A legacy of 12 long years
Dubai’s dining scene is set to say goodbye to one of its most influential tables. BOCA, the sustainability-focused Modern Spanish restaurant in the Dubai International Financial Centre, will close on March 31, 2026, ending a near 12-year chapter in DIFC that helped redefine responsible dining in the UAE.
The home-grown concept first opened in 2014 and quickly became a reference point for eco-conscious hospitality in a city better known for excess than restraint. In a statement shared on Instagram, the team confirmed the restaurant will ‘conclude its chapter in DIFC’ with its final service taking place at the end of March next year.
Long before sustainability became an industry buzzword, BOCA was championing soil-first sourcing, seasonality in a desert climate and closer relationships with local farmers and producers.
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Over the past decade, it evolved beyond a dining room into a platform for ideas – spotlighting climate resilience, responsible sourcing and regional food systems. Its philosophy centered on proving that a restaurant in Dubai could celebrate pleasure while embracing environmental impact and discipline.
“This journey was never ours alone,” the team shared, crediting hundreds of chefs, farmers, growers, suppliers, sommeliers, mixologists and collaborators who shaped the restaurant’s direction, alongside loyal guests who “supported, challenged and celebrated” with them.
BOCA’s closure comes at a high point. The restaurant is listed in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2024 selection and is a recipient of the coveted MICHELIN Green Star, recognising its leadership in sustainable gastronomy.
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It also won the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2025 at the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, where it ranked 12th in the 2025 list, and holds a one-toque rating in Gault&Millau UAE 2025. Not bad for a restaurant that set out to question how food could be sourced, served and celebrated in the region.
While the DIFC location will close, this is not necessarily the end of BOCA’s story. The team confirmed that conversations are underway and that the thinking and partnerships developed over the past decade will “carry forward into what comes next”.
For now, there are just over a few weeks left to book a table and revisit its signature Modern Spanish plates, carefully sourced wines and that quietly confident, laidback sophistication that defined its space.
If you’ve been meaning to go, consider this your sign. March 31, 2026 will mark the last service at BOCA in DIFC – and the end of one of Dubai’s most quietly revolutionary dining rooms.
Image credit: @bocadubai
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
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