BATA

Restaurant · Tucson

BATA

Restaurant · Tucson

3

35 E Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

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Highlights

Farm-to-table small plates, wood-fired dishes & creative cocktails  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
Featured on Bon Appetit

35 E Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 Get directions

batatucson.com
@batatucson

$50–100

Reserve

Information

Static Map

35 E Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 Get directions

+1 520 367 4718
batatucson.com
@batatucson

$50–100

Reserve

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reservations

Last updated

Aug 9, 2025

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@cntraveler

In Tucson, the Food Reflects the City's Distinct Culture and Local Pride

"A farm-to-table restaurant featuring dishes like mushrooms in kosho and smoked pumpkin sorbet."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/in-tuscon-arizona-the-food-reflects-the-citys-distinct-culture-and-local-pride
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@bonappetit

The 50 Best New Restaurants of 2022 | Bon Appétit

"A minimalist fine-dining restaurant in Tucson built around a wood-fired oven and vegetable-forward tasting that plays with texture, smoke, and global techniques; exemplary dishes have included malawach with smoked carrot butter and cured egg yolk, smoked cauliflower custard, and inventive desserts like toasted-bread ice cream, with a strong emphasis on seasonal produce." - ByBon Appétit Staff & Contributors

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/50-best-new-restaurants-america-2022
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@postcardnews

BATA has quickly become one of Tucson’s most buzzed-about dining destinations, celebrated by Eater and Food & Wine for its boundary-pushing, wood-fired menu. The modern, industrial-chic space is both intimate and stylish, setting the stage for a night of culinary exploration. Chef Tyler Fenton’s ever-evolving small plates—often highlighting local and seasonal ingredients—invite sharing and conversation, while the creative cocktail program and warm service elevate the experience. BATA’s ability to blend cutting-edge technique with a sense of place makes it a top pick for date night, particularly when you want to impress.

The Ultimate Guide to Tucson’s Most Authentic Date Night Restaurants
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Jayne Officer

Google
We had dinner last night (7/9) at this lovely restaurant. First, the food selection, portions and above all the tastes were superb. Prices were reasonable and certainly not out of line for the Tucson area. We will certainly return in the near future. The chefs are artists and really magic. Thanks especially to Oliver and D.J. You certainly helped make it a memorable evening.

Parker Allen

Google
We went to BATA to celebrate our Anniversary and were pleasantly surprised by the experience. The lighting used for each table created a nice atmosphere. We enjoyed the open kitchen concept. The portions were very reasonable for the ingredients and quality. We really enjoyed the tartare and the chocolate cake was heavenly. The only issues we had were that the water carafes weren’t polished and the server incorrectly placed our silverware. Nothing that would be detrimental but something we noticed as restaurant workers. We would definitely come back again!

Selina Dean

Google
Classic comfort dishes made in a 1 of 1 fashion, Every dish I have ever had here has been exemplary, unique, and thought provoking in the most unexpected way. Sustainable kitchen, kind and personable staff, beautiful venue displaying Tucson’s best. Also quite affordable prices and deals for being Tucson upscale. Highly recommended atleast once! Also the desserts are super fun and TO DIE FOR !!!!

Mike Shubic (Mike's Road Trip)

