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Zocalo Boston Reviews List
Zocalo Boston
Contemporary Mexican cuisine based on traditional culinary recipes. The outstanding food, impeccable service & vibrant decor offers an unforgettable experience for all.
See more Zocalo Boston details
100 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 100 reviews
5 stars
(19)
4 stars
(54)
3 stars
(20)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(3)
Food
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(34)
- neighborhood gem(32)
- good for groups(31)
- great for outdoor dining(21)
- vibrant bar scene(21)
- great for lunch(17)
Zocalo Boston Reviews List
Review 1 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
great food!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food at Zocalo. Guacamole is terrific as well as the drinks!"
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Not prepared on Mother's Day
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I took my wife and 18 month old son to Zocalo for Mother's Day brunch. The promise of a three course fixed price menu plus music was enough to entice me to try out a new restaurant. When we arrived the hostess took 10 minutes to find a high chair for my son. After being seated the waitress did not know there was a special menu for Mother's Day. She returned to tell me that the owner was on his way to the restaurant and would print out the menus when he arrived. 20 minutes later we saw the Mother's Day menu for the first time - by the time our food arrived, my wife and I were doing shifts outside with our son such that we couldn't enjoy our meal together. Thankfully the music arrived toward the end of our visit."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My go-to restaurant!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I've been to Zocalo (Boston) at least 7 times within the last 11 months and have spread the love to everyone. Every friend that wants to try a new place, I take them to Zocalo.
They have the best guacamole and margaritas outside of Mexico, and the service is terrific! The carnitas are quite popular as well."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Yummy food & great fun
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The fresh guacamole lives up to its reputation, and the serving is generous. I often try chicken mole at Mexican restaurants - Zocalo had a nice twist using duck breast rather than chicken with their mole. The serving size again was generous and the duck was moist, tender and juicy. My friend had a pork dish that was also fall-apart tender and bursting with flavor. Fun, energetic vibe and lots of happy people - who wouldn't be with such great food and margaritas?"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fantastic!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This gem of a restaurant is just too good not to rave about. I went with some friends for brunch and it was just great. The Blood Mary I ordered was delish despite not being on the menu. The food was really fantastic. My boyfriend and I boy tend to eat vegetarian (though we are not actually vegetarians) and this place is SUPER accommodating. Basically, if you see something on the menu that you'd like to have made vegetarian, just ask and they're usually happy to do it! Our more meat-inclined friends were extremely happy with they're dishes as well.
Oh and the Guac is divine and made to order. So, so good! Love this place."
Dined on 4/27/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Guacamole and chips are just
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Guacamole and chips are just the best around!"
Dined on 04/25/2013
2003
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 7 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was good--not exceptional,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was good--not exceptional, but good. The restaurant was so noisy that it was unpleasant to be there--not a good scene for a pleasant dinner."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2010
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Review 8 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food and great service.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great food and great service. Amazing guacamole."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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Review 9 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I brought ten out-of-town
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I brought ten out-of-town business associates here for an early dinner as they had reqested Mexican. It was so early that the place was empty yet so were our drinks. Twice, we had to flag the waiter down for re-fills. He seemed uninterested in us (perhaps we weren't cool enough) even though he had very few tables to service. Everyone liked the food and the ambience but I won't bring a pack of well-heeled business folks there again."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2007
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 10 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
service was very slow but
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"service was very slow but it was restaurant week so I'm not sure if that was the cause. Once the food got there it was great. The guac was not oversold - it was incredible and when the server took it before we were done, she gave us a whole extra batch to bring home."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 11 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
The food tasted very bland;
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food tasted very bland; nothing was seasoned. Service was very, very fast. We got our entrees while still eating our appetizers."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 12 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was to expensive
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was to expensive for average Mexican. The highlight was the guacamole, but not enough chips to eat it and no one offered to get me more chips."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups
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Review 13 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Delicious food but ambience lacking
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was delicious! The guacamole was unbelievable. We made reservation through open table. I was surprised we were given a table in the basement section. Ambience was similar to eating in your friends basement which didn't fit the prices on the menu. Air conditioning was either blowing super cold air or nothing. The service was great! I would recommend that when you go - which you should for food and service - be sure to ask for a table upstairs!!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining
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Review 14 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was great, service was
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was great, service was as good and atmosphere was good."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Really enjoyed our birthday
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Really enjoyed our birthday brunch there with 16 of our friends. Great food and drinks and location."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch, special occasion
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Review 16 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Really good vegetarian options
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went to Zocalo for a friend's birthday on a Friday night and we had a really good experience. The food was excellent, the service was efficient and fast without making us feel rushed. My wife and I are vegetarians and we had a reasonable number of options to pick from in terms of choices. Their main course Lasagna with cheese is a must try if you are a vegetarian and for starters dont miss the sangria and the guacamole. Would certainly go back !"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 17 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
My husband and I decided to
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My husband and I decided to try this restaurant after seeing it on the list for Restaurant Week. Looking at the menu online, it seemed like they had some authentic Mexican dishes and we were interested to try them out. Overall, the food was good, but really it is very overpriced. Based on the location and price, we were expecting a little more creativity with the dishes."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2012
Special Features: late-night find
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Review 18 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was pretty good but
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was pretty good but the service was not great. The waitstaff forgot about us and after 45 minutes (post meal) we had to ask for our check."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2009
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Review 19 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Sitting downstairs did not
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Sitting downstairs did not provide very much atmosphere.
