
The Catbird Seat
A buzzy, upscale New American restaurant offering a unique tasting menu experience in an interactive U-shaped open kitchen.

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The Catbird Seat

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A buzzy, upscale New American restaurant offering a unique tasting menu experience in an interactive U-shaped open kitchen.
"This isn’t just a dinner—it’s an immersion into culinary craftsmanship that could easily stand alongside Michelin-starred establishments."
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are essential and highly sought-after due to limited seating.
Inform of Dietary Needs
Request any dietary restrictions or preferences in advance for accommodation.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
New American
Price
$$$
Phone
(615) 810-8200
Address
700 8th Ave S Fifth Floor, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Interactive Open Kitchen
Dine at a U-shaped counter surrounding an open kitchen, watching chefs create edible art.

Inventive Tasting Menu
Experience a constantly evolving tasting menu with 12-14 meticulously crafted, small plates.

Culinary Artistry & Ingredient Focus
Appreciate dishes prepared with incredible attention to detail and the freshest seasonal ingredients.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are essential and highly sought-after due to limited seating.
Inform of Dietary Needs
Request any dietary restrictions or preferences in advance for accommodation.
Consider Early Seating
Early seating offers a quieter atmosphere for fully appreciating dish descriptions.
Embrace the Chef's Choices
The tasting menu changes daily; trust the chef's creativity and vision.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are essential and highly sought-after due to limited seating.
Inform of Dietary Needs
Request any dietary restrictions or preferences in advance for accommodation.
Consider Early Seating
Early seating offers a quieter atmosphere for fully appreciating dish descriptions.
Embrace the Chef's Choices
The tasting menu changes daily; trust the chef's creativity and vision.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Catbird Seat is lauded for its spectacular and inventive tasting menus, delivered with artistic presentation and exceptional service. Many describe the experience as a culinary masterpiece, rivaling Michelin-starred establishments. However, some diners have expressed disappointment regarding specific dishes not meeting expectations or concerns about value for money, especially when dietary accommodations felt limited.
"Not enough stars, the chefs are artists with food. It's a work of art, don't want to eat it. Farm to table, with the freshest ingredients. I recommend this place and make reservations. Also pair it with the wine menu or not they have cocktails. The wine steward was so sweet, showed each bottle and region it is from. Each dish is explained by the chef. This is the top three of my tasting menu experiences. I can't say enough about the people or the experience you just have to take my word."
Lisa Russ
"With almost $600 for 2 people, i expect way more for tonight!
My husband has shellfish allergy but all his substitutes were “vegetables” 🥲.
I personally don’t feel like chef was trying to put much effort to accommodate shellfish allergy customers at all.
We feel like they don’t respect our money.
Even after my husband tried to ask if they could substitute with other types of meat.
The answer was “that’s how we do it”
With almost a month we made a reservation and chose our special day to celebrate. (Before valentine)
We’re really disappointed ☹️
Not to mention that after the whole experience we only have 1 tiny main course (pork was very chewy) that left us still hungry.
The Indian chef was (perhaps) care enough to ask me how was it. After i gave him my honest answer that it’s too tough for me. Then they just did nothing and ignored all of our opinions.
I have no idea what’s wrong with everything tonight but it was definitely not worth our money.
We’ll never go back and would never recommend this place for our friends."
Tina Booncharoen
"If you are searching for a dining experience that transcends the ordinary in Nashville, this restaurant should be at the very top of your list. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with an elegant yet understated atmosphere—modern design softened with warm lighting and impeccable attention to detail.
The service is nothing short of world-class: attentive without being intrusive, with staff who are not only knowledgeable about the menu but also passionate about food and wine pairings. Every course feels like a carefully composed piece of art.
The flavors are layered, balanced, and surprising—each dish tells a story. Ingredients are clearly sourced with the highest standards, and the chef’s creativity shines through in every bite. From delicate starters to beautifully plated mains and desserts that rival fine patisserie, the consistency of excellence is remarkable.
Yes, the price is high, but it reflects the caliber of the experience. This isn’t just a dinner—it’s an immersion into culinary craftsmanship that could easily stand alongside Michelin-starred establishments in larger cities. Nashville has many great restaurants, but this one feels like it is on the verge of setting a new standard for fine dining in the city."
Justin Lee
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, The Catbird Seat offers a tasting menu-only experience with around 12-14 mini courses curated by the chef.
Reservations are highly sought after and should be made well in advance due to limited seating.
Yes, they can accommodate dietary restrictions if notified in advance. However, some reviews mention limitations with certain allergies.
The restaurant features a modern, intimate, and elegant atmosphere with a U-shaped open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs.
