Bocado

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“15 years ago, there was a Spanish restaurant tucked away in Shanghai's former French Concession called Bocado. From the complimentary bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to its unforgettable squid ink seafood paella, every meal carried the warmth and passion that made Spanish dining so special. I used to go there several times a month, and to this day, it remains my benchmark for Spanish cuisine. Spanish wines were never outrageously expensive. They were approachable, fruit-forward, and slightly sweet. During winter, they'd even serve a comforting cup of mulled wine infused with cinnamon and citrus—a simple gesture that made Shanghai's cold evenings feel a little warmer. So when I heard there was a Bocado in Kuala Lumpur, I was genuinely excited. Whether it was nostalgia or simply an emotional attachment to the name, my expectations were high. Naturally, I ordered the seafood paella. RM150—before GST and service charge. When it arrived, I counted: two tiger prawns, two mussels, a few rings of squid... and I couldn't help but laugh. This wasn't the Bocado I remembered. Maybe my memory had romanticized it over the years. Maybe I ordered the wrong dish. But what surprised me even more was the bread. There was no olive oil. No balsamic vinegar. Not even butter. Just... bread. For me, that small detail represented something much bigger. Hospitality often begins before the first bite. I also ordered the Spanish potato omelette (Tortilla Española). It wasn't bad—it just wasn't memorable. It was the kind of dish you finish without having anything to say about it. Of course, taste is subjective. Service, however, belongs to everyone. The staff were polite enough, but there was none of the warmth, energy, or effortless hospitality that I associate with Spain. It's a Spanish Restaurant! Lets the flamenco passion warm up the room! By the end of the meal, my conclusion was simple: It has a Spanish name, but not the Spanish spirit. Perhaps if I'd never experienced the original Bocado in Shanghai, I would have walked away thinking it was a decent Spanish restaurant. But the toughest competition any restaurant faces isn't another restaurant. It's the memory of what it once made you feel.”

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“Bocado exceeded my expectations. The food was authentic, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, especially the grilled items and seafood, which were cooked to perfection. The atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed, making it a wonderful place for a date night, celebration, or dinner with friends. The service was warm, attentive, and professional, with the staff offering great recommendations throughout the meal. What made the experience even more enjoyable was the lively crowd—stylish, cheerful, and adding to the vibrant ambiance. If you’re looking for excellent Spanish cuisine in Kuala Lumpur, Bocado is definitely worth a visit. Great food, beautiful people, and a memorable dining experience. I’ll certainly be back!”

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“Visited this Spanish restaurant during a weekend for an early dinner at around 6pm without a reservation. We walked in and were initially told that the restaurant was fully booked, with only an outdoor table available. Fortunately, the restaurant manager informed us that an indoor table was available, provided we finished by 8pm as it had been reserved afterwards. Two hours was more than enough for our dinner. We ordered the Gambas al Ajillo, Croquetas de Centollo, Seafood Paella, and Tartar Gallego de Ternera (Wagyu). Overall, the first three dishes were good, with the Gambas al Ajillo being the standout. The Croquetas de Centollo, which is filled with crab meat, was decent but not particularly impressive. The Seafood Paella was flavorful and came with 2 large prawn, although the other seafood, such as the squid, was served in relatively small portions. I would not recommend the cold tapas, Tartar Gallego de Ternera (Wagyu). It was the only dish that did not suit our taste. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience and I think it’s worth a visit.”

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“El Sabor del Compromiso This is a kitchen fighting a losing war against geography. Reviewing the menu, the chef clearly possesses the chops and the raw reverence required to pull off true Spanish gastronomy, but love can’t conjure what the supply chain denies. When a dish cries out for the crisp, bitter snap of fresh white asparagus or the tender heart of a seasonal artichoke, you are instead treated to the muted, metallic compliance of the canned variety. It breaks your heart because you know they know better. Then comes the centerpiece: the paella. It arrives looking spectacular—a vibrant, theatrical masterpiece. But taking an excited spoonful of rice, and the illusion cracks. The *arroz* lacks that deep, oceanic punch; the *caldo de marisco* simply lacks the necessary, reduced intensity. It’s España-Lite. The saving grace? A humble *tortilla española*. It is magnificent—wet, rich, and authentic and the Josper grill does a decent job with the proteins but nothing that's uniquely Iberian. It’s a frustrating three-star experience. The talent is there, but the soul of Spain remains stranded across continents. P.S. A word of warning to the wise: avoid being seated directly beneath the central spiral staircase. As patrons ascend to the upper floors, your dinner will inevitably be peppered with a fine cascade of overhead dust.”

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“Had a lovely lunch at Bocado KL.. Food was really good and the staff were super friendly and attentive. They even surprised me with a small birthday cake when they found out it was my birthday. Really sweet gesture and great experience overall... btw.. love their croquetas so much 😋”

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“One of the best Spanish dining experiences in Malaysia. The food at Bocado was absolutely outstanding, full of authentic flavors and beautifully presented. The service was warm, attentive, and professional from start to finish. The ambience made the entire experience even more special elegant, lively, and perfect for a great evening out. Highly recommended and definitely a place worth coming back to.”

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“We arrived at 6.50 for our 7.00 booking and were quite taken aback at how full the restaurant was for such an early dinner. I should have known it was a marker for what was to come. There were 6 of us, so we managed to sample a large portion of the tapas menu. We had the gambas, the mushroom croquettes, the octopus on a bed of superfine potato mousse, the calamari, the pimientos, and some tomato with tuna belly. The standout dishes were the gambas and the mushroom croquettes. We also ordered the Paella de Marisco, and it did not disappoint. The two tiger prawns were generous, though I’ll admit the dish was on the pricey side. It was, however, quite possibly the tastiest paella in town. The mains arrived and we mostly went for beef. I had the Angus Tenderloin — coming off a Josper Grill, the exterior was beautifully seared while the medium-well inside remained gloriously juicy, with a subtle smokiness lingering on the palate. Very nice indeed. Also on the table was the lamb rack — the Chuletas de Cordero — which drew its fair share of admiration. Dessert was churros to share, and they were simply too thin. No oomph to the bite. Call me old fashioned, but churros need substance. A footnote on the service — it was rapid. The atmosphere was buzzing too. A great spot for a celebration or a special evening”

★★★★★★★★★★via Google

“Gambas Al Ajillo was the star of the meal—fresh shrimp, rich garlic oil, and perfectly toasted bread. A must-order. Mushroom croquettes were decent and enjoyable. Seafood paella tasted good, though the seafood portion was a little small (only two tiger prawns and some squid). Cheesecake was nice too Only downside was the chicken dish, which was a bit dry. Overall, a pleasant dining experience with some standout dishes.”