Bocca Restaurant

(212) 387-1200

39 E 19th St
New York, NY 10003 40.7383 -73.9894

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Flatiron District, Midtown

Price:

$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Online Reservations, Date Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Food Delivery, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Bocca Restaurant

Featured Review

Kathleen Squires

Contributor

The Scene – The decor of this Roman restaurant avoids the gladiator-and-toga route, thankfully, with a giant Fellini poster displaying the theme instead. Otherwise, "in vino veritas" seems to be the motto here, with a long wine bar, a Chardonnay-colored dining room and an arched, wood-slatted ceiling that resembles a row of halved vats. – – The Food – The creative Roman cuisine stands out in a city glutted with Italian fare. Try finding green and red tomato tartare or pancetta-wrapped shrimp afloat on ricotta fondue anywhere else. An overkill of salt, cheese and black…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Beyond the wine list, sample creative cocktails like the herbaceous Basil Smash--lime juice, basil and vodka ($10).
The Extras:
Check out sister restaurants Spiga and Cacio e Pepe.
When to Go:
Enjoy complimentary bar bites with drinks Monday to Friday, 5pm to 7pm.
ambiance
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “Tacky ambiance, inexperienced wait staff and an overpriced menu make this restaurant a complete failure in my book.”
  2. “enjoyed the ambiance of this restaurant.”
  3. “We enjoyed the ambiance on a weeknight but apparently they have music here on certain nights.”
  4. “We returned last night , just the two of us for a romantic dinner.”
  5. “The atmosphere is very cozy and romantic, yet fun and exciting, but definitely doesn't feel like a casual pizza place”
  6. “Loved the decor.”
  7. “nice atmosphere and great food, epsecially at a reasonable price.”
  8. “The atmosphere is cozy, charming and the music is great.”
  9. “The ambiance was relaxing and totally unpretentious; the food was delicious, and we highly recommend the shrimp appetizer and the duck main course.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The ricotta dessert was also fantastic.”
  2. “Also the dessert was pretty good- Chocolate Souffle.”
  3. “The meal itself was really good - from the octopus and fried canenelli bean appetizer to the main course of pasta-to the dessert, which was okay (we expected a better pear "tart”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The wine list (all Italian) was extensive with a nice variety and price range - we settled on a fabulous Nebbiolo for about $50.”
  2. “The wine list is great and the service is wonderful--very attentive, but not snooty at all.”
  3. “The cocktails were unique and delicious.”
  4. “my girlfriend LOVED IT; the cocktails were inventive, such as the basil smash a very refreshing cocktail; and the service was impeccable.”
food quality
97.22000122070312% positive
  1. “have eaten here twice and both were delicious and memorable meals.”
  2. “Both were good dishes, but it was a bit overpriced, especially for the portion sizes.”
  3. “The atmosphere is very cozy and romantic, yet fun and exciting, but definitely doesn't feel like a casual pizza place”
  4. “Pasta entree was fresh and yummy.”
  5. “our appetizer with eggplant was delicious.”
  6. “The food was simply amazing - I couldn't help but make yummy noises!”
  7. “The meal itself was really good - from the octopus and fried canenelli bean appetizer to the main course of pasta-to the dessert, which was okay (we expected a better pear "tart”
  8. “The ambiance was relaxing and totally unpretentious; the food was delicious, and we highly recommend the shrimp appetizer and the duck main course.”
  9. “The cocktails were unique and delicious.”
  10. “I've never seen Italian food like this - rich, flavorful, fresh ingredients, very different from the typical little-Italy fair.”
  11. “nice atmosphere and great food, epsecially at a reasonable price.”
  12. “good food, small portions, but they only take amex”
  13. “yes, the food was good.”
  14. “The entrees were delicious.”
  15. “Dinner was top notch (and so was their crusty Italian bread), and the service was excellent.”
  16. “The food was good.”
  17. “I've never been to Italy, but I imagine that this is the closest to authentic Italian food you will find in New York City.”
  18. “Especially the pasta - a fresh pasta with shellfish - and the roast pork.”
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu.”
  2. “The wine list (all Italian) was extensive with a nice variety and price range - we settled on a fabulous Nebbiolo for about $50.”
  3. “Tacky ambiance, inexperienced wait staff and an overpriced menu make this restaurant a complete failure in my book.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is one of my favorite restaurant in NY.”
  2. “honestly don't think that Via Emilia is any better then Bocca, in fact we think that Bocca is probably the best italian restaurant in a 10 city blocks ratio.”
service
63.63999843597412% positive
  1. “Tacky ambiance, inexperienced wait staff and an overpriced menu make this restaurant a complete failure in my book.”
  2. “truly awful service”
  3. “The wine list is great and the service is wonderful--very attentive, but not snooty at all.”
  4. “The staff is very knowledgeable and we always found them very helpful with the choice we made.”
  5. “Wine service was nice.”
  6. “No one apologized for the awful service.”
  7. “Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu.”
  8. “We were impressed with the prompt, friendly service; our Italian waitress treated us so warmly, it felt like we were guests in her home.”
  9. “Dinner was top notch (and so was their crusty Italian bread), and the service was excellent.”
  10. “my girlfriend LOVED IT; the cocktails were inventive, such as the basil smash a very refreshing cocktail; and the service was impeccable.”
  11. “Bocca loses a star for poor service.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “good food, small portions, but they only take amex”
  2. “nice atmosphere and great food, epsecially at a reasonable price.”
  3. “Tacky ambiance, inexperienced wait staff and an overpriced menu make this restaurant a complete failure in my book.”
  4. “Both were good dishes, but it was a bit overpriced, especially for the portion sizes.”
  5. “The wine list (all Italian) was extensive with a nice variety and price range - we settled on a fabulous Nebbiolo for about $50.”
  6. “Way too expensive for what you get.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/01/10

