My first time there. With my coworkers from department of health. 3 of us had moqueca, the shrimp stew. Both my colleges had fish and shrimp on theirs, but mine only had shrimp. When I told them they said its shred, but I told them to look at my friends plate and nobody said or apologized for it.The food tasted good, but maybe they made all the 3 plates together and mine didn't get fish.Our serve Daniel was pleasant ☺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Lorena
Phenomenal. Every dish was superb. Tried their Easter Prix Fixe menu during my first visit and was blown away. We had the lamb shank, lomo saltado, seafood ceviche, cioppino, tres leches cake, and bread pudding. The meats were cooked to perfection and everything was very well balanced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Wyatt
A great place to experience the world. Food and people are amazing!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bernardine F.
A huge shout-out to Boca Nova for their excellent food and service last night. We had a large reception for UC Office of the President's Health department prior to today's conference. The food was amazing and plentiful, service was impeccable, and Martin who I worked with from start to finish, was great. He was knowledgeable about the restaurant and food, offered guidance about the food when I needed it, was such a gentleman, and made us feel like we were dining in his own home. I can't thank you enough. I highly recommend this amazing restaurant. Thank you!
Maritza J.
We ate at Bocanova two nights in a row, while we were at a conference at the Marriott (right across the street.) Food was very good, and atmosphere was cool, fun, modern. But the highlight, without a doubt, was the staff. On the second night we called ahead to reserve a table and also to ask that they made sure they had the chicken dish that we wanted to try. Martin, the general manager, made a special effort to make sure the kitchen reserved an entire chicken for us. And when we arrived at the restaurant, we were greeted by Maria (hostess), Martin and other staff, as if we were long-time friends...it was awesome. They even made sure we had the same table and server that we had the first night. Montasia (our server) also deserves a special shout-out for being so fun, friendly and making sure we had everything we wanted. Besides the Peruvian-inspired chicken dish (delish!) we also loved the crispy fried cauliflower starter, the beef empanadas and the creative Mexican Caesar salad...and then some tasty churros and a velvety flan for dessert. Suffice to say...we highly recommend dining with Martin and his Bocanova team!
J T.
Stunning restaurant decor. Open, modern, bright, artistic and with an outdoor patio too. Great restaurant in downtown Oakland for lunch or dinner. Enjoyed the deviled eggs, scallops, fried cauliflower, fried mushrooms, and croissant bread pudding. Salmon salad was fine but ordinary. Lots of other interesting items on the menu that I'd like to try next time. Friendly and efficient service. Highly recommend!
Chris M.
The food and the service was excellent! We were in Oakland on business and ate here two nights in a row because it was so good. The owner and the chef made a point of talking to many of the guests - that was a bonus!
Terri J.
I had the ahi tuna sandwich with tomatoes, avocados and olive relish - it was delicious! We also had the fried oyster mushrooms for an appetizer which was also very flavorful and unique . The service was also great.
Nga M.
I was planning for a group of 16-20 people for a time-restricted lunch so I reached out to the restaurant. Martin responded promptly and with great logistical solutions. He was very friendly and easy to communicate with, making the process seamless and pleasant! On the day of the reservation, my colleagues were able to get seated before I arrived. We had a great table in the patio on a Sunny and warm winter day. The restaurant is big enough for multiple large groups as well! Such a stunning space. The staff were quick in firing the appetizers and entrees. They were patient in matching 16 dishes with 16 people who forgot what they ordered. The drinks and food for beautifully presented and just as delicious as they looked. Everything came out at the perfect temperature too. We did not wait long and were even done dining before our 1 hour lunch period was up. We did not feel rushed, the music was relaxing yet energizing, and the staff were helpful and friendly. Each and everyone of us highly recommend this place and I look forward to dining here again!
A group of friends and myself were getting off the 12th street bart station starving and looking for somewhere to grab dinner. We crossed the street and stumbled upon Bocanova. As some of our friends are Peruvian they were interested in trying it and let me tell you the didn't disappoint. The aesthetic was very nice and modern with smiles at the door and once we were seated we were greeted by our server Nicole who gave us great recommendations. We started off with some of the BEST ceviche I've had in the bay area! Paired with some super flavorful clams and our first round of drinks it was heaven on earth. My friend who is from Peru said the Lomo Saltado was the "best he's had since he's been in the US (27years) and definitely the best in Oakland". Personally I took a recommendation from Nicole and she recommended the chicken Peruvian chicken a la brassa which had unexpectedly great flavor and I got a side of chicken liver which was out of this world! I topped off dinner with some tres leches cake which looked like it came from a magazine ! It was as good tasting as it was appealing! It was the best dining experience we've had in the jack London square/downtown Oakland area. I'm definitely coming back and going to bring other friends to show them this hidden gem!
