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    Bocca Ristorante

    4.4 (154 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Bocca Ristorante Photos

    BOCCA RISTORANTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Upscale
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bocca Ristorante

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    Chicken piccata
    Micah T.

    Loved the chicken piccata, one of the best I've had out. The gnocchi were so fresh and fluffy. The waiter was very knowledgeable on their locally sourced ingredients and each dish. It's a really big space so you aren't too close to other tables, so it's very intimate. They have complimentary valet as well.

    Val W.

    I went to a private wine dinner at Bocca on yesterday evening. It was my first time visiting this restaurant, but I heard generally good reviews so I was looking forward to it. Valet parking is available, but my husband found close street parking so we did that. I started off by having a twist on an old-fashioned. They use ginger liqueur instead of simple syrup. It was a good drink. Our wine dinner consisted of four courses. Each course was paired with a different wine. The wine maker gave us details about each of the four wines. I'm normally not much of a wine drinker, but I absolutely loved each wine that I tried on last night. The food was phenomenal. My favorite thing was the third course which was a red snapper dish. The dessert was intentionally made not to be too sweet. The chef didn't want dessert to overpower the wine. The dessert was still so good! I know we probably received exceptional service since we were a part of a private wine dinner. However, I think since it was so great, I have to come back and try it again.

    Linda R.

    Love at first bite! We heard good things about Bocca, and decided to try it out for Valentines. We went on a Thursday night because we wanted to avoid the weekend crowds. I made a reservation the night before and was easily able to get a table for two. Parking can be a pain in downtown Bham, so we were so glad to see that they had a valet, and inside they even had a coat check. Thank you for thinking of your customers!!!!!! The service was excellent. From the valet who parked our car, the hostess at the reception desk, the wait staff that filled our water and of course our waitress. The food was delicious. We ordered and split the Garganellu with Asparagus for an appetizer. The lemon, cream, and pecorino added to the flavor and I loved the sun dried tomatoes. They made the dish complete. My only suggestion was to add a little more asparagus. For my main dish, I went with the Gulf Shrimp Scampi. It featured fresh shrimp with linguini, garlic butter, white wine, and came with broccolini. It was great, and I had plenty for left overs. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice. Our table was off by itself. Perfect for a romantic dinner. So many restaurants try to cram a bunch of tables into a space. This was definitely not the case. Again they were thinking of their customers!! Great place!!

    Pan seared Grouper
    Josh D.

    I'm very upset with this place. The audacity to price gouge for Valentine's Day. They make you stick to a small preset dinner menu and pay $115 per person. It's so outrageous. The same dinner there would cost probably no more than $80 if you pick the most expensive items. Just hate to see a good restaurant stoop so low.

    Handkerchief pasta
    Sara W.

    A friend and I went for their Thursday happy hour and it was a fantastic experience overall. The staff was amazing and the food was excellent. I will absolutely be back to this cute venue!

    Tyler M.

    Phenomenal all around, one of the hidden gems in Birmingham. They were doing a Tuesday-Thursday happy hour deal that included a house wine, Caesar salad, choice of pasta and focaccia for $29. You won't find a better deal in the city. Focaccia was soft and warm, Caesar salad was delicious (server asked if we wanted anchovies, that's a no), and I chose the linguine with meatballs. Everything was so good and friendly hostesses and waiter. Inside was a lot more spacious than you'd expect. We celebrated my mom's birthday so we got the caramel glazed donut with ice cream which capped the meal nicely. They don't have a kids menu but they were great about bringing us extra plates for sharing. A great dining experience beginning to end.

    Happy Hour Caesar
    Taylor-Brooke M.

