CATALUNA JAX

My wife and I went out on a date for her birthday, and had a wonderful experience at Cataluna. The ambiance is gorgeous, the service was excellent, and most importantly the food was delicious, well executed, and memorable. We love that they enforce a dress code and enjoyed getting dressed up for the occasion. The menu is modern Mediterranean. Wagyu tataki was incredibly tender, great flavor and torched at the tableside. Tuna crisp was light and well balanced. The presentation of the whole branzino was shocking in a good way, and the spice blend on the fish mixed with the olives was just perfect. The snapper was a great portion size, flaky, juicy, light crust. That potato millefuille with caviar on top was an amazing side dish. My only complaint was that it came out lukewarm but not hot. I would order it every time though, it was still that good. We tried multiple signature cocktails and they were all tasty and very pretty, and some flavors were quite unique. We were planning to order dessert but they brought a complimentary birthday dessert which was very nice - the molten dulce de leche cake. Quite good. All in all, this was a big hit and we are looking forward to coming back soon.

I absolutely love this restaurant! It’s so beautiful, the food is delicious, and the vibes are unmatched. I felt like I had been transported to Miami! The restaurant has an upscale, sexy, Roaring 20s glam aesthetic. Everything was perfect– the service was top notch, the food was tasty, and the atmosphere is intriguing. At 10:30pm it turns into a night club where there’s a dj, go-go dancers, and sparklers. I will definitely return!

Every single thing we ordered was delicious! Service was great, not a single complaint :) we got the waygu tartare, Mediterranean salad, Pork belly, goat cheese arugula flatbread, and bucatini dishes - all superb!! I didn’t get pics of everything because we were so excited to eat it

Domenik has been an amazing server. We’re celebrating signing our wedding vendor and getting married in may! So thankful he made our experience here unforgettable. The food was amazing and the drinks even better. 10/10

If I could give this place 10 stars, I absolutely would! The atmosphere was magical, the food was out of this world, and the service… oh my goodness, the service made me feel like an absolute queen. 👑✨ Yesterday’s dinner wasn’t just a meal, it was an unforgettable experience. I left with my heart full of gratitude and joy. Huge thanks to the entire staff !!!!! you are incredible! This place is simply extraordinary. 💫

We wanted to taste it all. It was divine. The hummus was like no other. The lamb lollipops were amazing. The waygu tartare was a party in my mouth.

Cataluna Jax was amazing! The vibe, the food, and the service were all on point. John was absolutely the best server ever. Everything was fresh and full of flavor, and the atmosphere made it a great spot to relax and enjoy the night. Definitely coming back soon!

A Fantastic Mediterranean Escape at Cantaluna From the moment I stepped into Cantaluna in Jacksonville, I knew I was in for a treat. I came with a reservation, and despite the tricky parking situation—valet is a great option, the stunning ambiance inside quickly made me forget all about the parking situation. The restaurant has an indoor/outdoor dining area and the decor is absolutely beautiful, creating a fine-dining feel that's vibrant and inviting. I was seated right away, and my server was incredibly attentive and helpful throughout the entire meal. The restaurant has a full bar and offers an amazing selection of specialty house drinks. Each drink is a masterpiece with a unique story, and the ingredients are a closely guarded secret, which adds to the allure. Not only were these drinks delicious, but they were also surprisingly affordable. For my main course, my server suggested the grilled octopus. I was a bit hesitant at first, but I'm so glad I took their recommendation. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious from the first bite to the last. The entire meal was fantastic, and the prices were very reasonable for the quality and experience. Overall, my experience at Cantal Luna was outstanding. The food was incredible, the drinks were unique, and the service was top-notch. I would highly recommend this delicious Mediterranean restaurant and I can't wait to visit again.

We recently visited Cataluna Jax, the trendy spot on Phillips Highway that bills itself as a Mediterranean tapas lounge, but lands somewhere between global mash‑up and identity crisis. The space is undeniably stylish; art‑deco meets luxe lounge. My hope was to be transported to Spain's sunlit coast. Instead, I felt bounced around from Italy to East Asia, Lebanon to China. What is the chef's story here? What point of view drives the menu? Still, let's skip the existential questions and cut to the real one: does it taste good? We hit up happy hour specials. Shawarma‑spiced gyoza came first: fried dumplings stuffed with ribeye and charred eggplant, on Greek yogurt. Crispy and well‑filled. A swipe of yogurt into the filling brought good tang and cohesion. Next, lamb satay: ground lamb with house spices, tzatziki, and sumac onions. Tasty, but a little dry on its own. The tzatziki rescued it, but the dish shouldn't need a life raft. Then came the Aegean flatbread with baba ghanoush, olives, artichokes, tomatoes, red onions, and feta. This one hit. Sweet roasted tomatoes played nicely against briny olives and sharp feta. Baba ghanoush tied it together in a memorable way. From the main menu: grilled Mediterranean octopus with romesco, pomegranate gastrique, and potato espuma. The octopus was tender, romesco and pomegranate added needed brightness. The espuma looked fancy but disappeared on the palate, pure decoration. My dish of the night was grilled halloumi: a classic semi‑hard cheese you can grill without it melting. Topped with whipped labneh, blood orange, red onion, pistachios, walnuts, dates, and fig vincotto. This was a nearly perfect symphony of texture and temp, salty, sweet, tangy, soft, and crunchy. I never got bored. Desserts faltered. Crème brûlée was torched with saffron sugar, but over‑charred, with a bitter aftertaste that wrecked the finish. They comped it after I flagged it, which was classy. The baklava sundae was underwhelming: just vanilla ice cream and three baklava triangles, not the layered spectacle I imagined a sundae would be. Tasty, but a missed chance. This was a nice meal, some real high points, definitely some disappointing lows. The room is sharp, the menu has its moments. But without a clear through‑line, it feels a bit scattered. Worth visiting at least once, especially if you're in the area and curious. -- A mixed bag with standout dishes but a wandering identity.

