Boqueria Brings Barcelona-Style Tapas to Lower Broadway

Highly anticipated Spanish tapas stalwart Boqueria officially opens on Monday, February 21 at downtown’s behemoth dining and retail destination Fifth + Broadway. This six-acre space has offered exciting new dining options to downtown visitors since opening last March, and the next on tap is tapas restaurant Boqueria.

The Nashville menu offers the Barcelona-style tapas that the New York-based restaurant is most known for, such as pan con tomate, grilled octopus, patatas bravas, and Spanish tortilla. The seafood splendor paella de mariscos is another menu standout, featuring bomba rice, monkfish, sepia, squid, shrimp, clams, mussels, saffron and salsa verde. Two family-style “chef’s menu” options top the menu: a spread of Boqueria favorites ($52 per person) and the Boqueria experience — a collection of favorites plus seasonal offerings and a taste of the 30-month-aged, hand-carved Jamón Ibérico ($65 per person).

Nashville cocktail expert (White Limozee, Patterson House) Demi Natoli was the brainchild behind the seasonal cocktail menu, which currently offers a cafecito old-fashioned and margarita de hibisco picante. There are also several sangrias, a winter gin and tonic, a shishito margarita, and plenty of beer and wine to accompany the tapas adventure. See the full menu here.

Rey Lopez

Located at 5005 Broadway Place, just steps away from the Ryman, Nashville’s Boqueria outpost spans 6,800-square-feet and seats 150. The restaurant celebrates the lively communal spirit of tapas and small plates with ample space for large groups — something Nashville just happens to have a lot of in the form of bachelorettes, who will likely enjoy Boqueria’s rainbow of large-format sangria options. It boasts a spacious patio facing 5th Avenue and the Ryman Auditorium.

Inside, there’s an Imperial Danby white marble bar with black-glazed tiles highlighting traditional Spanish wines and beers. The large open dining room is anchored by the glowing tapas bar and large open kitchen. Bar-height seating and several large communal tables contribute to Boqueria’s shared dining experience.

Digital Love

Since first opening in New York 15 years ago, the Spanish tapas chain has expanded to several other locations, including Washington D.C. and Chicago. “When first looking at Nashville as our newest location, we were inspired by locals’ deep sense of community. Opening a tapas restaurant that would bring more variety to the downtown dining scene, while contributing to its festive atmosphere, felt like a natural move,” said Yann de Rochefort, founder and CEO of Boqueria, in a press release.

Boqueria Nashville will be open Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Boqueria will accept both reservations and walk-ins for dinner, lunch, and brunch service. Reservations can be made online at resy.com/cities/bna/boqueria-nashville or by calling 615-245-7160.