Food was warm not hot when served
Had previously been to the sister restaurant in Cambridge and had a better experience"
Food was warm not hot when served
Had previously been to the sister restaurant in Cambridge and had a better experience"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2012
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Review 20 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 21 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Guacamole prepared per order-outsta
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Guacamole prepared per order-outstanding! I am Cuban and the flan dessert,nothing short of magical! The only negative comment is there needs to be more space between tables so you don't feel like you're double dating with every other diner."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
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Review 22 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We love having Zocalo in our
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We love having Zocalo in our neighborhood. The food and service are very good. I especially like stopping in for a dessert and drink after going to the theater."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 23 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food and drinks were very
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food and drinks were very good. One note: we had a table for two in the center of the restaurant and it had maybe 6 inches between it and the table next two us. When I arrived my friend was already seated and the table was so close I actually thought that we were with the people next to us and almost introduced myself. It was fine as I was just out with a friend but if I had been on a first date or trying to have a conversation that was in any way private I would have been bothered."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2007
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Review 24 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was great on a very windy,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was great on a very windy, snowy night in Boston."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 25 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Date Spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Went their on a date recently and it was a great atmosphere and fun place to go. Highly recommend it and make sure to order a Margarita"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
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Review 26 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Mexican in the Back Bay
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had been to Ole, their Cambridge location a while back and thought we should try the Back Bay version. I was a little disappointed that I didn't like it as much. It was nice enough but I think I'll stick to Ole instead."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 27 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I've twice had the opportunity
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I've twice had the opportunity to eat at Zocalo and find that it's a rare gem in a large city relatively devoid of good Mexican restaurants. Classic dishes like chile relleno get the most subtle of foodie enhancements that you would expect from a trendy Boston restaurant. That is to say, nothing is added that takes away from the flavor or from what you expected from the dish, but new ingredients are introduced in seamlessly tasty ways. Diners are treated to relatively generous complimentary chips and an irresistible spicy-sweet salsa. In the summertime, try to get an outdoor seat!"
Dined on 02/19/2013
2012
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 28 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
My friend and I went for a
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My friend and I went for a late brunch on a Saturday so the atmosphere was probably very different than at typical dining hours. Regardless, the food was wonderful - delicious, voluminous and very reasonably priced. The chips and salsa for the table was amazing with probably the best salsa I have ever had. I definitely hope to go back, hopefully at more peak hours to see what this place is like at its best."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: great for brunch, great for lunch
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Review 29 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Not your standard "Mexican"
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Not your standard "Mexican" restaurant: wonderful masa appetizers/small plates (tamales, etc). Highly recommend the seafood dishes."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, late-night find
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Review 30 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Horribly
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Odd that a restaurant famed for it's guacamole would have none available midday because "the avocados aren't ready yet" though a bowl of 20+ ripe avocados stands less than three feet away. Also, no vegetarian options listed on the menu were available because "they're all out" and the kitchen somehow had no way of making anything with vegetables. The server even argued with another as to whether or not to take our table, in-fighting on the floor of the restaurant in view of customers... not a great way to start a meal after braving the wind and snow. Either the staff, servers, or managers lack competence... or perhaps all, but at any case I shall not dine here again."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2006
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Review 31 for Zocalo Boston
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Solid Mexican restaurant.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Solid Mexican restaurant. Food was good. Tight seating on a Sat night but that wasn't too bad. Good, but I've been to better in Boston."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2010
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Zocalo Boston
Based on the average of (69) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
12 out of 12 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic