
Inspired by the parrillas of his native Argentina and the hip enclaves of contemporary Buenos Aires, Chef Javier Bardauil brings the art of live-fire cooking to Detroit at BARDA — a modern steakhouse where ancestral traditions meet out-of-this-world innovation. The BARDA kitchen relies solely on a wood-burning grill and oven, ensuring that every dish is either flame-cooked, fire-kissed, or served raw, showcasing premium cuts of meat and high-quality seafood and vegetables prepared to highlight their natural flavors. A James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant in 2022, BARDA invites you to experience the depth and warmth that only live-fire cooking can offer, in a futuristic space unlike any other restaurant in America.
Hours
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5–10 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 4842 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48208
Phone: (313) 952-5182
Website: http://bardadetroit.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
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Reviews
I struggled with the cocktail menu because nearly every drink leaned toward bitter, herbal, or amaro-forward flavors. While this is clearly the bar’s chosen style, it did not align with my preferences. When I mentioned this, our server kindly offered to have the bar prepare me a drink of my choice. I truly appreciated the effort, but the drink tasted watered down and lacked both flavor and strength. At this price point, I expect a cocktail that is balanced, properly crafted, and noticeably alcoholic.
We began the meal with the charred Caesar salad, which was excellent! The preparation was thoughtful, and the flavor profile was well developed. It was the only dish of the night that truly impressed us.
From that point forward, the experience declined. The sides were described to us as family sized portions meant to be enough for three people. Each portion could easily be finished by a single person, and none of us found them filling. All three of us left still hungry despite ordering entrées and two sides.
The most disappointing part of the meal was my short rib. It is marketed and reviewed elsewhere as a slow cooked, tender, fall off the bone dish. What I received was the complete opposite. The meat was extremely tough. It was difficult to cut, and I ultimately had to pull it off the bone with force. It came off in one large, solid piece because it was so firm. The texture was dry, the seasoning was minimal, and the flavor was flat. I had to use the entire container of salt that was provided and even dipped the meat into the sauce from the potatoes to make it somewhat palatable. The salsa on top resembled pico de gallo and did not contribute anything meaningful to the dish. For an entrée at this price point, the quality was unacceptable.
Dessert continued the pattern of inconsistency. I ordered the flan, expecting a classic sweet custard. Instead, the flan itself had almost no sweetness and a noticeably bitter finish. It was served with a scoop of cream and a scoop of cajeta, which seemed intended to compensate for the lack of flavor in the flan itself. However, this did not correct the issue. The flan tasted like solid, unsweetened milk, which is not characteristic of traditional flan. For a dish that should be smooth, rich, and sweet, this version missed the mark completely in my opinion.
My parents enjoyed their dishes more than I did, but they also left feeling unsatisfied and still hungry. Our total bill for three people was approximately $360 dollars. For this level of pricing, consistency, flavor, portion size, and execution should all be significantly better.
Based on my experience, I would not recommend ordering the short ribs. They were not tender and certainly not fall off the bone. If someone chooses to dine here, the lomo or the bife are likely safer options.
For the same price point, I would recommend visiting Ocean Prime instead. The food quality, portion sizes, and overall value at Ocean Prime are far more consistent and satisfying. BARDA has a beautiful atmosphere and exceptional service, but the food did not meet the standard that its pricing and reputation suggest.
Parking: Attached parking is very limited, so we parked on the street and walked half a block. Not a big deal. There’s also a big lot across the main road…
Ambiance: This place is visually striking. The lighting was pleasing to the eye. The bar is sunk down in the middle of the restaurant in a novel way. The smells coming from tbe open kitchen are pure heaven. The outdoor area with firepit was cozy for after dinner lounging. I can imagine this is even nicer in the warmer months.
Staff: our server was attentive/timely, friendly, and gave good recommendations. Front door staff were not rude, but not necessarily friendly either.
Now the part you are here for: the FOOD!
My husband and I shared the strip steak, the black rice scallops, the cauliflower, and the baked Alaska.
The steak was perfection. Tender and flavorful. We also loved the charred onion on the side.
The black rice scallops with preserved lemon (I forgot to get a picture) was BURSTING with flavor. Citrus forward, with the most delicate scallops I’ve ever had. Incredible balance and mouthfeel.
The cauliflower was a miss for us. I was hoping it would be more…. roasted. It was pretty firm still, and served room tempature. The sauce was good, but not good enough to make me want to finish it.
We saved room for dessert! OMG. You have to get the baked/burned Alaska. The texture on the inside….. chewy, soft, melty, chocolate… not overly sweet. I will be dreaming about this for a while.
For drinks, my husband and I both got the El Cuco. He got the N/A version. Both versions were a hit! Warm flavors with a ginger kick, served with a giant block of ice.
Drew and Francesca were amazing, and made the entire experience feel welcoming. I ordered the potatoes, burrata, a couple of drinks, and the Baked Alaska. Every bite was exceptional, fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and full of flavor. The food at Barda truly feels like art, a celebration for the palate that’s rich and balanced.
Everything about this place is inspiring, from the ambiance to the hospitality to the cuisine. I can’t wait to come back.