Boqueria SoHo is the kind of place that does most things right and still doesn't quite feel special — competent, consistent, and just shy of the thing that makes you want to come back for a date specifically.
The Vibe
The room is loud. Open kitchen, a packed bar, tables close enough that a passing server will catch your chair. At 6pm on a Tuesday it breathes; by 8pm on a Friday it's shouting distance. The décor reads Barcelona-casual — warm light, a long bar, chefs working the open line. Nothing on the walls will give you anything to talk about. The energy is real, but it's the energy of a restaurant that's always full, not one that has a personality.
What to Order
- Gambas al ajillo — hot, garlicky shrimp in crackling olive oil. Order this first. It arrives fast and sets the table's direction.
- Dátiles con beicon — bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with almonds. The savory-sweet combination lands every time, and it's one of the few things here that feels like a reason to come specifically.
- Skip the seafood paella — at a table built around small plates, a paella for two shifts the whole rhythm and rarely outperforms what came before it. The croquetas or tortilla española are the better call if you want something substantial.
When to Come
Weeknights before 7pm are the play — you can actually hear each other, and the happy hour (Mon–Fri, 3:00–6:00pm) makes the economics friendlier. Avoid Friday and Saturday dinner if conversation matters. Reservations available online; request the bar or a front table if you want elbow room.
The Bottom Line
Good enough for a casual date if you're already in SoHo — not worth crossing town for.