Nicholas Williams
Simply amazing. The decor, the service, the food & the host. Open Monday to Fridays for lunch, they appeal to more then just the suits. This is Italian at it finest.
Fully encouraged to embrace the long lunch, we did, We pretty much ate our way through the entrees, sharing as we went, and added a couple of specials too. Unfortunately that didn’t leave much room for mains, but we had the goat and weren’t disappointed.
An extensive drinks menu, including some special Italian beers to try.
Cannot wait to go back, thank you for a memorable lunch, a perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Jai Nirokhekar
Honestly!!! I am in awe🔥.
Been to many restaurants so far that have amazing food but this place is just 1000 times above the rest! Their food is sublime and authentic however its the service that makes it better!! I haven’t met staff that’s this informed about every ingredient that goes in each dish.
I am a pastry chef and Caterina’s is the epitome of what hospitality is and always should be.
Thanks n I’ll be back soon.
John Montesalvo
This is the second time I have had the pleasure of dining at Caterinas. . The place itself is like a museum of eclectic pieces of art. Outside of Italy this is the only “real” Italian restaurant I have ever found. . Caterina herself is an excellent host and you can hear the passion she has for her art and her food in her voice. I could actually go to this place and get her to take me around to her art pieces and listen to the story of what they are and how she acquired them .
Then there is the food , what can I say simply superb. I’m from Brisbane I come down regularly to visit my daughter , this will now be our place.
If you have not had the pleasure of dining at Caterinas , do it soon. Oh yea , they only do lunch .
Quincy Malesovas
I understand the hype - Caterina’s is amazing. I went for a solo lunch the other day and enjoyed a glass of white, some sautéed green beans (which were delicious thanks to lemon and breadcrumbs) and an incredible vegetarian mezzaluna with walnut sauce. I ordered the starter size which was substantial enough for lunch (in my opinion).
My only criticisms were that service was a bit slow which wouldn’t normally matter except that I was on a limited lunch break - all in, I was there for nearly 2 hours as I had to wait a bit to take my order. The bread complimentary bread roll I received was also pretty hard but maybe it was meant to be? Otherwise everything was great and I can’t wait to go back.
Nathalia Beltrán
It was amazing!
Great food, perfect temperature, garnished very well and tasting incredible. Highly recommended ❤️
Thomas Ricks
They only do lunch here but great food and service. I enjoyed the lunch there. They always have nice specials. And I recommend coming here a few times on different days to try out their regular menu and their specials.
Nice environment/atmosphere!
Simone Micallef
Hidden below ground level this restaurant is amazing. From the moment you enter you receive excellent service from knowledgeable staff. The tables are well spaced and you are spoiled for choice with the extensive menu. All our dishes were attractively presented and delicious - we can't wait to go back!
Daniella Montesalvo
Forget about the hyped up Melbourne restaurants... this is the true Melbourne institution of Italian food. For those who have experienced the real soul of Italy, this a is place where you will rediscover it here in Australia.
Caterina's soul emanates from every nook and cranny of the rustic dining room, which transports you to Italy for the afternoon.
True Veneto cuisine served with an extra splash of love in every dish. A foodies delight, which is exceptional in every way.
A special thanks to Caterina herself which shows us her heart every time we visit. Thank you for showing Melbourne what being Italian is all about.
Ricardo Hormazabal
We were very privileged to be apart of my best friends wedding here caterinascucinaebar and I can honestly say this is one of the best reception I've been to.
The service was immaculate on point, very professional. Made you feel very comfortable.
As for the food blew us away, fantastic flavours, presentation and excellent portion size.
Thank you Caterina and Marcelo for providing a service we will remember forever.
Gracie
Janis Nelson
No other restaurant could ever compare to the ambience and top quality of this place and of each meal that is served here. The staff are well versed and Caterina is the hostess with the most. A very special dining experience :)
Giusi Galbo
Today I pay tribute to a great host! I have had a fabulous lunch with my husband at Caterina’s Cucina e Bar... Yep, Caterina is the Queen of Queen Street!!!
Thank you so much Caterina for the warm “ospitalita’” and the great food... We were blown away. Your passion and love for what you do, and how you do it, is very inspiring... a true honor to all Italians in Australia!
There was so much mouth watering recipes on the menu’ that was hard to choose from... It’s truly amazing the way you manage such a high standard quality overall. Competent staff, great service and we must say impressive fresh food... not to mention the premises, a real gem in the heart of this wonderful city.
