Bluewater Avalon

Seafood restaurant · Avalon

Bluewater Avalon

Seafood restaurant · Avalon

2

306 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704

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Highlights

Nestled by the waterfront, this bustling bistro serves up fresh seafood and inventive cocktails in a breezy setting with stunning ocean views.  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

306 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704 Get directions

bluewatergrill.com
@bluewatergrill

$30–50 · Menu

Information

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306 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704 Get directions

+1 310 510 3474
bluewatergrill.com
@bluewatergrill
𝕏
@bluewatergrill

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@cntraveler

"Start at the quaint main town, Avalon, and gorge on seafood that’s barely minutes from the water—try Bluewater Grill, right on the dock."

The Best Weekend Getaways in the U.S. for a Quick Escape | Condé Nast Traveler
View Postcard for Bluewater Avalon
@eater

"Bluewater Avalon, a seafood restaurant owned by the same company that recently acquired El Galleon, is located a one-minute walk from El Galleon." - Mona Holmes

Iconic 52-Year-Old Catalina Island Restaurant El Galleon Has New Ownership - Eater LA
View Postcard for Bluewater Avalon

Tam G (Tam)

Google
We visited this restaurant during our trip to Catalina Island, and while it has potential, our experience was mixed. They open at 11 a.m., and even though everything looked ready, we weren’t allowed in early , we had to wait outside for 15 minutes until they officially opened. We were a large group of about 10 people, and trying to get seated together turned into an unnecessarily complicated process. We were asked to go back to the line, wait again, and the overall seating experience felt unwelcoming and disorganized. That said, once we were seated, things improved a bit. The food was okay in terms of flavor, but nothing particularly special. However, they did serve a complimentary sourdough bread with butter that was absolutely delicious , we asked for more, and they gladly brought extra. What really stood out was our server, who was amazing. I believe her name was Lisa (a lovely woman in her 40s with striking blue eyes). She was incredibly kind, attentive, and really helped elevate our experience. As for the food: • The buffalo milk drink was excellent, and they offer it in a large size for sharing, which is great for groups. • The burger and steak were underwhelming , I wouldn’t recommend them. • The halibut was tasty and felt like a healthy choice. • The ahi poke was also fresh and enjoyable. Overall, this place offers a nice ocean view, which adds to the experience. It might be a better option for smaller groups to avoid the hassle we went through. Despite the rough start, we’re thankful for our wonderful server, who made the visit worthwhile.

Jeff Cooperhouse

Google
Fantastic lunch at the Bluewater Avalon, we started with the delicious cocktails coconut margarita and Napa Gin and Tonic. The oysters were incredible! We loved our Misoyaki butterfish and Pan seared salmon. Forgot to take picture of the butterfish because it was too good. We sat on the dog friendly patio. The service was excellent. Beautiful ocean views. Highly recommend!

Vaishali Choudhary

Google
Right after getting off the ferry, I stopped at Bluewater Avalon. The outdoor seating has a great view of the harbor, the boats, and the Catalina Casino. It’s a beautiful, quiet spot to sit for a bit and take it all in. The food was fresh and hit the spot. The staff were friendly, gave plenty of space to just enjoy the moment. Perfect spot to relax and soak in those classic island views right away. The view makes for some pretty great pictures.

Zan Lee

Google
I really wanted to like this place because of its beautiful location and is designed like the sort of place that I would like to spend time in and frequent often but the fish that I ordered was not fully cooked so I wasn’t able to fully enjoy my meal. As mentioned it’s right on the water on Avalon Bay and the restaurant has been renovated recently and is done really well. You can sit inside or out and it’s great to be able to eat right on the water. Our server was nice although he did not check in on us during our meal but everything that we did order arrived quickly. We ordered Oysters on the Half Shell and Clam Chowder for the table and both were very good. Not the best I’ve had this month but still very enjoyable. For my entrée, I chose the Blackened Swordfish and at first it had some nice flavors but then once I got halfway through, I noticed some pink in the middle and realized that it was cooked about 65% through. I really wanted to finish my meal, but I was not able to due to the under cooking. I don’t think undercooked swordfish is a smart idea. I would give it another try in the future, but hope to not experience what I did tonight, especially for the price point.

