Boqueria

This review is a long due– i had a dinner here on NYE and I was really disappointed with the course menu the restaurant offered. I enjoyed none of single dishes and most of plates were salty, small, and lack of attention

My favorite tapas restaurant!
I ordered the shrimp dish, hanger steak w/​chimchurri sauce, tortilla with bacon, mushroom&ham croquette, potatoes, and a pitcher of blood orange sangria. Besides the steak everything’s been so unique to this restaurant; I’ve never had such dishes elsewhere! it sucks because my last few visits I would consider a 5 star review but this time… I feel like the blood orange sangria became less tastier since I’ve last been there… The hanger steak had barely any seasoning it was just a super charred outside (cooked perfectly medium rare inside like I asked) with a slightly more sour chimchurri sauce than I’m used to… My shrimp dish that came with a piece of bread for dipping was too over cooked. My shrimps felt paste like and it was such an undesirable texture.
Service was superb; the hostess was so nice to me updated me on time complimented my makeup. My server was always attentive and around to pour our drinks and take dishes away.
Bill came out to $ 120 without tip which was exactly what I expected but I wouldn’t pay $ 20 for the steak or whatever high amount I paid for ⁶⁄₇ over cooked shrimps. If this was any other restaurant I would give it a 2 star but Boqueria Flatiron… You have a special place in my heart and I’ll be back

Great food, great sangria. The one with blood orange and Brandy is the bomb.
Great eats

Busy for brunch on a Saturday. Seats ten at the bar, several small high tops against the opposite wall. Restaurant seating towards the back. All large high tops. Background music was American pop/​rock.
I had the lamb kebabs which were very good and a bargain at $ 12. Food came out quickly. I was seated at the bar. I went with a G&T. Good selection of gins — Mahon, Fords, Hendricks, Greenhook. House-​made tonic syrup. Drink was garnished with a lime wheel and blackberry.

Boqueria has an intimate tapas bar ambiance with quality food. I came here in a group of 4 without a reservation so we sat by the front of the restaurant across from the bar. Our two circle tables were a bit small to share but it was fun watching the chef prepare his plates at the open bar/​kitchen. We ordered the following:
Vegetarian:
Tortilla Espanola — spanish omelet with eggs and potato; filling potato dish, good appetizer
Pimientos de Padron — blistered shishito peppers; we really enjoyed these, they were soft, salty, and melted in your mouth
Patatas Bravas — crispy potatoes in aioli; good potato dish, but a little less unique
Seafood:
Gambas Al Ajillo — shrimp in garlic sauce; *this was probably our favorite
Bacalao (special) — cod in salsa verde with lima beans; this one was ok, the light sauce did not bring out the cod flavor enough in my opinion
Meats:
Cojonudo — quail eggs and chorizo on toast
Pintxos Morunos — lamb skewers
Both of the meat dishes were awesome!

I live right near here and especially like the dinner and happy hour drinks crowd. They have apple cider sangria for winter!!! (Helloooo how cute is that? And it’s delish)
Spanish tapas food, what you would expect with decent price point for the area. You will have good service and the ambiance is nice and it’s always a fun group there.
I’ve had good service both sitting at the bar and also while at a table.
Small venue. Get there before 730 to be seated without a wait on weeknights!

Things are a bit of a challenge as I am in a wheelchair. The hostess did not bat an eye when I arrived. With the help of a busboy, the two of them wrestled a ramp out of the basement and set it up over the three steps which made it easy for me to enter the restaurant. I fit easily under a tall table and joined my wife and two friends for a wonderful tapas dinner.
Dishes arrived in a well staggered fashion. Chorizo; peppers, nicely accented with sea salt, were a nice first round. dates wrapped in bacon were delicious. Shrimp in garlic sauce… Lamb meatballs in tomato sauce… Garlic potatoes all hit the spot. The octopus was perfectly grilled. pork belly was a perfect finishing.

Very good food and nice décor. This place is packed on weekend nights, and for good reason.
I was initially frustrated by the serving staff being a bit short and rushing us, but the GM herself wrote to me to apologize and invite me back in. That says a lot.

