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Name: Mario’s Catalina Restaurant
Address: 1611 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33305
Telephone: (954) 563-4141
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.99

Mario’s Catalina Restaurant

1611 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33305

(954) 563-4141
Store is closed

Mario’s Catalina Restaurant Menu

Drinks

20 oz. Bottled Soda

Aquafina Bottled Water

Lemon-Lime Gatorade

Orange Gatorade

Tazo Organic Iced Green Tea

20 oz. Bottled Soda

Aquafina Bottled Water

Lemon-Lime Gatorade

Orange Gatorade

Tazo Organic Iced Green Tea
Appetizers

Bowl of Chicken Soup

Breaded Ham Croquettes

Empanadas

Shrimp Cocktail

Yuca Sticks

Bowl of Lobster Bisque

Chicken Chunks Appetizer

Mussels in Garlic Sauce

Tamal with Pork

Bowl of Chicken Soup

Breaded Ham Croquettes

Empanadas

Shrimp Cocktail

Yuca Sticks

Bowl of Lobster Bisque

Chicken Chunks Appetizer

Mussels in Garlic Sauce

Tamal with Pork
Salads

Mario's Salad with Chicken

Mario's Salad with Grouper

Mario's Salad with Salmon

Mario's Salad with Steak

Mario's Salad with Chicken

Mario's Salad with Grouper

Mario's Salad with Salmon

Mario's Salad with Steak
Sandwiches

Chicken Sandwich

Grouper Sandwich

Steak Sandwich

Cuban Sandwich

Pork Sandwich

Chicken Sandwich

Grouper Sandwich

Steak Sandwich

Cuban Sandwich

Pork Sandwich
House Specials

8 oz. Lobster in Lobster Sauce

Chicken and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce

Grilled Skirt Steak and Lobster in Garlic Sauce

Mixed Seafood and Lobster Sauce for 2

Red Snapper Fillet with Jumbo Shrimp

Catalina Combination

Grilled Argentinean Skirt Steak and Garlic Shrimp

Mario's Combination

Pork Fillet in White Sauce

Salmon and Shrimp with Red Sauce

8 oz. Lobster in Lobster Sauce

Chicken and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce

Grilled Skirt Steak and Lobster in Garlic Sauce

Mixed Seafood and Lobster Sauce for 2

Red Snapper Fillet with Jumbo Shrimp

Catalina Combination

Grilled Argentinean Skirt Steak and Garlic Shrimp

Mario's Combination

Pork Fillet in White Sauce

Salmon and Shrimp with Red Sauce
Beef

Mario's Beef

Palomilla Steak

Milanesa Steak

Skirt Steak

Mario's Beef

Palomilla Steak

Milanesa Steak

Skirt Steak
Chicken

Chicken Chunks

Chicken Sauteed with Onions and Peppers

Chicken Milanese

Garlic Chicken Chunks in Garlic Sauce

Chicken Chunks

Chicken Sauteed with Onions and Peppers

Chicken Milanese

Garlic Chicken Chunks in Garlic Sauce
Pork

Jack Daniel's Roast Pork

Roast Pork

Pork Chunks

Jack Daniel's Roast Pork

Roast Pork

Pork Chunks
Seafood

Garlic Shrimp

Grilled Grouper Fillet

Grilled Grouper and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce

Grilled Salmon Fillet

Garlic Shrimp

Grilled Grouper Fillet

Grilled Grouper and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce

Grilled Salmon Fillet
Sides

Extra Rice

Moros

Mixed Vegetables

Extra Rice

Moros

Mixed Vegetables
Dessert

Carrot Cake

Flan

Quattro Leches

Chocolate Mousse

Key Lime Pie

Tres Leches

Carrot Cake

Flan

Quattro Leches

Chocolate Mousse

Key Lime Pie

Tres Leches

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mario’s Catalina Restaurant

Drinks

20 oz. Bottled Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aquafina Bottled Water [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon-Lime Gatorade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Gatorade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tazo Organic Iced Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

20 oz. Bottled Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aquafina Bottled Water [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon-Lime Gatorade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Gatorade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tazo Organic Iced Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Appetizers

Bowl of Chicken Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breaded Ham Croquettes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yuca Sticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bowl of Lobster Bisque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Chunks Appetizer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamal with Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bowl of Chicken Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breaded Ham Croquettes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yuca Sticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bowl of Lobster Bisque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Chunks Appetizer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamal with Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Mario's Salad with Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad with Grouper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad with Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad with Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad with Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad with Grouper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad with Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad with Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grouper Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuban Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grouper Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuban Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
House Specials

8 oz. Lobster in Lobster Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Skirt Steak and Lobster in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Seafood and Lobster Sauce for 2 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Snapper Fillet with Jumbo Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Catalina Combination [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Argentinean Skirt Steak and Garlic Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Combination [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Fillet in White Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon and Shrimp with Red Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. Lobster in Lobster Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Skirt Steak and Lobster in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Seafood and Lobster Sauce for 2 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Snapper Fillet with Jumbo Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Catalina Combination [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Argentinean Skirt Steak and Garlic Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Combination [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Fillet in White Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon and Shrimp with Red Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beef

Mario's Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Palomilla Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanesa Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Skirt Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Palomilla Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanesa Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Skirt Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

Chicken Chunks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Sauteed with Onions and Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Chicken Chunks in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Chunks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Sauteed with Onions and Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Chicken Chunks in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pork

Jack Daniel's Roast Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Chunks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jack Daniel's Roast Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Chunks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Garlic Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Grouper Fillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Grouper and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Salmon Fillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Grouper Fillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Grouper and Shrimp in Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Salmon Fillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Extra Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Extra Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quattro Leches [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Mousse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Key Lime Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tres Leches [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quattro Leches [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Mousse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Key Lime Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tres Leches [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Jennifer N.

Amazing! Stopped in here passing it by and read great reviews! The plantain chips with chimi sauce that were complimentary were so good! I had the vaca Frita and it was legit the best I've had! Complimentary flan at the end was a nice touch and the staff was very attentive. The coconut mojito was so so so good! No complaints :)
(5)
Jathy G.

The staff & owner are superb & cater to your every want. The food is exquisite. This is real authentic cuban cuisine & will continue making the 45min drive to enjoy this place
(5)
Sunny D.

Very good! Authentic Cuban- mojitos are a must here! Portion sizes are good and romantic atmosphere. Great choice for a local, more upscale dining experience.
(4)
Nick P.

The best dining experience in Fort Lauderdale! As a fourth time returning patron of the Catalina, I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal. The mojitos are fabulous and the snapper delightful. I highly recommend visiting Mario's if you are in the area. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Guadalupe C.

Don't go.... Don't go.....Worst experience ever. I bought a groupon for $150 and The only restriction was for 4 people. When we got there with my mom, husband, toddler and me pregnant the server was so rude saying we need 4 adult (no 3 and a kid) plus we need to drink 4 alcoholic beverages (we don't drink alcohol) anyway we stood up and leave, and then came the owner trying to convince us to stay and gave us free coupons for next time (we will never come back) we couldn't stand the way that server was talking. Another scam was the price of the menu. I saw a snapper for $35.99 on the web and when I got there the same dish was $41.99 ???????? I will never ever go back again.
(1)
Summer R.

We decided to try this restaurant with a Groupon deal we bought. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked in the doors. It was really nice inside. Very nice decor and the tables had white table cloths and a long taper candle on each table. The service was excellent. We had many different people service our table. We started with their recommended mojito and sangria. The mojito was ok but not amazing. The sangria was really good but sweet. I didn't like the crushed ice in it though. We both ordered the skirt steak and shrimp house special. It came with a salad, white rice/black beans, and sweet plantains. The food was very good. We were surprised with the prices on the menu though. From looking on the internet before we got there, it seems they raised the prices on all of the entrees. I don't feel the dinner was worth $40?! There were only 2 shrimp and 2 plantains on the plate. We overheard from another table that we could have gotten yellow rice instead of white rice after we already ordered. Our waiter did not mention this to us. The owner of the restaurant was very nice and gave us another round of drinks on him! At the end, they brought over a large tray of almost 20 desserts to choose from. We decided on the quatro leche cake. It was very good. For $12, I would have thought the portion would have been larger. I recommend this restaurant if you have a coupon only. It was overpriced for Cuban food. Besides that, the atmosphere and service is top notch.
(3)
Alexander R.

Place trust in the critical reviews! Read all of the negative reviews first before you decide to venture out to Mario's Catalina. There are a lot of unsavory business practices at work here. The owner is shady and this place is a rip-off! It absolutely does NOT deserve a 5-star rating! The food is unexceptional and extremely overpriced and the portions are small. I will never eat here again!
(1)
Richard A.

Nine of us went to Catalina Restaurant the day after Christmas. The food was outstanding and the service was fantastic. We were seated in what looked like a private dining room. We ordered the Red Sangria for all of us and everyone really liked it. It was loaded with apples and other fruit. We then ordered the appetizer sampler for the table. It was loaded with fried plantains, beef empanadas, grilled meat and chicken. Everyone at the table thought that it was great. All of us really enjoyed our entrees. We shared four different deserts and each were wonderful. Mario, the owner, and his staff really made us feel welcome. Just a great experience.
(5)
Carlos B.

Mario takes the terms rudeness and cramming to the highest level i have experienced in my life. A business associate and his employees invited me to have dinner this evening. We went in, were seated, and the next thing we noticed is that huge trays of appetizers appeared without anyone ordering them. When I confronted the owner, he became aggressive to the point of leaving the appetizers but saying out loud that they were not for me. Since i was the guest of honor, i let it pass. Later, i ask the owner, while he was serving water to the other guests in my table, to bring me some sparkling water, he told me to wait for the waiter to take my order. this was just too much so we left. So i don't know how is the quality of the food, but i close this review as i started, Mario is extremely rude and he pushes his food to his customers. There are so many great restaurants in South Florida, that you should not risk being overcharged by Mario, or being offended by his rudeness.
(1)
Shanice F.

Amazing restaurant fantastic service!looks a little shady from the outside but once you step in very romantic and it really good scenery. everything in their taste delicious everything I put in my mouth was fantastic great to go on a date,food is about $30 a plate but so worth it! The only thing I could really say I is I wish the portions were bigger because the food is just that greatI would definitely recommend
(4)
Evan T.

Found Mario's Catalina while looking for a good spot to get lunch while picking up tuxes for a wedding we were in town for. Walked in, saw the fine interiors and the dinner Menu, and was about to leave because we were just looking for a quick 10~15 dollar lunch. That's when Chino saw myself and my friend and would not let us leave without first seeing the actual lunch Menu. I wanted a Cuban Sandwich, but Chino wouldn't let me order that (but he did promise me if I didn't love what he recommended, he would take it back and make me a Cuban sandwich). I've been around enough to know that when a Host is pushing his restaurant so hard the food is either amazing, or awful. In this case, it was amazing. The best friend plaintains I've ever had were a side-dish to the best take on roast pork I've had in a decade. The moros (rice dish) was new to me, and was equally astounding as the rest. I didn't think I'd have time to come for dinner that weekend, but I did come back with 2 more friends Sunday for lunch (fair warning, lunch is more expensive on weekends, a great deal more), where we were even more blown away by the food than I was on Friday for lunch. The grouper was amazing, the mojitos were the best we'd ever had, and Mario comped us a few things, and we spent 2 hours just absolutely enjoying the great food. I will go to this restaurant any time I am in this part of Florida from now on, and would highly suggest others do as well.
(5)
HairsbyChristine F.

1st time eating at Catalina's and probably last! What a scam! Upon arriving to a parking lot with a valet, but not really being helped too well, we entered the back of restaurant and walked thru the small tables until we arrived at the front of restaurant and bar! WIERD... After being seated, our waiter Johnny proceeded to tell us about their Many specials in such a monotone rehearsed way that it was quite confusing! He seemed very knowledgable, but not only was I confused, but the other 3 at our table were too. The food was very tasty, the plantains chips they brought to the table were good, I thought the salad was also good. I ordered the Skirt steak with garlic shrimp($40) which I thought was way overpriced with 3 little shrimp.. We also had dessert which was very good. They had also brought us each a drink at different times and told us they were in the house....WRONG. Now, the scam begins..... Johnny brings us over these cards and deals them out on the table like a card game, telling us that we can use these for next time which we thought was pretty cool.....WRONG... When we received our scribbled bill, which we could hardly make heads or tails of, i noticed the drinks that they said were on the house........ were NOT. Then, when our credit card comes back, there is $300 extra charged, because those were the FREE CARDS they gave us for $600 worth of food..... OMG I guess they figure if you're already spending that kind of money, you won't even pay attention! UNBELIEVABLE After correcting the bill, the owner Mario comes over and proceeds to shuffle $400 worth of coupon cards for $200! ... We declined the offer... To finally end this night, we had to get our own keys from the valet which was no longer there and walk to our own cars....... AT LEAST WE SAVED A FEW BUCKS ON THAT! Just so WIERD of an experience that I've NEVER had in my life! WILL NOT GO BACK
(2)
Thomas K.

This the greatest place in earth, ok maybe not earth but the food is great and the personal service is outstanding. If you are in Ft Lauderdale and miss this, shame on you.
(5)
Shasha G.

Came today to have a late dinner and the sign said it close at 11pm and online here at 11pm but it was close! A lady outside said weekdays they close at 10pm and the sign outside is old. Long story short is I would call before making the drive next time.
(1)
Troy B.

This place has a wry charm. The quirky decor and chandeliers are fun. The staff was friendly and jovial. The manager recommended two of the specials that were really good, the snapper shrimp and a pork disk. Everything was really good and enjoyable, plantain chips, croquettes and the entrees. They gave us a complimentary serving of tres leche cake for desert too. I would definitely go back
(3)
Robert S.

Save yourself the trouble. This place serves terrible food that is completely overpriced. We waiting 90 minutes for a paella that came out cold and tasted like sea water. Another couple at the table ordered the seafood for two, which included some free hair. The most unacceptable part was having the staff spit spanish slurs at me when I spoke up about the paella. If there is a "Worst-of" for Broward County then this one is certainly on the list.
(1)
Joanna L.

Mario's Catalina restaurant is, in my opinion, one of the finest in the Fort Lauderdale area and beyond. I have eaten in 5 star restaurants all over the country but I would have to say, an evening spent at Mario's is like OMG! . Not only is the cuisine exquisite and the ambience divine, but the moment you enter you know it will be special. The warmth that you feel when Mario greets you and escorts you to your table, the sweeping glance at the beautiful artwork adorning the walls, the graciousness of your waiter, the table beautifully set. Mario's is not dinner out, it is a dining experience. Love you, Mario for ramping up the South Florida restaurant scene and making a night out feel so "special".
(5)
Charles L.

Mario was a great host! We decided to eat here on our first night in Ft. Lauderdale which happened to be Christmas Day. After reading the raving reviews on here and OpenTable, we decided to give it a shot. The ambiance of this restaurant is unbeatable. The music, the lighting, the decor were perfect. We had the pork chunks (masa) and the Jack Daniels pork. Both were delicious!! Mario also gave us free sangrias and comped our coconut cake since it was Christmas (what a great guy!!!) Needless to say, we will definitely be back if we are in the area again.
(5)
Matthew W.

I had dinner there this week after finding a Groupon for the restaurant. The service and level of attentiveness was far above expectations. I had the mussels appetizer, which was in a flavorful red sauce. The garlic shrimp entree was a generous size that was cooked properly. The owner, Mario, treated us like long-time guests even though it was my first time there. I felt like a member of his family. It is definitely worth a return trip.
(5)
David K.

I rarely write Yelp reviews but given the negative reviews of Mario's and my experience tonight, I felt that I should chime in. I am in town on business. I've had very good, authentic, Cuban food before and my Cuban in-law recommended Mario's. I almost did not go because of the negative reviews. I went, and am very glad that I did. It lived up to my experience and expectations. 1) The parking lot is fine, and the parking attendant was very attentive. No problems. 2) Entering the back of the restaurant is not odd, and it is a lovely and comfortable space. 3) Mario, the owner, is very engaged but not pushy. Not once did anyone offer us any sort of coupons. Not once did I feel pressured or uncomfortable. The quality of his engagement is rare these days and should be valued, not disparaged. 4) The wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable,. There was no language barrier. 5) The food was delicious, plentiful, and well presented. 6) The drinks were well made, balanced, and flavorful. (Finding a good mojito is hard, and Mario's makes a good mojito.) 7) We arrived late, 8ish, and left just before 11PM. We never felt rushed. If I had to complain about something, I'd say that the food could use a bit more spice. Other than that, this is a superb dining experience.
(5)
Phoebe R.

Yes. Just yes. My boyfriend has concierge like duties where he works and we're fortunate enough to be able to try many different restaurants and attractions on the DL to get a real feel of them. Mario's was one of the many options that fell onto Michael's desk and we decided to give them a go tonight. Right off of Fed Highway, I've passed the Catalina a million times and haven't paid much attention. I LOVE Cuban cuisine but am pretty picky with it. Luis was our server, he was fast, efficient and friendly. I think he had the whole floor tonight (off season, so not very busy) and he did a phenomenal job paying each guest attention. Each staff member was professional and really worked together to make service exceptional (can you tell that we work in hospitality based on noticing this?) Michael had a few mojitos and they were the best either of us had ever had. I got red sangria and it was great! Each table has their own bottle of water so it's nice that you don't need to wait for a refill. There are also plantain chips with what I think was a chimichurri salsa (rather than bread) which were great! We ordered empanadas for an appetizer, they were very fresh and a large portion! My entree was a skirt steak with shrimp. Holy smokes, this skirt steak was great. Also holy smokes, these shrimp were great. Every item on my plate was perfect, I didn't want to stop eating. My boyfriend ordered snapper and loved his too! It also came with shrimp which had the same sauce as the snapper. At the end of our meal we were offered dessert. They all looked delicious but we couldn't let our eyes be bigger than our stomachs. We tried Cuban Espresso and it was one of the best I had ever had. Rich and smooth, it can't be beat. The ambiance is very romantic. There are nice paintings hung all over, they play jazz softly and each table is lit by candlelight. Yes, the check was a bit high for two people but we had SO much food and two fantastic drinks each. I had no qualms with paying that price tag for the service we received. Needless to say, we'll be back and will be bringing friends.
(5)
Matty E.

A must go to when visiting Fort Lauderdale! Delicious, authentic Cuban food made with love. The mojitos and sangria will have you wanting to order at least a pitcher of each. Make sure you order the mussels as an appetizer.. Incredible!
(5)
Min D.

Love this Place!!! The food is amazing and I know for a fact it is because it is better than my cooking :( And they deliver through yelp!!!!
(5)
James R.

Mario's is one of the outstanding restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale for all the right reasons. The food is very good, the service is friendly and treat you like an old customer even if its your first visit. During the season you better make reservations or plan on a sizable wait. Mario is usually the first person to greet you and he makes several appearances throughout the meal. He is perfect as a host and you leave feeling like a welcome family member. Its a long drive from Boca to Mario's and we pass a lot of good Latin restaurants but we found it to be worth it.
(4)
Jerry O.

It's worth the trip just for the sangria but don't stop there. The shrimp cocktail is delicious and the Lechon Asado was superb. The best meal I've eaten in a long long time.
(5)
N A.

I had dinner here last night for the first time w/a groupon. I'm in the neighborhood and have driven by this place millions of times, but for some reason just never went in because the outside doesn't really give you any sense that it's worthwhile. But I was stunned upon walking inside last night. The interior is lovely - romantic, dark, inviting and most of all QUIET!!! It's so rare these days to go out and be able to really have a conversation over a good meal. You're always fighting either the loud music, the waiters who can't wait to take your plate away, or the screaming kids that some parent brought to place where kids shouldn't be. I know, I sound pretty cranky. But I don't care, when you make reservations to dine out an a nice restaurant & you're willing to pay for a quality meal, I think you should expect certain things. When you arrive, you are served a bowl of friend plantain chips in a fresh, veggie, onion, oil mix that is terrific. Very tasty. It was all I could do to not scarf down the entire bowl. My friend & I both ordered fish entrees (snapper & grouper). They were excellent. Fish was fresh, it was not over-cooked, perfectly prepared. Sauce on mine was just enough, the chef didn't drown it. Each dish came with jumbo shrimp and they too, were tender and perfectly grilled. Small serving of rice & plantain accompanied the entrees and black beans were served family-style in a bowl. They were very good, not too salty but with plenty of flavor. We didn't plan on drinking but the waiter said they were known for their mojitos so my friend ordered one and I decided to try the white wine sangria. Both drinks were off the charts delicious. Desserts came on a huge tray - a good dozen selections. We shared a slice of guava cheesecake. It was good, not stellar. Next time I'll try either flan or tres leches and it's more likely they make these on premises. The other cakes clearly came from a commercial bakery. I would give the place 5 stars but for 2 things. First, their prices are CRAZY high, even when compared to some of the top zagat-rated establishments in fort lauderdale. And secondly, they REALLY need to get some vegetables onto their menu. There wasn't a single veggie to order - even as a side dish. Finally, they need to figure out a way to make the exterior and the entrance from the parking lost more inviting. When it rains (as it did last night) you are wading through a puddle under their awning to get to the door. This would not require a lot of money, just a good landscaper to help spruce the place up and make the entrance more clear. Find a way to lower your prices just a bit, and I'd be a once-a-week regular.
(4)
Mike R.

I went there with my wife and son. We had the best meals ever. My skirt steak was made to perfection my wife had the seafood mix and said she's never had anything as good and my son had the grouper which was so good that he wouldn't even give his mom a bite. The bill for 3 entrees 2 appetizers 1 dessert 2 waters and 1 coke was $174.00, $210. with tip definitely pricey but you have to splurge every now and again. I would and do highly recommend Mario's Catalina
(5)
Todd F.

I've eaten many, many great meals in my life. Hands down this MEAL from beginning to end is something you only hear about or see on TV. Thank you Mario & Johnny for taking care of us so well! We came from LA and will make sure this is a stop on every trip we take!
(5)
Albert D.

This place is great!!! Recommended by hotel concierge. The cab over was long but so worth it. All the food was amazing. The mojitos are so good it got out of hand quick with extras coming. Police officer was sitting next to us as was clearly jealous of the drinks. I told her it was fair cuz we can't drink and carry so she can't either. This place is the greatest and we will come back when it town next year!!!!! Greatest Cuban food ever!!!!
(5)
Lisa C.

I ordered the grilled Grouper from the menu, it was breaded, greasy and smothered in a white sauce...not good!. White rice & black beans were ok. The plantains-chips with the garlic sauce were good, the salad....nothing special. The sample platter was good. Service was mediocre . The restaurant was busy....maybe that's why Mario, the owner and, the wait staff seemed overwhelmed, and dismissive at times. The food is definitely overpriced, and so is the sangria if you don't keep count. The restrooms need TLC. They are dated, and filthy! Yuck! One last thing. Beware of the 2 for the price of 1 gift certificates Mario offers when the check comes, or on your way out. This is a true Mario's tactic to keep you coming. ( here is where Mario forgets he was dismissive all night, and suddenly becomes your friend) in his words " I only offer this certificates to people I like, or to my friends". Not true! Make sure you check your bill carefully for hidden charges. No reason to go back!
(2)
Ryan S.

Use to love this place I'm not sure what happen but I see the reviews are true about the hustle we were finish with dinner and we has gift certificates. So we wanted to pay with them Mario came by and said your bill is $313.00 you pay $200.00 you good you go bye. Literally that is what he said. I was like ok here's our $200.00 in gift certificates. He said no you pay cash. Well we wanted to use our GC. Well then you pay $113.00. Well wifey and I eat here multi times love the food and the sangria's are the bomb. But like I said I'm not sure what happened here. The other thing is. We were a party of 4 with one child. No where is there a written or said if you have a party of 5 or more gratuity will be added. Now even if there wasn't anything like that. If you could read the bill that was handed to you. Well not knowing there was gratuity I left a tip also. The server that really didn't deserve a great tip in the first place because he wasn't that great got a great tip. Then you would see it well couldn't read it or understand the bill. Now normally I would say something but we were celebrating a special occasion so I didn't want to make a scene. So we paid the bill and left. The people we were with were blown by what just happened it was the joke for the rest of the night but I felt so bad that this happened. If I would have written a review in all my previous visits they would have gotten 4 or even 5 stars. But they are only getting 1 star because I have read the other reviews here and it's happening all over on other reviews. SO THIS PLACE IS A STAY AWAY I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND. STAY AWAY.
(1)
JorHay Z.

Holy Crap! This place has good food but way overpriced and shady business practices. It is my birthday tonight and I asked for a good Cuban meal for my birthday. My wife looked online and found Catalina. The server Jonny was nice and knowledgeable but kind of awkward. We were with a party of 10 - all friends and family. The dinner was okay. Food was very good. Service when food came out was spotty. Servers were handing out incorrect dishes to guests and saying "Oh, just eat it". Ok. Whatever. At the end of the dinner the bill came in with a whopping $640. We could not make heads or tails of the hand written bill they presented us with. We were able to see that they charged us $60 for sparkling water when we did not ask for it. When we asked to speak to someone, our server said "The owner is done and has shut down for the night" (meanwhile he was at the bar). Then he told us "just take 30 off the bill - I don't give a shit" . So awkward. As our party sat there reeling from confusion and trying to figure out the bill, the server came to tell us "this place is weird.. weirdest place I've ever worked... sometimes the owner tells us to take off our shirts and we do it". Then another server came and said take 100 off the bill. This appeased us enough to pay and get out; but it has been 3hrs and our entire party is still sitting around talking about it. We still think the bill was padded and feel taken advantage of. I love the memories and laughs but will NEVER come back here. On top of the unprofessional service & billing, our guests were made to feel uncomfortable. We are all open minded people but some male guests were made to feel awkward with gay innuendos and comments from Fernando (the server) and Mario (the owner) referring to some guests as "baby", & telling another guest to lick sauce drippings off of his wife. When the cake came out for my birthday, EVERY guest received a full slice of cake WITH a candle. I should have been the only guest to receive a piece of cake, but they were handed off to everyone. Most guests did not even want dessert. I am not sure if the cost of the cake was in the bill since we could not decipher it; but would not have paid for it. It is is a shame since the food was good; but the service and ambiguity of billing will ensure that I (or family members) will never return.
(1)
Josh B.

Ate here tonight and was pleasantly surprised. First time here and wasn't sure what I was getting into. The owner, Mario, couldn't of been more pleasant and welcoming. The food was great and the service was unbelievable. During the meal, Mario brought us Mojitos on the house and also complimentary cheesecake deserts that were top notch. He even fed the cheesecake to me, which was was pretty hilarious. I would definitely recommend this place as a nice, fancy, great date spot. Bon Appetite. -JB
(5)
Tatiana R.

Went there for a Father's Day dinner for the first time and everything was AMAZING! I had the steak & shrimp that was so much, I had to take home lol. My bf had the lobster that he wouldn't shut up about it being so good. They serve some fried plantains with a sorta pico salsa that was really tasty. Even though we were stuffed, I really wanted dessert. The chocolate monster = chocolate heaven!! We met the owner, Mario, who was so nice and attentive. He made sure our first experiencing would be a lasting one. Along with some complimentary sangria :). We will definitely be returning in the future.
(5)
Amanda R.

Amazing service and food!!! OMG! SO GREAT!! Or as the Spanish speaking people would say...Hay Dios Mio!!! We had Fried Plantains in Chimichurri sauce (ON THE HOUSE). An amazing salad with EVERYTHING on it! (on the house again!!) a mojito and a red sangria (on the house once again!!!!) We (paid for) a delicious Argentinian skirt steak meal with sautÃ©ed onions and chimichurri sauce that came with black beans with white rice and sweet plantains, and the Mario's BEEF carnitas with sautÃ©ed onions and it came with sweet plantains and black beans and white rice. We also ordered for desert the Tres Leches (cake made with three sweet creams...condensed sweet milk, whipped cream and milk) it was sooo delicious and we also ordered the Quattro Leches (same as the Tres Leches but topped with caramel!) and two Cuban Coffees. The food was all so amazing but more amazing was the service!! The entire crew of employees, managers, chefs and business owners were working together like a well oiled machine! I do not know why we received the FREE appetizer, FREE gourmet salads, FREE mojito and sangria but I think it is just because we were complimenting the staff, management, and ownership SO much on their awesome team work, customer service and ambience!!!! Everyone there was so humble, so attentive, so sweet and JUST INCREDIBLE!!! I don't live around here but when I return to the area, I will definitely be back to Mario's Catalina Restaurant!! The business owner Mario gave us a lot of attention and made us feel like VIPs! The manager named Rafael was serving the patrons of the restaurant like a server would but with so much humility and heart!! The server Johnny was fun, knowledgable and ON POINT with terrific service and another server (female, Spanish heritage, blonde) helped us too; she was awesome too and made our Cuban coffees, the chef made his way out to the tables to greet everyone. There was a "table busing person" (adult female of Spanish heritage) who was also so incredibly sweet!! The meal, ambience, and service at Mario's Catalina Restaurant was truly exceptional, exceeded expectations; was memorable and affordable!!! IT IS A **MUST** WHEN VISITING FORT LAUDERDALE!
(5)
Ash D.

Wow! Who knew... This place is an absolute gem . Perfect date spot... romantic interior and dimmed lighting with chandeliers over each table... Top notch service and food. Lobster paella is to die for with mussels, scallops, fish, lobster and lots of it... We also ordered the big appetizer sampling plate..good for 4-5 people. white sangria is a must have with apples, peaches, strawberries and oranges, well marinated.... So flavorful and so refreshing. I have been living in FTL for 7 yrs... First time being in this restaurant.. I wish I could bring the time back. Enjoy!
(4)
M F.

We really love this place and it has a very cool romantic atmosphere. The first time we went, the food and service were superb. Second time there, not so good. Was very crowded this time. One of the dishes very greasy/oily and fatty steak. Service was not good. Go when not crowded!!
(4)
Hector G.

Ok the food was good. Immediately stop there, the service was extremely weird and perplexing. It started off by a waiter that was a Ninja that stated what we where going to order may not meet his standards that he would reorder for you. The assistant waiter completely did not care what anyone ordered. He also told me if he got my wife dirty that I can lick it off. This same waiter was massaging the other men out of a 9 person party, the birthday boy was called his baby. When the magical patrons that we did not order showed up I quickly asked what tab are these on the owner disappeared. The birthday party was forced into 9 slices of cake, what the hell happened? At the end of the party we received a bill that nobody could read. The bill was abracadabra 634 plus dollars!!! Hell no we started reviewing the bill and it was impossible to read. When we complained he ninja stated that the place was totally special and crazy and that he didn't give "a fuck if we reduced his tip". We asked if the tip was included and the waiter stated that it depended and maybe. Please note that we where a party of couples plus a single man. The single man was charged double and he said that the cash tip should reimburse his portion, hummmm. We were deciphering the code on the bill the ninja came over and stated the bill was reduced 100 bucks by magic! Boom!!! When we asked for the owner it was stated that he shut down and would not deal with us again. We could clearly see him from where we were sitting. We paid, left and complained the entire night.
(1)
Jess H.

We were watching Godfather II when we left home to come here to eat. It felt like we walked onto the set of the part in Cuba when we got here - in a good way. Old school chandeliers and decor are the first thing you'll notice. Then how crowded and lively it is. Mario, the host and owner, seemed to know everyone's name. The food was very good. Like others here, Mario treated us at the end of our meal with free wine, flan and gift certificates. I would have come back with my parents-in-law anyway, but that just gave us an extra push. Really enjoyed my Argentinian steak. The complimentary plantains appetizer was very good. And my husband liked his salmon, thought it was a bit undercooked. The red wine sangria made up for that, though! Overall, we had a very nice time here and will come back. It feels like you're in the 1950s, but the quality of the food is very good.
(4)
Lauren I.

Service was great! Everyone was so attentive. The food was amazing! I can't wait to go back! Thank you Chino for making our first time the best time!
(5)
Erick Morejon C.

This place is amazing the food is delicious and flavorful. The atmosphere is beautiful and relaxing, Mario is super attentive and nice. I love the food, the candlelit dinners, and the great staff. Our servers name was Ruben he was awesome and made great suggestions, but beware of the desert tray it will definately make you weak on your strict diet.
(5)
John P.

Very good food our waiter Louie very nice and the owner Mario highly recommend the sampler platter and the skirt steak with garlic shrimp
(4)
Yolanda E.

I can't say enough about this restaurant. I was in town from Chicago to attend my sister's wedding and when my sister said she didn't have any dinner reservations I took it upon myself to find a place for her 20+ guest. I found this restaurant near her wedding site in Fort Lauderdale Beach. We I spoke to Mario he was all accommodating was able to pull off something amazing for my sister. The private Patio room was gorgeous and well decorated. We even arrived an hour and a half earlier than expected and they had everything set up. We had more than enough wait staff for everyone. The waiters were very knowledgeable and knew exactly how everything was made. We had several children there and they were very flexible and great with the kids. Now the food!! It was amazing! Everything was done properly and exactly as described. The food was fresh and the flavors were great we got nothing but compliments from the quests. They even gave us free shots for the whole party!! The chef made multiple appearances to make sure that everything was up to par. I really can't thank them enough for making my sisters day even more special I will be coming back every time I am in town there pork was amazing and the chimichurri sauce I wish I could have taken a jar home with me!
(5)
Mark P.

Took sister for birthday lunch. Warmly greeted by Mario (owner) who recommended the sangria. I wasn't going to drink but knew sister wanted to celebrate so we said sure. Brought us a carafe which we accepted-very refreshing. During lunch owner even refilled our glasses from another batch he had just made. Generous. The decor: warm, slightly upscale with nice art. But, the chandelier above our table had so much dust on it that I had to keep my voice down out of fear of causing an avalanche. They started us with thin strips of fried plantains with a great sort of light salsa which was so good we asked for more (which they happily brought at no charge). We ordered the mussel in garlic sauce appetizer-delicious. Sister ordered roast pork plate-very good and Spanish (10.99). I ordered Grouper sandwich-very greasy breaded fish which I will never be sure was actually Grouper (10.99). That's what I get for ordering a non-Spanish dish, but I assumed it would be done with a Spanish flair. It wasn't. We didn't want desert ,but when we mentioned her birthday, they brought her a free flan with a candle. Very nice of them and delicious. Got the check. Carafe of sangria cost $40.00. During our discussion with the waiter about this pricing issue, he said he's seen it as high as $28 in other restaurants. So have I, and that would have been "reasonable". He also mentioned that a plate of paella was $50-but my plate better have at least an ounce of saffron for that price. And he agreed to reduce the $12.99 charge for the Grouper sandwich to the correct price of $10.99. No problem. He also brought us a $25 gift certificate for our next visit. Wonderful. Relearned Lesson: never order something from a restaurant you have not been to without asking the price. Priceless.
(2)
Ramone H.

Tonight at Mario's my family and I dined with some friends that we invited. It was their first time there and they LOVED IT!! This was the 4th visit for my girlfriend and I, and once again we were delighted. The restaurant was buzzing with activity from the servers and the patrons. The restaurant was clean, visibly clean and well kept as usual. Mario came to greet us, and as we walked to our table, the chef stood by welcoming us to the restaurant. Our server was John. Very nice guy that again impressed us and our friends with the depth of his knowledge regarding the menu and the nights dishes. The food. We had so much I can't even list here now, but it was DELICIOUS and all of us, including the two kids, really enjoyed it. Mario the owner will send over, or often times bring himself, little freebies to the table compliments of the house. At the end of your visit there he'll come over and offer you a deal on gift cards to the retaurant worth $25 or $50 each, where if you buy $100 or $150 worth, he'll give you the equivalent free. Some people are put off by this, but there is no pressure in purchasing whatsoever. We bought the first time we were there, and this time. They make excellent gifts to friends or you can use them yourself the next time. There is no limit to the amount you can use per visit so it's good. I HIGHLY recommend this Cuban restaurant to anybody who loves good food and service in an elegant yet laid back atmosphere.
(5)
Trisha K.

This place is amazing. The people are very warm and welcoming. They shake your hand as soon as you walk into the door. Their empanadas were great. My entree was plenty and cooked to my liking. They talked and tried to get to know us. They also threw in a free dessert even though we insisted we were so full. Will def come here again when I'm in town.
(5)
Adrian R.

Excellent! The food was amazing. Authentic cuban. Our party had the signature steak and lobster plus the pork as main dish. We also had the full compliment of appetizer pulled pork and plantains. The food was so rich and full of flavor. The temperature was perfect and the chef prepared every course encapsulated with flavor. We also tried the mojitos and the sangria. They were also amazing. Friendly atmosphere. I felt like I had known the staff my entire life. They boasted about the global diversity of the wait staff and they were right to do so. Warm, welcoming, Amazing! I would recommend this restaurant for anyone at lunch or dinner even better.
(5)
Jessica K.

Food and service was pretty good, but the owner was absolutely horrible. We called him over to give him a compliment, but he blew us off TWICE (maybe he assumed we were going to complain?). It's unfortunate because I would have easily visited this restaurant regularly, but because of Mario's attitude, I will never return. Never in my life have I been treated with such disrespect (especially when I spent over $250 on one meal). He literally put his hand in our face and said "one minute" when we called his name (and of course, he never returned). There are plenty of good Spanish restaurants in the area - do not waste your money here.
(1)
Erin W.

From the mojitos to the tres leches, everything was perfect. The second we walked in, we knew this would be the type of experience we were seeking: warm and welcoming. We were individually greeted with a handshake. From that moment forward the staff was attentive and anticipated our every want and need. The owner sent a complimentary platter of fried plantains with chimichurri sauce which was a perfect start to a lovely meal. The waiter provided detailed descriptions of the menu as well as the specials which rang true. Our expectations were exceeded as the food arrived hot and beautifully presented in what seemed like minutes after we had ordered. We sampled the yuca sticks, ham croquettes, roasted pork (lechon asado), grilled grouper fillet, and the chicken fillet with peppers and onions. Everything was delectable and we couldn't wait to share. We couldn't decide on a favorite. The red sangria was the perfect blend and the small cubes of fruit made it visually beautiful. Our dessert selection included flan, tres leches, and chocolate peanut butter cake. We wish we had saved room to try more. This meal was the perfect close to our girls' weekend. We would highly recommend this restaurant and will surely visit again the next time we are in town.
(5)
Carla J.

I ordered the Spanish vegetarian paella. It was nice to know they have that option, however it was mostly potatoes, it would be great if they balance the veggies a little bit more.
(2)
Nancy V.

Last night was my second time dining at this restaurant!! Loved it even more. From the service to the spectacular appetizers the food is just superb!! I recommend this gem to anyone who wants to have the best Latin food I've had in Florida. The best sangria and I have to add the owner Mario is so nice. So happy to have celebrated my moms birthday here. Great place all around.
(5)
Bill R.

Food was expensive, not really imaginative. Waitstaff was adequate, but did not raise to the level expected at this price point. The owner and waitstaff seemed dismissive because we used a groupon. No reason to return to this establishment... Candela does more for less and without the attitude.
(2)
David H.

What an extraordinary restaurant! We were greeted at the front door by Mario the owner. Both he and the restaurant are so charming. We had the pork tamales as an appetizer. Without question, this was one of the best tastes I ever put in my mouth the pork was slow roasted like a pig roast. So yum! It was served with amazing plantain chips. I loved my Argentinean steak, tender and delicious. My girlfriend also loved her grilled grouper. See pictures I uploaded. The room is old fashioned, unpretentious and homey. Wonderful restaurant! One of my favorite meals of my life!
(5)
Janie G.

We used a Groupon for our dinner here. I had read some great reviews about the place prior to seeing it pop up in my Groupon weekly. I jumped at the chance and we used our Groupon over the weekend. LOVE IT! The decor is very unique, walls were covered in framed artwork from all walks of life. I love the variety of chandeliers in there, some beautiful and some not so much. My fiance and I joked "so this is where ugly chandeliers come to die"...but I do believe that every chandelier deserves a happy home. ;) SERVICE.... was great! Waiters were very attentive and knowledgeable. Mario, the owner introduced himself and offered us a deal we couldn't pass up. A gift certificate for $250 but we only paid $150...that's $100 free dollars...what? That's a no brainer! We are excited to be able to bring friends with us for a treat. FOOD!...OK now for the food. We ordered the muscles that were cooked perfectly along with the Argentinian skirt steak and chimmichurri with a lobster tail, which was melt in your mouth good. DRINKS!...Mojitos, Mojitos, Mojitos. I actually never order mojitos because I have never known anyone that can make a good one. My fiance ordered a mojito which I got to try, it was amazing. Plenty of muddled mint, sugar and fresh lime juice. We might just have to make this our go to Friday night drink spot. We had a wonderful experience at Catalina and I have a feeling we will be back very soon.
(4)
Patrick O.

