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    Boca

    4.4 (189 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Boca Photos

    Business Info

    BOCA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Boca

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    Reviews With Photos

    Argentinian pork slider
    Ryan R.

    This restaurant came recommended to me from a friend who I will now always trust for future recommendations. Not only was the service outstanding, always being met with a grin, but the food was equally fantastic. Definitely order the whipped prosciutto and ricotta appetizer! Definitely recommend sitting outside at night if the weather allows, the ambiance outside was very nicely lit and decorated with fairy lights above you.

    Exterior
    Erica R.

    After several months of being in Hickory, I have finally found my favorite restaurant. Boca hits the mark! Everything about this place is top notch. First of all, they have very convenient, ample parking that makes the location feel off the beaten path, even though it isn't. The lovely brick exterior gives a nice classy feel. They have a delightful outdoor patio area that I would love to try if I am in the area when it is warmer. Making a reservation is a snap through the Yelp app. I highly recommend it because Boca is fine dining and you want to be sure you have a place reserved because you do not want to miss this experience. The staff are so friendly and make the experience even better. I was seated at a cozy booth. The restaurant is very intimate and sleekly decorated. I loved the ambience. The menu offers a lovely cocktail selection and a healthy wine list with very affordable and sought-after wines. The food menu offers a variety of tapas and entrees. I was alone so I went small but tried the goat cheese and roasted beet arugula salad which was absolute perfection. After the salad I tried the beef kabab. It was excellent. It comes with mashed potatoes and asparagus but the real win is the spicy chili sauce on the side of the plate. Dipping me delectable medium rare steak bites in that sauce was the highlight of the meal. Everything about this place was fantastic and I'm already planning my next visit!

    Chicken Paella
    Evan Y.

    @bocahickory A snazzy Spanish-Moroccan style restaurant serving up decadent dishes in Hickory, N.C. Food: Chicken paella and Moroccan beef kebab over mashed potatoes and asparagus. 10/10 - no critique. Spiced and flavorful. For those of you that don't know, paella is a Spanish rice and vegetable dish cooked in a pan to form a crisp edge. You definitely want to try it out! The tenderloin was exceptionally cooked. Service: Food came quick, staff was relatively friendly. Ambiance: Nice, dim, decorated in an up scale, moody fashion. Classy and mature. Perfect for a nice date night. Location: Hickory. Away from the bustle of the main part of town, Boca is located in an industrial area with plenty of parking. Rating: 9.6/10 #foodreview #foodie #food #hickorync

    Menu
    Heather M.

    We loved the ambiance and feel of the restaurant. We had a great table. The menu had many options, and we decided to split most items. I didn't get photos of everything. Some things were awesome, while others were just ok. Let's start with the yummy... The Fig and Prosciutto Pizza was really delicious, but we think it's misnamed since there was virtually no prosciutto on the pizza. The Naan was delicious, but I wasn't a fan of their hummus. It's runny and didn't have a lot of flavor. The tiramisu was fair as was the wilted Caesar salad. The Classic Paella had very little seafood in it, and I didn't think it tasted like authentic paella. My cocktail was just ok. Our friend had a steak and loved it. We enjoyed sharing the food and visiting with our friends. Service was adequate, but we were disappointed overall in food that wasn't great. The location and ambiance are fantastic, but pay over $240 after tip for four people, we just expected a better culinary experience.

    Kayla S.

    Nice ambiance, service was good and the food was yummy. Definitely looking forward to trying other things on the menu. I got the chicken paella and if it wasn't as spicy as it was I would've really loved it.

    Paella

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Service was excellent and the food was amazing. Highly recommended!! Ambiance was very nice!!

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great food, wonderful atmosphere. The seafood paella is our favorite dish. Definitely recommend

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food, service, ambience are all great. One of Hickory's best places. Recommend to everyone.

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    We went here for my husband's birthday dinner. Sadly, the food was NOT what we were expecting. Super disappointing.

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    3 years ago

    Amazing food with great service. Great atmosphere with knowledgeable staff with recommendations for your tastes

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    The best ambient and food in Hickory! I have been at Boca several times and the food is consistently outstanding.