Oddly enough, I had actually been to the Hong Kong location before, but never to any of the other locations. Nonetheless, my experience at both locations were excellent, and actually incredibly similar, which speaks to the consistency. It’s your typical Spanish tapas house décor, with Iberico hams just hangin’ around, and super casual tables. No reservations under 6 people, so it’s a little difficult to plan ahead, so either just have a lot of friends or make sure you have a plan B, because it does get crowded.
Came here for an early team dinner, and we pretty much went crazy with the menu, minus the drinks, for obvious reasons. I was fully prepared to experience tiny portions, given the low prices of most of the tapas and the fact we’re smack in the middle of Manhattan, but pretty much everything came in a pretty healthy portion, which was a pleasant surprise. My favorite dishes were the croquetas cremosas (mushroom/​Serrano ham croquettes), the pimientos de padron (blistered Shishito peppers), and the torrada de Matrimonio (anchovies). The croquetas were pretty crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside (nice), and the Shishito peppers really had some good flavor, especially since there really wasn’t much else to the dish besides just the peppers. Also, I know anchovies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I really enjoyed them, and the saltiness was pretty well tempered with the vegetables and crusty Filone bread.
Service was pretty attentive throughout the meal, although we did end up waiting for the check for a pretty long time. Considering that we didn’t order alcohol, I was actually surprised at how attentive they were, ha. Prices were pretty reasonable, given the portion sizes, in my opinion, especially for New York. That being said, I wasn’t responsible for the check, so perhaps there’s a bit of bias there, ha.
I’ve never been to Spain (I know, I know, so uncultured), so I can’t speak to authenticity, but the general food quality was pretty great, and I would definitely consider coming back, especially since I live near by. I definitely want to see how good the paella is, and perhaps be a bit more free-​flowing with the wine/​drinks, haha.

Amazing Catalan/​Spanish (mostly) restaurant. Every single dish is delicious. The ambiance is great. Won’t destroy your wallet but it’s not super affordable either.
Easy to share several plates/​tapas among groups, even some main dishes. As a vegetarian I appreciated the variety of choices. Peppers, potatoes, quinoa, chickpeas, olives, cheeses, zucchini, breads, oils, mediterranean spices. Yum. A great experience and prompt, friendly service.
Very much worth the costs. I just wish I could afford this more often.

Coming here for tapas felt exactly like being at a bar in Spain and it made me miss every second of my time in Madrid. If the large cuts of meat hanging in the window don’t excite you, then you might feel differently.
They don’t take reservations so my friend and I waited about an hour for a table on a Friday night, which we expected. In the meantime, we each had a glass of the special sangria, which was a blackberry. Very good! This is what we continued to drink throughout the night. My piece of advice here; the pitchers are big! 2 people could easily have 3 drinks if not 4, so if you’re planning on hanging out for a while, it’s worth the value. We made the mistake of ordering the pitcher once we sat down at the table, so it was overkill and made our bill more expensive than it needed to be. We ordered a couple of different plates. Albeit a pretty standard selection, all of them were delicious!
Lamb meatballs: tender and juicy! The dollops of goat cheese complimented them well
Pan con Tomate: staple done right!
Jamon Serrano: I mean c’mon… what could go wrong here?
Tortilla Special: added bacon and scallions… so yummy
Croquetas: The 3 mushroom ones were so decadent, I could eat a whole plate of these! The ham ones were also good but not as much as the mushroom.
The restaurant is dimly lit and there is a great buzz around the room. Our waiter was attentive and did a great job topping off our drink glasses ;) I would definitely go back to have some of the seafood tapas that I would have liked to try, if it wasn’t for my seafood-​averse date. This is an ideal spot for a date night, small bites and catching up with friends. I’m a fan!

3.5 stars. Really nice ambiance — quite a long wait on Friday dinner (8:15PM arrival). If you want to drop in on Friday, either come at 6PM or 9PM.
My friend and I got a pitcher of Sangria (don’t remember the name but it was the whiskey/​bourbon based). Good flavor but I was more impressed with the pineapples in the sangria. They were amazing (infused with a lavender).
We got 4 tapas
Gambas al ajillo — typical dish to get a tapas place. This one was alright. The shrimps were nicely cooked. The sauce was interest — it has a lot more vinegar than I am used to. Good that they provided bread so you can dip it in the sauce
Tortilla Espanola — didn’t expect it to come cold but still good. It came with some cream/​spread that enhanced the dish
Flatbread — best dish of the night. the chirozos did it. flavorful but not heavy.
Corn with manchego (forgot the name) — I love manchego cheese and you cannot go wrong with corn.
The bill for 2 was 100 tips and tax. Not sure if I want to go back again. The portions were really small but each dish was 12 – 16.