Fantastic restaurant - great food and wonderful experience. My girlfriend and I went in for a fancier dinner towards then end of our trip in Fort Lauderdale. Mario's Catalina couldn't have been a better spot for us. The highlights were food, drink, and owner. Food - We started out with the empanadas - they were flavorful and juicy without being soggy or stiff - Next we had an entre of chicken with peppers (one the owner kindly doubled for us at no expense!) - Finally, we had a sinfully-large slice of chocolate cake - killer. The drinks were strong, sweet, and definitely hit the spot. The owner was really what brought this home. Mario was attentive, personable, and not shy about throwing in some free food and complimentary drinks! I can't rave to you enough about this location. If you want fantastic Cuban food, in a comfortable, upscale environment, with attentive staff and inviting owner, this is the spot for you. I may be planning a trip back to FLL just so I can return to Mario's.
(5)
Michele S.

Fantastic! The food was wonderful and the service was even better. We have a food allergy and they were able to accommodate us extremely well.
(5)
Keith B.

This place has great Cuban food and nice people who have authentic cooking and excellent service. New lunch menu and good prices make this a day or night find for food in Fort Lauderdale
(5)
Jason B.

Solid latin food, a little pricey, but good. Chimichuri sauce to start with plantains is a nice touch. If you like spicy food, ask for their house hot-sauce, it has a good amount of heat. Mario paid great attention to our table and the rest of the wait staff was great as well. Will definitely go back because Mario did such a nice job in making us feel like it was our 100th time there, rather than the first time.
(4)
Dani C.

The charming restaurant was completely empty when we arrived at 7, but the owner told us the only available seating was outside, which was equally empty and next to a busy road with little to no ambiance. After much failed discussion with the owner we asked if we could put our names down for inside and come back he said the only available time was for 9:30, 10 o'clock...maybe!. (As we look around at 15 empty tables) RESERVATION ONLY he said inside.....so we decided to sit outside after all. The food came out fast and it was decent, our actual waiter was well versed with the menu and gave some good recommendations. However one of the food runners had a bit of an attitude and made some strange comments to us, I'm not even sure it was intentional, but rude all the same. The owner then came to our table offering more information about his "high-end clientele" and how the restaurant is rated "number two" in Fort Lauderdale, so we should have known to make reservations. We tried to take in his "wise" words as we sat at our empty restaurant roadside patio. With the living Social deal we were still going to be paying over 100 dollars for two people for food that could be from La Carreta. The owner tried to make amends and brought us a complimentary bottle of champagne to take home at the end. (which we later found out was brown and completely undrinkable) AND then the waiter came by with a coupon for $50 off for four entrees, which seemed like nice gesture. But then he brought another envelope with more gift cards trying to shamelessly sell us $200 worth of gift cards, which was complete overkill at the that point. I don't think we will be going back any time soon. Overall the food was decent, but the manner in which the restaurant is run is overbearing and obnoxious.
(1)
Bruce L.

We had a group of 11 us here we had a reservation and were seated right away. After we were seated they brought Mojitos out for everyone even though some of us don't drink alcohol or care for them. The empty Mojitos were replaced with full ones without asking if we would like another. I thought everything on the menu sounded good but I've never had Cuban cuisine before so I asked the owner what he suggested. He said that he would make something special for me. He then proceeded to take everyone's menus and said that he would make something special for the group. Mario, the owner, only asked if we all liked seafood, some didn't, and never asked if we would like any food off the menu. So, the food started coming and the first course were Empanada's, plantains, pork and chicken chunks, and a few other things and everything was quite delicious. The next course came out after about 15-20 minutes and I was served grouper and shrimp with a cream sauce and again, very tasty but not very big portions. Third course was whatever they decided to put in front of us and mine was flan. I love flan and this was about a four of five star flan. The food overall was a four but the price tag on this "I will give you something special and not let you pick" meal was $90 a person with tip. I really thought this was a classless gesture on the owners part to charge us for food/drinks that we never asked for. I've talked to others about our experience and they said it had happened to them also.
(1)
Lennox R.

Great service! Great, authentic Cuban food from the drinks to the appetizers to the entrees.
(5)
Hector M.

Excellent Paella. It takes a bit to prepare yet it was fresh and simply delicious. Attentive, knowledgeable, prompt and friendly service. I did not give 5 stars because of the restaurant's dÃ©cor which is simply not my style. Highly recommend the restaurant to both locals and tourists.
(4)
Candace M.

DELICIOUS! I will most definitely go back The prices are a bit high but well worth the food, Sangria is amazing! Staff is very friendly! Food is fresh and portions are a great size.
(5)
Sean R.

The food here is amazing!!!! Everything I had was great! I went here for a special event they held in a private room. Appetizers were croquettas, plantain chips, empanadas, and roasted chicken nuggets. Dinner was skirt steak and jumbo shrimp with rice & beans. I drank the white sangria which was very good! I highly recommend this place and will be back!!!
(5)
Kalliopi P.

This restaurant was recommended by the hotel staff where we stayed this past weekend! Our cousins flew in from NJ and wanted to WOW them with a great Cuban restaurant! This place is beyond anything I can describe! From the moment we drove up to the restaurant I knew this would be great! The path walking to the entrance was decorated with flower pots as if I were in Europe. The owner (I believe) or maitre 'd was the most gracious and affectionate host! He hugged and kissed me on both cheeks as if we were old friends and welcomed us to his home! He even hugged and caressed my cousin, which by all means, was a little bit of a surprise (since some men might be turned off) but we thought it was best introduction to the experience of dining here! The decor in the restaurant was old European and I couldn't stop looking at all the artwork! Now the food! We started with the red sangria which was the best we've ever had! They brought out complimentary plantain chips with an amazing sauce, which were outstanding. For appetizers we ordered mussels in garlic sauce that honestly were so delicious I could have eaten them all night! Then we had empanadas, I didn't think it could get better, but my goodness they were unbelievably outstanding! Then came out our salads, small portions but just enough. We asked to delay our dinners because there was so much to take in we didn't want to rush our experience! We ordered skirt steak w shrimp, a combination of chicken and pulled pork, pulled pork w shrimp and deep fried snapper, and I ordered the whole snapper that I wanted to debone myself! Every dish was accompanied w white rice and vegetables and in the center of the table was a bowl of black beans for us to share. Have I mentioned how delicious everything that we put in our mouths? This was truly an experience we will not ever forget! Bravo to the chef! They brought out a tray of desserts for us to select and my goodness they were all to die for. Thank you for an unforgettable evening! We will return!
(5)
Viviane M.

I have to say.... No no and no..... Only reason why we went there was because of the server John. Over priced, tacky. And my salad had an ant crawling on the plate... If you go with your husband, boyfriend,brother or son the owner will love to rub he's hands all over them... Disrespectful all the way... If you want Cuban food go to calle 8... Miami
(3)
David C.

Only drawn back is the space is somewhat tight. Not NYC tight but tight. Staff was great and I wish I could have eaten there twice!
(4)
Dotty D.

Just fantastic, creative and authentic Cuban food. What differentiates Mario's is the quality of the food and Mario's his warmth and complete hospitality - just like being with family! AMAZING! I'm a Latin girl and this food is the real deal-this is Mario's world - enjoy it!
(5)
Kevin H.

This restaurant is way overpriced for mediocre food. $17 for 5 piece shrimp cocktail. $27 for Garlic Chicken Chunks. Granted there are complimentary fried plantain with yummy salsa type topping. Then they give you a salad "on the house". Sometimes they refill your wine or sangria but at the end do a high pressure sales pitch on buying $400 worth of gift cards for $200. Yep I fell for it. Spare yourself and go get better Cuban food cheaper elsewhere.
(2)
Keith H.

What a find! One of the very best Latin meals we've had in South Florida! My wife is Cuban and we eat Latin food quite often. We'd never heard of Mario's Catalina Restaurant, and happened to see a Groupon, so gave it a try. Everything was outstanding! As others have mentioned, you're started with homemade mariquitas (plantain chips) with excellent homemade chimichurri. We ordered the recommended appetizer, empanadas, and they were some of the best I've ever eaten. An excellent (unexpected) salad followed. Then my wife enjoyed vaca frita, and I had the Argentinian Skirt Steak with Garlic Shrimp. Both entrees were outstanding. Instead of maduros (sweet plantains), we both opted for tostones (also excellent) as were the black beans. Finally... their flan for dessert was unlike any I've ever had. Super thick, creamy and rich. As if that weren't enough, my wife had a delicious sangria and I had a glass of cab - and both were huge pours. In fact, all servings were large. My wife took home enough food for two more meals. Service was as good as the food. Everyone who helped us was warm, friendly and professional, but especially Ruben - and Mario, himself, who came to our table to welcome us and check on our meal. The atmosphere is lovely. The walls are covered with varied artwork. You'd never know this charming place was there if you didn't know where to look. Check this restaurant out. It's a gem. A great, new addition to our list of favorite special Latin restaurants!
(5)
David G.

My family and some friends had dinner here and what a great experience. The food was fantastic. The appetizer sampler had many different items and each of them were expertly prepared. Everyone at the table (there were 8 of us total) had a fantastic food and drink experience that night. The mojitos and sangria were delicious. In addition to the food, Mario and his staff pay attention to the details, are very friendly, and genuinely care that you have an unforgettable experience. The staff at Mario's also went the extra mile to accommodate my 5 year old son. It was getting a little late and he was sleepy, so one of the waiters noticed this and put three chairs together and put a table cloth over them so he could have a place to lay down and use the table cloth as a makeshift blanket. If you are in Fort Lauderdale this is a must.
(5)
SB S.

Great food. Great feel. Love all the "gifts" from the kitchen. Complimentary plantain chips w chimichuri sauce are delectable. The empanadas brought out were equally as good. Salad were a nice touch, didn't know they came w the meal. I'd say everything is over priced, but they do compliment your expensive entrees with little appetizers so maybe I'm off base. Still, it's a pricey menu. The maÃ®tre d' does need to stop being so affectionate. It makes people uncomfortable. For years he kisses the women hello and touches the men's shoulders. Friends of ours have said the same thing. Unless you know me, don't assume it is ok to kiss me hello. That really does need to stop.
(4)
Chuck D.

A hidden gem of a Cuban restaurant. Formal and informal decor. An awesome free appetizer (lunch anyway ). The portions are good . The Jack Daniels pork was exquisite. The frozen margarita was weak (by Texas standards anyway). Still gets a 5 star
(5)
Sydney G.

My boyfriend and I stopped here when we were on our way to visit my Grandmother. We didn't check the prices before we came, so we were a little shocked when we first walked in and looked at the menu. Luckily, Mario noticed that we were thinking about leaving and gave us a $25 gift certificate, so we decided to stay and give it a shot. We started with the tamal de lechon (pork tamale), which was served in a deconstructed type of way and was out of this world. I actually sighed a bit when I put the first forkful of pork into my mouth, it was that good. For an entree, we split the Catalina Combination with Roast Pork, Chicken Chunk, & Mario's Beef, so that we could try a sampling of everything. The pork was tender and bursting with flavor, the beef was so tender it melted, but the chicken was a little dry (the only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5). For dessert, we splurged and got the quatro leche cake, which was rich and creamy and very good. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area, but keep in mind that this is upscale cuban food, so be prepared for a higher price tag! Mario and his Chef are both very friendly and accomodating, though, so you're guaranteed to have a great experience!
(4)
Carole W.

Unbelievable just how good the Cuban food is here. The service was outstanding, and the ambience is divine. I felt like I was in Havana. Truly an outstanding dining experience.
(5)
Caitlin A.

My family and I decided to give this place a try while on a relaxing beach hopping vacation. The reviews were pretty great and I really wanted to try something a little different than my parents regular - and quite honestly - boring, restaurant options. The food and drinks here were outstanding. From the plantain chips they set at the table upon sitting, to the espresso. The only reason I didn't give this place five stars is because the service was, shall I say, kooky. We ordered drinks with one sever, but then someone else came to describe the specialty drinks. We ordered two apps (empanadas and ham croquettes) with one server, and entrees with another. Never got those apps, but got four salads instead. I didn't speak up, mostly out of sheer curiosity to what was going on, but also because we were enjoying what was in front of us and having fun. (Also, at the end when I checked the bill, we were not charged for the apps we never got or the mysterious salads we received-so there was no reason to bring it up). The white sangria - large, fresh and cold! The salads we got - while not on the menu- were delicious with hints of cilantro and lime and completely seasonal. Entrees: One Vaca Frita, two roast porks and one garlic shrimp. The Vaca and pork was similar; slow cooked, tender, succulent, shredded meat with caramelized onions. The garlic shrimp was also good, but I could tell my dad was jealous of all the yummy meat we were shoveling into our faces. All entrees come with rice, out of this world, flavorful black beans and sweet, perfectly caramelized plantains. Seriously good. Tres leches cake (certainly made in house) and espresso to end on a perfect note. This place is pretty expensive and if the service is like this on a normal night, you may not get what you ordered-but you'll probably like it anyway:)
(4)
Melissa B.

I recently had my Engagement Dinner here for a party of 21 people on a Sunday around 2pm. We had requested the private room, but being from NY I didn't realize that it was basically outside so it was HOT! Luckily, my fiancÃ© spoke with Mario and he moved us all inside to the AC :)! We had the entire restaurant to ourselves and it was wonderful. We ordered appetizers for the tables and everything was delicious! The food is authentic and fresh and so flavorful! I was impressed because coming from NY where excellent restaurants are plentiful, this one is definitely a front runner! One of the managers came out to explain all dinner dishes and answer any questions and the sangria kept flowing! Also, all of the desserts were explained and they were all delicious! I can't thank them enough for making our experience so great. Wonderful food, beautiful atmosphere and excellent service. When we come back to Fort Lauderdale, we will definitely return for a nice intimate dinner!
(5)
Cory P.

Mario the owner is a sweat heart. If he is there ask him to order for you. He always brings out two dinner selections so you can trade if something doesn't fancy you. The appetizers will be abundant, the main dish, dessert and drinks (sangria or mojito) are filling and flowing. The price is reasonable and better than groupon. The food is fresh and outstanding. Skirt steak and snapper. ...amazing! Empanadas, pork tamale... Holy shi* it's good.
(5)
Matthew T.

When I left fort lauderdale I was most sad about being further away from Mario's. The owner takes customer service to entirely new stratosphere. Every person is treated like family. The food is the best Cuban I have had and I am married to a Cuban and live in Miami so that says something. The sangria is amazing, and every dish is a must have so be prepared to plan multiple trips to get the full experience.
(5)
Brent S.

The visit was for my wife's holiday party. At first I thought it was an Italian restaurant, after arrival I quickly learned otherwise. There is not a whole lot of room for parking so you are defiantly better off taking advantage of the complimentary valet parking. My wife's party started at 7pm and didn't leave until close to 11pm. During this time the restaurant was packed. I never saw anyone waiting to be seated but I did notice ninety percent of the people arriving did have reservations. The restaurant itself is small. I felt like I was eating in someone's living room, overall not may tables. The service is good, there was always someone coming over checking drinks and refilling water. We had a group appetizer that had empanadas and croquets. Both were delicious. Both gave the impression of homemade and freshly baked. For my main course I ordered the skirt steak and was happy with my meal. The steak was cooked perfectly and was a decent portion, it was served with a side of rice, this was nothing special just rice. Overall this was a great meal with good service.
(4)
Judy J.

This was my second visit, i happened on it while vacationing a few years ago in FLL. It was just a fabulous as I remember. The service is over the top. You are greeted at the door by Mario. He is so warm and inviting. You get a bowl.of fried crispy plantains swiming in a chimichurri type delectable salsa ( for lack of better words) not too much...not too little. I had the white sangria. House made. very sweet. Delicious. And they filled my goblet twice. The red is just as good, i had it on my first trip. I asked what the specialties were and chose the steak with shrimp. It was unbelievable. The black beans were to die for. I could have drank the cup. I had the dos leche cake for dessert. So good. Melts in your mouth. I dined alone or i would have had appetizers. The staff is wonderful. Cant do enough for you. It was a great experience both trips...even with a few years in between
(5)
Naimah S.

Food was superb....along with the service. Everything was great! Would definitely go again.
(5)
Jason B.

Mario greeted us at the door and escorted us to our table (No reservations, 6pm on a Wednesday). Service was 6 stars, we had the attention of several servers who were there to help with drink orders and with questions about the menu. everyone was super friendly and attentive. The food was the best I've had in the restaurant wasteland that is Fort Lauderdale. Richly seasoned pork and beef were extremely tasty and highly enjoyable. Throughout our meal our server un obtrusively came to check on us and refill drinks as needed. I can't wait to take visiting friends to this restaurant when they come to visit. highly recommended.
(5)
Too Much S.

Super attentive, welcoming and gracious, and muy delicioso from the first taste of the best mojito I have had in years the final sip of cafe cubano. I was dining alone so was wrestling with what I could try, given most of the appetizers were intended for two. Rafael suggested making me a combo of what he thought best I should try and ye gods was he right. Lecho Asado con arroz y frijoles negros for the entree, but with a tamale, and an empanada (basically a third or so of each appetizer portion), added in, since I would not otherwise be able to try them all. Everything was nailed. Everything was a winner. Everything. Seriously one of the best meals I have had in 2014. Caveat: This is a nice restaurant and do note the price point being noticeably higher than the more typical cheap/dive Cuban. Pay it. It's worth it.
(5)
Chuck W.

By far the best Cuban food I've ever eaten. I always head straight for Cuban restaurants when I'm in South Florida and this one is always stellar. The Sangria is awesome and the roast pork, black beans and rice with fried plantains is my favorite.
(5)
Daniel C.

We were recommended to this restaurant from my friend's hotel. So glad we went! The restaurant is unassuming from the outside. But inside, it's filled with classy decor and a great, romantic atmosphere. You start the meal with platanos maduros with an amazing oil and veggie sauce. They were the best I've had. Then we ordered the empanadas, which were hot, fresh, and so tasty. And filling! One order comes with 3 empanadas. For dinner we split the combination platter of vaca frita, pork, and fried chicken. All was season well and incredibly good. Dessert was Quatro leches, which was incredible. We had a few mojitos, too, which were really great. Our service was impeccable, extremely attentive waiters and the owner came over multiple times. The only drawbacks to the restaurant were the price - not a place to go on a budget - and I thought our dinner chairs were a bit worn (I could feel the springs in the chair under the cushion). I'd definitely go back and recommend to anyone!
(4)
Linda C.

The roast pork enter was wonderful, tender and flavored lightly with onions. My husband loved the skirt steak with shrimp. Tender and done just right. Served with plantains and the best salad I have ever had. The white sangria was yummy, and they brought us a second one on the house. The desserts were amazing, too. Loved the artwork on the walls and white tablecloths. Fun place!
(5)
Israel S.

Very good food excellent service and the ambiance is a great place for a date and you have to have the house special mojito
(4)
Keith P.

Impeccable service, amazing food, deserts to die for. Food was prepared perfectly .a must try. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Ashanti D.

I don't even know where to begin but let's start with the fact that this restaurant is FABULOUS in every way!!! The service was stellar, the food was beyond AMAZING from the garlic mussels appetizer to our mixed seafood dish to the white rice and black beans to the plaintains. Every item that entered our mouths was so scrumptious. I forgot to mention the bomb plaintain chips with "salsa" that we were greeted with as soon as we sat down at our table. The wait staff constantly checked on us and went out of their way to ensure we were happy and enjoying our meal. It was lovely! To top it all off, since it's my birthday they allowed me to pick a dessert of my choice and then sang Happy Birthday to me. What a wonderful birthday lunch before we head to the airport this evening. Thank you so much Mario's for an awesome experience!
(5)
Jaye W.

Super delicious but too expensive. I get the vegetable paella and mariquitas chips. Amazing food, but for $60 I could go a lot of places in Fort Lauderdale.
(4)
Stephanie R.

Awesome delicious food and service but You pay for it, over $20+ a plate, yikes! A nice place to take a date or eat at on special occasions.
(4)
Sandy O.

Last night my husband and enjoyed one of the best meals out, hosted by the owner truly interested in making us feel special, as this was our first time. Don't be surprised by the outside...the inside is elegant, romantic and cozy with soft music in the background, white table clothes, glassware galore and a lovely staff. The meal began with icy red sangria...perfect on a hot day...delicious. Plate of plantain chips with a churro type sauce. We were treated to a perfectly seasoned house salad with greens, diced apples and light vinaigrette. Grouper, simply grilled was perfectly cooked, still moist and well seasoned, served with dirty rice, and plantains for $26.99. Yes a little high but I am a foodie that would rather spend a little more for excellence than less for "it was ok." My husbands Lechon Asado (pulled pork) was phenomenal...juicy, perfectly seasoned, with a voice of rice & plantains for $28.99. Well worth the trip from Delray...well worth the money...we got a groupon to try out new restaurants...try it out.
(5)
Gail A.

Don't go!...don't go!...don't go!...horrible nasty expensive..smelled like rat dropping. Only the restaurant relatives wrote a good review. Did a quick change with lunch menu doubled the price! From 12.00 to 28.00! Told us menu different with different lunch and charged us DINNER prices. Garbage in hallway...dirty glasses...piled up tablecloth s 6 ft high...need i go on? Turn around...RUDE RUDE RUDE...Oh did i mention rude. I'd rather eat at McDonald's.
(1)
Aba J.

This place is a must for anyone in the Fort Lauderdale Area, from the moment we walked in I could tell that everything about the experience was going to be top notch and simply the best! Mario, the owner, acts as Matre' D, Manager and overall director. He really is quite a productionist, and what a production it was from start to finish, with the lights lowered during the celebratory birthday song for each guest, it really was quite special. The room is exquisitely decored with many paintings and beautiful chandeliers. I had the Paella and it was so good! So much food in my dish, they then bring out dessert on a display tray and I had a great pecan cheesecake, to top it all off I had cappuccino with sugary cube sticks. Overall it was a delightful experience, and to think I had completely stumbled on it by accident, Thank you Mario!
(5)
David N.

Mario and his restaurant are amazing. The food is exquisite. The drinks are delicious. But most of all, Mario is a rare gem. He understands how to make people feel comfortable. When we got out of the car, he opened the door, introduced himself, and got us seats. The staff acted like we were the most important people in the restaurant. A friend had a birthday, and they went out of their way. In short, this is everything a restaurant should be. Topped with amazing appetizers and entrÃ©es - perfect!
(5)
Marqus R.

I've been going to Mario's restaurant for years, even back when it first opened on 33rd, and have always had good food but confess that I always found it somewhat quirky in that from the name "Catalina," I'm lead to think Catalonia, and the heading on the awning stating "Spanish Cuban Cuisine" to have a more distinctive Spanish emphasis to it. Though Cuban foods are generally a fusion of Spanish, native Taino, Caribbean and African with shared spices, somewhat different and apart from what I find in Catalonia or in any parts of Spain which I would classify as basically being Western Mediterranean with strong takes on Balearic and Valencian, particularly with an emphasis on the use of capsicum, eggplant, tomato, garlic, artichoke uses of local poultry, lamb, pork and fish dishes of sardine, tuna and anchovy. Though my comments above are basically a lot of esoteric and debatable babble, my point is that in my opinion the cuisine offerings at Mario's Catalina are, to me, Cuban. Hence I wouldn't go here really expecting much in the way of Spanish. However I would go here expected good Cuban. Most recently I went to Mario's and had the grilled skirt steak with lobster. It was served with one of the best, most delicious salads ever along with full length chips of plantain mixed in a bowl with one of the best tasting salsa like sauces. The lobster was a cold water lobster done in its shell smothered with fresh chopped onion, pepper other ingredients, then with a good side helping of traditional Cuban rice and black bean. As for the skirt, it was a generous cut, but didn't arrive done as ordered, lacked grill charring, was somewhat tough and excessively greasy. As for service, very good, attentive and helpful. Though I asked my initial server if there were any specials and merely got an "I don't know" response and a long blank nothing, a more experienced server immediately recognized the problem and stepped in before I could get up, kick the other server in the butt and pointedly tell him that if he didn't know, he'd best get his lazy ass in the kitchen to find out. Another thing I like about Mario's is the overall cleanliness and neat table setting along with its upscale rich looking elegant dÃ©cor. Though some have criticized it as being "piss elegant" and over stated, my take on it is that this is overstated, bring in on; I like it and you never have to be embarrassed to bring your business guests into fine surroundings like are found in Mario's. As for price, Mario's is on the pricey side, but for what you get, not excessively so and I've never found anything from the quality of the drinks, the pours of the wine or the food proportions with which I've ever felt slighted or short changed.
(3)
David L.

We had another great meal at Mario's last night. Food was cooked perfectly and everything just popped with flavor. The wait staff was very friendly & Mario was charming as usual. This is a great local restaurant!
(5)
Jason M.

Extremely disappointed with 2nd visit to Mario's, especially given the great time we had first visit. After waiting 15 minutes for someone to take our drink order, my wife went to the bar to order some drinks. Mojito was good as usual, but the dirty martini she ordered was mostly olive juice and we sent it back. Waited 30 minutes from sitting down for someone to take our dinner order. Waiter was apologetic and said he'd get our order in right away. The food was very good. I got the Skirt Steak ($35, kind of steep but I knew what I was ordering). My wife got the Catalina sampler. All great, full of flavor and a good texture on the skirt steak and beef in my wife's sampler. 15 minutes after finishing eating, with no one coming to refill our water, or ask us if we wanted another cocktail or dessert, I went inside and asked for our check. Another 10 minutes and finally the waiter comes out with check. I asked to speak with Mario and he was very dismissive. He didn't really seem to care we had a bad experience. He did have a full restaurant, and a pile of great reviews here, so maybe he doesn't need to. Pretty disappointing.
(2)
Mike H.

This is one of the best restaurants in the area. The owners are great. They always go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The service is impeccable, and the food is fantastic.
(5)
Franz F.

Excellent food. Amazing service. Top-notch staff. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Astrid A.

This is a must visit resto. The Mojito... Yummm... Everything I tried was delicious.. Their mojo is exceptional. There is nothing I tried that I did t like.. A must go!!
(5)
Jerry S.

Excellent night for the 4 of us. The ladies had the deep fried chicken dishes, very tasty and juicy. My friend enjoyed the skirt steak which was tender. I had the Grouper smothered with shrimp. The dinner was excellent the service was superb. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Darlene R.

The food here is very good. I loved the Seafood mixed grill and the empanada appetizer. The drinks are also very well made. I do get a little uncomfortable when he tries to sell us coupons at the end of the meal :/ but it has not deterred me from going back.
(4)
Jessica D.

This was a great spot to get Cuban food before leaving Florida. Our waiter, Chino, was attentive and gave us great food recommendations. The plantain chips and salsa were addictive! I would come back the next time I'm in town.
(5)
Jo W.

The parking lot was pack, then the restaurant was packed and so there was a little bit of a wait for a table, but once the food started coming, all was forgotten (not really, but I'll get back to that). Unlike the tradition bread given at almost every other restaurant, they start you off with Plantain Chips topped with a pico de gallo of sorts. This was definitely the right choice and a great start to the meal. Then came their famous Mojito that restored my faith in a drink that I used to love but slowly began to feel like no longer existed, just cheap imitations. Made with super fresh ingredient and real sugar, it exceed probably any Mojito I ever had and that includes even in Puerto Rico. From there I was excited for my meal. I had Mario's Favorite which consisted of Red Snapper fillet breaded in green plantains with lobster sauce & jumbo shrimp, Pulled Pork and was delicious, delightful and downright good! My fiance had the Grilled Skirt Steak w/Lobster & Garlic Shrimp and loved it. Despite being full, I couldn't miss dessert and after choosing from what seemed like 50 choices, we choose the Cuarto Leches, which was truly a delectable dessert. A lot of leches are very soggy, but what sold me on this one was that is wasn't and it held the consistency of the cake. But, back to what I was saying before. Although the food is very good, the service is not. The owner moves about very frantically and then the servers seem lost and confused in it all. Service was slow, out of place and at times downright horrible. That kind of mismanagement can kill an experience regardless of how great the food was.
(3)
Randi M.

Came with a groupon( 45 for 80, but I paid 36.00 using a coupon for the groupon). I ordered the grouper with shrimp and garlic sauce. Not sure what the 'garlic sauce" was because there was no sauce to be found. There were slices of onion and peppers on top of the fish. The fish was good, but nothing that was like OMG, this was the best grouper in the world. It came with 4 average size shrimp. The rice was a tad crunchy. My wife had some shredded beef and she liked it a lot. Her tostones were under-seasoned too. They needed salt or a garlic sauce. We were also charged 8.00 for the only house salad they have. Lettuce, tomato, a few slices of apple and celery. Very boring. The chimichuri was good as were the plantain chips that arrive on your table. We took a slice of cheesecake( not house made) with us and it was creamy, but on the overly sweet side. i would be really PO'd if i had to pay 82.00 for this meal. Totally not worth that, but for 36.00, it was acceptable. I personally think Las Vegas Restaurant has better Cuban food. Johnny was a great server. I did notice that everyone seems to be afraid of the owner. That isn't a good sign.
(3)
Jessenia M.

Red snapper filet is my favorite. I have eaten here about 5 times and the meals never disappoint. A bit pricey but the owner always comes around and offers cards that you can come back with and use towards your bill i.e you pay $50 and he gives you gift certificate for $100.
(5)
RachelzPetz W.

My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in October and had asked the Concierge where to go for authentic Cuban food. He suggested 2 places and we chose Mario's. I am so glad we did! The waiter was super attentive and knew the art of flirting just enough to make me feel special. He informed us we could make special requests if we wanted something we didn't find ont he menu and I arrived craving boiled yucca in garlic sauce. That with a delicious pork dish and a complimentary virgin mojito was divine! By the end of the evening, the whole Staff had greeted us and made u s feel at home. The cook even told me how to make yucca. By the end of the meal we were stuffed and it could have only been better if they ad offered us a bed to nap in. However, as it was pouring rain, they did call us a cab. I would definitely return!
(5)
Willie K.

The food here is really great! We love it so much that we have come here 3 nights on our 5 night vacation to Ft Lauderdale. I would totally recommend it to anyone who is in the greater Ft Lauderdale area, even if you think you don't like Cuban. It is really super great. As I have previously said, I would highly recommend it!
(5)
Melissa E.

We had the masa de puerco, it was cooked to perfection with tons of flavor! The owner is super nice, offered us a complimentary white sangria which was delicious. Will definitely come back soon!
(5)
Bill B.

Very tasty and authentic Cuban. The owner greets you at the door. The staff is friendly and the bartender makes amazing drinks. The white sangria is insane. The chicken chunks were flavorful and danced in my mouth. Overall, what a cool find. I will be back.
(4)
Deborah W.

My new fave restaurant. The food is delicious. The service was absolutely amazing. Really a great find. Highly recommend!!
(5)
D M.

Great time again at Marios. We went for Fathers Day and as usual the food was delicious and so were the drinks. I love their mojitos and they are known for their white sangria!! Pork steak was delicious and the plantains are yummy. We also had the millionaire desert, awesome. I can't say enough about Marios. It's my favorite restaurant. Thank you Mario!!
(5)
Jannah G.

4 stars for the food! But the service... Awful. We had about 4 different waiters, and spent much of our dining experience WAITING to be served... Waiting on drinks, the plates to be taken away, dessert menu, the bill. Not an exceptionally busy night, either. Waiters ignored our requests. Mario spends a lot of time greeting the customers: perhaps he should spend more time assuring his staff is taking care of business! Shame-- it's a nice spot. Will really have to think about returning.
(3)
Eric L.

This place was fantastic. The servers are all very friendly. Mario, the owner, would often come by and make sure we were taken care of well. He's super friendly, and that usually leads to him messing with the guys. It's definitely a good experience that you have to try once. The food is very tasty, and everything had great flavor. The menu is diverse with plenty to choose from. If you like sangria, this place will hit the spot. It has 3 dollars signs, so you get what you pay for.
(5)
Natalie C.

What other reviewers are say about this place is true. Be prepared to get scammed. The bill came and I couldn't read anything on it. I believe that the food being offered is way over priced. Skirt steak, 4 pieces of shrimp and a small plate of rice and beans $40. (I should have gone to Pollo Tropical). I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday. They knew before hand that it was his birthday and didnt acknowledge him like they said they would. They tried to do a sales pitch on some cards that were like $50 for $100 worth of food. I was not pleased with that. I felt like I was at a car dealership trying to be bought by the sleazy sales man (Mario). I had to be firm. Wait service was okay. I will be skipping this one next time.
(1)
Jerry S.

We ate here on a weekday during lunch and had a great experience. Their lunch specials are reasonably priced and their food sooooo good. Mario's Beef dish (vaca frita) is one of the best beef dishes I have ever had. The atmosphere is very nice.
(5)
Jhon M.

The food is ok... Regular Cuban food. But is a very expensive food... For the money I paid in this place I could invite a group of six people to another very good restaurant. This place is over priced for a regular Cuban food. The next time I want to eat a Cuban food I prefer to go to Las Vegas Cuban cuisine. The same quality of food and very far away cheaper. By the way the bill was 280 dollars for three person. The order was regular food and 3 glasses of wine. It isn't crazy expensive ...?
(1)
David B.

The manager was the most rude service person I have seen in years. We sat for lunch with a lunch menu with a group- on coupon to share with my invalid sister in -law and he switched menus on us with another one with item prices twice as much as the original saying this is the one to order from. Complete scam. We decided to leave. Also, glasses on the table were spotty and chairs were dirty. Hiensight, it turned out better we left. Not a clean place.
(1)
Hector M.

I was hesitant about this place. Read bad reviews about service and such. However, everything was great...food was amazing, drinks (mojitos and sangria) were the best i've had here in 3 days, dessert (flan) melted in your mouth, SO GOOD! As for service, great! Our server, other help, and Chino were very helpful and courteous. It is pricey but "you get what you pay for." I recommend this place.
(5)
Tim N.

The elephant is in the room, he's standing right over there, see him? Ok I confess... I've eaten at Mario's a few times, and really enjoyed myself. If as a man, you can't stand Mario's affections, quick, come out if the closet, it's really ok these days. Mario's serves really good simple food. I grew up in Miami in the 1970's Mario's is the real dal but make no mistake, it's Cuban comfort food. And that is delicious. I don't know what he puts in his sangria, crack? Meth? Either why it's really good, and realllly strong. (You've been warned) The sales pitches come on a little strong but be firm, and be sure and check your bill. In all the place is worth it. I'm at the end of my review and I still haven't put down any stars... I'm thinking about that and having trouble. The food is good, can you (or should you?) "gourmet" up simple food? That is a question for the ages. The service perfect, the decor romantic, the sangria crack-laden... I love Mario, he's really honest about who he is and I can respect that about him, he's also nice and very funny, I'm a happy customer.
(3)
Mike H.

I saw what Matt H. commented, he is right. If your worried about the price then go to McDonald's. But if you want some of the best service and excellent food then this is a must visit. I am 42 years old and at this point in my life I have never had service this good. Let me also say that I have a wife who is very picky, she absolutely loved this place. I love clams and oysters, mussels I tolerate when there is no other option, for an appetizer I got the garlic mussels, if I could I would have these all the time, honestly I have never had anything close to how good these were. My wife got the skirt steak and shrimp. Absolutely tremendous, steak cooked to perfection, I chose the paella it was very good. I could eat that everyday. Sangrias, I challenge you to find better. Guys if you want a romantic place to take your significant other, go here, great romantic atmosphere.
(5)
Tom B.

We had a family dinner there on Sunday afternoon. The service was excellent, thank you Raphael and Fernando, and the food as usual was outstanding. Try the Millionaire's Cheese Cake for desert. It is really tasty.
(5)
Steven G.

While visiting the Lauderdale area we were told about Mario's and the quality of food. We were not let down. From the sangria to the quality of meat to the professional service it was fantastic. Mario is very friendly and even bought the table a pitcher of Sangria to thank us for trying the restaurant. The restaurant isn't cheap but I don't mind paying for a quality meal. Go!
(5)
Brian D.

Great food, service, and ambiance. Mario made our dinner party feel like we were family. This is a gem and you need to go. Be aware, pricing is a bit high but as always you get what you pay for.
(5)
Darryl M.

This place is fantastic. Mario is over the top as is the food! Great staff and ambiance. The appetizers are bigger than most meals at other restaurants. The Churrasco is fantastic.
(5)
Victoria H.

The service was amazing. The food was good as well. The pork and tamales was delicious. The ambiance was nice. They lit candles and smiled. That's all you need. I had 3 mojitos. I'm definitely coming back again.
(5)
Laurie R.

Very bad experience. Overpriced, poor service. I had very good experiences eating at cuban restaurants in florida but this was the exception. I don't have any problem paying if the food is worth it. At fine restaurants I m used to have good bread as starter, good service because I m paying for it. At Catalina when we asked for some bread, we were given some unnecessary comment. Food not good. The owner doesn't even let the server do his job and sends all this other different people to the table doing different things. Anyways, what irritated me the most was the fact that I asked my food to go along with my friend and was given a single container with both of our food mixed all together. Gross. This place has nothing of "fine restaurant", it is a rip off.!!
(1)
Liz B.

Delicious food!!! Probably the best meal I have ever eaten. Perfect meal for the hot Florida weather. The owner is so friendly- that's a plus. You MUST try this food.
(5)
Amelia J.

The food was good however there was an unpleasant "bathroom" smell that didn't allowed me to enjoy our dinner.
(3)
Justin M.

We went to Mario's with a group of ten people this past week. We were served a combination of appetizers, entrees, and desserts all of which were phenomenal. The mojitos were great and the bar was stocked with anything one could want. The staff was friendly, lively, and catered to our every need. Mario himself circulated around the restaurant to personally ensure all guests' expectations were being exceeded. Overall it was a great experience; can't wait to return when I am back in Fort Lauderdale!
(5)
Nipi T.

Delicious. Found the place by its great reviews and we weren't disappointed. The staff is super friendly.
(5)
Scott F.

Must try the sangria! Skirt steak and grouper were awesome! Service was top notch! 5 star in my book.
(5)
Pedro A.

Mario does a fantastic job here and this is our second visit in our last two trips to the city. The Cuban dishes are delicious and the Carne Asada must be ordered (a heaping pile of juicy pork, perfectly cooked white rice and wonderfully seasoned and prepared black beans). The drinks are strong but balanced and the servers do a great job on all fronts. This is a must-go-to if you're in the area and you'll be left craving it long after you depart!
(5)
Lauren M.

Most authentic, delicious Cuban restaurant in the area! I had the Jack Daniels roast pork, and it was out of this world! Mario is the BEST!!!
(5)
Jonathan S.

Expensive but worth every penny. I've been here a few times now and every meal is exquisitely prepared fresh tasty and just amazing. One of my favorite restaurants in the United States. The owner and staff are extremely friendly and cooperative in terms of telling you anything you want to know about their menu items. The chimichurri sauce is the best I've ever had. The paella is an incredibly large portion, just be sure to call and order ahead of time so I can be ready for you upon arrival.
(5)
Loren M.

Heads up on our experience at this "crazy restaurant" the food was good, other than that it's a disaster! Our waiter had the personality of a wet paper towel, his assistant was overly rude, when he was told that my brothers food was wrong he told my brother "just eat it". My cousins wife had ordered grouper and the waiter kept asking who ordered the snapper when she asked for clarification he said "same shit". The assistant waiter and owner hit on all the men at the table, massaging them, comparing beans to volcanos as they rub them and telling them to lick the beans off each other. We joked about it but that was just the beginning of our wtf night. When the bill came we couldnt read it, the total was astronomical, when we asked for someone to explain it we were told "the owner was shut down for the night" although he had just been standing by us and was now clearly at the bar. After not wanting to discuss the bill they cut off the a/c and music. On top of that the waiter told us that we could take $30 off his tip cuz "he didn't give a fuck". Mario then came back from his short hiatus to discount $100 off the bill in order to get us out of there. Beyond all of this we asked the waiter if gratuity was added and he said he wasnt sure that they did usually but not today. Needless to say I'm sure he was tipped double! If your looking for a restaurant that will cause awkwardly tense moments, offer worse mathematical equations than physics could ever offer, or just a crazy story to talk about for hours then eat here!
(1)
Steve N.

