Catalina Cafe & Bar — Restaurant in Upper Harbour

Surly and disinterested staff. Poor table management. Food unexceptional.

I am part of a business group that regularly meets for breakfast once a week from 7:30 am. We have eaten at a number of cafes in Hobsonville and for some of them have traversed the entire menu multiple times. Today we decided to try Catalina Cafe. It was an unpleasant experience for a number of reasons.

The meet and greet was definitely lacking. Without going into details one of our party was offended by the manner in which he was treated on arrival. For my part I was the last to arrive, sometime after 7:30. Apart from our table of four there were only two others in the café. A man having breakfast alone, and a woman waiting for her take-out coffee.

I stood in front of the counter wanting to ask for a coffee before sitting down and was not acknowledged in any way. The server was making coffee, eyes down, and clearly did not want to engage. I stood there for about three minutes before giving up and taking a seat.

Five minutes later she came past and I asked her to bring me a coffee. I had to call out to her, she was not coming to check.

Later we asked to order (bear in mind at this point there was only one other person present and they already had their breakfast). We were told we had to order at the checkout.

Given they have a simple menu it would not seem out of order for her simply to have taken the order, but OK, we did as she asked.

During the course of the breakfast, which was edible but unexceptional, neither good nor bad, we ordered drinks several times (each time having to call out to her to do so) and each time the used crockery was left on the table.

As a joke I started piling them up into a pyramid, but had to take them down because it grew so large as to be unstable. Eventually we called out to her and asked for them to be removed which she did with evident bad grace.

For the entire hour we were in there her expression never varied. I would describe it as surly. We tried to engage a few times but it felt like we were in soviet Russia; not a glimmer of interest.

Maybe we struck things on a bad day but it was a horrible first impression and we will not...

Catalina's Charm In Hobsonville's heart, a gem resides, A haven of solace, where joy abides. Catalina's embrace, a warm, inviting sight, A culinary journey, a pure delight. A historic building, a vintage scene, A testament to time, serene and keen. High ceilings soar, bathed in soft, natural light, A space of tranquility, a peaceful sight. The aroma wafts, a tantalizing blend, Of coffee's rich scent, a trusted friend. The sizzle of bacon, a morning's embrace, A stack of pancakes, a sweet, sugary grace. A courtyard's charm, a verdant view, A place to relax, the day anew. The gentle breeze, a whispered sigh, As birdsong fills the air, soaring high. A menu's allure, a tempting array, From hearty breakfasts to lunches bright and gay. Fresh, local produce, a farmer's pride, In every dish, flavors that abide. A cup of coffee, a perfect start, A moment of peace, a work of art. A pastry's sweetness, a decadent treat, A morning ritual, oh so sweet. A friendly staff, a welcoming sight, A service with care, a pure delight. A smile's warmth, a genuine cheer, A dining experience, beyond compare. A gathering place, for friends and kin, A shared meal, a bond within. A celebration of life, a joyful scene, A memory etched, forever keen. Catalina's magic, a spell it casts, A place where time slows, and moments last. A sanctuary of comfort, a haven of grace, A treasured destination, a special place. So let us raise a cup, to Catalina's charm, A beacon of warmth, a comforting arm. A place to escape, a world apart, A piece of heaven, a...

We stopped here after a big walk and bike ride. Couldn't get a table down by the water unless we did the typical 30 minute wait. Wow!! Firstly the cafe is so pretty with it's high ceilings and pastel colors. It has a lovely outdoor seated area with sun or shaded spots. Kids park is about 100m away. The coffee was lovely and served in the prettiest of cups and they offer all plant based milks. My Son said it was the best choc milkshake he has ever had. I got the smashed avocado and swapped the bread for ciabatta. The serving was big, fresh and well priced for $18. My Son got the kids pancakes for $10 and it was served so awesome, we got excited when we saw it. The fruit was lovely, citrus, pineapple and orange for Vit C. We will be back as we have been looking for a new breakfast / brunch hub. Went back for Mothers Day and boy did they drop the ball big time. Food was served cold. Avocado was off. I didn't get the fruit on the side. Service was terrible. We left really disappointed and dont think we will go...