We went for a friends birthday and made a reservation. On the website it says they can only reserve a max of 7 but if you call, they can accommodate for more. So they accommodated for a party of 11. Btw you can't bring your own balloons in. The place is so chic, it's a very nice place if you want to bring a date. Apparently they are business casual attire. So dress up! The salmon was cooked amazing, the flavour was there. The only thing I was a bit disappointed was that on the website it said Thursdays was jazz night and there was no jazz players.

Another gem! Surprising location, so close to work, beautiful inside and valet! Low key and exquisite. The wait staff is extremely helpful and kind. We have had a retirement party as well as some after work dinners and each time the food is delightful, drinks are fun and service is top notch! This is a must go!

The hubs and I went to Cataluna Jax for our anniversary! It was our first time and it was a decent time. The decor and ambiance seemed very classy. The food was good, but nothing spectacular. Would definitely be better of a time if there was live music like advertised. Overall, it was a pleasant time.

I came here while visiting friends, and let's say the ambiance and service make this place a true gem... I can't say the food was that memorable, but the vibes of this restaurant gave me all the feels. I ordered a traditional Mediterranean salad and fish... the food was great quality; however, all of my dishes lacked seasoning. I had to doctor things up with salt and pepper. The drinks were creative. I enjoyed them. The tap water tastes like sewage, but I've noticed that's a smell in the water in Jacksonville period. The hotel shower water was that way, too! Yuck! So, I would recommend ordering bottled water.

Our first visit and it was excellent. A hidden gem with easy access, valet parking on the weekends. Welcoming hostess. Excellent service. Very nice atmosphere. Beautifully designed and good acoustics. Well described drink and dinner menu with a knowledgeable friendly server to guide us. Appetizer portions are generous. We had the roasted Brussel sprouts and took home almost half. Spouse had the Lamb Lollipops which were very well prepared and presented. I had the Caesar salad and Hokkaido Sea Scallops with risotto/shaved roasted asparagus. Excellent. Pricey but well worth the cost. High marks on all levels. We'll definitely be back.

This was my first visit to this new hotspot! Excessively instagram advertised before it was open, the expectations were built! This place is gorgeous! Something new for Jacksonville, something fun, something exciting! The ambience and decor was out of this world. Contemporary modern cozy! Valet parking is available if wanted, however there is ample parking right in front of the restaurant. Greeted at the door with professionalism and nicely dressed hosts, this place is posh and people coming to dine at this establishment are dressed well. You will feel underdressed if you don't put a little effort in. This was a very nice change from the usual Jacksonville restaurants where people will just wear anything when they go for dinner. When you walk in, it gives club vibes with louder music, but an elegant feel for dinner. There were four of us total, our waitress was very pleasant. The menu is small with specifically chosen items. Take a look at the menu before you go to make sure there is something there that you can eat. One of us ordered prime rib, the other the octopus, and the two ordered salads and truffle fries. I have attached a few pictures. We were surprised to find out they did not offer iced tea to drink, nor did they offer any type of diet soda for those with sugar-free diets. They did offer very trendy, spectacularly prepared cocktails, and a few choices of full sugar soda. However, you can order a beautifully prepared special nonalcoholic beverage from the bar if you like . We were advised when we were ordering that the food would be brought out as it is ready. So none of us enjoyed our meals all together, but they were not too far apart from each other. Of course the prime rib took longer to cook, so it came out last. We did not partake in dessert. With this said, it's a great spot for date night. I would not come overly hungry, and I would bring some cash with you! $$$ It is beautiful, it is decadent, it has fabulous cocktails, food is good and is unique for Jacksonville. Come dressed to impress, bring your manners, and enjoy a lovely evening out! I'm loving the way that new dining concepts are finally arriving in the area! Cheers!