Rachel Kazmier

Google
Enjoyed our final dinner here! Nicole our waitress was wonderful. Started with very fresh calamari. We all had fish and each dish was fresh and cooked perfectly. Sandabbs, mahi mahi, and swordfish! Their spicy margarita was lovely too!

Kelsey Fisher

Google
Service was great, love the views. Food was tasty but not worth it. Like I wouldn't order what I got again. The mocktail was good. They give you free bread at the table which is nice. Crab cakes were mostly bread. The chimichurri made them better than they were. The mud pie is not pie, it's ice cream, which I wish I would've known. I'd come again but for the views and probably not order any meals. Just like...fries...

Mr.Anthony V

Google
Great location on water. John our server was highly attentive and ensured our experience was great along with the food. It had been 10 years since we have visited and the food was on point. Oysters 🦪, muscles and clams - lobster roll. César salad. We had the shrimp cocktail- would pass on that next time. Presentation and flavor fine , however , should be served colder . Cioppino was flavorful and seafood plentiful. We kept the warm house sourdough coming. Beer needs to be served cold- get a side of pasta for cioppino. We tried the brick chicken - it was tasty - we requested added side of scalloped potatoes that were rich and cheesy.

Andy Salmon

Google
Loved sitting outside overlooking the water and boat docks. Service was great and attentive. Food was good. Will go back on next visit on a nice day.

Kristel D.

Yelp
We had a vacation at Avalon for 3D and 2N. The only restaurant that we had our meals was at Bluewater Grill. The customer service is excellent and the food was above and beyond.If you are looking for fresh seafoods ,Bluewater grill will not disappoint you. We are looking forward to come back and will absolutely eat here again. Thank you to Adi and Victor for the great experience and always making sure that we are satisfied with the service. Also to the manager who made us special on our last day and gave us in-house calamari. Happy Holidays!

Bella B.

Yelp
Called ahead to get a table with a view and they were very accommodating to my request. We ordered a couple of appetizers, scallops & crab cakes, both were delicious, we got clam chowder and that was okay. Our entrees came out and hit the spot as we were definitely hungry. Our server was great and super helpful & attentive service and overall I would go back. Bluewater Grill is a must when in Catalina Island.

Sharon L.

Yelp
Pretty decent spot given limited options on the island. Cute ambiance, indoor/outdoor seating, very speedy service! Free sourdough bread with butter was fantastic as the other reviews mentioned. We asked for a second serving as well. Fish and chips were good (similar to what you would expect). Fish tacos were also tasty - fish was fresh, good portion, option of corn or flour tortilla. Tacos do come with a side of rice which I didn't realize! We regretted getting the side of asparagus - $10 for a plate of 5 pieces of asparagus, and they didn't take off enough at the stem so the bottom was very fibrous and chewy. Not worth it, imo. It is odd that they don't give you free tap water. You have to pay $1.5 for a little bottle of bottled water. Seems like a better setup to get tea or soda for $4.5 and free refills.

Travis P.

Yelp
This was one of the few restaurants opened past 8 pm on Saturday in December. We got seated quickly and service was very good and attentive. There was a lot of Christmas decorations like a tree and the restaurant just looked beautiful. In terms of food I got these items. Complimentary Bread & Butter - Good appetizer and we enjoyed it. Nothing special but it was good. (4/5) Gemilli Pasta with Shrimp & Scallops - Wow SO GOOD. It was creamy but not too crazy and the flavors just worked so well together. Shrimp and scallops were fresh. Loved this. (5/5) Lemon Pepper Mahi Mahi - This was another delicious dish. I will say the creamy sauce they had on top of the fish wasn't needed, it was too creamy/salty for my liking and the fish itself already tasted good. Everything else was solid. (4/5) Thank you Bluewater Grill for giving us a free birthday sundae to celebrate my late birthday. Food and service was great plus the restaurant was beautiful. Prices were pretty expensive but at least the food was good. Spent $71 for two people for just two entrees.