Sorry but i dont do drugs so i cant believe the prior reviews. This place was a ripoff. Prices were high even by nyc standards. I ordered the steak and lobster . It was a langoustine overcooked and overspiced with a small piece of reasonably tasty skirt steak for $60 .the paella advertised for one was $6o and was really for two but rice was overcooked prob reheated dessert was stale and it wad $12 a piece. I would NEVER return
(2)
Hope W.

Amazing Restaurant! The atmosphere is beautiful and the owner Mario is ever-present, making sure that the patrons are receiving his best. This was my first time dining at Mario's Catalina Restaurant and now I can say unequivocally it is the first of many visits to come. The food was delicious. I had the grilled grouper with shrimp and my boyfriend had the Jack Daniel's Roast Pork followed by a piece of heavenly Pistachio Cheesecake. All were beautifully presented and more tasty than they were beautiful. Our server was awesome and made us feel so welcome. This has now become my favorite S FL restaurant.
(5)
Doug V.

Before I get into this extraordinary meal, let me say I did look over the reviews and I almost didn't come based on what was recently posted. I'm glad I came. First off, I don't now anything about Cuban, Caribbean, or other regional cuisines. But, without qualification, I think I know food from a laymen's perspective. Lets qualify and debunk some recent comments. First off, be prepared to lay out your nose to eat here. Appetizers are $15-20; entrees $25-50. A meal for two which included two Mojito's, an appetizer, two entrees, two desserts, and one coffee con leche was $160. It was expensive, but worth the cost. The bill is still written,so you must decipher someone's hand writing but the cost is clearly printed and you can add the bill to make sure you aren't paying for something you didn't receive. But, I did not get the impression Mario's was anything less than honorable and conducted themselves with great integrity. So, get beyond the cost of the meal and get beyond that the bill is hand written and come enjoy an extraordinarily wonderfully prepared meal. First, when we entered, a Bentley was parked out front. It's probably Mario's but this should have been a clue to Mario's Catalina. Upon entering, Mario himself- a well manicured, well dressed, cordial person- rushed over, introduced himself shaking our hand, and seated us. None of this "do you have a reservation" "or, please, wait one minute"... He immediately ushered us to an empty table and started offering us drinks. Dad and I had the Mojito's. Damn good. A few minutes later, we ordered our only appetizer, the Tamal with Pork. The tamale wasn't stuffed with the pork as you might find in Mexican cuisine, but instead, the tamale is traditionally prepared, wrapped in banana leaves, and topped with various spices and sauces. Next to it was a large helping of some of the most succulent pork I have ever had. Tasty, juicy, wonderful. The menu says this is for two, but, it could have fed more... Or, this could have been the meal,itself. Our entrees included the roast pork and the red snapper. Let me tell you,the shrimps that came with the meal were huge- each one was the size of a small adult hand. I will admit the shrimp was slightly,overdone, but still tasty. We finished off with my favorite, flan, and dad had tres leche cake. Oh, coffee con leche for me. I'm not going to get into the specifics of the meal. Bottom line is if you can afford the price tag, then you will enjoy this wonderful meal; you will enjoy the attentiveness of the staff who cater to your every need before you even know you need to be catered to, and in the end, you will appreciate your evening. Mario brought us two more Mojito's on the house,then gave us two coupons that are each worth $25 off you next visit. We had a very good time, left stuffed, satiated and will gladly return, though not anytime soon- dad owns a Toyota Corolla, not a Bentley.
(5)
Corinne A.

Visiting from NY - Had the beef empanadas and the seafood paella. Best Cuban food I've ever had! Monitors are great, they even gave us a second round on the house. The owner Mario is very attentive and the staff treats you like royalty. If you are in the area, this is a must!
(5)
Stuart F.

Last night was really looking forward going to Marios with good friends. What a mistake, food was just ok. I wanted a salad and was told by waiter Mario only gives a salad as a gift when he feels like it. Ok no salad i could still live with that, when bill came couldn't read one thing and was totaly shocked to see the only thig we could read was the finnal price of $380.00 we had a groupon coupon for $150.00 so it still cost us $230.00 with no liquor. That was not even the worst Maorio comes over to the table and begins to actuually deal $25.00 coupons to the table and says i will sell u $150.00 worth of coupons and give u $100.00 in free coupons. I was appeled and totally in shock what a way to ruin a night. Mario is a real con man . Billl couldnt read and was not only paded and no one would explain charges, but then to have the nerve to try and hussel us to buy coupons for his restaurant. I will never go back and Mario ruined my total evening. By the way i never got my salad...
(1)
Kenny K.

Went to Catalina's on a date. It was a good candle light setting for a date. Fantastic service! Food was worth the price. And Mario is an incredible owner! We will be back!
(5)
Paula S.

It was a groupon and with the previous reviews made me want to try it but not worth the expense without groupon
(2)
Shon S.

Unbelievable good food. No bad item on the menu. Highly recommended. Skirt steak and shrimp is fantastic.
(5)
Anabell O.

This place was incredible!! From the time you walked in being greeted and seated by the owner gave it a family feel. It was a simple but yet elegant decor the chandeliers gave it a special touch. The food was amazing!! Starting with the Catalina Platter which was a mix of empanadas, pork, croquetas and some plantain chips. The flavors were beyond my expectations. Every bite was more explosive than the last. The choices on the menu really opened your appetite. The flank steak great, fried red snapper great, shrimp great!! The sangria was the best we ever had. Last but not least the desert demonstration was mouth watering; chose the flan and it was beyond delicious. The service was great!!! They made the birthday celebration an excellent experience. Mario the owner really caters to each table. I recommend this restaurant for excellent food, great service and an amazing ambiance!!!
(5)
Alex P.

I and my friends used to love going to this restaurant. The owner is very charismatic, however, in a consistent basis they will overcharge the bill. whether it is an extra $5 or $30 for a large party. I love the food there however I will never go back.
(1)
Brian L.

So, me and my business partners have explored pretty much every restaurant between SR-84 and Commercial for lunch. While driving north on Federal Highway playing the usual where do you want to go today game, I happened to see this place and made a command u-turn decision to go there. What a tremendous bit of luck. Man-o-man am I glad we made a u-turn and just ducked in here. At first blush, I though the place would be a little bit of a neighborhood joint for Cuban/Spanish food. When you walk in, however, the place turns out to be different. It is a little more upscale and classy. This not your joint-style place. Rather, the restaurant decor is a comboniation of medieval castle and renaissance palace, with the heavy drapes and crystal chandeliers. I am not saying the place is beautiful, but it shows the owner cares. This is not a bunch of rickety tables and chairs mish-mashed together. The service here was tremedous. It started with the warm greeting at the door and continued througout the whole meal. We were treated like royalty. My comments, however, may be skewed a little because I think the owner thought I was a food critic or something. I say this because he was constantly bringing us free things--at least I think they were free. Maybe that is the standarding thing there. If it is, wow. If not, I ain't complaining. It gave us a chance to really sample the menu. After ordering our dishes, we were presented with a large plate of maraquitos, covered in mojo, and accompanied by a salad. I do not know if this is a standard freebie (that is, like a bread basket equivalent) for guests, but wow was it good. The maraquitos were still warm and crunchy. The mojo was acidic and garlicky. And the salad was a perfect balance. While I hate fruit in my salad, the cubed pieces of apple hidden in the salad were just great, both for the crunchy texture, and for the slight sweetness to balance the maraquitos. I ordered the fried pork and my partners the roast pork. The owner told us the roast pork was the most popular dish, but he assured me my fried pork would be good. When he presented our dishes, he brought me a little sample of the roast pork (this is what I mean by the great service). The roast pork was full of flavor. Nothing dried out and no masking of the pork flavor. It was great. My fried pork was great as well. Fried pork is an iffy dish, because the twice cooking of the dish easily leads to dried out pork. Not a chance here. The pork was expertly prepared. The sides that came with the dish (beans, rice, etc.) were very well done. These were no after-thoughts. We did have a chance to sample a tres leches for dessert. The cake was super moist and not overly sweet. What a great little finish to the meal. I am really glad we found this place, and look forward to going back here time and time again for some great food.
(4)
Dovile U.

This was our first trip to Catalina Restaurant and it could not have been more perfect. The food was amazing! We tried the steak and lobster and the red snapper with roast pork and shrimp in lobster sauce. Service was very friendly as the owner greeted us and took us to our seats. The drinks were great as well, especially the mojito! For dessert the flan is a must. We will definitely be going back when we return to Fort Lauderdale.
(5)
Hannah O.

I cannot emphasize how delightful my time at Mario's Catalina Restaurant was! The employees were attentive and friendly - the owner in particular was extremely charismatic and stopped by our table frequently to ask how we were doing (and even gave us a free mojito as well as sizable coupons for our next visit!). The atmosphere was nice - a cute and eclectic restaurant that felt both cozy and elegant. We went on a Friday night and while we had reservations, the restaurant wasn't overly crowded so we probably would have been fine without them. Last but not least, the food was absolutely delicious! We had the empanadas as an appetizer and they were flaky and flavorful and came with a fantastic dipping sauce. As an entree we got the garlic chicken chunks and for dessert the chocolate cake. Both the entree and dessert surpassed expectations. Overall a really lovely and pleasant experience - great food, great service, *wonderful* owner, and charming atmosphere. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some tasty Cuban food or just a really positive restaurant experience in Fort Lauderdale.
(5)
Diana A.

This is a wonderful restaurant! It's our favorite place for dinner and date nights; we love it so much Mario is doing our catering for our wedding! The food is delicious, the ambience is perfect, the staff is nice and Mario is the BEST!!! If you plan on going on a Friday or Saturday is not fast food, don't expect your food in 10 minutes you should be there to enjoy the atmosphere and quality of the food and service rather than how fast you can get your food!
(5)
Tania A.

I went to Mario's for my Moms birthday with a Groupon and I have to say the decor was really nice and intimate. It's great for couples! I highly recommend the red Sangria it was delicious! We had Empanadas as an appetizer, they were also very good. The food was a little pricey it taste just the same as La Carreta and Las Colinas. We had one appetizer, Sangria, and 2 Entrees for $81 dollars. I ended up paying a $1 and change because I had a Groupon. GET THE GROUPON! The owner was really nice and he gave us a gift card for $50 dollars, but you have to buy 4 entrees with that gift card. I do recommend this place.I give the service a 10 the staff was great! The Sangria was so good that I just might go back to have 2 glasses of that.
(4)
Michael K.

Visiting Ft. Lauderdale from DC, I was in the mood for some good Cuban cruisine. Great Cuban food and great service is what I found at Catalina Restaurant. Mario, the owner, treated my family and I like royalty; coming by the table every now and then to make sure we were being taken care of. We sampled pretty much the whole menu and everything was delicious. Without a doubt 5 stars! Thanks Mario!
(5)
Kiki P.

This is a gem of a restaurant with fantastic Cuban and Spanish dishes and a wait staff that exceeds every expectation. The restaurant is a little pricier than average, but well worth the experience.
(5)
Aaron T.

Wife and I visited the place while we were in Ft. Lauderdale for the weekend. Food was excellent! Would love to go back but we are from Boston.
(5)
Michael S.

In one word, WOW. It started at a charity fundraiser, popping a balloon and finding a gift certificate for Catalina inside. Three months later, on a weeknight where we are all running late, and a close friend showed up unexpectedly at 7:30PM and we're all hungry, wondering what's for dinner, and we decide to go to Catalina. We had NO idea what to expect. I felt a bit under-dressed for the place when we walked in, but when we were greeted by Mario at the door, any and all apprehensions were forgotten. I had the feeling I/we were in over our heads, this place is fine dining, Spanish and Cuban with the emphasis on cuisine, as in an art form. I'm looking at the $50 gift certificate we won and remember thinking that'll buy us a bottle of water. Was I ever wrong. From the time you sit down to the time you know you have to leave but don't want to, Catalina just kinda takes you over. Fresh plantain chips with homemade salsa/chimichurri is brought to the table, the wait staff offer you a wide variety of beverages from a full bar, great wine list, or simply water if you wish. The beautiful wife broke down and chose the highly recommended Mojito, and I ended up in the wine list with a nice cabernet. The meals came with a fresh greens salad, choice of entrÃ©e with sides. The wife had Jack Daniels Bourbon Pork, with perfect rice and black beans and sweet plantains. I ended up with the grilled grouper with shrimp in garlic sauce. Both servings were enough for two people, incredibly prepared, perfectly cooked, and the pork center had what seemed to be a literal shot of Jack Daniels in the center, that woke you up as you got to it. The grouper was one of the best I've ever had ever. Our friend had the chicken in garlic sauce and really enjoyed it as well. Service was excellent, water's always refilled, Mario swings by to make sure everything's as perfect as it should be, and drops off a free Mojito for the wife half way through the meal. Had to be one of the best Mojitos I've ever had too, not sure how they did it, but months/years of experimenting obviously paid off, you can't compare it to anything else in town. As we're drifting off into a food induced coma, and the ladies are getting to-go containers to take the remainder of their large portions home for lunch tomorrow, our waiter comes by with the 27 dessert choices (really about like 12? but it went on forever and all were AMAZING!), and we shared the Almond crusted Amaretto cheesecake. OMG. I need a nap, I'm done, the wife is done, our friend is well done. The check arrives. And even if they didn't deserve it in the least bit, we had to kinda look to see if all the things brought out were really on the bill. It seemed like we stole the place for what we experienced and what we paid. Carefully examining the bill, the second Mojito and a couple other things never hit the bill, and we were completely just overwhelmed with the quality, service, attention, atmosphere, we had NO issues paying the bill and leaving a very generous tip. This place is amazing, ranks up there with Le Dome, The Chart House, Morton's, Rusty Pelican with ambience, food, and service. I/we highly recommend this gem, and we're sorry we didn't try it sooner.
(5)
Michael L.

Absolutely amazing restaurant. Service was top notch! Food- heavenly! The owner Mario's personal touch was priceless. If u go anywhere in Ft. Lauderdale, it is HERE!!!
(5)
Beatrice Z.

This is my third time visiting Catalina and it was even better than the first. Owner is always present and very attentive and food is great.
(5)
Ed C.

New to the Fort Lauderdale area. At the suggestions of friends went to this Cuban Restaurant with three other friends. Service was good and food portions were large. The sample appetizer was great. It was a meal in itself. I ordered the roast pork and had two cocktails. A couple of friends ad the chicken garlic chunks ,which was rather greasy, and another friend had the steak. Food was ok but over priced. Dinner for 4 was over $350.00 The atmosphere was modest and tends to be a family restaurant. Babies and children were quite noisy and families taking flash pictures was very annoying. Waiters were pleasant but really kept pushing cocktails on us. We didn't have desert or coffee. All in all an ok evening but didn't think the food or ambiance was worth the price.
(3)
Alex G.

Food was good, but service was terrible. Had to wait 20 minutes to be seated, although we had a reservation, our food took a long time to come out, water glass sat empty most of the dinner, and had to ask for the check three times. By the end, we couldn't wait to leave.
(2)
Donna S.

Stopped here for lunch. We were warmly greeted and everything was delicious, especially the sangria. We both had Cuban sandwiches with homemade fries, the best Cuban I've had in a long time. Go, you will be delighted!
(5)
Cornelia C.

Went after seeing the new Woody Allen movie. The experience was like being in a Woody Allen movie. Big difference if this guy was in NY, he'd be out off business for padding bills. Food was great and then the bill came it was seriously padded. We were offered salad (not on the menu) and when the bill came found that the small salad was $10. each. Probably worth $5. Dessert came and we chose from the tray ( also not on the menu). When the bill came the cake/pie was $12. each. Probably worth &6. Now the salad and the dessert were our fault for not asking, but when the bill came it had two other charges that couldn't be explained, except to say that it was a $20.mistake. When I asked for the tax to be adjusted the server arbitrarily took another $2. off. When I asked for it to be calculated at the register he told me it was correct. Everything is hand written and there isn't any computer tracking,so it looks like he has a great cash income. Mario never came to the table to apologize. Told two other acquaintances about this and they told me that the same thing happened to them. Things on the bill they hadn't ordered. This guy needs to be stopped. Ripping off people is not nice, Mario.
(1)
Jeanely H.

From the moment we walked in for dinner Mario warmly greeted us and service was highly attentive throughout the evening. Food is fantastic and mojitos were incredible!! We were treated with complimentary mojitos at the end of the night as well. If I lived in the area I would come back as often, but we are only traveling from out of town. I highly recommend this place!!!!!!!
(5)
Mike V.

This was a totally different restaurant experience than your typical night out. I've read that some Yelpers were turned off by the experience but to me it was fun and weird. Mario, the owner was our server and he came over and told us to get the white sangria. We agreed and he brought over a whole pitcher rather than just a glass. We both had close to 3 glasses and it was delicious so I was cool with it. When my girlfriend asked Mario for a recommendation for an entree he took her menu and said "I'll take care of you honey" in his gay Cuban accent. Now some might be uptight about not getting a chance to order. But we're pretty lax and we found it exciting that the owner was going to bring us something special. The food was awesome. He ended up bringing us fried red snapper topped with lobster sauce and shrimp and some shredded pork. We were very pleased. He ended up giving us a free flan dessert. He also tried to pull his gift card game where he tells you to buy $100 you get $200. He wasn't pushy and it is a very good deal if you're going to come back a few times. Quite honestly it makes sense for both parties but I wasn't in the mood to spend an extra $100. I told him we had a great experience and that we'd be back soon. He's such a nice guy he ended up giving us $50 in gift cards and told us to come back with some friends! It was a weird night out but a lot of fun with great food and drink.
(4)
Miguel A.

Amaizing food, service is espectacular. The waitress are super profesionals and atention to details. Need to try the pork tamal, the croquetas are perfect . But the star if the night was the red snapper breaded in plantain with lobster sauce and shrimps. I am returning next week for sure.
(5)
Pamela M.

Went there for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. The ambience was excellent and the food superb. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Liz D.

This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is amazing, mojitos are yummy, and the service is wonderful. Mario can be a little pushy at times, but he has never steered us wrong! We've always enjoyed our meals - we've had everything from the skirt steak to the roast pork to the plantain crusted snapper - everything is absoluely amazing! Even my husband's Cuban family from Miami says Mario serves some of the best Cuban food they have ever had. I have read several reviews and I can understand how some may be offended by his flamboyant sense of hospitality, but Mario is an excellent proprietor. In my experiences, whenever anything has gone wrong, Mario has always remedied the problem and then thrown gift certificates, or a few extra mojitos our way to make sure that we are fully satisfied.
(5)
Wesley P.

Amazing! I had heard nothing but great things about this place and had to try it out for myself. I am so happy I did. Great food, service and Sangria. I wish this place was closer to home so that I could go more often. If your in the area this place is a must try!!
(5)
Sarah H.

Great food and great service! Mojitos and empanadas were to die for! Mario was very sweet and the ambience very nice.
(5)
Safiya B.

The red snapper is very good!! Mario the owner is always there and very nice and friendly.
(4)
Colin V.

Extremely overpriced! A glass of Sangria is $12! Come on ... The food is greasy and the bathrooms need some attention. The servers are attentive, but the food is not worth the money. For that money you can go to a really classy place with good food.
(2)
Pedro C.

What a horrible, disorganized, epic mess of a restaurant Valentines evening. Reservations mean nothing to the owner, Mario, who was disrespectful and rude to his waiting and seated customers. 1st: 45 min wait with reservations (they overbooked and it was 1st come, 1st serve and no parking), then once seated, 2nd: took twenty minutes and me getting up to find a server to get menus, water, silverware, any attention. 3rd: got sangria and empanadas as appetizers....took about 15-20minutes. 4th: although placed main course orders, the couple seated right next to us an hour after us got their entrees only 15-20 mins after their seating and food before us! That was the last straw....it was clear that we had been forgotten throughout the entire night. Food is over priced, place is dumpy (still have lighted Xmas decorations) and service was way below moderate. We left without eating (believe the food was never requested in the kitchen) and they didn't even seem to care about the loss of business/having unhappy customers. I will never waste anymore time there. Very disappointing since I have enjoyed the service in the past. Go at your own risk.
(1)
Olga S.

Gave them two starts because they are trying really really hard, but the food is not good, way overprices and I had a hair in my drink. They gave us free drinks and bottle of wine to take home, but we paid over $100 for 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert and two sangrias. Not worth it!
(2)
Steven G.

This place is horrible. Although the food was good the ambiance and staff suck. Food although good, is not worth the price. Beware of the gift card offer. Mario will show up at the end of your meal with an offer and when you say "no thank you" he will push to the point where you are uncomfortable. Ungrateful and Terrible!!!
(1)
George S.

Visited the restaurant on Christmas Day for dinner with friends, a total group of 5 guests. When the server approached us, although polite, he apologized in advance for any possible delays, being a holiday evening and nobody wanted to work that day. The atmosphere was pleasant, the menu not very diversified, and a little pricey to say the least. When the food arrived, the portions were small relative to the menu pricing, and not very flavorful, just fair tasting at best. During the course of the meal, I ordered a meal to go, and told the person who happened to be th owner, I wanted it to be ready upon my departure. Well needless to say, it was not ready, and upon reminding the server once again about the "to go order", he said we'll take care of it asap. "Not to worry it's on the house, no charge because of the long delay." When the check came it was not readable, plus it seemed very high for what we ordered, and began to question the bill with the server. He said he did not tab out the check, and that it was the owner who did the final check totals. When we called the owner over to review the check, his reply was abrupt, curt, rude, and simply left the table area only to returned with a menu, threw it on the table for us to cross reference for our own scrutiny. Well after figuring out and back tracking what we had ordered and doing the math, it turned out that the "TO GO ORDER" that was promised to be "ON THE HOUSE" was not. We questioned the server and his reply was " I'm only the server and if the owner put it on the check I cannot do anything about it." So much for "ON THE HOUSE", for poor service as promised. As we exited the restaurant, the owner happened to be at the exit door. He began to thank us for the patronizing his establishment, which gave me a perfect opening to speak to him about the check incident. After I explained the scenario about the "TO GO ORDER", his reply was "well why didn't you say something". I said we did try, but you did not give us the chance to explain, because when you came to our table you were curt and left without us being given the opportunity. He said, " well I guess there was a miscommunication ". I said " that may be the case, but you should make to right, especially since this is my first time here." Needless to say my expressed disappointment about the situation fell on deaf ears, so my final comment to him was " I will never come back to your restaurant again because of your uncaring response and lack of honoring the word of your employee." As we walked away, he yells from across the parking lot " don't come back here anymore, I don't want your business." Shocked by the unsolicited and uncalled for response, especially from someone who is the owner of this establishment, I felt compelled to write this review. I have to say in closing, if you want a better bang for your buck, "DO NOT EAT HERE", unless you want to "OVERPAY" for just average tasting small portioned food, and an "OWNER" that could "CARE LESS" about his patrons that help keep him in business. Do yourself a favor, there are "OTHER BETTER VALUED" restaurants to eat in Fort Lauderdale or surrounding areas that have much better food, and would be more pleasurable to dine; not to mention, I'm sure would be more appreciated by those establishment owners. I know because I'm not a tourist, but a resident of the local community.
(1)
Crazy Daisy Z.

If a roach had not visited our table at the end of the meal... We partook the empanadas - very good, crispy, tasty - moist, a sweet taste to them. We also had ham croquettes, very nice light, though no regular dipping sauce was offered. We were given chimichurri sauce which is unheard of and not a good sauce for this appetizer. We then had Garlic chicken chunks, very close to another meal they had with peppers - very tasty, tender, delicious. With light rice - a little too stuck together - appears they forgot to add a little bit of oil. The roasted pork was horrible. We were given the burnt pieces or stringy portions which were crispy - probably what was at the bottom of the pot. It was extremely hard to find the tender pieces or shreds one usually finds in good roasted pork. We've had roasted pork in many fashions, and we've only had it crispy if they were chicharrones, but this was not what we ordered, we wanted roasted, which by its definition is supposed to be tender, fall-apart-tasty pieces of meat. We requested some red wine, and the male guests were given more than generous portions - not so for female guests. Male guests were even 'gifted' extra free wine at the end of the meal. We then heard the people in the kitchen arguing, swearing at each other. Something was up. Next, we ordered flan - it appears they added too much condensed milk. Can't get past that taste. Next. Finally, as we paid our bill, an american roach was walking near one of the people at our table's elbow. Just taking a stroll - all of us were floored! We only wish we had seen it BEFORE we ate. Ugh. Never again.
(1)
Paul W.

I lived in Los Angeles for 52 years, and have had access to many great restaurants. I am extremely picky about where I eat, and am dedicated to those restaurants that I love. How does that apply to Catalina? Well, every time I visit Fort Lauderdale (which is about once a month), I make at least one visit to Catalina. The food is fantastic. While you might pay a little more for it, you absolutely get what you pay for. It's delicious, and there's a lot of it. Just as important as the food is the service. Mario greets his guests as if they're family. Though I don't get in as often as I would like, Mario remembers who I am (as do most of the staff) and I am greeted as if I was returning home. Everything I've tried on the menu has been superb. Recently, I've tried to order only appetizers. There is typically enough food on the appetizer plate to feed 3 to four people. But because the food is so good, I and my party always order additional food off the menu. No review would be complete without commenting on the mojitos. Best I've ever had, and I've traveled all over the world and drank gallons of mojitos. At the end of every meal, Mario has graciously provided a farewell mojito "on the house". If you're in Fort Lauderdale or surrounding area, do yourself a favor and give Catalina a try.
(5)
Tim M.

The food I could eat was pretty good. I ordered Grilled Grouper that came greasy and breaded. I cannot eat wheat so that was out. Also I was thrilled to see Chocolate Mouse on the Menu. I received a piece of chocolate cake. When I inquired about it they told me that their mouse came with chocolate cake under it. It was definitely just chocolate cake with maybe mouse frosting. The Moros was bland. The tamali was pretty good but the pork was to dry. It all had good qualities but the preparation was poor.
(2)
Sabrina S.

Went there twice - just because we had gift cards/groupon. Service is pretty bad. My salmon was not fresh it was frozen and waiter gave me attitude! For these prices the customer should expect and be given at least fresh fish! Waiter was denying that it is frozen and argued! Also you could see from far away that it was. Bill was wrong, we got overcharged! Mario is very touchy and falsely nice! Portions are just enough (too less rice always). Dessert platter to show is super old and looks nasty. Corner were we sat was pretty dirty on the floor. Desserts $12 per piece! Waiter did not even know prices.... Also its the same waiters every time. Rest of the food was pretty good but all in all a waste of money and time! BAD BAD BAD
(1)
Eugene S.

Love this place.. I will come back as often as possible.. My friend and I went there and it was his first time, I have dined there before.. The waiter took our menus away and stared bring food to the table.. Boy were we pleased.. The owner made the visit so enjoyable.. Get ready... We are coming back..
(5)
Charles M.

The place is amazing!!!food is off the hook!!
(5)
Mariam D.

A native Floridian, I have driven by this place for years but never stopped in to try. Met some new friends for dinner & drinks there and a great time was had by all. We started with the white sangria - my first time having it & it was good! We then enjoyed the frozen red sangria, and wow ... excellent! The owner, Mario, kept your glasses full all night, and careful, they will definitely sneak up on you ... or was it the tequila shots?! We shared a Catalina Platter that came with an assortment of beef empanadas, shredded pork (tastey but a bit on the dry side), and a tamale (pork, and it was excellent- comes topped with a yummy salsa!) Overall, the food and drinks were good (the menu is filled with Cuban favorites, and the dessert platter looked tempatious!). The ambiance was comfortable - dim lighting, low hung chandeliers, bar & table seating- make this place a special find and a good first-date idea! Before you go, though, be aware of the following two factors: 1. I observed that the owner Mario is quite touchy-feely (rubbing shoulders, hugs and kisses) with the male diners - though most seemed to accept it as harmless, quirky behavior. 2. When the bill arrived, there were inquiries about what appeared to be overcharges, and Mario provided my friends with $40 gift certificates. Interesting way of making you come back for more .... but worth a try if you're in the mood for something different!
(4)
Jan K.

Asked our hotel concierge where we could find the best Cuban food in the area and without any hesitation he recommended "Mario's" And he couldn't have been more spot on. From the Cuban style roast pork to the garlic chicken to the mojitos (one of which was compliments of Mario himself) to the decadent chocolate to the 5 star service from Adriana this restaurant knocked the ball out of the park. So good that we are going to eat here again even though we only have two nights left in town!
(5)
Anna A.

We'd been hearing rave reviews from several folks about how the food, the service and especially the sangria. When it seems like the universe conspires, I am not one to refuse. For startes, we had the empanadas and they were great. The chimichuri was exceptional as well. We had two entres. The snapper with lobster sauce and shrimp was very good - perfectly cooked and seasoned. The other entre was my favorite Cuban dish, roast pork, and it was as good as I've ever had it. Both entres served with trasitional black beans & white rice. While all of that was very, VERY good - the absolutely best part of the meals was the white wine sangria and ultimately the service. We were treated like family. The owner greated us and seated us and stopped by the table a couple times. When we finished our meals, we went to sit at the bar and finish our sangrias, the bartender topped them off for free. We were offered deserts but didn't order anything and within 15 minutes the owner was bringing over quatro leche to go! And when I realized I had left my leftovers at teh table and they were already gone, I was given another complete roast pork meal to go!!!! Again - the food was great, the sangria was delicious, and the service was amazing. The only reason it's 4 stars and not 5 is that they seated us outside, it was hot, and they could use a couple more ceiling fans on the patio. If you get a chance to go here for date night, birthday, girls' night, or family dinner - Go!!
(4)
Jesse T.

Ate here twice in two nights. I thrive on ambiance and hospitality and Mario, the owner, delivers its in spades. He welcomed our group with hugs, kisses and an assurance our evening would be great. We were told to relax, handed mojitos (made by Julia who makes an OUTSTANDING mojito) and waited for our table. Beingour first time, Mario suggested we let him take care of things - he asked a few questions about preferences and tastes and went about his way. For a business dinner, this is amazingly relaxing as we were allowed to discuss business and personal lives without interruption or worry over the menu. Appetizers showed up. Empanadas with the most amazing chimichurri outside of the Caribbean. Tamales with pulled pork. And more mojitos. Dinner was grilled pompano with sauce and vegetables that was amazing. Simply amazing. Dessert showed up at just the right moment ranging from key lime pie (clearly fresh key limes), cheesecake, flan and chocolate cakes. Espresso. More mojitos. We never saw a menu - and never needed to see one. It's not cheap, but, consider that 5 rounds of mojitos, four appetizers, an entree, dessert, espresso and a round of tequila shots with Mario and the restaurant staff ran for under $100 a person...and you'll know it's not expensive either. He provided gift certs to share with the hotel, two bottles of wine to enjoy at home and it took us nearly 45 minutes to leave with all the hugs and thanks and kisses. Ambiance indeed. My second trip was a date night and again, we never saw a menu. Mario, recognizing us, assured we'd have a completely different food experience and he delivered. Churrasco with grilled lobster. Mojitos, dessert, and rounds of dessert wine with the staff made things so much fun. We shared tastes and stories with the tables around us. Met all of the wait staff. And then, when we suggested a different kind of shots for the staff, Mario put us behind the bar and we all raised our glasses "a vida y salud". Another successful night that will see us return whenever we're back in Ft Lauderdale. Thank you Mario!
(5)
Gary A.

Come to Catalina only if you want to get ripped off and have a creepy dining experience! Let me start out my review by stating up front that I'm not one of those overly picky individuals. We knew this place was going to be extremely pricey, but we had a $25 gift certificate so my fiancee and I decided to eat here the other night. The interior of the restaurant is a bit depressing, reminding us of a 2nd-hand consignment shop. We opted to sit outside and were seated by the bright incandescent "Open" sign and next to noisy federal hwy. Our waiter greeted us and told us he would prepare a "special appetizer" for us "on the house" and asked if we liked pork and beef. My fiancee is vegetarian so we declined and they brought us mussels instead. So far so good. We order a carafe of white sangria and my fiance orders the $40 special paella and I get "Mario's beef" for dinner. The mussels come out, covered in an oily red sauce. In our opinion, mussels speak for themselves and dont need to be covered in a sauce, but they're just "ok". While we wait for dinner, Mario, the owner, saunters by occassionally to check up on us. He's obviously highly inebriated, mutters some things unintelligbly and walks away. We watch him as he strokes a patron on the face across from us. Later during dinner we see Mario giving another male patron a lapdance. Thank goodness we didn't bring any kids to dinner with us! Hungry, we wait in anticipation for our meals to come out. Finally, the paella and my beef comes and it's a big time disappointment! The paella was sloppy and the rice tasted like that packet instant rice you cook in a microwave. My fiancee took her knife and fork to the seafood and had to saw into it because it was so rubbery from being overcooked. Despite the fact she told our waiter repeatedly that she doesn't eat meat (only seafood), her paella came complete with pork and chicken chunks. Everything in the paella was well well overcooked. While eating, Mario swoops by with another pitcher of white sangria and without asking us, pours it into our empty glasses. I think to myself, wow, some free drinks! It's so sugary and sweet that we can't even finish it. When the check comes, we notice to our horror that the 1 carafe of sangria is $40 and the supposed "appetizer on the house" is actually on the bill. I notify the waiter about the mistake and to his credit, quickly fixes it without any hassles. The $40 sangria is a rip-off and I suspect we were billed for mario's pours. Mario then comes by with 6 x $25 gift certificates and starts laying them on our table and signing them. I think, wow, free gift certificates!?!? Mario then proceeds to have the nerve to ask me to give him $100 for all of them. We quickly decline as we will never eat there again. PS. the bathrooms are dirty. Despite having 2 towel dispensers, both were empty, leaving my fiancee to walk out with wet hands. While trying to get back to her seat, a waiter was blocking her from returning because he was so engrossed in talking up a table of men. Dont go unless you want to spend over $100 on crappy food.
(1)
Jeanne M.

We found this lovely restaurant in an unexpected area downtown. We were looking for a late lunch and wandered in as it had an unassuming appearance from the outside. It was about 3:00, so there were few people there. The interior was very nicely done and had an elegant feel. I figured we were in the wrong place. We were brought the menu and, sure enough, it was out of our budget for a simple shopping lunch, but we had missed the lunch hour and they were serving from the dinner menu. We told the waiter that we would be back another time, because the selection did look interesting. He was very nice and said he would let us choose from the lunch menu. We both ordered the roast pork. The food was delicious with the fragrant spices of fine Cuban cuisine. The portion size was also plentiful and we had enough left for lunch the next day. The owner visited us before we left and gave us a discount coupon for a dinner visit. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Dana M.

This place is amazing! The food is delicious! Mario is super sweet and will take very good care of you. I would definitely recommend this place. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Paul L.

From NYC where no one can tell me NYC doesn't have the best restaurants in the world so I wasn't expecting much from this place; I was wrong. Lets begin. The Owner: Very welcoming to the point that if you're not used to this "type" of hospitatlity, it could set you off. I'm not sure what I felt at the moment he hugged and kissed me on my cheek but I said, eh, whatever; my wife loved it. At the end of the day, I'm going to make my assessment based on the food and service not the flamboyance of the owner. Ambience, not too dark and cozy. Weight staff: My waiter winked a bit too much at my wife and my friend's G.F. but again, whatever. If a wink is going to throw me off, why am I even married. The Food: If we're talking about Cuban food and I"ve been to some really good ones in NYC, this place trumps them! I kid you not. Now most people knock off stars based not the things I've listed above but I see no point in that. It's all about the food and service. We did the combination appetizer platter. My wife and my friend's G.F. had the skirt stake and we ordered a pulled pork, pulled beef combo. The flavor ws phenomenal! The Sangria is out of this world (red)! The mojitos were amazing! They had the perfect blend of sugar and liquor; outstanding! Service: We had this MMA fighter by day, winking, suave, GOD's gift (or at least he thought he was) waiter by night that certainly knew what it took to serve and keep us happy. Aside from the winks and comical suaveness, he was perfect. Never bothered us but was always there on the call. Price: Yes it is expensive but the flavor and service makes it all worth it. Stay away if you're a penny pincher or if you feel you deserve it all because you graced the place with your presence. ha! I'll be back (from NYC) again next week. See you soon Mario! :)
(5)
Matt H.

Great food and the owner (Mario) went out of his way to make our two year old feel welcome. Major bonus points!
(5)
Emily W.

Love the appetizer sampler so delicious. Sangria and mojitos to die for!
(5)
Stephanie V.

The food was probably worth four stars but it was so overpriced that I had to knock one star off the rating. Yes, I was a tourist in Ft. Lauderdale. I asked the concierge at the Ritz-Carlton where to go for good Cuban food and he said he was half-Cuban and Mario's Catalina was by far his favorite place in the area. I was with a friend who lives in Miami and was not too familiar with the choices in the area. When we got there we were seated at a nice table outdoors on a pleasant evening. Yes, we could have left when we looked at the menu prices but we were hungry and it smelled good and we had the concierge's recommendation, so we stayed. We did experience near-constant upselling efforts from the sangria to the appetizers to the main courses. The food was all very good and the service was attentive, perhaps a little too attentive, but whatever. We had two sangrias, two appetizers, two main courses, one dessert, and two cups of herbal tea, and our check was $160 before tip. As I said: the food was very good, I'm not complaining about the food. But Cuban food is not supposed to be this expensive. I went and stayed voluntarily but I visit the area from time to time and I will never go back to Catalina.
(3)
Vicky D.

We wanted Cuban fare ... We were not dissapointed!! ... The staff, mojitos and the plentiful food were incredible! ... Tonight, Mario's Catalina Restaurant , became our favorite restaurant!! ... One caveat - the food is plentiful! Don't over order ... though, if you do, you will be hard pressed to not finish it all!! ... Delicious!!
(5)
Annabella J.

I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough!! The food was to die for and you have GOT to order the mojitos! All of our servers were very attentive and friendly and Mario himself came to check on us too. I loved it and can't wait to return!
(5)
J C.

The food here is excellent! I came here once for a holiday party and the service was excellent. Recently I returned on New Year's Eve and even though they were busy they still managed to pull of a great dinner experience. If you don't know what to try get the sampler platter. Wide variety and all of it is delicious.
(5)
Katie R.

Be prepared for an uncomfortable experience! My husband and I have tried this place twice. Both times the owner, Mario, was overly welcoming, offering free appetizers, drinks, dessert, etc. Sounds good, right? Throughout our entire meal he would constantly stop by our table and flirt with my husband. On our second (and last) visit, he even went so far as to kiss the top of my husband's head, all while looking at me for approval..? He was very well aware that we were married, and the whole experience was just uncomfortable for both me and my husband! The food was decent, good mojitos, but somewhat expensive for what it is. It's a shame because we would definitely go back if we knew my husband wouldn't be awkwardly hit on.
(2)
Marilyn M.

I travel to Ft. Lauderdale a lot, this place i tend to frequent a lot when i am there. Its on a busy street, it doesnt look like a lot from outsisde, but the inside is very very nice, and every time i am there one of the owner is always there as well, he is very nice, and offers you a drink right away for your table. Now, the food is great, tho you can find little Cuban caffes that are as good and less pricy, but the ambiance is what i love. You have to be careful they will bring stuff to your table, and added to your bill, and last time i was there i was very careful and ordered a few things so my bill did not go over 60$. Other times i have been we ended up spendiing 100 for two people, they do upsell a lot and sometimes you dont even relize it til is late. So, the food is great nothing is undercooked or anything, but be aware of all the extra offering and extra super friendly service comes with a price. The only reason why i dont give it a five start its for the upselling, everythign else is great. Enjoy a pleasant romantic evening, out in the patio if its not to chili or inside with the candle lights and soft Latin Jazz! Esta comida Cuban esta super rica, pero cuidado, se pueden encontrar con una factura bastante alta, por la razon de que les ofreceran toda clases de bebidas , aperitivos y postres pero todo tiene un precio y bastante alto. El servicio super extra amigable es para que les sea mas dificil decir no en el momento, asi que esten bien anuente a esta tactica. Pero la comida, el ambiente esta de chuparse los dedos...Le daria cinco estrella pero por precios adjuntados ademas de lo que se ordena no les doy cinco estrella. Como quiera si solo va una vez de visita a Florida, esten anuente a los precio y revisen su factura bien. Ciao
(4)
Tania F.

Had dinner there on a Monday night with friends. I was looking for some good Cuban food and didn't feel like going to Miami. This place would make my Cuban Mama proud. Authentic and delicious Cuban food, accommodating staff (food allergies) and great Mojitos. It doesn't get much better than that!
(5)
T Y.

