BOKAGUÁ

I thoroughly enjoyed the food, the service, and the overall ambiance. The presentation of both the food and the drinks was truly remarkable. It was a wonderful experience! I was there to celebrate my wife's birthday, and the staff even sang her a happy birthday song when they presented the dessert, which was quite delicious.

Was here for a dinner, I was amazed by the ambiance! It's definitely a small, intimate, and cozy place. The food selections are towards the smaller portion like tapas. The presentation of each dish was well thought out! I ordered the braised short ribs, the steak ssam, and oxtail samosas. Would definitely come back and try other dishes

It’s so nice to see a refreshing new restaurant join the beautiful neighborhood of Riverdale. This place is amazing! Beautiful modern decor, sort of speakeasy with a moody tropical vibe, nice chill music, great customer service, delicious food and cocktails. Feels like you’re in the meat packing district of Manhattan, cool and hip. My husband and I had an early dinner on a Monday and there were tons of seating. We live in the neighborhood and past by it often, it is packed in the late evenings and weekends. Server was very knowledgeable about every dish and was very careful in his recommendations since my husband has a seafood allergy. We highly recommend this place and will definitely be going back with family and friends. Please add a chocolate dessert!

Our waiter, Seth, was amazing. He was gracious, sweet, informative, helpful, and made our experience so nice! Had my birthday dinner with my girls and it was so fun! Food was also sooo delicious!

Most ordered items are that for a reason! The oxtail samosa was an immediate stunner - the pastry was delicious and paired with perfectly cooked and seasoned oxtail. The pork belly with the toronto dumplings was perfectly cooked. The short rib dish was perfect. As were the sides and drinks. Top notch service, food, and ambiance. Will be coming back to try more!

I want to thank all the staff for making me feel welcome and providing the best service. I went on my birthday, alone, sat at the bar and Brian took such good care of me. He designed a drink just for me, a virgin mojito. Ever since, I’ve referred friends and visited with friends because 1. I love the food 2. I love the ambience, beautiful decor and music 3. I appreciate how amazing the bartenders, chefs, & servers are, I look forward to more drinks and great times at this amazing restaurant.

Carla was amazing and provided spectacular service throughout our dinner. We were celebrating my father in law’s birthday and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The food and drinks were tasty, delicious and better than we could have expected. The octopus was soft and succulent, the red snapper was crispy and moist, short rib was tender and spiced perfectly. Everything was a la orden y perfecto!

This place is overrated when it comes to the food, is regular food, not exquisite as described in some of the reviews. I came in with a high expectation given the reviews, for instance, I read “best lobster fried rice,” etc, and it turns out is just a standard rice, not authentic in the slightest. The cocktails are okay. I think the atmosphere is better than the food and the drinks, which is what’s being used to advertise the place (they did great on the decoration and vibes) and the food does looks good, just does not tastes as good as it looks. But go try it yourself.

I took my daughter to Bokagua for her birthday We had a great time. Food was excellent decor was great.

My best friend and I were throughly impressed when we first walked in. The decor, the lighting, and the vibes were great. We loved the bar set up, and the plants hanging from the ceiling. We went on a Friday night and they had a DJ. We were approached three times to see if we were being helped, which was great. We waited maybe 3 minutes if not less because we asked to be sat in the back of the restaurant. We were closer to the kitchen; but it was open concept and so cool to get a glimpse of them cooking away. The food was amazing. We literally just sat and ate and just kept looking at each other in awe. Our only issue was that the longer we sat the louder the music was. By the end of the reservation we felt like we were yelling at each other, but understood because it's Friday night ! We had 90 mins which was also cool, we weren't rushed, nor felt rushed while we were there. Serve kept stopping by and whomever was the bust stuff we couldn't tell because everyone stopped by to take our plates. Side bar we also got the steak & it was delicious it was so good we didn't even snap a picture.

