Love Catalina Island, sponsor of the eighteenth annual Taste Around Avalon, has announced the winners of this year’s “Best Tastes.” This year’s “Best Taste of Food” winner is long-time island favorite Mi Casita Authentic Mexican Restaurant, which also won the “Best Taste of Drink – with alcohol” category. The “Best Taste of Drink – without alcohol” is the Catalina Island Brew House, which won the same category last year. The “Best Taste of Dessert” winner is Sailor’s Delight Ice Cream Shop for the third year in a row.
Nineteen participating establishments offered 40 “Tastes” in the annual event, held this year on Thursday, May 30. The top three winners in each category will be honored in the 2025 Catalina Island Visitors Guide and on LoveCatalina.com, Catalina Island’s official destination marketing website.
Over 700 participants enjoyed the beautiful evening, tasting the scrumptious food, dessert, and drink offerings while voting for their favorites.
Mi Casita won in the “Best Taste of Food” category, serving both Birria and Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa. Avalon Grille took second place for its mini Cubano Sandwich, and Maggie’s Blue Rose took third place with its Chipotle Pasta.
Congratulations to all the winners. A big thank you goes out to all the food and beverage establishments for participating and to all the residents and visitors who came out for the evening and voted for the Best Tastes of Avalon! As hard as it is to believe, a handful of participants made it to all nineteen locations. Thank you to Noelle Denisi for documenting the event with an amazing video you can see on Love Catalina’s social media channels.
Taste Around 2024 winners
Best Taste of Drink w/ Alcohol
1st: Mi Casita, Café de Olla Martini and Spicy Pineapple Margarita
2nd: Bluewater Avalon, Coconut Margarita
3rd: Maggie’s Blue Rose, Mangonada Paleta Margarita
Best Taste of Drink – No Alcohol
1st: Catalina Island Brew House, Sparkling Lavender Lemonade (two-year placeholder)
2nd: Cafe Metropole, The Green Pier (two-year placeholder)
3rd: Tie—Avalon Grille, Golden Euphoria Mule and Original Antonios with Jamaica Soda
Best Taste of Food
1st: Mi Casita with both Shrimp and Birria Tacos & Pineapple Salsa
2nd: Avalon Grille, Mini Cubano Sandwich
3rd: Maggie’s Blue Rose, Chipotle Pasta
Best Taste of Dessert
1st: Sailor’s Delight, Mackinac Island Fudge Sundae (three-year placeholder)
2nd: Catalina Island Brew House, Buffalo Milk Mousse (two-year placeholder)
3rd: Topside by NDMK, Topside Panna Cotta
$50 Voter Prize winner
Congratulations Brian Searan of Phoenix, Arizona, who visited all nineteen locations.
