Mario's Catalina - Fort Lauderdale

The snapper at this restaurant is excellent and the sangria is a must try. Don't forget to top off your meal with a cafecito. Mario, the host, is always welcoming and hospitable.

Wow. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to dine at this restaurant, even though I considered it. I have eaten with friends at Zona Fresca for lunch and at Mario's.

Mario's Catalina is a restaurant that excels in both its service and its food. Specializing in Latin cuisine such as paella, empanadas, bolleche (Latin pot roast), and masas de puerco (deep-fried pork chunks with garlic seasoning), Mario's dishes are reminiscent of those found on calle ocho. As a native of Miami, I have been raised on these foods and Mario's cooking stands up to the best. The care and attention he shows to his customers make them feel truly valued. Don't miss out on trying his Mojito cocktail, but be warned - it packs quite a punch if you have more than two! Mario's Catalina is open for lunch and dinner daily, and the drive is definitely worth it.

Cubano's by Mario serves delicious food, but the pricing is questionable. We ordered 6 items for dinner, with only two people ordering mojitos and one other individual.

Mario's Catalina Restaurant was a disappointing upscale dining experience for us. Despite a generous gift voucher from a friend, our expectations were not met. We arrived at 8 pm for our reservation, only to find that there was no table reserved for us. After a long wait to place our order, we were underwhelmed by the quality and presentation of the Cuban food, which was priced at almost $40 per plate. The atmosphere was also lacking, with cheap restroom facilities and a noisy barmaid's son selling candy to the staff. Overall, for a bill totaling over $150 for two people, we expected much more. We will not be returning to Mario's Catalina Restaurant in the future.