After closing its doors for two weeks, Catch 21 is no more but transformed into a brand new seafood bistro and bar.
After an interior refresh to give its dining room an updated new look with a more open space, and the installation of an oyster deck and bar area, Saint Marée, a seafood-focused bistro and coffee bar, has opened in its place.
On Wednesday, 16 July 2025, owner Robin Lee unveiled the new restaurant to guests in Takapuna.
Robin said he had long dreamt of having a restaurant that served seafood flavours “fresh from the sea”, and it made perfect sense to “re-invent” themselves.
“With Catch 21, people often asked if we were a cafe, restaurant, or coffee shop, but with Saint Marée, we have a menu featuring 90% seafood, and customers can easily see that it’s a place that focuses on seafood with sharing style and affordable price,” Robin said.
“Marée means tide in French, and naming our restaurant Saint Marée, it is our way of acknowledging that we have to show respect to the ocean, where we get our source of food from.”
Saint Marée overlooks Hurstmere Green with Takapuna beach just a stone’s throw away, so having a seafood eatery made perfect sense to Robin.
“In Takapuna, we have restaurants by the sea, but there aren’t any seafood restaurants here, so I felt this was the right moment to refine and define what we truly believe in and bring seafood dining here,” Robin said.
The new decor, furniture and more open layout is aimed to make the eatery more personal, intuitive and for it to be more attuned to guests.
With the strong focus on seafood, Robin said he and his team ensure that everything is kept fresh, so you can see freshly shucked oysters, clams, and paua on the menu.
Together, they go to great lengths to source fresh seafood and also smoke and dry-age fish and shellfish for their menu.
Open 7:30am till 10pm from Tuesdays to Sundays, you can start your mornings with seafood for breakfast - including the “Big St Marée” that comes with tuna bacon, smoked eel hash, prawn mortadella, oyster mushroom, eggs, buttered kumara sourdough, and roasted tomato ($29.80).
Other unique offerings include the New Zealand Black Paua Chawanmushi ($36), eggs steamed with squid, prawns, scallops, sesame oil, and nori rice, and the Hang-Town Fry of California-styled oyster omelet, bacon, and clam salsa ($17.80).
The main menu kicks off at 11.30am, and to begin, have fresh shucked oysters or Cloudy Bay clams from the Oyster Deck. Have them natural, with shallot mignonette or spiced with buttermilk and herb oil.
Those who prefer to have them hot can choose from having the oysters baked with togarashi mayo or fried tempura-style, and the clams on a hot plate with bulgogi and nori.
Up next, try the Hokkaido Scallops ($21), where you’ll find two large scallops cooked with Togarashi butter, soba noodles, and edamame beans, and the Evo Braised Octopus with almond romesco and cassava root.
Another standout from the small sharing appetisers is the Cantonese Crudo ($28), which comes with aged fish slices, finger lime, taro, pickled ginger, sesame, and kaffir lime - mixed in a similar way you’d do with a yu-sheng salad during Chinese New Year.
From the mains, look forward to the massive St Marée Fish & Chips, two juicy, fresh, crispy battered catch-of-the-day fish served with tartare sauce, lemon, wasabi, honey peas, and chips ($38).
A must-try from the Surf and Turf section is the Glazed Wagyu Beef Short Ribs with two gigantic grilled king prawns topped with celeriac remoulade and truffle aioli ($66). Guests can add on a lobster tail for $49.
Catch 21 was famous for its seafood chowder, so following its tradition, Saint Marée also has an offering of “Tapas Chowders” that include the Spicy Mussel and Cauliflower, New England Clam, and of course, the iconic Seafood Chowder. Each priced at $12, or have all three for $33, served with warmed kumara sourdough bread.
End your meal with Tiramisu, Matcha Fondant, Coconut Panna Cotta, or the St Marée Affogato, vanilla ice-cream, and a house-fresh brew coffee shot.
Private evenings can be specially booked at Saint Marée for groups of 30-40 people, Get in touch with Robin and his team to discuss any upcoming functions you may have.
Saint Marée
Shop 8/33 Hurstmere Road Phone Number: 09 484 0005
