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Hours
Sun
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Mon
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tue
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wed
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thu
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Seafood, Australian, Contemporary, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, View, Groups, Business meetings
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
About
Situated on the shores of Sydney Harbour on Rose Bay, Catalina is a beautiful, airy light-filled restaurant and bar with floor to ceiling glass sliding doors opening out onto a long curved balcony over the water. In keeping with its harbourside location, the fixed price a la carte menu features beautifully fresh seafood - Sydney Rock oysters shucked to order; whole snapper, yellowfin tuna and Murray cod filleted on the premises - but also a wide range of the best meat and poultry Australia has to offer. A fabulous Australian and global wine list (over 800 wines, many available by the glass) and welcoming, attentive service, make this restaurant a must-do Sydney dining experience. Open all day from midday until late, Catalina doesn't close between lunch and dinner. Between 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm graze on bar food overlooking the most beautiful harbour in the world.
PRICE RANGE
$120.00 – $161.00
CUISINES
Seafood, Contemporary, Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
1,263 reviews
Excellent
801
Very good
250
Average
111
Poor
63
Terrible
38
apim
Canberra348 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
The best in Rose Bay, no doubt! One of the prominent names in the Sydney water-front dinning. The ambience, food matches what you expect from a fine dinning place of such location. Their menu is primarily a-la-carte, not so much like 3 or 5 course of set menus like other premium options in Sydney e.g. Bennelong, Aqua Dinning etc!
Only point we felt down and had to leave early (for which recent few Google reviews gave me a hint) is that their air conditioning system is terrible. It was very uncomfotable inside once there were good number of patrons. We had a baby and she started crying just for the heat. Even in front of us we saw waitresses frequently using their handkerchiefs. This was a let down!
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimjam1303
I am so happy to hear that the food and service were so good on your recent visit to Catalina. I am sorry about the air conditioning on the day you dined. We have endured a number of very hot days this summer, and in a room faced with glass, over the water, it is sometimes a challenge to keep the room cool in extreme weather conditions. I am sorry that it marred an otherwise perfect day.
Written 10 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bob C
Sydney268 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Wonderful location, superb food, excellent wines, faultless friendly service. Parking can be a bit of a challenge however public buses run along the nearby road.
My only complaint is that a restaurant that is extremely expensive but worth it on occasions charges even more on a special day such as Valentine's Day.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
Sydney150 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
Lunch for 2. $130 per head, 3 courses, more than half a dozen choices for each course. You can even change out some of the entrees with other starters. Great staff, great location, beautifully presented food, recommend the tempura prawns, oysters lime cevice, barramundi, wagyu beef. Fantastic cheese platter, only 3 cheeses, but supper tasty. Excellent lemon tart. A side dish of broccolini was over the top ($14). Enough to feed 8 people, not 2! Will go again.
Written 26 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ole B
Frankfurt2 contributions
Dec 2020 • friends
Celebrated New Year’S Eve at the restaurant. The fixed menu was excellent . The sommelier from Chile was very knowledgeable and very friendly and attentive . The rest of the staff I would range from mediocre to low. They tried to rush us through the meal, we had to stop them removing our plates before we had finished . When we arrived , we were told we had 5 min to choose the items on the menu and they came several times to ask us , if we were ready with our order during the time frame. Several times we had to ask the staff to slow down and take it easy!
Like some restaurants Catalina obviously thinks you need loud music to make an atmosphere. We came at 8:30 pm and until we left at midnight after the fireworks, the place had turned into a disco . If we had known!
The best thing about Catalina is the spectacular location . The food is good as well as the wine list. If they want to be an upscale restaurant, they need to have better staff and turn down the music. As said the sommelier was excellent !
Written 31 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HentyH9
Australia50 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
What a special place. The view is awesome, the food of a very high standard and the service simply stunning. Cannot fault Catalina. We will always remember our first experience here. We had a mix of seafood and meat accompanied with an impressive wine menu (not unreasonably priced). Sweets were beautifully presented and delicious.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meggsy_S
Sydney50 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Always a fantastic place for a special celebration or annual get together with old friends.
I went again last week for my birthday and it was the same wonderful experience as always, from the moment we were met at the door to when we were farewelled.
I’m vegetarian and there are always a couple of options which are delicious. The beetroot tart for entree was outrageously good.
Staff are always friendly, attentive and efficient.
If you can, get an outside table as the views are superb.
This is certainly not a cheap restaurant but I do believe you get value for money and it’s great to splurge every once in a while for something special.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • none
Today we celebrated as a group of 5 ladies one friends special birthday. We were given an excellent table near the window to experience the wonderful water view and the afternoon continued on a high with a beautiful two course meal, and great attention from the wait staff who were happy to give advice and make suggestions in a friendly and courteous manner..
Thank you Catalina for a Special Day.. Judith
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay Y
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Five of us met for a reunion dinner on 30 January. Expectations were high. The experience exceeded expectations. Given a lovely harbourside outdoor table,
We ordered 3 different mains; all unanimously voted excellent. For desert our waiter suggested a large share-plate with selection of menu desserts. Equally voted outstanding. The staff were efficient and pleasant and our (french) waiter was perfect
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimjam1303
Thank you for your lovely review Jay. You must come back and try the rest of the menu!
