I could try to describe what this place was like, but you would just have to go and do it for yourself. Very unique atmosphere,food and cocktails. The hosts were so friendly truly a family run business. You really need to check this one out. It is a hidden gem! If I had to mention one dish, it was the best grilled octopus I've ever had. The preparation the smaller pieces more surface area for char and caramelization. It was perfection. I will definitely be returning. read more

This Panamanian tapas-style restaurant is a hidden gem in the Watertown area, a stone's throw from Arsenal Yards. It's cozy and intimate space, with the bar and tables poised under a glass atrium. Ideal for date night. The owner was attentive, checking on us frequently, while making food and drink suggestions. The Wild Spanish Octopus ($17), which was "wood grilled" with fingerling potatoes with smoked Pimenton (paprika) garlic-mayo alioli, was sublime. The "Uruguayan style ham & cheese empanada (2 for $14) was less spectacular, as the meat was indiscernable, due to being somewhat overpowered by the cheese. The wood grilled bay carrots ($12) with hazelnut, romanesco sauce (a Catalonian mix of tomatoes, garlic and nuts) and fried bread, was well executed and nicely flavorful. The craft cocktail offerings are creatively inspired. Enjoyed the Passion Fruit dark/rum concoction ($15), and the Fig Old Fashioned made with infused bourbon and aromatic butters ($16). Be careful about ordering too may drinks as this will quickly add up and pad your bill, taking it well over $100 per person (incl tax and tip) before you know it. Will definitely be back to try more of the tasting dishes and even dip into the intriguing dessert menu. Make sure to bring someone special. read more

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Overall a stellar culinary experience in this gem of a place in Watertown. The beet salad was good, if having a bit too much cheese. The corn soup was really delicious, with gentle flavors permeating throughout the soup. The pepper were nicely charred, if a bit ordinary flavor-wise. The beef empanadas were hefty and rich. The mushrooms were nicely cooked as well, with a lot of structural integrity. The beef milanese was powerful, but perhaps too much cheese as well. The grilled day boat flounder was delicate, with a nice accoutrements of capers and other flavors that really helped bring out the fish flavor. The dessert was 3 cookies, which were really nice, if not necessarily spectacular. Worth checking out! I query whether they change menus each season. read more

Our favorite Spanish tapas place! We love love dining here! The restaurant is so beautiful and inviting you just never want to leave! We came here on a double date with our friends and had such an amazing night! The food is always delicious and the service is on point! I really enjoy that they have daily specials that are not in the menu and this time we decided to try their special grilled shrimp and special beef with polenta. We also shared the butternut squash, carrots, beef empanadas, shishito peppers. Our cocktails were amazing and super yummy and very fancy! I especially love the presentation for their cotton candy cocktail where they literally pour the drink infront of if you melting the cotton candy in your glass! So fancy! We are never disappointed by anything we order here! And this time we got to dine inside the commuter cart! Can't wait to come back! read more

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Great atmosphere... Unfortunately the food was just OK. It's tapas style but not a ton of description on any dishes. I ordered the bread with tomatoes.... expecting brushcetta style with cheese. It came out like a pizza you make in your dorm room. The octopus was pretty good. I recommend that dish. There are some larger dishes for sharing and the waiter made it clear some dishes take a long prep time. I appreciated that. I loved the interior. I wasn't crazy about the food. There wasn't enough on the menu to interest me. I will come back for drinks. It's a nice space. read more

La Bodega - Grilled Spanish octopus - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

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The food here is great and the ambiance is cozy. I really recommend calling ahead for a reservation if possible for a few reason: 1. You might not get a table. 2. Roast duck need to be reserved 3. The best time slot is an hour before sunset so you can watch that though the glass roof with a drink in your hand. Huge wine list with cocktails and drinks. Parrilla Completa (if you have a group to share it with), roasted mushroom, and corn soup is some of my favorite things. read more

La Bodega - Menu - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

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Quaint set up with one half of the restaurant in the body of a train. Really great vibes, we went for an early dinner (around 6), the place starts filling up around 8. We ordered a few items from their specials menu- cod (bit too salty), gambas in garlic (delicious, great for dipping bread), roasted sweet potato (crunchy bits and pomegranate were very additive), beef empanadas, and beet salad (yum). The cocktails here are amazing too- I enjoyed my sangria and my friend liked her passionfruit mocktail, but the Caipirinha was the show-stealer- the drink is poured onto a layer of fluffy cotton candy which melts into the drink. Service was fine- our server wasn't super helpful about giving recommendations but they came to take our orders and we got our food quickly, so can't complain. We didn't get the duck this time but I remember it being very very good. Will be back! read more