Angel O.
Bocanova was an absolutely amazing experience let me just start by saying that the atmosphere inside is lovely and the perfect compliment to the delicious and stunning food from the incredible hand painted Art to the great music and caring staff. Ive lived in Oakland my entire life and this is restaurant is a rare gem in the town and sadly I wasn't able to visit when it used to be in Jack London but I am so glad that it is back, I have been to Bocanova frequently since they have opened at 1111 Broadway and I have added some of my favorite items in the menu that I have had like the lomo saltado and ciopinno and I can't forget about the Argentinian steak. I also can't forget to mention the most amazing bartender I've ever had the pleasure of begin served by I have not had one bad drink yet and he is also such an amazing and down to earth guy you can feel his passion in every drink he makes my favorite would probably be the Broadway which is a Bourbon cocktail with passionfruit which was recommended to me by the most amazing and charming server Nicole she always makes my time at Bocanova a joy. I've also met the owners Martin (Martin makes and mezcal Paloma) and Chef Rick they both make you feel incredibly welcomed and really do take time to ask how you enjoyed your food and overall experience at Bocanova. And don't forget to try the dessert it is a must try especially the chocolate croissant bred pudding but you can't go wrong with anything on that desert menu. It really is a great place for all occasions you can bring a beautiful date and also bring the family parents for celebrations like Mother's Day, graduations , Birthdays but it is also a place you can go have lunch or go after work for happy hour with coworkers due to the restaurant begin amazing blend of fine dining and quick bar top service with exceptional drinks and food that you couldn't get at any other bar and it is backed by the split rooms that Bocanova has and it's the only restaurant that I've see. That has three different sitting dining options from the amazing Bar I mentioned earlier to the beautiful dinning room with open kitchen in the back and two separate outside patios and they have a private event room as well. So if you're ever in the area I would highly recommend you give it a try.
Evelyn S.
I was a huge fan of the Jack London square location and when I recently found out it reopened on Broadway, I was so excited and immediately made a reservation for my daughter and I. We went right before an event at the Fox theater . The ambiance is nice and the space very inviting. It was unfortunate that my excitement was quickly diminished when we found bugs in our drinks. We didn't noticed until half way through the drink lol. I notified the server who apologized and returned w new drinks. I decided not to drink mine anymore. They looked like fruit flies but it was still gross. I thought about leaving immediately as it was a disgusting experience knowing we drank half the drink before we noticed and probably swallowed other bugs before noticing yuck! Regardless we decided to stay and try the food which was ok. Nothing impressive. The shrimp ceviche was more like a shrimp cocktail from a Mexican restaurant (but triple the price) and the Brussel sprouts had way too much liquid which made them mushy honestly. My kid liked the fish and chips, I didn't try it but looked like any other fish and chip dish. The dessert was the only dish I truly enjoyed. They just reopened less than a year ago so I hope the food gets better as the old location. Disappointing that the only thing that was offered to make up for the unpleasant bug experience was to deduct the $5 drinks. Staff was very pleasant. I'm unsure if I'll return though.
Kristin L.
Great to have Bocanova back in Oakland and in the CBD at 1111 Broadway! Chef Rick is thoughtful in his menu choices and ensuring that all ingredients are fresh and local when possible. I love how I feel like I can try new creative dishes often, but come back to my favorites as well! Martin and the front of house staff are extremely welcoming and attentive. They have a special way in making their guests feel special and always welcome feedback to help improve their process or ensure they are meeting your needs.
Wendy H.
Bocanova is a wonderful restaurant, with great service and FABULOUS food! The ambiance is so beautiful with artwork and spacious for any group. I enjoyed a dinner with 17 people and we all loved it. The desserts were so great and diverse. I will go there every time I am in Oakland! The Co-Owner Martin Ladera Franco is the most kind and generous host. He is a great match with his partner, the Chef! You won't regret going!