    I tried Bocca for the first time two weeks ago and have already been back each visit was for a different purpose but both were great. My initial visit was for an anniversary dinner and we noted this on our reservation, they were kind enough to place us in a more intimate setting away from crowds this was a Saturday and they were pretty busy but it didn't feel overly busy or loud in the area we were seated. Upon arrival the hostess was very nice and welcoming to the restaurant. We had a selection of drinks all of which we were pleased with. The first round included: Botanica 9.5/10 ($16) it was similar to a gimlet light and refreshing Circa 1975 9/10 ($15) a nice spin on the classic French 75 using Hennessy in place of gin. Second round: Espresso Old Fashioned 8/10 ($17) it had a good flavor and was different and something to get used to with the Espresso. Bocca Russo 8.5/10 ($15) still light and refreshing but felt like something was missing. Food: We split the caesar salad ($16) and it was really good, but size wise was smaller than some other restaurants, you do have the option of anchovies. We did choose to have them I think they had always add to the overall flavor of the ceasar salad. Pan Snapper Destin Florida Red Snapper ($43) was paired with creamy risotto, white wine butter sauce and over dried tomatoes. It had some broccolini on it as well and all the flavors melted together. I was very pleased with the selection I made. I would give it a 9/10 overall. Cast Iron Seared Tuscan Ribeye ($56) paired with tomato butter, artisanal mushroom, and Potato Gratin it also included broccolini. We opted to not have dessert on this visit but hopefully in future we will be able to check out that menu as well. The most recent visit was to check out their Happy Hour which is Tuesday-Thursday 4:30-6:30 pm. It includes a caesar salad, wine and pasta for $29. We selected the red wine for the wine selection but you have the option of red or white. It is a house wine so you don't have a large variety it's literally two options but still for the price it's worth it. The Caesar Salad was a decent portion no complaints there. There are maybe six pastas to choose from and you have the option to add protein to each if you decide. Garganelli with Asparagus (added Chicken $6) 10/10 Primavera (added shrimp $10) 10/10 the pasta had amazing flavor. I would say the $10 for 3 shrimp did seem like a lot but I just know for the future to select chicken of choosing to add to pasta.

    Duroc Pork Loin Milanese
    Gabe M.

    I adore fine dining as a little treat to myself every now and then. On this occasion I was celebrating my 25th birthday, which just so happened to coincide with Bocca's "The Best of Italy" Wine Dinner--an event where they served a five-course-meal complete with wine pairings. Now, I know this normally doesn't reflect what the restaurant is actually like on a normal basis, but hosting an event like this does take some logistical planning so I'm basing my review on this alone. Upon arriving, I was guided over to the bar for cocktail hour. I am visually impaired, and I had a bit of trouble finding my way, but the staff was more than happy to walk me around and make sure I was in the right place. After a drink, it didn't take too much longer for us to get seated. The service was absolutely impeccable. Bocca had flown in an Italian sommelier who explained each of the wine pairings alongside our dinner. Luckily, he just happened to sit next to me and I got to learn more about the very niche field that is fine wine importing. All of the waiters moved with purpose and not a single plate was dropped, nor was a wine glass spilled. The only real mix up was that one of the wines was served in the wrong order, but that's trivial. The food? Absolutely incredible. Everything was delicious and cooked just right. I've never had oysters like this, and I don't think I'll have them unless they are made like they were here. The pork loin was crispy and delicious. The gnocchi was mouth-watering. The lamb--well, I have to admit I don't like how chewy lamb is, but it was still really good. I do feel like the dessert was a little underwhelming, but then there's hardly any space left after four courses and a non-insignificant amount of wine. As an aside, I nearly forget to mention that the restaurant remembered my birthday and the bartender gave me my drink on the house. I really appreciated it, especially after a rough patch over the last few years, it was nice to start the night on a high note. Overall, I had an unforgettable experience at Bocca. I would most definitely come back here again.

    Davida B.

    The food, the atmosphere, the ambience, the service... I can't name enough - it was wonderful. I'd recommend Bocca for a nice upscale experience.

    Scallop risotto
    Bella A.

    Spectacular. Over the years, I have heard a lot about Bocca but never quite made it out to dinner until now. Cannot believe I haven't been here sooner!!! Located on 2nd Avenue north, Bocca is right by some of bhams hot spots. Valet is offered, but there is nearby paid or street parking. Service was kind, though food did take some time to come out (but we were in a large group!). AH FOOD. Started off appetizers with arancini- a must. The sauce was a perfect pair to this gooey fried risotto ball. Also enjoyed the caprese salad, not anything different from what you can get elsewhere but an Italian classic. For entrees, I had the scallop risotto - absolutely fantastic 10/10 would order every single time. Dessert - the doughnut is the way to go - warm with icecream on top. Wow, I am already planning my next return. Must visit.

    Tyler T.

    The atmosphere and restaurant is really nice. The server and host were kind and attentive throughout our visit. We went for brunch and they had a decent selection for options. I tried the pancakes and my significant other got a pasta. Both were good, but not amazing. I am excited to try their dinner menu so I will definitely have to be back!

    Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce and Asparagus
    Sheri C.

    This Northern Italian establishment did not disappoint! Lovely, warm atmosphere, beautiful decor and very good customer service. The cuisine was incredible! Eggplant lasagna, Cioppino, Buccotini with Pomodoro and spicy veal meatballs and the Pasta with lemon cream sauce and asparagus were all incredible. Delicious cocktails and wine list. Housemade pasta was cooked perfectly Al dente. Mito Frito was fresh and cooked perfectly. Salami was perfectly balanced. We will return!