Jemiah J.

Yelp
Delicious! We had a great view of the island from where we dined, and the service was delightful. My husband and I shared the lemon pepper mahi mahi and fish tacos, and we both enjoyed them. The sides were perfect. I especially loved the scalloped potatoes, as they paired beautifully with the mahi. My Moscow Mule and Mojito were also really tasty. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

Ramesh R.

Yelp
We went there on Saturday around 7.30 PM, the hostess said dining area is closed we can only serve in bar area. We spoke to manager Victor, he was very accommodating and allowed us to dine in the main hall. The service, food and drinks great. Above all the friendliness of staff and manager were superb A+. Great ambiance too, ocean views.

Brian W.

Yelp
If you have seen a lot of my reviews...in particular my recent review of Larry's Luau, then you know I jump at the chance to criticize (LL's deserved it and I challenge them to prove me wrong). But, as much as this place was hyped up to me...as much as I wanted to think it was tourist trap garbage...it was just really really GOOD!! Look, places don't give me anything for giving a positive review. So being a d-bag like I am, i gain nothing from admitting...yep, everyone was right. Everything we had here was just...really good. It was like, warm, family food from dishes you wouldn't expect. And an absolute serene atmosphere, from again, a place i assumed was a trap. The music, ambience was super chill for dinner. The FOOD!! I had the chicken under a brick w/dirty rice. You can't cook chicken much better than they did. With one of the more perfectly crisped skin I've ever had. Throw that over dirty rice, enough said!! My wife got the Spanish paella...good lord!! You don't expect to get a good paella at any restaurant. It is a dish that has a lot of elements and takes a lot of specific preparation to do well. This paella was great. All the seafood was perfectly cooked (which is rare for paella anywhere) and the flavor was right on point, without being too much (which is a risk you run whenever you use saffron). On top of the awesome sourdough bread...and the very nice and on point staff...I can't give this place less than 5 stars. I'm SORRY!! I love to trash places...but I only do so when deserved, so when they come through, I have to be real!! Don't sleep on Bluewater, it's popular and talked about a lot for a reason. B-Walk

Rebecca G.

Yelp
Came here for our last meal in Catalina Island and had a fabulous time! We lined up 2 minutes before they opened at 11 am and were second in line on a Sunday. There really wasn't much of a line but we decided to sit outside with a view of the waters. The view was beautiful and our seats were shaded, so it was the perfect seating and ambiance. Ordered the rainbow trout and salmon sandwich with a side of clam chowder. I loved the clam chowder and liked it better than the one we'd had the day before but husband liked the one before. This one was creamier tasting and more liquidy consistency. Also came with oyster crackers yum. We dipped the complimentary sourdough bread in it and it was scrumptious. Rainbow trout was good. Mildly salted but better for my help so can't complain. Same with the salmon sandwich, which was medium rare (perfect for us). The fries were a yummy crispiness, green beans held a nice crunch and the scalloped potatoes were creamy. Food was solid overall but service really stood out. Our server was so friendly and attentive. It really was the service and beautiful view that made this place my favorite meal so I would definitely recommend!

Stephanie L.

Yelp
The mahi mahi was delicious. The only downside is that they charge for water. We came 30 minutes to closing and I could tell they wanted us out of there. It was a cute spot near the water

Katie R.

Yelp
Nice spot right on the water with a good sized menu and lots of drink options. We came here for some late afternoon drinks and apps and were pleasantly surprised just how easy it was to get a spot next to the ocean. For food we opted for the ahi tuna poke and crab cakes, and a cucumber mojito and the Catalina specialty buffalo milk to drink. Food portions were a little small, but perfect for this instance since we weren't wanting to fill up before dinner. Service was quick and attentive, food and drinks came out fast and our server was happy to answer the random Catalina Island questions we had since arriving on the island that day.