Google
For my birthday, my amazing girlfriend treated me to Bata, an extraordinary culinary experience in the heart of Tucson’s Warehouse Arts District. Housed in a beautifully renovated historic warehouse, the space is stunning—soaring ceilings with exposed bowed trusses, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an open kitchen that invites you into the action. The name Bata is a nod to robata, the Japanese tradition of grilling over an open flame, and while this isn’t a Japanese restaurant, the influence is unmistakable in the technique-driven, fire-kissed dishes. We started with cocktails, which were nothing short of inspired. The Marshall Gulch Manhattan—a perfectly balanced blend of 6-year-old rye, Napa sweet vermouth, Barolo Chinato, and Buddha’s hand bitters—was bold and nuanced, while my Skull Valley Part II was a revelation: smoky, spicy, and tropical all at once, featuring blanco tequila, pineapple, eau de vie, chili liqueur, blanco vermouth, lime, and a delicate Chartreuse rinse. The menu at Bata is designed for sharing, with small plates that let you explore a range of flavors and textures. We began with a delicate tartlet of herbed ricotta and carrot, a perfect little amuse-bouche that set the stage for what was to come. The pork and beef meatball, paired with chimichurri kimchi and miso, was umami-rich and deeply satisfying. One of the most memorable bites of the night was the Malawach—a flaky, pan-fried Yemenite bread served with whey jam and cured egg yolk. It was simultaneously crisp and buttery, with layers that melted on the tongue, balanced by the richness of the jam and the umami depth of the yolk. An absolute standout. Then came the Seared Albacore, a dish that embodied balance and restraint. The silky fish, just kissed by the heat, was paired with creamy curd, bright marmalade, a whisper of heat from chiles, and the luscious depth of olive oil. Every bite was an interplay of richness and acidity, a beautifully executed study in contrasts. The honeynut squash with koji custard, grains, and Bata’s own furikake was another dish that showcased their mastery of layering flavors. Sweet, savory, and nutty with a whisper of fermentation, this was autumn on a plate. The black cod arrived bathed in a luxurious kimchi broth, accented by blistered greens, miso mushrooms, and tender turnips. The fish was perfectly cooked—silky and infused with a subtle smokiness that only live fire cooking can achieve. Every spoonful of that broth was a concentrated hit of complexity, with just the right amount of heat. Desserts at Bata push boundaries in the best way possible. The tiramisu was unlike any I’ve had before, reimagined with lion’s mane mushroom mascarpone, cherry, hibiscus, and matcha. Earthy, slightly floral, and deeply creamy—it was a work of art. As if that wasn’t enough, the restaurant surprised us with an additional birthday treat: a lavender pavlova with cat’s claw honey caramel, citrus, and burnt corn husk. Light as air, floral, and perfectly sweet, it was the ideal ending to an unforgettable meal. Service was impeccable—Oliver, our server, was attentive without being intrusive, always ensuring our table was refreshed, water glasses filled, and dishes timed perfectly. Bata is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates bold, inventive cuisine and masterful technique. The fire-driven menu is deeply thoughtful, the cocktails are top-tier, and the ambiance is effortlessly cool. Tucson has a real gem in Bata. I can’t wait to return. Thank you so much J.S. for such a wonderful evening. :-)

Russell Michel

Google
We dined at BATA for the 2nd time tonight. Perfection! We had the best meal, even better than the first time. Service was fantastic and timing was well executed. Oliver was our server last time; he recognized us and came to say hello. Portion sizes are perfect as the quality of ingredients are key to the success of each experience. This is my favorite restaurant in Tucson. We will be back and we will bring friends. If you are not sure about dining here, don't hesitate. This is a gem!!!

Lori Russell

Google
Lovely food and drink experience. Ordered several dishes all which were unique and tasty. Thought the tartar was one of my favorites ever.

Steven Marks

Google
This was an amazing dining experience. Reminded me of a high-end restaurant in any major city. The food left me wanting to lick the plates! Leave room for desert, you won’t want to miss it! A shout out to our server Grace. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and provided a very high level of service. Even when something came out not to our liking, she handled it quickly and professionally. We are already planning our next visit. If you want a more modern, big city type of dinning experience, give BATA at try! You will not be disappointed. I’m glad to see a restaurant like this in Tucson.

Yaron Yarden

Google
I really enjoy BATA, and I've been there before. This time the food was not as good as the last time (summer menu, I presume) and they were also short staffed, but that did not deter from a great experience and a lovely evening. Back at winter again, and the food was fabulous. My only criticisms is that some of dishes come a little lukewarm vs super hot, but the flavor is just out of this world.
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Melissa C.

Yelp
The food, service, and ambiance at BATA is great! Tonight, we dined at the bar and selected the "Choose For Me" option at $65 per person (excluding beverages). They easily accommodated my gluten sensitivity. Our first dish was a large winter salad with squash and a tasty miso-based dressing. The next dish was a delicate and delicious crudo topped with fresh ginger. As we were finishing the crudo, a lion's mane mushroom with a light yet rich sauce arrived (my favorite). The next dishes came together...a spicy roasted squash curry and a cooling carrot salad with snap peas. The black cod that came next was sublime with a slightly crisp exterior and melt-in-your-mouth interior. The accompanying sauce was complementary and didn't overwhelm the fish. Our final dish was an ice cream sundae with homemade sprinkles and whipped cream. We were full after all of that amazing food! To us, the "Choose for Me" was a great value. We don't go to BATA regularly since it is on the pricey side, but we love the open kitchen, the great service, and attention to detail with the food. Go as a special treat.
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Mandy T.

