This was our first time at Bata. Amazing atmosphere and food was awesome! Lots of good flavor and variety. When we were first seated we weren't sure what to order as some items on menu were unfamiliar. The waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful. All staff was friendly and make recommendations when we were asking questions. Since the menu changes regularly we are now very intrigued and want to go back again. Please note the food is more of a tapas style. The prices are a little on the higher side but for the quality of food and flavors that you get it's 100% worth it. read more

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We tried the adventure $60 4 course dinner! They pick the menu for you and I highly recommend doing this if you have no allergies or dietary restrictions. The amount of food and options you get for $60 is really a steal. Everything was so delicious and the flavors were unique. Our server mentioned their menu changing frequently- we can not wait to return gain soon! read more

We spent $400 for 2 people and went to get a cheeseburger afterwards. We visited again for Valentine's Day and our expectations were high. However, the experience fell short: high prices, mediocre food, and small portions. While I appreciate fine dining and small portions, flavor matters most. Unfortunately, this time, the prix fixe menu was not just mediocre but downright unpleasant. The main courses, ravioli and steak, were subpar-the ravioli sauce overly salty and the steak tough. Surprisingly, l've had better more quality steak at casual establishments. The desert was a stale chocolate eclair with a fruit puree that didn't complement it at all. And l've attached photos of the other dishes that were underwhelming to say the least. Despite the friendly staff and excellent drink selection, the overall dining experience didn't justify the cost. Despite managements suggestion to return on a regular night, I won't be revisiting. While the ambiance screams fancy, the food fails to deliver, coming across as pretentious. Improvement on the food quality is needed. read more

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We are big fans of Tapas and small plates and we love to seek out great small plates when we travel and we were excited to be in Tucson and experience Bata. Unfortunately the experience was a profound meh by all of our party of 4. The decor was nice albeit somewhat sterile, the service was awkward and uneven, the coursing lacked cohesion, seemed without much thought and almost disjointed. But most significantly many of the flavors were just not on point. Several times the staff rushed the plates from the table and we had to advise them we weren't finished. The reputation just didn't match the experience, 1 extra star for the old fashioned which had a nice twist. read more

So glad we decided to try this place! We weren't sure at first because I've never been to a "small plate" or tapas place or this high end of a restaurant here in Tucson. It was worth it. Atmosphere: great for a romantic date! Dark and cozy, but not too dark to the point you can't read the menu loved the vibe and design Food: the food was great! Unique combinations, flavors and seemed like you couldn't go wrong with any plate. I love the concept of the rotating menu, locally sourced ingredients. The small plates were nice too because we felt like we could try a little of everything. My ONLY critique would be that some of the dishes were quite salty. Still delicious, but I guess I am not used to that much salt in a dish. Service: Excellent! Our waitress was so polite, helpful navigating the menu and checked in with us about our meals. You will EASILY drop over $100 for just two people, but the atmosphere vibes, good food and service, it was all well worth the cost. read more

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I went for my birthday and experienced the chef tasting menu and wine pairing. Everything was wonderful! My favorite dishes were the malawach, the mushroom skewer, and the cod. The wine pairings did not disappoint, and really elevated the experience. The service was exceptional and everyone was kind and attentive. Thank you for making my birthday feel like a true celebration. read more

BATA - Dessert - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

If you've ever wondered why Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, head to BATA -- and bring your foodie friends. Sourcing nearly all products from a 400-mile radius certainly pays off, with fresh, seasonal ingredients highlighted in every dish. Other reviews do touch on the pricing, and it's true that this isn't a low-cost restaurant, but I find value in chefs emphasizing high-quality components from smaller local sources (which may in turn cost more). The menu is continually evolving, and small-plate sharing ensures a new adventure with every visit. The servers attentively explain the format and flavor profiles, and the restaurant itself has an inviting, moody modern-warehouse feel, including the cellar bar. On a recent visit, we enjoyed this array of delights: malawach with labneh, compressed cucumber, and cured egg yolk; shishitos with jamon, bean purée, and roasted-fennel soubise; Japanese eggplant with peanut sauce, shrimp aioli, roasted corn, kelp oil, and lemon/Thai basil; halibut with grain porridge and smoked-butter sabayon; a mushroom skewer with whiskey-garlic glaze and mushroom broth; and grilled potato bread with cultured butter and smoked salt. Each fire-kissed dish built upon the next, with umami, texture, and depth, and it was a pleasure to watch the open kitchen humming along in the background as we savored the outstanding food. Among the most memorable meals we've had in Tucson! read more