Karyn P.

Yelp
We had the "BEST"Halibut meal here tonight. Side dishes were asparagus (perfectly done) and scalloped potatoes. All were delicious. Huge portion of fish. Waitress was awesome-said she eats that dish routinely. Restaurant is next to water. Great views

Andreas G.

Yelp
Had a quick lunch here while spending the day in Avalon. They have really nice outdoor seating right at the beach and we were able to get a table right away. We ordered some drinks, the crab cakes and the calamari. The food was ok, the calamari weren't very crispy though, breading was a bit too pale and the calamari were a bit chewy. Dipping sauces were good though. Liked the pesto with the crab cakes. Still a nice meal with a nice view.

Steph W.

Yelp
Picked a random restaurant and landed on this because it was right next to the water. We wanted seafood and fish sounded great. The place looks better than the food. Tried fish and left still hungry. Each dish was $30+ and portion looked big, not enough. The side of spinach was such a boring dish. Tasted salty and anyone could make it. That clams/mussels dish tasted funny... and smelled odd. Also when you ask for water, it's bottled and they charge you. I think you should let your customers know that water is extra charge... in America, majority of restaurants give tap water for free. If you don't, you should share that piece of information. Just my opinion. Or you can be european and charge all beverages.. Wont be back.

Barb G.

Yelp
I'm late on posting this second review but we did come back to Bluewater Grill for another meal while in Catalina. Same great service, sat outside by the water, and enjoyed two loaves of the amazing sourdough bread and butter. Wife had the calm chowder, which was creamy and thick and full of clams and chunks of potatoes. This soup was great and did not have the pasty thickener taste that some places have in their chowder. Really great bowl of soup! We also ordered the Gemelli Pasta w/Shrimp & Scallops, which was so good. The shrimp were sautéed perfectly and the only complaint would be that the scallops had that tasty crisp on the outside. The pasta was perfectly done and the sauce over the whole dish was creamy and although a pesto, it was light in flavor! I also had the halibut and after the fiasco we had a few days earlier at the restaurant in Long Beach...this piece of fish was cooked perfectly, tender, with great grill marks. They know how to cook a piece of fresh fish! I loved the crispy asparagus and the cheesy potatoes. The whole meal was fabulous!!!

Leigh M.

Yelp
What an awesome restaurant this is! The oysters were delicious as was the mahi mahi. Our waiter was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We had a beautiful table right on the waterfront.

Hannah S.

Yelp
Okay. So the fish and seafood is GREAT. But everything else, not so much. For a place with such high prices and a good reputation, I'd expect their balanced spinach and scalloped potatoes to match that. Instead, they left me feeling like I consumed way too much salt and butter. Why, just why, was the spinach so darn salty?! They need to step up their side dish game. Also, a fault on my part but I should have gotten my fish blackened and not crusted. The lemon pepper crust: 1. Didn't really taste like lemon pepper and 2. Felt like a heavy batter coating my fish. When I eat fish I want to taste the freshness of the sea, not a mouthful of unnecessary calories. Another person I was eating with opted for blackened fish and that was the way to go! Oh, and don't get that green scallop pasta. Last year I tried it and it was. So. SO. Bland. Good service in accommodating my giant party and beautiful ocean front views.

Alex K.

Yelp
I've been here a few time on this particular trip and it's been years since last visit. Same vibe with the bar seating and patio. Do recommend outdoor seating if you can with the beautiful view of the marina and Catalina. We stopped off both times just for a drink, happy hour first time. Drink menu is quite nice with a selections of drinks. Don't remember what the happy hour offered, think a couple dollars off drinks. Food wise, didn't get much as we just wanted something small. The oyster was great, half dozen for 21.00 I believe. And the poke, quite expensive for what you get. A small selection and a few wonton chips. But I don't remember from my last visit but this time, there were loads of beers flying around. Don't know if it's seasonal or what, but throughout our whole experience both times, they were all over the place. Restaurant did have the mini table side fan and candles burning but that didn't seemed to help. They were all over the bar area. So heads up, assuming they're seasonal, if you're allergic or just scared.