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Came here for a lovely Valentine's Day dinner and really enjoyed the ambiance and the Parilla Completa, the taste of uruguay meat platter. Their reservation system is a direct phone number managed by one person, so you need a confirmation text back from the restaurant to secure your ressie. The greenhouse bar area is beautiful with incandescent light and plants, and the train car is very cozy and cool. We were seated in the train car and it was a bit noisy, but we were still able to carry a conversation. Service was friendly but a little slow. We started with some cocktails and I really liked the meringue on my passionfruit drink. For tapas we had the beets, corn soup, and sweet potato. Tapas are definitely on the smaller side. The corn soup was the standout and I loved the mushrooms on top. The main meal, the Parilla Completa was definitely the highlight with perfectly cooked meats and herbaceous sauces and salsas. We liked the rib eye the most for it's texture and flavor, and the chicken was super tender. To finish we had the basque cheesecake which was a nice creamy and rich way to end the meal. Overall, we enjoyed our experience here and would return to hang at the bar. read more

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My husband and I came here for a date night. We didn't have a reservation so we had to wait a bit because it was so packed. We were seated in the section of the restaurant remodeled out of an old train car. It was dimly lit with a lovely ambiance, and we had a beautiful view of snow covered bushes. We got the sweet potato, beef empanadas, and the parilla completa, as well as a sangria. The empanadas came out first, and was a nice way to kick off the meal. The portion size was good and the beef was well flavored. I also really liked the fresh salsa on the side. The only thing I would've liked better was if the crust was crispier and less doughy. The sweet potato was simply delicious. It was half a grilled sweet potato with a thin layer of ricotta, seasoned with crunchy quinoa, sunflower seeds, and pomegranate seeds. It was a well-crafted dish whose ingredients, though simple, when blended together, allowed each flavor to shine. Finally, the parilla completa came out. Chicken, ribeye, and pork sausage, all beautifully marinated and so tender. The sauce was tangy and flavorful, complementing each meat well. Fantastic! For dessert we got the cheesecake and an espresso. It was so decadent and creamy, the dulce de leche pairing well with the bitterness of the espresso. At the end of our meal, the owner even gave us complimentary dulce de leche coconut cookies to apologize for the wait (even though it was barely 10 minutes). She was so kind and welcoming the entire night, adding to the cozy, warm atmosphere. This was a wonderful experience and we would highly recommend la bodega to friends and family! read more

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I'm shocked this restaurant isn't more well known or on lists of best restaurants in the Boston area. First of all it's SO beautifully decorated, I love all the detail in the bar design. I tried to make a reservation via text but didn't hear back so showed up right at opening. We were able to get seats at the bar. I ordered the Passion Fruit cocktail and it was so pretty, very very tart. For food we ordered the Beef Empanadas, Octopus, and Mushrooms. They were all incredible and delicious! I'd definitely come here again. Only complaint is that the bar seats are VERY small and extremely uncomfortable, we would've ordered more food but physically couldn't sit there any longer. read more

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My favorite type of ambience! What a gem!! I prefer this over a lot of the fine dining restaurants. Terrific food! Top tier (better than what I've had at most other restaurants): beef cheek (special of the night), kale salad, octopus, mushroom, and the Caparinha cocktail Mid tier (still great but less impressive): ham & cheese empanadas, desserts (Basque, Flan Dolce De Leche) read more

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I love going here!! The menu is a major 'chef's kiss!' The cocktails are a delicious event -- seriously, when the waiter pours the cocktail at your table and the smoke fills the glass and the aroma hits your nose...so very good. The owners are so friendly and the staff is warm and professional. Consistently superior dining - even in a vintage traincar if you like (and I do!). Always excited to come here, always fully satiated and happy leaving. read more

Great little spot. The sweet potato was sublime, as was the aged ham. Funky greenhouse-style extension to the bar was comfy on a very cold December night. Fun, attentive staff. Really enjoyed our meal here. We'll be back! read more

