Jacqueline Arreola
We came here on Saturday, September 20th to celebrate my brother’s 15th birthday and, unfortunately, the evening was disappointing from start to finish.
Despite making a 7:30 pm reservation, the hostess and manager seemed unsure where to seat us. We waited while they pushed together three small tables hardly the smooth welcome you’d expect from a higher-end restaurant.
The food looked beautiful, but that’s where the positives ended. We ordered pasta as an appetizer (my brother’s choice), but it lacked flavor and was completely unremarkable. The drink my server recommended was underwhelming.
For my entrée, I ordered the octopus. Presentation was gorgeous, but the texture was off, slimy on top and unpleasantly tough. After a few small bites and eating only the pineapple garnish, I told the server it was inedible and sent it back. I lost my appetite and declined a replacement.
The rest of the table fared no better:
• My brother’s steakordered medium-well—came out well-done and dry. The zucchini that came with it was uncooked. We paid an extra $8 for a side, and honestly, Texas Roadhouse serves a better steak.
• The mashed potatoes tasted sour and off.
• My sister’s chicken flautas were bland, and the green salsa on top was oddly sweet—unusual for traditional Mexican cuisine.
• My mom’s “shrimp al mojo” turned out to be more like shrimp scampi, and the shrimp were overcooked.
• Only rice and beans were available as sides because the others had “run out.”
• Even my daughter’s pizza was just ordinary; she barely ate a slice.
Service was equally underwhelming. Our server was polite but inattentive, and the manager refused to fully comp my entrée, claiming I’d eaten half (I hadn’t only a few bites and the pineapple). To top it off, a $30 gratuity was automatically added for a party of five. In my experience, that’s typically reserved for larger groups or true fine dining this was neither.
What was meant to be a special 15th birthday dinner turned into an evening of frustration and disappointment. For the price and reputation, we expected far better food, service, and overall experience. We left upset and will not be returning.
… moreMary
Me and my husband ate here for dinner after getting grocery at Costco in Rosedale. When me and husband went in the restaurant..the ambiance was intimate and the interior was tastefully designed. The food that we ordered were beautifully plated and presented AND delicious. Everything was delicious. The drink my husband had was really good. The servers were attentive. No need to ask for a water refill, they automatically give you one. This place is a must try in Bakersfield!
… moreElaina E0
Braza restaurant has a beautiful atmosphere with a lovely ambiance. The seating is comfortable, creating a pleasant dining experience. They start with a light appetizer of chips and salsa, which is a nice touch. The food was good, though a bit spicier than my personal preference. The service was excellent, and they even offer a complimentary birthday dessert—flan—which was absolutely delicious! Overall, we had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you!
… moreYUNG WEST
Overpriced and completely not worth it. The food was bland, poorly prepared, and nowhere near the quality you’d expect for the prices they charge. Portions were small, flavors were off, and nothing tasted fresh. The overall experience felt rushed and disappointing, like they’re relying on hype rather than actually good food or service. I left feeling frustrated and ripped off. Definitely won’t be coming back, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal. Straight scammed us on Valentines Day for $280 literally $140 per person for not even good tasting food
… moreNone
The atmosphere is fantastic. You really feel transported to another place. We sit in the bar and Luis is very kind, thoughtful and prompt. He is easily relatable and humble and makes casual conversations very easily. The food is extraordinary. We start with chicharones which are absolutely delicious and are served on a mountain of excellent guacamole. I’ve had the Chile verde which is great and has a nice kick to it. I recently had the relleno del mar which is out of this world! My wife had the hamburguesa especial and it was amazing! We’ve eaten at many many restaurants in the area and this is our go to favorite when we visit Bakersfield. Highly recommended!
… moreMaggie R
I have been here twice but my second visit was to pick up a gift card. But my first visit was pleasant. The food is delicious and the service was great! Only thing I didn’t like was that because it was only two of us, we had a very small round table. But that’s a personal preference of mine. Whenever I go especially for a nice dinner, I like to have a comfortable space not so crammed to where our plates and glasses hardly fit. I think it just adds to the experience. My second visit like I said, was to pick up a gift card. I was getting one for my boss because it’s definitely a place I know they would enjoy. The only thing I didn’t agree with was that they charged me a $3 dollar fee and what was worse, the gentleman who helped me didn’t even bother informing me about the fee. Not that $3 is a lot but what restaurant charges a fee?! None that I know of and I would probably not have minded so much had he been courteous enough to at least inform me of it. Will I be back, of course! Will I probably be seated at a small table again, probably unless I go with a bigger party lol! But aside from these two things, it’s definitely a place to visit!!
… moreLucy Hernandez
Beautiful restaurant and with reservations we were seated quickly. It was our second time here, and it did not disappoint. The food was very good and the ambiance was nice. I really like the fact that the music is not overbearing, and you can have a conversation without a problem.
… moreSandra De La Torre
It uwas our first time visiting Brazas. The staff was kind and attentive to our every need from the hostess to our server. The presentation of our plates was beautiful and the food was delicious. We were totally blown away when our desert was prepared and served right at our table, flamed peaches the perfect way to end our meal.
… moreClaudia
Highly recommend!
Food 10/10, we ordered the enchiladas poblanas, the stuffed mushrooms, and new york steak. It was cooked just right and great taste! Service 10/10 waiter was very polite and attentive. Atmosphere 9/10 beautiful decor however a tad too dark for me but the music and vibe was all great. Side note, kids menu available but I would say leave the kids at home for this place.
… moreBrittany “Bee” Rivera
Hands down, one of the best restaurants in Bakersfield. I have reviewed hundreds of restaurants, and I can tell you – this place needs to be a staple in your repertoire of restaurant choices.
The atmosphere brings you to the crossroad between cozy and adventurous.
The food is outstanding with beautiful presentation.
And the staff is typically pretty friendly.
My only complaint is getting charged $7 for extra chips at the beginning of the meal… It didn’t even come with the beans or salsa – disappointing.
… more