Jaynar S.

Yelp
The views are awesome here as we sat outside overlooking the water. Our family was having a rough start when we arrived at Avalon, however our server Nancy was super patient and friendly. I enjoyed my cocktails, the Cucumber Mojito and the Captains Mai Tai. Bother were made perfectly. We had the Breakfast Sandwich and the Moonstone Scramble. Both we good. Just like most places in Catalina Island, the food prices are a bit high, but compared to other places we eat at, I recommend this place.

Morgan H.

Yelp
You still can't go wrong with Bluewater Grill when in Avalon! You're right on the water and we were lucky enough to get a table right along the edge with gorgeous views. They also offer indoor seating and have an impressive-looking bar. They serve complimentary bread and butter fresh from the oven and it was so good that our server didn't hesitate to bring us a second serving when we quickly inhaled the first. Their drink menu has a nice variety and I was craving a light beverage so I went with the michelada oyster shooter which was super refreshing. The menu is of course very seafood heavy and they have plenty of fresh and fried options. We started with the Baked Crab & Artichoke Dip and wow was it amazing. Packed with cheese and flavor, we couldn't stop eating it. They also gave the perfect amount of tortilla chips to go along with it. We all went with fresh fish plates for our mains. I had the Sautéed Sanddabs with calloped potatoes, spinach and a lemon and caper beurre blanc. It was lovely but the winner at the table was the Misoyaki Butterfish Black Cod which melts in your mouth. We had a lovely meal here and we were out just in time to catch our ferry back to the mainland. My only complaint is that they don't offer tap water, you have to buy bottled.

Tavia M.

Yelp
Came for lunch on a Saturday and sat in the Bar area (open seating- full service). Nice pours for the wine and the scalloped potatoes were really good. Would have enjoyed the meal a little more w/o the swarming Bees (had to have 2 drinks replaced) but other wise a nice lunch place with many options.

James G.

Yelp
We sat out over the water with a great view of the marina and Casino. I was thinking that as far as the view and ambiance, it doesn't get any better. I had the clam chowder along with the fish and chips. The clam chowder was full of flavor and very creamy, the fish and chips were crispy and the fish tasted fresh. Overall, the food was excellent. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. Overall, it was a good experience.

Mercede R.

Yelp
Great location, right on the water. Loved the food.Freash baked bread is super amazing. Not a big selection of beer but good enough

Elisa G.

Yelp
We were so in need of fish and wine after zip lining and walked in and got seated immediately. We had a beautiful table overlooking the ocean and it was perfect! They don't have a ton of gluten free options and don't use gluten free tamari. The wine was reasonably priced and we enjoyed our dinner!

Claire O.

Yelp
Food and drinks are super tasty and the view was spectacular. Staff was nice and attentive. There was no wait. Would definitely go back! Loved the calamari appetizer and the lobster roll

Yery J.

Yelp
it was my first time at catalina island and my friends said i HAD to try bluewater since it was so good. maybe my expectations were too high but i didn't think bluewater was AMAZING like i was told. the wait was only 10/15 minutes and thankfully we were able to get an table on the deck; beautiful views and lively ambiance for sure. because it was busy, it was hard to get a hold of the waitress and she forgot our things when requested. it was totally understandable but in terms of customer satisfaction, it was a little frustrating. the food looked great but when my family and i tried it, we were disappointed since it was pricey but didn't live up to its price. here's what we tried: - ahi tuna poke honestly, a great appetizer for those who love ahi tuna. it wasn't too special. just was your average ahi tuna poke. - clam chowder soup a little too salty for my preference but it kept me warm since the deck was cold. - pan seared salmon, norway the salmon was bland. the sides were pretty good but with salmon being the main dish, it was pretty disappointing. - fisherman's platter i would avoid this. very pricey for what you are getting and it's not an 'amazing' platter like you'd assume at a great restaurant. - san francisco cioppino two of my family members rly liked this but for me, it just tasted like watered down tomato sauce with seafood. if you like seafood and marinara sauce, maybe this is for you. tldr: overhyped. great views but average food.

mike c.