Absolutely amazing experience. I'm still shook from this. The ambiance. The customer service. Everything was absolutely amazing. As someone with a dietary restriction I know that I can be a little difficult, not only did they have no issue with it, the chef created a dish just for me!! And then he brainstormed a dessert that I could eat and LET ME TELL YOU this was so delicious. It is refreshing to have something like this in Jax. We needed this. Great job, Cataluna! We will be back with more friends!

A must go! Set your reservations today, you won't regret it!!! The food was absolutely delicious and the over all experience is something everyone should experience!!! I loved the atmosphere and definitely recommend this restaurant for all to try!

In my 57 years, I have never had a worse dining experience than I had last evening at Cataluna in Jacksonville. When reading a story about this venue in What Now Jacksonville, the owner, Mr. Pepaj told the Florida Times Union, "When you go to a restaurant, you should feel like it's home with people who are giving you high-end service. People who really care about you...and are looking out for you. It's about keeping everything old school when it comes to customer service but with a new energy and atmosphere". Our experience last evening was anything but that - the restaurant failed miserably and unapologetically on numerous fronts. We were a party of 12. When we made the reservation, we were told that the restaurant could accommodate a party of 12. One would think that meant we would be seated together. Reasonable assumption? I think so. Instead, we were seated at two separate tables, one seating eight and the other seating four separated by a planter. The table of eight was inaccessible for the server to serve everyone so we were left passing glasses and dishes back and forth throughout the meal. Hearing that there was a dress code, I called the restaurant earlier in the week to inquire if my attire would be acceptable. I told the staff member I planned to wear white linen pants, a black button-down shirt, and black sandals. I was told that would be acceptable so that is what I wore. I was also told that shorts were unacceptable. When I arrived with my group of six people, a very tall, somewhat arrogant man at the front door looked at me and told me that I could not get in with "flip flops" on. I told him that I called ahead and described my outfit and was told it was acceptable. He told me that I could go to the mall three miles away and buy shoes or eat elsewhere. I was furious. My group was stunned and attempted to reason with him on my behalf by asking to speak with the manager. He responded, "it does not matter who you speak to; that is the policy. I see this every day and they will not let you in". My friends wanted to leave with me, but we were meeting six other people. I told them to go in and I would just come back to pick them up. My family pleaded with me to go to the mall and buy shoes and come back. Reluctantly, I did and returned where the tall door guard smugly grinned at me and allowed me to enter. Upon entering, what did I see? Men in shorts and ladies in flip flops and sandals! Apparently, the dress code is at the discretion of the arrogant man at the front door. There are different policies for different people enforced by the smug man at the door. Does that sound like home? No, it sounds like a rope line at a 3-star Michelin restaurant; this place is far, far from that. Now seated and passing appetizers, plates, and glasses down to the rest of our friends, we asked the waiter if we could have separate checks and identified the groups of us for him. We were seated in our groups, as we do in other restaurants routinely and without issue, to make it easier for staff. We were told that would be no problem. When we asked for the check, we received a single check for over $1,100.00 including a 20% gratuity of course. The waiter who told us separate checks would be no problem sent a young lady to deliver it to us. When we questioned her and asked her if they could fix it, she nervously smiled and said she would ask. We sat there for another 15 minutes, and no one came. The waiter who told us this could be done seemingly went into hiding. So, there we were, 12 people at the table with calculators figuring out what everyone owed. Does this sound like home to you? We chose this placed because it looked exciting and was described on their website as being in the Italian and Spanish tradition served tapas style. The prices were high, but we decided to go anyway. First, this is not a tapas restaurant. I have been to several Spanish style restaurants, and I know what tapas style is. This restaurant is not that. Most of the food was bland. I ordered lamb chops. They were breaded and deep fried. They were dry and tasteless. The only good thing I can say positive about the dining experience was the Nebbiolo was exceptional. The ribeye and octopus were the only two things that people found consistently good. I will end this review the way I began it. In my 57 years, I have been to hundreds of restaurants in the US and around the world. This restaurant ranks solidly at the bottom of that list. Clearly, Mr. Pepaj invested heavily in the beautiful décor. It truly is beautiful. However, the investment is completely wasted when your policies are inconsistent and enforced at the sole discretion of the person at the door; when the communication between staff and guests as well as with the serving staff themselves is lacking, misleading, flawed and inconsistent; when the food is average at best and when management clearly has no interest in addressing unhappy guests in person.

Incredibly over priced and pretentious. Extreme arrogance for a dump like this. Poor quality food and inexperienced/unprofessional servers for an establishment that purports to be 'Fine Dining'.

Amazing place, amazing drinks, amazing wait staff and most of all amazing food!! I had to write this when I saw the ratings, this is not a true rating! The place is phenomenal, try it for yourself before you judge it!! If you want to go someplace nice and intimate come here but don't expect it to be cheap!! It's a NICE place with amazing food and atmosphere!!