Yelp
We came here for dinner Saturday night, and once again, I was underwhelmed by the food. The potato bread had too much char, giving it a burnt taste. The albacore crudo was very bitter--not just from the sauce but the fish itself. The beef tartare was decent. The desert pearl mushrooms and pearl dish was just okay. The cod had a strong fishy taste. They made a special dessert for us, which I believe was blackened ice cream with whipped cream (without vanilla), and it was amazing. Drinks: The Bigelow Martini was just okay. The Placeholder was good but too sweet. The Busterville Mine was awful. The Mandarinquat Daiquiri started too sweet then had a bitter aftertaste. I was still hungry after the 5 items+ dessert. I would say order more than that for 2 people. Service was excellent.
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Desiree B.

Yelp
I took my mom here for her birthday and to make it extra special we did the Chef's Table. I cannot put into words how amazing this was. We had 10 courses of some of the best food we have had, and the Chef was so nice and helpful. They accommodated my mom's request to not have tomatoes or beef, and it is definitely worth it.

Choby P.

Yelp
I've eaten at starred restaurants all over the world and bata's tasting menu (10+ course) can easily hang with the best of them. Phenomenal meal from start to finish, I was stuffed but I wanted to keep eating and eating! The chefs are so creative with the way they play with flavors and their passion for food shows in their work. They're true artists who continually experiment with food for new flavors and textures. I was especially impressed with how they did their veggie dishes. It's tough to really make good veggie dishes where the vegetable is primary focus of the dish and they were phenomenal. Bata has become one of my new favorites and I hope they continue to shine in Tucson for a long time. BTW their tasting menu price is a steal compared to the caliber of food they make.... I believe you need to email them to make a chef's counter/tasting menu reservation
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Michael G.

Yelp
Tapas on Toole. Beautiful setup they have. The basement bar is especially attractive and welcoming. Bartender loves his job and has an inventive menu. I had a Sazerac. It was excellent. I'd come back just for the bar. Upstairs is large with an open kitchen. You can smell the mesquite. Inherently servers tell you how much to order in a tapas restaurant, and they are usually wrong. Nothing is shareable the way they say. So....we kind of left hungry. Our three top had 8 orders. All were delicious. Our bill was north of $200. I'll be back for the bar...and the tapas.

Meena Adele C.

Yelp
The bread was light, airy, flavorful and fluffy. I enjoyed it and the accompanying salted butter spread on the dish. I saved a roll during the beginning of the meal for sopping up delicious bits through the dinner and this was a great choice! The albacore crudo was acid forward. When I was looking for balance and a nice bite of fish, I found my tastebuds overcome with a harsh, numbing acidic note from the grapefruit segments. I wanted a little more richness, maybe from a fattier fish, perhaps a bit of dairy. It just seemed that something was missing. The cod was the next dish that came out. It was SPICY! I was a bit disappointed because I love spicy food but it overwhelmed the whole flavor of the dish. In the center of the cut of fish, the spice was balanced by amount of meat, but toward the ends, the bites were primarily spicy sauce. The accompanying Jerusalem artichoke and beet bites were delicious! The squash two ways was BY FAR the best thing we ate at BATA. I was absolutely in awe with the flavor of the tender and sweet bites with the perfectly spiced curry and herbs. The textures in the raw squash salad were also amazing! There were a multitude of flavors, textures and even some warm and cold elements in the bowl which were fantastic. By the end of the meal, our server was nowhere to be found though. There was a 30-45 min delay on getting water in the midst of our meal as well which felt a bit odd for the caliber of this restaurant. By the end, we wanted a dessert but were tired of the slow and unpredictable service that we settled up with our waitress and left. I will fondly remember the squash dish but don't know that I'll rush back to BATA.
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Sheri F.

Yelp
Enjoyed our anniversary dinner here. First time dining at Bata and it was so great! Cocktails were really good. The service was fantastic and the food was creative. Really beautiful restaurant but not overdone. We decided to do the chef's choice and we were so glad that we did. Plenty of food, so many things to try and all of it really good. Probably the only thing that was just ok was the cucumber and melon salad because the melon seemed to have no sweetness or flavor to it. But everything else was delicious (and I wouldn't call the cucumber and melon bad). This had a very New York feel to it - in a really good way. I was a little skeptical at first since the menu changes so frequently and you just don't know what they are going to have, but I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. I would highly recommend - take the chance (a little adventurous), it's so worth it! I would definitely bring friends from out of town here and would definitely go back for dinner with my family. It showcases the local talent and food so well!
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Ashley C.

