Agnes I.

BRAZILIAN FAVOURITE IN CLEVELAND! QUICK REVIEW: Batuqui, located in a former church, is a must visit if you are on the east side of Cleveland. Their food is filled with flavour and the coconut cake dessert looks light and delicious. From the hearty stews like the XIM XIM ($35), to their flavoured meats (steak, chicken, and salmon), you can't go wrong with finding something that you like. Vegetarian options are limited as I only saw one on the entree menu which is called PRATO MISTO and it comes with rice, pinto beans, farofa (cassava flour dish like rice or couscous), onions, and vegetables. Come early or make a reservation because this popular restaurant gets busy. BACKSTORY -- I finally visited in late February 2026 on a Sunday afternoon at 3pm. I came with a big group of women so we were seated downstairs in their party room. We had called beforehand to be confirm they had enough tables and chairs for a group of 35-40 of us which they did. AMBIANCE -- Although my group was seated downstairs in the private room, I glanced a little inside at the main seating area upstairs. I loved looking at the stain glass window which is colourful and reminds you that the building used to be a former church. The seating upstairs is neat and the tables and chairs are well arranged. There is also a bar area right at the front of this seating area. FOOD -- They have a full menu filled with traditional options. I ordered the XIM XIM ($35) which is a Brazilian stew with chicken, palm oil, coconut milk and carrots. It is served with white rice and topped with roasted peanuts. The Xim Xim ($35) is a VERY RICH and creamy dish and it doesn't have much liquid in it at all. I liked this stew especially the well-seasoned chicken. However, will order something else next time. I noticed that my stomach felt funny as I ate it, most likely because I normally don't eat such rich foods and maybe the coconut milk in the stew affected my stomach too because I hardly drink milk (I don't even like milk and can only drink almond or other types of alternative milks in a smoothie and I can't drink a glass of dairy milk, anyway, I digress...haha). I tipped them well because they catered to our large group and even brought us separate checks. I saw others order delicious-looking steak, ribs, salmon, and this chicken dish called the Sarava Key Lime Chicken which is a huge amount of food (oven roasted herb chicken filled with key lime sauce and served with rice, fried plantains, and vegetables). I am definitely ordering the key lime chicken next time. Someone on my table ordered the coconut cake which looked absolutely, light, airy, and delicious. I was able to try a sample of someone's salmon and another's plantain and they both tasted good. MINI STORE -- They have a gift shop downstairs that is also a mini mart filled with grocery staples and snacks from Palm oil, chocolate, tea, ornaments (decorative pieces), farofa (a Brazilian side dish that is made of toasted cassava flour), canned drinks, etc. SERVICE -- Our group was large and it was a busy Sunday afternoon for their staff but they handled it well. We were greeted, introduced to the chef, explained the menu, served water, then our orders were taken. I arrived at 3pm with the rest of the group, our food orders began around 3:50pm and the food came out around 4:30pm. The delay was that they first took everyone's drink and appetizer orders but I was fine with the wait because I didn't have anywhere pressing to be after lunch except the gym. Overall, Batuqui is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner especially for meat lovers. The food is rich and flavourful and customer service is nice. I can't wait to come back and try the farofa because I have never had it before neither had I heard about it until now. My 4/5 review is good for now because I'd like to visit on normal day instead of the large group/private party setting that I was in plus I want to try other menu items. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 8/250 total reviews in 2026 - 849 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 27 February 2026

Stacey D.

Batuqui delivered a really solid Brazilian dining experience. We went all in and ordered a variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, and honestly everything we tried was flavorful and well-prepared. The menu has a great mix of options, so it was fun to share and sample across the board. The cocktails definitely do not mess around, they're strong, well-balanced, and worth ordering if you appreciate a drink with some real kick! The space itself is gorgeous, set inside a beautifully restored old church that gives the whole experience a unique and memorable. Service was good we had a very large group and they handled it. The only downside is parking, which was a bit of a challenge, so give yourself a few extra minutes to find a spot. Overall, really good food, great drinks, and a place I'd happily come back to.

Amy L.

From what I understand, Batuqui moved from another location into the current spot just weeks ago. Not sure what it looked like before, but this place is charming and beautiful! It's now set in a former church with an airy dining room in what I'm assuming was the sanctuary. The stained glass windows have been preserved, but the room is decidedly updated with a bar under an interior gazebo, books lining shelves along the walls and colorful details. Just be careful as you're walking in -- I saw several people trip on a small step while rounding the corner. The menu features some new-to-me Brazilian dishes and cocktails. I initially ordered a Brazilian mule, but they were out of ginger beer, so shifted to a caipirinha with cachaca and fresh lime. I usually like beverages along these lines, but this one was a little too tart with a bitter edge I didn't enjoy. My kiddo got the mint limeade and was happy with it. We weren't terribly hungry, but between the two of us we split an appetizer special that consisted of six fried empanada/fritter bites with beef, chicken and shrimp. (It seemed like food took a long time to come out despite our being there fairly early in the evening.) Then we shared the xim xim -- a delicious mild chicken and rice dish fragrant with coconut milk. If you're in the mood for Brazilian comfort food, this is it. Overall, a really unique and interesting place!

Audrey C.

Had an amazing night here- between the delish caipirinhas, sizable portions of steak and a savory fish soup, we left full and ready to come back to try even more. We sat on the upper level of the restaurant and loved the architecture of the old church, we can't wait to sit on the patio in the summer. Highlight of the night was the service, our server Carolina was attentive, personable, and took great care of us! 10/10- would highly recommend.

Mike L.

It never disappoints. The food was wonderful. We tried the Grilled octopus which was a special. The coconut butter cake is a must try. The service was great. Love the new location.

Becky L.

Definitely curious to try this place since I love Brazilian cheese bread. Ended up ordering the caipirinha drink, catupiry cheese bread, shrimp malagueta, and xim xim. The caipirinha was sweet and refreshing, a good start. I asked what the difference was between their catupiry and pao de queijo, and they explained they used a softer creamy cheese for the catupiry--I'm so glad I chose the first because I never had Brazilian cheese bread with such a creamy center--definitely my favorite dish of the night. The shrimp malagueta was also so good, came in close second place for me with the spicy sauce definitely packing a kick. Never had xim xim before, but it reminded me of a curry since it had coconut milk--good comfort food. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Service was so nice and attentive--our waitress noticed me getting cold and offered to move our table indoors. Parking available as free street parking--can be limited in spaces depending on when you go. All in all, a great experience! Would definitely consider coming back again.

Maria B.

This review is based on our dinner on a Saturday evening after 8 P.M. We arrived early for our reservation and were seated promptly downstairs, which was a first for us. A gentleman poured us water, and we had time to look over the menu. Ambiance was great. Unfortunately, it took about 10 minutes before our server, Denise, came to greet us. We ordered the shrimp malagueta, side of plantains, and ensopado de porco. The food arrived in a timely manner. However, my mariscada was missing key ingredients clearly listed on the menu, specifically crab and fish. There was also no check-in from our server after appetizer and entrees were delivered. When I waved Denise down to ask about my entree, she stated that the crab and fish were incorporated into the sauce and therefore not served in pieces. I did share with her that I ate the dish less than 4 weeks ago and there were definitely pieces in there. She took my plate to the kitchen, spoke with whomever, and returned to inform me that they have been out of fish and crab for about a month and have been substituting additional shrimp and calamari instead. While I understand supply challenges happen, this information should have been shared before ordering. My reservation that evening was centered around ordering the mariscada specifically for its seafood blend, so this was disappointing. I left feeling let down by the experience. I've been a loyal customer of Batuqui for over five years and have always supported the restaurant, its robust food and beverage menu, and evening specials. Regrettably, this evening has altered my perception of a place I've long enjoyed.

Angela N.

I'm a tad confused by the reviews as this place was just ok. Service was good, but the food was just marginal, and extremely expensive for what it is. I live in Miami so I'm used to expensive restaurants but at least the food is commensurate with the body. To start, I ordered Caymus by the glass and by no means was it a fresh bottle. When I requested a 2nd glass it tasted vastly different than whatever they originally served me. It also came in a glass that was dirty on the outside. At that point, I just dealt with it. The ribeye was very thin and super fatty. The picanha acebolada (traditional Brazilian cut of tri tip sirloin) was beyond difficult to eat - very tough. Below average quality meats with a premium price. The beans were good that accompanied. Not sure I would come back - but if we do we won't be ordering steaks.

I ordered the Costello do Norte (short ribs) dinner. It was very tender and tasty. This dish paired well with a glass of sangria. Our large group was seated in a private room so I felt it lacked the ambiance that the main dining had. The service took longer than normal but that's to be expected with a large group. The server was very pleasant and was able to give us separate checks.

I enjoyed my first experience at Batuqui for my birthday, the food and service was amazing and my server was the nicest explaining the menu to me and giving suggestions since I had never had Brazilian food before. The space was beautiful and perfect for an intimate gathering. I have already told friends about the restaurant if they come to visit Cleveland.

Luciana S.

This original restaurant location always impresses me and any guests! It's intimate and, even during restaurant week, their attention to service was intact. I'd recommend this spot for any celebration or to explore Brazilian cuisine. Having been here 20+ times, this place has consistently good food and service.

Anna K.

I rarely give 5 stars out but there wasn't a single complaint I have of this place. The location and interior was very homely and reminded me of those old neighborhood, classic restaurants in places like Georgetown in D.C. The service was incredible, everyone was so respectful and treated us like queens! I felt very special, they were incredibly kind and thorough. As for the food? I don't know how to describe it...probably the best food I've had in Cleveland! In addition to the appealing presentation, everything tasted like an elevated home cooked meal. I finished everything on my plate and was scraping the bowl to finish off the tiny grains of rice and sauce left. I highly recommend the Moqueca Baiana wish fish (I tried a bite of my friend's Pudim de Leite dessert and let me tell you, I exported into a portal of heavenly custard lol. It blew me away how smooth, rich and creamy the texture and flavor was)