Johannesburg - La Boqueria, situated in Parktown North, is an iconic eatery with sublime food and décor to match!
Its Hispanic-style restaurant makes you feel as though you’re sitting bar- side in Barcelona – complete with lazily spinning ceiling fans, hanging macramé plants, lush greenery and on-trend furnishings. It’s a treat for the senses and the taste buds.
The menu encapsulates delicious Hispanic market-style food, which leans toward sharing and feasting. The kitchen focuses on traditional styles of cooking (using skillets, wood ovens and live-fires) for a real food experience. The term ‘eat with your eyes first’ definitely applies here.
The lunch and dinner menu runs the gauntlet from healthy Peruvian ceviche to Mexican Tacos and Argentinian inspired asado, where dishes like Picanha and Beef Fillet Kabobs are cooked over coals. The sharing plates for feasting include Paellas, which are slow-cooked in a traditional hearth for a delicious, smoky flavour (look out for the monthly Paella Sundays), and sustainable Whole Fish from the coal oven. For dessert, take your pick from authentic Churros, Chocolate Nemesis, Drunken Crema and more.
The décor takes inspiration from the mid-century with a warm colour palette, a mix of wooden furniture, and cabinetry behind the bar, used as display units – sourced from independent traders around South Africa. The über-cool décor features are undoubtedly the salvaged 50’s orange post-boxes and Lady Boqueria; a Brian Viveros inspired 6m high mural of a Spanish torero, who watches over the whole space.
At once cosy and welcoming, the space has different sections: tables and booths, a dedicated bar area and the upstairs where you can hide away or have a private function. The floor-to-ceiling windows mean that the space is sun-drenched for most of the day and still gives you the feeling of sidewalk eating into the evening, much loved throughout The Parks. The outside veranda with its pergola, hanging plants and fireplace in the corner is a fabulous all-year-round spot to while away your time.
The bar has some of the best cocktails this side of Peru – with an emphasis on fresh and unique ingredients. Try The Spaniard whisky cocktail or a Hollaback Havana with rum, muddled fresh pineapple and strawberries, or a Darkest Black, a clever twist on the classic margarita with activated charcoal. There are other tipples and aperitifs to take your fancy, plus an impressive Tequileria.
La Boqueria recently opened their second restaurant at the Polofields Lifestyle Estate – it’s tapas & everyday food heaven. Classic and tastefully modern furniture and pops of fresh greenery plus an impressive central fireplace make this a welcoming space. The spacious outside terrace overlooks the stunning pool, and there are a number of private function rooms. It all contributes to a lively atmosphere – along with the added attraction of being located in a secure Balwin lifestyle estate. Booking is essential to receive an estate access code.
Follow La Boqueria on social media and be the first to know about live music, Spanish dancing and other lively events. They also host any special occasion you may have, including group functions which are personally tailored for you.
La Boqueria 17 3rd Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg. To book a table, call 011 325 0011 or WhatsApp 076 997 3263.
La Boqueria Polofields Lifestyle Estate, Midrand. To book a table, call 010 020 1699 or WhatsApp 062 798 5478