Yelp
I went here some time ago (March) and forgot to do a review! This is a downtown restaurant in which you'll need to find street or lot parking. It's fairly hidden if you ask me, as I would have driven past it and not noticed the restaurant there. Walking in, there's a very open concept. You can see the cooks in the middle of the kitchen and the dinning areas fave me an industrial impersonal feel. Kind of made me feel like something I would see in New York.. fancy looking but a little cold. I liked it for Tucson, as it felt very different from what we have already. The menu is seasonal and changes and the it was also was small with limited options (pictured). We quickly realized we would not be eating much meat. Thinknkf tapas, as the portions are pretty small and though the chef is talented, you will definitely not be full after ordering a few plates between a couple people. The server will tell you, that you'll probably want to order at least a few plates. That being said, you are probably spending easily at least $100 for a meal for 2. We were pleasantly surprised with how much we enjoyed the small plates (the smokiness and flavor the carrots was amazing- the mushroom skewer very good, and the bread of course was so soft and yummy!) however not sure I would go again due to the portion sizes, scarceness of the menu, and need for another meal after this one. It could be a great place for appetizers though or drinks and small plates if you're not looking for a full dinner!

George E.

Yelp
Scouring the Sunset magazine, I noted an interesting write up on an unique restaurant in Tucson. Bata has been in business for 3 years. They are quietly making an amazing name and stellar reputation on the Tucson food scene. The decor is modern, simplistic and clean lines. We were in Tucson for a meeting in downtown and walked to Bata for dinner. Reservations are requested but one may sit at the bar if space is available. The ambiance is relaxing and the lighting is subdued. Once the menu was delivered, we realized that the choices would not be easy. The menu has 4 different sections: appetizers, breads, entrees / small dishes and desserts. A chef's menu is also available for the adventourous foodie at $65. After much consternation, we selected the beef / pork bites with citrus miso, beet and chimichurri. The bites were moist, tasty and delicious when dipped in the sauce. Our taste buds were alerted that tonight was going to be special. The makawach bread was our second course with labne, whey jam, and cured egg yolk. A large piece of freshly baked makawach was torn and dipped into a delightful flavored labne with an outstanding and unique flavored whey jam. This was unbelievable. The beef tartar was served with butternut squash, giardiniera a cured egg yolk and 2 sourdough crisps. The flavor bombs of this dish was perfect, tasty and unctious. The carnitas with sweet potato and pablano miso, and pickles were sweet, slight smoked flavor and savory. Our final dish was a show-stopper, the charred squash wedges served on a bed of spicy red curry and a sonoran som tam salad were memorable. The som tam salad had sliced green beans, jalapano slivers and carrots that were crispy and a fitting end to a delightful evening. A perfect dining evening in a delightful restaurant. The wait staff was extremely helpful in maneuvering through the menu. BATA grossly exceeded any restaurant expectations I had for Tucson. They are one of my three favorite dining spots in Arizona. If you are in Tucson and want a TRUE DINING EXPERIENCE, call BATA. They will blow your mind on a great dining experience. Thank you BATA and we will be back!
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Nick S.

Yelp
Visited BATA for the first time tonight (what took so long??) and had an incredible culinary experience! They had several different vegan options that included local, seasonal ingredients that helped take it to the next level. Several dishes featured SouthWinds Farms and Desert Pearl Mushrooms--both legends in the Southern Arizona agriculture and farmers market scenes. On top of all of that, both the service and ambience were A+. Looking forward to going back again very soon!
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Heaven R.

Yelp
I went here for my birthday in December. We did the chefs counter. You can pay extra to have a wine tasting with each course. We didn't but we did order alcoholic drinks off the menu! Even checked out the Bar Downstairs. Super cute. The chef was super nice! He's born and raised in Tucson. Thought that was cool. He was knowledgeable, everything used is locally grown and caught. Even the fish nothing more than 400 miles from its location. Super yummy good. We both were highly satisfied. The one dish my man didn't like was mushrooms 7 ways! Very potent flavor. They were also able to accommodate my dairy restrictions to the point my very own dessert was made. Cookies to the spices all made in house. We want to try again but regular dine in seating.
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Mark B.

Yelp
After reading the mixed reviews, I wondered if I should've cancelled my reservation...but we had a great evening dining here. Just know these are artful, small plates (literally) and prepared with fine technique and layered flavors (IMHO). The flavor of the wood burning oven was highlighted and I appreciated the creative vegetable choices on the menu. Good choices: --grilled fermented potato bread, cultured butter. Really great. --grilled spiced carrots, creative prep --grilled squash, wish I could remember the name of sauce as it was so tasty --beef and pork kofta The only letdown was the chicken with miso butter. Skin was limp and chicken was bland. Servers were super helpful in explaining each dish and coursed our dinner well. Loved the open, industrial style of the dining room.
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Dahee K.