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Love the food; by far my favorite restaurant in Hickory. Service is impeccable and the atmosphere is lovely.

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    4 years ago

    Great food. Love the restaurant ambiance. Good menu variety. Portions were just right.

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Words can't describe. Perfection. Every plate is astonishing.. but the hidden gem and off the menu special plate is the red snapper.

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    5 years ago

    Absolutely amazing menu with excellent food. Service was great (but we were also the first dinner party seated). Will definitely return.

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Boca

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    Notions - Cobb salad

    Notions

    4.4(88 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    I was visiting friends that moved to NC recently. While they were showing me the shops in Union…read moreSquare they mentioned that they hadn't visited this restaurant yet. So we decided that we were going to give it a try. After looking at a menu and being approached by the host who gave us a brief introduction to the menu we were in for sure. We asked to sit indoors with it being a windy and somewhat humid day. They have plenty of outdoor seating with umbrellas. We were informed later by our excellent server, Ashlee that there is also seating upstairs! We forgot to take a tour! The decor is very chic, but not overly done. We were seated at a table, but booths are available as well. Even the women's restroom with chic. It needed to be picked up a bit but was nice. Our server Ashlee was excellent! Her upbeat personality and friendliness was in the 10 rating! For only being at the restaurant a couple of weeks I think her vibes will keep bringing customers back. But not only her vibes, the food is very good too! My friends were very happy with their main meal, me as well! I had the Chicken Panini and the companion (side dish) I selected was the Pan Fried Corn. Both very good! We did order shareables too! The Southwest egg rolls and the Charcuterie Board. We were very happy with both! I would definitely order them again. I ordered two alcoholic drinks. My first drink was called the Bees Knees (ginger, honey, lemon bourbon) and an Espresso Martini. Both were good. The ginger was very mild in the Bees Knees. We were quite full so we were not able to enjoy our desserts at the restaurant but did order them to go. We ordered the Crème Brûlée and Key Lime Cheesecakes to go. I enjoyed the Key Lime, a good balance of sweet and tart. A little perfumme for me but still good.The feedback on the Crème Brûlée, was ok. I didn't try it. When I visit this area again, I would surely come back here and try some other items on the menu. Parking in this area can be quite busy, especially on the weekends. We came during the weekday in July after 1pm. We had to circle a few times before we got a parking spot. Come early!

    Notions was OK. I had a smash burger - the burger was decent, the side of a grit cake was…read morehorrid. It was a wedge of grits that were covered in breading and deep fried. Who possibly wants to eat deep fried breaded grits? We ordered some apps and I forget what my wife and SIL order, but the overall opinion was just OK. No one wanted to return. Plus... the inside restaurant smelled like something died in there. We ate outside, as eating inside was impossible due to the smell. When I went to use the bathroom about an hour later, they had heavily perfumed the restuarant.

    Photos
    Notions - Interior

    Interior

    Notions - Classic Reuben + fries (seasoned well, btw)

    Classic Reuben + fries (seasoned well, btw)

    Notions - Pimento cheese dip appetizer

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    Pimento cheese dip appetizer

    Cafe Rule & Wine Bar - Snapper and Cranberry Mule

    Cafe Rule & Wine Bar

    3.9(207 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    We have eaten here several times over the years and have always enjoyed our meals and the ambiance…read more We have brought friends and family for special events, however after a recent visit in November 2024 we probably will not be back. We made an early reservation because we had a show to catch later, and it is a good thing because even though there were only 4 other tables in the dining room the service was extremely slow. Our server only came a few times over the 2 hours we were there and food took an abnormally long time to arrive. We had water to drink, no alcohol. We had some shareable appetizers, 2 mains, and a shared side. Nothing crazy. They had a recent menu change according to the server and we are NOT a fan. They changed the bread app and it is not very good. The old bread app was chefs kiss, new one, 2 thumbs down. We had the meatball app, flavor and good, but they were literally cold inside. We would have sent them back, but they took so long to arrive that we didn't want to run out of time. My wife had the scallops, they were literally cold, had grit on them and there were 5 small scallops. I had a steak, it was cooked perfectly and was fork tender. However it lacked flavor and if i hadn't added the sauce it wouldn't have had any taste. The shared potatoes were just ok. Our food was cold, service was slow, portions were lacking, and our bill was over $180 with tip. We routinely go have a nice meal like this once a week and happily spend more than that on a killer meal, but this was lack luster compared to past visits. I can't say we will be back this time. Hope I hear they improve. To those about to dine, you have been warned.

    last night we had a great dinner. The only missing item was good bread that you could dip into your…read moreItalian sauce. I have never been to an Italian restaurant that does not serve bread. very disappointing. We ordered the garlic bread on the menu not the same. hope they consider adding this so I will come back and eat the delicious pasta or I can run to Lowe's and grab a baguette to bring.

