BOCA

Name: BOCA
Address: Gate Village 6 - near DIFC Parking, DIFC, Dubai, AE
Telephone: +97143231833

DIFC

Spanish restaurant Closed 04 323 1833

BOCA is a contemporary Spanish restaurant and bar in DIFC, serving international dishes with area-sourced ingredients. Reviews make it especially interesting for creative tasting menus, business lunches and a thoughtfully curated wine selection.

Reputation Score

4.6

★★★★★

1,450 ratings

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The Good Stuff

Showing 2 of 8

Creative menus

The 11-course tasting menu ranges from Kingfish Ceviche and beef cheek to Camel Milk Flan, with inventive Spanish and local touches.

Tender lamb

The Business Lunch’s Lamb Shoulder and Lamb Cheeks were described as exceptionally tender, flavourful and fine-dining quality.

Let's go!

What to Eat at BOCA

Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of BOCA, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.

Food 2

Grilled octopus Net +2

“The Smoked Duck Breast and Grilled Octopus were outstanding, both scoring a perfect 5.”
Tortilla de patatas Net +2

“The Tortilla de Patatas was better with a score of 4.”

Honorable mentions (55)

11-Course mastercard tasting menu Net +1

“I had an incredible experience with the 11-course Mastercard tasting menu truly one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had.”
9-Course tasting menu Net +1

“We chose the 9-course tasting menu. Each was delicious. Full of flavours and quite generous portions. Everything was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully.”
Argentinian angus striploin Net +1

“For 110 AED per person, we ordered 2 starters and 2 mains — chicken croquettes, chicken Caesar salad, Omani halibut, and Argentinian angus striploin. The portions are very generous, and they taste decent, but not extraordinary. Lacked a distinctive flavour to hook us in.”
Arroz con leche Net +1

“Special mention for the Arroz con Leche, the Tortilla de Patatas and their stuffed Olives.”
Beef cheek Net +1

“Other highlights included the tender beef cheek with its deep red wine glaze, the comforting yet elevated grilled cod and the playful twists on traditional Spanish flavours like the patatas bravas and shrimp fritters. Each course surprised me in the best way.”
Business lunch Net +1

“But have been on many occasions for the Business Lunch which is truly impressive, with a wide range of choice.”
Calamari Net +1

“Amazing calamari, cold cuts plus olive with lemon are perfect match!”
Camel milk flan Net +1

“The finale, the Camel Milk Flan, was the perfect ending smooth, delicate and uniquely local, paired beautifully with vanilla and dulce de leche ice cream. It was both comforting and elegant, leaving a lasting impression.”
Carbonara dolce dessert Net +1

“Amazing food, excellent atmosphere and probably the best service we’ve had in Dubai. James helped us with the menu, explained everything and was fantastic all around. Highly recommended, and I suggest you try the Carbonara Dolce dessert, you’ll be surprised!”
Ceviche with passion fruit Net +1

“Then, the ceviche with passion fruit was an interesting discovery. The sourness is well balanced, yet the hit of sweetness enhances the refreshing sensation.”
Chicken caesar salad Net +1

“For 110 AED per person, we ordered 2 starters and 2 mains — chicken croquettes, chicken Caesar salad, Omani halibut, and Argentinian angus striploin. The portions are very generous, and they taste decent, but not extraordinary. Lacked a distinctive flavour to hook us in.”
Chicken croquettes Net +1

“For 110 AED per person, we ordered 2 starters and 2 mains — chicken croquettes, chicken Caesar salad, Omani halibut, and Argentinian angus striploin. The portions are very generous, and they taste decent, but not extraordinary. Lacked a distinctive flavour to hook us in.”
Chocolate cigar with coffee ice cream Net +1

“Desserts were beautiful from the chocolate cigar with coffee ice cream to the tomato 🍅 macaroon. All were light and just good amount of sweetness to round off a well orchestrated meal.”
Chocolate mousse dessert Net +1

