Catalina Rose Bay

+ Add to list
Write Review
Add Photos
Read Reviews

Overall Rating

7.2

Catalina Rose Bay Recommended based on its 135 reviews
Calculated using a Weighted average

Food
7.6
Ambience
8
Service
7
Value
6.3

Tell a Friend

Catalina Rose Bay Details

Print

Catalina Rose Bay Address

Lyne Park
Rose Bay NSW 2029
 Map
Catalina Rose Bay Menu
Catalina Rose Bay Website


Catalina Rose Bay Contact Info »

Cuisines

Mediterranean, Modern Australian, Seafood


Chef

Mark Axisa


Prices

Average Meal Price $69 - based on one entree & main course only
$22.00-$32.00
$35.00-$48.00
$20.00-$21.00


Bookings

Bookings are preferred
Groups of 8 or more are asked to pay a deposit of $25 per person.
Tables over 12 are usually treated as small functions, and are required to have a semi set menu. All details are organised with our functions coordinator. Terms and conditions apply.


Rooms & Capacity

No of Seats 160

Catalina
Entire Restaurant
Seating Capacity 150
Standing Capacity 250


Hours

Mon to Sat Noon - 10pm
Sun Noon - 4pm
Lunch
Mon to Sun Noon - 5pm
Dinner
Mon to Sat 5pm - 10pm
Remarks
The outdoor Bar area is open during these hours, and Bar Food is available.
Open 24/7 with exceptions
Open on Christmas Day
Open on Christmas Eve
Open on New Years Eve
Open on Public Holidays


Specialties

  • Catalina house smoked salmon with soft boiled duck egg, truffle mayonnaise and brioche
  • Roasted suckling pig with apple purée, braised red cabbage and raisins
  • Pan fried snapper fillet with potato and garlic mash; lemon caper butter
  • Salted peanut praline and caramel parfait

Serves

Serves Lunch
Serves Dinner


Classifications

Restaurants


Categories

Awards
One Good Food Hat

Bookings Online
Restaurant Bookings

Business Facilities
Meeting / Banquet Facilities

Dietary Standards
Cater to Special Diets

Dining Atmospheres
Family Dining
Fine Dining
Good for Business Dining
Good For Groups
Hip and Trendy
Romantic and Intimate

Dining Features
Air Conditioning
Child Friendly
Child Friendly Highchairs
Citibank Dining Program
Good Wine List
Has Bar
Licensed
Log Fire
Outdoor Dining
Smoking Area

View
Water View


Payment Types Accepted

Diners
Amex
Visa
Mastercard
EFTPos

Parking

Ample or Convenient Parking
Parking Suggestions
Valet parking @ $30 per car is available Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunches. There is usually plenty of free parking at night.


Notes

Catalina has a large outdoor bar area, serving delicious bar food and an extensive cocktail and wine by the glass list. 10% surcharge (on food only) on Sundays and Public Holidays



Help us correct a mistake or add more info!



Catalina Rose Bay Awards

2012

SMH Good Food Guide 2012 - One Chef's Hat


2012

Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 - One Star


2011

SMH Good Food Guide 2011 - Legend Award: Michael McMahon


2011

SMH Good Food Guide 2011 - One Chef's Hat


2011

Australian Gourmet Traveller 2011 - One Star


2009

SMH Good Food Guide 2009 - One Chef's Hat


2009

Australian Gourmet Traveller 2009 - Two Stars


2008

Australian Gourmet Traveller 2008 - Two Stars


2008

Winner Best Modern Australian Restaurant, Formal, Restaurant and Catering NSW Metropolitan Awards for Excellence


2008

Winner 2008 Best Wine List - Comprehensive, Restaurant and Catering NSW Metropolitan Awards for Excellence


 more…



Overview of Catalina Rose Bay

"Stunning position, stunning views, stunning food." - SMH Good Living.
A 15 minute car ride from the CBD, or a 1 minute walk from Rose Bay Ferry Wharf, this contemporary and elegantly designed restaurant in Rose Bay opened 18 years ago, and has consistently maintained its commitment to quality.

The restaurant was designed as a homage to the beauty of Sydney Harbour. Diners have a panoramic view of Sydney Harbour at water-level, punctuated only by the comings and goings of a working harbour, and incoming commuter sea planes based in front of the restaurant. There is no finer place to dine on Sydney Harbour than on the massive curved balcony directly over the water.

"Beautifully understated elegance and professional service combine in one of the most perfectly positioned restaurants on the planet." - SMH Good Food Guide 2009.

Catalina's fresh and authentic menus are inspired by the classics - French, Italian, Spanish and Mediterranean. We source only the highest quality seafood, meat and poultry from around Australia. The service staff are experienced, well trained, relaxed and friendly. Catalina may also be booked for private functions.



Tips & guidelines

Add a Review for Catalina Rose Bay

AwfulPerfect 12345678910


Food

Ambience

Service

Value

Food
1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10:

Ambience
1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10:

Service
1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10:

Value
1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10:

Your Review *


Attach photo(s) to your review

    Problems uploading? Try our classic uploader

    Select photo(s) to upload with your review

    Photo 1

    Photo 2

    Photo 3
    Bloggers - Want us to link to the full review on your blog?


    Already a member? Please login:

    New User? Show me the Registration form





     

    User Reviews of Catalina Rose Bay

    Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next

     

    Displaying: 1 - 10 of 135 reviews



    9 Highly Recommended

    Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  8     


    Friendly, helpful but discreet staff, superb food and the location unbeatable, we were recommended a wine that was lovely but bottom of price range - no upselling.


    Response from Management:
    Glad to hear you enjoyed your experience, and that our staff looked after you well. Sounds as if you received the full 'Catalina' experience!

    May 18, 2012 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    HMSalt
    1


    5.8 Average

    Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  3     


    We attended last Sunday for a birthday lunch. First impression when I first entered the restaurant was that it was spacious. Not many tables for a restaurant that I would have thought would be quite packed given the amazing view. The chairs seemed like they were out of a school classroom - very old and battered - not befitting a restaurant that I woudl imagine is high on the social ladder (given that KRUDDS son had his wedding there the night before) BUT - I realised why it was quite spacious!

    The prices for the fare in my opinion was unduly quite high. I do not see the value in pay $50 odd for a piece of steak cut in half stacked on top of each other with two onion rings! I chose two entrees as I deemed the mains to be overpriced, and knowing that portions in top restaurants is sparse I opted for variety than have one small dish. They were both just OK, but again the price even for an entree size was a bit over the top for what they were.

    The wine list is comprehensive and in fact it was like a bible! Overall a pleasant day in a wonderful part of Sydney, but disappointing in relation to the costs for just "nice food" and not "exquisite food".


    Response from Management:
    I am sorry your experience didn't seem to represent value for money. We do add a 10% surcharge to the food prices on a Sunday to help pay for Sunday penalty rates for our staff, and I realise it does make us expensive on a Sunday.
    Our chairs were purchased new as part of a complete refurbishment of the restaurant 4 years ago. They are Italian 'Capellini' chairs, in padded grey leather. They were chosen because they are are extremely comfortable. I am sorry you didn't like them.

    Apr 17, 2012 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    chriscross195
    3


    6.5 Recommended

    Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  6     


    Delicious meal on a nice evening on the harbour.

    But super long waits - - almost 4 hours for a fairly straightforward 3 course meal.

    One of our party of 6's meal was totally forgotten and we were told not to wait but to eat without him.

    Another of our party had a considerable amount of wine spilled on her.

    We had to attract the staff to fill up wine glasses several times (and had no choice because wine was not kept nearby table).

    Overall - super nice food - but not somewhere I would take people to impress or on a special occasion. Would come back for a casual one-course lunch or meal maybe.

    Let down by service and slowness.


    Response from Management:
    We are so glad you enjoyed your food, but we were aware that your table copped the brunt of a very difficult night. Sometimes things do go wrong in a restaurant, and often if they do, one table gets the brunt of it. Your table certainly had a bad night, but we have tried to compensate you for your disappointment by inviting you back. We hope you will take us up on this sincere attempt to make up for what happened on the night.

    Apr 01, 2012 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    Flashtrash
    6


    0 of 1 reader found the following review helpful

    1.8 Not Recommended

    Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     


    Food: What food?
    Ambience: What ambience?
    Service: What service? Non-existent!
    Value: 0 (even not 1)! Nice waterview but we can get better food and better service on Sydney! Don't go there!


    Response from Management:
    As I don't know when you came in and what actually happened, I can't really comment on your review, but it seems a little unfair to post a review like this with no information at all about your actual experience. These comments don't describe the Catalina I know and love, at all. Obviously something has caused you to feel this way, and I would like to get to the bottom of what turned you off Catalina. Owner comment

    Mar 27, 2012 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    pedkc
    1


    4.5 Below Average

    Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  2     


    I went to Catalina for lunch hoping for some fresh Australian seafood. I found my entree of oysters to have a lot of discoloring and seemed not quite as fresh and refreshing as I would have expected for the price with yellow tainted shells and a very strong smell even through the lime ceviche dressing.