I went to Mario's Cantalina back in February after receiving a recommendation from the concierge at my hotel during a work trip. I could not have been more pleased. I sat at the bar and ordered the perfect mojito. I ordered the skirt steak churrasco which melted in my mouth. The food here is great, flavorful and nice portions. Everyone was courteous and helpful. I will definitely be back here on my next visit to Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Alejandro L.

Great food, great service.
(5)
Kristi D.

Amazing food. Some of the best In Ft Lauderdale. I love the personal attention that each table is given. Great ambiance too. Must try the white sangria and the mussels... And the empanadas. Will be back soon.
(5)
Walt G.

Was here in 2005. Back last night. Still a wonderful experience. Like coming home!
(5)
Nathalie M.

The restaurant has a funky ambiance and the wait staff are friendly for the most part. The food is good, but not good enough to be as expensive as it is. We got a lot of pressure to buy gift cards to the restaurant which was awkward and uncomfortable, and there were issues with our check and their calculations. Good to try once to people watch etc., not worth return trips.
(3)
Vinny C.

Catalina is a hidden gem in Ft. Lauderdale that I stumbled upon a year ago and must be experienced by all searching for Cuban or Latino food. As a Latino from New York, every time I'm in town I return to have a meal or two. It's the one place where real Latino food is made almost as good as my Mom's! The food is prepared very well and Mario and his employees are very attentive and do everything they can to create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. Some may think the prices are high but compared to other restaurants that I rank high on my list when I visit Ft. Lauderdale for the service, ambiance and great food it is well worth the price. Appetizers, drinks, entree, coffee and desert for two under ran less than $150 and that's including a 20% tip! Take my word you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jason B.

We used yelp to help finds a restaurant off the beaten track. We came across Catalina. Start to finish what a great experience. Service was excellent. I highly recommend going. Thanks to yelp and yelpers for pointing towards a great restaurant.
(5)
Leah C.

Mario greeted us at the door, Personally visited our table to make sure we were enjoying our experience, all staff members are very helpful, and friendly. There is plenty of food packed with flavor to go around and its so delicious. Make sure you tell your friends or bring family. Glad I found this place.
(4)
Risha S.

Best Sangria ever! Best service! Most delicious salmon! Great place For a birthday! A MUST on your next visit to Fort Lauderdale!
(5)
Jean D.

mojitos at the bar to start.....delicious.. the plantain chips and sauce are unbelievably flavorful the lobster was good..just a little overdone; and my partner had the paella which she devoured . We washed that down with a very nice red Rioja .
(4)
Ron C.

No way. Totally overpriced. The owner is obnoxious and overly flamboyant. Drinks weak. Food unexceptionable. If it weren't for concierges roping unsuspecting tourists into this joint, there would be no one in the place.
(1)
Stephen F.

Meal sucks and cost was over the hill. The actual cost of such a meal should be no more than what you'd get in a food court. Dinner with one drink for 2 adults and 1 child $170. This is a ridiculous as the food was not great or anything to talk about. A carafe of sangria with a meal comprising some steamed rice with burnt shredded steak and some black bean sauce ....ran us up a bill that was highway thievery. Wouldn't recommend this Resturant to anyone visiting the Fort Lauderdale area.
(2)
Jon W.

I had heard for a long time from various sources that this was some of the best and authentic Cuban food in Fort Lauderdale. It definitely still is. We had a great meal here that was was made even better by the attention we received from our host, Mario. The Cuban coffee was splendid. The empanada appetizer delicious. And the specially formulated Mojitos intoxicating. Everybody including myself enjoyed our main courses as well. The Pork, Chicken, and the fish were prepared well and were delicious and filling. We didn't have room for dessert, but there were several beautiful ones to choose from. We will definitely come back here next time we are in town.
(4)
Shawn C.

I love this place, its not the best food nor the best service, but together the place is fun and quality, I go everytime I am in Fort Lauderdale (about 6-8 X a year).
(4)
Carol M.

Great Food. but BEWARE of the SERVICE SCAM! The food here is great. I've eaten here 4 or 5 times, and I took it for granted that the owner and the servers would try to force food upon you and then stick you will a large bill. But after my last visit, I decided that no matter how good the food it, the service wasn't worth it. The owner will take it upon himself to offer food and drinks that aren't on the menu, and then you are stuck with a HUGE Bill, Or they keep Refilling your soda, not asking you just doing it, & when you get the bill, you've just paid $15.00 bucks in Coke. Totally unprofessional. Sorry but Great food is not enough sometimes.
(1)
Melody F.

Awesome food! Great service! Fantastic sangria!
(5)
Susan K.

We felt rushed. It is not a fast food restaurant, we expected to be treated better. Our dinner came out when we were on the second bite of our appetizer. The check was left on the table and the owner stood over us while we looked at it. It seemed like it was a bit high and TOTALLY illegible, but we felt so rushed and intimidated that we just paid it without asking what the charges were for. The food was excellent and servers nice. We will go back, but if we get the "bums rush" again..that will be our last
(3)
Keri F.

The yuca fries were amazing and the red velvet cake topped off the night perfectly! Not to mention the best mojito ive ever had! Perfect host and Delicious meal!
(5)
Maria Christina T.

Since I was in South Florida with my sister and her family we decided to go find some Cuban food. We had no idea what to expect. We were (including my brother-in-law) amicably greeted by Mario with a hug and a kiss, Catalina's is like an old world Cuban (how I imagine it) wealthy home with artwork on the wall and chandeliers in the ceiling. Tables are close together but thisdidn't bother us. Everyone gets to be included in birthday and anniversary wishes as the staff turns off all the lights as if you're one big family. The food was good with generous portions. Mario gave us drinks on the house and thanked us with a bottle of wine as a Thanksgiving gift. The wine had pink butterflies, very appropriate for Mario. Homophobics beware, the staff is very flamboyant, which adds to the entertainment factor. We loved it and will recommend to all our friends.
(5)
Scpu C.

Excellent customer service. They all work as a team to make you feel welcomed. Unfortunately, I agree with other reviewers on a few things. The food was alright, but it doesn't match the high end prices. It might have to do with how much rent the owner has to pay since the restaurant is in a prime location. Also, I suggest keeping track of whatever you order since the receipt/check they give you at the end is not detailed, therefore you have no idea what you are paying for. If I ever go back, I will make sure I let them know I want a detailed check or receipt. They also try to upsell on the appetizers and specials.
(3)
Elizabeth A.

3 words Best Mojito Ever! Great food, Great ambiance, Great service! Kind of pricey we had 2 entrees a seafood appetizer, 1 Mojito and 1 non alcoholic drink and the bill was $84
(5)
Tamu H.

I'm still wondering why Mario tapped me on my head with the menu as he flitted away from our table. The corny guys across the table from us openly commented on every move we made, discussing everything from how we sat to how we checked out our phones and how we didn't have a conversation. That part was fun. The waiter was cool, thank goodness Mario wasn't our server, but he was right behind the server, stops looks me up and down, and says "Where are you from?", I said "Washington, DC" and he says "Oh, how did you hear about this place?" (Seriously!) As I opened my mouth to say "Yelp dot com!" He had already sached away. I was annoyed, He picked up some menus from another table, and as he was passing he stops and asks, "Did you order an appetizer?"... and before I could say "Fried Yucca" he literally sat down at a table across from ours, and had cosmos with the two gentleman and the lady sitter across from us! After his cocktail, he shimmys by and taps me on the top of my head (lightly and gently, I wasn't offended as much as completely puzzled) with the menu! He said something in whatever sneaky Latin dialect they speak to a busser and I was scared. but then the food came... YUMMMMMMMMMMMM! Fried yucca with a spicy little salsa on it! YUMMMMMMMMMMMM! Salad with onions and lettuce and apples!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! Seafood combo for 2 loaded with all kinds of underwater goodes: clams, fish, scallops, crab, etc. etc. in some kind of amazing butter sauce I could have poured into a glass and HAPPILY chugged. I was totally full and STILL couldn't resist a slice of dulce de leche cheesecake. Paid $140 for dinner with wine and tip. PS: Mario- what the hell???
(2)
mark h.

Fantastic ambiance, good food, and outstanding service. Mario, the owner and your host, will thrill and delight. Mojitos alone are worth the trip.
(4)
annie P.

It fun, its good. The Cuban food is excellent. The owner was fun and extended the warmest welcome to our party. The staff was attentive and gave us the best service. Mario the owner planned our menu and we ate some of the best food in Florida.
(4)
Aaron B.

A real surprise when you look at the reviews you see information about service and the owner being a little peculiar - knowing that helped when we were there since we expected that and ended up with a great evening of food and wine - you should Catalina you will enjoy yourself - just be ready for a longer evening come with folks you like and enjoy the whole evening
(4)
Janice B.

This restaurant was highly recommended by the staff at the hotel where we stayed before getting on a cruise back in June. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant we felt like welcomed guests. Mario personally greeted us and lead us to our table. The staff here are so friendly and warm. I ordered the plaintain-crusted snapper and it was delicious! The food was nicely presented and our server made sure that our sangria glasses were full at all times. The interior restaurant had a wonderfully intimate and romantic atmosphere -- just perfect for us as we were celebrating our anniversary. In short, this is a lovely restaurant with outstanding food. Perfect for a date night!
(5)
Mark B.

Recommended by the hotel Concierge. Great choice. Loved the atmosphere and service. The mojitos were some of the best we have had. We asked to have them order for our group of 8 - they brought some amazing epanades and tamales. The main course was great but the Key Lime pie was the best part. The owner was present and very active throughout the restaurant and gave us - as well as the rest of the diners - lots of attention. A fun restaurant and one that I would definitely go back to when I return.
(5)
Natalia H.

Looooved the mojitos!!! Arrived to Fort Lauderdale yesterday and wanted to have mojitos with an old friend. We found this place on Google and Yelp and let me tell you: the mojitos are probably the best I've ever had. They don't cheat you on the mint :) We ordered an appetizer that had a combination of meat pies, plantains, pork, croquetas and tamales. It was delicious. I plan to go back for paella before I leave. Service was very good. Mario was very kind and even gave us free mojitos. I notice that a lot of reviews here say that this place can scam you with the bill, but honestly, we had a great experience.
(5)
nick b.

We've been to Mario's Catalina about three or four times. After reading several of the reviews here I thought I'd chime in with our experience there last night. Last night was our last and final time there. We're not going back. Mario's garners his high ratings by sucking in the tourists from the hotels on the beach. You'll see the all the high reviews are written by people visiting the area and asked their concierge where to go. Don't be fooled there are better places in the area. Yes you are always greeted as an old friend. Mario likes to kiss and touch. Fine if you're gay or lesbian or a straight woman. Straight guys could be put off by it. I agree there is a lot of touching that could be deemed over the top and too much. For that I would never take a client or my boss there. His fawning reminds me of an old TV show where they spoof the owner as fluffy or worse queenie. Yes the staff is constantly pushing more drinks and more dishes. You can be firm and say NO. I am amazed the sampler appetizer costs $39.99! For an appetizer! The Mojitos, while sweet and good are made with very cheap rum. You need be firm and order what you want now what they want you to order. The food is mediocre. It's Cuban food; not Cuisine Nouvelle. A chicken breast with rice and beans with a side salad will cost you $18-19. I had a fish dish with shrimp ($25.99). When it was served it was smothered with too many red and green bell peppers and was swimming in some sauce (i think it was the fat or butter it was fried in). Everything is over salted, from the salad to the main course. They need to cut back on the salt and let the food stand on its own. What exactly is "Special Sauce"? No ingredients listed so you're on your own there! The service was OK. Our waiter seemed to be the lone straight guy on staff. He was flirting a lot with our female companion without regard that one of the three males at the table was her husband. So apparently "Leadership-by-Example" trickles down from owner to staff. When we were seated he asked if he could tell us about tonight's specials. Unfortunately they weren't very special when they're printed on the regular menu. They are quick to clean the table. If you like to eat your salad after or with your meal you have to be quick and repetitive to tell them not to take your dish. Desserts are presented on a large tray by an overly feminine male. The innuendo to the cream on the dessert is highly inappropriate. He needs to clean it up and butch it up. Overall $242 for 4 people. That's 2 mojitos, 2 sangaria, 3 martinis (split between 2 people), One appetizer (the sampler), 3 entrees, a salty chicken soup(made special), 2 desserts, 1 espresso and 1 cappuccino. There's no getting off inexpensively at Mario's. The food didn't sit well with either of us, two antacid tablets an evening of tossing and turning resulted in a bad night's sleep. BTW...that expensive Mercedes parked by the front door belongs to the owner, I have no one to blame but myself for contributing to his car payment. There are better Cuban places for a lot less money in the area.
(1)
karen c.

This is a great place. Exceptional even. Reminds me of the restaurants back home in Dominican Republic. The service is one of a kind, the wait staff is extremely attentive and go above and beyond. I've been there twice, both times with family from out of town and I've gotten appetizers comped both times. No sexual favors required! I kid I kid! The ambiance is reminiscent of old Madrid, very cozy, lit up trees outside. As soon as I sat down I felt as tho the sangria should begin to flow, and honey, it did! Their frozen sangria is TO DIE FOR, and careful, it creeps up! We had empanadas, mariquitas, palomilla steak, ropa vieja and a cuatro leches and capuccinos to finish. All I have to say is MMMM MMMMM bitch! I brought my mom who was visiting, and she described the place as "a dream". I wanted to make her feel special, and I knew this was just the place to do that. The restaurant is upscale and classy but not stuffy and the food is AMAZING! If you are latin, you will especially appreciate this food! Its like abuelita used to make, except you don't have to do the dishes afterwards. Yea you might pay a bit more than youre used to, plates average about $20 per plate, but it is worth it. My mom took business cards and will give them out to all her friends at work back home. I will definitely bring her back there when she visits again. I will return to this place again, and next time with my whole posee. :)
(5)
T. B.

This place is a gem! My husband and I are foodies of sorts, and he has been in the restaurant business for 25 years, and we usually find at least one thing about a restaurant that is not quite right. But there was nothing that needed fixing here...the food was absolutely amazing, the service impeccable, the sangria fantastic! Usually pork seems to be dry, but the tamal with pork was so extremely juicy and flavorful. The skirt steak was to die for and the quatros leches cake was delicious! I just can't get over how much I enjoyed this little gem! Go!!
(5)
Andy K.

We made it to Catalina after reading reviews on yelp, and felt we had uncovered a hidden gem. We were warmly greeted by Mario, and were treated with excellent service throughout the evening. The food was delicious, and the mojito's are some of the best I've ever had. It was a bit pricey, but if you want to splurge, this is the place. We opted for the chicken with garlic dish, and it was perfectly prepared. The desert couldn't be resisted, and it was delicious as well. The tres leches looked divine, but we ended up choosing the chocolate cheesecake. You won't regret your visit.
(5)
Brian M.

visiting Florida wanted to try some Cuban food. I herd this place had a great Cuban press sandwich but unfortunately I missed lunch and they were on dinner. I choiced just to have the Catalina Platter Assortment. The flavor of the Tamal with Pork,Breaded Ham Croquettes,empanadas and charbroiled then stewed pork with a great marinade sauce. All these were excellent and even got me saying wow. They have a great Flan for dessert but the portions of the desserts are small and are almost $10 each that is pretty steep. I highly recommend Catalina.
(4)
Jennifer Z.

My fiance and I made a last-minute decision to try out Catalina, and I must say, it was probably our most unforgettable dining experience. We went on a Friday night, and while the bigger dining room area was a bit crowded and pretty loud, we were sat in a side room with about four or five other tables, so it was nice and quiet for us. Our server was really helpful in choosing out a bottle of wine and an appetizer (the pork/empanada one--amazing!). Mario (the owner) came by our table and topped off our wine glasses. A few minutes later, a server came to our table with a "gift from Mario." Another bottle of the same wine we had ordered and just finished! It was such a surprise to us, since the bottle was $35. In addition to the appetizer, we were also served a house salad, which we didn't know was included with the meal. And considering how we got the free bottle of wine, I wouldn't be surprised if the salad was on the house too. For dinner we both had the Argentinian grilled skirt steak. It was no thin piece of skirt steak either--it was very thick, tender, and tasty. And it gets better! The dessert tray comes out! At this point, we were stuffed and didn't think we'd have room for desert, but looking at the tray of about 20 different dessert selections, we decided to split the chocolate mousse cake. As stuffed as we were, we still probably could have ordered a slice each! It was one of the best desserts I've ever had at a restaurant, and we were rationing off bites between us. Just as we were finishing dessert, another server came to our table with three shots of tequila (also on the house). He taught us some Spanish toasting words, and the three of us took the shot together. So needless to say, it was an interesting and fun night with great food. As a side note, half of my family is Cuban, and we've eaten at Las Vegas and Pedrinos dozens of times. While those are good, cheaper options, they are nothing like the experience you get at Catalina.
(5)
Carlos P.

Despite its ludicrously priced menu, the food here is absolutely delicious. Granted, when i saw that a Palomilla steak here was close to $15, I almost had a heart attack. You can get about 3 meals for 3 people for about $15 in other Cuban eateries, especially in Miami. Catalina's seems to be the only place around Ft.Lauderdale that serves "traditional Cuban meals" so it's no wonder they hike up the prices. But on to the food... I had the garlic chicken chunks with white rice, black beans and fried plantains. At $17.95, i was taking a costly risk....and it paid off. My god, was that meal delicious! The chicken was absolutely mouthwatering in its seasoning. Not too garlic-y, just the right amount to leave that funky breath after dinner. Though the meals may be costly, I must say that the service here is top notch. Your drinks are constantly being refilled and you are waited on with great speed. For every plate here, you get a complimentary salad and a free plate of mariquitas for the table, which had an out of this world dressing on them. I could eat a plate of those mariquitas just for dinner. The owner, while affectionate and touchy, especially towards MY boyfriend, was nice nonetheless. He gave us a free dessert on the house and gave my sister a $40 gift certificate just for being a loyal customer on her last visit (hence our trip here). The food is here incredible, as is the service. It would be a definitely go to place for me if they just brought down their prices by a couple of bucks.
(4)
Ck T.

This restaurant is a total scam. Dont waste your time coming as they are not honest people. We were deciding on our appetizer and they suggested that we could get half and half of our appetizer. However when the bill came they charge us over $30 on our appetizers which only consist of 3 pieces of empanada and 1 tamale. Crazy $30 for few pieces of appetizers. As for entrees he suggested to my wife paella which is not in the menu and daily special. Again being ripped of at $50for paella for single person. Our total bill came out to be $130 excl tips for 2person on a simple Cuban food. I decided to post this as I saw other guest also experiencing the same rip off I experienced. The owner is just totally trying to rip customers off. Dont ever come here !!!
(1)
Sal G.

I have heard some good and some bad about Catalina; I must say that the bad out-weighs the good. All of the appetizers are excruciatingly salty. I ordered Ropa Vieja - my favorite cuban dish - and I couldn't eat it and sent back the entire meal. The only redeeming part of the food was the flan. It is made in-house and has a wonderful taste and texture. Overall, you get a much tastier meal at Las Vegas on Oakland without the excessive pretentiousness of Catalina.
(2)
Kevin L.

Great food and service. Its was a little uncomfortable that the manager hugs and kisses all his guest. I'll call it South American hospitality. ;-) Super mojitos!
(5)
judy n.

this place is pricey... i'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. The plus was that, at the end, the waiter (not sure if he's part owner or family...) gave us all a shot of tequila and did the shot with us. yummy!: - vaca frita - pretty tasty and moist - plaintain chips. this was a savory type app. came with a salsa like concoction. unexpectedly yummy. - Flan- this is made in house, and is pretty good. - Meat pie empanada - these were pretty tasty and not greasy at all. tons of flavor and crispy to boot. - pork chunk masas- ok the name alone make it sounds kinda sketch... but it was actually pretty good! just ok: - paella - this was alright. lots of seafood that was alright, but there was no crunchy bits, and was not presented in a sizzling pan like other more 'authentic' places... (and remember to order this at the beginning when you sit down, if you are wanting to try it.) - croquetas... these were greasy. i'm not sure if i've ever liked croquettes though... all in all - the place was alright. the drinks were strong, fairly priced 10ish each mixed cocktail... but it was pricey, and i'm told there are better more authentic cuban places in calle ocho... time to go exploring... :) if you are wanting decent food and don't mind paying the extra dough for it. it's a nice atmosphere.
(3)
andrea c.

The reviews are so true. The food was amazing as was the service. Will definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone. Great sangria both white and red, great snapper, great pork, great everything. The owner even cared enough to personally visit each table. Wish they had Spanish food this good in New York. I would be a regular!
(5)
Omar A.

Excellent food, service and attention to detail. The owner himself is there to greet you and check up on you. Food was much better than average. They even sent us home with so free treats.
(5)
Michelle S.

When walking into Mario's Catalina The first impression is a certain kind of coziness brought on by the small chandeliers and artwork on the walls. Then you are greeted by Mario. He exudes a warmth that carries through to all of the staff there. The food was all excellent. We were a party of four, and we shared the house plantains (which were out of this world), tomal with pork & yuca sticks served over salad as appetizers - with plenty of "special" hot sauce for all. We ordered 3 entrees:the Catalina combination, salmon with shrimp in red sauce, & paella (prepared specially for us with only seafood and chorizo), and of course rice and beans. For desert we had a couple of 'quatro leches' (a house specialty) and cappuccinos. We ordered as we went, so as to pace our service (as we wanted to insure that we were served in a very leisurely manner). We had bottled wine, house wine, and sangria. Everything was amazing, and we were all quite content when it was all over. The food here is more expensive than other Cuban restaurants that I've been to, but it was also way better! I couldn't eat here on a regular basis (due to both my wallet, and my waistline), but I am definitely looking forward to returning!
(4)
Karoline M.

Absolutely the best place in Fort Lauderdale! Wow wow wow! The Paella is to die for as is the Sangria and flan. This place could compete with the best of NYC and DC. A foodie must visit experience! Ask for Mario.
(5)
Jack W.

Fantastic meal, excellent service, and great staff. We arrived early and were treated like real royalty. Mario, the owner, came to the table and introduced himself and continued to check back to see how we were doing. We didn't know what sangria was best so they brought a sample of both for us to try. They were accommodating at every turn. And the food was phenomenal, and we had some of all of it... The pork and beef were slow roasted and some of the best we've ever had. The seafood was also great. They have a Mario's sampler plate that gives a great foreshadow of things to come and if you have a 1/2 order it is just right for 4-5 people. I would recommend the Combo or Mario's Special. Desert tray was "overwhelming"!
(5)
Valeria K.

We visited Mario's Catilina restaurant to celebrate our friends engagement. We had a party of 8 and when we walked through the door Mario was there to greet us and made us feel very welcome. Our server Chino was awesome and the food delicious. The best Cuban food in south florida, 100 times then bongos or any other Cuban restaurant that I have visited.
(5)
Amy K.

I am 31 years old and this was the BEST meal of my life!!!!! My boyfriend and I were in Fort lauderdale for a long weekend and saw this place had good reviews. We went on Sunday and the place was quiet but heard is busy on the weekends so reservations might not be a bad idea. The mojitos are delicious and the bartender let us sample the white sangria which was awesome! They brought a plantain chips with salsa while we had a cocktail at the bar which were scrumptious! As an app we had the mussels. GET THE MUSSELS!!! They were huge in size, gave us a good amount and were flavorful. For our main course I had the Mario's combination. Each bight was better than the first. All three meets were mouth watering. My bf got the skirt steak and shrimp also delish! I will be going to this place any time we are in town! The service was an excellent team effort. Our waiter gave us great recommendations. Overall the drinks were amazing and the food authentic and delicious!
(5)
Scott M.

Fun place and excellent food. The ambience is really nice too. Great mojitos but they sneak up on you. Mario the owner can be fun, but a little touchy feely which makes some uncomfortable, otherwise it's a place I line to go while in town and recommend to those looking for excellent Cuban food and a fun experience.
(4)
Isabel T.

We chose Mario's Catalina for a SPECIAL Birthday,-- for a family member. From the moment we entered this EXQUISITE restaurant, we were TRANSPORTED into LUXURY and PRIVILEGE, befitting a SPECIAL event. The soft lights, the walls covered with beautiful artwork, the gorgeous chandeliers, the white linen tablecloths, the water in wine decanters and the soft music, that is piped in, all create a beautiful MOOD. Then we were greeted by Mario, who made each of us feel WELCOMED and pampered. The starters for our meal were EXCELLENT beginnings for our "feast." There was either lobster bisque or a sumptuous salad that provided the introduction to our FABULOUS dinners. There are many wonderful choices of entrees, each of which is skillfully prepared and delicious to savor. I had their outstanding Shrimp Ajillo. My brother had their excellent Grouper with Shrimp. A cousin had their Pork Lechon. Another family member had a Pork entrÃ©e that melted in her mouth. All our dinners had delicious plantains, and black beans with rice,--- as accompaniments. We all loved the Sangria. There was either Red or White Sangria, each tasting unique, delicious, and abounding with a large amount of added fruit. Our servers were cordial, and exceedingly eager to please and accommodate to our wishes. The dessert menu had a variety of sinfully delicious possibilities. My FAVORITE,-- is the Flan--which is like eating the "nectar of the Gods," because it is extraordinary. When we finished our dinner, we were surprised at the REASONABLE check total. The prices are an EXCELLENT value, for the quality of the food, the service provided, and the plentiful portions--that always leave me taking home a "doggie bag,--" with a portion for another dinner. This is the VERY BEST Cuban Cuisine in all of South Florida. Mario's attention to every small DETAIL,-- provides all his guests with a memorable culinary experience. My thirty-five minute car trip EACH WAY was REWARDED with this extraordinary dinner.
(5)
Paul P.

The food was good but please be aware that this place can be a major scam. A couple of friends had eaten at this restaurant before and had a good experience. They recommend the place and brought a group of us together to dine at Catalina. Almost immediately I felt I was in an episode of "Hell's Kitchen" . It was a cool March night in Florida and we were first greeted by tacky and worn out Christmas decorations out front. I could hear Gordon Ramsey looking at the decorations and saying "What the F%^& is this" We were very warmly greeted by the owner Mario and whisked through the "starving artist" painting gallery themed restaurant to a small back room. We were given the menu and things looked promising. We waited for a considerable amount of time and then finally Mario swept onto our table, grabbed our menus and exclaimed "I cook for you!!" We started with very tasty empanadas and salad. Wine was good. We then again waited for almost 45 minutes for the main courses to come out. We thought that we may be getting something special or paella because of the length of time. No and NO. We were randomly served dishes that were listed on the menu. Basically the choice was taken away from us and made me wonder if they needed to push the fish since that is what most of us received. The fish was OK. It had an odd spongy consistency. I sampled the steak a couple of people received and it was cooked well and flavorful. A couple of people ordered desserts. The meal itself was fine but the kicker came when the bill arrived. There were 6 of us dining off of the menu. Most dishes averaged around $20.00. Our UN-itemized bill came and it stated $450.00 and $27.00 for services for a total of $477.00. Our friends had a $50.00 gift certificate that had already been deducted so the bill was actually $527.00. We asked Mario if this included the tip and he said no. So a dinner that should have cost approximately $50.00 each if we ordered off the menu now cost close to $90.00 each because Mario "cooked for us". I told my friend that there was no way we purchased that amount of food and wine. As the table continued to discuss and itemize the bill ourselves Mario came in and sheepishly asked if everything was OK. I said to him that I thought the bill was on the high side. He apologized, took back the bill and gave us another UN-itemized bill for 360.00. This was closer to the actual cost we should have paid and we each paid $60.00. It was appreciated that Mario tried to fix the situation but we all walked away feeling he was trying to rip us off. He did give us each a $40.00 gift certificate but it doesn't seem gift certificates are deducted from bills and it felt like he did this because we called his bluff. In summary, the food was good, business practices shady and our friends have a new tag line "I cook for you!!" There are plenty of great restaurants to choose from in Ft Lauderdale so I see no need to return to this one. I truly wonder if this restaurant could stay open in a non tourist city.
(3)
Samantha M.

I was so impressed by Catalina, this is one of the best Cuban restaurants in all of South Florida, in fact it was overall one of my greatest dining experiences ever. Mario is so friendly and made all of us feel so welcome. The staff was just as friendly and the service was very quick. The food was excellent and the portion sizes were great. I highly recommend the skirt steak and you have to try one of their desserts! The whole feel of the place is nice and authentic. I will be coming to this place weekly.
(5)
David D.

What an interesting experience... Buddies and I were looking for a place for dinner, and after driving by Casa D'Angelo (too fancy for us that evening), we came by Catalina. We hesitated at the door- was it another restaurant that we weren't dressed for in our shorts and tshirts? It's then that we had our first experience with MARIO. He comes outside, greeting us with a kiss and hugs inviting us in, telling us we were dressed just fine and he had a table for us. (Note about the dress- although we were comfortable, we were definately the most underdressed people in the place. Everyone was in nice shirts, pants, jeans, dresses, etc.) Well, with that invitation who could resist? Turns out it was almost 45 minutes for a table- but no worries, we enjoyed a drink on the house at the bar and enjoyed seeing the very, VERY mixed crowd this restaurant attracts. Families, gay, straight, romantic couples celebrating a special occasion, groups of friends- it was all there! Once seated, we had a great meal starting with a huge appetizer plate (we should have stopped there!). Pork dishes were great, Shrimp was great... yummy black beans and rice. And then the Dessert pricness brought the tray around- and how can resist tres leches cake?!?! All in all a great experience- I can see where if you let them order for you the bill could really add up... Three for dinner, and I'm sure that there were drinks that did not make it to the bill ran almost $160. BUT- it was a fun night with great cuban food (something hard to find here in Orlando) so it was worth it. Will we be back? Maybe... probably...
(4)
John S.

Mario's is an experience. The food is excellent and the desserts just to die for, especially the Dulce de leche cheesecake. Maro, himself, amps the experience just that much more. Caution with allowing Mario to direct your dining choices: you'll certainly enjoy what he delivers but losing control over those decisions can be unnerving. But when he askeds ... "Are you happy?" ... our answer has always been unequivocally "Yes!"
(4)
Robert W.

My wife, daughter, grand-daughter and I were here for dinner on August 15, the first time we had been here. We were greeted by Mario as if we were old friends, shown great courtesy, seated immediately and provided a great menu, well prepared and presented food and continual attention to every need. The staff is great, the food, from appetizers to dessert, beyond compare and Mario's attention to detail left nothing to be desired. We will be back!!
(5)
Damian R.

Good food, it is cuban food, nothing special about it, If you have tried cuban food in a good restaurant you will find it overpriced for what it is in this place, the owner is very pushy, almost uncomfortable. I would not have anything that is not in the menu, for drinks I suggest just plain or tub water.
(2)
Bc V.

The people very nice, the dinner ok..expensive for what it is....then this people see that a call girl come with her client and start doing her buisness in the middle of dinner next to us in the bar area . Pull her dress up sit on top of the man and started having sex arround a couple of the employees and the people at the restaurant and no one said anything very chocking for a fam that just came from Tx and wanted to have a nice and relax Cuban dinner.wow!!!
(1)
Allison G.

The Catalina is amazing! We went for dinner last night and I was so impressed with the service,food, and cocktails. We started with the sampler which had tasty empanadas, plantain chips, and roasted pork...yum!! I had to try the famous mojito...and it was the BEST I've ever had and I don't usually drink them. My grilled salmon was cooked perfectly! The meal ended with a slice of the best tres leches I've ever eaten! I loved the owner who was so attentive and friendly as well as all the staff! I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
KEVIN V.

I had a great time here. Loved the exquisite food. GREAT place if you enjoy eating. Love the attractive waiter with the nice biceps. All waiters were friendly and attentive. I had to deduct 1 star however not because of the high price but because I did see one roach. Where there is one there are more. I know this is Florida, but this is also a reputable restaurant. Also because I was an out-of-tower the hotel recommended this place (out of all the cuban restaurants) I didn't know better. I wanted to go somewhere that was just as good that my family and I didn't have to pay so much. (Approximately 200.00 for 4 people)
(3)
Deborah H.

I had an excellent first experience at Catalina. As soon as we walked in, the owner, Mario, swooped down and proceeded to take care of us for the rest of the night. He took away our menus, and we were pleasantly surprised by his recommended dishes for the rest of the night. At one point, we were going back and forth between the skirt steak and red snapper, trying to decide which was better. The Sangria and the Mojitos were amazing, as were the complimentary shots of Zambuca at the end. And the food? Hands down, the best I've had in the area. Sadly, the subsequent times I've visited the food didn't quite live up to the first experience.
(4)
Debbie L.

Great Cuban food, the roast pork is phenomenal and the plantains are to die for! Mario is an exceptional host...we can't wait to come back!
(5)
Dave F.

Our hotel concierge told us about Catalina so being that I love Cuban food, we gave it a try. I have seen the place from the street and was not impressed, but once inside, you can tell the owner, Mario, cares about the place. Nice cozy atmosphere and well furnished. Mario greeted us and after telling him that it was our first time here and that our hotel recommended his restaurant, he treated us like family. Now Mario is overly friendly and affectionate to the customers (men included) but he is just a nice guy who cares about his business. After looking at menus, Mario came by and said that he would fix us something special - so we went with it! To our surprise, he prepared the grouper filet with garlic sauce and shrimp - exactly what we were going to order! This dish was OUTSTANDING as was the Tres Leches and Quatro Leches for dessert. The Sangria was very good as was the decaf coffee. Even though the prices are a little high, he does give out coupons to the hotels and took almost $20 off our bill when I told him that I forgot to get a coupon from our hotel concierge. The bill came to $118.00 excluding tip, for 2 people. Appetizer, 2 coffees, Sangria, 2 entrees, 2 desserts. I will be back for sure - best Cuban, meal I have had in a long time!
(4)
Justin P.

The best thing about this place is its owner / host. That guy is super-friendly and understands what service is all about. He offered to order for us, and we allowed him. The food was excellent, and we had a great time. However, be aware that if you let him do the ordering, your bill might be a little more expensive than you had anticipated, but as long as you are cool with that, you will definitely have a memorable meal.
(4)
Katie M.

This place is amazing. Was in town for a business conference, and at request of some coworkers we took a large party of 15 to this tiny, but well appointed place. There's a small bar in the back, and also a more private dining area that would nicely seat 5-10. Because we were so large, multiple tables were pulled together in the middle of the restaurant (and they openly accommodated 3 late arrivals). To start with, Mario is wonderful. He recognized some of our folks as "frequent fliers" and we were well taken care of from that point on. Mojitos are amazing (go for the pitcher), and we started with the appetizer sampler. 3 orders was more than enough for our table- everything Cuban you could wish for out in the middle of the table for the taking. Table orders consisted of the strip w/ shrimp/lobster (the specialty), grouper, and chunk chicken (in a garlic sauce that is light, yet tasty w/ fresh vegis on the side). Not a plate with a morsel on it after the main course.... The waiters were on top of their game, and for such a large party, this was a nice surprise. We were all well taken care of. Dinner (and many mojitos later) was followed by the dessert specialist- Angel. Wow- I don't know what was more fun, watching him explain the 10 or so choices or devouring the selections that later followed. You name your favorite, it was there. Cakes, flan, custard, brownies, amazing- all especially fresh and made in house. Espresso drinks were good as well. Dinner was followed with shots of some Cuban specialty- smelled like black licorice, not my thing, so I didn't partake, but the group seemed to like it. Overall, it was a nice night. Service for a large group for such a small place is usually spotty, but this was right on.
(4)
Andrew K.

I was REALLY in the mood for legit Cuban, and the food here was muy delicioso. With that said, my family was hesitant to take me because last time they went, they were basically forced to "try" tons of dishes, and then were charged heartily for them. The "chicken chunks" and puerco asado were tasty. The portions were small for the price (lunch ran $9/ per person, which is high for Cuban). The service was hasty and the waiters were nonresponsive. The place was nicely appointed, but like most SoFla restaurants, is bound to eventually close.
(3)
Doris D.

Were told by Hotel to try Catalina's for Paella. The Catalina Platter & Sangria were good but the Paella was not. Owner Mario was very attentive, thought it was pricey. Would not go back again.
(2)
David F.

Went to Catalina tonight upon the recommendation of our hotel concierge. I'm usually skeptical of these kickback restaurants, and tonight was no exception. Prices on the menu were quite high for a place that had the grease-trap removal truck blocking 5 parking spots when we arrived. Odd that in late January, they still had the Christmas decorations up. After being seated, and seeing the menu, my wife and I were debating weather or not to stay. The waiter obviously overheard us, and the evening went downhill from there. Our 5-year old son was with us, and before we even ordered, they "threw down" a plate of beef tips and fries in front of him. The ignored our order for a juice drink with fruit and likewise threw our food plates in front of us. They were in such a hurry to get us out that they didn't even offer us a view of the dessert tray before giving us a complimentary tres leches and the check. Overall, the food was good, but service was condescending , uncomfortable and very unpleasant. Would not return or recommend this place.
(1)
John T.

Amazing! From start to finish......First, the exterior of this restaurant does not do it justice. Next, the owner, Mario is a bit over-the-top; but this place is his baby and he treats each and every person coming in his front door like a guest in his home, with a hug and a peck on the cheek, and anything that could possibly enhance your dining experience. The menu is straight forward, but my date and I had some questions. Chris, our server was extremely knowledgeable concerning the menu and the ingredients used to prepare each dish. We shared a shrimp cocktail for the appetizer. A great way to set the tone for a great meal! Next, we received a simple chopped salad that was perfection! Our meal arrived perfectly timed. We both ordered the Argentinian skirt steak with lobster. Absolutely to die! The skirt steak which so many places just cannot cook properly was tender and perfectly complemented with Mario's own chimichurri sauce. Order extra of the chimmichurri before you even get your steak, it is so so good! (I could have eaten it like soup!) The lobster was succulent and juicy. Traditional Cuban sides of black beans and rice as well as plaintains were served as well. In fact, although it is available, there are no salt and pepper shakers even on the table. I thought for sure I would need these, but after noticing their absence, I didn't think about them again until now. That's how perfectly seasoned and cooked everything was. Having focused primarily on the food which was perfection, I would be remiss to not mention Chris. Service was never overbearing or intrusive, yet we never asked for a thing. Nothing! Even my refill on hot tea...Chris slyly glanced at the flavor of tea I had chosen earlier and was spot on with more hot water and a new teabag. Although the desserts looked wonderful, we simply didn't have room for more food! Prices here are a bit high, but most definitely worth it. I have been in the restaurant business my entire life, and I am usually pretty picky. I will be back and can't wait to introduce Mario's to everybody I know! I have never before had such a fantastic dining experience!
(5)
A D.

Been here twice and the food us amazing. I love "mario's favorites" it's got delicious pullled pork, plantains , and amazing shrimp. Even the rice and Beans are exceptional.
(5)
Kyria P.

Absolutely the worst place to go for food since they rob you every time!!! I have been to this place a few times, and although the food is usually quite good, we always tend to give them a 2nd chance ( they won't over charge us again!)...Well they do, and they did!! My husband decided to stop by there for some cuban cuisine after a super stressful day at work, and got home lets just say feeling robbed, and worst yet, feeling super weird from the sangria he had ( as if he was high??) Are they drugging the customers now so when they over charge you, you won't notice it??? My husband ordered a churrasco steak, which is skirt steak with rice beans and plantains. When he got to the restaurant they gave him a menu that had a much lesser value of his entree price, so he liked the dish and ordered one more for me, since I was home with our daughter. He also ordered a glass of Sangria. His bill came out to more than $80!!!! Lets recap, 2 skirt steak with rice beans and plantains and a glass of sangria..when I went to check out the price online on their website the same entree was at $24.95, and there isn't even a price on the site for the sangria...when I called the restaurant complaining they told me the skirt steak is actually $30, and the glass of sangria $19.95!!!! My husband complained at the restaurant for he knew he was being over priced, and they presented him with a completely different menu! Just ridiculous, and crazy that this place is still allowed to be opened for business....
(1)
Russell M.

a very very bizarre night. but the food was GREAT! and it was definitely fun. we were just looking for a cuban restaurant and happened upon Catalina. Mario - the owner - offers to order for us and it turned out to be awesome. Appetizers (ham croquettes, pork, and some other stuff), entrees (some steak dish and a fried fish dish), and dessert (cheesecakes) were SIIIICK. but the experience was unforgettable. we only ordered one drink, but then they just kept on coming. next thing we know, we have tequila shots at our table, and then some shoulder rubs, nipple twists, and kisses on the forehead. whaaaaaa! I guess that happens when 4 dudes stroll in together. and I guess that's par for the course at Catalina. like I said. bizarre.
(5)
Kristine F.

