BoCo – a pizza lover’s paradise

Open spaces surrounded by cages

BoCo is nestled nicely on the upper end of Capel Street, on the northside of Dublin, with the Italian diner and bar situated directly across from Tech University Dublin’s engineering school. You might wonder if some of the inspiration behind BoCo’s unique interior stems from the engineering school, as it boasts large premises, where tables are shadowed by chain panelling and exposed brick walls. The lighting bounces against the silver and metallic surfaces, giving a futuristic feel to this Italian joint. BoCo is not without its competitors, as Dublin’s Italian quarter resides a mere five minutes away, which is a testament to the fact that it’s near full every night of the week.

A game changer

BoCo truly embraces the Neapolitan style of pizza cooking and endorses the fresh ingredients required to create a genuine artisan pizza. The pepperoni pizza is certainly big enough to split with your guest. It features silky, spicy chilli oil, with paper thin crusts. There’s also a healthy dose of rocket thrown over, showcasing a true artisan pizza.

The pizzas from BoCo are all made with fresh dough, under a wood-fire French pizza oven, giving it a continental style feel to the food. Of course, BoCo also cater for vegetarians with an equally good offering of pizzas. Prices run from €12-€15, so you won’t need to break the bank for a slice of Italian goodness.

The small plates are fantastic too, with tender meatballs surrounded by a hearty tomato sauce, generously sprinkled with parmesan a delightful way to start the meal. Furthermore, BoCo wood fires its garlic pizza bread and again tops this with parmesan. If you’re into your Italian cheeses, BoCo is a must for you.

A special mention to the wood-fire wings, which create a seriously crispy skin, followed by a superbly tenderised inside. The homemade blue cheese is a brilliant pairing for the wings and a testament to the commitment to use fresh and well sourced ingredients.

Drinks for days

The ideal balance for any decent bar is to have a good range of drinks, starting at low prices, and ranging up to standard restaurant prices. This gives students and workers alike a chance to enjoy themselves regardless of whether they’re waiting for their next paycheque, or they want to go all out on some fancy cocktails. BoCo has nailed this, with an extensive drinks menu.

If you want to stick with your authentic Italian beers, both Peroni and Birra Moretti are available on tap and out of an ice-cold bottle. However, the crème de la crème is the brilliant wine and cocktail offerings. BoCo makes an unbelievably mean Margarita cocktail (we’re sure their pizza is a good choice too) as well as up to 19 further cocktails and spritzers! The wine can be paired eloquently with any pizza, and the staff are more than happy to recommend a match.

We at Dish Cult would go for a pairing of their No. 5 pizza, featuring roasted garlic oil, feta, and honey pine nuts, with a French Beaujolais “69 Maison Coquard”. Enjoy!