Our chefs prepare our dishes to render "traditional tastes, with fresh flavors" in every bite. Buffalo Nickel cuisine is as diverse as its geographic abundance. Choice cuts of meats and choice seafood with fresh vegetables and traditional refried beans and colored rice. The Buffalo Nickel is a well-renowned Family Mexican Restaurant with a classic American menu to suit all tastes.
The lunch menu features salads, seafood and specialty dishes while dinner offers a wide selection of steaks, fish, pizza. Your unique dining experience begins when your menu is presented to you with a big welcome; combining details about the entrees. The understated decor and festive atmosphere will transport you to a fine home in Mexico City.
The lunch menu features salads, seafood and specialty dishes while dinner offers a wide selection of steaks, fish, pizza. Your unique dining experience begins when your menu is presented to you with a big welcome; combining details about the entrees. The understated decor and festive atmosphere will transport you to a fine home in Mexico City.
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Blending comfort food and a little creativity, we have everything from our famous Buffalo Burgers to our Killer Buffalo Milk. We serve breakfast and lunch Saturday's & Sunday From 10am to 9pm. In the Winter Season we feature our tasty chili and homemade soups.
We are lucky enough to welcome people from all over the world - locals, hikers, bikers, campers, wildlife and bird enthusiasts, celebrities and even just regular folks; and people who call Catalina home; people who have been to the island hundreds of times and people who are just making their first visit.
We are lucky enough to welcome people from all over the world - locals, hikers, bikers, campers, wildlife and bird enthusiasts, celebrities and even just regular folks; and people who call Catalina home; people who have been to the island hundreds of times and people who are just making their first visit.
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We have a dedicated full bar area where we serve mixed cocktails, imported and domestic beers and our legendary and famous "Buffalon Milk". Coupled with live nightly music from our surround Sound, sultry lighting; our romantic ambienece is unmatched. At Buffalo Nickel, we have an extensive variety of options for you to choose from for your next event.
Reviews (27)
Brad Hall
Jan 21, 2022
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Awesome local spot in Avalon. Give them a call and they will come pick you up. Very eclectic menu. On their website they describe themselves as a Mexican food restaurant but here in Google maps for some reason it's called a pizza place and it's because they have just about everything so it's a good crowd pleaser. Very friendly staff outdoor patio and you can watch the helicopters take off and land
Greg Peay
Dec 24, 2021
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Buffalo Nickel seems to be the local go to for the island. With friendly service and reasonable prices we were happy with our experience. The food was great. Nothing over the top, but generous portions and hits the spot after a long day exploring the island. Call them to get a courtesy shuttle to the main plaza if you’re staying in Avalon.
Ismael Q.
Dec 05, 2021
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Veronica Reyes
Nov 22, 2021
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Food was very good. I ordered a whole fried tilapia fish and a michalada which was very good!!!! Service was great from our server however the eldest server there was rude. I would definitely return however if your on the island for just a few hours I recommend to go the the main part of the island to eat instead because this really took up more than half of our time on the island.
Cassidy H.
Nov 21, 2021
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This place was so cute! It was a very homey vibe, with a small inside area. Seemed like it was a big local gem as I didn't see many tourists. The portions were absolutely massive & the prices were super great for what you get! The antipasto salad was delicious & probably the hugest portion I've ever received of salad at a restaurant. However, the highlight of the meal was definitely the Sampler. It came with wings, taquitos , quesadilla, and nachos & for the 5 people in my family, it was the perfect size of appetizer for all of us.
Packy F.
Nov 11, 2021
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Kenna L.
Nov 10, 2021
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I love it here! My fiancé works for IEX so I often spend a lot of time here watching the helicopters land and take off. They pour a stiff delicious drink and the service is great. I love how it feels like an old western bar and their menu has tons of options! I've had their nachos which are decent and a large portion. I love their salads, they're fresh and delicious! I highly recommend their fries, I get them with a side of ranch and Buffalo sauce. So yummy! It's a great place to visit if you're looking for a fun family spot!