3.5 stars
Perhaps I’m just not a fan of Spanish food, but I found the tapas to be hit or miss.
What we got:
Mushroom and ham croquette — These are not to be missed. My favorite was mushroom croquette which had a delicious filling complemented by a sauce that had a hint of black truffle. My other friend loves the ham croquette which was paired with this sweet jam that paired surprisingly well with the savory ham.
Crudo de Jurel — Don’t get. Very disappointing, it’s essentially just hamachi sashimi, but instead of letting the fish shine through, it’s cut by the overpowering taste of vinegar. Definitely not worth it.
Pulpo a la Gallega — The grilled octopus was very soft, though I felt like it could have perhaps done with more flavor. But I actually really enjoyed the mashed potatoes it was paired with.
Carne a la Plancha — Each piece of steak was perfectly cooked to medium rare and the mojo verde sauce it came with was a refreshing and delightful complement to the steak. However I wouldn’t say that I was particularly impressed by the steak on its own, needed the mojo verde sauce to be fully enjoyed.
Gambas al Ajillo — This was underwhelming and the shrimp tasted a bit dry. Reminded me of the shrimp my mom makes, which I’m not a huge fan of.
Some eggplant salad — This was a seasonal special but it was too strongly dressed in vinegar, especially as it was paired along with already salty olives. It was just too much.
But while the food did not necessarily impress, the place has a very cute vibe and the service was stellar. Great place for a date or to meet with friends.

Popped in here for a drink on Friday night. This place is so cute and intimate! There are seats by the bar and small 2-​person tables right near the entrance, but the restaurant opens up towards the back with tables that can allow for larger group seating. The atmosphere was nice: buzzing and energetic but definitely not too loud. I had the rose sangria, which was delicious: super refreshing. I didn’t get to try any of the food but would definitely come back to sample some tapas.
Tip: This place is great for a smart casual date!

So popular and trendy! I had been watching this Boqueria location for a while. I really recommend making reservations for this place because they are just that popular. The ambience is reminiscent of a European experience at a tapas bar. I truly like the feeling of being in Europe because it brings back fond memories.
As I waited for my friend I sat at the bar and enjoyed the warm lighting and energy of the place.
To start we had the Ensalada del Momento, was super fresh and tasty. It was a great starter
Of course I had to have the popular Patatas Bravas. The potatoes were so yummy with the melted cheese.
The croquetas cremosas: square: ham, ball: mushroom looked and smelled amazing but I could not have them since I don’t eat pork ;-(
Gambas al Ajillo: shrimp, garlic and guindilla pepper in olive oil were the highlight. I could have eaten this with bread and drank my red wine all night.

I really like places like Boqueira — the place gives off an intimate vibe and it’s a great place to sit back, nosh on some tapas, and enjoy conversation. My friend and I stopped by here for drinks and apps before heading to dinner.
Like any tapas bar should, Boqueira gives off a warm aura — the color scheme is mainly wood tones coupled with white. There’s counter seating at the bar along with larger tables towards the back. Service was prompt and friendly.
Since we were going to dinner, we decided to order off their meat and cheese menu and have some sangria. We went with the white lavender sangria which was very refreshing — it had a nice balance of sweet and floral tones. We split a plate which included the rosemary machego and aged mahon cheeses plus some sobresata. It was presented beautifully with some golden raisins and variety of breads; the combination of flavors was great (I’m a sucker for cheese!).
I certainly didn’t explore the menu here, but what I tried I liked. The service and variety will put this place on my go-​to for tapas.

Like a fine wine, Boqueria gets better with age. Every time I eat there I like it more and more.
Warning: Do NOT order their Patatas Bravas (Olea wins in that category). They are not good. They lazily just put a ton of mayonnaise on top. But they get a pass for that one dish.
In order to eat tapas (in the US at least), one most know how and what to order. Many tapas restaurants accommodate the local palates. Plus, I’m just NOT going to order a Tortilla from one of these restaurants, you know what I mean?
We recently ate here for our anniversary and I had one of the BEST, most exquisite, complex, but light and clean dishes that I have had in recent history. What was it? A special — Crudo de Jurel. Hamachi crudo with green almonds, graps, ajo blanco, mustard greens… After my first bite, I wistfully looked into the distance. The BITE gave me immediate nostalgia. I don’t know if that has ever happened to me. I looked at my spouse and recounted when I had lived in Andalucia, specifically eating fresh fish in Malaga, eating squid ink for the first time on the black pebble beach in Almunecar. That BITE made me reminisce my friendships, the year before I turned 20, pre-​Euro Spain and affordable tapas that didn’t break the bank on my college student budget…
The rest of our meal was really good too. We ordered the spinach, the shishito peppers (a little too salty for me though), Fideua Negra special (fideo noodle paella), the hangar steak (for the spouse), and the txipirones (squid w/​frisee). We also ordered the Vina Ardanza Reserva Rioja bottle. The bartender told us it was his favorite bottle on the menu — for the complexity/​price point. It was perfect.
For dessert? Well duh — Churros con Chocolate. The other deserts don’t compare and well… I lived off of that dessert for a period of my life, so for me, it’s a must.
My advice is to try the specials and base your meal off of the traditional tapas — usually seafood like Gambas, squid, octopus (or the ham/​chorizo if you eat pork, which I don’t)… then add the US accommodation items like the hangar steak if inclined.

