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2
Tue, 19/3
20:00
About
Opened in 2006 by 8 time James Beard Award Nominee, Chef James Campbell Caruso. La Boca has the feel of a lively European wine bar, featuring an extensive selection of carefully chosen Mediterranean and South American wines. Knowledgeable and animated staff graciously guide customers to the perfect wine to complement their meals. La Boca also prides itself on being an ambassador of Spanish sherry culture, transporting its guests to Cadiz in the crisp cool flavors of Fino, or the deep fig-essence of a Pedro Ximenez. Full to capacity almost every night since its opening, La Boca has been a hit with both locals and the world travelers that visit Santa Fe. La Boca has earned numerous awards both
PRICE RANGE
AU$46 - AU$46
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
CUISINES
Latin, Mediterranean, Spanish
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Free Wifi, Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Reviews (1,956)
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Traveller rating
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

I'm not sure how this place is getting such good reviews. Each tapas was barely enough for two people if one of them is very generous to the other. There's nothing on the menu that's a palette cleanser except for the baguette, which should just...come with the meal. Everything was overly rich and a confusing mix of high profile flavors without any harmony. The bruschetta was literally a single piece of tiny bread smothered in cream and mushrooms. The paella classico was by far the biggest disappointment. We were warned it would take a while so, for some reason, all of the other tapas we ordered came out all at once. Because they're all so tiny (the lamb was two golf-ball sized meatballs), we got through them rather quickly (and had been waiting all day for this meal) and then just sat there for another half hour. Why the paella takes long, I cannot tell you. Thank goodness the waiter talked us out of the two person portion for the single. It was utter crap. It tasted like Zatarain's spanish rice with canned tomatoes, canned red peppers, frozen peas, supposed chorizo sausage that was a strong liver flavor, chicken HEAVILY doused in chemical liquid smoke, then 4 mussels and some shrimp. The mussels and shrimp were the only things not contaminated by the utter cacophony of incongruous, artificial-type flavors. Liquid smoke, I mean, come on. We also found it amusing that the chef's menu was cheaper to buy each plate individually vs the bundle. First bad high-end meal we've had in 7 years of living in NM.More

Date of visit: March 2024
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 9 February 2024 via mobile

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at La Boca. The atmosphere was cozy, and quiet. We lived in Spain for three years and believe La Boca matches any tapas restaurants we went to in Barcelona and Madrid. The Spanish wines on the menu were excellent. We...will return!More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 6 February 2024

On our first full day in Santa Fe we happily "discovered" La Boca. We successfully made reservations of dinner and were seated promptly. Sawyer, our server, did an excellent job assessing our desired pace and gave good advice when asked. I started with a Spanish...dirty vodka martini that maybe was the first time I thought $16 was a fair price. My wife had a Sigil Gin and tonic that was excellent as well. We picked four tapas that were well portioned and timed very well. I had read about the mushroom soup was good and I would heartily agree. Rich spicy broth with very nice pieces of mushroom. A great start. Then came seared Yellowfin Tuna topped with a roasted red pepper-olive pipperade. The topping was very tasty but I thought rather overwhelmed the tuna but it was a winner never the less. Goat cheese Al Horno, whipped cheese with roasted garlic, olive, rosemary and sofrito served with a crostini was vary good but one note to finish but we gladly had it wrapped to take with us. Finally, we had flat iron steak seared perfectly to our taste, slice thin and served with two dipping sauces. Very good. We felt pleasantly full but took our waiters recomendation to try the Gateau Basque a vanilla bean cream tart with house brandied cherries and creme fresh. A wonderful not too sweet finish. We had a good Tempranillo to complement the meal. Highly recommend.More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 14 December 2023

La Boca was excellent. Two couples shared a number of dishes (artichoke, paella, and more) and everything was delicious. We were also treated to some great music. Fun spot and we look forward to returning!

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 4 December 2023 via mobile

Nice to find this taps restaurant to change it up. We had fried manchego with apricot preserves, butternut squash with chorizo, lamb meatballs, short ribs. Very impressed! Cocktails were good as well

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 22 November 2023

Had a great time, Food was great. Waiter was attentive and had to research the wine label for me. Anyone rating this restaurant as poor would complain about Mcdonalds fries being too salty. Go here , enjoy yourself. Have a good time and get the...Velvet Old Fashion.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 22 November 2023 via mobile

Great spot for live music and lots of tasty tapas or small plates to share. Make a reservation because they are popular. Cozy with great service .

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 19 November 2023 via mobile

In a city with many fine restaurants, La Boca is a standout spot. Seating is very tight, so some folks might not like this aspect. Service was ok, food was excellent. Great variety of tapas, served in what we agreed were large amounts. This would...be a good place to re-visit to try some other choices.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 14 November 2023

The food and service here are both terrible. Hard to decide which one was worse. The food was served cold and the highly touted grilled artichokes were tasteless. Our table was tiny and the waiter gave us the check without even clearing our dirty plates....With all of the great restaurants in Santa Fe, it was very disappointing to waste our time and money at this place.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 11 November 2023

La Boca is a winner when it comes to choices of tapas, wine selection, and atmosphere. We will definitely return!