“For dessert, you must try their chocolate mousse dessert. They drizzle olive oil on top, which goes so well with all the other flavors of the dessert. The crumby texture of the stale bread + sesame cocoa complements the softer mousse texture. Very flavorful and a HIT 👏🏼”
Dark chocolate dessert Net +1

“Loved the risotto and the free dark chocolate dessert (it’s not too sweet).”
Eggplant and burrata salad Net +1

“😅 I ordered a very tasty eggplant and burrata salad. Very good.”
Fig and dark chocolate dessert Net +1

“Ended it with a fig and dark chocolate dessert. YUM !”
Green gazpacho Net +1

“The Green Gazpacho were also a highlight, perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented.”
Green snap pea salad Net +1

“What a fabulous experience we had at BOCA yesterday! We sampled many of the signature dishes, enjoying several appetizers and main dishes. From the olives infused with lemon gel, to the green snap pea salad, and the lamb with polenta mash, it truly was a feast sensation for the palate and the eyes.”
Grilled cod Net +1

“Other highlights included the tender beef cheek with its deep red wine glaze, the comforting yet elevated grilled cod and the playful twists on traditional Spanish flavours like the patatas bravas and shrimp fritters. Each course surprised me in the best way.”
Halibut Net +1

“to the meaty, great seasoned Halibut... I melt for both dishes”
House made chorizo Net +1

“Good spot for a a refreshing dinner. Heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine and well executed dishes. Their veal oysters tartare was one of the best bites I’ve tried. Also, their house made chorizo was perfect and present in several dishes.”
Huevos rotos with spicy chorizo Net +1

“However the HUEVOS ROTOS (with spicy chorizo) which we ordered off the a la carte menu was AMAZING. Super flavourful, potatoes were done well, fluffy on the inside and crispy crunchy on the outside, with generous servings of chorizo cold cuts.”
Kingfish ceviche Net +1

“The Kingfish Ceviche was a standout and unlike anything I’ve tried before. The Arabian Gulf–inspired coconut tiger’s milk was incredibly rich and silky, complementing the freshness of the kingfish perfectly truly an out-of-the-box dish done to perfection.”
Lamb cheeks Net +1

“We had the Lamb Shoulder and Lamb Cheeks, and both dishes were outstanding. The meat was perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and full of flavor.”
Lamb shoulder Net +1

“We had the Lamb Shoulder and Lamb Cheeks, and both dishes were outstanding. The meat was perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and full of flavor.”
Lamb with polenta mash Net +1

“What a fabulous experience we had at BOCA yesterday! We sampled many of the signature dishes, enjoying several appetizers and main dishes. From the olives infused with lemon gel, to the green snap pea salad, and the lamb with polenta mash, it truly was a feast sensation for the palate and the eyes.”
Lobster rolls Net +1

“The seafood ceviche, meat melt pizzetta and lobster rolls were really nice!”
Meat melt pizzetta Net +1

“The seafood ceviche, meat melt pizzetta and lobster rolls were really nice!”
Octopus Net +1

“A bit on the pricier side but we felt almost all dishes were top notch. I didn’t like the beef cheeks but everything else was yummy. I especially loved the Octopus.”
Olive with lemon Net +1

“Amazing calamari, cold cuts plus olive with lemon are perfect match!”
Olives infused with lemon gel Net +1

“What a fabulous experience we had at BOCA yesterday! We sampled many of the signature dishes, enjoying several appetizers and main dishes. From the olives infused with lemon gel, to the green snap pea salad, and the lamb with polenta mash, it truly was a feast sensation for the palate and the eyes.”
Omani halibut Net +1

“For 110 AED per person, we ordered 2 starters and 2 mains — chicken croquettes, chicken Caesar salad, Omani halibut, and Argentinian angus striploin. The portions are very generous, and they taste decent, but not extraordinary. Lacked a distinctive flavour to hook us in.”
Padron peppers Net +1