Saw this trending on TikTok and decided that I had to go finally, the day came and had the opportunity to go for my partner's birthday made reservation the same day and was seated in the "lounge area" which honestly is not a great area if you're going to dine it's more of a great section if you're going to literally lounge and have some cocktails and chitchat otherwise it's super uncomfortable to sit there to have a meal. They shouldn't even offer it as a dining option but nonetheless, I did not let that deter us from the experience. We love the ambience the music the staff was super professional and very warm and receiving the space is very small to note! Reservations are definitely encouraged as we went on a Saturday evening. The bar area was packed all the way round tables were filled. We were there for about three hours and it was in and out traffic the whole time which is great for business for them love the cocktails. I had a lychee martini which was phenomenally made my sister had One of their house cocktails, which she enjoyed as well and the Moscow Mule was perfectly crafted as well as for the menu it is pretty straight to the point. I also wouldn't suggest coming with a huge appetite as the plates are perfectly portioned! I would DEF encourage if you're going with a large group to get all of the apps so that way you have enough to try them all as for the main courses the suggestions a waiter gave us was great and enjoyed. It definitely would left filled but again if you have a large appetite or looking for a large plate, this is not the space for you to go to on that evening. Prices are steep included a pic of our bill for some context. Overall, on all, definitely enjoyed it would love to go back and sit at the bar and spend the evening just having some cocktails enjoying beyond beyond music and just overall great vibe in the Riverdale area check it out ! I

Food taste wise was good but portion ratio was a bit off! Compared to the amount of shortrib to the pure it was off to where I was only eating meat with nothing else. The coconut rice was too "coconuty", garlic rice was good (recommend), the fish was decent, Caesar salad tasted like a regular ceaser salad, and the wings were decent. Drinks are strong but the cheapest drink is $17 which is a tad much for the amount you're getting. Service was great very attentive, the manager came to our table numerous times to check in as it was a party of 12. Ambiance was great a bit crowded and with a wait so your table will be for 90 minutes most. Music as well is a bit loud so if you're trying to have intimate conversations this is not the place. Overall it was a pleasant dinner, but would we return, probably not as the food & drinks are way overpriced. We did get charged an automatic gratuity of 18% and as well a large party fee of 20% just a heads up for large groups!

Was a good night the decorations is good the vive is good, I was next door restaurant I was having good diner, but when is time to leave I saw this restaurant next door, i decided to check, I having already diner, I decide to take couple drinks and maybe dessert, All was good the service was good but not excellent, the bartender don't know what the dessert have, I check the cocktails was over $+19. Dame they suppose to be amazing and fresh, What I disappointed was include the gratuity in the check, is ilegal to add the tip on 5 people table and under, Definitely I coming back to check that expensive cocktails and try the food..

Bokagua is such a great addition to the Riverdale neighborhood. Visited around the time of opening for drinks and apps and had a really good time. The ambiance is beautiful, buzzy and quite sexy, making it the perfect spot for a date night or a fun outing with friends. We tried some cocktails: La Margo - essentially a Mango Margarita which was delicious and refreshing, Lychee Martini - basic but really good, and Final Fantasy - a good pairing of blackberry, gin and champagne. In terms of food we had the Mofongo Dumplings - very flavorful and we loved the addition of the crispy porkbelly, Cocounut Cod Croquettes - absolutely a favorite, and the Jjang Braised Shortrib - nestled in a bed of sweet plantain puree and all around amazing. For dessert we were really hoping to try the Dulce the Coco Enyucao' but unfortunately it was not available at the time. Staff were very accommodating and prompt to address our requests. The restaurant was very packed by the time we left so a reservation is a must. Definitely worth a visit!

