The Catbird Seat Bistro

Came here for a BYO night, the food was absolutely delicious and the waitress is really attentive. Atmosphere is cosy and relaxing, will definitely be back for more!

I've been looking for a cozy restaurant with outstanding dishes like this in Brisbane for so long. Everything from the menu & wine list to the execution of the dishes was amazing and really quite affordable. The atmosphere is relaxed yet all the tables are set. This place really reminded me of my home in Paris. Tldr; If you're looking for the perfect date night spot or just miss European dining, this is the spot!

The Charcuterie plate was amazing!!! The service from Erinn was second to none, even made us cocktails that were not on the menu. Keep up the great work guys. Great place for an intimate romantic dinner. Chef was truly engaged in his food - only downside when we visited was limited options for vegetarians, hence the four stars

Perfect little bistro where you might least expect it. Get away from Fortitude Valley and over to East Brisbane. The cute 10-table establishment has about 7 pages in the menu and food takes up 1. The rest is dedicated to wine, nearly all of which are on display. But just get whatever is on special. We had the Beef Bourginon share dish, and it was technically perfect. Expertly flavoured, great consistency to the stew and the meat was incredibly tender. Wines come expertly paired on recommendation, and the desserts add the fonihing touch doing justice to a great meal. Simplicity in the styling creates a relaxed vibe and its easy to just sit and relax and bask in the glow of a great meal. I would recommend this to any lover of classic French bistro style dining.

I love this cosy little nook! The service is always warm and genuine. The dishes are delicious and memories of their intense flavours stay with you long after you've bid farewell. That's why you will return! We certainly will. Thank you to James and Erin for an exciting dining experience. See you again soon.

I was driving out of the bottle shop next door to Catbird Seat Bistro when I discovered it, brightly lit and inviting on a cold evening - promised myself I'd try it out soon. I swung by on a following Thursday evening on the off chance I could walk in and get a table. Good news, even managed to get a car park right outside on the normally busy Stanley Street. The restaurant is clean, rustic, efficient, warm. The menu is comprehensive, as is the stock of wines on offer. I ordered the barramundi with crispy cauliflower and wild rice washed down with a glass of Montepulciano and a long black to follow. I had asked the waitress for a raw clove of garlic and she didn't even bat an eyelid - I like that. It duly arrived standing tall and glistening in the main dish - thanks chef! It's only a small restaurant, so you might need to book. They will rearrange the tables and seating to suit larger parties. I saw a table set up for about sixteen. Had I not felt guilty about sitting around at my table after the meal, I would have been happy to tackle a crossword and another coffee - the lighting is great. I went again on a following Saturday night with a friend (we booked this time). Perfect service again.

An intimate French inspired setting away from the hustle and bustle outside. Menu was unique although the sirloin was on the salty side. A good selection of wine. Great to see more restaurants like these in Brisbane!

Intimate and relaxed - Erin & James always look after us and we have never had a bad meal! Great wine list and the food is always unique and creative. 10 out of 10 - would eat!

A few years back, I went to the restaurant that used to be where The Catbird Seat Bistro is now. It was an interesting night to say the least. Most of the menu was unavailable and the chef and waitress having a massive argument in the kitchen for everyone to see, before the waitress stormed off. Not surprisingly, the venue closed a few weeks later. Their loss is our gain as The Catbird Seat moved in. Just opposite the Aussie Nash and The Gabba, they are literally in the Catbird Seat.* It's a lovely little bistro with a simple fitout of warm wood, elegant Art Deco lighting and an open kitchen and not an argument to be seen. We were there for the month long World Safari Dinner offer of a shared classic French meal and a glass of wine for $30 per head. I told myself that I would be have been fine if the dish of the week turned out to be Cassoulet, but was secretly thrilled when we were told it was Duck a l'Orange with an accompanying French pinot. I know what you're thinking. 'Duck a l'Orange. How 1970s can you get?' I'm here to tell you that your thinking is wrong. This segmented duck in a simple orange glaze was at once both sweet and savoury and packed with umami. The meat was tender and the skin crisp. Perfect! Accompaniments of simple green beans, duck fat potatoes (someone had to do it) and a scattering of spiced pecans completed the meal. There was not a skerrick left. A whole duck should have been more than enough but of course, it wasn't. Rounding out the evening, we selected from the small ala carte menu a cheese plate with house pickles and Black Forrest crème brulee. The brulee was a surprise. Deep, dark chocolate with a crisp burnt sugar top and a thin layer of sour cherry sauce underneath, it was a very grown up dessert that suited sharing. There may have also been some Tawny but only one, you understand as it was a school night. But what a night! Between the subtle decor, discreet but attentive service, flavoursome meals and competitive pricing, I can certainly see why The Catbird Seat recently received a 'Hat' at the Good Food Awards. *'The catbird seat' is a phrase used to describe an enviable position or advantage

I rate it! For those adventurous or discerning foodies, for those who don't understand the menu but know anything they choose will be sensational, for those travellers who can put it on the corporate card, on your own or with a crew - surprise your southern guests and smash the country hillbilly stereotype

A cold winter's day felt like the perfect time to try the newly opened, 'The Catbird Seat Bistro'. There was an immediate feeling of being right at home, & belonging when I was welcomed by the friendly staff. It has the look and feel of a cozy intimate french bistro which took me back to Rheims, France, where I could take my time & enjoy an amazing lunch. I was salivating looking through the menu as everything sounded gorgeous. "I could eat everything" I thought. Entrees start from $12 & mains from $28. I began with a long macchiato, so I could look through the menu a little longer. Coffee is from "Cup coffee", in Woolloongabba. It was the perfect tonic to give me a pick-me-up. The sound of pan roasted Blue Salmon $25 (the day's special) with warm salad of crisp potatoes, rocket, streaky bacon & horseradish dressing, was music to my belly, so went with it. Absolutely to die for! The fish was cooked to perfection, so much flavour on one plate, especially the horseradish dressing. Dessert being a separate stomach, I deserved a treat, & ordered the dark chocolate pudding with winter berries & mascarpone. Made to order taking 15 minutes to prepare, this bowl of chocolate pudding happiness, is made with love. On a cold winter's day, it was warm & decadently divine. The Catbird Seat Bistro is an impressive bistro. Lunch time specials change regularly. They support & buy local produce, & their fish fresh from the markets each morning. There's a great looking range of Australian & European wines, champagnes, as well as a selection of cheeses, & tempting cocktail list. They do breakfast on the weekends with all day breakfast on Sundays with fresh juices, loose leaf tea & Coffee. Chef & owner, James Guldberg is classically trained in French cuisine but because of his Norwegian background, he brings a Scandinavian twist to his modern Australian Cuisine. 'The Catbird seat Bistro' Is definitely a place worth visiting. Looking forward to breakfast, of warm crepes with banana caramel & crème fraiche. Open daily except Mondays.

An uber driver told me about this place. What an unexpected pleasure. The service was friendly and efficient, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the food is simply amazing, beautifully presented, fresh and delicious. I will be back. Date night or girls night, this place suits both.

Excellent - both for breakfast and dinner. Food is unique but really well balanced, ambience is nice and laid back. Excellent coffee.