“We started with the Padron Peppers and Beef Croquettes , which were simply divine.”
Paella Net +1

“What truly set the experience apart was the team’s attentiveness and creativity: upon hearing that one of our guests didn’t eat seafood but was craving a paella, they went above and beyond to prepare an off-menu version tailored perfectly to our needs. That level of care is rare and truly appreciated.”
Pan con chocolate & aceite Net +1

“Went to BOCA just for dessert and tried the Pan con Chocolate & Aceite—and wow, what a treat! The combination of warm crusty bread, rich chocolate, and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil was unexpectedly amazing. The hint of sea salt tied it all together perfectly. Simple, bold, and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend for anyone looking to try something unique in Dubai!”
Pani puri Net +1

“As well as her playful take on Pani Puri, good fun!”
Patatas bravas Net +1

“Other highlights included the tender beef cheek with its deep red wine glaze, the comforting yet elevated grilled cod and the playful twists on traditional Spanish flavours like the patatas bravas and shrimp fritters. Each course surprised me in the best way.”
Potato bravas Net +1

“To start with, I tried the potato bravas from the tapas menu - a classic, you can’t go wrong with.”
Quid ink paella Net +1

“The quid ink paella was the outstanding dish. Highly recommended.”
Risotto Net +1

“Loved the risotto and the free dark chocolate dessert (it’s not too sweet).”
Roasted cauliflower Net +1

“For the mains, I tried the roasted cauliflower - it’s got flavors of Parmesan and oxalis - this dish was absolutely delicious and a unique take on the cauliflower steak genre, great for vegetarians!”
Scallop risotto Net +1

“From the warmth and cosy feeling of the scallop risotto, creamy, buttery. Oh so tasty...”
Seafood ceviche Net +1

“The seafood ceviche, meat melt pizzetta and lobster rolls were really nice!”
Shrimp fritters Net +1

“Other highlights included the tender beef cheek with its deep red wine glaze, the comforting yet elevated grilled cod and the playful twists on traditional Spanish flavours like the patatas bravas and shrimp fritters. Each course surprised me in the best way.”
Smoked duck breast Net +1

“The Smoked Duck Breast and Grilled Octopus were outstanding, both scoring a perfect 5.”
Sourdough bread Net +1

“- The sourdough bread is fantastic and a highlight on its own”
Sticky toffee pudding Net +1

“For dessert, the Sticky Toffee Pudding was delicious, earning a solid 4.”
Stuffed olives Net +1

“Special mention for the Arroz con Leche, the Tortilla de Patatas and their stuffed Olives.”
Sweet tomato dessert Net +1

“Completing our meal we sampled the sweet tomato dessert… chef’s genius creation and one not to be missed. Cleansing, delectable and infused with flavour, it is a stunning dish.”
Tiger prawns Net +1

“We also had the Tiger Prawns, which were excellent as well – beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.”
Tomato 🍅 macaroon Net +1

“Desserts were beautiful from the chocolate cigar with coffee ice cream to the tomato 🍅 macaroon. All were light and just good amount of sweetness to round off a well orchestrated meal.”
Truffle fries Net +1

“Truffle fries were absolutely amazing. Food in general was great and well presented.”
Veal oysters tartare Net +1

“Good spot for a a refreshing dinner. Heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine and well executed dishes. Their veal oysters tartare was one of the best bites I’ve tried. Also, their house made chorizo was perfect and present in several dishes.”
Tortillita de camarones Net 0

Only neutral feedback

“The Tortillita de Camarones was okay, earning a 3 out of 5.”

Drinks 4

House wine Net +1

“The house wine was excellent and great quality!”
Plums in port cocktail Net +1

“The PLUMS IN PORT cocktail was truly decadent: intense, slightly bitter, first sip which slowly mellows out into a gentle fruity sweetness. We loved it.”
Sangria Net +1

“Excellent value for a classy Spanish dinner. Sangria was refreshing, and the Sunday La Familia menu had over 10 tapas along with starters, mains and dessert.”
Wine pairing Net +1

“We had the tasting menu, the cocktail wa surprising and yummy, all the starters were finger licking delicious and the wine pairing perfect, the second half of the menu was disappointing.”

What to Avoid (5)

Food 5

Baby chicken Net −1

“The baby chicken was so basic and gave us a horrible after taste for hours.”
Beef cheeks Net −1

“A bit on the pricier side but we felt almost all dishes were top notch. I didn’t like the beef cheeks but everything else was yummy. I especially loved the Octopus.”
Business lunch menu Net −1

“The food was not par from the regular establishments from the mall. Knowing that this is/was a michelin star. Though we tried their business lunch menu this should speak volumes to what they offer as a restaurant.”
Tomato salad Net −1

“The tomato salad was actually good, but we found a long/thick hair strand below the tomatoes, so that killed the enjoyment quickly.”
Zucchini pinsa Net −1

“We were served some small dishes that I really enjoyed, not very much the zucchini pinsa. 😅 I ordered a very tasty eggplant and burrata salad.”

Tips for a Better Visit

Showing 2 of 6

Try lunch. Consider the Business Lunch for generous portions and strong dishes such as Lamb Shoulder and Lamb Cheeks.

Ask dietary. Tell the team about allergies or dietary needs before ordering; reviews describe tailored recommendations and an off-menu paella.

Plan the visit

Practical details

Gate Village 6 - near DIFC Parking

Zaa'beel Second - DIFC, Dubai

04 323 1833

Mon	12:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Tue	12:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Wed	12:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Thu	12:30 PM – 1:30 AM
Fri	12:30 PM – 1:30 AM
Sat	12:30 PM – 1:30 AM
Sun	12:00 PM – 12:30 AM

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Common Concerns

Showing 2 of 5

Service swings

One Valentine’s Day visit had staff forgetting requests, lacking menu knowledge and failing to follow up, despite many reports of attentive service.

Inconsistent food

A tasting-menu review found the cod tasted frozen, lion’s mane chewy and the final dessert unpleasantly bacon-like.

Customer-reported prices

These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.

250 AED

Sunday morning lunch

“Price: At 250 AED for a Sunday morning lunch, the price is very reasonable and offers great value for money”

Google review · September 2024

110 AED per person

2 starters and 2 mains

“For 110 AED per person, we ordered 2 starters and 2 mains — chicken croquettes, chicken Caesar salad, Omani halibut, and Argentinian angus striploin”

Google review · October 2022

DXB
LOCAL

The Bottom Line

BOCA is a contemporary Spanish restaurant and bar in DIFC where you can order tapas, book a Business Lunch, settle in for a multi-course tasting menu or explore an extensive wine list. The food leans modern and ingredient-led rather than strictly traditional: the 11-course menu included Kingfish Ceviche with coconut tiger’s milk, beef cheek and Camel Milk Flan, while the Business Lunch drew praise for its Lamb Shoulder and Lamb Cheeks. There is plenty for different diets and occasions.

One review describes an off-menu seafood-free paella made for a guest, and others mention a broad vegan and vegetarian selection. Group bookings can be arranged with a reserved indoor section, microphone and screen; the restaurant has also hosted private birthday dinners in its wine cellar. Indoor and outdoor seating are both mentioned, with the outdoor area described as relaxed and elegant.

The main caution is inconsistency. Many diners report attentive, knowledgeable service, but a Valentine’s Day visit involved forgotten requests and staff unable to explain the menu. Food reviews are similarly mixed: several dishes receive outstanding feedback, while one tasting menu included frozen-tasting cod and an unpopular final dessert.

Prices are still high by everyday standards, though a reported 250 AED Sunday lunch and 110 AED business-lunch deal were considered reasonable or good value.