    After that I decided on scallops which tasted like they were frozen and not fresh at all with cold black pudding sausage, after that I decided to pass on dessert just incase that was brought in, very disappointing considering it's a seaside establishment with old oysters and I'm sure frozen scallops. Will not be back I can get a fresher seafood experience from a swim in the sea! Oh and not to forget the floors look worse than a 80s roller disco stained and marked like a basketball court, not impressed do not enter!


    Response from Management:
    I am so sorry to hear of your experience at Catalina. It appears that there was a lack of attention to detail with your food on the day, for which I sincerely apologise. I wish you had brought your disappointment to the attention of your waiter or floor manager. That way we could have attended to the problems, and replaced any food that you felt was not up to standard. We are very proud of our food, however it appears that in this case our kitchen failed you.

    Please be assured that all of our food is as fresh as it can possibly be, and that our ingredients are of the highest quality. All food is prepared on site: our sourdough loaves are baked on the premises; the oysters shucked to order; salmon house-cured and smoked; fish delivered whole and scaled and filleted here; and all desserts and pastries made on the day by our pastry chefs.

    And the floor: we have had a lot of trouble with our timber floor since last year when it was completely replaced, and we are still working on fixing the problem. I daresay that if you had enjoyed your meal, it would not have seemed anywhere near as bad as it sounds!

    Mar 14, 2012 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    Tim harry
    1



    7.5 Recommended

    Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     


    What a lovely lunch on Sunday for my birthday. Great view food was nice but did not like us wanting to bring own birthday cake & my fish was a little overcooked making it dry but still a nice local venue.


    Response from Management:
    Unfortunately we are unable to offer BYO for wine or birthday cakes, but we do make delicious birthday cakes on request, and provide 4 different types to choose from. They are: a layered milk, dark and white chocolate cake; an orange poppyseed cake; a strawberry and mascarpone cake, and we can also make a cheese cake, with enough notice. We finish the cake with a Happy Birthday message, and candles. After presenting the birthday cake we cut it up and serve it as dessert, with fruit and ice cream.

    Feb 13, 2012 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    Roseyrosebay
    2


    0 of 2 readers found the following review helpful

    10 Highly Recommended

    Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     


    Slightly apprehensive when a friend recently suggested we drop down late on a Friday afternoon for a drink, as some recent reviews have not been favourable. Well, wasn't I in for a big surprise.

    Staff were friendly and helpful from the moment we arrived, even though we had no booking. Bar stools were quickly wrangled, and a great spot on the deck was arranged. Our friendly bar tender suggested a couple of tasty options for cocktails which arrived promptly, and after sampling some of the best oysters I have ever eaten, (I think it was a lime and chilli dressing) as the bar area started to fill up, we decided to move to a table and stay for dinner.

    The ambience was a little boisterous, but considering it was a Friday lunch/early dinner, we didn't mind at all, in fact, it was great to be surrounded by people who had obviously had a wonderful lunch experience.

    For entree we shared the scallop dish, 3 nice big fat juicy specimens, which perfectly matched the accompanying pancetta and morcilla, and for main I had the snapper with garlic mash. Neither dish could be faulted, serving sizes more than generous, and the freshness of the produce could not be doubted for a second.

    On passing my compliments to our waiter, he looked quite proud to inform us that all the fish arrives fresh daily, and is cleaned and portioned by the staff in the kitchen. I'm curious how many other kitchens in Sydney could make that claim.

    I thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience, and look forward to going back soon.

    Feb 10, 2012 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    eatmyshorts
    5


    2.8 Not Recommended

    Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  2     


    Catalina Glory Days are over. First time visit to Catalina today and most definitely will not be going back. After booking weeks in advance 5 excited ladies turned up expecting an indulgent afternoon in a beautiful restaurant. What we got was distinctly average food which was way over priced and the rudest staff I have come across in a very long time. We had to wait over an hour between our entree and main course.

    About 40 minutes in we were advised that the kitchen was "backed up" and it wouldn't be long. Half an hour later when the food arrived we were told that in fact someone had forgotten to put the order ticket through in the kitchen.

    When we went to taste the food 4 out of the 5 plates were only luke warm. We decided to order another bottle of wine having already consumed an expensive bottle of champagne and a bottle of white, only to be told that they were sold out of the variety we had just had. Instead we were offered a more expensive replacement without any offer to match or reduce the price.

    Already feeling ripped off, we asked to speak to the senior staff and after waiting and then putting in a second request, finally the senior staff arrived and was not at all apologetic and made us feel like we were lucky to be there and shouldn't be complaining.

    There was no offer to compensate us in any way or make a gesture of goodwill, so we requested the bill, which again was not discounted in anyway.

    On our way out the door after expressing our final disappointment at our overall experience the senior staff became very aggressive and told us not to bother coming back. We were all appalled at his behaviour. Clearly Catalina staff need more training on how to deal with customer complaints.

    I would not recommend this place and will not go back. There are much better restaurants in Sydney with better quality food at half the price and polite staff. Catalina's needs to get over itself!

    Dec 18, 2011 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    QueenoftheDesert
    1


    2.8 Not Recommended

    Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  3     


    A very average dining experience. Food was "run of the mill". Half a dozen oysters for entree. I've had fresher tasting oysters at my local pub! Beef tenderloin for main was grilled as requested but I have consumed just as good at many other less expensive establishments.

    It has been several years since I have dined at this restaurant and it certainly was not a gastronomical experience! I have to admit that I did enjoy their crusty sourdough but they were so stingy with their portions. Only one piece each! Had to put up my hand and ask for a second helping! Thank you very much Maam! I understand this establishment is an institution in the east but apart from the view there is nothing else to write home about!

    Overseas visitors, spend your hard earned bucks somewhere else, if you want to taste good Aussie Cuisine!

    Nov 30, 2011 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    susan9894
    1


    9.3 Highly Recommended

    Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  8     


    I love love love Catalina! Yes, it is a bit stressful on the wallet but what do you expect in the most gorgeous location, great food and excellent service.
    We eat out a lot in OZ and around the world and Catalina is up there with the best! Reading some of the reviews, was very surprised at comments about the service. Tim and all the staff could not be more professional. I have never had a bad experience at Catalina and keep going back as often as possible.

    Nov 24, 2011 

    Was this review helpful?   |


    almond
    6

    Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next

     

    Displaying: 1 - 10 of 135 reviews







    Your business? Claim this page

    Add photos for Catalina Rose Bay



    Catalina's bar The dining room Seaplane base close by House smoked salmon Snapper fillet on potato and garlic mash Salted peanut praline and caramel parfait Salted peanut praline and caramel parfait Riverine beef tenderloin White chocolate and raspberry cheesecake Pan fried king prawns House smoked salmon Signature snapper fillet « 1 of 12 photos »



    Subscribe to the Sydney newsletter for deals, specials and news!

    Sign Up

    Join Eatability on



    Facebook


    Twitter




     
    Book a Restaurant Table
    Daily Deals
    Special Offers
    Best of Sydney
    Order Takeaway
    Free to order | No markup
    Book a Hotel Room
    Where?
    No fees | Best rate guaranteed

    Arrive

    Depart


    Anonymous photo Anonymous

    Login / Register

    Recently Viewed
    Tell a Friend

    Lists

    Favourites

      No items

    New List

    Add

    Body Left Cached User Nav : showCached : true, time: 0ms


    Newsletter

    Get deals, specials & news!

    Sign Up
    View a previous newsletter

    Browse Sydney

    expand Arts & Leisure
    expand Health & Beauty
    expand Hotels
    expand Restaurants & Nightlife
    expand Services
    expand Shops

    Categories

    expand Cuisines
    expand Dining Atmospheres
    expand Dining Features
    expand Hotel Amenities
    expand Bookings Online
    expand View
    expand Dietary Standards
    expand Parking Facilities
    expand Delivery, Pick Up & Catering
    expand Awards
    expand Internet Access
    expand Accessibility
    expand Arts & Crafts
    expand Fitness & Recreation
    expand Guided Tours
    expand Hotel Room Facilities
    expand Parking Types
    expand Pool, Spa & Gym Facilities
    expand Public Amenities
    expand Sport Types
    expand Opening Hours
    expand Age & Gender
    expand Bread Types
    expand Business Facilities
    expand Card & Lottery Games
    expand Cheese Types
    expand Chocolate Family
    expand Chocolate Origin
    expand Clothing Sizes
    expand Clothing Types
    expand Confectionery & Dessert
    expand Cultural Significance
    expand Delivery & Return Policies
    expand Fashion Accessories
    expand Fish Types
    expand Fresh Food
    expand Groceries
    expand Meat & Delicatessen
    expand Museum Types
    expand Ordering Methods
    expand Payment Types
    expand Red Wine Varieties
    expand Roe Types
    expand Servicing
    expand Shellfish
    expand Specialist Beverages
    expand Suitable For
    expand White Wine Varieties
    expand Wine Styles



    Close