Steve's Steakhouse on Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a fun island for an overnight or weekend trip. The Santa Catalina Island Conservancy protects over 80% of the island, so hiking and camping opportunities abound. For those of us with more touristy daytripping desires, however, there are a few restaurants on Catalina that are in turn fun, beachy, or fantastic. Steve’s Steakhouse is all three. It’s the best steakhouse restaurant on Santa Catalina Island.

The views of Avalon Harbor are gorgeous, especially around sunset. While it’s open for lunch, the formal setting (dark blue tablecloths, formal stemware, etc) really lend itself more to a fancy dinner. Armstrong’s Seafood Restaurant, right across the street, makes for a super-casual lunch spot. With Steve’s Steakhouse, the dinner menu offers all the favorites of any top-notch steakhouse, along with the most fantastic surf and turf I’ve seen in a tourist-centered beach town. This, the Steak and Lobster, is prepared with sirloin and either Australian or local, spiny-tailed lobster. Alternatively, delighted diners can order King Crab or Shrimp. But hey – we’re talking steak and lobster! It’s excellent. The tuna sashimi appetizer and Ahi Tuna entree are simply prepared; this really allows the subtle flavor of the delicate fish to shine through. The Shrimp Avalon Style is also notable; this latter is so flavorful, in fact, that it’s almost distracting.

The wine list is pricey and isn’t the largest I’ve seen, but it is selective. There are more than a several

View from Steve's Steakhouse

well-reviewed makes and vintages on this list; not all area available by glass, as usual, but those that are, are quite satisfactory.

Anyone planning a weekend on Santa Catalina Island should enjoy a high-end meal at Steve’s Steakhouse. Be sure to request a table with a harbor view, and (if need be) to ask your waiter to help match your wine and entree selections. It makes for an elegant evening out, on a fun and relaxed island.