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 5 November 2023

A group of about 15 from the Santa Fe Foodies group ate in the Taberna Dining Room. The food and service was outstanding. This group arranged for a chef’s three-course fixed-price meal consisting of tapas, paella, and dessert, seen below: PATATAS BRAVAS Fried papas with...spicy sherry vinegar + roasted garlic aioli PURÉE DE CALABAZA Butternut squash pureé, cider poached chorizo + pepitas ALCACHOFAS Grilled Roman artichokes + Queso de Cabra CHICHARRONES DE ANDALUZ Fried pork belly, cumin, sea salt, lemon + harissa Mushroom Soup PAELLA CLASSICA Saffron rice, chicken, chorizo, mussels, shrimp, roasted red bell peppers + English peas POTS DE CRÈME The Chicharrones were our favorite tapas by far; they were just off the charts. I can’t see ever going back and not at least ordering this dish. Our 2nd favorite was the Mushroom soup, which isn’t on the menu but can be requested and may be served if available, from what I’ve read from other reviews. It was delicious and very unusual. Next up would be the Puree de Calabaza, which initially we suspected was either pumpkin or sweet potato, but we found out it was butternut squash puree. Yum! The cheese that came with the artichokes was superb, and yes, the chokes, too, were pleasant, although not on par with the other tapas mentioned. Patatas Bravas was very good but not near the top of our list served. Now came the Paella. Best I’ve ever had! To die for. The mussels just melt in your mouth; the chorizo is additive. Do try this dish, even if you get a single serving, and share it with other Tapas. We had a big group, and yet we got fantastic and timely service. My only minor complaint was the noise level; in the warmer months, I would love to eat there again outside. But the quality of food and service is rock star.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 3 November 2023 via mobile

Excellent pallea, we selected service for two (good portions). Good wine pairing and awesome service. Love the atmosphere, quaint little tables, great for a romantic dinner. Overall a wonderful experience.

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 11 October 2023

We came with a large group for a celebratory dinner and had the flat iron steak, shrimp cocktail, grilled artichokes, seared tuna, patatas bravas, paella and a chocolate mousse for dessert. Everything was delicious! But, the dining space was cramped, the server was pushing hard...to upsell on the wine and the “music” was loud to the point of discomfort. Unfortunate.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 9 October 2023

a friend and i from work went here on a wednesday evening. We did not have reservations, we went to a different restaurant but since they had an hour's wait -we decided to find some place else. Those folks suggested La Boca. We walked around...the town square, and its gorgeous. we were seated in the patio. They have 2 entrances and we had trouble finding the right place to sit at the patio. Service is a little slow but the food is great. Its al Tapas or small plates style, We had a bunch of plates between the 2 of us - and washed it down with some local Pilsner beer - It was great weather and good food. Would highly recommend.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 1 October 2023

OMG ... why have I missed this place for years? My loss! We stopped by La Boca for dinner this evening after our final event of the annual Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. Everything was fantastic... food, service, atmosphere, fellow diners! If this place...isn't on your "must do in Santa Fe" list, you're missing out. Service: attentive but not intrusive... perfect! Atmosphere: think small tapas bar on the coast of Spain... perfect! Food: awesome! more below... Fellow Diners: like an intimate European cafe, the tables are arranged so that you can constantly interact with fellow diners while you're there. An amazing dining experience, as you chat with folks from all over and compare notes on food, beverages, lives, families, etc. Loved it... perfect! Food: we started with a Spanish Dry Martini, followed by a nice bottle of Albarino with dinner. We started the food courses with the roasted beet salad, which was terrific. Super fresh, the dressing was a bit tart, amazing! We followed that with the potato croquetas, "fried Bechamel" croquetas with Manchego cheese... delightful! Finally, we opted for one of the specials of the evening, a paella made with squid ink, squid and shrimp... wonderful... the shrimp was a bit "fishy" but overall, the dish was fantastic! We concluded our gastronomic journey with the Gateau Basque, a delightful light dessert, a super light crust, and little custard inside the shell, and marinated cherries on the top. A wonderful finish to a great meal! In case it's not obvious, we loved this place! Chef James Caruso was on the floor throughout the evening, keeping tabs on things and checking in with regulars. Loved to see that! Highly recommend La Boca, it's now on our "must do" list in Santa Fe, NM.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Questions & Answers
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tgartz
14 August 2018|
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Response from Allansha | Reviewed this property |
You need to call them directly. I am sure that you will be able to.
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88AVANTI
23 June 2016|
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Response from Windy5944 | Reviewed this property |
We loved this restaurant....local, small plates each very delicious and unique. If you have questions about the tasting menue I would suggest calling them or better yet " jump off a cliff" and try it! Take a chance, isn't... More
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LA BOCA, Santa Fe - Downtown - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu, Prices, & Reservations - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about La Boca

Yes, La Boca offers takeaway services.

La Boca is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4