Bocca

Old school elegance at one of the city’s long-standing Italian restaurants 13 Reviews

Meal Deal

Bocca

Enjoy a savoury lunch of antipasti, pasta, desserts, juices and grape beverages made from 100 percent certified organic ingredients. Visit the farmers market offering a variety of organic products for sale. Dhs299 per person, Dhs149 for children from six-12, children under six eat for free Timings: Noon-4pm (Friday)

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UPDATE: Bice in Hilton Abu Dhabi is now called Bocca

Although competition among Italian restaurants in the capital is stiffer than a breadstick, old-timer Bice still manages to hold its own. The menu has plenty of old school flair, with rich, creamy pastas, steaks, seafood and olive oil-drizzled salads all on the menu, each dish made with premium ingredients and elegantly prepared. Highlighted options make the menu easy to navigate for vegetarians, those with allergies or anyone on a diet – that said, the chef rarely holds back on butter, cheese or cream so Bice isn’t the place to eat carefully. Staff treat you like it’s a special occasion each time you visit, while the dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, artistic black and white photography and formal tableware all add to the restaurant’s classic fine dining atmosphere. It’s slightly overpriced, and bite for bite you could certainly get better value at some of the city’s other, more innovative Italian eateries. But part of Bice’s draw is its good old fashioned charm – and you can’t put a price on that.

By Time Out Abu Dhabi staff
Time Out Abu Dhabi, 11 May 2011

• Previous reviews
  • 01 November,2012- reviewed by Time Out staff
  • 30 October,2012- reviewed by Time Out Abu Dhabi staff
  • 15 December,2010- reviewed by Time Out Abu Dhabi staff
  • 22 December,2009- reviewed by Time Out Abu Dhabi staff
  • 01 January,2009- reviewed by Time Out Abu Dhabi staff

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Hani Bakr on 30 May ' 12 at 09:06

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

It is a great place.

It is not a traditional Italian restaurant, you know the one with shelves and antiques or wine bottles put on it but still wonderful.

I believe the selection of table size, design of chair and indirect light were excellent - 100% no flaw.

When it comes to the food, it was great. No flaw.

What I did not like are two things. The electric piano was loud that with the crowd around us I had to raise my voice. The other thing is that smoking is allowed every where.

Posted by: Giorgia D'Andreta on 23 Oct ' 11 at 14:26

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Valentina on 20 Oct ' 11 at 10:16

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Valentina on 20 Oct ' 11 at 10:16

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Jan Moenkedieck on 05 Jun ' 11 at 08:11

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Jan Moenkedieck on 05 Jun ' 11 at 08:02

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

From: Jan Moenkedieck (General Manager - Hilton Abu Dhabi)

In reponse to Mr McNeill's review, my team and I regret that we were unable to satisfy the McNeill's during their recent visit and will strive to improve on the feedback provided to us.

It is a concern to us to learn that Mr McNeill is a chef of a competitor Italian restaurant but are delighted that his restaurant has decided to recruit our BiCE chef for their operations on Yas Island.

We trust that some of the BiCE success will now be spread to improve the Italian dining options in Abu Dhabi.

Posted by: Shane Macneill on 23 Mar ' 11 at 15:52

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The worst Italian food I have ever tasted. After living in Milan for three years I have come to understand the excellent quality of food that can be produced from an Italian kitchen. It is not dry Vitello Tonato, Soggy Calamari with spicy tomato sauce (it was then served with 3 sauces and the spicy tomato sauce was not spicy at all and was like a pizza sauce) Chefs veal escalope I felt was pre cooked and served warm with an msg type sauce. The pizza was then served and to be honest you could wrap it around a football in one piece. After sending it back twice it made little difference and to add insult to injury my wife tried to have a conversation with the manager only to be told about the pizza "It's like this, I know I am Italian". The sommelier then pouring the wine and spun it in the glass like a washing machine, no elegance what so ever. The bill was then 750 dirham.
Anyway we were happy to leave but after following time out religously since september we will be careful as to where we book in the future.
I have been working as a chef for 15 years and understand that sometimes the most simple of things can just be too difficult for some cooks. Food for thought!

Posted by: JW on 29 Nov ' 10 at 12:18

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

This restaurant is far better than Frankies... pls think about it... ask for cheff Marco to join you in the table, je is very nice and this is a way for you to get sm free ;) like a nice panacotta from the cheff ;)

Posted by: private on 18 Nov ' 10 at 17:44

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Good Good GOOD
Best restaurant on town

Posted by: Carry on 08 Nov ' 10 at 20:55

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Every time I visit Abu Dhabi we love to eat here before flying home. Great ambience and the food is always totally delicious . Recently had the most divine chocolate souffle.Wow!

Posted by: Jose on 06 Nov ' 10 at 09:02

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Me like it lot, food maravillosa!! service like in Europe... thanks Bice, love italians

Posted by: G.William on 05 Nov ' 10 at 17:25

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

This is one of my favourites Italian... love Marcho and Alessandro, always remeber my name and my preferences!!! They should have win over Prego´s... what were you thinking... prego´s NOOOOOOO!! (same filling reg. Frankis)...

Posted by: Princess on 26 Feb ' 09 at 12:19

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The best ambiance for a romantic dinner with a loved one, be it family or your partner. Not to mention that Hilton is always the BEST!