Yelp
Interesting dishes, I thought the food was pretty good. I didn't have a certain favorite dish but enjoyed my first time trying this spot. Cocktails were great, good price and quality. This place brings elegance to Tucson. They offer a set course menu for two, where the dishes are chosen by the chef, for the quality of the food, I thought the pricing is fair.
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Erika P.

Yelp
We returned but this time we ordered from the menu versus doing thr chefs counter. It was a stunning service as usual! We enjoyed every single dish (and we tried every appetizer) and the beverages as usual were perfect. I love going early to go to Barbata and LOVE going with the Dealers choice- just a couple of insights to my preferences and they create magic in a glass. The bar is dark and romantic and upstairs is open and inviting but still quaint in it's own way.
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Joseph D.

Yelp
Read about Bata in the Tucson Lifestyle magazine. Tried them out on September 26, 2024. During our visit to Tucson from Honolulu. Bata didn't disappoint. Food was excellent, described & explained very well by our attentive server, Grace S. Dishes were well prepared, done to perfection, best tried sharing family style. Cocktails were mixed well. Ambiance was conducive to a nice comfortable evening. Bata is 5 stars, worthy of a Michelin Star/ James Beard rating!
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Maiko K.

Yelp
Picked Bata for my birthday again. I am glad they haven't changed! My friends from out of town were very impressed as well. You did me proud!

EJ P.

Yelp
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.
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Lorena G.

Yelp
First time here, we have been wanting to make it in for a very long time. Read the reviews, heard the hype, drove by and I am happy to report it is ALL TRUE! What a gorgeous place, it feels like you are walking into a gorgeous restaurant in a big city, you pick it. Truly modern and clean. We sat at the bar because that is the best place of course, you get to watch all the action. Then there's the menu, what a selection of small plates. Easily shared perfectly portioned. We enjoyed some of the oysters, carnitas, wagyu beef, pork belly and Shishito peppers! Let me tell you about the flavors, hard to describe As they are something out of this world. Bold beautiful yet soft flavors, unlike your usual food around here. Beautiful umami in every bite. Then there's BarBata downstairs. Holy Guacamole! Amazing cocktails, also well prepared and perfectly balanced! So tasty! We could resist having a couple of them for desert! All in all, truly impressed. From the front of the house welcome to our bartender to our waiter, impeccable. Will definitely be back!
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Kristy N.

Yelp
THIS IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN TUCSON!!!!! Let me repeat for the folks in the back - BEST RESTAURANT IN TUCSON!!!! The food here is eclectic and you won't find on any other menu here in town. It is small plates sometimes with 1 bite of food but I'm telling you, that one bite is amazing! Normally when I know I'm going out for dinner, I will not eat lunch. This is not that type of place - eat a small lunch early so you're not starving when you arrive but hungry enough to enjoy sampling several small plates of food. The menu frequently changes so you may not get the same food or drinks each time you come here and trust me, that is okay because all the food is so delicious. Oliver is our favorite server and I highly recommend you ask to sit in his section! He will definitely walk you through ordering and suggesting different items to try. This is the perfect place to take a date, celebrate a birthday or anniversary.
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Erika J.

Yelp
Valentine's Day Dinner Date. The flavors were amazing. Great ambience. Service was great. The only con was that I requested my steak (main course) to be well done and it was on the rare side. I'm pregnant and can't eat undercooked meat, so I gave it to my husband. Overall I did have enough to eat though with the other 5 courses and limited stomach room. It was on the pricey side, as our bill was over $200 with no alcohol. It was about quality, not quantity this time!

Jamie P.

Yelp
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

Hannah M.

Yelp
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.
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Jessica P.

Yelp
Okay Tucson...I see you. I loved everything about BATA; the aesthetic, the service. And of course the food! Definitely an elevated dining experience, which we don't have much of here. Our waiter was super knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. We loved that 90% of the menu is sourced within Arizona and everything else is still within a couple hundred mile radius. So knowing that this menu rotates def will make us go back often. The menu is made up of small plates. I think there were plenty of options but majority are more vegetable forward. I wouldn't recommend this for group dining, because the portions are small. I would say perfect for 2-4 to share and try a bunch of different things. We were hungry when we got seated and were nervous we wouldn't leave full, but we were happily proved wrong.
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Anne S.