Yelp
I think this is the top yelped location so I gave it a shot. I only tried the happy hour burger and crab cake dip. Price was supposedly good value for the island but I found both items tasting pretty average. Maybe their main item which cost must more are better. Overall service was good and attentive. It also has a nice view and decor. Maybe it's known more for its atmosphere and drinking than food.

Bryan F.

Yelp
The service was good. I need to start with that. The food was excellent as well, but the service was memorably good. I think I left the biggest tip of my trip here, but again, the service was GOOD. Thank you. My only complaint ( assuming it is one ) is about the fish. When you take the island tour they proudly tell you how much of the fish served in restaurants is caught locally. Then you go to the restaurant and it's all salmon from Norway, crabs from Maine, something from Alaska, etc. I had to ask what exactly was LOCALLY caught and it seems at best their swordfish is "locally sourced" which doesn't mean it was caught here on Catalina. I still have no idea what fish is caught and served locally. It's not a big thing, but when they say that on the tour then you go an upscale place like this and everything's from somewhere else, you wonder. Still, the service. It was good.

Eddie T.

Yelp
What an amazing time and such a great variety of goodies. We got the calamari appetizers along with the clam chowder bowls. Both of which were so tasteful. We ordered the surf and turf and it did not disappoint. What I appreciate most was the customer service. ***VICTOR** IF YOU EVER GET TO SEE THIS - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! We had such a big group of maybe 20 and he along with a few others were so accommodating. The views and food were to die for! We sat out on the patio deck so we could some what be loud as we were drinking LOL... hahahaha.. The cucumber tequila drink is THE GO TOO DRINK!!! They don't make it light guys, its pretty strong!! If you are ever in town, please stop by and say hello!! Totally worth every dollar spent!!

Maya F.

Yelp
Bluewater Grill is fantastic. The view is gorgeous, service is impeccable and the food was absolutely delicious! The Fanny Bay oysters and the lobster cocktail were both excellent. Definitely one of the best places in Catalina!

Susanne M.

Yelp
We got here and it seemed like it would be a long wait but it was only about 10/15 minutes. We got an amazing table on the deck with a great view of the marina. Our food was excellent and service was actually quite speedy. I would highly recommend.

Abigail U.

Yelp
I ordered the lobster roll and it was a little on the dry side. Besides the amazing views of the restaurant, the staff were pretty great. I would definitely return to try something else on the menu.

Lauren L.

Yelp
Didn't have a reservation so the wait was about 45 mins but just walked around the pier to kill time. I love how many unique seafood options they have - I tried the calamari steak and it was a great portion and so tasty. The ponzu sashimi sea scallops were good too. Our waitress was very friendly and checked in on us a lot.

Carmen R.

Yelp
The food was delicious but the service was a bit slow. The special of the day was one of my all-time favorites Seafood Cioppino, delicious

Maria L.

Yelp
Our 32nd wedding anniversary led us to The BlueWater Grill in Avalon, CA! Fabulous views. There are some indoor tables but the place to be is outdoors on a beautiful sunny day. Our waiter, William, delivered excellent service. If you want a glass of water be prepared for the explanation that they only do bottled water that you have to buy. We sat indoors and it was close to the open area near the deck. It wasn't the best spot but we were hungry. Warm delicious bread is brought to you while you decide on what to order. We ordered the Ahi Mediterranean Salad with no Ahi and subbed with Grilled Chicken. The add on was an extra $10 to a $20 salad! Yikes! The salad was ok. Nothing spectacular. My husband ordered the tacos and asked if he could do a corn and a flour tortilla to taste both. That was a no! He enjoyed the tacos but they certainly are not top quality tacos. The bread took the prize for us!