    Red Snapper
    Harrell B.

    My daughter chose Bocca to celebrate her 25th birthday. We entered to find a tastefully decorated space, upscale and refined, with an Art Deco influence. The resturant is spacious and the tables are amply spaced allowing for a comfortable and intimate dining experience. Our party of three was seated at a semilunar banquette which provided a very comfortable spot for conversation and repast. This resturant features a fine array of excellent wines and the in house sommelier is welcoming and highly skilled at aid in selection and recommendation. We began with a round of delight craft cocktails and the first act was accompanied by an antipasti salumi tray and Arancini di Riso. As this culinary ballet of delights began to unfold, our wait team of organized sprites spirited courses of food to and from our table with precision and flare. The primi act was a beautifully presented round of pastas, Garganelli with Asparagus and Linguine with Clams. The pasta is fresh and al dente and the sauces performed a delicate and delicious pirouette on my palate's stage. The secondi act consisted of Scallops Risotto, Pan Seared Gulf Red Snapper, and Chicken Picatta. All were an epicurean delight. The flavors were carefully balanced and refined. The final act was an Italian Butter Crunch Doughnut and Affogato. Really a quite fine dining experience and a great birthday celebration. One of my good friend's mother was in the habit of telling him after a particularly great celebration, "You've had and had and now you are not getting anything else for a long, long time". Hopefully, it won't be too long before we are back enjoying this establishment again. I highly recommend this restaurant and will certainly return.

    Focaccia bread is delicious and pillowy soft

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    10 months ago

    The service was fantastic and food was amazing! We left full and happy, already looking forward to the next time we can come!

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    Always consistent. Great customer service and the food is delicious. I'll be back soon :)

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    1 year ago

    Amazing service and food! The pasta is some of the best I've had and good portions! Highly recommend!

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    Trattoria Zaza

    Trattoria Zaza

    4.5
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    0.3 mi
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    We came for dinner before a show down the street at the Lyric. First time here. She had the baked…read moremacaroni and cheese with vegetables added and absolutely loved it. I had the daily special, which was a broken lasagna. Also very, very good. Mixed greens on the side rounded out our table. The pizza looked very good and reminded us of pizza in a shop we love in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. It's walk up service, no ordering from your table, which was fine. The menu has a nice variety. The store is a downtown casual vibe. We probably should've opted for outdoor seating, because the evening was so nice.

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    Inside wait in line to order then pick your own seat inside or out
    Inside wait in line to order then pick your own seat inside or out
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    The Essential

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    Really cool place with a quaint atmosphere and great service. My wife and I split the chicken…read moresandwich, grits and a hash brown. All were really good. We got the sauce on the side for the sandwich just in case, but it was really good. Definitely a place I want to revisit. Saw the smash looking burger and pancakes at tables and they both looked amazing!!

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    North Italia

    North Italia

    4.0
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    6.4 mi
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    I had never been to North Italia... But it will definitely be a place that I frequent…read more The strozzapetti with truffles was TO DIE FOR!!! my daughter, and I shared the entrée... And it was so good! My 13 year-old daughter did not know what I had ordered, but the first bite her face lit up and she said "oh my goodness, I taste truffles" It's an open air restaurant that is very loud and very Italian... so it's perfect. We sat at the bar because we knew we were just having a quick shared mail... And the bartender made my daughter the most amazing virgin drinks. He was Fantastic!!

    I came here on a Sunday afternoon after some friends, and I competed in the great American game…read moreshow at the summit as well. We were trying to decide what we wanted to eat, and I was able to make a reservation for nine at North Italia, which was surprising to me, but I guess the time that we went which was about 4 o'clock it was not that busy. I actually have the same server I had when I was in there December for a Christmas brunch. Nichole L. Was our server and she was very attentive and did give us some good suggestions on dishes. However, because there were nine of us, she had mentioned that they don't usually split up the bill however, she spoke to her manager was able to do so. I don't understand why this restaurant has this policy. It makes it difficult to go out in a group. There was an 18% gratuity added to our bill, but it was up to you if you wanted to add to it or get rid of it, I added to the tip. I got the chicken Parmesan, which I had had in the past. It was delicious as always, and I split it into two different meals. I will definitely be back here sooner than later

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    North Italia
    North Italia
    North Italia

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    Bocca Ristorante - italian - Updated August 2026

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