Catalina Rose Bay Archives

Catalina, the harbourside favourite in Rose Bay, is offering a seven-course tasting menu paired with a cashback offer through American Express, giving Sydneysiders a rare chance to enjoy fine dining at a reduced price.

A Taste of the Harbour This May

The seven-course tasting at Catalina is part of the American Express delicious. Month Out campaign, priced at $180—down from $220—and available Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner throughout May. This offer is available to delicious. readers only, and guests must mention ‘delicious.’ when booking.

*Photo Credit: Catalina Rose Bay/Facebook*

The autumn menu features sustainable seafood and premium options like dry-aged Maremma duck, with vegetarian, gluten-free and seafood alternatives available. Diners may also get the chance to meet the chef.

Cashback for Cardholders

Through a separate but overlapping promotion, American Express is also offering 20% cashback at Catalina, up to $25 per eligible card. To qualify, cardholders must activate the offer on their Amex account before dining. This deal runs through to 1 June 2025 and applies only at participating venues like Catalina.

The cashback offer is designed to encourage Sydneysiders to eat out and support their local hospitality scene. With limited enrolments, diners are being urged to act fast to secure both the tasting and the cashback opportunity.

A Family Legacy at Rose Bay

Catalina has been part of Sydney’s dining scene since 1994. Founded by Michael and Judy McMahon, it’s now run by Judy with her children, James and Kate. The restaurant is known for its calm coastal setting and glass-fronted dining room overlooking Lyne Park.

Its menu changes with the seasons and is built around fresh, local produce. Signature favourites often include pan-fried snapper and Sydney rock oysters, though it’s the balance of elegance and simplicity that keeps locals coming back.

More Than Just a Meal

Catalina’s Month Out offer gives locals a chance to reconnect over quality food while supporting a long-standing Rose Bay favourite known for flavour and service.

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The promotion is drawing new diners to Catalina, offering more than a discount with harbour views, crafted dishes, and a chance to rediscover a local gem.

Published 5-May-2025

Catalina is an iconic Sydney restaurant. That is simply an indisputable fact. Built in Rose Bay in the mid-90s as a family-managed establishment, this harbourside spot has been a big part of the dining experience of many Sydneysiders.

Locals love hosting events like weddings, birthdays, reunions, and other milestones at the Catalina because of its spectacular food choices. The restaurant’s specialty is seafood but the menu is a mix of French, Italian, Mediterranean and Spanish influences served by head chef Max Axisa.

The best seats in Catalina are by the deck, where diners can watch planes fly or enjoy the night lights twinkling in the water as they eat their food. Prior reservations are recommended since this area can easily fill up during lunch and dinner.

The panoramic water view makes dining at the Catalina by the deck is a relaxing and pleasurable experience even when it’s filled with people. If you have guests from out of town and you’d like to show off the beauty of Sydney, then taking them to this restaurant and asking for a seat by the deck would be a perfect idea.

Those who prefer to be seated inside will find no shortage of views too, thanks to the wide windows providing great vantage points of the water.

Waiters and service staff at the Catalina are instructed to treat every guest with the highest regard, maintaining the best standards that the restaurant is known for.

This restaurant is one of the very few food places in Sydney that still has crisp white table cloths. Owner Michael McMahon believes that the Catalina doesn’t have to be trendy and casual like many new restaurants. Instead, he wants to maintain Catalina as the place where grown-ups eat great food.

“A wonderful afternoon spent here with girlfriends. The food and service was brilliant – not to mention the location & view. We didn’t feel at all rushed and had a relaxing experience.”
~ Simone Elsden, via The Fork

“Wowwww, I was not expecting the food here to be that great but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. I ordered the scallops for entree, which were perfectly cooked and the sauce underneath was honestly great. For main, I ordered the toothfish with shiitake mushroom dumplings in a dashi broth. Oh my – a dish that is very well thought out, with all the flavours/ingredients complementing each other perfectly. Everyone on the table had food envy for my dish (just quietly). Unfortunately, I had no room for dessert today, but the menu had so many great options, so I will definitely be back soon to try them out! The wait staff was great – very friendly, accommodating and speedy. A fantastic lunch!”
~ TheHappyMedium, via Zomato

“Wonderful in every respect. Food, friendly service, wine, harbour view, desserts, people-watching, coffee. White tablecloths, smart casual dress code. Highly recommended.”
~ Ian Ferris, via Delicious

This family-friendly restaurant is open daily at 12:00 noon and for dinners at 6:00 p.m. from Mondays through Saturdays.

Tag: Catalina Rose Bay

Catalina Brings Back Value Dining With Seven-Course Tasting Offer

A Taste of the Harbour This May

Cashback for Cardholders

A Family Legacy at Rose Bay

More Than Just a Meal

Why Catalina Is Still the Most Popular Restaurant in Rose Bay After 20 Years