Melika J.

Yelp
Nice food, great view. Good for seafood lovers since the menu is centered mostly around that. I wish they had more non seafood options just because the whole island is mainly that so sometimes it's good to catch a bite of something else. The view is amazing, my waiter was good but since it is busy there is a wait time. I would come back again when I visit Catalina.

Vanessa H.

Yelp
Today we enjoyed our wedding anniversary at the island and came here for lunch . No one asked if we were celebrating anything , or checked on us through out the meal to see if we wanted more drinks or maybe add another appetizer, didn't get offered dessert either . The atmosphere and food were amazing though. I asked for coleslaw with my sandwich and didn't get it , but all and all we had a good time. We will try this place again .

Lanita P.

Yelp
Tried this restaurant and we were seated right away. This was impressive because it was a busy time and the restaurant appeared full. We were seated for quite some time but no waiter appeared. As we were becoming restless a waiter from a different area of the restaurant came over to attend us. She was concerned because she saw us waiting for an extended amount of time. However, the staff were friendly and the food was delicious. Nice atmosphere overlooking the ocean.

Rana R.

Yelp
Bluewater Grill is a great seafood chain! I've had the pleasure to dine at their Carlsbad location (or Encinitas, or one of those in North County) and loved it as well there. They do seafood right. Simple dishes but oh so flavorful! This location had great views too. It sits right on the water and their patio is huge for anyone wanting to dine al fresco. Please note that there are no reservations for this location. I don't think one is needed anyway, well esp not in "off-season." I'm assuming wait times are longer when spring/summer rolls around. Got seated right away for a party of two- waters came quickly as we sat down. Service as great, everyone was friendly and attentive. Ordered the Rainbow Trout [$29] which was massive! It was lightly breaded and sooo good. Everything about that dish was just so mouth-watering! It came with scalloped potatoes and a handful of string beans. Also got a bite of their Lobster Roll (hot) and that was amazinggg! Mmm, great lunch! Also ordered the calamari which were 5/5 as well. If you check-in you get 50% off a cocktail as of 2/24/24. You won't be disappointed at Bluewater Grill!

Stewart L.

Yelp
I enjoyed a decent lunch with a great view here. They open at 11 am and it was a weekend, so they filled up very quickly (no reservations taken), especially for outdoor seating. To be honest, my usual spot in Avalon for seafood is the Lobster Trap, but they are currently under extensive expansion, so I chose Bluewater. Bluewater has 8 locations in CA and AZ. I ordered the clam chowder and ahi tuna poke. Everyone is served a partial loaf of very tasty bread (sourdough I think). The New England-style clam chowder was decent, with lots of clams. The poke was nicely served with acidic yuzu/ponzu and onions plus large wonton sheets. It came with chopsticks. This was a pretty traditional presentation. I give the ahi poke nachos at Naughty Fox a slight edge. I also ordered a Lobster Louie salad to go. It came with more of the delish bread and was a generous size, quite comparable to one I had at the Lobster Trap last year. Like most others restaurants in Avalon, only bottled water that you must purchase is served. Service was decent despite the crowds. A solid dining choice.

Cin V.

Yelp
No parking, so make sure you walk from your hotel here. The view is gorgeous, both dine in and out on the patio. The complementary sourdough bread and butter was delish! I would highly recommend the New England Clam Chowder as well. The Fisherman's Platter and the San Francisco Cioppino were mediocre at best. Service was excellent! The wait staff constantly checked in on us and cleaned up as soon as we were done. This was our first time here and will most likely be our last.

Yuejun H.

Yelp
Food and service is nice but both my fiancé and me were experiencing bad food poisoning with throwing up and diarrhea the whole night after having the food. It was a bad experience when we actually planned to enjoy the chill holiday night at Catalina and planned some hiking on the next day. All plan cancelled.

John L.