Grazie Caterina Borsato.
Libby Mooney
The service is exceptional! Jane our waitress was amazing! The owner Caterina is so welcoming and fabulous. Then there’s the food!! Delicious times ten 💚💚💚
Rose Mimmo
The best of the best, just love Caterina’s Cucina e Bar, great variety of the menu
Eles Murray
Great food, friendly staff, great atmosphere. Like an Italian taverna! A little bit of Italia in Melbourne!
Peter Matthews
Beautiful venue, excellent service and of course sensational food. Excellent value for 5 star restaurant. Originally disappointed no "Peroni' but was put onto a Sardinian beer which probably better than Peroni.Wine list good without being over the top, Only a lunch time restaurant and I noticed it cleared very quickly. Would go back in a blink
Speri Oscar
Ottima location. Portate ottime si sento prodotti di alta qualità..!! Personale e titolare Caterina molto ospitali.
Elio Bonazzi
Great food, great service. I wanted to check out this restaurant for a while... glad I did, what a positive surprise! I’ll definitely go back.
Eleanore Kostiuk
The food and the service in this place, never disappoints.
Gilda De Marcellis Ryan
Beautiful food experience, love the service hospitality and amazing food secretly tucked away from hustle and bustle it brought me away to Italy for my lunch, divine! See you soon Caterina and team grazie mille!�������
Karen Coats
A true 5 star experience. I felt as if I had been transported to northern Italy. Stunning food and excellent service. Can't wait to go back. Highly recommended !
Gwendolyn Borsato
Exceptional food, made with love. The service is phenomenal and the setting/decor really sets a mood ��
Petra Jooss
Great food & wonderful, friendly & attentive staff.
Richard Peck
To good for my review skills. Just go there! Amazing
Grace MimFitz
Wonderful ambience, delicious food and excellent service - what more could you ask for?
Stephen Mackley
Great food. Excellent service. A real MELBOURNE institution
Joanne Manenti
Fantastic food, service and great coffee. Will certainly be back.
A lovely evening in honour of Dante Alighieri.
Sharyn Doolan
We loved our little family lunch catch up there today. Those truffles were sooo good.
Andrew Shelton
Caterina’s has been around forever. The food has always been good - I’ve had the best prawns of my life there - and the service excellent. Maybe it was a busy Friday but it has slipped a little of late. The food was still good, classic Italian fare but not done as well. The pasta was almost stale and swimming in oil. It’s still good and it’s still good value but I hope this isn’t symptomatic of a general decline.
Karina J
Fantastic dining experience. Food was delicious and the service is impeccable. We started with the octopus and scallops and for mains we had the duck long pasta, rabbit risotto and pork belly. For desert we shared the lemon tart and chocolate mousse. All dishes were perfectly balanced and the produce was fresh and cooked to perfection.
Rhiannon Fairlie
Easily one of the best restaurants in Melbourne. The restaurant itself is a beautiful and ornate space that transports you to Italy. The food is excellent: specials list is so long it could comprise an entire menu, and the care and thought that goes into each dish is truly impressive. A Melbourne treasure for sure.
Food_Glorious_Food
My all time favourite Italian restaurant in Melbourne, and a must visit every time we fly over from interstate. To say the menu is extensive is an understatement to say the least. Knowledgeable, on the ball staff recite a host of specials with explanations, without missing a beat & the service we’ve received each time has been nothing short of exceptional. My favourite aspect (other than the delicious food) is the ambience & decor of the place - it very much feels like you’ve been transported to a real trattoria somewhere in Italy which just adds another dimension to the whole experience. From superb hand made pastas (the gnocchi are like fluffy clouds), to the seafood and meat dishes (full of flavour each time), I honestly cannot fault the food. The only issue is trying to decide what to order! An absolute must try if you love authentic Italian cuisine.
Lizzie Eats Melbourne
😱Lizzie's first impression: I have walked on Queen st many times but never noticed this underground restaurant until I was taken there. <br/><br/>🍩Lizzie enjoyed: The ambience of this place is like no other. The menu has a large variety and I was so impressed. I tried the chorizo risotto and it was amazing. For entree i tried the scallops and they were cooked perfectly. <br/><br/>🍅Lizzie did not enjoy: my octopus entree was a little on the dry side which was unfortunate, nonetheless the flavours were all there. <br/><br/>🎖Lizzie rates overall: A great place to try something new things as all the dishes have great flavour to it.