Yelp
I was visiting friends in Tucson and we decided to try Bata one night (their first time too). What a treat! When you walk in you're greeted by a light smoky smell from the open kitchen--a harbinger of good things to come. Bata's menu varies, and I've attached a photo of the one we were able to choose from. They're pretty vegetable-forward in a creative way, and whether you're a pescatarian (like my friends) or not (me!), you'll all find something to try. The dishes are small and the idea is to order several things to share, and the staff works with you to arrange a good selection and enough to fill you up. First, cocktails! There's a fun selection and I had something with rum and bitters and pomegranate called an Alpenglow that went perfectly with our first plate of little sunchoke tartlets that were filled with a creamy curd and sprinkled with fennel and rhubarb powder (a really cool idea). Then on to wine (they have a great selection both by the glass and the bottle), and several other dishes. I had to try the beef tartare, which had some spicy aioli and chili oil with it--delicious! (And all mine, since my friends didn't partake. Yum!) We all agreed that the albacore crudo was probably our absolute favorite dish of the night: kissed for a hot second on a coal grill and served with a corn cream puree and pickled vegetables. There was also an intriguing dish with malawach (a tasty flatbread) and some labne that had a cured egg mixed in and a sharp cheese sprinkled on top; grilled root vegetables with two sauces, one a curry and the other a spicy tomato; a mushroom skewer grilled to perfection; and then finally the halibut, which was poached in butter and came with a kind of grain porridge made with corn. By the time the halibut arrived we were all pretty full; the butter poaching quite honestly may have not been necessary as it was really rich, but the flavor was still delicious. We couldn't leave without trying one of the desserts, and the Meyer lemon sorbet was the perfect choice: a nice sharp but sweet bite that came with a piece of smoked lemon peel that tasted almost like bacon. Amazing! The decor is airy and modern and still very comfortable; I especially appreciated how diverse the dining crowd was. Really wonderful staff and service too--our server clearly knew the food and had some great suggestions for us, and helped us choose good wine pairings. This place is definitely a splurge if you go all-out like we did, but there's also a bar in the main restaurant (right in front of the open kitchen, so a great view) and we saw some solo diners and pairs there ordering a smaller range of plates, which I could absolutely see popping in to do. My local friends will have to try the bar downstairs next (which apparently has a small menu), and as for me, I look forward to my next Tucson visit to make a return trip to Bata myself.
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Nancy S.

Yelp
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.

Kenzie G.

Yelp
What didn't go well would be a better question and I can't think of a single thing that went wrong, other than parking is a bit weird/challenging. I had about six plates with a friend and each one was an absolute treat. I will be back to try their menu when it changes. Service was excellent and the atmosphere of the restaurant is really charmingly industrial
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Steve N.

Yelp
BATA is an elegant, creative restaurant for dining in a refined setting with people whose company you cherish. BATA's food, service, and cocktails are very good to excellent. The cocktail lounge and the dining area are lovely in decor and quiet in acoustics. We will dine there again. BONUS good value

Tori J.

Yelp
Awesome atmosphere, interesting and flavorful dishes, and fun cocktails. Highly recommend for the experience!
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Kate Alex G.

Yelp
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!

Brooke N.

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

Yelp
Upscale dining with imaginative and ever-changing menu. The service here is very good as would be expected for the upscale and modern dining experience. The food is very unique and the portions are quite small particular for the price. However, it can be fun to sample a number of dishes with a large group of friends, as our group did. It's a unique food experience that shines in Tucson where little compares to the innovative menu.
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Michelle R.

Yelp
I've been debating how to review this restaurant. We went for a birthday celebration - party of 2. We knew it would be a much different experience than we've ever had just based on the concept and reviews. First off, the restaurant is beautiful. The decor is modern, and it feels like you're in a big city. Second, the service is excellent. You can tell that they pride themselves in taking care of their customers. They even had a happy birthday card on the table when we were seated. Third, they cook everything with an open flame. This means that what they consider to be charred could be what you consider to be burnt. We ate six different items. 3 of them were some of the best food we've ever eaten anywhere. The other 3 were some of the worst food we've ever eaten anywhere. This review is hard because our experience included both incredible highs and incredible lows. I think this restaurant deserves a second chance one day.
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Lynn V.

