Our Story

CATALINA has been owned and operated by the McMahon family for over 30 years. Established by Judy McMahon and the late Michael McMahon in 1994, CATALINA quickly became a Sydney dining institution. The restaurant is now run by two generations of the McMahon family; Judy, her son James, and daughter Kate.

CATALINA’s setting is magical. The restaurant has unrivalled views of Sydney Harbour and Rose Bay and is the perfect vantage point to take in the surrounding yachts, ferries and seaplanes, and even the odd seal or dolphin. If the weather is fine, diners can sit outside on the terrace and connect with the harbour – and its famous pelican visitors - while enjoying elegant cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Mark Axisa and Head Chef Alan O’Keeffe. Thanks to CATALINA’s curved design, every table in the dining room has a view, making it the most spectacular waterfront restaurant in Sydney.

The menu at CATALINA is focused on beautiful, simple dishes where the produce is the hero. CATALINA classics, such as pan-fried snapper, Sydney rock lobster risotto and dry aged Maremma duck breast are staples on the menu, and wild caught and sustainable seafood takes centre stage. CATALINA is famous for having the best Sydney Rock Oysters in town, and fresh-poached Western Australian Marron, Yellow Fin tuna and scallop crudo and Glacier 51 toothfish are ‘must-try’ dishes, favoured by CATALINA’s regular diners.

CATALINA welcomes those who prefer to dine casually at the bar, and the bar menu features small plates such as Sydney Rock oysters, fish and chips and hand-picked Queensland mud crab. Introducing our new Seafood Antipasto - 6 of our favourite seafood bites including tempura king prawns, toothfish dumplings, tuna and scallop crudo, and more. Walk-ins only.

CATALINA also boasts an exceptional cellar, and its wine list regularly wins awards; for many, the wines and cocktails alone are reason alone to visit.

Reviews

“Catalina... again presents a compelling reason to take the sea plane to Rose Bay, go mano a mano with a worthy wine list, and luxuriate in smart cooking and switched-on service and a classic Sydney scene"