I dined here a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how accommodating, kind and attentive the staff and management were. I came with a friend who is immunocompromised and they accommodated us no questions asked. Aside from the stellar service, the food was delicious and all timing was communicated clearly by the staff. Clearly this restaurant is memorable since I'm posting about it weeks later!! read more

La Bodega - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

Nice cocktails and an aesthetic bar area inside a greenhouse structure right as you enter La Bodega. The other half of the restaurant is in a re-purposed train car with a partially low ceiling and dim lighting which makes for a uniquely intimate date spot. Service was top-notch, even wiping crumbs off the table for you between tapas plates. I enjoyed the cocktails: The "Caipirinha" was very lime-forward and fun. The drink glass comes topped with cotton candy that melts away as they pour the cocktail in. The Passion Fruit cocktail was deliciously sweet. Unfortunately, the food was just OK and not worth the prices. It does appear that their menu has downsized from the past and feels limited. read more

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What a lovely surprise in Watertown! If you have a chance, I highly recommend making reservations for dinner here. The structure is super interesting and you will be dining in either a part of a converted greenhouse or train. It's worth a visit to see how they converted the spaces into a restaurant. The menu is not too extensive nor crazy, but they have a nice assortment of small eats and mains. We ordered the duck, which needs to be reserved in advance and a few small plates of carrots, squash, and octopus. The octopus was absolutely delightful and soft! The duck was delicious and came with stuffing, which reminded me of Thanksgiving! Overall, it was a great experience dining at La Bodega, and I hope to return! read more

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Roast duck was moist with tasty stuffing, would have been nice to have a real gravy with it instead of just duck jus. Drink had a large bug in it, the bartender should have been more careful and spotted it before serving it. read more

Fine dining tapas style. I thought some dishes were incredible, but most were average. There was little to explanation as the dishes came out, and the waitstaff (although very professional) seemed cold. We also ordered the duck whole (needs two day advance) and it was dry. The meat plate (sausage, ribeye, and chicken) were great though. Most juicy chicken and loved the Chimichurri over it all. Some sides were average like the grilled shishito, mushrooms. Some sides were incredible like the corn soup, the cheese, and tomato with bread (lovely fresh tomatoes). Overall it was fine but overpriced read more

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Loved pretty much everything I had, but my favorite dish was the the flounder with hazelnuts and the chocolate tart with raspberries. Service was also spot on. Can't wait to go back! read more

La Bodega - Chocolate tart - A dessert tart featuring a pastry crust filled with fruit, topped with strawberries, raspberries, crumbles, and a mint leaf. The tart is presented on a ceramic plate with a sauce or glaze around it, garnished with powdered sugar or similar topping. The setting appears to be in a dimly lit environment, possibly a restaurant. - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

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Delicious tapas and other authentic South American food. Great service in an out of the way spot in Watertown.

The coolest hole in the wall. Ambiance is amazing, staff offer incredible service and are so attentive to your every need. The food is absolutely delicious. This place is perfect for a date night, simple night out, place to bring your family, or a casual Thursday. Fills up quick, so make sure you make a reservation! read more

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A very special spot! Extremely nice and hard working staff! A very cool and unique space with incredible food and vibe. Everything was delicious from the empanadas to the mushrooms and the breads. Incredibly fresh and you can feel the love in food. The breads were incredible. I only got a beer, a Jamaican Pilsner I had never heard of and was great. You could tell from the cocktails and bar that they were very well made and interesting. Also extremely reasonably priced read more

Great experience at La Bodega. Party of 5, made our reservation via text/phone a few days in advance and we were seated immediately on a busy Saturday night. Intimate setting, bar/greenhouse on one side, sleekly renovated rail car on the other. Solicitous and professional service, including check ins by the owner. Drinks were excellent. We ordered a wide variety of dishes to share, from the kale salad and sweet potato to the octopus and steak. Everything was on point, and our group included a couple of very particular diners who raved about the dishes. Interestingly, they had a few digestifs on the menu I rarely see in a "neighborhood" restaurant: B&B and chartreuse, which we enjoyed as well. Highly recommended! read more

Tremendous spot. Everything was excellent. Beet salad, grilled provolone, grilled octopus, fish specials, etc.

