Tiki Tatsu-Ya — Restaurant in Austin

I am the exact demographic this experience is aimed at so I’m so excited to have had the opportunity to review it. I love everything over the top and this was nothing if not over the top! It missed the mark on a few key points but keep in mind they just opened so it’s perfectly normal to have a few service issues to iron out. I plan to return and update this review in about 6 months time. I scored a prime time reservation (7:30 pm on a weekend) after signing up to be notified of any cancellations in the next two months. You have to be quick on the draw but it works! Parking is very limited so come early and plan on driving around to find street parking for a while. It’s located right next door to the South Lamar ramen shop by the same group. The front of the restaurant is disguised as a closed travel agency, a fact that made me literally squeal with delight. The entrance is around back, marked with mysterious red light and a host booth. We were seated in the upstairs bar area where the theming is more general but it’s still absolutely delightful. The ceiling is crowded with fishnets, suspended wicker baskets, and other nautical treasures. There are “windows” throughout that emit a magical sunset array of colors and the sound of tropical birds is piped in all around the tables. We started off with the Rum Barrel cocktail for 4. It was spicy and not overly sweet, delicious. It was delivered to the table flaming and accompanied by a change in lights throughout the bar and the sounds of thunder. Absolutely incredible. Our server accidentally coated the table and all of us at it with cinnamon which was fine and a bit funny but would have appreciated someone wiping off the table at literally any point. We did the best we could but it was in everything including our water glasses for the rest of the night. The “barrel” was also a bit shallow for the purported 3-4 servings but it was worth it just for the show. We followed that up with the Pearl Diver, Strip N Go Naked and Wray and Ting all of which were light, fruity, and paired well with the food. We had the Pupu platter first, because of course we HAD to, and I cannot recommend it enough. The spices on each included dish were so complex but somehow complemented each other perfectly. The standout for me was the Szechuan wings but the ribs were also stellar and the crab dip exceeded every expectation. We also tried the Saimin ramen and Maguro poke. Both were fine but paled in comparison to the platter. The small portion sizes on two dishes that are typically defined by generous proportions created some disappointment that was hard to overcome. My major issue was with the service. Our server was friendly enough but didn’t have much apparent passion for the menu and only recommended the most expensive items when asked. We were served two courses without any silverware on the table and had to as repeatedly to be brought some. Our water was also never refilled and, for a restaurant that features rum so heavily, that is a real issue. I don’t want to end on a sour note so I’ll add that the work they’ve done to acknowledge the complex and dark history of Polynesian appropriation in tiki culture was evident and very appreciated. Visit the bathroom while you’re there, you may...

Arrr, let me tell ye a tale o’ adventure and drinkin’! Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin be a port worth anchoring at, a Polynesian paradise that whisked me mother and meself far from the dusty shores of Texas into a world o’ rum, fire, and wonder.

The First Impressions

We made landfall on a Saturday night ‘round 7 bells, luckier than a sailor findin’ a chest of doubloons, as we got in without so much as a reservation. The host be a lively one, with a smile brighter than the equatorial sun, settin’ the tone for the night ahead. As we entered, the air turned tropical, and the entryway—with its babblin’ waterfall and lush jungle trappings—felt like the doorway to an island untouched by time.

They’ve filled the halls with curiosities fit for any sailor’s dreams: dioramas of ships and smolderin’ volcanoes, fishin’ nets adorned with glass floats hangin’ from the ceilin’, and a mighty tiki statue stretchin’ up to the heavens. The bar itself be an engineering marvel; bartenders and barbacks run a tight ship, mixin’ and pourin’ with the precision of a crew riggin’ a mainsail in a storm.

The Drinks and Fare

We settled at the bar, where me mother ordered a "Port Light" ($15), a concoction born in 1961 at Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, OH. A fine brew it was, with bourbon, tawny port, and fruity notes of passionfruit and pomegranate, balanced as steady as a ship in calm seas. Sweet but with a tart kick, it was the sort o’ drink that could sneak up on ye like a rogue wave if ye had too many.

As fer the grub, the taro tots and tempura papaya were delights worth singin’ about. The tots, in particular, had me heart, crispy on the outside and soft as a sea breeze within. Their presentation be simple yet in perfect harmony with the bar’s theme, like a sailor’s gear well-worn and trusted.

The Atmosphere

But aye, the true spectacle be the ambiance. Every half hour, the great tiki statue came alive with lights, thunder, and a projection-mapped display that made the walls themselves seem to tremble. And if ye’re lucky, as we were, ye might catch the fiery fanfare that accompanies the servin’ of their legendary shared cocktails. A Disney-caliber show, to be sure, with enough flair to dazzle even the saltiest o’ seadogs.

Even the head’s worth a visit—aye, the restrooms! Themed to the nines with a soundtrack of Polynesian tall tales, they be a whimsical touch that rounds out the immersion.

The Verdict

Tiki Tatsu-Ya be a treasure tucked away behind a ramen shop, its hidden location only addin’ to the feelin’ that ye’ve stumbled upon somethin’ magical. For a mere $40, we had a night to remember, one that took us far from the shores of Austin to the exotic haunts of South Pacific tiki legends like Trader Vic’s and Don the Beachcomber. If ye’ve got a taste for adventure—or just a thirst for rum—hoist yer sails and chart a course for this fine...

I have been a longtime fan of Tiki-Tatsuya, but my experience on June 6 has left a retched taste in my mouth. I took nearly two months to write this because ya'll had me heated! We arrived a touch early for our 8:45 reservation and had no problem waiting for our reservation time to be seated. A cute waiting area with a fan and beverages available to purchase is never a problem. When our reservation time came around, our table still wasn't ready so we waited about 5-10 minutes before we were taken to the bar. Again, not a big deal. However, we were told it would only be a few minutes. Ok cute. Totally fine. It's busy! We went ahead and ordered a drink, but were not given water nor were we given hand towels. Maybe that sounds whiney, but if the expectation is set that a guest receives water and a hand towel when they are seated, meet that expectation every time. But ok, whatever, we are only going to be sat there 10 minutes, right? 30 minutes later, 45 minutes after our reservation time for 3 at a table, we closed our tab and left. I like sitting at the bar, but as we made this reservation with the explicit purpose of showing my mother-in-law one of our favorite spots, I was extremely embarrassed to make my 64 year old MIL sit on bar stools I knew she would be unable to sit at comfortably. I did not reserve bar seats, the host knew I did not reserve bar seats. The bartender knew I did not reserve bar seats, which is why I do not begrudge him for the lack of attention we received. He was busy making table drinks for all the tech bros who wouldn't leave! And I know they ain't tipping y'all well enough to put up with them. But I digress. When you have guests waiting on their reservation for 45 minutes and you're not pushing checks, that is poor floor management and customer service. I know I am not the only person who has had a bad experience at TT lately, and if this review comes as a shock to you, pack it up sister. Maybe tonight when you relegate longtime customers to your well seats, maybe throw a free appetizer their way? Or at least check on them? Honestly, y'all (specifically the GM because this is on you honey) really annoyed me with this one. Do better.

The mushroom musubi slaps tho 10/10...