Yelp
We were in Avalon due to our cruise ship stopover, and almost walked by this place and didn't go in, but the last moment we changed our minds and went for it. So glad we did! We got seated on the patio with an excellent ocean view. Our server Elvis gave us excellent service the entire time. I was worried that it might be one of these places that because it has a great view, they don't do well with service or food, but the food was excellent! I ordered half a dozen oysters, and they were some of the best and freshest I've ever had, and I've been to many oyster bars in my life! The clam chowder was spot on, as were our crabcakes and shrimp tacos. We'll definitely be coming back next time we are in Avalon!

Caitlyn H.

Yelp
Everything was great! First the service was amazing! We were sat down and greeted immediately. My waiter was very nice and polite. And any other staff who came to drop off food or drinks were polite and friendly as well. The food was great. My friends and I shared the poke and lobster roll. We sat outside with an amazing view but later sat inside because of a swarm of bees. The bees are not aggressive but there are quite a few which made it hard to eat, but we were sat inside later with no problem. Overall a great place to dine at on the island!

Cecille C.

Yelp
This place has all the good food! Everything we ordered was more than amazing! The drinks were also delicious! As soon as you sit down, they bring warm sourdough bread and butter. We all ordered different items and they were superb! Safe to say everyone enjoyed their plate. I ordered the halibut with rice and scalloped potatoes. I would come back to the island just for this restaurant! The service is fast, they took our order, and maybe 20 minutes later our food arrived. The restaurant has such good views and it is right by the water! It is very clean, nice and modern inside with a boathouse charm.

Sky T.

Yelp
Super please and surprised at how much I liked this restaurant. I'll preface it by saying it wasn't crowded since it was the off-season and the service was very helpful and gave great insight of the menu. I started off with a Bloody Mary and also got an Oyster Shooter. There was juicy shrimp on the Bloody Mary and was spiced well. The Sea Scallops were divine with a nice sweetness and savory finish. We ended up choosing the Seafood Gumbo and Fish Platter. All options were cooked perfectly and the view of the ocean was top notch. You don't always get ocean views, great views, and service so this really exceeded my expectations and more! Looking forward to coming back!

Cindy W.

Yelp
Located near the docking area on Catalina Island, the restaurant offers plenty of seating both indoor and outdoor. I had prefer sitting outdoor just to enjoy to breeze and the open space. There are people wandering on the sand but it didn't bother me. Went there at around 1 for lunch and got seated immediately. Our server was quick and got our orders. Had tried the clam chowder which was hearty and flavorful. I also ordered the salmon which was good but since I had the clam chowder, I was a little full from it, was not able to fully enjoy the fish. Would recommend eating here, its great for lunch and for the family.

Alexis K.

Yelp
Bluewater was 1/2 of the restaurants high up there on Avalon's top restaurant lists. Consequently, I expected something better. It is incredibly mediocre. Service was attentive. Ambiance is clearly a winner in terms of the limited shoreside real estate. The other thing that's really limited is the food choices on the whole island, I noticed. But, all in all, you'll find something to eat here but there's nothing to write home about.

Susan S.

Yelp
They have several locations including the fabulous Blue Water Grill in Newport. Fab menu, delicious food, good service definitely a more predictable experience than some restaurants here. Lovely patio, and interior seating. Wonderful and always delicious!

Jazzy S.

Yelp
We sat at the bar area, and were able to get seats right away on a week day for lunch. The ambiance is a beachy oceanside seafood restaurant. Lots of outdoor seating. Service was good but not amazing. - Fish tacos (4/5): I got the blackened fish, which was tasty. Fish was flaky, and the tacos were pretty filling. Green salsa it comes with is tangy which I loved. Rice and beans were a bit bland. - Fisherman's platter (4/5): The scallop was the highlight, tasted fresh even though fried. I like the variety, with the fish and shrimp as well. Fries were also yummy. - Clam chowder (4.5/5): This was delicious. Great flavor, savory.