Yelp
Ambiance: Classy, upscale, plenty of seating and a cool bar area where you can watch all the action happen. There's also the bar in the basement (Bar Bata) that's a cool vibe. Service: Efficient and personable with an explanation of the food with every course you receive. Food: I keep trying to like Bata. I really do. It was fantastic the first time but everytime I come back it appears that the portions get smaller and the prices get higher. The food quality and flavor itself is often a hit/miss as well, more often a miss than a hit. Cocktails are also often a hit/miss, luckily more hits than misses than the food. Overall, probably won't come back especially for the portion and prices. I've been disappointed everytime unfortunately.
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Soha A.

Yelp
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!

M L.

Yelp
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.

Morgan G.

Yelp
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!
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Crystal M.

Yelp
We had a wonderful time exploring the menu of Bata. We started with the aged beef and pork bite and smoked chicken dolma. The smoked chicken dolma was the clear winner. The beef and pork bite was a bit salty and lacked a solid flavor profile. The Chile sauce on the dolma gave the dish the added heat it needed without losing your taste buds. The beef tartare was elegant, flavorful, and served as an explosion of flavor in your mouth. From the oak aioli to the nixtamalized grains we enjoyed every bite of this until we were scraping the bowl. The winner of the night came from the grilled mushroom skewer, this stole our hearts. The whisky garlic glaze and koji oil were forefront in the flavor profile. I think we should have gotten two of these. Our miss of the night was the aged pork loin, it lacked depth of of flavor, was a tad overcooked and it like felt there wasn't much time put into preparing the dish To end the night, we'd recommend the embered apple ice cream, cake, with grilled lions mane crème anglaise. This was not only beautifully prepared but made for the perfect end to this wonderful meal.
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Legal E.

Yelp
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.
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Jordana G.

Yelp
Modern elegant restaurant, innovative and quite tasty cocktails, very good service. This is a small plate restaurant so be prepared to order multiple dishes. It's also cooked fresh so be patient while your exquisite food is being prepared. If you like pate I recommend the duck offal tartlet. Beautifully made and quite rich. One is plenty. The Happy Valley Saddle cocktail was the perfect citrusy counterpart for it. The beef cheek skewer is a beefy tender delicious couple of bites, too. Great sauce, a little tangy and a little spicy. Let's you get a little protein in before the veggies. Let's discuss the roasted winter squash. So, you have to order it. Really. It's a must. Sweet and savory notes, mixed textures, completely balanced. Warm and filling. Easily shared by 2. It's more filling than you'd expect from a baby squash but all the grains and greens have an impact. I wish they'd brought it after the mushrooms because I was pretty full after all that squashy goodness. The mushroom and sunchoke plate was a mixed bag for me. The sunchokes were nutty and hearty. The mixed mushrooms were charred well and had deep umami flavor with mixed texture due to the various mushroom varieties. Really good. The miso butter was an excellent creamy accompaniment with the crispy edged shrooms and starchy sunchokes. Unfortunately the charred greens were over seasoned and way too salty. The greens inside the mushroom brochette were fine (not great) but the bed of greens was unpleasant. I did like the olive oil cake. It was a bit dry but the cream quenelle helped. Overall, a very nice and enjoyable dinner. Recommended.
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Assal U.

Yelp
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.
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Leah R.

Yelp
I just finished my third visit to BATA last night to celebrate my wedding anniversary. I apologize for slacking off and not posting after my first visit since someone needs to set the record straight regarding some of these one star reviews (a travesty IMO). BATA isn't red lobster, Tucson. You don't come here for free sides or large portions. You come here for an elevated, exceptional dining experience. Every. Single. Dish. Was. Incredible. The flamed oysters with caviar were so good, we ordered another round. I can't remember a better bite- maybe when I did the tasting menu at Robuchon. The bayleaf ice cream, just wow. I savored every flavor and bite. I cannot comprehend how people are complaining about portion size and price when, as you are seated, you are told: these are small bites and the menu clearly shows each item. I hate to get too preachy here but until Tucson locals stop complaining about price, and realize there's a huge difference between portions and experience/creative artistry in cuisine- we will always struggle in keeping great restaurants like this open. The service, ambiance and cuisine are unmatched. Well done. Thank you for a wonderful meal. Don't change anything and keep the oysters on the menu forever, please!!!
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Miranda K.

Yelp
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.

Philip K.

Yelp
Tried this restaurant out for the first time. Tried the mushroom steak and the cod entrees. Steak was average cod was "fishy". Probably should have stuck with vegetarian dishes. All in all not worth the price in my opinion. Service was fine.
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Jordan H.