Shelly
Absolutely delicious food with brilliant service. The menu is great - but the specials are superb. Such a wide variety of options to choose from. You won't be disappointed.
Nicole Tang
Who knew that a set of stairs from Queen Street leading down to a basement space could reveal such a lovely Italian restaurant and bar. The venue has a completely old-world feel to it with its homely trinkets and classy decor. Staffed by some of the friendliest ladies, including the owner herself, Caterina, every customer is well looked after the entire time. Food is sensational, with both classic and contemporary dishes listed on their modest menu, as well as off-the-menu varieties available upon request. Both of my visits here so far have been extremely enjoyable. I particularly love their risotto, any of their al dente-cooked pastas, scallops and decadently plated tiramisu. Definitely would recommend tasting some of their fine wine, and finishing with a grappa or grappino!
Rodney
Just enjoyed an amazing meal at Caterina's - it was a lovely touch that Caterina provided the overview of the specials (after 21 years) and was deeply involved in the service. I had the Beef Carpaccio which had a certain freshness and elegance that I have never tasted elsewhere. For mains, I had a Beef Raghu for with egg papadelle which was amazing. One of my colleagues enjoyed a plate of Blue Fin Tuna which was fresh out of the water on Saturday - amazing! The wine list is next level - had a couple of bottles of Papale which was like velvet - perfect structure and complex tannins! Highly recommend this place!
Kenji Maratimo
So today clients take me to Caterina's, apparently a Melbourne institution. I grew up in Sydney and frequently visited Machiavelli's and Beppe's. So to me it's on....show me the way guys.<br/>We started with some calamari fritti, some meat balls (obviously I'm not choosing as the locals know there stuff). And it's define ....really good.<br/>The mains are up, I have to order a Machiavelli special so I go with the Angel hair pasta, chill and Morton bay bugs....OMG it's delightful, perfect hint of chilli. We have share plates of beans, fries, spinach and an abundance of wine...see pics.<br/>This is traditional Italian cooking at it best, superb hosts and servers, the owner comes over and asks if everything is ok. Such a wonderful touch.<br/>If your in town and looking for some traditional Italian give this pace a try...I'm certainly going back.
Laura Mercuri
Amazing experience <br/>Amazing food and Pizzini wine<br/>Amazing customer service<br/>Amazing hospitality from Caterina herself and team. <br/>Tops the list as one of my favorite dining experiences <br/>Look forward to going again
Timbo
For Italian food, this is the real thing. Home made pasta, open at selected hours which means that they clearly can make a very good living off selective times to suit their schedule.<br/><br/>Pasta fantastic, gnocchi a treat, pork schnitzel encrusted with parmesan and crumbs were brilliant, and overall, a must return.<br/><br/>There are few that stack with this place - an institution.
Stretts
I continue to never have to open the menu given the extensive specials on offer each day. Service by Caterina and her staff is some of the best going. Always a warm welcome. Had sardines to start followed by superb roast goat and polenta dish washed down with Curley Flat Pinot. Our first time Caterina guests left with rave reviews of this Melbourne institution. Long may it continue.
Jinn Kan
By far one of my favourite Italian spots in Melbourne,<br/><br/>Came for a cheeky lunch during one of those long 5-day work weeks. We expected nothing less from Caterinas, tasty, flavourful flavours in both their standard dishes and daily specials. It is always a treat to dine here.<br/><br/>Atmosphere was nice, not too noisy, but could easily block out the conversation next door even in the space provided.<br/><br/>Highly recommend to anyone who traverses Melbourne CBD at lunch time.<br/><br/><br/>
Diner62
Wonderful lunch with my partner today. Delicious food, excellent service, fabulous wine selection and great hospitality. Highly recommend this restaurant! What a shame, that they only trade at lunchtime.
Si Con Ren
Amazing personal service, incredibly delicious food. Probably the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to in Melbourne. Extraordinary.
A
Boy's Lunch Friday May 8. Beautiful venue, excellent service , sensational food. Maitre D " Shane" organised a shared platter consisting of a few of the entree items on the menu. Two of us had the rabbit and two the slow roasted lamb shoulder. All very positive reports.Staff very quick to top up the wine and beers. Originally disappointed no 'Peroni' beer but barman put me onto a Sardinian beer 'Ichnusa" ( I think) Top drop and a fair price @ $9.50 . The restaurant seemed very quick to clear,probably a lot of business people.?Caterina's seems to use a very old website with little indication of the food or wine or prices but probably at the cheaper end for 5 star dining.<br/>The four of us agreed it's one of the better Melboune restaurants.