My friend & I stopped by Saturday night and overall we had a great experience. We had a reservation for 8PM and were seated quickly. Upon being seated we were told that the table would have a 90 minute limit due to reservations. Calvin was helping us and he was truly amazing! He provided the best service and even gave us wonderful drink suggestions (lychee martini with coconut cream). To start, I had the La Margo, and my friend had the Martini in Boka. Both cocktails were great! The Margo was on the sweeter side but perfectly balanced. For food, we ordered the mofongo dumplings, lobster fried rice, and short rib. The mofongo dumplings were good, especially when paired with the sauces on the plate. The lobster fried rice was delicious, with plantain strips adding a great touch. The short rib was a standout--the meat was incredibly tender, and the sweet plantain puree complemented it beautifully. For dessert, we tried the dulce de coco enyucao. It wasn't my favorite, as it mostly tasted like roasted coconut, but the ice cream and passionfruit caramel were highlights. I would definitely return to Bokagua! The drinks were fantastic, and the food was unique and delicious. The only drawbacks were the dessert and feeling a bit rushed at the beginning and end of the meal, though I understand they are a new restaurant with many reservations. We spent $217 (excluding tip) for four dishes and six cocktails, which is reasonable given the scale of the restaurant. Overall, Bokagua is gorgeous, offers excellent service, and is definitely worth a visit!

Came here for a quick dinner yesterday and I will DEF be coming back. The vibe of this place is soooo cute, feels like I'm in Miami and not Riverdale lol. The food and drinks were BOMB and service attentive all night. I know they just opened and have a few kinks to iron out so the small things like needing to ask for more water is not worth taking off a star. We did have a small issue with one of our dishes and they immediately comped some of our meal. That is how you handle things correctly. Stand outs were definitely the mofongo dumplings and oxtail samosas. I could go swimming in that yogurt sauce. Also the La Margo drink tastes like a chinola morir soñando, a must try!

I decided to go try Bokagua on opening week because I loved the idea of Dominican Asian fusion. We tried a few dishes from the menu but the one dish I was excited to try was sold out and they have just opened! The restaurant was beautiful and there was upbeat music playing. There were many servers that made sure our water cups were always full. Everyone was friendly. Overall the food was good. Nothing was out of this world but decent dishes.

Ambiance: very nice, foresty like; it wasnt packed but still, didnt feel like i was going to get kicked out or rushed. Service: immediate upon arrival, ckean straight to the point, Food: i combined my appetizer with my dinner, came out at the same time. Oxtail Patelitos on point, not too salty or oily, breading of Patelitos had just right crunch. Looks small but stomach was content and shareable. Octopus was fair to good, most of it had a nice charbroil taste with flavor, some part (minimal) was soft octopus skin, not a fan. Octopus itself fully cooked correct. Drinks were Super on point with flavor and alcohol mix

Food was delicious but above all the service was above and beyond. Our server Joseph was amazing . The ambiance speaks for itself, music all night.

Came here for date night and was super excited to try out this spot, but I was a bit disappointed. The food was a 10/10 honestly, but that was the only good thing for me. The restaurant was super crowded. I had a reservation and still had to wait about 10-15 mins to be seated and the seating was super crowded. There is barely any room to move and you're right next to the people sitting next to you. Getting out of my seat to even use the bathroom was super uncomfortable. I was all up on the other people and their food when I had to get up. They should definitely remove 1-2 tables in the booth seating area. This place also has a very strict 90 min seating policy. We felt rushed while eating and kept checking the time to make sure we didn't get kicked out (we overheard the manager telling the waitress that people had met their 90 min max). That was a no no for me. I probably won't be back. The place is too small and the service was okay. The only good thing was the food, but even then, that's just part of the experience.

Step into the great ambience and sexy vive of Bokagua and enjoy nice music, deliciously crafted cocktails and great service. My sister and I wanted to go out for a decompressing experience on a Friday night and were both very pleased with this place! We sat by the bar and enjoyed a delicious "Margo" and my sister savored the "Forest Fire". Bokagua definitely offers the opportunity for a fun time. We already have plans to go back.

