Caterina's Cucina E Bar, Melbourne VIC

Exquisite food, spot on service and Caterina. A perfect trinity for a looong lunch. There's something very unique about this place...if you've eaten in Italy you'll understand. How lucky are we to have a restaurant like this in Melbourne? May it go on for many, many, many years.

December 2024 update: Woohoo! She's back! Caterina's has re-opened after months of repairs and renovation after the flooding. Obviously, the crowd still love this place as it was packed on the day that we managed to get a booking. Well done Cat & team, excellent food as always! 3 Hats!

Caterina's is a Melbourne institution and has been here for 28 years. Caterina herself, ageless and full of enthusiasm as she has always been.
This is a place for good hearty Italian food. I am amazed by the staff's ability to memorise and rattle off the list of specials (probably longer than the menu!) Good wine list, reasonably priced and Riedel stemware to bring out the best of the wine varietal. And of course, for me, no meal is complete without requesting for a serve of the "Man's Salad" (french fries for those who are wondering).

2 Aug 22.
My second visit to Caterina's in 4 weeks.
I had the venison special.- absolutely superb!
Definitely "5 Stars " service and food quality. Judging from the faces of other diners here, I am sure they would agree too.

Absolutely fantastic, you would not know they had been closed for renovations after the disastrous water damage earlier in the year!
Great quality food, drinks selection and atmosphere as good as always. Well done Caterina and team, a real credit to you DNA

Peasant food that is cheap and basic to make but sold at Gold prices. Honestly ! A pack of pasta that can feed 4 hungry Italians is only $2.00 yet a plate would cost over $30 and if they served bruschetta the price would be a greater joke. Italian restaurants are over rated and their service needs a revamp. We are the customers that keep your business open. Temporary closed maybe permanently closed might be a better idea. Over the years of ripping people off you have lived a comfortable life style in Italy and in Australia.

Amazing hidden gem. Melt in your mouth gnocci. Didn't have too many vegetarian options on the menu as such but they offered to do a few custom dishes. Absolutely great for lunch. Need to book.