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I am in complete disbelief of the current rating of Bata. It is nowhere near being pretentious or overpriced. There are different levels of the menu- some are 'bites', some are shared, and some are large (still shareable). They have an excellent diverse menu and we were not let down by the adventurous chef driven 3 course meal. The drinks were perfect and a bonus, there is a cool underground bar with its own ambiance and vibe. The only disappointing thing was how undervalued this place seems to be to the city of Tucson. The city could use a lot more of restaurants like this one. read more

BATA is the newest project from Chef Tyler Fenton or Reilly's Pizza. The restaurant's name is inspired from a Japanese style grilling called robata but don't confuse it for a Japanese restaurant. The menu concept is that each dish touches fire in different ways; some are subtle and others are more intense. The venue is in downtown's Warehouse Arts District adjacent to Borderland Brewing. The space which used to occupy retail and office areas has been reimagined to a contemporary design. It features original wood and metal truss bow ceilings, beautiful wood tables, and a wood-fired hearth in the open kitchen. However the highlight is the long cushioned bench seat positioned against a shou sugi ban soffit - another Japanese influence. My favorite aspect of BATA is that vegetables are sourced from local farmers and most of the food is from within a 400 mile radius of the restaurant. Note, that is inclusive of San Diego for fresh seafood. I love that vegetable dishes do not take a back seat on the menu. In fact, vegetables take center stage because they are featured on more than half of the small plate dishes! There are a few dedicated vegetarian options and some can be made vegan such as the ash roasted beet tartlet or grilled fermented potato bread.  But wait, there's more! Can't wait for the BATA bar to open in the basement similar to the Tough Luck Club at Reilly's! read more

BATA - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Great vibe, excellent service...awesome wine list. Definitely a place to see and be seen. Everything is kissed by mesquite smoke on the menu. Very interesting menu. The sides of green beans and cabbage were my favorite dishes (and I am a huge meat eater). Everything was delicious. Portions are VERY small. The individual mushroom appetizer was delicious however one was so small, it was not even a bite! It was still very flavorful and again, super vibe and service! read more

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Overall not very impressed. The food was okay but lacking. After a very expensive meal, I left feeling unsatisfied and hungry still. The atmosphere is very pleasant. The food presentations were nice and the interesting creations were an experience. However, not the best meal I've eaten and felt like it should've been, based on the hype and the prices. read more

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Awesome atmosphere, interesting and flavorful dishes, and fun cocktails. Highly recommend for the experience! read more

first and foremost our server DJ was absolutely amazing! my boyfriend and i chose to dine here for our first time and everything was fantastic! my highlights were the potato bread and beef tartare, absolutely delicious. our server DJ was also knowledgeable about their menu and when he had asked if we had been before, he provided a beautiful description of what the menu was like and an awesome backstory of what the restaurant is! loved our experience, would most definitely return. read more

Food is above average but very unusual. Service is excellent. Reservation system via OpenTable requires a credit card and is vey awkward. Gift cards extremely hard to redeem, to the point of embarrassing. I was also unable to reach them by phone. Mixed Drink offerings extremely limited. In all this restaurant is definitely designed to appeal to younger people seeking an alternative esoteric and expensive experience in dining. read more

Not the best steak I ever ate. Most dishes too spicy. Best steaks in town are Tavilino and Arizona Inn.