I was disappointed by the unwelcoming experience I had despite having high hopes. I've been really looking forward to trying this place, especially since it's co-owned by a Dominican Latina, like myself. I wanted to support a local business and celebrate our culture, but unfortunately, my experience was nothing short of disappointing. First, the positives: the bartenders were friendly, the drinks were great, and the place itself is chic and trendy. It's clear a lot of effort has gone into creating a stylish atmosphere, and I was initially excited about the vibe. However, the service left a lot to be desired. My friend and I spent over $400 on drinks and food, but once the restaurant started getting busy, the owner seemed more focused on getting us out than providing good service. We were still waiting on our food and drinks when it became clear they were rushing us. She even had a conversation with her friend who was sitting next to us at the bar and discussed how badly she wanted to close the business and how we were sitting at the bar for too long. It was very unprofessional. It felt like we were being pushed aside just to make room for other customers, even though we had already spent a significant amount. That kind of treatment is unacceptable, especially when you're a paying customer. Speaking of food, while the menu is enticing, the reality was disappointing. The portions were small, the prices were high, and the taste didn't live up to expectations. I really wanted to love the food, but it just didn't deliver. Overall, I'm really sad to say I won't be returning. The drinks and the bartenders were great, but the owner's attitude and the lackluster food didn't justify the high prices. I was hoping for a welcoming experience, but I left feeling unwelcome and underwhelmed. I wish the owner would take the time to focus on all their customers, not just the ones who can turn over a table quickly.

New Restaurant Alert they've only been open a month. This place is such a Big Vibe it's such a great addition to the neighborhood. It's giving manhattan decadence with a piece of dark sultry rain forest feel. I would advise reservations because this place is the new Hot Spot. I literally tried everything on the small shares and the flavors in each dish or vibrant and delicious. The Lemongrass dumplings are so refreshing. The yellowtail Crudo with the Thai basil vinaigrette is the best piece of sashimi I've ever had. The sweet grilled pineapple that comes with the fire grill shrimp too damn good. My inner fatty was happy as hell. The Yuzu Cesar Salad is a must ok trust me when I say. I fell in love with the Coconut vanilla panna cotta it's a must try

The staff was really nice. We were served by Joseph. He gave us some insight on his recommended food and drinks. Very beautiful place. Good for a date night. All foods and drinks were really good 5/5. The only reason why I didn't give it to 5 Star was because it seems like they take more reservations than they can or it's just the strict seating time and things feel a bit rush, which also explains why food and drinks took longer to come out. I will definitely visit again

The ambiance was warm and inviting. The lights were low to maintain that dimly lit romantic setting. There were no reservations that eventing so I knew it was popular. We went for an early dinner and the place was busy. The staff was attentive and courteous. The drinks is what lured me there but the food kept me there. Everything was delicious. Ny favorite dish was the oxtail samosas paired with their special martini.

The food quality was impressive, however, each option is far too small. What I don't understand is how the small and large plates could be the same size. If the restaurant were to increase the portion size there would be no complaints.

Beautiful decor, foods amazing, drinks are on point. The only down fall... it's only 90 minutes to stay at a table; and they're rushing you out. We spent closely to $400 and we wanted to stay and have some more drinks. They recommended the bar, but the place is small with no bar space and so we were just standing by the door; when they told us we needed to move from. I will recommend the place but the table time needs to change- more space needed!

Great vibe, delicious food, service was a bit slow but overall, great spot Parking in the area sucks so make sure you are prepared for that

Went really early on a Saturday eve so the place was kind of slow, don't know if that's the norm or if it's because we went early. I'm from the neighborhood and it's definitely one of the trendier spots in the area and makes you feel like you're in a Miami or Tulum hotspot...if that's the look they were going for, then it's spot on. Makes you feel like you're away and not in Riverdale. The place has a very vibey ambiance, instagrammable look. The servers were friendly. The yellowtail crudo, charred octopus, and lobster fried rice were really very good and impressive, very good portion sizes as well. I was impressed with the amount of lobster in the rice, and the size of the octopus. The drinks were strong and tasty, but the initial drink that I ordered and really wanted to try, was not available at the time. That was the only downside of our visit. Otherwise, I look forward to coming back! I'm glad I only live a block away. Hopefully this restaurant makes it because other restaurants that have been in this location before have failed. This is a nice addition to the neighborhood and definitely a different vibe from all the other places.

What a fantastic addition to this quiet lovely neighbourhood! This new place would earn top ratings in a Zagat world. Food, Decor, Service and Cost, everything checks out. Calvin was discreet and attentive. Went with a dear friend for her birthday. She was elated. So was I.