The food is beyond delicious and the service is brisk, attentive and professional! A total success.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ceviche, Dungeness Crab Deviled Eggs, Lamb Shank
My first time there. With my coworkers from department of health. 3 of us had moqueca, the shrimp stew. Both my colleges had fish and shrimp on theirs, but mine only had shrimp. When I told them they said its shred, but I told them to look at my friends plate and nobody said or apologized for it.The food tasted good, but maybe they made all the 3 plates together and mine didn't get fish.Our serve Daniel was pleasant ☺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Phenomenal. Every dish was superb. Tried their Easter Prix Fixe menu during my first visit and was blown away. We had the lamb shank, lomo saltado, seafood ceviche, cioppino, tres leches cake, and bread pudding. The meats were cooked to perfection and everything was very well balanced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A great place to experience the world. Food and people are amazing!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A huge shout-out to Boca Nova for their excellent food and service last night. We had a large reception for UC Office of the President's Health department prior to today's conference. The food was amazing and plentiful, service was impeccable, and Martin who I worked with from start to finish, was great. He was knowledgeable about the restaurant and food, offered guidance about the food when I needed it, was such a gentleman, and made us feel like we were dining in his own home. I can't thank you enough. I highly recommend this amazing restaurant. Thank you!
We ate at Bocanova two nights in a row, while we were at a conference at the Marriott (right across the street.) Food was very good, and atmosphere was cool, fun, modern. But the highlight, without a doubt, was the staff. On the second night we called ahead to reserve a table and also to ask that they made sure they had the chicken dish that we wanted to try. Martin, the general manager, made a special effort to make sure the kitchen reserved an entire chicken for us. And when we arrived at the restaurant, we were greeted by Maria (hostess), Martin and other staff, as if we were long-time friends...it was awesome. They even made sure we had the same table and server that we had the first night. Montasia (our server) also deserves a special shout-out for being so fun, friendly and making sure we had everything we wanted. Besides the Peruvian-inspired chicken dish (delish!) we also loved the crispy fried cauliflower starter, the beef empanadas and the creative Mexican Caesar salad...and then some tasty churros and a velvety flan for dessert. Suffice to say...we highly recommend dining with Martin and his Bocanova team!
Stunning restaurant decor. Open, modern, bright, artistic and with an outdoor patio too. Great restaurant in downtown Oakland for lunch or dinner. Enjoyed the deviled eggs, scallops, fried cauliflower, fried mushrooms, and croissant bread pudding. Salmon salad was fine but ordinary. Lots of other interesting items on the menu that I'd like to try next time. Friendly and efficient service. Highly recommend!
The food and the service was excellent! We were in Oakland on business and ate here two nights in a row because it was so good. The owner and the chef made a point of talking to many of the guests - that was a bonus!
I had the ahi tuna sandwich with tomatoes, avocados and olive relish - it was delicious! We also had the fried oyster mushrooms for an appetizer which was also very flavorful and unique . The service was also great.
I was planning for a group of 16-20 people for a time-restricted lunch so I reached out to the restaurant. Martin responded promptly and with great logistical solutions. He was very friendly and easy to communicate with, making the process seamless and pleasant! On the day of the reservation, my colleagues were able to get seated before I arrived. We had a great table in the patio on a Sunny and warm winter day. The restaurant is big enough for multiple large groups as well! Such a stunning space. The staff were quick in firing the appetizers and entrees. They were patient in matching 16 dishes with 16 people who forgot what they ordered. The drinks and food for beautifully presented and just as delicious as they looked. Everything came out at the perfect temperature too. We did not wait long and were even done dining before our 1 hour lunch period was up. We did not feel rushed, the music was relaxing yet energizing, and the staff were helpful and friendly. Each and everyone of us highly recommend this place and I look forward to dining here again!
Restaurantji Recommends
A group of friends and myself were getting off the 12th street bart station starving and looking for somewhere to grab dinner. We crossed the street and stumbled upon Bocanova. As some of our friends are Peruvian they were interested in trying it and let me tell you the didn't disappoint. The aesthetic was very nice and modern with smiles at the door and once we were seated we were greeted by our server Nicole who gave us great recommendations. We started off with some of the BEST ceviche I've had in the bay area! Paired with some super flavorful clams and our first round of drinks it was heaven on earth. My friend who is from Peru said the Lomo Saltado was the "best he's had since he's been in the US (27years) and definitely the best in Oakland". Personally I took a recommendation from Nicole and she recommended the chicken Peruvian chicken a la brassa which had unexpectedly great flavor and I got a side of chicken liver which was out of this world! I topped off dinner with some tres leches cake which looked like it came from a magazine ! It was as good tasting as it was appealing! It was the best dining experience we've had in the jack London square/downtown Oakland area. I'm definitely coming back and going to bring other friends to show them this hidden gem!
Bocanova was an absolutely amazing experience let me just start by saying that the atmosphere inside is lovely and the perfect compliment to the delicious and stunning food from the incredible hand painted Art to the great music and caring staff. Ive lived in Oakland my entire life and this is restaurant is a rare gem in the town and sadly I wasn't able to visit when it used to be in Jack London but I am so glad that it is back, I have been to Bocanova frequently since they have opened at 1111 Broadway and I have added some of my favorite items in the menu that I have had like the lomo saltado and ciopinno and I can't forget about the Argentinian steak. I also can't forget to mention the most amazing bartender I've ever had the pleasure of begin served by I have not had one bad drink yet and he is also such an amazing and down to earth guy you can feel his passion in every drink he makes my favorite would probably be the Broadway which is a Bourbon cocktail with passionfruit which was recommended to me by the most amazing and charming server Nicole she always makes my time at Bocanova a joy. I've also met the owners Martin (Martin makes and mezcal Paloma) and Chef Rick they both make you feel incredibly welcomed and really do take time to ask how you enjoyed your food and overall experience at Bocanova. And don't forget to try the dessert it is a must try especially the chocolate croissant bred pudding but you can't go wrong with anything on that desert menu. It really is a great place for all occasions you can bring a beautiful date and also bring the family parents for celebrations like Mother's Day, graduations , Birthdays but it is also a place you can go have lunch or go after work for happy hour with coworkers due to the restaurant begin amazing blend of fine dining and quick bar top service with exceptional drinks and food that you couldn't get at any other bar and it is backed by the split rooms that Bocanova has and it's the only restaurant that I've see. That has three different sitting dining options from the amazing Bar I mentioned earlier to the beautiful dinning room with open kitchen in the back and two separate outside patios and they have a private event room as well. So if you're ever in the area I would highly recommend you give it a try.
I was a huge fan of the Jack London square location and when I recently found out it reopened on Broadway, I was so excited and immediately made a reservation for my daughter and I. We went right before an event at the Fox theater . The ambiance is nice and the space very inviting. It was unfortunate that my excitement was quickly diminished when we found bugs in our drinks. We didn't noticed until half way through the drink lol. I notified the server who apologized and returned w new drinks. I decided not to drink mine anymore. They looked like fruit flies but it was still gross. I thought about leaving immediately as it was a disgusting experience knowing we drank half the drink before we noticed and probably swallowed other bugs before noticing yuck! Regardless we decided to stay and try the food which was ok. Nothing impressive. The shrimp ceviche was more like a shrimp cocktail from a Mexican restaurant (but triple the price) and the Brussel sprouts had way too much liquid which made them mushy honestly. My kid liked the fish and chips, I didn't try it but looked like any other fish and chip dish. The dessert was the only dish I truly enjoyed. They just reopened less than a year ago so I hope the food gets better as the old location. Disappointing that the only thing that was offered to make up for the unpleasant bug experience was to deduct the $5 drinks. Staff was very pleasant. I'm unsure if I'll return though.
Great to have Bocanova back in Oakland and in the CBD at 1111 Broadway! Chef Rick is thoughtful in his menu choices and ensuring that all ingredients are fresh and local when possible. I love how I feel like I can try new creative dishes often, but come back to my favorites as well! Martin and the front of house staff are extremely welcoming and attentive. They have a special way in making their guests feel special and always welcome feedback to help improve their process or ensure they are meeting your needs.
Bocanova is a wonderful restaurant, with great service and FABULOUS food! The ambiance is so beautiful with artwork and spacious for any group. I enjoyed a dinner with 17 people and we all loved it. The desserts were so great and diverse. I will go there every time I am in Oakland! The Co-Owner Martin Ladera Franco is the most kind and generous host. He is a great match with his partner, the Chef! You won't regret going!