Really great restaurant. Found it by driving by late at night looking for some place that was open in Sept of 2007. As other people have said Mario is an excellent host, and the wait staff are friendly and alive. It's not a cheap eat, so don't go here on a budget. They push the dessert and mojitos which are great, but costly. We've gone back since our first visit a year ago and have been greeted like old friends. The food and service are 5 star, I give it a 4 due to the cost.
(4)
Marty B.

Mario makes you feel like you are family. Excellent food and extremely clean. Pretty expensive for Latin food but worth it. The skirt steak is out of this world. Another must is the Sangria. Well worth the visit... it might become your favorite Latin restaurant!
(5)
Rich B.

Ok where do i begin with this place. Well we got a Groupon cause we were heading down to Lauderdale for a long weekend. Arrived at the place kinda has like a old italian joint kinda vibe. We were seated right away waiter was very overly attentive...brpund out some fried plantains in sorta a chimichurri sauce.. they were pretty good. Ordered empenadas for appi which was good also very filling they give you alot the gave us salad on the house...wife ordered salmon which she said was ok i had marios favorite or something like that again tastey...had a glass of sangria which was best part of the meal afterwords we got the attemled shakedown but still got a free dessert. The odd and sort if uncomfortabe part of the meal was the chef standing in the dinning room watching everyone eat. There was dort of a creepiness to it. As we were leaving Mario pulls up into the parking lot.. Introducing himself and insisted we to go back in and have a drink hes a pretyy hyper guy too. After declining he said wait a minute and ran to the trunk of his car. Instead of the shotgun that i thought he was going to pull out he gave us 2 $25 certificates for dinner. All in all the food was ok...but over priced service was good and the owner and chef are creepy would i go bavk....maybe
(3)
Vicky C.

The food here was some of the best I've ever had! My fiance and I had the mussels to start, which were cooked perfectly. He had the garlic chicken and I had the roast pork (lechon) and sangria. Everything was delicious! There were a lot of people complaining that they had a reservation and couldn't get a table because it was so packed. My advice- skip the wait and sit at the bar... the bartender was awesome! Very nice, attentive, and the bartending is fun to watch.
(5)
David C.

Only drawn back is the space is somewhat tight. Not NYC tight but tight. Staff was great and I wish I could have eaten there twice!
(4)
Dotty D.

Just fantastic, creative and authentic Cuban food. What differentiates Mario's is the quality of the food and Mario's his warmth and complete hospitality - just like being with family! AMAZING! I'm a Latin girl and this food is the real deal-this is Mario's world - enjoy it!
(5)
Kevin H.

This restaurant is way overpriced for mediocre food. $17 for 5 piece shrimp cocktail. $27 for Garlic Chicken Chunks. Granted there are complimentary fried plantain with yummy salsa type topping. Then they give you a salad "on the house". Sometimes they refill your wine or sangria but at the end do a high pressure sales pitch on buying $400 worth of gift cards for $200. Yep I fell for it. Spare yourself and go get better Cuban food cheaper elsewhere.
(2)
Hector M.

Excellent Paella. It takes a bit to prepare yet it was fresh and simply delicious. Attentive, knowledgeable, prompt and friendly service. I did not give 5 stars because of the restaurant's dÃ©cor which is simply not my style. Highly recommend the restaurant to both locals and tourists.
(4)
Keith H.

What a find! One of the very best Latin meals we've had in South Florida! My wife is Cuban and we eat Latin food quite often. We'd never heard of Mario's Catalina Restaurant, and happened to see a Groupon, so gave it a try. Everything was outstanding! As others have mentioned, you're started with homemade mariquitas (plantain chips) with excellent homemade chimichurri. We ordered the recommended appetizer, empanadas, and they were some of the best I've ever eaten. An excellent (unexpected) salad followed. Then my wife enjoyed vaca frita, and I had the Argentinian Skirt Steak with Garlic Shrimp. Both entrees were outstanding. Instead of maduros (sweet plantains), we both opted for tostones (also excellent) as were the black beans. Finally... their flan for dessert was unlike any I've ever had. Super thick, creamy and rich. As if that weren't enough, my wife had a delicious sangria and I had a glass of cab - and both were huge pours. In fact, all servings were large. My wife took home enough food for two more meals. Service was as good as the food. Everyone who helped us was warm, friendly and professional, but especially Ruben - and Mario, himself, who came to our table to welcome us and check on our meal. The atmosphere is lovely. The walls are covered with varied artwork. You'd never know this charming place was there if you didn't know where to look. Check this restaurant out. It's a gem. A great, new addition to our list of favorite special Latin restaurants!
(5)
Matthew T.

When I left fort lauderdale I was most sad about being further away from Mario's. The owner takes customer service to entirely new stratosphere. Every person is treated like family. The food is the best Cuban I have had and I am married to a Cuban and live in Miami so that says something. The sangria is amazing, and every dish is a must have so be prepared to plan multiple trips to get the full experience.
(5)
David G.

My family and some friends had dinner here and what a great experience. The food was fantastic. The appetizer sampler had many different items and each of them were expertly prepared. Everyone at the table (there were 8 of us total) had a fantastic food and drink experience that night. The mojitos and sangria were delicious. In addition to the food, Mario and his staff pay attention to the details, are very friendly, and genuinely care that you have an unforgettable experience. The staff at Mario's also went the extra mile to accommodate my 5 year old son. It was getting a little late and he was sleepy, so one of the waiters noticed this and put three chairs together and put a table cloth over them so he could have a place to lay down and use the table cloth as a makeshift blanket. If you are in Fort Lauderdale this is a must.
(5)
SB S.

Great food. Great feel. Love all the "gifts" from the kitchen. Complimentary plantain chips w chimichuri sauce are delectable. The empanadas brought out were equally as good. Salad were a nice touch, didn't know they came w the meal. I'd say everything is over priced, but they do compliment your expensive entrees with little appetizers so maybe I'm off base. Still, it's a pricey menu. The maÃ®tre d' does need to stop being so affectionate. It makes people uncomfortable. For years he kisses the women hello and touches the men's shoulders. Friends of ours have said the same thing. Unless you know me, don't assume it is ok to kiss me hello. That really does need to stop.
(4)
Chuck D.

A hidden gem of a Cuban restaurant. Formal and informal decor. An awesome free appetizer (lunch anyway ). The portions are good . The Jack Daniels pork was exquisite. The frozen margarita was weak (by Texas standards anyway). Still gets a 5 star
(5)
Sydney G.

My boyfriend and I stopped here when we were on our way to visit my Grandmother. We didn't check the prices before we came, so we were a little shocked when we first walked in and looked at the menu. Luckily, Mario noticed that we were thinking about leaving and gave us a $25 gift certificate, so we decided to stay and give it a shot. We started with the tamal de lechon (pork tamale), which was served in a deconstructed type of way and was out of this world. I actually sighed a bit when I put the first forkful of pork into my mouth, it was that good. For an entree, we split the Catalina Combination with Roast Pork, Chicken Chunk, & Mario's Beef, so that we could try a sampling of everything. The pork was tender and bursting with flavor, the beef was so tender it melted, but the chicken was a little dry (the only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5). For dessert, we splurged and got the quatro leche cake, which was rich and creamy and very good. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area, but keep in mind that this is upscale cuban food, so be prepared for a higher price tag! Mario and his Chef are both very friendly and accomodating, though, so you're guaranteed to have a great experience!
(4)
Carole W.

Unbelievable just how good the Cuban food is here. The service was outstanding, and the ambience is divine. I felt like I was in Havana. Truly an outstanding dining experience.
(5)
Caitlin A.

My family and I decided to give this place a try while on a relaxing beach hopping vacation. The reviews were pretty great and I really wanted to try something a little different than my parents regular - and quite honestly - boring, restaurant options. The food and drinks here were outstanding. From the plantain chips they set at the table upon sitting, to the espresso. The only reason I didn't give this place five stars is because the service was, shall I say, kooky. We ordered drinks with one sever, but then someone else came to describe the specialty drinks. We ordered two apps (empanadas and ham croquettes) with one server, and entrees with another. Never got those apps, but got four salads instead. I didn't speak up, mostly out of sheer curiosity to what was going on, but also because we were enjoying what was in front of us and having fun. (Also, at the end when I checked the bill, we were not charged for the apps we never got or the mysterious salads we received-so there was no reason to bring it up). The white sangria - large, fresh and cold! The salads we got - while not on the menu- were delicious with hints of cilantro and lime and completely seasonal. Entrees: One Vaca Frita, two roast porks and one garlic shrimp. The Vaca and pork was similar; slow cooked, tender, succulent, shredded meat with caramelized onions. The garlic shrimp was also good, but I could tell my dad was jealous of all the yummy meat we were shoveling into our faces. All entrees come with rice, out of this world, flavorful black beans and sweet, perfectly caramelized plantains. Seriously good. Tres leches cake (certainly made in house) and espresso to end on a perfect note. This place is pretty expensive and if the service is like this on a normal night, you may not get what you ordered-but you'll probably like it anyway:)
(4)
Melissa B.

I recently had my Engagement Dinner here for a party of 21 people on a Sunday around 2pm. We had requested the private room, but being from NY I didn't realize that it was basically outside so it was HOT! Luckily, my fiancÃ© spoke with Mario and he moved us all inside to the AC :)! We had the entire restaurant to ourselves and it was wonderful. We ordered appetizers for the tables and everything was delicious! The food is authentic and fresh and so flavorful! I was impressed because coming from NY where excellent restaurants are plentiful, this one is definitely a front runner! One of the managers came out to explain all dinner dishes and answer any questions and the sangria kept flowing! Also, all of the desserts were explained and they were all delicious! I can't thank them enough for making our experience so great. Wonderful food, beautiful atmosphere and excellent service. When we come back to Fort Lauderdale, we will definitely return for a nice intimate dinner!
(5)
Cory P.

Mario the owner is a sweat heart. If he is there ask him to order for you. He always brings out two dinner selections so you can trade if something doesn't fancy you. The appetizers will be abundant, the main dish, dessert and drinks (sangria or mojito) are filling and flowing. The price is reasonable and better than groupon. The food is fresh and outstanding. Skirt steak and snapper. ...amazing! Empanadas, pork tamale... Holy shi* it's good.
(5)
Brent S.

The visit was for my wife's holiday party. At first I thought it was an Italian restaurant, after arrival I quickly learned otherwise. There is not a whole lot of room for parking so you are defiantly better off taking advantage of the complimentary valet parking. My wife's party started at 7pm and didn't leave until close to 11pm. During this time the restaurant was packed. I never saw anyone waiting to be seated but I did notice ninety percent of the people arriving did have reservations. The restaurant itself is small. I felt like I was eating in someone's living room, overall not may tables. The service is good, there was always someone coming over checking drinks and refilling water. We had a group appetizer that had empanadas and croquets. Both were delicious. Both gave the impression of homemade and freshly baked. For my main course I ordered the skirt steak and was happy with my meal. The steak was cooked perfectly and was a decent portion, it was served with a side of rice, this was nothing special just rice. Overall this was a great meal with good service.
(4)
Judy J.

This was my second visit, i happened on it while vacationing a few years ago in FLL. It was just a fabulous as I remember. The service is over the top. You are greeted at the door by Mario. He is so warm and inviting. You get a bowl.of fried crispy plantains swiming in a chimichurri type delectable salsa ( for lack of better words) not too much...not too little. I had the white sangria. House made. very sweet. Delicious. And they filled my goblet twice. The red is just as good, i had it on my first trip. I asked what the specialties were and chose the steak with shrimp. It was unbelievable. The black beans were to die for. I could have drank the cup. I had the dos leche cake for dessert. So good. Melts in your mouth. I dined alone or i would have had appetizers. The staff is wonderful. Cant do enough for you. It was a great experience both trips...even with a few years in between
(5)
Naimah S.

Food was superb....along with the service. Everything was great! Would definitely go again.
(5)
Jason B.

Mario greeted us at the door and escorted us to our table (No reservations, 6pm on a Wednesday). Service was 6 stars, we had the attention of several servers who were there to help with drink orders and with questions about the menu. everyone was super friendly and attentive. The food was the best I've had in the restaurant wasteland that is Fort Lauderdale. Richly seasoned pork and beef were extremely tasty and highly enjoyable. Throughout our meal our server un obtrusively came to check on us and refill drinks as needed. I can't wait to take visiting friends to this restaurant when they come to visit. highly recommended.
(5)
Too Much S.

Super attentive, welcoming and gracious, and muy delicioso from the first taste of the best mojito I have had in years the final sip of cafe cubano. I was dining alone so was wrestling with what I could try, given most of the appetizers were intended for two. Rafael suggested making me a combo of what he thought best I should try and ye gods was he right. Lecho Asado con arroz y frijoles negros for the entree, but with a tamale, and an empanada (basically a third or so of each appetizer portion), added in, since I would not otherwise be able to try them all. Everything was nailed. Everything was a winner. Everything. Seriously one of the best meals I have had in 2014. Caveat: This is a nice restaurant and do note the price point being noticeably higher than the more typical cheap/dive Cuban. Pay it. It's worth it.
(5)
Chuck W.

By far the best Cuban food I've ever eaten. I always head straight for Cuban restaurants when I'm in South Florida and this one is always stellar. The Sangria is awesome and the roast pork, black beans and rice with fried plantains is my favorite.
(5)
Daniel C.

We were recommended to this restaurant from my friend's hotel. So glad we went! The restaurant is unassuming from the outside. But inside, it's filled with classy decor and a great, romantic atmosphere. You start the meal with platanos maduros with an amazing oil and veggie sauce. They were the best I've had. Then we ordered the empanadas, which were hot, fresh, and so tasty. And filling! One order comes with 3 empanadas. For dinner we split the combination platter of vaca frita, pork, and fried chicken. All was season well and incredibly good. Dessert was Quatro leches, which was incredible. We had a few mojitos, too, which were really great. Our service was impeccable, extremely attentive waiters and the owner came over multiple times. The only drawbacks to the restaurant were the price - not a place to go on a budget - and I thought our dinner chairs were a bit worn (I could feel the springs in the chair under the cushion). I'd definitely go back and recommend to anyone!
(4)
Linda C.

The roast pork enter was wonderful, tender and flavored lightly with onions. My husband loved the skirt steak with shrimp. Tender and done just right. Served with plantains and the best salad I have ever had. The white sangria was yummy, and they brought us a second one on the house. The desserts were amazing, too. Loved the artwork on the walls and white tablecloths. Fun place!
(5)
Israel S.

Very good food excellent service and the ambiance is a great place for a date and you have to have the house special mojito
(4)
Keith P.

Impeccable service, amazing food, deserts to die for. Food was prepared perfectly .a must try. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Ashanti D.

I don't even know where to begin but let's start with the fact that this restaurant is FABULOUS in every way!!! The service was stellar, the food was beyond AMAZING from the garlic mussels appetizer to our mixed seafood dish to the white rice and black beans to the plaintains. Every item that entered our mouths was so scrumptious. I forgot to mention the bomb plaintain chips with "salsa" that we were greeted with as soon as we sat down at our table. The wait staff constantly checked on us and went out of their way to ensure we were happy and enjoying our meal. It was lovely! To top it all off, since it's my birthday they allowed me to pick a dessert of my choice and then sang Happy Birthday to me. What a wonderful birthday lunch before we head to the airport this evening. Thank you so much Mario's for an awesome experience!
(5)
Jaye W.

Super delicious but too expensive. I get the vegetable paella and mariquitas chips. Amazing food, but for $60 I could go a lot of places in Fort Lauderdale.
(4)
Stephanie R.

Awesome delicious food and service but You pay for it, over $20+ a plate, yikes! A nice place to take a date or eat at on special occasions.
(4)
Candace M.

DELICIOUS! I will most definitely go back The prices are a bit high but well worth the food, Sangria is amazing! Staff is very friendly! Food is fresh and portions are a great size.
(5)
Sean R.

The food here is amazing!!!! Everything I had was great! I went here for a special event they held in a private room. Appetizers were croquettas, plantain chips, empanadas, and roasted chicken nuggets. Dinner was skirt steak and jumbo shrimp with rice & beans. I drank the white sangria which was very good! I highly recommend this place and will be back!!!
(5)
Sandy O.

Last night my husband and enjoyed one of the best meals out, hosted by the owner truly interested in making us feel special, as this was our first time. Don't be surprised by the outside...the inside is elegant, romantic and cozy with soft music in the background, white table clothes, glassware galore and a lovely staff. The meal began with icy red sangria...perfect on a hot day...delicious. Plate of plantain chips with a churro type sauce. We were treated to a perfectly seasoned house salad with greens, diced apples and light vinaigrette. Grouper, simply grilled was perfectly cooked, still moist and well seasoned, served with dirty rice, and plantains for $26.99. Yes a little high but I am a foodie that would rather spend a little more for excellence than less for "it was ok." My husbands Lechon Asado (pulled pork) was phenomenal...juicy, perfectly seasoned, with a voice of rice & plantains for $28.99. Well worth the trip from Delray...well worth the money...we got a groupon to try out new restaurants...try it out.
(5)
Gail A.

Don't go!...don't go!...don't go!...horrible nasty expensive..smelled like rat dropping. Only the restaurant relatives wrote a good review. Did a quick change with lunch menu doubled the price! From 12.00 to 28.00! Told us menu different with different lunch and charged us DINNER prices. Garbage in hallway...dirty glasses...piled up tablecloth s 6 ft high...need i go on? Turn around...RUDE RUDE RUDE...Oh did i mention rude. I'd rather eat at McDonald's.
(1)
Aba J.

This place is a must for anyone in the Fort Lauderdale Area, from the moment we walked in I could tell that everything about the experience was going to be top notch and simply the best! Mario, the owner, acts as Matre' D, Manager and overall director. He really is quite a productionist, and what a production it was from start to finish, with the lights lowered during the celebratory birthday song for each guest, it really was quite special. The room is exquisitely decored with many paintings and beautiful chandeliers. I had the Paella and it was so good! So much food in my dish, they then bring out dessert on a display tray and I had a great pecan cheesecake, to top it all off I had cappuccino with sugary cube sticks. Overall it was a delightful experience, and to think I had completely stumbled on it by accident, Thank you Mario!
(5)
Jason M.

Extremely disappointed with 2nd visit to Mario's, especially given the great time we had first visit. After waiting 15 minutes for someone to take our drink order, my wife went to the bar to order some drinks. Mojito was good as usual, but the dirty martini she ordered was mostly olive juice and we sent it back. Waited 30 minutes from sitting down for someone to take our dinner order. Waiter was apologetic and said he'd get our order in right away. The food was very good. I got the Skirt Steak ($35, kind of steep but I knew what I was ordering). My wife got the Catalina sampler. All great, full of flavor and a good texture on the skirt steak and beef in my wife's sampler. 15 minutes after finishing eating, with no one coming to refill our water, or ask us if we wanted another cocktail or dessert, I went inside and asked for our check. Another 10 minutes and finally the waiter comes out with check. I asked to speak with Mario and he was very dismissive. He didn't really seem to care we had a bad experience. He did have a full restaurant, and a pile of great reviews here, so maybe he doesn't need to. Pretty disappointing.
(2)
Mike H.

This is one of the best restaurants in the area. The owners are great. They always go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The service is impeccable, and the food is fantastic.
(5)
Franz F.

Excellent food. Amazing service. Top-notch staff. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Astrid A.

This is a must visit resto. The Mojito... Yummm... Everything I tried was delicious.. Their mojo is exceptional. There is nothing I tried that I did t like.. A must go!!
(5)
Marqus R.

I've been going to Mario's restaurant for years, even back when it first opened on 33rd, and have always had good food but confess that I always found it somewhat quirky in that from the name "Catalina," I'm lead to think Catalonia, and the heading on the awning stating "Spanish Cuban Cuisine" to have a more distinctive Spanish emphasis to it. Though Cuban foods are generally a fusion of Spanish, native Taino, Caribbean and African with shared spices, somewhat different and apart from what I find in Catalonia or in any parts of Spain which I would classify as basically being Western Mediterranean with strong takes on Balearic and Valencian, particularly with an emphasis on the use of capsicum, eggplant, tomato, garlic, artichoke uses of local poultry, lamb, pork and fish dishes of sardine, tuna and anchovy. Though my comments above are basically a lot of esoteric and debatable babble, my point is that in my opinion the cuisine offerings at Mario's Catalina are, to me, Cuban. Hence I wouldn't go here really expecting much in the way of Spanish. However I would go here expected good Cuban. Most recently I went to Mario's and had the grilled skirt steak with lobster. It was served with one of the best, most delicious salads ever along with full length chips of plantain mixed in a bowl with one of the best tasting salsa like sauces. The lobster was a cold water lobster done in its shell smothered with fresh chopped onion, pepper other ingredients, then with a good side helping of traditional Cuban rice and black bean. As for the skirt, it was a generous cut, but didn't arrive done as ordered, lacked grill charring, was somewhat tough and excessively greasy. As for service, very good, attentive and helpful. Though I asked my initial server if there were any specials and merely got an "I don't know" response and a long blank nothing, a more experienced server immediately recognized the problem and stepped in before I could get up, kick the other server in the butt and pointedly tell him that if he didn't know, he'd best get his lazy ass in the kitchen to find out. Another thing I like about Mario's is the overall cleanliness and neat table setting along with its upscale rich looking elegant dÃ©cor. Though some have criticized it as being "piss elegant" and over stated, my take on it is that this is overstated, bring in on; I like it and you never have to be embarrassed to bring your business guests into fine surroundings like are found in Mario's. As for price, Mario's is on the pricey side, but for what you get, not excessively so and I've never found anything from the quality of the drinks, the pours of the wine or the food proportions with which I've ever felt slighted or short changed.
(3)
David L.

We had another great meal at Mario's last night. Food was cooked perfectly and everything just popped with flavor. The wait staff was very friendly & Mario was charming as usual. This is a great local restaurant!
(5)
Jerry S.

Excellent night for the 4 of us. The ladies had the deep fried chicken dishes, very tasty and juicy. My friend enjoyed the skirt steak which was tender. I had the Grouper smothered with shrimp. The dinner was excellent the service was superb. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Darlene R.

The food here is very good. I loved the Seafood mixed grill and the empanada appetizer. The drinks are also very well made. I do get a little uncomfortable when he tries to sell us coupons at the end of the meal :/ but it has not deterred me from going back.
(4)
Jessica D.

This was a great spot to get Cuban food before leaving Florida. Our waiter, Chino, was attentive and gave us great food recommendations. The plantain chips and salsa were addictive! I would come back the next time I'm in town.
(5)
Jo W.

The parking lot was pack, then the restaurant was packed and so there was a little bit of a wait for a table, but once the food started coming, all was forgotten (not really, but I'll get back to that). Unlike the tradition bread given at almost every other restaurant, they start you off with Plantain Chips topped with a pico de gallo of sorts. This was definitely the right choice and a great start to the meal. Then came their famous Mojito that restored my faith in a drink that I used to love but slowly began to feel like no longer existed, just cheap imitations. Made with super fresh ingredient and real sugar, it exceed probably any Mojito I ever had and that includes even in Puerto Rico. From there I was excited for my meal. I had Mario's Favorite which consisted of Red Snapper fillet breaded in green plantains with lobster sauce & jumbo shrimp, Pulled Pork and was delicious, delightful and downright good! My fiance had the Grilled Skirt Steak w/Lobster & Garlic Shrimp and loved it. Despite being full, I couldn't miss dessert and after choosing from what seemed like 50 choices, we choose the Cuarto Leches, which was truly a delectable dessert. A lot of leches are very soggy, but what sold me on this one was that is wasn't and it held the consistency of the cake. But, back to what I was saying before. Although the food is very good, the service is not. The owner moves about very frantically and then the servers seem lost and confused in it all. Service was slow, out of place and at times downright horrible. That kind of mismanagement can kill an experience regardless of how great the food was.
(3)
Deborah W.

My new fave restaurant. The food is delicious. The service was absolutely amazing. Really a great find. Highly recommend!!
(5)
D M.

Great time again at Marios. We went for Fathers Day and as usual the food was delicious and so were the drinks. I love their mojitos and they are known for their white sangria!! Pork steak was delicious and the plantains are yummy. We also had the millionaire desert, awesome. I can't say enough about Marios. It's my favorite restaurant. Thank you Mario!!
(5)
Randi M.

Came with a groupon( 45 for 80, but I paid 36.00 using a coupon for the groupon). I ordered the grouper with shrimp and garlic sauce. Not sure what the 'garlic sauce" was because there was no sauce to be found. There were slices of onion and peppers on top of the fish. The fish was good, but nothing that was like OMG, this was the best grouper in the world. It came with 4 average size shrimp. The rice was a tad crunchy. My wife had some shredded beef and she liked it a lot. Her tostones were under-seasoned too. They needed salt or a garlic sauce. We were also charged 8.00 for the only house salad they have. Lettuce, tomato, a few slices of apple and celery. Very boring. The chimichuri was good as were the plantain chips that arrive on your table. We took a slice of cheesecake( not house made) with us and it was creamy, but on the overly sweet side. i would be really PO'd if i had to pay 82.00 for this meal. Totally not worth that, but for 36.00, it was acceptable. I personally think Las Vegas Restaurant has better Cuban food. Johnny was a great server. I did notice that everyone seems to be afraid of the owner. That isn't a good sign.
(3)
Jessenia M.

Red snapper filet is my favorite. I have eaten here about 5 times and the meals never disappoint. A bit pricey but the owner always comes around and offers cards that you can come back with and use towards your bill i.e you pay $50 and he gives you gift certificate for $100.
(5)
RachelzPetz W.

My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in October and had asked the Concierge where to go for authentic Cuban food. He suggested 2 places and we chose Mario's. I am so glad we did! The waiter was super attentive and knew the art of flirting just enough to make me feel special. He informed us we could make special requests if we wanted something we didn't find ont he menu and I arrived craving boiled yucca in garlic sauce. That with a delicious pork dish and a complimentary virgin mojito was divine! By the end of the evening, the whole Staff had greeted us and made u s feel at home. The cook even told me how to make yucca. By the end of the meal we were stuffed and it could have only been better if they ad offered us a bed to nap in. However, as it was pouring rain, they did call us a cab. I would definitely return!
(5)
Willie K.

The food here is really great! We love it so much that we have come here 3 nights on our 5 night vacation to Ft Lauderdale. I would totally recommend it to anyone who is in the greater Ft Lauderdale area, even if you think you don't like Cuban. It is really super great. As I have previously said, I would highly recommend it!
(5)
Melissa E.

We had the masa de puerco, it was cooked to perfection with tons of flavor! The owner is super nice, offered us a complimentary white sangria which was delicious. Will definitely come back soon!
(5)
Bill B.

Very tasty and authentic Cuban. The owner greets you at the door. The staff is friendly and the bartender makes amazing drinks. The white sangria is insane. The chicken chunks were flavorful and danced in my mouth. Overall, what a cool find. I will be back.
(4)
Jannah G.

4 stars for the food! But the service... Awful. We had about 4 different waiters, and spent much of our dining experience WAITING to be served... Waiting on drinks, the plates to be taken away, dessert menu, the bill. Not an exceptionally busy night, either. Waiters ignored our requests. Mario spends a lot of time greeting the customers: perhaps he should spend more time assuring his staff is taking care of business! Shame-- it's a nice spot. Will really have to think about returning.
(3)
David N.

Mario and his restaurant are amazing. The food is exquisite. The drinks are delicious. But most of all, Mario is a rare gem. He understands how to make people feel comfortable. When we got out of the car, he opened the door, introduced himself, and got us seats. The staff acted like we were the most important people in the restaurant. A friend had a birthday, and they went out of their way. In short, this is everything a restaurant should be. Topped with amazing appetizers and entrÃ©es - perfect!
(5)
Eric L.

This place was fantastic. The servers are all very friendly. Mario, the owner, would often come by and make sure we were taken care of well. He's super friendly, and that usually leads to him messing with the guys. It's definitely a good experience that you have to try once. The food is very tasty, and everything had great flavor. The menu is diverse with plenty to choose from. If you like sangria, this place will hit the spot. It has 3 dollars signs, so you get what you pay for.
(5)
Natalie C.

What other reviewers are say about this place is true. Be prepared to get scammed. The bill came and I couldn't read anything on it. I believe that the food being offered is way over priced. Skirt steak, 4 pieces of shrimp and a small plate of rice and beans $40. (I should have gone to Pollo Tropical). I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday. They knew before hand that it was his birthday and didnt acknowledge him like they said they would. They tried to do a sales pitch on some cards that were like $50 for $100 worth of food. I was not pleased with that. I felt like I was at a car dealership trying to be bought by the sleazy sales man (Mario). I had to be firm. Wait service was okay. I will be skipping this one next time.
(1)
Jerry S.

We ate here on a weekday during lunch and had a great experience. Their lunch specials are reasonably priced and their food sooooo good. Mario's Beef dish (vaca frita) is one of the best beef dishes I have ever had. The atmosphere is very nice.
(5)
Jhon M.

The food is ok... Regular Cuban food. But is a very expensive food... For the money I paid in this place I could invite a group of six people to another very good restaurant. This place is over priced for a regular Cuban food. The next time I want to eat a Cuban food I prefer to go to Las Vegas Cuban cuisine. The same quality of food and very far away cheaper. By the way the bill was 280 dollars for three person. The order was regular food and 3 glasses of wine. It isn't crazy expensive ...?
(1)
David B.

The manager was the most rude service person I have seen in years. We sat for lunch with a lunch menu with a group- on coupon to share with my invalid sister in -law and he switched menus on us with another one with item prices twice as much as the original saying this is the one to order from. Complete scam. We decided to leave. Also, glasses on the table were spotty and chairs were dirty. Hiensight, it turned out better we left. Not a clean place.
(1)
Tim N.

The elephant is in the room, he's standing right over there, see him? Ok I confess... I've eaten at Mario's a few times, and really enjoyed myself. If as a man, you can't stand Mario's affections, quick, come out if the closet, it's really ok these days. Mario's serves really good simple food. I grew up in Miami in the 1970's Mario's is the real dal but make no mistake, it's Cuban comfort food. And that is delicious. I don't know what he puts in his sangria, crack? Meth? Either why it's really good, and realllly strong. (You've been warned) The sales pitches come on a little strong but be firm, and be sure and check your bill. In all the place is worth it. I'm at the end of my review and I still haven't put down any stars... I'm thinking about that and having trouble. The food is good, can you (or should you?) "gourmet" up simple food? That is a question for the ages. The service perfect, the decor romantic, the sangria crack-laden... I love Mario, he's really honest about who he is and I can respect that about him, he's also nice and very funny, I'm a happy customer.
(3)
Mike H.

I saw what Matt H. commented, he is right. If your worried about the price then go to McDonald's. But if you want some of the best service and excellent food then this is a must visit. I am 42 years old and at this point in my life I have never had service this good. Let me also say that I have a wife who is very picky, she absolutely loved this place. I love clams and oysters, mussels I tolerate when there is no other option, for an appetizer I got the garlic mussels, if I could I would have these all the time, honestly I have never had anything close to how good these were. My wife got the skirt steak and shrimp. Absolutely tremendous, steak cooked to perfection, I chose the paella it was very good. I could eat that everyday. Sangrias, I challenge you to find better. Guys if you want a romantic place to take your significant other, go here, great romantic atmosphere.
(5)
Kalliopi P.

This restaurant was recommended by the hotel staff where we stayed this past weekend! Our cousins flew in from NJ and wanted to WOW them with a great Cuban restaurant! This place is beyond anything I can describe! From the moment we drove up to the restaurant I knew this would be great! The path walking to the entrance was decorated with flower pots as if I were in Europe. The owner (I believe) or maitre 'd was the most gracious and affectionate host! He hugged and kissed me on both cheeks as if we were old friends and welcomed us to his home! He even hugged and caressed my cousin, which by all means, was a little bit of a surprise (since some men might be turned off) but we thought it was best introduction to the experience of dining here! The decor in the restaurant was old European and I couldn't stop looking at all the artwork! Now the food! We started with the red sangria which was the best we've ever had! They brought out complimentary plantain chips with an amazing sauce, which were outstanding. For appetizers we ordered mussels in garlic sauce that honestly were so delicious I could have eaten them all night! Then we had empanadas, I didn't think it could get better, but my goodness they were unbelievably outstanding! Then came out our salads, small portions but just enough. We asked to delay our dinners because there was so much to take in we didn't want to rush our experience! We ordered skirt steak w shrimp, a combination of chicken and pulled pork, pulled pork w shrimp and deep fried snapper, and I ordered the whole snapper that I wanted to debone myself! Every dish was accompanied w white rice and vegetables and in the center of the table was a bowl of black beans for us to share. Have I mentioned how delicious everything that we put in our mouths? This was truly an experience we will not ever forget! Bravo to the chef! They brought out a tray of desserts for us to select and my goodness they were all to die for. Thank you for an unforgettable evening! We will return!
(5)
Viviane M.

I have to say.... No no and no..... Only reason why we went there was because of the server John. Over priced, tacky. And my salad had an ant crawling on the plate... If you go with your husband, boyfriend,brother or son the owner will love to rub he's hands all over them... Disrespectful all the way... If you want Cuban food go to calle 8... Miami
(3)
George S.

Visited the restaurant on Christmas Day for dinner with friends, a total group of 5 guests. When the server approached us, although polite, he apologized in advance for any possible delays, being a holiday evening and nobody wanted to work that day. The atmosphere was pleasant, the menu not very diversified, and a little pricey to say the least. When the food arrived, the portions were small relative to the menu pricing, and not very flavorful, just fair tasting at best. During the course of the meal, I ordered a meal to go, and told the person who happened to be th owner, I wanted it to be ready upon my departure. Well needless to say, it was not ready, and upon reminding the server once again about the "to go order", he said we'll take care of it asap. "Not to worry it's on the house, no charge because of the long delay." When the check came it was not readable, plus it seemed very high for what we ordered, and began to question the bill with the server. He said he did not tab out the check, and that it was the owner who did the final check totals. When we called the owner over to review the check, his reply was abrupt, curt, rude, and simply left the table area only to returned with a menu, threw it on the table for us to cross reference for our own scrutiny. Well after figuring out and back tracking what we had ordered and doing the math, it turned out that the "TO GO ORDER" that was promised to be "ON THE HOUSE" was not. We questioned the server and his reply was " I'm only the server and if the owner put it on the check I cannot do anything about it." So much for "ON THE HOUSE", for poor service as promised. As we exited the restaurant, the owner happened to be at the exit door. He began to thank us for the patronizing his establishment, which gave me a perfect opening to speak to him about the check incident. After I explained the scenario about the "TO GO ORDER", his reply was "well why didn't you say something". I said we did try, but you did not give us the chance to explain, because when you came to our table you were curt and left without us being given the opportunity. He said, " well I guess there was a miscommunication ". I said " that may be the case, but you should make to right, especially since this is my first time here." Needless to say my expressed disappointment about the situation fell on deaf ears, so my final comment to him was " I will never come back to your restaurant again because of your uncaring response and lack of honoring the word of your employee." As we walked away, he yells from across the parking lot " don't come back here anymore, I don't want your business." Shocked by the unsolicited and uncalled for response, especially from someone who is the owner of this establishment, I felt compelled to write this review. I have to say in closing, if you want a better bang for your buck, "DO NOT EAT HERE", unless you want to "OVERPAY" for just average tasting small portioned food, and an "OWNER" that could "CARE LESS" about his patrons that help keep him in business. Do yourself a favor, there are "OTHER BETTER VALUED" restaurants to eat in Fort Lauderdale or surrounding areas that have much better food, and would be more pleasurable to dine; not to mention, I'm sure would be more appreciated by those establishment owners. I know because I'm not a tourist, but a resident of the local community.
(1)
Crazy Daisy Z.

If a roach had not visited our table at the end of the meal... We partook the empanadas - very good, crispy, tasty - moist, a sweet taste to them. We also had ham croquettes, very nice light, though no regular dipping sauce was offered. We were given chimichurri sauce which is unheard of and not a good sauce for this appetizer. We then had Garlic chicken chunks, very close to another meal they had with peppers - very tasty, tender, delicious. With light rice - a little too stuck together - appears they forgot to add a little bit of oil. The roasted pork was horrible. We were given the burnt pieces or stringy portions which were crispy - probably what was at the bottom of the pot. It was extremely hard to find the tender pieces or shreds one usually finds in good roasted pork. We've had roasted pork in many fashions, and we've only had it crispy if they were chicharrones, but this was not what we ordered, we wanted roasted, which by its definition is supposed to be tender, fall-apart-tasty pieces of meat. We requested some red wine, and the male guests were given more than generous portions - not so for female guests. Male guests were even 'gifted' extra free wine at the end of the meal. We then heard the people in the kitchen arguing, swearing at each other. Something was up. Next, we ordered flan - it appears they added too much condensed milk. Can't get past that taste. Next. Finally, as we paid our bill, an american roach was walking near one of the people at our table's elbow. Just taking a stroll - all of us were floored! We only wish we had seen it BEFORE we ate. Ugh. Never again.
(1)
Paul W.

I lived in Los Angeles for 52 years, and have had access to many great restaurants. I am extremely picky about where I eat, and am dedicated to those restaurants that I love. How does that apply to Catalina? Well, every time I visit Fort Lauderdale (which is about once a month), I make at least one visit to Catalina. The food is fantastic. While you might pay a little more for it, you absolutely get what you pay for. It's delicious, and there's a lot of it. Just as important as the food is the service. Mario greets his guests as if they're family. Though I don't get in as often as I would like, Mario remembers who I am (as do most of the staff) and I am greeted as if I was returning home. Everything I've tried on the menu has been superb. Recently, I've tried to order only appetizers. There is typically enough food on the appetizer plate to feed 3 to four people. But because the food is so good, I and my party always order additional food off the menu. No review would be complete without commenting on the mojitos. Best I've ever had, and I've traveled all over the world and drank gallons of mojitos. At the end of every meal, Mario has graciously provided a farewell mojito "on the house". If you're in Fort Lauderdale or surrounding area, do yourself a favor and give Catalina a try.
(5)
Tim M.

The food I could eat was pretty good. I ordered Grilled Grouper that came greasy and breaded. I cannot eat wheat so that was out. Also I was thrilled to see Chocolate Mouse on the Menu. I received a piece of chocolate cake. When I inquired about it they told me that their mouse came with chocolate cake under it. It was definitely just chocolate cake with maybe mouse frosting. The Moros was bland. The tamali was pretty good but the pork was to dry. It all had good qualities but the preparation was poor.
(2)
Sabrina S.

Went there twice - just because we had gift cards/groupon. Service is pretty bad. My salmon was not fresh it was frozen and waiter gave me attitude! For these prices the customer should expect and be given at least fresh fish! Waiter was denying that it is frozen and argued! Also you could see from far away that it was. Bill was wrong, we got overcharged! Mario is very touchy and falsely nice! Portions are just enough (too less rice always). Dessert platter to show is super old and looks nasty. Corner were we sat was pretty dirty on the floor. Desserts $12 per piece! Waiter did not even know prices.... Also its the same waiters every time. Rest of the food was pretty good but all in all a waste of money and time! BAD BAD BAD
(1)
Eugene S.

Love this place.. I will come back as often as possible.. My friend and I went there and it was his first time, I have dined there before.. The waiter took our menus away and stared bring food to the table.. Boy were we pleased.. The owner made the visit so enjoyable.. Get ready... We are coming back..
(5)
Charles M.

The place is amazing!!!food is off the hook!!
(5)
Mariam D.

A native Floridian, I have driven by this place for years but never stopped in to try. Met some new friends for dinner & drinks there and a great time was had by all. We started with the white sangria - my first time having it & it was good! We then enjoyed the frozen red sangria, and wow ... excellent! The owner, Mario, kept your glasses full all night, and careful, they will definitely sneak up on you ... or was it the tequila shots?! We shared a Catalina Platter that came with an assortment of beef empanadas, shredded pork (tastey but a bit on the dry side), and a tamale (pork, and it was excellent- comes topped with a yummy salsa!) Overall, the food and drinks were good (the menu is filled with Cuban favorites, and the dessert platter looked tempatious!). The ambiance was comfortable - dim lighting, low hung chandeliers, bar & table seating- make this place a special find and a good first-date idea! Before you go, though, be aware of the following two factors: 1. I observed that the owner Mario is quite touchy-feely (rubbing shoulders, hugs and kisses) with the male diners - though most seemed to accept it as harmless, quirky behavior. 2. When the bill arrived, there were inquiries about what appeared to be overcharges, and Mario provided my friends with $40 gift certificates. Interesting way of making you come back for more .... but worth a try if you're in the mood for something different!
(4)
Jan K.

