth a visit—just don’t expect much more.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3