Written 10 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie1958594
Sydney377 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
There were lots of family groups celebrating plus a number of couples the day we went there.
The weather was rainy and windy so the usual fabulous view was not there but the usual professionalism of the staff and fabulous food was.
The menu manages to straddle the fine line between timeless classics and inventive new dishes.
This place has been satisfying the most discerning of eastern suburbs diners for 25 years this year so it clearly has the winning formula.
It is not cheap , but given what you get it does represent good value.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimjam1303
Thank you for your lovely review Julie. Having been open for 25 years, it is gratifying that that we are getting things right! I look forward to seeing you again in the future!
Written 10 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sydneyskye
94 contributions
July 2020 • none
I have visited Catalina twice in the last two weeks. The service is outstanding, the food is truly amazing with plenty of options to choose from and the wine list is one of the best ever. The staff are so helpful and polite and they also play soft back ground music. There is a outdoor bar area where you can go prior to eat or after to have a drink and watch the sales boats go by and the ferries going across the water. I can highly recommend that although not cheap you pay for what you get and I must say this restaurant is a real show case of special food, so fresh, great service and I could probably just go on and on , but just go there and you will go back again.
Written 30 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Z2671DJjudym
Thank you so much for your comments! It means the world to all of us to receive such a glowing endorsement. While we enjoyed being able to provide for our customers during lockdown with our takeaway and home delivery options, our real passion is to look after guests in our beautiful dining room. And we are so thankful to be able to do that again.
Written 5 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Yumbojumbo
Sydney2 contributions
May 2021 • none
After many fine dining experiences in this establishment and giving them the "benefit of the doubt" after a woeful lunch here in April we tried again last Sunday and unfortunately we were sadly disappointed. The fish was over cooked and the service patchy to say the least. It's just not the same since the owner passed away, the current management just hasn't got what it takes. It's a bad look when the current owner is sitting in the middle of the restaurant on a busy Sunday with a bunch of mates with three waiters fluffing around them and we couldn't get service.
Written 31 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimjam1303
I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your lunch on Sunday. Let me assure you that I am personally committed to my late father’s high standards, and have been running Catalina for the last 8 years. I do not think that we have dropped the ball since his passing last April. That being said, Sunday was a challenging service for my hardworking and veteran team, and I regret that you did not enjoy your visit. Even the best restaurants can have a bad day, and your feedback is appreciated for our improvement.
James McMahon
Written 1 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Love_Life_Sydney
2392 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
$100 for just 2 courses may be a bit on the high end but Catalina does it so well. All our meals had exquisite flavours matched with great service.
There was no pressure to buy wines but we did. It was not cheap.
The views are just stunning, watching the yachts and ferries going by.
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake P
London5 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
I can’t fault the views Catalina has. The service was okay too, I have had much better. There was a reason this place still had availability 2 months out and similar restaurants like Firedoor, Nel, Bistecca, Automata, Fatmhouse, Quay, Mr Wong’s. Ester et al did not. I asked to be seated on the terrace for a special occasion. As soon as we walked in, we were sat on the back table near the toilet, I quickly realised we were 2nd class citizens. The staff went through the motions from the off, up-selling dishes at every chance. As I said the service was what you would expect, with a few people who were actually genuine. Food a solid 6/10. I’m not a foodie and still the courses were average at best. From the off it went downhill, capped by both deserts, which were out of the packet. Unless you have a corporate card - do not waste your money. There are hundreds of better restaurants in Sydney, especially at their price point. I’m glad my fiancé loves me because, to be honest, this really dampened my day. Romance? No - I’d rather eat around the corner and walk around the bay then come here again.
Written 19 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian R
1 contribution
May 2022 • family
Overall the food was good, the drinks fantastic, the service was average and as mentioned previously it was a bit noisey.. so a 3/5 for me. The views are spectacular so that is what you are really paying for. I had to ask for service, the restaurant was heaving (which is great to see!) however we seemed to be tucked in the corner, chasing service. Entrees were great! Mains had been left to be served (bit cold) and desert took a long time to come out. Staff were seated with us having their early dinner at the end of the day around 5pm( no problems with them eating! Bit unusual with the guests). All up for a bill approaching $1,000 for 4 people, I would of expected more of the occasion.
Written 7 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dee B
1 contribution
Jan 2022 • none
From a 3 course meal we had two of the courses either served incorrect or forgotten. Some wait staff not wearing masks. Our waiter was obviously annoyed at us for complaining about not receiving part of our order. This is not the first time that we have eaten at this restaurant and the service was not good the last time we ate here and they also forgot part of our meal last time. When I complained to the manager I was informed that Catalina was not the restaurant for me. Absolutely without a doubt will never set foot in this restaurant again. There are plenty of fine dining restaurants in Sydney who would appreciate your custom more than Catalina.
Written 10 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimjam1303
As you can see from the vast majority of our reviews, most of our guests love the excellent food and service that we provide. I am sorry that we made a mistake with your order, but unfortunately it happens occasionally. I apologised profusely at the time. I am extremely proud of the way our marvellous staff are working during exceptionally trying times and merely ask that some allowances are made while the whole city gets through the latest pandemic outbreak.
Written 12 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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