Echoing what Steinunn has said, Bocca looks a lot better than it actually is. Admittedly, I am very picky when it comes to Italian food because I know what it’s meant to taste like, and when you have some really good Italian restaurants in Dublin to chose from the food has to be pretty good to be able compete. The calamari fritti– my starter– were pretty tasteless and that’s pretty hard to do with an essentially spicy dish. The cannelloni fiorentina were a lot better though, the spinach and ricotta filling was delicious. I was pretty stuffed after two courses as well, so apart from the starter, dinner was A-ok, but pretty expensive at just under 30 Euro.
Steinunn J.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
This place almost has it all. The interior is clean and stylish. They have outdoor tables, with heaters, facing Anne Street. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff is nice and attentive. What they don’t have is great food, which is kind of crucial for a restaurant. Ok, I know I’m paying a little extra for the location, but 9.95 for any pasta just isn’t a bargain when the cream-sauce lacks all flavour and authentic bite. I would however recommend this place for coffee and/or wine. The outdoor tables are a good place to sit and watch buskers trying to entertaining the rushing crowd of shoppers with their hands full of branded bags.
Ciara K.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Bocca is a convenient Italian restaurant for a quick lunch, located just off Grafton Street. There’s a few outdoor tables in a heated area to the front of the restaurant, which is a pretty place to enjoy a pizza or glass of wine, while watching life go by on pedestrainised South Anne Street. It gets the best of the afternoon sun in the summer too. The pizza, pasta and salads are fairly authentic and better than the usual Irish take on Italian food, though the pizza bases are a little thick for my liking. There are some very good value specials on offer at the moment — the pizza or pasta special at lunchtime is just € 7.