Tucked away in the heart of Dubai’s financial district, BOCA is a modern European restaurant with a strong Spanish focus serving hot and cold tapas alongside signature mains. The menu offers a combination of classic and contemporary Spanish ideas using the freshest possible seasonal produce.
At the heart of BOCA’s ethos is a commitment to sustainability. Alongside sourcing all its produce from local farmers and fisherman, the restaurant has also ramped up its efforts to reduce waste by continuously auditing its kitchen and bar operations. It’s also free from single-use plastics and only works with like-minded organisations that share similar sustainable credentials.
BOCA offers both indoor and outdoor seating areas in a relaxed setting, as well as a well-stocked bar with counter seating for those looking to enjoy a drink with some tapas. It also houses a rustic wine cellar that boasts an ever-changing collection of old world wines. Although the focus is on wines from Spanish producers, you can also find a small selection from areas such as Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon.
On the food front, the menu kicks off with hot and cold tapas dishes, and moves onto more substantial dishes. For example, you might choose to start with the likes of herby gazpacho with crispy rice, burrata and tomato salad, grilled tiger prawns with Spanish chorizo and brioche, or padron peppers with rosemary and smoked cheese. Further down the list, you can find a selection of bread-based dishes, such as lobster rolls with lemon aioli, as well as an impressive black rice paella featuring oysters and octopus. There is a lengthy selection of vegan options too, while desserts include the likes of pistachio kunafa rolls with black lime and rose sorbet.
BOCA also boasts an award-winning team of in-house mixologists who have conjured up a cracking cocktail list inspired by seasonal ingredients. The idea is to offer guests a selection of innovative beverages that makes use of ‘ugly’ produce, stems and seeds in line with its mission to reduce waste.