Highly recommend stopping at the new, hot gem on your trip to Riverdale! It's Dominican Asia and has wild flavor combos that pack the most delicious punch! Definitely get one of the dumplings (lemongrass was my favorite but mofongo is close second) and you must try the duck confit tortellini. It looks small but has so much flavor, it packs a punch and is very filling.

From the decor to the food and the staff. This place is definitely someplace to visit. Don't tell too many people I want this to be my gem... half joking check it out

Nice ambiance and service, food wasn't bad but a bit on the pricey side with small food portions. The food wasn't bad but also nothing we tried was AMAZING. The drinks are $18 each and the bar is well stocked. It's a nice spot for an evening out with nice decor & ambiance.

Had Great dinner! Came here for an anniversary dinner with our 11yr old daughter and had a great meal. Love that we have a fun and beautiful space in the neighborhood. Our favorite was the Oxtail samosas, duck confit tortelloni (so yummy but i wish the portion size was bigger, esp given the price). The short rib was also good. The mofungo dumplings were okay but i enjoyed trying something different so it was still fun to eat. Service was great and ppl were kind.

La comida buena y los tragos pero muy caro e incluso agregaron más bebidas de lo que eran y cuando se le dijo al mesero dijo yo te quito dos no es quitarlo es que no era así. Y especifícalo bien antes de.

Horrible place to eat whenever eat here again I came here and opening night it's not the same they should have never got rid of the main chef she was the core of this restaurant

The restaurant is super cute with hanging plants and art work. It feels like you're at a trendy manhattan restaurant. Had the la margo passion fruit cocktail, oxtail samosas, salmon tartare like appetizer with tostones and short rib. Everything was amazing. Two small dishes and one large dish was more than enough for two people. I want to come back to try the rest of their dishes and drinks!

I had a crazy good time here at Bokaguá. The drinks are just affordable and good quality. The service is very professional and calm. The ambiance and interior fit each other very well.

Great vibes to go on a date the waiter's were a bit slow on getting you your table other than that the food and drinks really good

Loved this place. Come if you're looking for elevated latin cuisine with Asian touches, in a chic ambiance. We enjoyed all the dishes we tried, especially mofongo dumplings and short rib. Going closer to 9 PM there was high energy. Service was also good.

If you're searching for a dining experience that combines bold Dominican flavors with the finesse of Asian cuisine, look no further than this exceptional fusion restaurant in Riverdale, NY. From the moment you walk in, the vibrant atmosphere, impeccable service, and tantalizing aromas set the tone for a meal that is nothing short of spectacular. #BOKAGUAFORTHEWIN

If you go to this place the only thing you can say is that the staff is amicable and nice. The restaurant is beautiful. The music and vibes are good. However, the food is mediocre and the drinks are okay. There prices for the quality of the food is outrageous.

The ambience is great. We had a large party. This is where everything went bad they put a new person to wait on the table and the manager assist at all so we were waiting for about hour for food. We spoke to somebody owners who happened to run into them after the event and they said they would address it which I heard they did so I'll be more than willing to give them another try

LOVEEEE THIS PLACE!! Everything was delicious and the ambiance is so beautiful. Highly recommend!

I really wanted to love this place but I genuinely think its over hyped. My first drink came half empty. The food was mediocre. The concept of Dominican/asian fusion is great however I think the dishes were poorly executed and lacked flavor. The lobster fried rice was bland and lacked lobster and the pieces that were there was over cooked. The oxtail samosas was nothing like what was described on the menu, do not recommend. The short ribs chewy and bland were paired with a puree that was not good (tasted like apple sauce) . The only dish i would remember is the snapper. The food is fairly pricey compared to the portions. decoration is gorgeous and aesthetics are great.

