Catalina Food and Drink Trails
Discover where to sip Catalina's beloved Buffalo Milk cocktail and where to order a flavorful Bison Burger.
One of Catalina Island’s best-known animals arrived for a movie production during the 1920s. North American Bison — often called buffalo — were transported to the island for what was expected to be a memorable role on film. The bison footage never made the final cut, but the animals flourished on Catalina, becoming woven into the scenery and local culture so deeply that their future here is assured.
Across Catalina, bison show up on logos, restaurant names, souvenirs, and postcards. They also have a place on local menus in two well-loved forms: buffalo milks and bison burgers.
Catalina Island features both a food trail and a beverage trail celebrating the bison that roam the rugged interior.
Buffalo Milk
Buffalo Milk first appeared as a cocktail at Two Harbors in the 1970s, and its surprisingly irresistible flavor helped it become an island staple that Catalina bartenders know well. This creamy, blended drink combines bananas, Kahlua, vodka, crème de cacao, and crème de bananas — with no buffalo milking involved.
The Buffalo Milk Trail highlights more than a dozen bars and restaurants pouring Catalina Island’s famous cocktail.
- Avalon Grille
- Bluewater Avalon
- Buffalo Nickel
- Catalina Island Brew House (Buffalo Milk Mousse)
- Coyote Joe's
- Descanso Beach Club
- El Galleon
- Harbor Reef - In Two Harbors. This is where the frothy treat originated.
- Harbor Sands - In Two Harbors.
- The Lobster Trap
- Luau Larry's
- Maggie's Blue Rose
- Pier 24
- Steve's Steakhouse & Seafood
- The M Restaurant
- The Marlin Club
- The Naughty Fox
- The Pancake Cottage
Original Buffalo Milk Recipe
This Catalina-famous blended cocktail began at Doug's Harbor Reef in Two Harbors, where bartender Michael Hoffler created it.
- 1/2 shot of Crème de Cocoa
- 1/2 shot of Kahlua
- 1/2 shot of Crème de Banana
- One shot of Vodka
- Half & Half
Blend everything with ice, then finish with whip cream, nutmeg, and a banana slice.
Bison Burger
On the Bison Burger Trail, half a dozen restaurants serve bison burgers, a leaner, more environmentally-friendly alternative to beef.
- Catalina Charlie's
- Airport-in-the-Sky Restaurant
- El Galleon (Pulled Bison and Pork Sandwich)
- Eric's on the Pier
- Lobster Trap
- Luau Larry's
- Steve's Steakhouse & Seafood