I love a good cocktail bar or speakeasy--the vibe and atmosphere always draw me in, and I'm obsessed with that experience. The moment I saw the sign outside, I knew I had to check it out. A local restaurant recommended this spot, raving about their extensive cocktail list, and they weren't wrong! La Bodega is inside what looks like a greenhouse, giving it a unique and cozy charm. It's definitely family-owned--you can tell by how friendly everyone is and the way they interact with each other and the guests. I highly recommend sitting at the bar so you can watch the bartenders craft their drinks. The cocktails weren't particularly strong, but they were beautifully made and tasted great. As someone who eats gluten-free (not by choice), I noticed there were some options, though I didn't end up trying any. read more

Been wanting to try this place. Came on a Friday night without reservations and we got lucky. Very cool concept. There are 2 sides to the restaurant. The bar side is more open, the camper side has lower ceilings and can get very loud. But once inside, you do not feel like you're in Watertown. They are short on staff (as is most places), so be patient. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Despite being busy, he kept a smile on his face. We were torn between the meat sampler plate and the whole duck. But then realized the duck needs to be ordered at least 48 hours in advance. But our server told us they had 1 reservation of the duck canceled so we got lucky! We ordered it right away. It takes about 30-40 minutes to prepare. They de- bone it as well. The skin was perfectly crisp and the meat was very tender and not dry. The whole duck can serve 3-4 people. The corn soup was surprisingly very flavorful and light. The wood grilled octopus was light, flavorful and not too chewy. The wild mushrooms had a variety of mushrooms and was a bit salty. The basque cheesecake was different than the standard. Not what we expected, wasn't too heavy and not too sweet. Will definitely be back and try other things on the menu. read more

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Sucha cute little place. We just walked in on Saturday night and luckily we got bar seats with no waiting ( as other reviews mention, I did try to call to make a reservation but nobody responded) The food was so delicious and I would say fairly priced as well. The drinks were top notch and service was very attentive. But the cozy ambiance is what I loved the most! Perfect for a date night. read more

Another absolute banger from Watertown, even if you don't like the food you'll definitely like the design. Lots of greenery, the perfect lighting, and a dining area built into an old train carriage culminates into a 5/5 dining experience. The servers here are incredibly nice as well and genuinely seem like the nicest people I've ever met. We were constantly asked if we had needed refills on our drinks which were very nice but didn't seem too strong at all. The food was interesting, but overpriced for what you get. The sausage for example was good with an interesting char but it also filled your mouth with that charred skin making the bites feel very dry. read more

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Such an aesthetic restaurant in Watertown. The interior alone is beautiful, it's designed to look like a train with a garden separating the two rooms. The food was decent, but you're paying more for the aesthetics. Honestly overpriced for what you get. The one dish I find myself thinking about the most is their Basque Cheesecake. It was sweet, creamy, and the hints of candied lemon and blueberry were so refreshing. The servers were also courteous and welcoming. read more

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Fabulous experience here. One of our dinner mates said it was the best meal he's had in Boston. I was really excited that some of our dinner mates had thought ahead enough to order the duck (which needs to be ordered 48 hrs in advance). The skin was crispy, the meat had a delicious sweetness to it... just great. It reminded my boyfriend of Thanksgiving the way it was presented, with bread stuffing. A South American meal doesn't feel complete without an empanada for me- so I had to order that (I love that it comes with the hard boiled egg inside). The apps we enjoyed the most were the beet salad and the mushrooms. The service was seamless- no cup was left empty, and everything was quickly switched out throughout the meal- no small feat for such a large group. What shined the most in the desserts for me was the basque cheesecake, and the dulce de leche on the side of various desserts. What a perfect dessert garnish. Finally, you should definitely order a cocktail, because they are show stopping. The caipirinha is poured through cotton candy. Gives it an extra sweetness and cool sugary texture when you sip it. read more

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This is one of the best restaurants in the Boston/Cambridge area. They are run by a couple that cares about their cultural representation through wine and food. They are so talented that each little tapas-like dish is an experience. My wife & I come here for two reasons: first, to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and second, to impress our friends. We get an Ecuadorian wine that they recommend that goes perfectly with the appetizers and the meal. This is after an ideal little cocktail from their specialty list. For us, it's a neighborhood place, but it is always special. The service is run by the owners, and everything runs like clockwork. This is a very good restaurant that we sometimes just come have an app and a drink at. I feel so privileged that it's located in my neighborhood. We often order the duck two days before required, and it is so worth the wait and the effort. For my birthday I love sitting in the train car! Though I'm a barfly usually, anyplace here is lovely. Treat yourself and come have a dining experience. read more