I'm Italian and I go there!!

by giugiuro at Citysearch

I've been to a lot of Italian restaurants in NYC and I hate that the mojority looks so "fake" and all the usual prefab atmosphere just makes me want to run away. Bocca is so authetic!! The Fellini's posters give the restaurant a real personality and considering also the kindness and proper manners of the staff... it's already worth at least a visit!!

The food is authentic, delicious, something you would like to never see the end of. It's nothing like the usual "Italian" recipes re-adapted for people who don't know how they're really supposed to taste. I actually enjoyed every single bite of my super tasteful salmon on squash noodles... Yummmy!!!

Great wine list, a little... more than a little pricey though. But I have to admit that my Gewurztraminer was the impeccable match to both our fish delicious dishes!! :)

Definitely, BEST Italian restaurant in NYC.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/18/10

Real Italian Food! You MUST Love it

by ciasy at Citysearch

This is really my favorite Italian restaurant in NYC.

Everything is great: food, staff, wine list

Completely worthy!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/06/09

where the italians go

by jjwalsh at Citysearch

This restaurant is fantastic! I've never been to Italy, but I imagine that this is the closest to authentic Italian food you will find in New York City. Me and my girlfriend visited Bocca this past Saturday and were treated to an amazing experience. The decor is unusual but charming, romantic and unpretentious. We were impressed with the prompt, friendly service; our Italian waitress treated us so warmly, it felt like we were guests in her home. The cocktails were unique and delicious. The wine list (all Italian) was extensive with a nice variety and price range - we settled on a fabulous Nebbiolo for about $50. And the food - unbelievable! Especially the pasta - a fresh pasta with shellfish - and the roast pork. I've never seen Italian food like this - rich, flavorful, fresh ingredients, very different from the typical little-Italy fair. (That might explain the overwhelming number of Italian clientele that night!) We will definitely be back, and we will definitely recommend to all our friends.

  • Pros: food, music, decor
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/15/09

Simply amazing!!

by johnw0001 at Citysearch

I went here on a recommendation last night and was a little skeptical despite a glowing recommendation from a friend. I was blown away. The food was simply amazing - I couldn't help but make yummy noises! Good, quality ingredients, well prepared in a relaxed atmosphere. What more could you want? I've been telling all my friends about it!

  • Pros: Food, drinks, decor , ambiance
2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/08/09

Disappointed

by johnnaoliv at Citysearch

I was disappointed in the food. I left quite a bit on my plate. Have had much better elsewhere. Way too expensive for what you get.

  • Cons: food,expensive

The Details on Bocca Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • very attentive wine service
  • good italian food
  • favorite italian restaurant
  • nice atmosphere
  • very refreshing cocktails
  • memorable meals
  • fantastic ricotta dessert
  • enjoyed ambiance
  • delicious shrimp appetizer
  • nice lighting
  • amazing experience
  • yummy pasta entree
  • good small portions
  • very knowledgeable waiter
  • delicious entrees
  • very knowledgeable staff
  • loved marinated raw tuna
  • fresh ingredients
  • not yummy noises
  • too expensive way
  • loved decor
  • fabulous nebbiolo
  • fresh pasta
  • disappointed anybody
  • awful service