The story of Cataract on Paterson is literally one that started in a paddock and has new chapters created on hundreds of plates each night.

You will feel at-home as soon as we welcome you through the doors of our modern restaurant for a dining experience like no other.

With home and honesty at its heart, the restaurant is the brainchild of Southern Midlands farmers Karen and Stuart Burbury, who wanted to spread their passion for home-grown produce.
Opening in 2013 after they outgrew their first foray into food culture at the Watermill, just 73 steps down the road, Cataract quickly became a Launceston institution.
It genuinely excites the senses of each visitor. It is respected for its innovative yet inexpensive food and its decadent desserts, as well as the honest, welcoming vibe that its decor and team provide.
Every furniture item and industrial embellishment scattered throughout the venue is special to the Burbury family – it is part of their journey to today and they love sharing that personal touch with their guests.
Team Cataract emphasises the importance of Tasmanian food products and takes pride in supporting the hard-working Tasmanian farming community, by sourcing products from a variety of local producers who practice sustainable farming principles.
With community at its core, the award-winning restaurant is also a firm believer in giving back and does its best to deliver better outcomes for the city and surrounds that supports it.

community

Team Cataract are proud of our commitment to support the community that supports us.

‘Giving Back’ is a fundraising initiative launched by Cataract on Paterson in 2015 and has so far raised over $165,000 to help make our community a better place.

 We are so grateful for the support we receive from our guests each evening that it seemed natural for us to return the favour.
Every single tip made to our team members is donated to the ‘Giving Back’ fund.  We are also very active in undertaking other fundraising activities – one example is our extremely popular Give Me 5 For Kids event, where our staff donate their time and our suppliers donate their products for a large-scale luncheon that raises money for sick children at Tasmanian hospitals.
Cataract on Paterson also relishes the chance to provide people with the opportunity to work as part of our committed and caring team.
We offer work experience to schools and provide an opportunity for up to 12 work placements through training institution TasTAFE. We offer school-based apprenticeships whilst encouraging current employees to complete their secondary education. Work experience opportunities are also available for people with a disability and those who have experienced long-term unemployment, so they can gain experience in the hospitality industry.
Our industry can be extremely demanding and as a result, the number one priority of management at Cataract on Paterson is staff mental health and wellbeing. All our team are trained in mental health awareness and a robust mental health policy guides our workforce on a daily basis.
You can be assured that by dining at and supporting Cataract on Paterson, it really does make a difference in the lives of so many people in our community.

produce

As farmers, we are acutely aware of how important it is to support sustainable and fair farming practises.  It is a non-negotiable.
So, it will come as no surprise, that we never compromise when it comes to serving quality products.
We source grass-fed and free-range meat and poultry products from highly respected producers and our seafood is sourced sustainably from local and Australian waters.
Our extensive menu is based on the philosophy that seasons should be celebrated – serving the freshest, seasonal produce also allows us to reduce our environmental footprint.
Product innovation has always proved a talking point among Cataract on Paterson guests.
We serve a highly-sought after daily “Surprise” dish, where we simply give you a hint of what it might be, and the chef’s come up with a captivating creation to amaze you with – there’s nothing boring or bland about this option!
Cataract on Paterson is also the original home of the stone grill™ – an interactive dining experience where you are presented with your meal to cook to your liking on a 400ºc volcanic stone – it’s hot and it’s healthy and it’s always a crowd pleaser!
And if you have room for dessert after enjoying your extraordinary entrees and main meals, you won’t be disappointed – we have created quite the stir with our specialised sweet treats!

sustainability

Sustainable practices underpin our kitchen ethos.
Using local products with reduced transport miles not only ensures the freshest food on your plate, it helps reduce our environmental footprint.
We also continually investigate new earth-friendly alternatives with recycling and waste reduction to further reduce our impact on the wonderful environment we are proud to call home.

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