4.5 Named after a famous Barcelona food market, Boqueria is a unique tapas bar in the heart of Soho (review for its second location to follow at a later date).
Boqueria has a fresh take on the tapas scene. The menu is extensive and well executed, meriting repeat dining. If you speak to a New Yorker (or a visitor, for that matter) who has dined at this restaurant, chances are it was for dinner and drinks. The venue has great lighting and a warm color scheme, lending itself to a classy, delicious, and fun night out. Appropriate for guests with a discerning palate, friends visiting from out-​of-​town, an intimate date, and even solo dining (I have tried it, and I did not feel awkward as I kept myself occupied simply people watching and talking to the staff). BUT, did you know that Boqueria also has a great lunchtime-​only offering and that unlike the evenings, it’s easy to secure a seat?! So if you haven’t checked this place out before, try dinner and lunch here.
The staff is always courteous, professional and accommodative, whether I have important corporate clients or tiny guests (yes, they have high chairs).
Tips:
Stuffed dates must be ordered if you like dates.
Cured hams are awesome here!
Croquettes are tasty and always a hit with my guests.
Coffee is served nice and strong. Check this place out for your afternoon java!

— — — Overall Verdict:
SERVICE: Friendly
VENUE: Little space once it gets packed
TAPAS/​RACIONES: Good selection and pretty appetizing
DESSERT: Yum yum!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Kitchen opens at 5:30; get here early to avoid having to squeeze between the crowds to get to and from your table
VERDICT: Not too shabby; wouldn’t mind coming back ^_​^. While they can accommodate large groups, given how packed this place gets, I’d come here early or keep the party size small.
— — — Experience/​Service:
5:00ish on a Friday — this place was practically empty; Probably because their kitchen and dining hall doesn’t open till 5:30. Nevertheless, the staff tried their best to accommodate us — such as putting our order in the computer in advance, providing us with tapas that are available (and not made in the kitchen), and providing us with Sangria — while we wait in the so-​called «none-​dining area zone» which is really just a hallway with seats on the counter as well as a cushioned-​wall bench with wooden, round tables made for two. At exactly 5:30, they asked us if we wanted to move into the dining area — so we did.
— — — -Tapas y Raciones:
— Coca de Bruselas (Grilled Flatbread, Caramelized Onions, Pork Belly, Brussels Sprouts, Miti Crema Cheese, Smoked Pimenton Vinaigrette): my favorite out of everything we’ve ordered that day!
— Pan con Tomate (Grilled Bread Rubbed with Tomato, Garlic and Olive Oil): comes with 4 rather big pieces — very crunchy, but not as fresh as I would’ve liked; still very flavorful and overall satisfying
— Cojonudo (Fried Quail Eggs and Chorizo on Toast): comes with 2 pieces — unmemorable
— Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp, Garlic, and Guindille Pepper in Olive Oil): comes with 6 or so pieces of shrimp — The shrimp was soaked in flavor and was very good, but surprisingly the sauce itself was not; at least I couldn’t get my bread to soak in the flavor when dipped.
— — — -Sangria/​Dessert:
Sangría de Arándano (Brandied Cranberries, Rosé wine, Vodka, Fall Spices): They have a few selections of sangria and we opted for this one because the waiter had said this is more spicy. Unfortunately, while the sangria was good overall, the spiciness was very much hidden. You can feel the tang only if you really concentrated.
Turrón (Almond and Hazelnut Cake, Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Honey and Chantilly): «mmm mmm mmmmmmm»; I was stuffed, but this was definitely worth squeezing into my stomach!

The atmosphere is nice but it has bad acoustics so it gets extremely loud when it’s crowded. You are 6 inches away from your friend and will not hear them unless you are screaming at each other. A bit tiring if you want a chill dinner.
But the food was amazing. We had the mushroom croquette and paella for two.
Wow, i have never had paella like his before, i travelled Spain and been to local restaurants but this one is an amazing one.
The whole dish is full of flavor each bite with seafood. The dish itself is loaded with it too!
I don’t think i will be able to eat paella anywhere else after trying boqueria.
It’s just amazing.

Ein coller Tapasladen in New York. aber unbedingt vorher reservieren. Immer voll weil er so gut ist !!!