    Photos
    Cafe Rule & Wine Bar - Xmas at cafe rule

    Xmas at cafe rule

    Cafe Rule & Wine Bar - Yeast Rolls

    Yeast Rolls

    Cafe Rule & Wine Bar - Second order of Candied Clothesline Cured Bacon

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    Second order of Candied Clothesline Cured Bacon

    The Gamekeeper - Bread pudding with vanilla ice cream.

    The Gamekeeper

    4.5(298 reviews)
    37.1 mi
    $$$

    Delicious food, lovely service…read more I was visiting the area and this place and the menu caught my attention. 'The Gamekeeper', what name could be more intriguing for a unique dining experience? I was not disappointed in the food. All selections were ideally prepared, seasonally balanced, and well paired. What I was really pleased about was the service. The staff elevate the entire experience. To name one or two would leave out what was an incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and cohesive Team. I would certainly recommend The Gamekeeper to anyone looking for the complete dining experience.

    Let's just start out with the obvious. The service, meal options and atmosphere are tops. Our…read moreparty of 6 was fortunate to have Allan G as our server. The wine and cocktails assistance was great and the mixed grill appetizers were perfect. The bison short ribs are killer. A very enjoyable evening. Everyone in the party raved about the meal and service. Bravo to the chef, staff and management. Our first trip to the area proved challenging on a rainy night in the mountains. We opted for transport via uber and Lyft services. FYI it's almost impossible to confirm service in Blowing Rock. With no show transportation at 9:30 pm the staff jumped into action. Lucky for us the one driver that did show agreed make 2 trips.

    Photos
    The Gamekeeper - Bar Area Dining

    Bar Area Dining

    The Gamekeeper
    The Gamekeeper - View of front of restaurant. Just ahead are stairs down to parking lot, to the immediate right is the entrance (not seen in photo).

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    View of front of restaurant. Just ahead are stairs down to parking lot, to the immediate right is the entrance (not seen in photo).

    Catalú - Pulpo A La Gallega

    Catalú

    4.3(150 reviews)
    45.0 mi
    $$

    I went with a group of 4 others for brunch on Sunday to take advantage of the dollar mimosas. It…read morewas busy, and we got lucky we were seated without a reservation, so keep that in mind. I can't speak to the quality of the main drinks, since we stuck to the mimosas. They were alright, but anything that's actually a buck nowadays is getting 5 stars from me unless it's downright bad. These weren't bad, and they offered multiple juice options to mix it up. The food is fantastic. Between the flavor and presentation, you can tell they take pride in what they're serving. The server was very friendly and the place is nice and clean. We'll be back.

    Two visits in, and Catalú has definitely earned a spot in my South End rotation…read more My first time was for a full dinner spread across the tapas menu, kicking off with the Chef's Board. The Serrano, chorizo, and Manchego paired with tart green apple and membrillo was an easy favorite. Most recently, I stopped in on a Wednesday night just to grab a drink and a bite at the bar. For a random weeknight, the vibe was surprisingly lively--packed room, energetic buzz through the open garage doors, and the bartender never missed a beat. A few standouts: - Espresso 43 ($15): Genuinely one of my favorite espresso martinis in Charlotte. The Licor 43 gives it a velvety, subtly sweet finish that plays off the roasted coffee without tasting like straight syrup. The star anise garnish on top was a nice touch. - Red Sangria ($9): Dangerously drinkable, well-spiced, and not overloaded with sugar. - Ceviche ($16): Super bright and refreshing leche de tigre, balanced out with those crispy, delicate sweet potato chips. Whether you're settling in for a long tapas dinner or just dropping by for a mid-week nightcap, it hits every time!