Asked our hotel concierge where we could find the best Cuban food in the area and without any hesitation he recommended "Mario's" And he couldn't have been more spot on. From the Cuban style roast pork to the garlic chicken to the mojitos (one of which was compliments of Mario himself) to the decadent chocolate to the 5 star service from Adriana this restaurant knocked the ball out of the park. So good that we are going to eat here again even though we only have two nights left in town!
(5)
Anna A.

We'd been hearing rave reviews from several folks about how the food, the service and especially the sangria. When it seems like the universe conspires, I am not one to refuse. For startes, we had the empanadas and they were great. The chimichuri was exceptional as well. We had two entres. The snapper with lobster sauce and shrimp was very good - perfectly cooked and seasoned. The other entre was my favorite Cuban dish, roast pork, and it was as good as I've ever had it. Both entres served with trasitional black beans & white rice. While all of that was very, VERY good - the absolutely best part of the meals was the white wine sangria and ultimately the service. We were treated like family. The owner greated us and seated us and stopped by the table a couple times. When we finished our meals, we went to sit at the bar and finish our sangrias, the bartender topped them off for free. We were offered deserts but didn't order anything and within 15 minutes the owner was bringing over quatro leche to go! And when I realized I had left my leftovers at teh table and they were already gone, I was given another complete roast pork meal to go!!!! Again - the food was great, the sangria was delicious, and the service was amazing. The only reason it's 4 stars and not 5 is that they seated us outside, it was hot, and they could use a couple more ceiling fans on the patio. If you get a chance to go here for date night, birthday, girls' night, or family dinner - Go!!
(4)
Jesse T.

Ate here twice in two nights. I thrive on ambiance and hospitality and Mario, the owner, delivers its in spades. He welcomed our group with hugs, kisses and an assurance our evening would be great. We were told to relax, handed mojitos (made by Julia who makes an OUTSTANDING mojito) and waited for our table. Beingour first time, Mario suggested we let him take care of things - he asked a few questions about preferences and tastes and went about his way. For a business dinner, this is amazingly relaxing as we were allowed to discuss business and personal lives without interruption or worry over the menu. Appetizers showed up. Empanadas with the most amazing chimichurri outside of the Caribbean. Tamales with pulled pork. And more mojitos. Dinner was grilled pompano with sauce and vegetables that was amazing. Simply amazing. Dessert showed up at just the right moment ranging from key lime pie (clearly fresh key limes), cheesecake, flan and chocolate cakes. Espresso. More mojitos. We never saw a menu - and never needed to see one. It's not cheap, but, consider that 5 rounds of mojitos, four appetizers, an entree, dessert, espresso and a round of tequila shots with Mario and the restaurant staff ran for under $100 a person...and you'll know it's not expensive either. He provided gift certs to share with the hotel, two bottles of wine to enjoy at home and it took us nearly 45 minutes to leave with all the hugs and thanks and kisses. Ambiance indeed. My second trip was a date night and again, we never saw a menu. Mario, recognizing us, assured we'd have a completely different food experience and he delivered. Churrasco with grilled lobster. Mojitos, dessert, and rounds of dessert wine with the staff made things so much fun. We shared tastes and stories with the tables around us. Met all of the wait staff. And then, when we suggested a different kind of shots for the staff, Mario put us behind the bar and we all raised our glasses "a vida y salud". Another successful night that will see us return whenever we're back in Ft Lauderdale. Thank you Mario!
(5)
Gary A.

Come to Catalina only if you want to get ripped off and have a creepy dining experience! Let me start out my review by stating up front that I'm not one of those overly picky individuals. We knew this place was going to be extremely pricey, but we had a $25 gift certificate so my fiancee and I decided to eat here the other night. The interior of the restaurant is a bit depressing, reminding us of a 2nd-hand consignment shop. We opted to sit outside and were seated by the bright incandescent "Open" sign and next to noisy federal hwy. Our waiter greeted us and told us he would prepare a "special appetizer" for us "on the house" and asked if we liked pork and beef. My fiancee is vegetarian so we declined and they brought us mussels instead. So far so good. We order a carafe of white sangria and my fiance orders the $40 special paella and I get "Mario's beef" for dinner. The mussels come out, covered in an oily red sauce. In our opinion, mussels speak for themselves and dont need to be covered in a sauce, but they're just "ok". While we wait for dinner, Mario, the owner, saunters by occassionally to check up on us. He's obviously highly inebriated, mutters some things unintelligbly and walks away. We watch him as he strokes a patron on the face across from us. Later during dinner we see Mario giving another male patron a lapdance. Thank goodness we didn't bring any kids to dinner with us! Hungry, we wait in anticipation for our meals to come out. Finally, the paella and my beef comes and it's a big time disappointment! The paella was sloppy and the rice tasted like that packet instant rice you cook in a microwave. My fiancee took her knife and fork to the seafood and had to saw into it because it was so rubbery from being overcooked. Despite the fact she told our waiter repeatedly that she doesn't eat meat (only seafood), her paella came complete with pork and chicken chunks. Everything in the paella was well well overcooked. While eating, Mario swoops by with another pitcher of white sangria and without asking us, pours it into our empty glasses. I think to myself, wow, some free drinks! It's so sugary and sweet that we can't even finish it. When the check comes, we notice to our horror that the 1 carafe of sangria is $40 and the supposed "appetizer on the house" is actually on the bill. I notify the waiter about the mistake and to his credit, quickly fixes it without any hassles. The $40 sangria is a rip-off and I suspect we were billed for mario's pours. Mario then comes by with 6 x $25 gift certificates and starts laying them on our table and signing them. I think, wow, free gift certificates!?!? Mario then proceeds to have the nerve to ask me to give him $100 for all of them. We quickly decline as we will never eat there again. PS. the bathrooms are dirty. Despite having 2 towel dispensers, both were empty, leaving my fiancee to walk out with wet hands. While trying to get back to her seat, a waiter was blocking her from returning because he was so engrossed in talking up a table of men. Dont go unless you want to spend over $100 on crappy food.
(1)
Jeanne M.

We found this lovely restaurant in an unexpected area downtown. We were looking for a late lunch and wandered in as it had an unassuming appearance from the outside. It was about 3:00, so there were few people there. The interior was very nicely done and had an elegant feel. I figured we were in the wrong place. We were brought the menu and, sure enough, it was out of our budget for a simple shopping lunch, but we had missed the lunch hour and they were serving from the dinner menu. We told the waiter that we would be back another time, because the selection did look interesting. He was very nice and said he would let us choose from the lunch menu. We both ordered the roast pork. The food was delicious with the fragrant spices of fine Cuban cuisine. The portion size was also plentiful and we had enough left for lunch the next day. The owner visited us before we left and gave us a discount coupon for a dinner visit. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Dana M.

This place is amazing! The food is delicious! Mario is super sweet and will take very good care of you. I would definitely recommend this place. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Paul L.

From NYC where no one can tell me NYC doesn't have the best restaurants in the world so I wasn't expecting much from this place; I was wrong. Lets begin. The Owner: Very welcoming to the point that if you're not used to this "type" of hospitatlity, it could set you off. I'm not sure what I felt at the moment he hugged and kissed me on my cheek but I said, eh, whatever; my wife loved it. At the end of the day, I'm going to make my assessment based on the food and service not the flamboyance of the owner. Ambience, not too dark and cozy. Weight staff: My waiter winked a bit too much at my wife and my friend's G.F. but again, whatever. If a wink is going to throw me off, why am I even married. The Food: If we're talking about Cuban food and I"ve been to some really good ones in NYC, this place trumps them! I kid you not. Now most people knock off stars based not the things I've listed above but I see no point in that. It's all about the food and service. We did the combination appetizer platter. My wife and my friend's G.F. had the skirt stake and we ordered a pulled pork, pulled beef combo. The flavor ws phenomenal! The Sangria is out of this world (red)! The mojitos were amazing! They had the perfect blend of sugar and liquor; outstanding! Service: We had this MMA fighter by day, winking, suave, GOD's gift (or at least he thought he was) waiter by night that certainly knew what it took to serve and keep us happy. Aside from the winks and comical suaveness, he was perfect. Never bothered us but was always there on the call. Price: Yes it is expensive but the flavor and service makes it all worth it. Stay away if you're a penny pincher or if you feel you deserve it all because you graced the place with your presence. ha! I'll be back (from NYC) again next week. See you soon Mario! :)
(5)
Matt H.

Great food and the owner (Mario) went out of his way to make our two year old feel welcome. Major bonus points!
(5)
Emily W.

Love the appetizer sampler so delicious. Sangria and mojitos to die for!
(5)
Stephanie V.

The food was probably worth four stars but it was so overpriced that I had to knock one star off the rating. Yes, I was a tourist in Ft. Lauderdale. I asked the concierge at the Ritz-Carlton where to go for good Cuban food and he said he was half-Cuban and Mario's Catalina was by far his favorite place in the area. I was with a friend who lives in Miami and was not too familiar with the choices in the area. When we got there we were seated at a nice table outdoors on a pleasant evening. Yes, we could have left when we looked at the menu prices but we were hungry and it smelled good and we had the concierge's recommendation, so we stayed. We did experience near-constant upselling efforts from the sangria to the appetizers to the main courses. The food was all very good and the service was attentive, perhaps a little too attentive, but whatever. We had two sangrias, two appetizers, two main courses, one dessert, and two cups of herbal tea, and our check was $160 before tip. As I said: the food was very good, I'm not complaining about the food. But Cuban food is not supposed to be this expensive. I went and stayed voluntarily but I visit the area from time to time and I will never go back to Catalina.
(3)
Vicky D.

We wanted Cuban fare ... We were not dissapointed!! ... The staff, mojitos and the plentiful food were incredible! ... Tonight, Mario's Catalina Restaurant , became our favorite restaurant!! ... One caveat - the food is plentiful! Don't over order ... though, if you do, you will be hard pressed to not finish it all!! ... Delicious!!
(5)
Annabella J.

I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough!! The food was to die for and you have GOT to order the mojitos! All of our servers were very attentive and friendly and Mario himself came to check on us too. I loved it and can't wait to return!
(5)
J C.

The food here is excellent! I came here once for a holiday party and the service was excellent. Recently I returned on New Year's Eve and even though they were busy they still managed to pull of a great dinner experience. If you don't know what to try get the sampler platter. Wide variety and all of it is delicious.
(5)
Katie R.

Be prepared for an uncomfortable experience! My husband and I have tried this place twice. Both times the owner, Mario, was overly welcoming, offering free appetizers, drinks, dessert, etc. Sounds good, right? Throughout our entire meal he would constantly stop by our table and flirt with my husband. On our second (and last) visit, he even went so far as to kiss the top of my husband's head, all while looking at me for approval..? He was very well aware that we were married, and the whole experience was just uncomfortable for both me and my husband! The food was decent, good mojitos, but somewhat expensive for what it is. It's a shame because we would definitely go back if we knew my husband wouldn't be awkwardly hit on.
(2)
Marilyn M.

I travel to Ft. Lauderdale a lot, this place i tend to frequent a lot when i am there. Its on a busy street, it doesnt look like a lot from outsisde, but the inside is very very nice, and every time i am there one of the owner is always there as well, he is very nice, and offers you a drink right away for your table. Now, the food is great, tho you can find little Cuban caffes that are as good and less pricy, but the ambiance is what i love. You have to be careful they will bring stuff to your table, and added to your bill, and last time i was there i was very careful and ordered a few things so my bill did not go over 60$. Other times i have been we ended up spendiing 100 for two people, they do upsell a lot and sometimes you dont even relize it til is late. So, the food is great nothing is undercooked or anything, but be aware of all the extra offering and extra super friendly service comes with a price. The only reason why i dont give it a five start its for the upselling, everythign else is great. Enjoy a pleasant romantic evening, out in the patio if its not to chili or inside with the candle lights and soft Latin Jazz! Esta comida Cuban esta super rica, pero cuidado, se pueden encontrar con una factura bastante alta, por la razon de que les ofreceran toda clases de bebidas , aperitivos y postres pero todo tiene un precio y bastante alto. El servicio super extra amigable es para que les sea mas dificil decir no en el momento, asi que esten bien anuente a esta tactica. Pero la comida, el ambiente esta de chuparse los dedos...Le daria cinco estrella pero por precios adjuntados ademas de lo que se ordena no les doy cinco estrella. Como quiera si solo va una vez de visita a Florida, esten anuente a los precio y revisen su factura bien. Ciao
(4)
Brian L.

So, me and my business partners have explored pretty much every restaurant between SR-84 and Commercial for lunch. While driving north on Federal Highway playing the usual where do you want to go today game, I happened to see this place and made a command u-turn decision to go there. What a tremendous bit of luck. Man-o-man am I glad we made a u-turn and just ducked in here. At first blush, I though the place would be a little bit of a neighborhood joint for Cuban/Spanish food. When you walk in, however, the place turns out to be different. It is a little more upscale and classy. This not your joint-style place. Rather, the restaurant decor is a comboniation of medieval castle and renaissance palace, with the heavy drapes and crystal chandeliers. I am not saying the place is beautiful, but it shows the owner cares. This is not a bunch of rickety tables and chairs mish-mashed together. The service here was tremedous. It started with the warm greeting at the door and continued througout the whole meal. We were treated like royalty. My comments, however, may be skewed a little because I think the owner thought I was a food critic or something. I say this because he was constantly bringing us free things--at least I think they were free. Maybe that is the standarding thing there. If it is, wow. If not, I ain't complaining. It gave us a chance to really sample the menu. After ordering our dishes, we were presented with a large plate of maraquitos, covered in mojo, and accompanied by a salad. I do not know if this is a standard freebie (that is, like a bread basket equivalent) for guests, but wow was it good. The maraquitos were still warm and crunchy. The mojo was acidic and garlicky. And the salad was a perfect balance. While I hate fruit in my salad, the cubed pieces of apple hidden in the salad were just great, both for the crunchy texture, and for the slight sweetness to balance the maraquitos. I ordered the fried pork and my partners the roast pork. The owner told us the roast pork was the most popular dish, but he assured me my fried pork would be good. When he presented our dishes, he brought me a little sample of the roast pork (this is what I mean by the great service). The roast pork was full of flavor. Nothing dried out and no masking of the pork flavor. It was great. My fried pork was great as well. Fried pork is an iffy dish, because the twice cooking of the dish easily leads to dried out pork. Not a chance here. The pork was expertly prepared. The sides that came with the dish (beans, rice, etc.) were very well done. These were no after-thoughts. We did have a chance to sample a tres leches for dessert. The cake was super moist and not overly sweet. What a great little finish to the meal. I am really glad we found this place, and look forward to going back here time and time again for some great food.
(4)
Diana A.

This is a wonderful restaurant! It's our favorite place for dinner and date nights; we love it so much Mario is doing our catering for our wedding! The food is delicious, the ambience is perfect, the staff is nice and Mario is the BEST!!! If you plan on going on a Friday or Saturday is not fast food, don't expect your food in 10 minutes you should be there to enjoy the atmosphere and quality of the food and service rather than how fast you can get your food!
(5)
Bruce L.

We had a group of 11 us here we had a reservation and were seated right away. After we were seated they brought Mojitos out for everyone even though some of us don't drink alcohol or care for them. The empty Mojitos were replaced with full ones without asking if we would like another. I thought everything on the menu sounded good but I've never had Cuban cuisine before so I asked the owner what he suggested. He said that he would make something special for me. He then proceeded to take everyone's menus and said that he would make something special for the group. Mario, the owner, only asked if we all liked seafood, some didn't, and never asked if we would like any food off the menu. So, the food started coming and the first course were Empanada's, plantains, pork and chicken chunks, and a few other things and everything was quite delicious. The next course came out after about 15-20 minutes and I was served grouper and shrimp with a cream sauce and again, very tasty but not very big portions. Third course was whatever they decided to put in front of us and mine was flan. I love flan and this was about a four of five star flan. The food overall was a four but the price tag on this "I will give you something special and not let you pick" meal was $90 a person with tip. I really thought this was a classless gesture on the owners part to charge us for food/drinks that we never asked for. I've talked to others about our experience and they said it had happened to them also.
(1)
Lennox R.

Great service! Great, authentic Cuban food from the drinks to the appetizers to the entrees.
(5)
Dovile U.

This was our first trip to Catalina Restaurant and it could not have been more perfect. The food was amazing! We tried the steak and lobster and the red snapper with roast pork and shrimp in lobster sauce. Service was very friendly as the owner greeted us and took us to our seats. The drinks were great as well, especially the mojito! For dessert the flan is a must. We will definitely be going back when we return to Fort Lauderdale.
(5)
Hannah O.

I cannot emphasize how delightful my time at Mario's Catalina Restaurant was! The employees were attentive and friendly - the owner in particular was extremely charismatic and stopped by our table frequently to ask how we were doing (and even gave us a free mojito as well as sizable coupons for our next visit!). The atmosphere was nice - a cute and eclectic restaurant that felt both cozy and elegant. We went on a Friday night and while we had reservations, the restaurant wasn't overly crowded so we probably would have been fine without them. Last but not least, the food was absolutely delicious! We had the empanadas as an appetizer and they were flaky and flavorful and came with a fantastic dipping sauce. As an entree we got the garlic chicken chunks and for dessert the chocolate cake. Both the entree and dessert surpassed expectations. Overall a really lovely and pleasant experience - great food, great service, *wonderful* owner, and charming atmosphere. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some tasty Cuban food or just a really positive restaurant experience in Fort Lauderdale.
(5)
Tania A.

I went to Mario's for my Moms birthday with a Groupon and I have to say the decor was really nice and intimate. It's great for couples! I highly recommend the red Sangria it was delicious! We had Empanadas as an appetizer, they were also very good. The food was a little pricey it taste just the same as La Carreta and Las Colinas. We had one appetizer, Sangria, and 2 Entrees for $81 dollars. I ended up paying a $1 and change because I had a Groupon. GET THE GROUPON! The owner was really nice and he gave us a gift card for $50 dollars, but you have to buy 4 entrees with that gift card. I do recommend this place.I give the service a 10 the staff was great! The Sangria was so good that I just might go back to have 2 glasses of that.
(4)
Michael K.

Visiting Ft. Lauderdale from DC, I was in the mood for some good Cuban cruisine. Great Cuban food and great service is what I found at Catalina Restaurant. Mario, the owner, treated my family and I like royalty; coming by the table every now and then to make sure we were being taken care of. We sampled pretty much the whole menu and everything was delicious. Without a doubt 5 stars! Thanks Mario!
(5)
Kiki P.

This is a gem of a restaurant with fantastic Cuban and Spanish dishes and a wait staff that exceeds every expectation. The restaurant is a little pricier than average, but well worth the experience.
(5)
Aaron T.

Wife and I visited the place while we were in Ft. Lauderdale for the weekend. Food was excellent! Would love to go back but we are from Boston.
(5)
M F.

We really love this place and it has a very cool romantic atmosphere. The first time we went, the food and service were superb. Second time there, not so good. Was very crowded this time. One of the dishes very greasy/oily and fatty steak. Service was not good. Go when not crowded!!
(4)
Ed C.

New to the Fort Lauderdale area. At the suggestions of friends went to this Cuban Restaurant with three other friends. Service was good and food portions were large. The sample appetizer was great. It was a meal in itself. I ordered the roast pork and had two cocktails. A couple of friends ad the chicken garlic chunks ,which was rather greasy, and another friend had the steak. Food was ok but over priced. Dinner for 4 was over $350.00 The atmosphere was modest and tends to be a family restaurant. Babies and children were quite noisy and families taking flash pictures was very annoying. Waiters were pleasant but really kept pushing cocktails on us. We didn't have desert or coffee. All in all an ok evening but didn't think the food or ambiance was worth the price.
(3)
Alex G.

Food was good, but service was terrible. Had to wait 20 minutes to be seated, although we had a reservation, our food took a long time to come out, water glass sat empty most of the dinner, and had to ask for the check three times. By the end, we couldn't wait to leave.
(2)
Michael S.

In one word, WOW. It started at a charity fundraiser, popping a balloon and finding a gift certificate for Catalina inside. Three months later, on a weeknight where we are all running late, and a close friend showed up unexpectedly at 7:30PM and we're all hungry, wondering what's for dinner, and we decide to go to Catalina. We had NO idea what to expect. I felt a bit under-dressed for the place when we walked in, but when we were greeted by Mario at the door, any and all apprehensions were forgotten. I had the feeling I/we were in over our heads, this place is fine dining, Spanish and Cuban with the emphasis on cuisine, as in an art form. I'm looking at the $50 gift certificate we won and remember thinking that'll buy us a bottle of water. Was I ever wrong. From the time you sit down to the time you know you have to leave but don't want to, Catalina just kinda takes you over. Fresh plantain chips with homemade salsa/chimichurri is brought to the table, the wait staff offer you a wide variety of beverages from a full bar, great wine list, or simply water if you wish. The beautiful wife broke down and chose the highly recommended Mojito, and I ended up in the wine list with a nice cabernet. The meals came with a fresh greens salad, choice of entrÃ©e with sides. The wife had Jack Daniels Bourbon Pork, with perfect rice and black beans and sweet plantains. I ended up with the grilled grouper with shrimp in garlic sauce. Both servings were enough for two people, incredibly prepared, perfectly cooked, and the pork center had what seemed to be a literal shot of Jack Daniels in the center, that woke you up as you got to it. The grouper was one of the best I've ever had ever. Our friend had the chicken in garlic sauce and really enjoyed it as well. Service was excellent, water's always refilled, Mario swings by to make sure everything's as perfect as it should be, and drops off a free Mojito for the wife half way through the meal. Had to be one of the best Mojitos I've ever had too, not sure how they did it, but months/years of experimenting obviously paid off, you can't compare it to anything else in town. As we're drifting off into a food induced coma, and the ladies are getting to-go containers to take the remainder of their large portions home for lunch tomorrow, our waiter comes by with the 27 dessert choices (really about like 12? but it went on forever and all were AMAZING!), and we shared the Almond crusted Amaretto cheesecake. OMG. I need a nap, I'm done, the wife is done, our friend is well done. The check arrives. And even if they didn't deserve it in the least bit, we had to kinda look to see if all the things brought out were really on the bill. It seemed like we stole the place for what we experienced and what we paid. Carefully examining the bill, the second Mojito and a couple other things never hit the bill, and we were completely just overwhelmed with the quality, service, attention, atmosphere, we had NO issues paying the bill and leaving a very generous tip. This place is amazing, ranks up there with Le Dome, The Chart House, Morton's, Rusty Pelican with ambience, food, and service. I/we highly recommend this gem, and we're sorry we didn't try it sooner.
(5)
Michael L.

Absolutely amazing restaurant. Service was top notch! Food- heavenly! The owner Mario's personal touch was priceless. If u go anywhere in Ft. Lauderdale, it is HERE!!!
(5)
Beatrice Z.

This is my third time visiting Catalina and it was even better than the first. Owner is always present and very attentive and food is great.
(5)
Donna S.

Stopped here for lunch. We were warmly greeted and everything was delicious, especially the sangria. We both had Cuban sandwiches with homemade fries, the best Cuban I've had in a long time. Go, you will be delighted!
(5)
Cornelia C.

Went after seeing the new Woody Allen movie. The experience was like being in a Woody Allen movie. Big difference if this guy was in NY, he'd be out off business for padding bills. Food was great and then the bill came it was seriously padded. We were offered salad (not on the menu) and when the bill came found that the small salad was $10. each. Probably worth $5. Dessert came and we chose from the tray ( also not on the menu). When the bill came the cake/pie was $12. each. Probably worth &6. Now the salad and the dessert were our fault for not asking, but when the bill came it had two other charges that couldn't be explained, except to say that it was a $20.mistake. When I asked for the tax to be adjusted the server arbitrarily took another $2. off. When I asked for it to be calculated at the register he told me it was correct. Everything is hand written and there isn't any computer tracking,so it looks like he has a great cash income. Mario never came to the table to apologize. Told two other acquaintances about this and they told me that the same thing happened to them. Things on the bill they hadn't ordered. This guy needs to be stopped. Ripping off people is not nice, Mario.
(1)
Jeanely H.

From the moment we walked in for dinner Mario warmly greeted us and service was highly attentive throughout the evening. Food is fantastic and mojitos were incredible!! We were treated with complimentary mojitos at the end of the night as well. If I lived in the area I would come back as often, but we are only traveling from out of town. I highly recommend this place!!!!!!!
(5)
Mike V.

This was a totally different restaurant experience than your typical night out. I've read that some Yelpers were turned off by the experience but to me it was fun and weird. Mario, the owner was our server and he came over and told us to get the white sangria. We agreed and he brought over a whole pitcher rather than just a glass. We both had close to 3 glasses and it was delicious so I was cool with it. When my girlfriend asked Mario for a recommendation for an entree he took her menu and said "I'll take care of you honey" in his gay Cuban accent. Now some might be uptight about not getting a chance to order. But we're pretty lax and we found it exciting that the owner was going to bring us something special. The food was awesome. He ended up bringing us fried red snapper topped with lobster sauce and shrimp and some shredded pork. We were very pleased. He ended up giving us a free flan dessert. He also tried to pull his gift card game where he tells you to buy $100 you get $200. He wasn't pushy and it is a very good deal if you're going to come back a few times. Quite honestly it makes sense for both parties but I wasn't in the mood to spend an extra $100. I told him we had a great experience and that we'd be back soon. He's such a nice guy he ended up giving us $50 in gift cards and told us to come back with some friends! It was a weird night out but a lot of fun with great food and drink.
(4)
Miguel A.

Amaizing food, service is espectacular. The waitress are super profesionals and atention to details. Need to try the pork tamal, the croquetas are perfect . But the star if the night was the red snapper breaded in plantain with lobster sauce and shrimps. I am returning next week for sure.
(5)
Pamela M.

Went there for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. The ambience was excellent and the food superb. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Liz D.

This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is amazing, mojitos are yummy, and the service is wonderful. Mario can be a little pushy at times, but he has never steered us wrong! We've always enjoyed our meals - we've had everything from the skirt steak to the roast pork to the plantain crusted snapper - everything is absoluely amazing! Even my husband's Cuban family from Miami says Mario serves some of the best Cuban food they have ever had. I have read several reviews and I can understand how some may be offended by his flamboyant sense of hospitality, but Mario is an excellent proprietor. In my experiences, whenever anything has gone wrong, Mario has always remedied the problem and then thrown gift certificates, or a few extra mojitos our way to make sure that we are fully satisfied.
(5)
Jessica K.

Food and service was pretty good, but the owner was absolutely horrible. We called him over to give him a compliment, but he blew us off TWICE (maybe he assumed we were going to complain?). It's unfortunate because I would have easily visited this restaurant regularly, but because of Mario's attitude, I will never return. Never in my life have I been treated with such disrespect (especially when I spent over $250 on one meal). He literally put his hand in our face and said "one minute" when we called his name (and of course, he never returned). There are plenty of good Spanish restaurants in the area - do not waste your money here.
(1)
Wesley P.

Amazing! I had heard nothing but great things about this place and had to try it out for myself. I am so happy I did. Great food, service and Sangria. I wish this place was closer to home so that I could go more often. If your in the area this place is a must try!!
(5)
Sarah H.

Great food and great service! Mojitos and empanadas were to die for! Mario was very sweet and the ambience very nice.
(5)
Safiya B.

The red snapper is very good!! Mario the owner is always there and very nice and friendly.
(4)
Colin V.

Extremely overpriced! A glass of Sangria is $12! Come on ... The food is greasy and the bathrooms need some attention. The servers are attentive, but the food is not worth the money. For that money you can go to a really classy place with good food.
(2)
Pedro C.

What a horrible, disorganized, epic mess of a restaurant Valentines evening. Reservations mean nothing to the owner, Mario, who was disrespectful and rude to his waiting and seated customers. 1st: 45 min wait with reservations (they overbooked and it was 1st come, 1st serve and no parking), then once seated, 2nd: took twenty minutes and me getting up to find a server to get menus, water, silverware, any attention. 3rd: got sangria and empanadas as appetizers....took about 15-20minutes. 4th: although placed main course orders, the couple seated right next to us an hour after us got their entrees only 15-20 mins after their seating and food before us! That was the last straw....it was clear that we had been forgotten throughout the entire night. Food is over priced, place is dumpy (still have lighted Xmas decorations) and service was way below moderate. We left without eating (believe the food was never requested in the kitchen) and they didn't even seem to care about the loss of business/having unhappy customers. I will never waste anymore time there. Very disappointing since I have enjoyed the service in the past. Go at your own risk.
(1)
Olga S.

Gave them two starts because they are trying really really hard, but the food is not good, way overprices and I had a hair in my drink. They gave us free drinks and bottle of wine to take home, but we paid over $100 for 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert and two sangrias. Not worth it!
(2)
Steven G.

This place is horrible. Although the food was good the ambiance and staff suck. Food although good, is not worth the price. Beware of the gift card offer. Mario will show up at the end of your meal with an offer and when you say "no thank you" he will push to the point where you are uncomfortable. Ungrateful and Terrible!!!
(1)
Tom B.

We had a family dinner there on Sunday afternoon. The service was excellent, thank you Raphael and Fernando, and the food as usual was outstanding. Try the Millionaire's Cheese Cake for desert. It is really tasty.
(5)
Steven G.

While visiting the Lauderdale area we were told about Mario's and the quality of food. We were not let down. From the sangria to the quality of meat to the professional service it was fantastic. Mario is very friendly and even bought the table a pitcher of Sangria to thank us for trying the restaurant. The restaurant isn't cheap but I don't mind paying for a quality meal. Go!
(5)
Brian D.

Great food, service, and ambiance. Mario made our dinner party feel like we were family. This is a gem and you need to go. Be aware, pricing is a bit high but as always you get what you pay for.
(5)
Hector M.

I was hesitant about this place. Read bad reviews about service and such. However, everything was great...food was amazing, drinks (mojitos and sangria) were the best i've had here in 3 days, dessert (flan) melted in your mouth, SO GOOD! As for service, great! Our server, other help, and Chino were very helpful and courteous. It is pricey but "you get what you pay for." I recommend this place.
(5)
Darryl M.

This place is fantastic. Mario is over the top as is the food! Great staff and ambiance. The appetizers are bigger than most meals at other restaurants. The Churrasco is fantastic.
(5)
Victoria H.

The service was amazing. The food was good as well. The pork and tamales was delicious. The ambiance was nice. They lit candles and smiled. That's all you need. I had 3 mojitos. I'm definitely coming back again.
(5)
Laurie R.

Very bad experience. Overpriced, poor service. I had very good experiences eating at cuban restaurants in florida but this was the exception. I don't have any problem paying if the food is worth it. At fine restaurants I m used to have good bread as starter, good service because I m paying for it. At Catalina when we asked for some bread, we were given some unnecessary comment. Food not good. The owner doesn't even let the server do his job and sends all this other different people to the table doing different things. Anyways, what irritated me the most was the fact that I asked my food to go along with my friend and was given a single container with both of our food mixed all together. Gross. This place has nothing of "fine restaurant", it is a rip off.!!
(1)
Liz B.

Delicious food!!! Probably the best meal I have ever eaten. Perfect meal for the hot Florida weather. The owner is so friendly- that's a plus. You MUST try this food.
(5)
Amelia J.

The food was good however there was an unpleasant "bathroom" smell that didn't allowed me to enjoy our dinner.
(3)
Justin M.

We went to Mario's with a group of ten people this past week. We were served a combination of appetizers, entrees, and desserts all of which were phenomenal. The mojitos were great and the bar was stocked with anything one could want. The staff was friendly, lively, and catered to our every need. Mario himself circulated around the restaurant to personally ensure all guests' expectations were being exceeded. Overall it was a great experience; can't wait to return when I am back in Fort Lauderdale!
(5)
Nipi T.

Delicious. Found the place by its great reviews and we weren't disappointed. The staff is super friendly.
(5)
Scott F.

Must try the sangria! Skirt steak and grouper were awesome! Service was top notch! 5 star in my book.
(5)
Pedro A.

Mario does a fantastic job here and this is our second visit in our last two trips to the city. The Cuban dishes are delicious and the Carne Asada must be ordered (a heaping pile of juicy pork, perfectly cooked white rice and wonderfully seasoned and prepared black beans). The drinks are strong but balanced and the servers do a great job on all fronts. This is a must-go-to if you're in the area and you'll be left craving it long after you depart!
(5)
Lauren M.

Most authentic, delicious Cuban restaurant in the area! I had the Jack Daniels roast pork, and it was out of this world! Mario is the BEST!!!
(5)
Jonathan S.

Expensive but worth every penny. I've been here a few times now and every meal is exquisitely prepared fresh tasty and just amazing. One of my favorite restaurants in the United States. The owner and staff are extremely friendly and cooperative in terms of telling you anything you want to know about their menu items. The chimichurri sauce is the best I've ever had. The paella is an incredibly large portion, just be sure to call and order ahead of time so I can be ready for you upon arrival.
(5)
Loren M.

Heads up on our experience at this "crazy restaurant" the food was good, other than that it's a disaster! Our waiter had the personality of a wet paper towel, his assistant was overly rude, when he was told that my brothers food was wrong he told my brother "just eat it". My cousins wife had ordered grouper and the waiter kept asking who ordered the snapper when she asked for clarification he said "same shit". The assistant waiter and owner hit on all the men at the table, massaging them, comparing beans to volcanos as they rub them and telling them to lick the beans off each other. We joked about it but that was just the beginning of our wtf night. When the bill came we couldnt read it, the total was astronomical, when we asked for someone to explain it we were told "the owner was shut down for the night" although he had just been standing by us and was now clearly at the bar. After not wanting to discuss the bill they cut off the a/c and music. On top of that the waiter told us that we could take $30 off his tip cuz "he didn't give a fuck". Mario then came back from his short hiatus to discount $100 off the bill in order to get us out of there. Beyond all of this we asked the waiter if gratuity was added and he said he wasnt sure that they did usually but not today. Needless to say I'm sure he was tipped double! If your looking for a restaurant that will cause awkwardly tense moments, offer worse mathematical equations than physics could ever offer, or just a crazy story to talk about for hours then eat here!
(1)
Doug V.

Before I get into this extraordinary meal, let me say I did look over the reviews and I almost didn't come based on what was recently posted. I'm glad I came. First off, I don't now anything about Cuban, Caribbean, or other regional cuisines. But, without qualification, I think I know food from a laymen's perspective. Lets qualify and debunk some recent comments. First off, be prepared to lay out your nose to eat here. Appetizers are $15-20; entrees $25-50. A meal for two which included two Mojito's, an appetizer, two entrees, two desserts, and one coffee con leche was $160. It was expensive, but worth the cost. The bill is still written,so you must decipher someone's hand writing but the cost is clearly printed and you can add the bill to make sure you aren't paying for something you didn't receive. But, I did not get the impression Mario's was anything less than honorable and conducted themselves with great integrity. So, get beyond the cost of the meal and get beyond that the bill is hand written and come enjoy an extraordinarily wonderfully prepared meal. First, when we entered, a Bentley was parked out front. It's probably Mario's but this should have been a clue to Mario's Catalina. Upon entering, Mario himself- a well manicured, well dressed, cordial person- rushed over, introduced himself shaking our hand, and seated us. None of this "do you have a reservation" "or, please, wait one minute"... He immediately ushered us to an empty table and started offering us drinks. Dad and I had the Mojito's. Damn good. A few minutes later, we ordered our only appetizer, the Tamal with Pork. The tamale wasn't stuffed with the pork as you might find in Mexican cuisine, but instead, the tamale is traditionally prepared, wrapped in banana leaves, and topped with various spices and sauces. Next to it was a large helping of some of the most succulent pork I have ever had. Tasty, juicy, wonderful. The menu says this is for two, but, it could have fed more... Or, this could have been the meal,itself. Our entrees included the roast pork and the red snapper. Let me tell you,the shrimps that came with the meal were huge- each one was the size of a small adult hand. I will admit the shrimp was slightly,overdone, but still tasty. We finished off with my favorite, flan, and dad had tres leche cake. Oh, coffee con leche for me. I'm not going to get into the specifics of the meal. Bottom line is if you can afford the price tag, then you will enjoy this wonderful meal; you will enjoy the attentiveness of the staff who cater to your every need before you even know you need to be catered to, and in the end, you will appreciate your evening. Mario brought us two more Mojito's on the house,then gave us two coupons that are each worth $25 off you next visit. We had a very good time, left stuffed, satiated and will gladly return, though not anytime soon- dad owns a Toyota Corolla, not a Bentley.
(5)
Corinne A.

Visiting from NY - Had the beef empanadas and the seafood paella. Best Cuban food I've ever had! Monitors are great, they even gave us a second round on the house. The owner Mario is very attentive and the staff treats you like royalty. If you are in the area, this is a must!
(5)
Stuart F.

Last night was really looking forward going to Marios with good friends. What a mistake, food was just ok. I wanted a salad and was told by waiter Mario only gives a salad as a gift when he feels like it. Ok no salad i could still live with that, when bill came couldn't read one thing and was totaly shocked to see the only thig we could read was the finnal price of $380.00 we had a groupon coupon for $150.00 so it still cost us $230.00 with no liquor. That was not even the worst Maorio comes over to the table and begins to actuually deal $25.00 coupons to the table and says i will sell u $150.00 worth of coupons and give u $100.00 in free coupons. I was appeled and totally in shock what a way to ruin a night. Mario is a real con man . Billl couldnt read and was not only paded and no one would explain charges, but then to have the nerve to try and hussel us to buy coupons for his restaurant. I will never go back and Mario ruined my total evening. By the way i never got my salad...
(1)
Kenny K.

Went to Catalina's on a date. It was a good candle light setting for a date. Fantastic service! Food was worth the price. And Mario is an incredible owner! We will be back!
(5)
Paula S.

It was a groupon and with the previous reviews made me want to try it but not worth the expense without groupon
(2)
Shon S.

Unbelievable good food. No bad item on the menu. Highly recommended. Skirt steak and shrimp is fantastic.
(5)
Anabell O.

This place was incredible!! From the time you walked in being greeted and seated by the owner gave it a family feel. It was a simple but yet elegant decor the chandeliers gave it a special touch. The food was amazing!! Starting with the Catalina Platter which was a mix of empanadas, pork, croquetas and some plantain chips. The flavors were beyond my expectations. Every bite was more explosive than the last. The choices on the menu really opened your appetite. The flank steak great, fried red snapper great, shrimp great!! The sangria was the best we ever had. Last but not least the desert demonstration was mouth watering; chose the flan and it was beyond delicious. The service was great!!! They made the birthday celebration an excellent experience. Mario the owner really caters to each table. I recommend this restaurant for excellent food, great service and an amazing ambiance!!!
(5)
Steve N.

Sorry but i dont do drugs so i cant believe the prior reviews. This place was a ripoff. Prices were high even by nyc standards. I ordered the steak and lobster . It was a langoustine overcooked and overspiced with a small piece of reasonably tasty skirt steak for $60 .the paella advertised for one was $6o and was really for two but rice was overcooked prob reheated dessert was stale and it wad $12 a piece. I would NEVER return
(2)
Rich B.

Ok where do i begin with this place. Well we got a Groupon cause we were heading down to Lauderdale for a long weekend. Arrived at the place kinda has like a old italian joint kinda vibe. We were seated right away waiter was very overly attentive...brpund out some fried plantains in sorta a chimichurri sauce.. they were pretty good. Ordered empenadas for appi which was good also very filling they give you alot the gave us salad on the house...wife ordered salmon which she said was ok i had marios favorite or something like that again tastey...had a glass of sangria which was best part of the meal afterwords we got the attemled shakedown but still got a free dessert. The odd and sort if uncomfortabe part of the meal was the chef standing in the dinning room watching everyone eat. There was dort of a creepiness to it. As we were leaving Mario pulls up into the parking lot.. Introducing himself and insisted we to go back in and have a drink hes a pretyy hyper guy too. After declining he said wait a minute and ran to the trunk of his car. Instead of the shotgun that i thought he was going to pull out he gave us 2 $25 certificates for dinner. All in all the food was ok...but over priced service was good and the owner and chef are creepy would i go bavk....maybe
(3)
Vicky C.