I just had my first experience at Bata. I was going to a show at the Rialto, and my date was unable to go, so I ended up sitting alone at the bar. Andy and Roxanna treated me like an honored guest. They paired the warmth and hospitality of small-town vibes with the elegance and sophistication of a big city. They really made it a lovely evening. The wine list is truly like none I've ever seen, and both Andy and Roxanna were incredibly knowledgeable about the wines and made excellent recommendations for food pairings. The food was super fresh and delicious. I'm looking forward to going back to explore more of the unique menu! read more

Went here for my birthday off the recommendation of a guy that owns a boutique pizza shop in town. Said the service is incredible and it would be a great way to celebrate. Since I don't know anyone in Tucson, I went alone but he assured me the service was so good there that they'd make me forget that I'm eating by myself. Unfortunately the exact opposite happened. Got sat at the bar and hardly anyone said a word to me. They printed out a very generic "happy birthday message" on a piece of plain paper that they handed to me when I came in and gave me a spoonful of gelato at the end. Spent over $100 and left hungry. Plating was fine dining but the food was not. Like others have said, not nearly complex enough to be charging what they are. Can't imagine how anyone could leave a positive review for this place. read more

Most memorable restaurant I've ever gone to with my husband. We spent the evening trying to compose ourselves as the entire ridiculous experience unfolded. If you want to pay twenty dollars for what looks like a standard side of veggies or thirty dollars for a few bites of meat this is your place. And no - not exaggerating on the portions - just look at the reviews. Nothing we ordered was worth the price. It was very entertaining to watch the expressions on the other patrons' faces. You could tell most of them were thinking "this is it?" after the bill hit 175 dollars for the two of us and we were still hungry, we figured we'd be better off closing out the check so we didn't give any more dough to this place. We reluctantly paid and then went home to make dinner. read more

My boyfriend and I opted for the four course "chef's choice," and we were not disappointed. In fact, it was life-changing. The dishes were all fresh and scrumptious and included two "amuse bouche" appetizers, followed by three family-style vegetable-based plates, a shareable main course and two desserts. The flavors were the sheer essence of late summer in Tucson. Our server, Oliver, took great care of us and was both friendly and knowledgeable. The cocktails and digestifs were also fantastic, and we enjoyed those while looking out the big windows onto the street in the late afternoon sun. Overall, a 12/10 experience. We will be back to try what's new as the season evolves! read more

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We did the tasting menu/ chefs choice for our anniversary. Service was great. Awesome ambiance. Food was good- not very protein heavy, but good read more

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Jaw dropping ridiculous. This is a one and done experience.......As many reviews have stated you will walk out of here at least 100-200 dollars poorer and still feel hungry. If the bites were amazing it would add less insult to injury but the only thing we had that was really good was the rabbit. But even that was 24.00 for a couple bites of rabbit. The menu is incredibly pretentious that makes you think you're going to be eating something fabulous when most of the stuff was just not that great. halfway through our meal we decided to stop ordering anything else because we knew we would just leave pissed if we gave any more money to this establishment. We plan to go home now and actually have dinner. 170.00 for two drinks and some bites. The only decent sized "tapas" there was the ribeye and that was $133 for what looked to be about 7 strips of meat and nothing else. You read that right! read more

BATA - Rabbit - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I wanted to like this but felt the whole experience was pretentious and expensive. Service felt kind of fake. One of my partner's pet peeves are servers that say, "how are WE doing? I'll be taking care of US tonight." Really, you're joining us for dinner? My partner stopped counting at 24 uses of the royal "we." I had the Kitt Peak Old Fashioned, which was good, and we started with the malawach, which I liked. But the rest of the meal was underseasoned to my palate and grossly overpriced. For a place that is supposed to have a plant forward menu, I found the vegetables bland. It also felt like they were rationing the food, because the serving sizes were miniscule. I understand that they are supposed to be "tapas" style, but tapas bars are not charging $24 for a half of a potato. I hope that someone actually reads the negative reviews and tries to make some changes. Maybe I'll try the bar and just have a drink. read more

BATA - Potatoes with smoked trout roe - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Conceptually, the range of culinary techniques is great. They are experimental and I appreciate the risk-taking. Execution-wise, the dishes simply don't have enough flavor. But with how much dishes cost, you can send dishes back without feeling like too much of a diva and they handle it gracefully. Drinks are superb. The space is elegant and modern. One of the few places in Tucson where you can actually feel underdressed if you show up in shorts and flip flops. read more

The decor is minimalist. Think of a factory repurposed as a restaurant. It fits in the 'tired' area of Downtown it occupies where parking is a PITA and street lighting is minimal at best. The service was both slow and uneven. Selections were presented without serving pieces; forcing each person to serve themselves from the communal dish with a fork that had just been in their mouth. Seems like a simple recipe for assisting in a future pandemic? My friend ordered a glass of Chardonnay; it was finally delivered after three (3) courses. To add insult, it was not what she requested. The food was no better than average, except the kabobs which were much worse. The kabobs were like chewing leather. All portions were too small and we all left hungry. The bill was $300 plus tip for 3 people. I've eaten better for less in many other places in this world. For me, this place is, "One and done." Make up your own mind. read more