Steve P.
Sep 27, 2021
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Vivian M.
Aug 31, 2021
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Is this a secret on the island?
There is so many great restaurants on Catalina Island to enjoy. We finally decided (after 30 years) to go to The Buffaloe Nickel. We thought it was a Buffalo burger place! It's A cool hang out for the Homies and possibly the best Mexican food AND drink on the island. I had a huge fried carnitas chimichanga and We gobbled up the chips w/guacamole and the tomato salsa. The drinks were heavy handed and delish.
We took a munchie bag of left overs back to Hamilton Cove
There is so many great restaurants on Catalina Island to enjoy. We finally decided (after 30 years) to go to The Buffaloe Nickel. We thought it was a Buffalo burger place! It's A cool hang out for the Homies and possibly the best Mexican food AND drink on the island. I had a huge fried carnitas chimichanga and We gobbled up the chips w/guacamole and the tomato salsa. The drinks were heavy handed and delish.
We took a munchie bag of left overs back to Hamilton Cove
Debby G.
Aug 31, 2021
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Nora Zeller
Aug 28, 2021
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Anthony V.
Aug 22, 2021
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Mexican restaurant near the town's gas station at pebbly beach. Seated in a booth outdoors. Kind of a dark booth. Ordered beef fajitas (meat strips were tender and onions and peppers cooked well with nice flavor) and chips/salsa. Not bad but not over the moon special. Service was okay. Had to get the key from the bar for the bathroom if needed. Four star review. 3 1/2 if I could do that.
Kristine Warren
Jul 27, 2021
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Junior Blake
Jun 10, 2021
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Angel S.
Jun 01, 2021
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Not only an amazing service by Mr. Pedro and staff but also outstanding service and taste for any type of food you order.
We were here twice while in our three days stay, just because the food and price is out of the park. They also provide shuttle service from downtown(another plus).
Overall 12+ rating out of the "10 scale" ::::: !!!!
We were here twice while in our three days stay, just because the food and price is out of the park. They also provide shuttle service from downtown(another plus).
Overall 12+ rating out of the "10 scale" ::::: !!!!
Jordan C.
May 31, 2021
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Mayra S.
Apr 25, 2021
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Nan L.
Mar 16, 2021
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A little hard to reach if you're just walking around but we rented a golf cart nearby (3hr/price of 2 by the dock) and spent our last hour eating here
buffalo burger -- this is the only one i tried in avalon but i liked it. i'm an in and out kind of guy and while this isn't that at all, the thing i enjoy about both is having lots of crisp, fresh veggies
flautas, carnitas -- big, crispy outside, soft inside, good
would definitely eat here again! thank you for the great food!
buffalo burger -- this is the only one i tried in avalon but i liked it. i'm an in and out kind of guy and while this isn't that at all, the thing i enjoy about both is having lots of crisp, fresh veggies
flautas, carnitas -- big, crispy outside, soft inside, good
would definitely eat here again! thank you for the great food!
Alex Gonzalez
Feb 26, 2021
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Hands down best food and service in catalina island, called the restaurant and was told to wait for the shuttle by the island conservatory. The van arrived really quick, got to the restaurant a bit hesitant but boy did they prove me wrong. Never judge a book by its cover the food was amazing we had ceviche as an appetizer wow 👏 🤤💯 I also had camarones a la diabla supper tasty really well prepared and served. My wife had chiles rellenos she loved them. Trust me we I say when ever I come back to the island I'm going straight into Buffalo Nickel. The service they provide is amazing 10stars
Chillindrina F.
Jan 17, 2021
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I've been coming to Catalina for years and I can't believe I didn't discover this place sooner. It's not located on the main strip. It's south of the main strip, past the Catalina Landing and next to the IEX Helicopters. If you don't have a golf cart to get there, fear not. Call them up for a pickup within town. On busy weekends, they shuttle people to and from town. Just stand in the area in front of the Pancake Cottage.
Dinner and drinks were amazing! I've tasted the salmon, fish tacos, chicken wings, and steak. Agustin and Pedro are awesome! Fabulous, friendly
Dinner and drinks were amazing! I've tasted the salmon, fish tacos, chicken wings, and steak. Agustin and Pedro are awesome! Fabulous, friendly
Dan E.
Nov 20, 2020
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Any visit to Catalina Island would not be complete without a trip to Buffalo Nickel Restaurant! We eat there every time we go. Just a short shuttle drive south of Avalon near the heliport. We always plan our island visits to include a Monday night. That's when they do the pasta bar thing at Buffalo Nickel and my son dearly adores it. Unfortunately their 'rona protocol prohibits this Monday night tradition right now. My burrito two visits ago unfortunately wasn't as good as previous visits. My chimichanga on this visit last week however was excellent.
Steve M.
Nov 06, 2020
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First time here and I loved it! Not only is the food amazing, but the customer service is great! I believe it's a family owned business with children working, but never the less even the children are professional and great servers! I got the ribs with the fries and loved them. Definitely coming back when I'm on the island again.
Steve R.
Oct 01, 2020
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The food is FIVE STARS. The best ceviche we've had in 20 years, maybe ever. It's made the way ceviche should be made. And you get a lot of it. Five stars right there. The chile relleno is legit! And they are huge. Five stars again. The prices are half of what the other front street tourist traps cost. Five stars again! The wait staff is great. Very chill. Our waiter remembered our meal from two nights prior... that's impressive. Five stars again! And yes, the food was so good (and the prices fair) that we went back a second night (for the ceviche and relleno).
The downsides are
The downsides are
D. H.
Aug 25, 2020
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Considering I visited during COVID and wasn't able to check out many other places, Buffalo Nickel is probably my favorite bar on the Island. Their food and drinks are both excellent. Service is way above average, and they have a very cool interior and a large outdoor patio.
After entering the front door, the bar is immediately left with maybe 8 large wooden bar stools with back support. The block footrest is below. The bar top is a hard stone or stone-like material with no rail (wasn't able to be indoors). The back bar is primarily bottle/beer shelves with a large HDTV in the
After entering the front door, the bar is immediately left with maybe 8 large wooden bar stools with back support. The block footrest is below. The bar top is a hard stone or stone-like material with no rail (wasn't able to be indoors). The back bar is primarily bottle/beer shelves with a large HDTV in the
Franklin M.
Aug 05, 2020
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This is a hidden gem passing Lover's Cove and right next to the Helicopter landing pad. Since we were walking around this area and found this restaurant we decided on ordering a few alcohol drinks and some nachos. We are still in the COVID-19 pandemic and only the outdoor patio area was open for business.
Yuva Natya
Dec 23, 2019
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Omg!!!
If I hadn’t taken the helicopter ride, I don’t think I would’ve come here.. it is a little far from the “happening” part of the island.
But to everyone who is visiting the island, this is a must visit restaurant!!!! Food is amazingggg!! Really great for brunch! The service was really good.
Definitely do try the buffalo milk drink, you only get it in the island... and this is where you should get it! They have birthday specials so which is another plus!
If I hadn’t taken the helicopter ride, I don’t think I would’ve come here.. it is a little far from the “happening” part of the island.
But to everyone who is visiting the island, this is a must visit restaurant!!!! Food is amazingggg!! Really great for brunch! The service was really good.
Definitely do try the buffalo milk drink, you only get it in the island... and this is where you should get it! They have birthday specials so which is another plus!
Shana S.
Sep 25, 2019
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This place is a hidden gem - A total local's joint! It's tucked on the water about 1/2 mile from the heart of Avalon. We ordered the Bison Burger and shrimp a la diabla and they were both solid choices.
The best part is, they offer free shuttles to/from town to cater to all the visitors stopping thru
The best part is, they offer free shuttles to/from town to cater to all the visitors stopping thru