The dining experience is considered upscale, reflecting the quality of ingredients, culinary artistry, and overall service.
Yes, they offer wine pairings and NA (non-alcoholic) pairings to complement the tasting menu.
Yes, The Catbird Seat has received a Michelin Star for the 2025 American South guide.
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Catbird has always been the best special occasion meal in Nashville, but now it’s even better. The experimental fine dining powerhouse (and one of our highest-rated restaurants) recently moved to the Gulch, and got a makeover so fantastic you’d think it just left a bad relationship. The old space was stark, while the new space is warm with a soft glow, adding to the sense of calm and serene confidence about the meal you’re about to have.
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The Catbird Seat offers a unique dining experience – there are no menus and you most certainly will not be able to just walk in without a reservation. The restaurant is based on a U-shaped layout that enables all of the diners to watch the chef prepare the food. The twist is that whatever the chef is preparing that day will be what is on offer, with diners encouraged to comment and ask for their dish to be tweaked top suit their tastes.
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Music RowOne of the most unique dining experiences in all of Nashville, the Catbird Seat is relatively new to the city. Reservations are rather difficult to get, seeing as there are only ~20 seats in the whole place. It’s "tasting menu only," and the resto charges a set per-person price which includes 12-14 mini courses that are chosen and prepared in front of you by the chef.
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The scene: More of a kitchen than a dining room, The Catbird Seat gives you the chance to place yourself in the centre of all the action and watch the chefs work their magic as they prepare intricate small plates in front of your eyes. The stainless steel and dark wooden space is filled with 22 bar seats surrounding a U-shaped kitchen that buzzes with the fast-paced culinary team crafting a multi-course New American tasting menu enchant every single one of your taste buds. To take full advantage of fresh, seasonal produce and to allow the chefs to indulge in their creative whimsies, dishes change almost constantly.
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This chic, premier American restaurant situates patrons around an open kitchen to provide front-row views of the culinary artistry unfolding behind the U-shaped counter. Within the posh steel and deep-toned wood interiors, animated energy simmers as talented chefs deftly prepare exquisite small shareable utilizing the freshest seasonal offerings. Instead of individual orders, guests enjoy a revolving tasting menu that allows the kitchen to showcase its skills through an array of creative bite-sized plates.
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With its aura of mystery, combined with boundary-pushing dishes created by chefs before your eyes, the debut of The Catbird Seat in 2011 changed the perception of Nashville to dining destination and introduced haute cuisine as performance art. Now, in its fifth iteration under the leadership of chef Brian Baxter, it continues to enthrall and delight diners, providing the most extraordinary 12-plus coursed tasting experience in the city. (1711 Division St., 615-810-8200; thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com)
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The Catbird Seat is a premier destination for culinary enthusiasts seeking an immersive dining experience in Nashville. Located on the fifth floor of the Bill Voorhees Building at 700 8th Avenue South, this intimate restaurant offers a 15-course tasting menu that showcases seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques. Guests are seated around a U-shaped Tennessee pink marble counter, providing an up-close view of the chefs as they prepare each dish with precision and artistry.
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For something more upscale, the place to be is The Catbird Seat, recently named one of the Top 50 restaurants in the world. Though a reservation may be tough to come by (the restaurant has just 22 seats), the dining experience is one of a kind. Patrons sit at a table that surrounds the cooking station on three sides, so diners can actually watch some of the best chefs in the country cook their food.
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The best part of The Catbird Seat experience is leaning forward at the bar to watch culinary works of art come together. Each of the 10 to 12 courses in the preset tasting menu are as beautiful as they are otherworldly delicious. The Catbird Seat offers the most exotic and exquisite food in Nashville — it's hard to find aged marlin belly dabbed with Santa Rosa plum confiture elsewhere.
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Before I ate there, I wondered just how any meal could be worth $200 (note: that price does include pairings). Well, let’s just say, I would have paid double that for the feast we had at our inaugural Catbird experience last spring!. The restaurant itself is very no-frills, which means the focus is entirely on the food and whatever the chef and his team are whipping up that night.
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Catbird Seat has offered guests a unique culinary experience since it opened in 2011. It's a chef-driven test-kitchen style spot where you can expect an ever-changing menu that takes inspiration from all over the world, along with unexpected drink pairings. Some of the best chefs have showcased their culinary skills here in the past decade and continue to do so today.
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It offers a chef-driven, ever-changing tasting menu in an interactive setting. Guests are seated around a U-shaped counter, offering a front-row seat to the magic happening in the kitchen. This setup serves to break down the barrier between chef and diner and also adds an element of novelty and engagement to the dining experience, making each visit unlike any other.
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One of the most exclusive, intimate restaurants in Nashville, The Catbird Seat, has just 22 seats and doesn’t accept walk-ins. Essentially, it’s a front-row seat to the chef’s ultimate tasting menu. The recent increase in incredible Nashville restaurants has made it slightly easier to snag a reservation, but it’s still tricky.
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Try The Catbird Seat, offering a changing tasting menu of American cuisine in an open kitchen, or Husk, serving elevated southern dishes in a historic mansion. For more casual dining, everyone loves Rosepepper Cantina, as famous for the quippy phrases on its exterior sign as its knock-you-off-your-feet housemade margaritas.
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Since it opened in 2011, The Catbird Seat has operated in a rarefied space among Nashville restaurants. Designed to be a kind of restaurant lab with frequently changing leadership, Catbird. Musichttp://robertswesternworld.com/ 416 Broadway No cover 4 shows per day 11:00am-2:15pm 2:30pm-6:00pm 6:30pm-10:00pm 10:30pm-2:00am
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For a truly unique dining experience, The Catbird Seat is a top choice. This exclusive restaurant offers a chef's tasting menu that changes regularly, showcasing innovative and artfully presented dishes. With an intimate setting where diners sit around the open kitchen, you'll get a front-row seat to the culinary magic.
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1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203, United States ( Google Maps) ( Get Directions). Opening Hours: Tuesday:[Closed], Wednesday:[5:30-9 PM], Thursday:[5:30-9 PM], Friday:[5:30-9 PM], Saturday:[5:30-9 PM], Sunday:[Closed], Monday:[Closed]. Categories: New American restaurant, American restaurant, Restaurant
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Get ready for a dinner that’s pure performance art at The Catbird Seat in Nashville!. This acclaimed spot offers an incredibly intimate experience, with guests seated around a U-shaped counter watching the chefs meticulously craft and present a highly innovative tasting menu. Each dish is a surprise.
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The Catbird Seat is an upscale dining establishment that offers a dining experience like nothing you have ever seen. Interactive dining is the theme of The Catbird Seat. You will sit in one of twenty bar seats around a U-shaped kitchen and watch the chef and his team make your dinner.
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You’ll note that the price per person jumped considerably here, making this the most expensive restaurant in Nashville by a mile. This amazing location is all that you might expect, and more. Trevor Moran is the chef in charge, and he is doing a job unlike any other.
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Dining at The Catbird Seat is like being part of a culinary performance. The intimate, U-shaped counter seats only a handful of guests, allowing you to watch the chefs at work. Each multi-course meal is a surprise, with dishes that showcase creativity and skill.
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Address: 1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203Hours: Check availabilityReservations: +1 (615) 810-8200. Hidden through a random, out-of-sight door, and up a small elevator, you’ll find Catbird Seat. Catbird Seat is the top of the culinary mountain in Nashville.
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Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by the catbird seat (@the_catbirdseat). Wear comfortable, upscale casual and expect a stellar meal from the time the hostess welcomes you to this great dining place.
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American | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (615) 810-8200. Foodies looking for a culinary adventure should put the Catbird Seat at the top of their list. The restaurant in Downtown Nashville offers a chef’s tasting menu in an intimate environment.
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1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203Phone: 615-810-8200 Visit Website. Named after a famous story from 1942 by James Thurber, The Catbird Seat is perennially one of the hottest restaurants in Nashville. It opened in 2011 eleven with a unique premise.
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With an ever-changing tasting menu, this intimate restaurant allows guests to interact with the chefs as they prepare innovative dishes right before your eyes. Each visit is a unique culinary adventure, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
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The Catbird Seat: If you are a true foodie with a special occasion, I highly recommend The Catbird Seat. Keep in mind you are paying for the experience, well and the amazing food. But if you’re a steak and potatoes person, this is not your place.
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Reservations are done through the restaurant's website, meaning you have to get a table well in advance if you plan on eating here. Executive chef Ryan Poli serves up some of the finest in cuisine every Wednesday through Saturday.
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To describe The Catbird Seat (1711 Division St., 615/810-8200) as a restaurant is a bit of a misnomer. It is a culinary performance that happens to include dinner. There are just 32 seats in this U-shaped space.
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The Catbird Seat is upscale but you’ll always feel welcomed by the friendly staff. There’s an open kitchen too, and its U-shape means you get excellent views. This Nashville establishment is unabashedly arty.
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Address: The Catbird Seat, 1711 Division St., Nashville TN 37203. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 5:30-9pm. The Catbird Seat offers a one of a kind, interactive 10-12 course dinner experience.
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1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203Phone: 615-810-8200 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by the catbird seat (@the_catbirdseat)
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