Decor and ambience are cute but the food... I don't know what is going on. In trying to be unique in the expression of the concept they threw things together that don't necessarily go together. The crudo was good but the pieces were too big & the after taste was a bit fishy I don't normally get that fishy taste at like Tao. The shrimp dumplings aren't memorable. The wings were good but cold... the avacado sauce they paired it with adds absolutely nothing to the flavor. The lovster fried rice was good but the sauce they paired it with was cold. & finally mofongo inside a dumpling and a huge piece of chicharon on the outside is backwards. The chicharon inside the dumpling and a mofongo puree wouldve made mor sense. I don't know ‍ I'm just a girl that goes out to eat alot & when places are good I repeat the very next day... I dont want to return. I see the vision but I'm dissapointed. I love me a asian latin fusion specially as a Dominican... I expected so much more & it was below mediocre. The vision is there but the execution of the pairing of flavors misses the taste test. It was a date and I was shook that the food was bad now I can never pick the restaurants again. The lyche martini with coconut was delish. Other than that please reevaluate the menu & bring the food out hot.

Bokagua is a hype aesthetic spot on riverdale. The staff is attentive and friendly. Drinks are tasty and very pretty!! The food is nothing special. We ordered the tuna tartar that came on a "cassava" which tasted like a corn arepa. Later we ordered the steak dish labeled "for 2." The order was a bed of romain lettuce, small basmati rice, small portion of steak Definitely Not for 2 people to Share. The food presentation was pretty but everything was cold. we wouldn't return here for dinner.

Seth, our waiter, was fantastic. We didn't know what to have for drinks and he recommended some great cocktail suggestions. He was very familiar with the menu and provided us with their most popular dishes. He was extremely poised on a very busy night and we even observed him assisting another table with taking the perfect photo of their food and drinks. Food: let's work our way backward from dessert... Guys, the coco enyucao is to die for! Small shares (starters): the spicy tuna tartare and the Caribbean oxtail samosas were Chef's kiss. Large shares (entree): Slow cooked crispy octopus... we asked for lemon and didn't even need to use it, the perfect balance of soft/crispy flavorful octopus! The Jjakang braised short rib, DELISH! They were soft and tender, fell apart with every pull and had a perfect sweet and savory balance with the sweet plantain puree. They added a tostones crumb topper and starfruit slaw that gave the pallet a perfect crunch. The drinks: La Margó was very refreshing with a nice tang to it. The Forest Fire was like a lychee margarita with a nice spicy kick, definitely recommend these two! The aesthetic: it's like stepping into an Asian garden (Picture the plant balconies in Singapore), breathtaking! Perfect for a date night, sexy night out with the girls, or just a chill spot for drinks at the bar. Definitely coming back!

For one thing Everyone should be warned about this place. I was a former underpaid and abused prep cook there. These people take things from the freezer, defrost, back in the freezer, defrost again, maybe use or put back in the freezer. There's almost no freshness whatsoever at this place. The freshest thing available are the drinks that's it. The cooks use spoons that they double dip with or possibly mix with another sauce messing up all of the flavors. They might look good when you first step in but that's nothing compared to what you think you'll experience with the food. Good luck to all who try to stop by.

A party of 7, we went to celebrate my mother's birthday and were sorely disappointed. First the food was bland - the steak was overcooked despite ordering it medium, lobster fried rice flavorless, red snapper over tasteless sauce, the pork belly soft and soggy instead of crunchy, and the list continues. They didn't execute the Dominican basics OR any of the Asian basics well - it was all lackluster. To add insult to injury an expensive dinner took 30 plus minutes to arrive after the first course - we waited patiently, and once it did we were rushed to clear our table and told there was a 90 minute maximum in place (despite their Instagram saying parties of 6 or more had a 2 hour max time) and the main courses taking so long to arrive. I'd mentioned it was a birthday with my reservation and expected to order dessert. After we were told about the time limit it was clear that would not be possible. I am local, I'm Dominican, and I love to support my people. I would have loved to have this spot be in my rotation in the neighborhood but unfortunately it's a major fail. The ambiance is nice but the food and service are awful, which makes it a no, never again for me. Go to Tobalá up the street instead, which is also Dominican owned and risk taking and innovating with their food and space.