Yelp
Overall: BATA is definitely trying to be a fine dining establishment, but is incredibly unbalanced between quantity, quality, and cost. If you're charging a 5 star cost for tiny dishes, they need to be 5 star quality. To be fair, none of the dishes were "bad". But I shouldn't be paying 5 star prices for mediocre food with really small portions. Most of the food we had was 1 dimensional or completely unbalanced in flavor profile. Almost every dish on the menu was the same texture: purees, aiolis, gravy, porridge, mushrooms, scallops, crudo, tartare. I'm so disappointed in this meal I came out of food review retirement just to post this. Bottomline: BATA is committing robbery with their mediocre food, ridiculous pricing, and small portions Service: 5/5 - server did a great job, super attentive, very helpful. Food came out promptly without a long wait. Ambiance: 5/5 - definitely a cool spot, the open kitchen concept is always nice. Food: 2.5/5 - We tried 5 dishes. Flamed Oyster w/ lemon basil, pork fat, charred onion powder, kanzuri oil , Caviar - solid bite, you get a big hit of the citrus with a little char to follow through. $12 (1 oyster) Beef Tartare - this one had the most flavor out of all of our dishes. The beef was slightly cooked. Overall it was seasoned well, the oak aioli and chile oil really shined. The wheat tortilla was a weird addition that felt like took away from the dish. Both the tortilla and the tartare were really good by themselves. $18 (3 spoonfuls worth) coal seared tuna crudo w/ lime leaf, grilled peach broth, egg yolk sauce - This dish just didn't make any sense. The whole dish was just completely taken over by the lime leaf. The egg yolk sauce and peach broth combination didn't mesh. The dish just came out flat. $18 (4 pieces of tuna) Mixed Summer Squash w/ chickpea tamari butter, kimchi curry sauce - Fresh squash with a curry sauce. Unsure where the kimchi came in as the curry was overpowering. The tamari butter was barely noticeable on some of the squash pieces that wasn't touching the curry. Overall, just 1 dimensional. Just squash with curry. $14 (7 small pieces of squash) Chile-butter poached halibut w/ AZ grain porridge, salsa verde, smoked butter sabayon - Easily the most disappointing dish we had. Sabayon overpowered most of the dish until you finished it. The grain porridge and salsa verde underneath were solid, but theme of the night, everything just weirdly felt flat. $44 (1 serving of halibut maybe 6 ounces?) Side note: The table next to us ordered the $42 grilled chicken breast with blackened squash sauce and pickled okra. It was literally 1 grilled sliced chicken breast with 2 pickled okra...

Jacques T.

Yelp
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.
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Laura D.

Yelp
Okay this place is cool! However, I'm only reviewing drinks as I showed up late and missed dinner. But! The drinks were crafted well priced SUPER HIGH! I get that it's downtown but GAH DAMN. 17 dollars for one drink including tip.... Remember we are NOT California or Vegas so let's calm down Bata. Bartender was pleasant and polite provided little knowledge on Bata or the drink menu. I think if you have a very small crowd of 5 customers you should be able to speak to the brand that is Bata and provide some education and create a relationship between customer and company. But that's my marketing brain talking. I would come back to try food so I can give an updated review!
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Raquel W.

Yelp
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.
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Joy S.

Yelp
This was an interesting place to eat. The menu changes, so we had our server explain to us what they had the evening we went. Most of it was veggie-based and all of it looked unique. She suggested that we get a variety of items to share between the four of us, so that is what we did. We ordered five different items--bread, Brussels sprouts, Yukon potatoes, a fish dish, and beef/pork bites. I will say that each item was absolutely delicious, the potatoes being my favorite. The huge downside for us was the very small portions for a lot of money. The bill was around $100, which wouldn't be that bad if we hadn't left still hungry. Basically, we each got a small bite or two of each item. If cost isn't an issue, go ahead and give it a try. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was beautiful.
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Arlen K.

Yelp
We went here for NY Eve and loved the experience, so we wanted to try it for a non-occasion meal. We like the understated ambiance here, and their wait staff is seriously well-trained. They can answer any questions you have about the menu and food prep. (Good if you have food allergies, or like us, are lactose intolerant.) The food is well-prepared, fresh, and delicious. We like getting small plates and sharing our food and comparing impressions, and we get to do that at Bata. Because of our dietary restrictions, nothing on the dessert menu was appropriate for us. The server proactively told us of an off-menu dessert (shhhhh) that we could have, and it was the perfect touch to our meal.