Gianluca
Impressive. Some of the best Italian food in Melbourne. And I'm not stranger to Italian food...
Peta Hills
Beautiful true Italian food with outstanding service in a great atmosphere. An absolute must! I'm so happy I stumbled upon this gem.
Gialzned
I expected burgers!. Wow I went out for breakfast, and couldn't find a breakfast burger. So I waited outside until lunch, and discovered this place! Unbelievable fruit salad!!! I'm in awe of both the service and the food. Excellent. I paid with cash, and they gave me change!!!!<br/><br/>Thank you.
GetReal
Lunch... the way it used to be.... I could spend the whole afternoon here. Great atmosphere. excellent service and delicious food. This is how Italian should be.<br/>Many of the dishes have a modern twist, just to pique the interest/appetite.
Attiwill
From Melbourne. What a wonderful restaurant. Older-style Italian, comfortable, and a great ambience with really good food! Personal welcome from Caterina herself, and then a wholly attentive and professional waiting staff. Vitello tonnato is undoubtedly the best in Melbourne. Extensive menu (as well as many off the menu specials) and wine list. This is fine Melbourne Italian dining to go back to again and again.
Nathan W
I will start by saying this is the best lunch spot in town. Has the finest food and delightful hand made pasta. Look no further if true services and great food is what you desire.
Infinitycushion12
Great service and amazing food. The risotto and scallops were very fresh and amazing, delicious. We enjoyed excellent service from very knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Mike B
Don't miss this.. This place isn't easy to spot. In a basement in a non-trendy part of Queen Street. Wooden panelling and an atmosphere that reminded me so much of Italy. It is excellent and has been in business now for close to 20 years old. Caterina still runs the front of house with a firm hand and attention to detail. The menu is reasonably limited but is supplemented by a host of daily specials. A group of 5 of us enjoyed Vitello Tonato which was about as good as I've eaten. Here or in Italy. Lovely slices of poached veal, with I think, a thin seared crust, and the mayonnaise was unctuous. Scallops were served seared with a sauce of beet root ( lovely) and some fried garlic. The whole dish was worth eating....twice. 2 of the party had duck risotto and would have eaten a Second plateful. A good extensive wine list, reasonably priced. <br/><br/>And Caterina is a lovely host. Who provided us with a lovely glass ( or was it 2?) of her home made orange grappa. Another reason to return.<br/><br/>Update May 2018<br/><br/>A return visit with The Boys. Lovely lunch. The menu is extensive but matched by an almost overwhelming list of specials. Couldn’t pass on the Vitello Tonato. A special dish. Soft, thin slices of veal in a very, very good mayo. Followed by tagliatelle ragout. Delicious. The floor continues to be managed by Caterina who is as charming as ever.
Pimia
Great Italian Food. Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. The ambience, service and especially the food was sensational!! Will definitely be going back and suggest to food lovers to give it go. The number of times I've walked past this restaurant in Queen Street, all I can say is, how much I've missed. They're only open for lunch, but certainly open for special events of an evening. Go now!!!
The Truth
A delightful underground find.. Had the pleasure of stumbling upon this little gem, one night out in the city when I was with my incredibly attractive and intelligent girlfriend. Some traditional Italian favourites have been given a delicious modern twist, staff being friendly and attentive. We also had the pleasure of being visited at our table by the owner Caterina, as she casually stopped by tables to see if diners were enjoying themselves. Needless to say, we were, and meeting her was a charming addition to our already pleasant dining experience. Will definitely return again.
G Bailin
Sensational - a Melbourne must!. The service is 5 star from the moment you walk in. Fantastic ambiance and beautiful decor. A relaxed sophisticed atmosphere greats customers. The food is sensational. The house made pasta is superb. I had the gnocchi (a must) and lovely seafood special pasta, topped off by melt in your mouth chocolate pudding, accompanied by an '07 Chianti. The prices are the same as most city restuarants and cheaper than anything on Southbank, but the food far excels other overpriced restuarants. I'd give this restuarant 6 stars if I could. Will be definately returning and making this a regular
Tony Monley
Had the ravioli filled with Angus beef, accompanied by a nice McLaren Vale Cab Sav for lunch. Excellent.
Sh F.