This is high end cuisine! Each dish is a delicious combination of textures (crunchy and soft, emulsion and toasted) and inventive flavors: pea tendrils with crispy pork belly are divine. Tables and spaced enough for privacy of conversation and the open space totally brings the Brooklyn vibe. Our waitress was very knowledgeable ( named where the oysters where from, described all ingredients), always nearby but never intrusive. Excellent place for a celebration of excellent food. I didn't take any picture because I was so absorbed by my palate. read more

Absolutely outstanding experience! I came with 3 other girlfriends, and we stayed for hours and had a great time! Our server asked if we had ever been here before and when we hadn't, he explained everything, how all of the food is touched by fire, and comes in small plates etc... he was great! Great personality, and I feel like he just "got" us. We tried just about everything - the carrots were the best I've ever had - I wish I could cook them like this! The malawach that came with quince jam was spectacular - there was egg yolk grated on the top, I couldn't get enough of it! The butternut squash - yes please!! The yukon golds with guinea fowl amazed as well, I wasn't as much of a fan of the actual guinua fowl as it was a bit gamey, but loved the gravy and potatoes, and it was a bit heartier of a dish. the halibut melted in your mouth, as did the beef tartare! The atmosphere is cozy, I would love to sit at the bar next time and just watch the magic! read more

After hearing mixed reviews from our friends, we had to try this place. The ambience is great and so was the service! Overall the food was decent, but no culinary surprises and nothing left you wanting more. Overall it's a solid date spot, but nothing unique about the food. The carrot cake was probably the highlight of dinner. read more

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It's a nice space. The service was great. The food tasted fantastic. The drinks were good. So now for the bad. There is absolutely no parking, okay you have to walk not a big deal. But it's really an appetizer place, if it were Spanish dishes you could say it's a tapas bar. And really that's how they should sell it, a very expensive tapas bar, because you will not get a meal here. For 2 people we spent $150 on food and drinks and still left hungry. Yes, I know it's fancy and they put effort into stuff but they should offer an actual meal option. It was a pleasant experience if I forget the cost. They did have an option for $160 steak... yeah not spending that in Tucson. I don't regret eating here as it was a good experience, but I'm not sure I'll ever return. read more

Came here to celebrate an anniversary, left in disbelief that this place does not have a Michelin star. Had their chicken breast and was amazed by the incredible flavors. the ambiance was well done, drinks were perfect, and dessert was perfect. price is a bit high but definitely worth it. read more

BATA - tarte - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Beautiful ambiance and beautiful looking menu. But sadly, it didn't live up to expectations. Yes this place was expensive which we expected, but I would have honestly payed half as much as we did for the quality. Every dish seemed to miss something and was cold, with an even colder plate or bowl. Even diners know how to heat plates before they are served. We started with the Malawach that came with a yogurt dip on the side. The Malawach tasted great, but the sauce was extremely bland. It needed something to bring flavor that wasn't thick dense yogurt. Next we got the beef and pork bites. These were great, and the hottest thing we got (temperature wise) but wow we're they salty. You could barely taste the chimichurri sauce and the greens that topped the bites. Then we got the mixed mushroom skewers. These were very cold. They tasted good, only one of them on the whole skewer had any hint of spice, I assume they were going for a slightly spicy blend but that didn't really take. Then the broth was missing something as well. It needed some form of umami or honestly... salt. For the final entree we got the 30 day aged pork. This was extremely tough and not really flavorful unless you put it in the side sauce. The kohlrabi that came with it was almost blackened yet still raw in the middle which wasn't very nice to eat. For dessert we ordered the cardamom panna cotta with an apricot purée. I honestly forgot there was cardamom until reading the menu for this review and there was no apricot... more like loads of apple cider vinegar... it was very strong. Over all, it's pretty deceiving for what is being served and after $158, it was... fine. I honestly could have cooked better. read more