The food here was some of the best I've ever had! My fiance and I had the mussels to start, which were cooked perfectly. He had the garlic chicken and I had the roast pork (lechon) and sangria. Everything was delicious! There were a lot of people complaining that they had a reservation and couldn't get a table because it was so packed. My advice- skip the wait and sit at the bar... the bartender was awesome! Very nice, attentive, and the bartending is fun to watch.
(5)
Jennifer N.

Amazing! Stopped in here passing it by and read great reviews! The plantain chips with chimi sauce that were complimentary were so good! I had the vaca Frita and it was legit the best I've had! Complimentary flan at the end was a nice touch and the staff was very attentive. The coconut mojito was so so so good! No complaints :)
(5)
Jathy G.

The staff & owner are superb & cater to your every want. The food is exquisite. This is real authentic cuban cuisine & will continue making the 45min drive to enjoy this place
(5)
Sunny D.

Very good! Authentic Cuban- mojitos are a must here! Portion sizes are good and romantic atmosphere. Great choice for a local, more upscale dining experience.
(4)
Nick P.

The best dining experience in Fort Lauderdale! As a fourth time returning patron of the Catalina, I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal. The mojitos are fabulous and the snapper delightful. I highly recommend visiting Mario's if you are in the area. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Guadalupe C.

Don't go.... Don't go.....Worst experience ever. I bought a groupon for $150 and The only restriction was for 4 people. When we got there with my mom, husband, toddler and me pregnant the server was so rude saying we need 4 adult (no 3 and a kid) plus we need to drink 4 alcoholic beverages (we don't drink alcohol) anyway we stood up and leave, and then came the owner trying to convince us to stay and gave us free coupons for next time (we will never come back) we couldn't stand the way that server was talking. Another scam was the price of the menu. I saw a snapper for $35.99 on the web and when I got there the same dish was $41.99 ???????? I will never ever go back again.
(1)
Summer R.

We decided to try this restaurant with a Groupon deal we bought. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked in the doors. It was really nice inside. Very nice decor and the tables had white table cloths and a long taper candle on each table. The service was excellent. We had many different people service our table. We started with their recommended mojito and sangria. The mojito was ok but not amazing. The sangria was really good but sweet. I didn't like the crushed ice in it though. We both ordered the skirt steak and shrimp house special. It came with a salad, white rice/black beans, and sweet plantains. The food was very good. We were surprised with the prices on the menu though. From looking on the internet before we got there, it seems they raised the prices on all of the entrees. I don't feel the dinner was worth $40?! There were only 2 shrimp and 2 plantains on the plate. We overheard from another table that we could have gotten yellow rice instead of white rice after we already ordered. Our waiter did not mention this to us. The owner of the restaurant was very nice and gave us another round of drinks on him! At the end, they brought over a large tray of almost 20 desserts to choose from. We decided on the quatro leche cake. It was very good. For $12, I would have thought the portion would have been larger. I recommend this restaurant if you have a coupon only. It was overpriced for Cuban food. Besides that, the atmosphere and service is top notch.
(3)
Alexander R.

Place trust in the critical reviews! Read all of the negative reviews first before you decide to venture out to Mario's Catalina. There are a lot of unsavory business practices at work here. The owner is shady and this place is a rip-off! It absolutely does NOT deserve a 5-star rating! The food is unexceptional and extremely overpriced and the portions are small. I will never eat here again!
(1)
Hope W.

Amazing Restaurant! The atmosphere is beautiful and the owner Mario is ever-present, making sure that the patrons are receiving his best. This was my first time dining at Mario's Catalina Restaurant and now I can say unequivocally it is the first of many visits to come. The food was delicious. I had the grilled grouper with shrimp and my boyfriend had the Jack Daniel's Roast Pork followed by a piece of heavenly Pistachio Cheesecake. All were beautifully presented and more tasty than they were beautiful. Our server was awesome and made us feel so welcome. This has now become my favorite S FL restaurant.
(5)
Carlos B.

Mario takes the terms rudeness and cramming to the highest level i have experienced in my life. A business associate and his employees invited me to have dinner this evening. We went in, were seated, and the next thing we noticed is that huge trays of appetizers appeared without anyone ordering them. When I confronted the owner, he became aggressive to the point of leaving the appetizers but saying out loud that they were not for me. Since i was the guest of honor, i let it pass. Later, i ask the owner, while he was serving water to the other guests in my table, to bring me some sparkling water, he told me to wait for the waiter to take my order. this was just too much so we left. So i don't know how is the quality of the food, but i close this review as i started, Mario is extremely rude and he pushes his food to his customers. There are so many great restaurants in South Florida, that you should not risk being overcharged by Mario, or being offended by his rudeness.
(1)
Shanice F.

Amazing restaurant fantastic service!looks a little shady from the outside but once you step in very romantic and it really good scenery. everything in their taste delicious everything I put in my mouth was fantastic great to go on a date,food is about $30 a plate but so worth it! The only thing I could really say I is I wish the portions were bigger because the food is just that greatI would definitely recommend
(4)
Evan T.

Found Mario's Catalina while looking for a good spot to get lunch while picking up tuxes for a wedding we were in town for. Walked in, saw the fine interiors and the dinner Menu, and was about to leave because we were just looking for a quick 10~15 dollar lunch. That's when Chino saw myself and my friend and would not let us leave without first seeing the actual lunch Menu. I wanted a Cuban Sandwich, but Chino wouldn't let me order that (but he did promise me if I didn't love what he recommended, he would take it back and make me a Cuban sandwich). I've been around enough to know that when a Host is pushing his restaurant so hard the food is either amazing, or awful. In this case, it was amazing. The best friend plaintains I've ever had were a side-dish to the best take on roast pork I've had in a decade. The moros (rice dish) was new to me, and was equally astounding as the rest. I didn't think I'd have time to come for dinner that weekend, but I did come back with 2 more friends Sunday for lunch (fair warning, lunch is more expensive on weekends, a great deal more), where we were even more blown away by the food than I was on Friday for lunch. The grouper was amazing, the mojitos were the best we'd ever had, and Mario comped us a few things, and we spent 2 hours just absolutely enjoying the great food. I will go to this restaurant any time I am in this part of Florida from now on, and would highly suggest others do as well.
(5)
Richard A.

Nine of us went to Catalina Restaurant the day after Christmas. The food was outstanding and the service was fantastic. We were seated in what looked like a private dining room. We ordered the Red Sangria for all of us and everyone really liked it. It was loaded with apples and other fruit. We then ordered the appetizer sampler for the table. It was loaded with fried plantains, beef empanadas, grilled meat and chicken. Everyone at the table thought that it was great. All of us really enjoyed our entrees. We shared four different deserts and each were wonderful. Mario, the owner, and his staff really made us feel welcome. Just a great experience.
(5)
HairsbyChristine F.

1st time eating at Catalina's and probably last! What a scam! Upon arriving to a parking lot with a valet, but not really being helped too well, we entered the back of restaurant and walked thru the small tables until we arrived at the front of restaurant and bar! WIERD... After being seated, our waiter Johnny proceeded to tell us about their Many specials in such a monotone rehearsed way that it was quite confusing! He seemed very knowledgable, but not only was I confused, but the other 3 at our table were too. The food was very tasty, the plantains chips they brought to the table were good, I thought the salad was also good. I ordered the Skirt steak with garlic shrimp($40) which I thought was way overpriced with 3 little shrimp.. We also had dessert which was very good. They had also brought us each a drink at different times and told us they were in the house....WRONG. Now, the scam begins..... Johnny brings us over these cards and deals them out on the table like a card game, telling us that we can use these for next time which we thought was pretty cool.....WRONG... When we received our scribbled bill, which we could hardly make heads or tails of, i noticed the drinks that they said were on the house........ were NOT. Then, when our credit card comes back, there is $300 extra charged, because those were the FREE CARDS they gave us for $600 worth of food..... OMG I guess they figure if you're already spending that kind of money, you won't even pay attention! UNBELIEVABLE After correcting the bill, the owner Mario comes over and proceeds to shuffle $400 worth of coupon cards for $200! ... We declined the offer... To finally end this night, we had to get our own keys from the valet which was no longer there and walk to our own cars....... AT LEAST WE SAVED A FEW BUCKS ON THAT! Just so WIERD of an experience that I've NEVER had in my life! WILL NOT GO BACK
(2)
Thomas K.

This the greatest place in earth, ok maybe not earth but the food is great and the personal service is outstanding. If you are in Ft Lauderdale and miss this, shame on you.
(5)
Shasha G.

Came today to have a late dinner and the sign said it close at 11pm and online here at 11pm but it was close! A lady outside said weekdays they close at 10pm and the sign outside is old. Long story short is I would call before making the drive next time.
(1)
Troy B.

This place has a wry charm. The quirky decor and chandeliers are fun. The staff was friendly and jovial. The manager recommended two of the specials that were really good, the snapper shrimp and a pork disk. Everything was really good and enjoyable, plantain chips, croquettes and the entrees. They gave us a complimentary serving of tres leche cake for desert too. I would definitely go back
(3)
Robert S.

Save yourself the trouble. This place serves terrible food that is completely overpriced. We waiting 90 minutes for a paella that came out cold and tasted like sea water. Another couple at the table ordered the seafood for two, which included some free hair. The most unacceptable part was having the staff spit spanish slurs at me when I spoke up about the paella. If there is a "Worst-of" for Broward County then this one is certainly on the list.
(1)
Joanna L.

Mario's Catalina restaurant is, in my opinion, one of the finest in the Fort Lauderdale area and beyond. I have eaten in 5 star restaurants all over the country but I would have to say, an evening spent at Mario's is like OMG! . Not only is the cuisine exquisite and the ambience divine, but the moment you enter you know it will be special. The warmth that you feel when Mario greets you and escorts you to your table, the sweeping glance at the beautiful artwork adorning the walls, the graciousness of your waiter, the table beautifully set. Mario's is not dinner out, it is a dining experience. Love you, Mario for ramping up the South Florida restaurant scene and making a night out feel so "special".
(5)
Charles L.

Mario was a great host! We decided to eat here on our first night in Ft. Lauderdale which happened to be Christmas Day. After reading the raving reviews on here and OpenTable, we decided to give it a shot. The ambiance of this restaurant is unbeatable. The music, the lighting, the decor were perfect. We had the pork chunks (masa) and the Jack Daniels pork. Both were delicious!! Mario also gave us free sangrias and comped our coconut cake since it was Christmas (what a great guy!!!) Needless to say, we will definitely be back if we are in the area again.
(5)
Matthew W.

I had dinner there this week after finding a Groupon for the restaurant. The service and level of attentiveness was far above expectations. I had the mussels appetizer, which was in a flavorful red sauce. The garlic shrimp entree was a generous size that was cooked properly. The owner, Mario, treated us like long-time guests even though it was my first time there. I felt like a member of his family. It is definitely worth a return trip.
(5)
David K.

I rarely write Yelp reviews but given the negative reviews of Mario's and my experience tonight, I felt that I should chime in. I am in town on business. I've had very good, authentic, Cuban food before and my Cuban in-law recommended Mario's. I almost did not go because of the negative reviews. I went, and am very glad that I did. It lived up to my experience and expectations. 1) The parking lot is fine, and the parking attendant was very attentive. No problems. 2) Entering the back of the restaurant is not odd, and it is a lovely and comfortable space. 3) Mario, the owner, is very engaged but not pushy. Not once did anyone offer us any sort of coupons. Not once did I feel pressured or uncomfortable. The quality of his engagement is rare these days and should be valued, not disparaged. 4) The wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable,. There was no language barrier. 5) The food was delicious, plentiful, and well presented. 6) The drinks were well made, balanced, and flavorful. (Finding a good mojito is hard, and Mario's makes a good mojito.) 7) We arrived late, 8ish, and left just before 11PM. We never felt rushed. If I had to complain about something, I'd say that the food could use a bit more spice. Other than that, this is a superb dining experience.
(5)
Phoebe R.

Yes. Just yes. My boyfriend has concierge like duties where he works and we're fortunate enough to be able to try many different restaurants and attractions on the DL to get a real feel of them. Mario's was one of the many options that fell onto Michael's desk and we decided to give them a go tonight. Right off of Fed Highway, I've passed the Catalina a million times and haven't paid much attention. I LOVE Cuban cuisine but am pretty picky with it. Luis was our server, he was fast, efficient and friendly. I think he had the whole floor tonight (off season, so not very busy) and he did a phenomenal job paying each guest attention. Each staff member was professional and really worked together to make service exceptional (can you tell that we work in hospitality based on noticing this?) Michael had a few mojitos and they were the best either of us had ever had. I got red sangria and it was great! Each table has their own bottle of water so it's nice that you don't need to wait for a refill. There are also plantain chips with what I think was a chimichurri salsa (rather than bread) which were great! We ordered empanadas for an appetizer, they were very fresh and a large portion! My entree was a skirt steak with shrimp. Holy smokes, this skirt steak was great. Also holy smokes, these shrimp were great. Every item on my plate was perfect, I didn't want to stop eating. My boyfriend ordered snapper and loved his too! It also came with shrimp which had the same sauce as the snapper. At the end of our meal we were offered dessert. They all looked delicious but we couldn't let our eyes be bigger than our stomachs. We tried Cuban Espresso and it was one of the best I had ever had. Rich and smooth, it can't be beat. The ambiance is very romantic. There are nice paintings hung all over, they play jazz softly and each table is lit by candlelight. Yes, the check was a bit high for two people but we had SO much food and two fantastic drinks each. I had no qualms with paying that price tag for the service we received. Needless to say, we'll be back and will be bringing friends.
(5)
N A.

I had dinner here last night for the first time w/a groupon. I'm in the neighborhood and have driven by this place millions of times, but for some reason just never went in because the outside doesn't really give you any sense that it's worthwhile. But I was stunned upon walking inside last night. The interior is lovely - romantic, dark, inviting and most of all QUIET!!! It's so rare these days to go out and be able to really have a conversation over a good meal. You're always fighting either the loud music, the waiters who can't wait to take your plate away, or the screaming kids that some parent brought to place where kids shouldn't be. I know, I sound pretty cranky. But I don't care, when you make reservations to dine out an a nice restaurant & you're willing to pay for a quality meal, I think you should expect certain things. When you arrive, you are served a bowl of friend plantain chips in a fresh, veggie, onion, oil mix that is terrific. Very tasty. It was all I could do to not scarf down the entire bowl. My friend & I both ordered fish entrees (snapper & grouper). They were excellent. Fish was fresh, it was not over-cooked, perfectly prepared. Sauce on mine was just enough, the chef didn't drown it. Each dish came with jumbo shrimp and they too, were tender and perfectly grilled. Small serving of rice & plantain accompanied the entrees and black beans were served family-style in a bowl. They were very good, not too salty but with plenty of flavor. We didn't plan on drinking but the waiter said they were known for their mojitos so my friend ordered one and I decided to try the white wine sangria. Both drinks were off the charts delicious. Desserts came on a huge tray - a good dozen selections. We shared a slice of guava cheesecake. It was good, not stellar. Next time I'll try either flan or tres leches and it's more likely they make these on premises. The other cakes clearly came from a commercial bakery. I would give the place 5 stars but for 2 things. First, their prices are CRAZY high, even when compared to some of the top zagat-rated establishments in fort lauderdale. And secondly, they REALLY need to get some vegetables onto their menu. There wasn't a single veggie to order - even as a side dish. Finally, they need to figure out a way to make the exterior and the entrance from the parking lost more inviting. When it rains (as it did last night) you are wading through a puddle under their awning to get to the door. This would not require a lot of money, just a good landscaper to help spruce the place up and make the entrance more clear. Find a way to lower your prices just a bit, and I'd be a once-a-week regular.
(4)
Mike R.

I went there with my wife and son. We had the best meals ever. My skirt steak was made to perfection my wife had the seafood mix and said she's never had anything as good and my son had the grouper which was so good that he wouldn't even give his mom a bite. The bill for 3 entrees 2 appetizers 1 dessert 2 waters and 1 coke was $174.00, $210. with tip definitely pricey but you have to splurge every now and again. I would and do highly recommend Mario's Catalina
(5)
Todd F.

I've eaten many, many great meals in my life. Hands down this MEAL from beginning to end is something you only hear about or see on TV. Thank you Mario & Johnny for taking care of us so well! We came from LA and will make sure this is a stop on every trip we take!
(5)
Matty E.

A must go to when visiting Fort Lauderdale! Delicious, authentic Cuban food made with love. The mojitos and sangria will have you wanting to order at least a pitcher of each. Make sure you order the mussels as an appetizer.. Incredible!
(5)
Min D.

Love this Place!!! The food is amazing and I know for a fact it is because it is better than my cooking :( And they deliver through yelp!!!!
(5)
James R.

Mario's is one of the outstanding restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale for all the right reasons. The food is very good, the service is friendly and treat you like an old customer even if its your first visit. During the season you better make reservations or plan on a sizable wait. Mario is usually the first person to greet you and he makes several appearances throughout the meal. He is perfect as a host and you leave feeling like a welcome family member. Its a long drive from Boca to Mario's and we pass a lot of good Latin restaurants but we found it to be worth it.
(4)
Jerry O.

It's worth the trip just for the sangria but don't stop there. The shrimp cocktail is delicious and the Lechon Asado was superb. The best meal I've eaten in a long long time.
(5)
Alex P.

I and my friends used to love going to this restaurant. The owner is very charismatic, however, in a consistent basis they will overcharge the bill. whether it is an extra $5 or $30 for a large party. I love the food there however I will never go back.
(1)
Albert D.

This place is great!!! Recommended by hotel concierge. The cab over was long but so worth it. All the food was amazing. The mojitos are so good it got out of hand quick with extras coming. Police officer was sitting next to us as was clearly jealous of the drinks. I told her it was fair cuz we can't drink and carry so she can't either. This place is the greatest and we will come back when it town next year!!!!! Greatest Cuban food ever!!!!
(5)
Lisa C.

I ordered the grilled Grouper from the menu, it was breaded, greasy and smothered in a white sauce...not good!. White rice & black beans were ok. The plantains-chips with the garlic sauce were good, the salad....nothing special. The sample platter was good. Service was mediocre . The restaurant was busy....maybe that's why Mario, the owner and, the wait staff seemed overwhelmed, and dismissive at times. The food is definitely overpriced, and so is the sangria if you don't keep count. The restrooms need TLC. They are dated, and filthy! Yuck! One last thing. Beware of the 2 for the price of 1 gift certificates Mario offers when the check comes, or on your way out. This is a true Mario's tactic to keep you coming. ( here is where Mario forgets he was dismissive all night, and suddenly becomes your friend) in his words " I only offer this certificates to people I like, or to my friends". Not true! Make sure you check your bill carefully for hidden charges. No reason to go back!
(2)
JorHay Z.

Holy Crap! This place has good food but way overpriced and shady business practices. It is my birthday tonight and I asked for a good Cuban meal for my birthday. My wife looked online and found Catalina. The server Jonny was nice and knowledgeable but kind of awkward. We were with a party of 10 - all friends and family. The dinner was okay. Food was very good. Service when food came out was spotty. Servers were handing out incorrect dishes to guests and saying "Oh, just eat it". Ok. Whatever. At the end of the dinner the bill came in with a whopping $640. We could not make heads or tails of the hand written bill they presented us with. We were able to see that they charged us $60 for sparkling water when we did not ask for it. When we asked to speak to someone, our server said "The owner is done and has shut down for the night" (meanwhile he was at the bar). Then he told us "just take 30 off the bill - I don't give a shit" . So awkward. As our party sat there reeling from confusion and trying to figure out the bill, the server came to tell us "this place is weird.. weirdest place I've ever worked... sometimes the owner tells us to take off our shirts and we do it". Then another server came and said take 100 off the bill. This appeased us enough to pay and get out; but it has been 3hrs and our entire party is still sitting around talking about it. We still think the bill was padded and feel taken advantage of. I love the memories and laughs but will NEVER come back here. On top of the unprofessional service & billing, our guests were made to feel uncomfortable. We are all open minded people but some male guests were made to feel awkward with gay innuendos and comments from Fernando (the server) and Mario (the owner) referring to some guests as "baby", & telling another guest to lick sauce drippings off of his wife. When the cake came out for my birthday, EVERY guest received a full slice of cake WITH a candle. I should have been the only guest to receive a piece of cake, but they were handed off to everyone. Most guests did not even want dessert. I am not sure if the cost of the cake was in the bill since we could not decipher it; but would not have paid for it. It is is a shame since the food was good; but the service and ambiguity of billing will ensure that I (or family members) will never return.
(1)
Ash D.

Wow! Who knew... This place is an absolute gem . Perfect date spot... romantic interior and dimmed lighting with chandeliers over each table... Top notch service and food. Lobster paella is to die for with mussels, scallops, fish, lobster and lots of it... We also ordered the big appetizer sampling plate..good for 4-5 people. white sangria is a must have with apples, peaches, strawberries and oranges, well marinated.... So flavorful and so refreshing. I have been living in FTL for 7 yrs... First time being in this restaurant.. I wish I could bring the time back. Enjoy!
(4)
T. B.

This place is a gem! My husband and I are foodies of sorts, and he has been in the restaurant business for 25 years, and we usually find at least one thing about a restaurant that is not quite right. But there was nothing that needed fixing here...the food was absolutely amazing, the service impeccable, the sangria fantastic! Usually pork seems to be dry, but the tamal with pork was so extremely juicy and flavorful. The skirt steak was to die for and the quatros leches cake was delicious! I just can't get over how much I enjoyed this little gem! Go!!
(5)
Ryan S.

Use to love this place I'm not sure what happen but I see the reviews are true about the hustle we were finish with dinner and we has gift certificates. So we wanted to pay with them Mario came by and said your bill is $313.00 you pay $200.00 you good you go bye. Literally that is what he said. I was like ok here's our $200.00 in gift certificates. He said no you pay cash. Well we wanted to use our GC. Well then you pay $113.00. Well wifey and I eat here multi times love the food and the sangria's are the bomb. But like I said I'm not sure what happened here. The other thing is. We were a party of 4 with one child. No where is there a written or said if you have a party of 5 or more gratuity will be added. Now even if there wasn't anything like that. If you could read the bill that was handed to you. Well not knowing there was gratuity I left a tip also. The server that really didn't deserve a great tip in the first place because he wasn't that great got a great tip. Then you would see it well couldn't read it or understand the bill. Now normally I would say something but we were celebrating a special occasion so I didn't want to make a scene. So we paid the bill and left. The people we were with were blown by what just happened it was the joke for the rest of the night but I felt so bad that this happened. If I would have written a review in all my previous visits they would have gotten 4 or even 5 stars. But they are only getting 1 star because I have read the other reviews here and it's happening all over on other reviews. SO THIS PLACE IS A STAY AWAY I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND. STAY AWAY.
(1)
Josh B.

Ate here tonight and was pleasantly surprised. First time here and wasn't sure what I was getting into. The owner, Mario, couldn't of been more pleasant and welcoming. The food was great and the service was unbelievable. During the meal, Mario brought us Mojitos on the house and also complimentary cheesecake deserts that were top notch. He even fed the cheesecake to me, which was was pretty hilarious. I would definitely recommend this place as a nice, fancy, great date spot. Bon Appetite. -JB
(5)
Tatiana R.

Went there for a Father's Day dinner for the first time and everything was AMAZING! I had the steak & shrimp that was so much, I had to take home lol. My bf had the lobster that he wouldn't shut up about it being so good. They serve some fried plantains with a sorta pico salsa that was really tasty. Even though we were stuffed, I really wanted dessert. The chocolate monster = chocolate heaven!! We met the owner, Mario, who was so nice and attentive. He made sure our first experiencing would be a lasting one. Along with some complimentary sangria :). We will definitely be returning in the future.
(5)
Andy K.

We made it to Catalina after reading reviews on yelp, and felt we had uncovered a hidden gem. We were warmly greeted by Mario, and were treated with excellent service throughout the evening. The food was delicious, and the mojito's are some of the best I've ever had. It was a bit pricey, but if you want to splurge, this is the place. We opted for the chicken with garlic dish, and it was perfectly prepared. The desert couldn't be resisted, and it was delicious as well. The tres leches looked divine, but we ended up choosing the chocolate cheesecake. You won't regret your visit.
(5)
Amanda R.

Amazing service and food!!! OMG! SO GREAT!! Or as the Spanish speaking people would say...Hay Dios Mio!!! We had Fried Plantains in Chimichurri sauce (ON THE HOUSE). An amazing salad with EVERYTHING on it! (on the house again!!) a mojito and a red sangria (on the house once again!!!!) We (paid for) a delicious Argentinian skirt steak meal with sautÃ©ed onions and chimichurri sauce that came with black beans with white rice and sweet plantains, and the Mario's BEEF carnitas with sautÃ©ed onions and it came with sweet plantains and black beans and white rice. We also ordered for desert the Tres Leches (cake made with three sweet creams...condensed sweet milk, whipped cream and milk) it was sooo delicious and we also ordered the Quattro Leches (same as the Tres Leches but topped with caramel!) and two Cuban Coffees. The food was all so amazing but more amazing was the service!! The entire crew of employees, managers, chefs and business owners were working together like a well oiled machine! I do not know why we received the FREE appetizer, FREE gourmet salads, FREE mojito and sangria but I think it is just because we were complimenting the staff, management, and ownership SO much on their awesome team work, customer service and ambience!!!! Everyone there was so humble, so attentive, so sweet and JUST INCREDIBLE!!! I don't live around here but when I return to the area, I will definitely be back to Mario's Catalina Restaurant!! The business owner Mario gave us a lot of attention and made us feel like VIPs! The manager named Rafael was serving the patrons of the restaurant like a server would but with so much humility and heart!! The server Johnny was fun, knowledgable and ON POINT with terrific service and another server (female, Spanish heritage, blonde) helped us too; she was awesome too and made our Cuban coffees, the chef made his way out to the tables to greet everyone. There was a "table busing person" (adult female of Spanish heritage) who was also so incredibly sweet!! The meal, ambience, and service at Mario's Catalina Restaurant was truly exceptional, exceeded expectations; was memorable and affordable!!! IT IS A **MUST** WHEN VISITING FORT LAUDERDALE!
(5)
Brian M.

visiting Florida wanted to try some Cuban food. I herd this place had a great Cuban press sandwich but unfortunately I missed lunch and they were on dinner. I choiced just to have the Catalina Platter Assortment. The flavor of the Tamal with Pork,Breaded Ham Croquettes,empanadas and charbroiled then stewed pork with a great marinade sauce. All these were excellent and even got me saying wow. They have a great Flan for dessert but the portions of the desserts are small and are almost $10 each that is pretty steep. I highly recommend Catalina.
(4)
Omar A.

Excellent food, service and attention to detail. The owner himself is there to greet you and check up on you. Food was much better than average. They even sent us home with so free treats.
(5)
Hector G.

Ok the food was good. Immediately stop there, the service was extremely weird and perplexing. It started off by a waiter that was a Ninja that stated what we where going to order may not meet his standards that he would reorder for you. The assistant waiter completely did not care what anyone ordered. He also told me if he got my wife dirty that I can lick it off. This same waiter was massaging the other men out of a 9 person party, the birthday boy was called his baby. When the magical patrons that we did not order showed up I quickly asked what tab are these on the owner disappeared. The birthday party was forced into 9 slices of cake, what the hell happened? At the end of the party we received a bill that nobody could read. The bill was abracadabra 634 plus dollars!!! Hell no we started reviewing the bill and it was impossible to read. When we complained he ninja stated that the place was totally special and crazy and that he didn't give "a fuck if we reduced his tip". We asked if the tip was included and the waiter stated that it depended and maybe. Please note that we where a party of couples plus a single man. The single man was charged double and he said that the cash tip should reimburse his portion, hummmm. We were deciphering the code on the bill the ninja came over and stated the bill was reduced 100 bucks by magic! Boom!!! When we asked for the owner it was stated that he shut down and would not deal with us again. We could clearly see him from where we were sitting. We paid, left and complained the entire night.
(1)
Jess H.

We were watching Godfather II when we left home to come here to eat. It felt like we walked onto the set of the part in Cuba when we got here - in a good way. Old school chandeliers and decor are the first thing you'll notice. Then how crowded and lively it is. Mario, the host and owner, seemed to know everyone's name. The food was very good. Like others here, Mario treated us at the end of our meal with free wine, flan and gift certificates. I would have come back with my parents-in-law anyway, but that just gave us an extra push. Really enjoyed my Argentinian steak. The complimentary plantains appetizer was very good. And my husband liked his salmon, thought it was a bit undercooked. The red wine sangria made up for that, though! Overall, we had a very nice time here and will come back. It feels like you're in the 1950s, but the quality of the food is very good.
(4)
Lauren I.

Service was great! Everyone was so attentive. The food was amazing! I can't wait to go back! Thank you Chino for making our first time the best time!
(5)
Erick Morejon C.

This place is amazing the food is delicious and flavorful. The atmosphere is beautiful and relaxing, Mario is super attentive and nice. I love the food, the candlelit dinners, and the great staff. Our servers name was Ruben he was awesome and made great suggestions, but beware of the desert tray it will definately make you weak on your strict diet.
(5)
John P.

Very good food our waiter Louie very nice and the owner Mario highly recommend the sampler platter and the skirt steak with garlic shrimp
(4)
Yolanda E.

I can't say enough about this restaurant. I was in town from Chicago to attend my sister's wedding and when my sister said she didn't have any dinner reservations I took it upon myself to find a place for her 20+ guest. I found this restaurant near her wedding site in Fort Lauderdale Beach. We I spoke to Mario he was all accommodating was able to pull off something amazing for my sister. The private Patio room was gorgeous and well decorated. We even arrived an hour and a half earlier than expected and they had everything set up. We had more than enough wait staff for everyone. The waiters were very knowledgeable and knew exactly how everything was made. We had several children there and they were very flexible and great with the kids. Now the food!! It was amazing! Everything was done properly and exactly as described. The food was fresh and the flavors were great we got nothing but compliments from the quests. They even gave us free shots for the whole party!! The chef made multiple appearances to make sure that everything was up to par. I really can't thank them enough for making my sisters day even more special I will be coming back every time I am in town there pork was amazing and the chimichurri sauce I wish I could have taken a jar home with me!
(5)
Mark P.

Took sister for birthday lunch. Warmly greeted by Mario (owner) who recommended the sangria. I wasn't going to drink but knew sister wanted to celebrate so we said sure. Brought us a carafe which we accepted-very refreshing. During lunch owner even refilled our glasses from another batch he had just made. Generous. The decor: warm, slightly upscale with nice art. But, the chandelier above our table had so much dust on it that I had to keep my voice down out of fear of causing an avalanche. They started us with thin strips of fried plantains with a great sort of light salsa which was so good we asked for more (which they happily brought at no charge). We ordered the mussel in garlic sauce appetizer-delicious. Sister ordered roast pork plate-very good and Spanish (10.99). I ordered Grouper sandwich-very greasy breaded fish which I will never be sure was actually Grouper (10.99). That's what I get for ordering a non-Spanish dish, but I assumed it would be done with a Spanish flair. It wasn't. We didn't want desert ,but when we mentioned her birthday, they brought her a free flan with a candle. Very nice of them and delicious. Got the check. Carafe of sangria cost $40.00. During our discussion with the waiter about this pricing issue, he said he's seen it as high as $28 in other restaurants. So have I, and that would have been "reasonable". He also mentioned that a plate of paella was $50-but my plate better have at least an ounce of saffron for that price. And he agreed to reduce the $12.99 charge for the Grouper sandwich to the correct price of $10.99. No problem. He also brought us a $25 gift certificate for our next visit. Wonderful. Relearned Lesson: never order something from a restaurant you have not been to without asking the price. Priceless.
(2)
Ramone H.

Tonight at Mario's my family and I dined with some friends that we invited. It was their first time there and they LOVED IT!! This was the 4th visit for my girlfriend and I, and once again we were delighted. The restaurant was buzzing with activity from the servers and the patrons. The restaurant was clean, visibly clean and well kept as usual. Mario came to greet us, and as we walked to our table, the chef stood by welcoming us to the restaurant. Our server was John. Very nice guy that again impressed us and our friends with the depth of his knowledge regarding the menu and the nights dishes. The food. We had so much I can't even list here now, but it was DELICIOUS and all of us, including the two kids, really enjoyed it. Mario the owner will send over, or often times bring himself, little freebies to the table compliments of the house. At the end of your visit there he'll come over and offer you a deal on gift cards to the retaurant worth $25 or $50 each, where if you buy $100 or $150 worth, he'll give you the equivalent free. Some people are put off by this, but there is no pressure in purchasing whatsoever. We bought the first time we were there, and this time. They make excellent gifts to friends or you can use them yourself the next time. There is no limit to the amount you can use per visit so it's good. I HIGHLY recommend this Cuban restaurant to anybody who loves good food and service in an elegant yet laid back atmosphere.
(5)
Trisha K.

This place is amazing. The people are very warm and welcoming. They shake your hand as soon as you walk into the door. Their empanadas were great. My entree was plenty and cooked to my liking. They talked and tried to get to know us. They also threw in a free dessert even though we insisted we were so full. Will def come here again when I'm in town.
(5)
Adrian R.

Excellent! The food was amazing. Authentic cuban. Our party had the signature steak and lobster plus the pork as main dish. We also had the full compliment of appetizer pulled pork and plantains. The food was so rich and full of flavor. The temperature was perfect and the chef prepared every course encapsulated with flavor. We also tried the mojitos and the sangria. They were also amazing. Friendly atmosphere. I felt like I had known the staff my entire life. They boasted about the global diversity of the wait staff and they were right to do so. Warm, welcoming, Amazing! I would recommend this restaurant for anyone at lunch or dinner even better.
(5)
mark h.

Fantastic ambiance, good food, and outstanding service. Mario, the owner and your host, will thrill and delight. Mojitos alone are worth the trip.
(4)
annie P.

It fun, its good. The Cuban food is excellent. The owner was fun and extended the warmest welcome to our party. The staff was attentive and gave us the best service. Mario the owner planned our menu and we ate some of the best food in Florida.
(4)
Erin W.

From the mojitos to the tres leches, everything was perfect. The second we walked in, we knew this would be the type of experience we were seeking: warm and welcoming. We were individually greeted with a handshake. From that moment forward the staff was attentive and anticipated our every want and need. The owner sent a complimentary platter of fried plantains with chimichurri sauce which was a perfect start to a lovely meal. The waiter provided detailed descriptions of the menu as well as the specials which rang true. Our expectations were exceeded as the food arrived hot and beautifully presented in what seemed like minutes after we had ordered. We sampled the yuca sticks, ham croquettes, roasted pork (lechon asado), grilled grouper fillet, and the chicken fillet with peppers and onions. Everything was delectable and we couldn't wait to share. We couldn't decide on a favorite. The red sangria was the perfect blend and the small cubes of fruit made it visually beautiful. Our dessert selection included flan, tres leches, and chocolate peanut butter cake. We wish we had saved room to try more. This meal was the perfect close to our girls' weekend. We would highly recommend this restaurant and will surely visit again the next time we are in town.
(5)
Carla J.

I ordered the Spanish vegetarian paella. It was nice to know they have that option, however it was mostly potatoes, it would be great if they balance the veggies a little bit more.
(2)
Nancy V.

Last night was my second time dining at this restaurant!! Loved it even more. From the service to the spectacular appetizers the food is just superb!! I recommend this gem to anyone who wants to have the best Latin food I've had in Florida. The best sangria and I have to add the owner Mario is so nice. So happy to have celebrated my moms birthday here. Great place all around.
(5)
Bill R.

Food was expensive, not really imaginative. Waitstaff was adequate, but did not raise to the level expected at this price point. The owner and waitstaff seemed dismissive because we used a groupon. No reason to return to this establishment... Candela does more for less and without the attitude.
(2)
David H.

What an extraordinary restaurant! We were greeted at the front door by Mario the owner. Both he and the restaurant are so charming. We had the pork tamales as an appetizer. Without question, this was one of the best tastes I ever put in my mouth the pork was slow roasted like a pig roast. So yum! It was served with amazing plantain chips. I loved my Argentinean steak, tender and delicious. My girlfriend also loved her grilled grouper. See pictures I uploaded. The room is old fashioned, unpretentious and homey. Wonderful restaurant! One of my favorite meals of my life!
(5)
Janie G.

We used a Groupon for our dinner here. I had read some great reviews about the place prior to seeing it pop up in my Groupon weekly. I jumped at the chance and we used our Groupon over the weekend. LOVE IT! The decor is very unique, walls were covered in framed artwork from all walks of life. I love the variety of chandeliers in there, some beautiful and some not so much. My fiance and I joked "so this is where ugly chandeliers come to die"...but I do believe that every chandelier deserves a happy home. ;) SERVICE.... was great! Waiters were very attentive and knowledgeable. Mario, the owner introduced himself and offered us a deal we couldn't pass up. A gift certificate for $250 but we only paid $150...that's $100 free dollars...what? That's a no brainer! We are excited to be able to bring friends with us for a treat. FOOD!...OK now for the food. We ordered the muscles that were cooked perfectly along with the Argentinian skirt steak and chimmichurri with a lobster tail, which was melt in your mouth good. DRINKS!...Mojitos, Mojitos, Mojitos. I actually never order mojitos because I have never known anyone that can make a good one. My fiance ordered a mojito which I got to try, it was amazing. Plenty of muddled mint, sugar and fresh lime juice. We might just have to make this our go to Friday night drink spot. We had a wonderful experience at Catalina and I have a feeling we will be back very soon.
(4)
Patrick O.

Fantastic restaurant - great food and wonderful experience. My girlfriend and I went in for a fancier dinner towards then end of our trip in Fort Lauderdale. Mario's Catalina couldn't have been a better spot for us. The highlights were food, drink, and owner. Food - We started out with the empanadas - they were flavorful and juicy without being soggy or stiff - Next we had an entre of chicken with peppers (one the owner kindly doubled for us at no expense!) - Finally, we had a sinfully-large slice of chocolate cake - killer. The drinks were strong, sweet, and definitely hit the spot. The owner was really what brought this home. Mario was attentive, personable, and not shy about throwing in some free food and complimentary drinks! I can't rave to you enough about this location. If you want fantastic Cuban food, in a comfortable, upscale environment, with attentive staff and inviting owner, this is the spot for you. I may be planning a trip back to FLL just so I can return to Mario's.
(5)
Michele S.

Fantastic! The food was wonderful and the service was even better. We have a food allergy and they were able to accommodate us extremely well.
(5)
Nathalie M.

The restaurant has a funky ambiance and the wait staff are friendly for the most part. The food is good, but not good enough to be as expensive as it is. We got a lot of pressure to buy gift cards to the restaurant which was awkward and uncomfortable, and there were issues with our check and their calculations. Good to try once to people watch etc., not worth return trips.
(3)
Dani C.

The charming restaurant was completely empty when we arrived at 7, but the owner told us the only available seating was outside, which was equally empty and next to a busy road with little to no ambiance. After much failed discussion with the owner we asked if we could put our names down for inside and come back he said the only available time was for 9:30, 10 o'clock...maybe!. (As we look around at 15 empty tables) RESERVATION ONLY he said inside.....so we decided to sit outside after all. The food came out fast and it was decent, our actual waiter was well versed with the menu and gave some good recommendations. However one of the food runners had a bit of an attitude and made some strange comments to us, I'm not even sure it was intentional, but rude all the same. The owner then came to our table offering more information about his "high-end clientele" and how the restaurant is rated "number two" in Fort Lauderdale, so we should have known to make reservations. We tried to take in his "wise" words as we sat at our empty restaurant roadside patio. With the living Social deal we were still going to be paying over 100 dollars for two people for food that could be from La Carreta. The owner tried to make amends and brought us a complimentary bottle of champagne to take home at the end. (which we later found out was brown and completely undrinkable) AND then the waiter came by with a coupon for $50 off for four entrees, which seemed like nice gesture. But then he brought another envelope with more gift cards trying to shamelessly sell us $200 worth of gift cards, which was complete overkill at the that point. I don't think we will be going back any time soon. Overall the food was decent, but the manner in which the restaurant is run is overbearing and obnoxious.
(1)
Tania F.

Had dinner there on a Monday night with friends. I was looking for some good Cuban food and didn't feel like going to Miami. This place would make my Cuban Mama proud. Authentic and delicious Cuban food, accommodating staff (food allergies) and great Mojitos. It doesn't get much better than that!
(5)
T Y.