I have been dinning at Caterina's for the last 18 years and know that the owner and the staff happen to be some of the nicest that I have come across in the hospitality industry for years. The previous reviewer must be a disgruntled customer or STAFF MEMBER as the kitchen is a closed kitchen and customers can't really hear what's going on in there. But they were correct in saying that the food is beautiful and so is the SERVICE. Great job guys!!
Kgreenwood
An absolute favourite!. I have been frequenting Caterinas for many years now and it is my first choice for a city lunch. I always take my clients, work colleagues and friends here as I know that every time we go it is a unique and magnificent experience.<br/><br/>There are not many restaurants you can walk into and be greeted as a long lost friend by all the staff and of course Caterina herself. The atmosphere is warm and professional and the food is outstanding. Caterina ensures that the mood is relaxed, and she works closely with her staff to ensure your every need is met. <br/><br/>The menu changes continuously and the staff recite the many daily dishes with great passion (and memory)! The personal touches and excellent service make it a joy to eat here and I always feel like settling in for the rest of the day. <br/><br/>I highly recommend a visit to Caterina's - you will not be disappointed, and like me you will be back many times. Every guest I have ever taken here has been blown away and they have all been back - it's a wonderful place to forget any stresses of the working day.
Daddio65
Bellissimo Bliss. I will unashamedly say that I was a fan of Caterinas before I took my wife for our anniversiary lunch I love the fact that this pearl among the swine is only open for long lingering lunches, it makes it all the more worthwhile to take the time from work to visit italy if not in body but gastronomy we start with a lovely carpaccio shared between us both, this only serves to make us ravenous for what is to come, the room has now started to fill with it's lawyer and business lunch crowd and they have the floor working like mad men at an asylum but this does not stop the attention to our meal or our glasses Caterina herself is on hand and paying attention to everything also offering wines and waters to parched patrons always a story to each pasta did I also mention the rolls and balsamic the balsamic is made on premises and has the bittersweet quality that true balsamics have italy with gusto and flavour, for our mains I had ravioli carne absoloutely divine parcels of pasta stuffed with veal and chicken and a rich and tangy sauce that bounced from fork to pallate with ease. my fair half had the spaghetti bianco the prawns litteraly jumped of the plate before we knew it we had scarfed down the meals and were left with the feeling of a roman emporer thus our tiramisu was served and our meal complete each facet of this meal was balanced and the flavours mingled to make our meal all the more satisfying <br/>to end I simply love Caterinas
MelbourneMiss
Wonderful. I had been interested in going to Caterina's for ages. What kind of place stays in business charging premium prices and only opening at lunch?<br/><br/>A clever place, right in the middle of the legal district. There was only one other woman there! Full of 40+ men in suits eating meaty dishes and drinking bottles of cab sav. You know the type.<br/><br/>We shared the kingfish cappaccio to start. Unfortunately, the fish was completely overpowered with the dressing which had vanilla bean in it - all we could taste was vanilla.<br/><br/>The mains were spectacular, but took over an hour from ordering - no word from the waiter until we asked - which isn't really good enough for the price of the meals. <br/><br/>We ordered the spaghetti with prawns in a bone marrow sauce (from the menu) which sounds a bit confronting but essentially was a really delicious salty full-flavoured smooth sauce. We also ordered the pork from the (lengthy) specials menu, which was a piece of pork belly and a piece of rolled pork with herb filling. Really delicious, although I am pretty confident the crackling from the pork belly was removed and fried separately, rather than cooked with the meat.<br/><br/>We had an amazing caprese salad as well, which we agreed contained the absolute best buffalo mozarella either of us have every tried.<br/><br/>I would recommend Caterina's for a lovely (long) lunch for a special occasion. Bring your gold AMEX.
Bruce Collins
Went for a Xmas party in the evening food and service made the night a success staff attentive and food selection very good
Ronny
Great service, good food. Went for a weekday lunch. The service was excellent the entire meal. Menu had some standard things but the specials really sounded great. Food was very good. Wine list was excellent also. Pity the website doesn't have much information and the restaurant is in a basement but the old English pub feels does have a nice charm.
Miss Nicola
Trust me I'm going back here. I felt like I was in safe hands and tried the specials. They didn't disappoint as the mushrooms came from Yea (Yay!) and we beautifully prepared as was the tuna. <br/><br/>Go with someone fun and smile at all the boys having business meetings trying to talk themselves up.<br/><br/>Nice one.
David
Very good. Went here for lunch today with a friend. Very comprehensive menu and beautiful specials. Service very professional, and for what you get, the prices are reasonable. Highly recommend.
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