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Went here for date night and it did not disappoint. The interior is dark and moody, but with floor to ceiling windows and mid-century modern decor. The service was impeccable, our server took her job very seriously and I appreciated it. My husband and I decided to do our own courses with wine pairings and our server was very accommodating. The wine was great and very reasonably priced. Cocktail options were interesting in a good way. The plates were so fresh with surprising layers of flavor all the way through. I'll be dreaming about the chile butter poached halibut for a long time. Dessert was also worth it. read more

We've dined here several times on special occasions and each time it's been spectacular. Amazing food and service. I highly recommend getting whatever cut of meat is offered as a special. read more

BATA means "you will leave broke and hungry " Tapas were ok, very expensive and average! People and service were excellent! 2 people , 5 tapas = $198!! (2 drinks included) Left there hungry still went to nearby Whataburger to calm the growling in my stomach! This is a restaurant museum! Looks and feels great, but one visit then you've experienced all you need to know.. again people were great and service was good!!Malawach was the most expensive version of a tortilla in Tucson! read more

BATA - Malawash ( aka most expensive Tortilla in Tucson ) and a Kitt Peak Old Fashion!! - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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My wife and I were expecting a unique dining experience and BATA did not disappoint. As long as you know what you are getting into (expensive, small plates of fancy gastronomy) I highly recommend it. Although our experience bordered on a parody of trendy, fine dining at times, everyone we encountered was sincerely dedicated to providing great service. The dining room is spacious and has the best ambiance of any place in town. We were pretty hungry and ordered two small plates, four main plates and a desert. It turned out to be perfect amount of food for two. We had cocktails but the wine list looked impressive. Definitely glad this place exists in Tucson and look forward to returning. read more

Had an amazing celebratory dinner there. Tried multiple dishes - nothing disappointing. Service was excellent & made great recommendations. They made a point to help us celebrate! The overall vibe is cool with an open kitchen read more

I've been wanting to visit Bata ever since it's opening and finally made it happen this last weekend. I was most eager to check out Bar Bata, the underground bar that serves cocktails and a limited menu. I loved the ambience and am so glad to see Tucson restaurant life continue to grow! The bartenders at Bar Bata are amazing. I wanted an egg white cocktail and the bartender asked if he could mix up something of his own. I love places like this. My drink was exceptional. I ordered three. I just hope he is working next time I go! We ordered some apps to share. It's small plates so expect that. The portions really are a single serving. Don't go there expecting to get full. It's just little bites/snacks (in my opinion). The food was very tasty, I just wish they were slightly bigger portions since it's a sharing concept. The tab adds up quickly, but if you know what you're signing up for with the tapas-style portions, then I think you'll really enjoy this place! Will definitely go back for the cocktails and cheesecake. read more

Great surrounding, Oliver was a great server and very knowledgeable. We went with pris fixe and the first two were good to very good. The protein course was chuck roast, dry and flavorless that needed the BBQ sauce. Cornbread dry and cowboy beans, just that beans. Wanted to be overwhelmed but just whelmed to underwhelme. read more

My wife and I had an excellent time at Bata. The look and vibe of the place is very cool. It was a Tapas style place and everything we ordered was excellent. We ordered malawach (flatbread), beef tartare, Bigeye Tartare, beets 7 ways, mushroom skewer and halibut. Our waitress Roxanna, staged them to come out one at a time and it was perfect. Standouts were malawach flatbread, beets and mushrooms but everything was top notch. They ran out of the preparations for the cocktail I wanted so the bartender came out and offered me something that was not on the current menu. My only regret is we didn't have time to go downstairs after dinner and try BataBar. read more

The ambiance is very intimate but very open. I walked in and was welcomed immediately. I was given multiple options for seating. This place is very popular so a reservation is a must on the weekends. I ordered an appetizer, main and desert and all 3 were delicious! read more

Magical. This place lives up to the hype. There's a warm, soothing atmosphere that draws you right in. I love the seasonal menu with ingredients sourced from within 20-miles of Tucson, plus their beverages list has Arizona-themed cocktails. Pro tip: Come early and enjoy the basement bar. An incredible evening awaits. read more

BATA - Left: A custom-made mocktail that tastes like cinnamon and graham cracker. Right: The Hangman's Canyon cocktail. - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona