Boca

The story

Boca Dubai: A Michelin Green Star Modern Spanish Restaurant in DIFC

A Modern Spanish Vision

Tucked away in the heart of Dubai’s financial district, Boca is a home-grown, multi award-winning restaurant and bar that radiates fresh and funky sophistication. The team behind Boca has crafted a menu that honors Spain’s rich culinary heritage while embracing its progressive, evolving present. The result is a vibrant experience in a laidback setting, where creative and contemporary Spanish flavors take center stage.

Sustainability at Heart

Boca’s commitment to sustainability is more than a philosophy—it’s woven into every aspect of the operation. The restaurant has earned a Michelin Green Star, recognition as “The Sustainable Restaurant” at the MENA’s 50 Best Awards, and a 1-Toque sustainability award from Gault&Millau. The kitchen works closely with local producers and responsible suppliers, featuring market-selected vegetables, seafood, and seasonal produce. The menu even incorporates desert plants native to the UAE, alongside locally sourced fish and seafood. This ethos extends to the bar, where the in-house mixologists obsess over reducing waste while crafting cocktails inspired by regional ingredients.

The Dining Experience

Boca’s food menu is a celebration of Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. Guests can start with Dibba Bay oysters or a selection of tapas like patatas bravas with romesco, tortillita de camarones (baby shrimp fritters), and beef croquetas with cecina. Cold soups and salads showcase local produce, such as the Andalusian tomato gazpacho from Al-Ain or a local cherry tomato salad with strawberries and Bateel dates. For mains, options range from a seafood black paella with prawns and cuttlefish to grilled Atlantic cod with escalivada, or a braised lamb shoulder with celeriac. The menu also features a ribeye steak from Australian pasture-raised beef and a beetroot quinotto with salicornia pesto.

Award-Winning Cellar & Bar

Boca’s wine cellar is a destination in itself, housing an ever-changing collection of 400 labels, 58 of which are available by the glass. The focus is on Old World producers, with a heavy emphasis on Spain, but the list also includes wines from closer regions like Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon. The cocktail program is equally impressive, with a list that reflects a devotion to native ingredients and zero-waste techniques. Whether you’re seated in the relaxed indoor dining room, on the outdoor terrace, or in the rustic cellar, the atmosphere is enhanced by the pulsating beats of Dubai’s renowned local DJs. Art also plays a role—Boca’s walls and ceiling showcase rotating exhibitions, currently featuring works by Sumedha Goel that capture the harmony between urban life and nature.