La Bodega - Flan dessert - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

As soon as you step inside La Bodega, you're transported into a greenhouse-like environment. Tasteful decor, soft lighting, and plenty of plants make this tucked-away spot feel like home. The menu features unique small plates. There is plenty variety. Each dish we had was spectacular. The chicken (pictured) was the juiciest I've ever put in my mouth. The drinks passing by looked fantastic - will have to try one next time. Service was swift and attentive. I appreciate being checked in by who looked like the manager! La Bodega deserves more accolades! A+ read more

La Bodega - Chicken - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

The food is absolutely amazing! I came for a work dinner and it couldn't have gone better. We had an early reservation because of a schedules and we hung out from 5:30-8:30 no problem. Service was attentive and prompt. The woman who came to check on us (not our waiter) had a very friendly attitude and made us feel at home! We had the following: Mushrooms - Amazing. I had this in Spain a few times and it's better here! The mushrooms are absolutely delicious Mussels - Smokey & enjoyed the sauce Beef empanadas - Little dry wouldn't get these again Octopus - Eh. Not the best and it was a small octopus so I wouldn't order again Ribeye - Loved this. Cooked perfectly and the chimichurri was so good Poussin Chicken- Very tasty but hard to share because it was a whole chicken. Would get it again on a date night Beef Milanesa- Also good but a bit rich All the food was presented beautifully and service was excellent. Drinks were curated and also delicious. I'm already planning on coming back! Plan ahead for the duck (48 hrs) read more

La Bodega - Passion fruit cocktail - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

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Amazing dinner spot for date night or a girl's night out! The restaurant itself has a very cozy dim atmosphere and the host and waiter were very nice. We ordered 4 items for a party of two and it was plenty! The most exceptional were the octopus, flounder, and wild mushrooms! So flavorful! The only item I wouldn't get again is their provolone with bread. Bread was kinda hard and provolone was also hard and no cheese pull. Also their passionfruit mocktail was a major hit for me! I'd definitely come again. read more

Good were petty good, would like to go back again. This place is cute. Has lot of staffs however the service is little slow. Overall had good time there. read more

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One of the most enjoyable meals I have had in quite a while. The pulpo ( octupus) was excelente, as was the ribeye, pork sausage and wild mushroom. The service was great with one the owners coming by our table and providing a great deal of information about the food and the history of the restaurant. The restaurant is very charming and great place to spend a night out. I highly recommend La Bodega. read more

Phenomenal in all ways. Well worth traveling for if you're from out of town too. Highly recommend ordering several dishes and sharing.

Great Uraguayan food. We loved the corn soup and the roasted duck was as good as at their former restaurant: Salts! The all Uraguayan wine list was wonderful as well. Looking forward to going back! read more

The cutest place! A must try! All items are shareable and so good!! Feels like you are in a different city when you step in here read more

La Bodega - Provolone - The image shows a plate of baked pasta with a layer of tomato sauce and melted cheese on top, garnished with herbs. The dish is served on a round wooden board, with three slices of toasted bread placed beside it. The background includes a dark countertop and some decorative plates and utensils, indicating a restaurant setting. - Spanish Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

We visited La Bodega for my sister's SPECIAL (40) birthday, and the experience was beyond disappointing. We informed the staff ahead of time that it was a milestone celebration and hoped they'd make her feel special. Instead, the service was awful and far from celebratory. To make matters worse, I found a hair in my beet salad and brought it to their attention. Rather than handle the situation professionally, the manager returned with the plate in her hand, placed it on the table, and claimed no one in the kitchen had hair, essentially blaming me or someone at our table. It was rude, humiliating, and completely unacceptable. The food itself was just okay, but the portions were absurdly small--even for tapas. Honestly, be prepared to leave HUNGRY if you eat here. Given the lack of care, unprofessionalism, and overall poor experience, I wouldn't recommend La Bodega for a special occasion--or for anything at all. Also the manager, came back not even to check in on us, but to take plates of our hands, the drinks took forever, and our server was absent most of the time. I would NEVER return here. read more