    Photos
    Catalú
    Catalú - Crème Catalana

    Crème Catalana

    Catalú - Sangria Flight

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    Sangria Flight

    Havana 33 - Spinach Dip served with plantain and yuca chips

    Havana 33

    4.1(269 reviews)
    28.3 mi
    $$

    Came here for my birthday and had the best time! It was the exact vibe and experience I was hoping…read morefor - fun, vibrant, with delicious food and drinks. It was a bit too hot to sit outside on the deck overlooking the lake, but I will definitely make that a priority next time! I would recommend this spot to anyone. I tried the arroz con pollo with a side of plantains, and had a Paloma for my cocktail! The food was delicious but I think it would try a different drink next time. I like that they don't make the drinks too sweet I think I was hoping for just a little more punch of lime! Gorgeous presentation on food and drinks. The service was also very strong, we never had to ask for refills on our waters, it was very consistent from multiple waiters. And our food came out super quickly - we were a party of 9 and were there right at 6 and everything was so smooth and quick. One quick note- the restaurant knew we were celebrating a birthday because it was part of the reservation, but there wasn't anything special done like a complimentary dessert or them even saying "happy birthday!" This obviously isn't a huge deal but I think it's best practice that if you ask the guests if you're celebrating anything special you then... I don't know, provide a little something?? If not, then just don't ask I think. Will definitely be returning!

    So this was a mixed bag for us. If my husband had his way he'd give it 3 stars, and that will make…read moresense in a minute. Overall, the atmosphere was lovely, the waitress was friendly and the food was good. Was it the most amazing Cuban food we've had? Absolutely not. The pork appetizer, Masitas de Cerdo, we had was the highlight. It was delicious. We were hoping it was a sign of good things to come. Unfortunately, the Vaca Frita my husband had he didn't like at all. There was a flavor to it that was almost like Cuban mixed with barbecue. I had the Mojito Chicken and it was good. Not amazing, but good flavor. My husband had some of my chicken because he thought the Vaca Frita was inedible. Now, I don't think it was that bad. However, his mom is Cuban so we have authentic Cuban food regularly, and none of these dishes tasted authentic. Expectations are everything, and had this been Cuban-Something fusion, maybe the outcome would be different. Having been to many excellent Cuban restaurants at home and while traveling, this one just didn't rank near the top. But the people next to us, with their bacon-wrapped dates and ceviche, loved this place, so maybe it was just us

    Photos
    Havana 33
    Havana 33 - So tasty

    So tasty

    Havana 33 - Outside seating area

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    Outside seating area

    The Cazbah - Fusion tuna

    The Cazbah

    4.3(278 reviews)
    85.9 mi
    $$

    We didn't have a reservation so my daughter and I sat at the bar. The bartender was awesome very…read moreattentive on top of things but very very busy we enjoyed the lobster cigar rolls, the Beef Wellington, and I can't remember the name of the bread we had that was utterly soaked in garlic it was so good. My favorite was the Beef Wellington. I will definitely be back this was truly amazing and no doubt five stars all the way.

    This review isn't about the food. I thought the food was excellent. The crab mashed potatoes were…read moregreat. Decent crab cakes. Excellent lamb. Service was very good. No qualms there. No, my primary hang up was the second floor seating situation where I got to stare at a pile of Sheetrock stacked above the entrance alcove for duration of the meal. I didn't get the impression that the place was under some kind of renovation. What it looked like was that a project was started to clean up the alcove & then abandoned and/or forgotten about. And it was combined with an odor of musty air ducts which hung directly next to the seating area. It just came off as a statement that implied they know their food is good so who cares about any of the other bits of restaurant decor or presentation? Enjoy your view of the Sheetrock pile, unfinished alcove & dirty duct odor. Hopefully they'll correct that. Then I'll recommend it.

    Photos
    The Cazbah - Outside

    Outside

    The Cazbah - Star of the last act; purple potato cheese cake!

    Star of the last act; purple potato cheese cake!

    The Cazbah - The Cazbah

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    The Cazbah

    Boca - moroccan - Updated September 2026

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