I went to Mario's Cantalina back in February after receiving a recommendation from the concierge at my hotel during a work trip. I could not have been more pleased. I sat at the bar and ordered the perfect mojito. I ordered the skirt steak churrasco which melted in my mouth. The food here is great, flavorful and nice portions. Everyone was courteous and helpful. I will definitely be back here on my next visit to Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Alejandro L.

Great food, great service.
(5)
Kristi D.

Amazing food. Some of the best In Ft Lauderdale. I love the personal attention that each table is given. Great ambiance too. Must try the white sangria and the mussels... And the empanadas. Will be back soon.
(5)
Walt G.

Was here in 2005. Back last night. Still a wonderful experience. Like coming home!
(5)
Vinny C.

Catalina is a hidden gem in Ft. Lauderdale that I stumbled upon a year ago and must be experienced by all searching for Cuban or Latino food. As a Latino from New York, every time I'm in town I return to have a meal or two. It's the one place where real Latino food is made almost as good as my Mom's! The food is prepared very well and Mario and his employees are very attentive and do everything they can to create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. Some may think the prices are high but compared to other restaurants that I rank high on my list when I visit Ft. Lauderdale for the service, ambiance and great food it is well worth the price. Appetizers, drinks, entree, coffee and desert for two under ran less than $150 and that's including a 20% tip! Take my word you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jason B.

We used yelp to help finds a restaurant off the beaten track. We came across Catalina. Start to finish what a great experience. Service was excellent. I highly recommend going. Thanks to yelp and yelpers for pointing towards a great restaurant.
(5)
Leah C.

Mario greeted us at the door, Personally visited our table to make sure we were enjoying our experience, all staff members are very helpful, and friendly. There is plenty of food packed with flavor to go around and its so delicious. Make sure you tell your friends or bring family. Glad I found this place.
(4)
Risha S.

Best Sangria ever! Best service! Most delicious salmon! Great place For a birthday! A MUST on your next visit to Fort Lauderdale!
(5)
Jean D.

mojitos at the bar to start.....delicious.. the plantain chips and sauce are unbelievably flavorful the lobster was good..just a little overdone; and my partner had the paella which she devoured . We washed that down with a very nice red Rioja .
(4)
Ron C.

No way. Totally overpriced. The owner is obnoxious and overly flamboyant. Drinks weak. Food unexceptionable. If it weren't for concierges roping unsuspecting tourists into this joint, there would be no one in the place.
(1)
Stephen F.

Meal sucks and cost was over the hill. The actual cost of such a meal should be no more than what you'd get in a food court. Dinner with one drink for 2 adults and 1 child $170. This is a ridiculous as the food was not great or anything to talk about. A carafe of sangria with a meal comprising some steamed rice with burnt shredded steak and some black bean sauce ....ran us up a bill that was highway thievery. Wouldn't recommend this Resturant to anyone visiting the Fort Lauderdale area.
(2)
Jon W.

I had heard for a long time from various sources that this was some of the best and authentic Cuban food in Fort Lauderdale. It definitely still is. We had a great meal here that was was made even better by the attention we received from our host, Mario. The Cuban coffee was splendid. The empanada appetizer delicious. And the specially formulated Mojitos intoxicating. Everybody including myself enjoyed our main courses as well. The Pork, Chicken, and the fish were prepared well and were delicious and filling. We didn't have room for dessert, but there were several beautiful ones to choose from. We will definitely come back here next time we are in town.
(4)
Shawn C.

I love this place, its not the best food nor the best service, but together the place is fun and quality, I go everytime I am in Fort Lauderdale (about 6-8 X a year).
(4)
Carol M.

Great Food. but BEWARE of the SERVICE SCAM! The food here is great. I've eaten here 4 or 5 times, and I took it for granted that the owner and the servers would try to force food upon you and then stick you will a large bill. But after my last visit, I decided that no matter how good the food it, the service wasn't worth it. The owner will take it upon himself to offer food and drinks that aren't on the menu, and then you are stuck with a HUGE Bill, Or they keep Refilling your soda, not asking you just doing it, & when you get the bill, you've just paid $15.00 bucks in Coke. Totally unprofessional. Sorry but Great food is not enough sometimes.
(1)
Melody F.

Awesome food! Great service! Fantastic sangria!
(5)
Susan K.

We felt rushed. It is not a fast food restaurant, we expected to be treated better. Our dinner came out when we were on the second bite of our appetizer. The check was left on the table and the owner stood over us while we looked at it. It seemed like it was a bit high and TOTALLY illegible, but we felt so rushed and intimidated that we just paid it without asking what the charges were for. The food was excellent and servers nice. We will go back, but if we get the "bums rush" again..that will be our last
(3)
Keri F.

The yuca fries were amazing and the red velvet cake topped off the night perfectly! Not to mention the best mojito ive ever had! Perfect host and Delicious meal!
(5)
Aaron B.

A real surprise when you look at the reviews you see information about service and the owner being a little peculiar - knowing that helped when we were there since we expected that and ended up with a great evening of food and wine - you should Catalina you will enjoy yourself - just be ready for a longer evening come with folks you like and enjoy the whole evening
(4)
Maria Christina T.

Since I was in South Florida with my sister and her family we decided to go find some Cuban food. We had no idea what to expect. We were (including my brother-in-law) amicably greeted by Mario with a hug and a kiss, Catalina's is like an old world Cuban (how I imagine it) wealthy home with artwork on the wall and chandeliers in the ceiling. Tables are close together but thisdidn't bother us. Everyone gets to be included in birthday and anniversary wishes as the staff turns off all the lights as if you're one big family. The food was good with generous portions. Mario gave us drinks on the house and thanked us with a bottle of wine as a Thanksgiving gift. The wine had pink butterflies, very appropriate for Mario. Homophobics beware, the staff is very flamboyant, which adds to the entertainment factor. We loved it and will recommend to all our friends.
(5)
Scpu C.

Excellent customer service. They all work as a team to make you feel welcomed. Unfortunately, I agree with other reviewers on a few things. The food was alright, but it doesn't match the high end prices. It might have to do with how much rent the owner has to pay since the restaurant is in a prime location. Also, I suggest keeping track of whatever you order since the receipt/check they give you at the end is not detailed, therefore you have no idea what you are paying for. If I ever go back, I will make sure I let them know I want a detailed check or receipt. They also try to upsell on the appetizers and specials.
(3)
Elizabeth A.

3 words Best Mojito Ever! Great food, Great ambiance, Great service! Kind of pricey we had 2 entrees a seafood appetizer, 1 Mojito and 1 non alcoholic drink and the bill was $84
(5)
Tamu H.

I'm still wondering why Mario tapped me on my head with the menu as he flitted away from our table. The corny guys across the table from us openly commented on every move we made, discussing everything from how we sat to how we checked out our phones and how we didn't have a conversation. That part was fun. The waiter was cool, thank goodness Mario wasn't our server, but he was right behind the server, stops looks me up and down, and says "Where are you from?", I said "Washington, DC" and he says "Oh, how did you hear about this place?" (Seriously!) As I opened my mouth to say "Yelp dot com!" He had already sached away. I was annoyed, He picked up some menus from another table, and as he was passing he stops and asks, "Did you order an appetizer?"... and before I could say "Fried Yucca" he literally sat down at a table across from ours, and had cosmos with the two gentleman and the lady sitter across from us! After his cocktail, he shimmys by and taps me on the top of my head (lightly and gently, I wasn't offended as much as completely puzzled) with the menu! He said something in whatever sneaky Latin dialect they speak to a busser and I was scared. but then the food came... YUMMMMMMMMMMMM! Fried yucca with a spicy little salsa on it! YUMMMMMMMMMMMM! Salad with onions and lettuce and apples!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! Seafood combo for 2 loaded with all kinds of underwater goodes: clams, fish, scallops, crab, etc. etc. in some kind of amazing butter sauce I could have poured into a glass and HAPPILY chugged. I was totally full and STILL couldn't resist a slice of dulce de leche cheesecake. Paid $140 for dinner with wine and tip. PS: Mario- what the hell???
(2)
nick b.

We've been to Mario's Catalina about three or four times. After reading several of the reviews here I thought I'd chime in with our experience there last night. Last night was our last and final time there. We're not going back. Mario's garners his high ratings by sucking in the tourists from the hotels on the beach. You'll see the all the high reviews are written by people visiting the area and asked their concierge where to go. Don't be fooled there are better places in the area. Yes you are always greeted as an old friend. Mario likes to kiss and touch. Fine if you're gay or lesbian or a straight woman. Straight guys could be put off by it. I agree there is a lot of touching that could be deemed over the top and too much. For that I would never take a client or my boss there. His fawning reminds me of an old TV show where they spoof the owner as fluffy or worse queenie. Yes the staff is constantly pushing more drinks and more dishes. You can be firm and say NO. I am amazed the sampler appetizer costs $39.99! For an appetizer! The Mojitos, while sweet and good are made with very cheap rum. You need be firm and order what you want now what they want you to order. The food is mediocre. It's Cuban food; not Cuisine Nouvelle. A chicken breast with rice and beans with a side salad will cost you $18-19. I had a fish dish with shrimp ($25.99). When it was served it was smothered with too many red and green bell peppers and was swimming in some sauce (i think it was the fat or butter it was fried in). Everything is over salted, from the salad to the main course. They need to cut back on the salt and let the food stand on its own. What exactly is "Special Sauce"? No ingredients listed so you're on your own there! The service was OK. Our waiter seemed to be the lone straight guy on staff. He was flirting a lot with our female companion without regard that one of the three males at the table was her husband. So apparently "Leadership-by-Example" trickles down from owner to staff. When we were seated he asked if he could tell us about tonight's specials. Unfortunately they weren't very special when they're printed on the regular menu. They are quick to clean the table. If you like to eat your salad after or with your meal you have to be quick and repetitive to tell them not to take your dish. Desserts are presented on a large tray by an overly feminine male. The innuendo to the cream on the dessert is highly inappropriate. He needs to clean it up and butch it up. Overall $242 for 4 people. That's 2 mojitos, 2 sangaria, 3 martinis (split between 2 people), One appetizer (the sampler), 3 entrees, a salty chicken soup(made special), 2 desserts, 1 espresso and 1 cappuccino. There's no getting off inexpensively at Mario's. The food didn't sit well with either of us, two antacid tablets an evening of tossing and turning resulted in a bad night's sleep. BTW...that expensive Mercedes parked by the front door belongs to the owner, I have no one to blame but myself for contributing to his car payment. There are better Cuban places for a lot less money in the area.
(1)
Janice B.

This restaurant was highly recommended by the staff at the hotel where we stayed before getting on a cruise back in June. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant we felt like welcomed guests. Mario personally greeted us and lead us to our table. The staff here are so friendly and warm. I ordered the plaintain-crusted snapper and it was delicious! The food was nicely presented and our server made sure that our sangria glasses were full at all times. The interior restaurant had a wonderfully intimate and romantic atmosphere -- just perfect for us as we were celebrating our anniversary. In short, this is a lovely restaurant with outstanding food. Perfect for a date night!
(5)
Mark B.

Recommended by the hotel Concierge. Great choice. Loved the atmosphere and service. The mojitos were some of the best we have had. We asked to have them order for our group of 8 - they brought some amazing epanades and tamales. The main course was great but the Key Lime pie was the best part. The owner was present and very active throughout the restaurant and gave us - as well as the rest of the diners - lots of attention. A fun restaurant and one that I would definitely go back to when I return.
(5)
Natalia H.

Looooved the mojitos!!! Arrived to Fort Lauderdale yesterday and wanted to have mojitos with an old friend. We found this place on Google and Yelp and let me tell you: the mojitos are probably the best I've ever had. They don't cheat you on the mint :) We ordered an appetizer that had a combination of meat pies, plantains, pork, croquetas and tamales. It was delicious. I plan to go back for paella before I leave. Service was very good. Mario was very kind and even gave us free mojitos. I notice that a lot of reviews here say that this place can scam you with the bill, but honestly, we had a great experience.
(5)
karen c.

This is a great place. Exceptional even. Reminds me of the restaurants back home in Dominican Republic. The service is one of a kind, the wait staff is extremely attentive and go above and beyond. I've been there twice, both times with family from out of town and I've gotten appetizers comped both times. No sexual favors required! I kid I kid! The ambiance is reminiscent of old Madrid, very cozy, lit up trees outside. As soon as I sat down I felt as tho the sangria should begin to flow, and honey, it did! Their frozen sangria is TO DIE FOR, and careful, it creeps up! We had empanadas, mariquitas, palomilla steak, ropa vieja and a cuatro leches and capuccinos to finish. All I have to say is MMMM MMMMM bitch! I brought my mom who was visiting, and she described the place as "a dream". I wanted to make her feel special, and I knew this was just the place to do that. The restaurant is upscale and classy but not stuffy and the food is AMAZING! If you are latin, you will especially appreciate this food! Its like abuelita used to make, except you don't have to do the dishes afterwards. Yea you might pay a bit more than youre used to, plates average about $20 per plate, but it is worth it. My mom took business cards and will give them out to all her friends at work back home. I will definitely bring her back there when she visits again. I will return to this place again, and next time with my whole posee. :)
(5)
Jennifer Z.

My fiance and I made a last-minute decision to try out Catalina, and I must say, it was probably our most unforgettable dining experience. We went on a Friday night, and while the bigger dining room area was a bit crowded and pretty loud, we were sat in a side room with about four or five other tables, so it was nice and quiet for us. Our server was really helpful in choosing out a bottle of wine and an appetizer (the pork/empanada one--amazing!). Mario (the owner) came by our table and topped off our wine glasses. A few minutes later, a server came to our table with a "gift from Mario." Another bottle of the same wine we had ordered and just finished! It was such a surprise to us, since the bottle was $35. In addition to the appetizer, we were also served a house salad, which we didn't know was included with the meal. And considering how we got the free bottle of wine, I wouldn't be surprised if the salad was on the house too. For dinner we both had the Argentinian grilled skirt steak. It was no thin piece of skirt steak either--it was very thick, tender, and tasty. And it gets better! The dessert tray comes out! At this point, we were stuffed and didn't think we'd have room for desert, but looking at the tray of about 20 different dessert selections, we decided to split the chocolate mousse cake. As stuffed as we were, we still probably could have ordered a slice each! It was one of the best desserts I've ever had at a restaurant, and we were rationing off bites between us. Just as we were finishing dessert, another server came to our table with three shots of tequila (also on the house). He taught us some Spanish toasting words, and the three of us took the shot together. So needless to say, it was an interesting and fun night with great food. As a side note, half of my family is Cuban, and we've eaten at Las Vegas and Pedrinos dozens of times. While those are good, cheaper options, they are nothing like the experience you get at Catalina.
(5)
Carlos P.

Despite its ludicrously priced menu, the food here is absolutely delicious. Granted, when i saw that a Palomilla steak here was close to $15, I almost had a heart attack. You can get about 3 meals for 3 people for about $15 in other Cuban eateries, especially in Miami. Catalina's seems to be the only place around Ft.Lauderdale that serves "traditional Cuban meals" so it's no wonder they hike up the prices. But on to the food... I had the garlic chicken chunks with white rice, black beans and fried plantains. At $17.95, i was taking a costly risk....and it paid off. My god, was that meal delicious! The chicken was absolutely mouthwatering in its seasoning. Not too garlic-y, just the right amount to leave that funky breath after dinner. Though the meals may be costly, I must say that the service here is top notch. Your drinks are constantly being refilled and you are waited on with great speed. For every plate here, you get a complimentary salad and a free plate of mariquitas for the table, which had an out of this world dressing on them. I could eat a plate of those mariquitas just for dinner. The owner, while affectionate and touchy, especially towards MY boyfriend, was nice nonetheless. He gave us a free dessert on the house and gave my sister a $40 gift certificate just for being a loyal customer on her last visit (hence our trip here). The food is here incredible, as is the service. It would be a definitely go to place for me if they just brought down their prices by a couple of bucks.
(4)
Ck T.

This restaurant is a total scam. Dont waste your time coming as they are not honest people. We were deciding on our appetizer and they suggested that we could get half and half of our appetizer. However when the bill came they charge us over $30 on our appetizers which only consist of 3 pieces of empanada and 1 tamale. Crazy $30 for few pieces of appetizers. As for entrees he suggested to my wife paella which is not in the menu and daily special. Again being ripped of at $50for paella for single person. Our total bill came out to be $130 excl tips for 2person on a simple Cuban food. I decided to post this as I saw other guest also experiencing the same rip off I experienced. The owner is just totally trying to rip customers off. Dont ever come here !!!
(1)
Sal G.

I have heard some good and some bad about Catalina; I must say that the bad out-weighs the good. All of the appetizers are excruciatingly salty. I ordered Ropa Vieja - my favorite cuban dish - and I couldn't eat it and sent back the entire meal. The only redeeming part of the food was the flan. It is made in-house and has a wonderful taste and texture. Overall, you get a much tastier meal at Las Vegas on Oakland without the excessive pretentiousness of Catalina.
(2)
Kevin L.

Great food and service. Its was a little uncomfortable that the manager hugs and kisses all his guest. I'll call it South American hospitality. ;-) Super mojitos!
(5)
judy n.

this place is pricey... i'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. The plus was that, at the end, the waiter (not sure if he's part owner or family...) gave us all a shot of tequila and did the shot with us. yummy!: - vaca frita - pretty tasty and moist - plaintain chips. this was a savory type app. came with a salsa like concoction. unexpectedly yummy. - Flan- this is made in house, and is pretty good. - Meat pie empanada - these were pretty tasty and not greasy at all. tons of flavor and crispy to boot. - pork chunk masas- ok the name alone make it sounds kinda sketch... but it was actually pretty good! just ok: - paella - this was alright. lots of seafood that was alright, but there was no crunchy bits, and was not presented in a sizzling pan like other more 'authentic' places... (and remember to order this at the beginning when you sit down, if you are wanting to try it.) - croquetas... these were greasy. i'm not sure if i've ever liked croquettes though... all in all - the place was alright. the drinks were strong, fairly priced 10ish each mixed cocktail... but it was pricey, and i'm told there are better more authentic cuban places in calle ocho... time to go exploring... :) if you are wanting decent food and don't mind paying the extra dough for it. it's a nice atmosphere.
(3)
andrea c.

The reviews are so true. The food was amazing as was the service. Will definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone. Great sangria both white and red, great snapper, great pork, great everything. The owner even cared enough to personally visit each table. Wish they had Spanish food this good in New York. I would be a regular!
(5)
Michelle S.

When walking into Mario's Catalina The first impression is a certain kind of coziness brought on by the small chandeliers and artwork on the walls. Then you are greeted by Mario. He exudes a warmth that carries through to all of the staff there. The food was all excellent. We were a party of four, and we shared the house plantains (which were out of this world), tomal with pork & yuca sticks served over salad as appetizers - with plenty of "special" hot sauce for all. We ordered 3 entrees:the Catalina combination, salmon with shrimp in red sauce, & paella (prepared specially for us with only seafood and chorizo), and of course rice and beans. For desert we had a couple of 'quatro leches' (a house specialty) and cappuccinos. We ordered as we went, so as to pace our service (as we wanted to insure that we were served in a very leisurely manner). We had bottled wine, house wine, and sangria. Everything was amazing, and we were all quite content when it was all over. The food here is more expensive than other Cuban restaurants that I've been to, but it was also way better! I couldn't eat here on a regular basis (due to both my wallet, and my waistline), but I am definitely looking forward to returning!
(4)
Karoline M.

Absolutely the best place in Fort Lauderdale! Wow wow wow! The Paella is to die for as is the Sangria and flan. This place could compete with the best of NYC and DC. A foodie must visit experience! Ask for Mario.
(5)
Jack W.

Fantastic meal, excellent service, and great staff. We arrived early and were treated like real royalty. Mario, the owner, came to the table and introduced himself and continued to check back to see how we were doing. We didn't know what sangria was best so they brought a sample of both for us to try. They were accommodating at every turn. And the food was phenomenal, and we had some of all of it... The pork and beef were slow roasted and some of the best we've ever had. The seafood was also great. They have a Mario's sampler plate that gives a great foreshadow of things to come and if you have a 1/2 order it is just right for 4-5 people. I would recommend the Combo or Mario's Special. Desert tray was "overwhelming"!
(5)
Valeria K.

We visited Mario's Catilina restaurant to celebrate our friends engagement. We had a party of 8 and when we walked through the door Mario was there to greet us and made us feel very welcome. Our server Chino was awesome and the food delicious. The best Cuban food in south florida, 100 times then bongos or any other Cuban restaurant that I have visited.
(5)
Allison G.

The Catalina is amazing! We went for dinner last night and I was so impressed with the service,food, and cocktails. We started with the sampler which had tasty empanadas, plantain chips, and roasted pork...yum!! I had to try the famous mojito...and it was the BEST I've ever had and I don't usually drink them. My grilled salmon was cooked perfectly! The meal ended with a slice of the best tres leches I've ever eaten! I loved the owner who was so attentive and friendly as well as all the staff! I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Amy K.

I am 31 years old and this was the BEST meal of my life!!!!! My boyfriend and I were in Fort lauderdale for a long weekend and saw this place had good reviews. We went on Sunday and the place was quiet but heard is busy on the weekends so reservations might not be a bad idea. The mojitos are delicious and the bartender let us sample the white sangria which was awesome! They brought a plantain chips with salsa while we had a cocktail at the bar which were scrumptious! As an app we had the mussels. GET THE MUSSELS!!! They were huge in size, gave us a good amount and were flavorful. For our main course I had the Mario's combination. Each bight was better than the first. All three meets were mouth watering. My bf got the skirt steak and shrimp also delish! I will be going to this place any time we are in town! The service was an excellent team effort. Our waiter gave us great recommendations. Overall the drinks were amazing and the food authentic and delicious!
(5)
Scott M.

Fun place and excellent food. The ambience is really nice too. Great mojitos but they sneak up on you. Mario the owner can be fun, but a little touchy feely which makes some uncomfortable, otherwise it's a place I line to go while in town and recommend to those looking for excellent Cuban food and a fun experience.
(4)
Isabel T.

We chose Mario's Catalina for a SPECIAL Birthday,-- for a family member. From the moment we entered this EXQUISITE restaurant, we were TRANSPORTED into LUXURY and PRIVILEGE, befitting a SPECIAL event. The soft lights, the walls covered with beautiful artwork, the gorgeous chandeliers, the white linen tablecloths, the water in wine decanters and the soft music, that is piped in, all create a beautiful MOOD. Then we were greeted by Mario, who made each of us feel WELCOMED and pampered. The starters for our meal were EXCELLENT beginnings for our "feast." There was either lobster bisque or a sumptuous salad that provided the introduction to our FABULOUS dinners. There are many wonderful choices of entrees, each of which is skillfully prepared and delicious to savor. I had their outstanding Shrimp Ajillo. My brother had their excellent Grouper with Shrimp. A cousin had their Pork Lechon. Another family member had a Pork entrÃ©e that melted in her mouth. All our dinners had delicious plantains, and black beans with rice,--- as accompaniments. We all loved the Sangria. There was either Red or White Sangria, each tasting unique, delicious, and abounding with a large amount of added fruit. Our servers were cordial, and exceedingly eager to please and accommodate to our wishes. The dessert menu had a variety of sinfully delicious possibilities. My FAVORITE,-- is the Flan--which is like eating the "nectar of the Gods," because it is extraordinary. When we finished our dinner, we were surprised at the REASONABLE check total. The prices are an EXCELLENT value, for the quality of the food, the service provided, and the plentiful portions--that always leave me taking home a "doggie bag,--" with a portion for another dinner. This is the VERY BEST Cuban Cuisine in all of South Florida. Mario's attention to every small DETAIL,-- provides all his guests with a memorable culinary experience. My thirty-five minute car trip EACH WAY was REWARDED with this extraordinary dinner.
(5)
Paul P.

The food was good but please be aware that this place can be a major scam. A couple of friends had eaten at this restaurant before and had a good experience. They recommend the place and brought a group of us together to dine at Catalina. Almost immediately I felt I was in an episode of "Hell's Kitchen" . It was a cool March night in Florida and we were first greeted by tacky and worn out Christmas decorations out front. I could hear Gordon Ramsey looking at the decorations and saying "What the F%^& is this" We were very warmly greeted by the owner Mario and whisked through the "starving artist" painting gallery themed restaurant to a small back room. We were given the menu and things looked promising. We waited for a considerable amount of time and then finally Mario swept onto our table, grabbed our menus and exclaimed "I cook for you!!" We started with very tasty empanadas and salad. Wine was good. We then again waited for almost 45 minutes for the main courses to come out. We thought that we may be getting something special or paella because of the length of time. No and NO. We were randomly served dishes that were listed on the menu. Basically the choice was taken away from us and made me wonder if they needed to push the fish since that is what most of us received. The fish was OK. It had an odd spongy consistency. I sampled the steak a couple of people received and it was cooked well and flavorful. A couple of people ordered desserts. The meal itself was fine but the kicker came when the bill arrived. There were 6 of us dining off of the menu. Most dishes averaged around $20.00. Our UN-itemized bill came and it stated $450.00 and $27.00 for services for a total of $477.00. Our friends had a $50.00 gift certificate that had already been deducted so the bill was actually $527.00. We asked Mario if this included the tip and he said no. So a dinner that should have cost approximately $50.00 each if we ordered off the menu now cost close to $90.00 each because Mario "cooked for us". I told my friend that there was no way we purchased that amount of food and wine. As the table continued to discuss and itemize the bill ourselves Mario came in and sheepishly asked if everything was OK. I said to him that I thought the bill was on the high side. He apologized, took back the bill and gave us another UN-itemized bill for 360.00. This was closer to the actual cost we should have paid and we each paid $60.00. It was appreciated that Mario tried to fix the situation but we all walked away feeling he was trying to rip us off. He did give us each a $40.00 gift certificate but it doesn't seem gift certificates are deducted from bills and it felt like he did this because we called his bluff. In summary, the food was good, business practices shady and our friends have a new tag line "I cook for you!!" There are plenty of great restaurants to choose from in Ft Lauderdale so I see no need to return to this one. I truly wonder if this restaurant could stay open in a non tourist city.
(3)
Samantha M.

I was so impressed by Catalina, this is one of the best Cuban restaurants in all of South Florida, in fact it was overall one of my greatest dining experiences ever. Mario is so friendly and made all of us feel so welcome. The staff was just as friendly and the service was very quick. The food was excellent and the portion sizes were great. I highly recommend the skirt steak and you have to try one of their desserts! The whole feel of the place is nice and authentic. I will be coming to this place weekly.
(5)
David D.

What an interesting experience... Buddies and I were looking for a place for dinner, and after driving by Casa D'Angelo (too fancy for us that evening), we came by Catalina. We hesitated at the door- was it another restaurant that we weren't dressed for in our shorts and tshirts? It's then that we had our first experience with MARIO. He comes outside, greeting us with a kiss and hugs inviting us in, telling us we were dressed just fine and he had a table for us. (Note about the dress- although we were comfortable, we were definately the most underdressed people in the place. Everyone was in nice shirts, pants, jeans, dresses, etc.) Well, with that invitation who could resist? Turns out it was almost 45 minutes for a table- but no worries, we enjoyed a drink on the house at the bar and enjoyed seeing the very, VERY mixed crowd this restaurant attracts. Families, gay, straight, romantic couples celebrating a special occasion, groups of friends- it was all there! Once seated, we had a great meal starting with a huge appetizer plate (we should have stopped there!). Pork dishes were great, Shrimp was great... yummy black beans and rice. And then the Dessert pricness brought the tray around- and how can resist tres leches cake?!?! All in all a great experience- I can see where if you let them order for you the bill could really add up... Three for dinner, and I'm sure that there were drinks that did not make it to the bill ran almost $160. BUT- it was a fun night with great cuban food (something hard to find here in Orlando) so it was worth it. Will we be back? Maybe... probably...
(4)
John S.

Mario's is an experience. The food is excellent and the desserts just to die for, especially the Dulce de leche cheesecake. Maro, himself, amps the experience just that much more. Caution with allowing Mario to direct your dining choices: you'll certainly enjoy what he delivers but losing control over those decisions can be unnerving. But when he askeds ... "Are you happy?" ... our answer has always been unequivocally "Yes!"
(4)
Robert W.

My wife, daughter, grand-daughter and I were here for dinner on August 15, the first time we had been here. We were greeted by Mario as if we were old friends, shown great courtesy, seated immediately and provided a great menu, well prepared and presented food and continual attention to every need. The staff is great, the food, from appetizers to dessert, beyond compare and Mario's attention to detail left nothing to be desired. We will be back!!
(5)
Damian R.

Good food, it is cuban food, nothing special about it, If you have tried cuban food in a good restaurant you will find it overpriced for what it is in this place, the owner is very pushy, almost uncomfortable. I would not have anything that is not in the menu, for drinks I suggest just plain or tub water.
(2)
Bc V.

The people very nice, the dinner ok..expensive for what it is....then this people see that a call girl come with her client and start doing her buisness in the middle of dinner next to us in the bar area . Pull her dress up sit on top of the man and started having sex arround a couple of the employees and the people at the restaurant and no one said anything very chocking for a fam that just came from Tx and wanted to have a nice and relax Cuban dinner.wow!!!
(1)
KEVIN V.

I had a great time here. Loved the exquisite food. GREAT place if you enjoy eating. Love the attractive waiter with the nice biceps. All waiters were friendly and attentive. I had to deduct 1 star however not because of the high price but because I did see one roach. Where there is one there are more. I know this is Florida, but this is also a reputable restaurant. Also because I was an out-of-tower the hotel recommended this place (out of all the cuban restaurants) I didn't know better. I wanted to go somewhere that was just as good that my family and I didn't have to pay so much. (Approximately 200.00 for 4 people)
(3)
Deborah H.

I had an excellent first experience at Catalina. As soon as we walked in, the owner, Mario, swooped down and proceeded to take care of us for the rest of the night. He took away our menus, and we were pleasantly surprised by his recommended dishes for the rest of the night. At one point, we were going back and forth between the skirt steak and red snapper, trying to decide which was better. The Sangria and the Mojitos were amazing, as were the complimentary shots of Zambuca at the end. And the food? Hands down, the best I've had in the area. Sadly, the subsequent times I've visited the food didn't quite live up to the first experience.
(4)
Debbie L.

Great Cuban food, the roast pork is phenomenal and the plantains are to die for! Mario is an exceptional host...we can't wait to come back!
(5)
Dave F.

Our hotel concierge told us about Catalina so being that I love Cuban food, we gave it a try. I have seen the place from the street and was not impressed, but once inside, you can tell the owner, Mario, cares about the place. Nice cozy atmosphere and well furnished. Mario greeted us and after telling him that it was our first time here and that our hotel recommended his restaurant, he treated us like family. Now Mario is overly friendly and affectionate to the customers (men included) but he is just a nice guy who cares about his business. After looking at menus, Mario came by and said that he would fix us something special - so we went with it! To our surprise, he prepared the grouper filet with garlic sauce and shrimp - exactly what we were going to order! This dish was OUTSTANDING as was the Tres Leches and Quatro Leches for dessert. The Sangria was very good as was the decaf coffee. Even though the prices are a little high, he does give out coupons to the hotels and took almost $20 off our bill when I told him that I forgot to get a coupon from our hotel concierge. The bill came to $118.00 excluding tip, for 2 people. Appetizer, 2 coffees, Sangria, 2 entrees, 2 desserts. I will be back for sure - best Cuban, meal I have had in a long time!
(4)
Justin P.

The best thing about this place is its owner / host. That guy is super-friendly and understands what service is all about. He offered to order for us, and we allowed him. The food was excellent, and we had a great time. However, be aware that if you let him do the ordering, your bill might be a little more expensive than you had anticipated, but as long as you are cool with that, you will definitely have a memorable meal.
(4)
Katie M.

This place is amazing. Was in town for a business conference, and at request of some coworkers we took a large party of 15 to this tiny, but well appointed place. There's a small bar in the back, and also a more private dining area that would nicely seat 5-10. Because we were so large, multiple tables were pulled together in the middle of the restaurant (and they openly accommodated 3 late arrivals). To start with, Mario is wonderful. He recognized some of our folks as "frequent fliers" and we were well taken care of from that point on. Mojitos are amazing (go for the pitcher), and we started with the appetizer sampler. 3 orders was more than enough for our table- everything Cuban you could wish for out in the middle of the table for the taking. Table orders consisted of the strip w/ shrimp/lobster (the specialty), grouper, and chunk chicken (in a garlic sauce that is light, yet tasty w/ fresh vegis on the side). Not a plate with a morsel on it after the main course.... The waiters were on top of their game, and for such a large party, this was a nice surprise. We were all well taken care of. Dinner (and many mojitos later) was followed by the dessert specialist- Angel. Wow- I don't know what was more fun, watching him explain the 10 or so choices or devouring the selections that later followed. You name your favorite, it was there. Cakes, flan, custard, brownies, amazing- all especially fresh and made in house. Espresso drinks were good as well. Dinner was followed with shots of some Cuban specialty- smelled like black licorice, not my thing, so I didn't partake, but the group seemed to like it. Overall, it was a nice night. Service for a large group for such a small place is usually spotty, but this was right on.
(4)
Andrew K.

I was REALLY in the mood for legit Cuban, and the food here was muy delicioso. With that said, my family was hesitant to take me because last time they went, they were basically forced to "try" tons of dishes, and then were charged heartily for them. The "chicken chunks" and puerco asado were tasty. The portions were small for the price (lunch ran $9/ per person, which is high for Cuban). The service was hasty and the waiters were nonresponsive. The place was nicely appointed, but like most SoFla restaurants, is bound to eventually close.
(3)
David F.

Went to Catalina tonight upon the recommendation of our hotel concierge. I'm usually skeptical of these kickback restaurants, and tonight was no exception. Prices on the menu were quite high for a place that had the grease-trap removal truck blocking 5 parking spots when we arrived. Odd that in late January, they still had the Christmas decorations up. After being seated, and seeing the menu, my wife and I were debating weather or not to stay. The waiter obviously overheard us, and the evening went downhill from there. Our 5-year old son was with us, and before we even ordered, they "threw down" a plate of beef tips and fries in front of him. The ignored our order for a juice drink with fruit and likewise threw our food plates in front of us. They were in such a hurry to get us out that they didn't even offer us a view of the dessert tray before giving us a complimentary tres leches and the check. Overall, the food was good, but service was condescending , uncomfortable and very unpleasant. Would not return or recommend this place.
(1)
John T.

Amazing! From start to finish......First, the exterior of this restaurant does not do it justice. Next, the owner, Mario is a bit over-the-top; but this place is his baby and he treats each and every person coming in his front door like a guest in his home, with a hug and a peck on the cheek, and anything that could possibly enhance your dining experience. The menu is straight forward, but my date and I had some questions. Chris, our server was extremely knowledgeable concerning the menu and the ingredients used to prepare each dish. We shared a shrimp cocktail for the appetizer. A great way to set the tone for a great meal! Next, we received a simple chopped salad that was perfection! Our meal arrived perfectly timed. We both ordered the Argentinian skirt steak with lobster. Absolutely to die! The skirt steak which so many places just cannot cook properly was tender and perfectly complemented with Mario's own chimichurri sauce. Order extra of the chimmichurri before you even get your steak, it is so so good! (I could have eaten it like soup!) The lobster was succulent and juicy. Traditional Cuban sides of black beans and rice as well as plaintains were served as well. In fact, although it is available, there are no salt and pepper shakers even on the table. I thought for sure I would need these, but after noticing their absence, I didn't think about them again until now. That's how perfectly seasoned and cooked everything was. Having focused primarily on the food which was perfection, I would be remiss to not mention Chris. Service was never overbearing or intrusive, yet we never asked for a thing. Nothing! Even my refill on hot tea...Chris slyly glanced at the flavor of tea I had chosen earlier and was spot on with more hot water and a new teabag. Although the desserts looked wonderful, we simply didn't have room for more food! Prices here are a bit high, but most definitely worth it. I have been in the restaurant business my entire life, and I am usually pretty picky. I will be back and can't wait to introduce Mario's to everybody I know! I have never before had such a fantastic dining experience!
(5)
A D.

Been here twice and the food us amazing. I love "mario's favorites" it's got delicious pullled pork, plantains , and amazing shrimp. Even the rice and Beans are exceptional.
(5)
Doris D.

Were told by Hotel to try Catalina's for Paella. The Catalina Platter & Sangria were good but the Paella was not. Owner Mario was very attentive, thought it was pricey. Would not go back again.
(2)
Keith B.

This place has great Cuban food and nice people who have authentic cooking and excellent service. New lunch menu and good prices make this a day or night find for food in Fort Lauderdale
(5)
Jason B.

Solid latin food, a little pricey, but good. Chimichuri sauce to start with plantains is a nice touch. If you like spicy food, ask for their house hot-sauce, it has a good amount of heat. Mario paid great attention to our table and the rest of the wait staff was great as well. Will definitely go back because Mario did such a nice job in making us feel like it was our 100th time there, rather than the first time.
(4)
Kyria P.

Absolutely the worst place to go for food since they rob you every time!!! I have been to this place a few times, and although the food is usually quite good, we always tend to give them a 2nd chance ( they won't over charge us again!)...Well they do, and they did!! My husband decided to stop by there for some cuban cuisine after a super stressful day at work, and got home lets just say feeling robbed, and worst yet, feeling super weird from the sangria he had ( as if he was high??) Are they drugging the customers now so when they over charge you, you won't notice it??? My husband ordered a churrasco steak, which is skirt steak with rice beans and plantains. When he got to the restaurant they gave him a menu that had a much lesser value of his entree price, so he liked the dish and ordered one more for me, since I was home with our daughter. He also ordered a glass of Sangria. His bill came out to more than $80!!!! Lets recap, 2 skirt steak with rice beans and plantains and a glass of sangria..when I went to check out the price online on their website the same entree was at $24.95, and there isn't even a price on the site for the sangria...when I called the restaurant complaining they told me the skirt steak is actually $30, and the glass of sangria $19.95!!!! My husband complained at the restaurant for he knew he was being over priced, and they presented him with a completely different menu! Just ridiculous, and crazy that this place is still allowed to be opened for business....
(1)
Russell M.

a very very bizarre night. but the food was GREAT! and it was definitely fun. we were just looking for a cuban restaurant and happened upon Catalina. Mario - the owner - offers to order for us and it turned out to be awesome. Appetizers (ham croquettes, pork, and some other stuff), entrees (some steak dish and a fried fish dish), and dessert (cheesecakes) were SIIIICK. but the experience was unforgettable. we only ordered one drink, but then they just kept on coming. next thing we know, we have tequila shots at our table, and then some shoulder rubs, nipple twists, and kisses on the forehead. whaaaaaa! I guess that happens when 4 dudes stroll in together. and I guess that's par for the course at Catalina. like I said. bizarre.
(5)
Kristine F.

Really great restaurant. Found it by driving by late at night looking for some place that was open in Sept of 2007. As other people have said Mario is an excellent host, and the wait staff are friendly and alive. It's not a cheap eat, so don't go here on a budget. They push the dessert and mojitos which are great, but costly. We've gone back since our first visit a year ago and have been greeted like old friends. The food and service are 5 star, I give it a 4 due to the cost.
(4)
Marty B.

Mario makes you feel like you are family. Excellent food and extremely clean. Pretty expensive for Latin food but worth it. The skirt steak is out of this world. Another must is the Sangria. Well worth the visit... it might become your favorite Latin restaurant!
(5)

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Address : 1611 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33305
Phone (954) 563-4141
Website https://www.catalinarestaurant.net/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11
Mon : 11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Mario’s Catalina Restaurant

1611 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33305

Mario’s Catalina Restaurant Menu

Drinks

Appetizers

Salads

Sandwiches

House Specials

Beef

Chicken

Pork

Seafood

Sides

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mario’s Catalina Restaurant

Drinks

Appetizers

Salads

Sandwiches

House Specials

Beef

Chicken

Pork

Seafood

Sides

Dessert

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Sunny D.

Nick P.

Guadalupe C.

Summer R.

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HairsbyChristine F.

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Matthew W.

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Min D.

James R.

Jerry O.

N A.

Mike R.

Todd F.

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Ryan S.

JorHay Z.

Josh B.

Tatiana R.

Amanda R.

Ash D.

M F.

Hector G.

Jess H.

Lauren I.

Erick Morejon C.

John P.

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Mark P.

Ramone H.

Trisha K.

Adrian R.

Jessica K.

Erin W.

Carla J.

Nancy V.

Bill R.

David H.