Ministry of Foodies Review
Cuisine: Spanish
Average price per person:30€
Environment: 8.5/10
Food: 8.5/10
Service: 8/10
Other: Gluten-free options, Vegetarian options
Website: https://restaurante.covermanager.com/bokaxankla-bar/
Madrid has never struggled with bars. Choosing between them, however, is where things become slightly more complicated. Around Chamberí and the wider Ponzano area, new openings appear with alarming frequency, each promising elevated tapas and reinvented classics. Bokaxankla Bar enters this increasingly crowded category with a relatively straightforward proposition: quality ingredients, familiar Spanish dishes and a more contemporary approach to the neighbourhood bar experience.
I visited on a Saturday night with friends.
Location / Environment
Located on Calle de Ríos Rosas, right on Ponzano, Bokaxankla benefits from one of Madrid’s most reliable dining areas. Chamberí has gradually become one of the city’s safer bets for eating out: lively enough to feel energetic, but generally less frantic than some central districts.
Inside, Bokaxankla balances traditional bar elements with a more contemporary setup. The atmosphere feels casual and social without becoming overly designed. The atmosphere suits casual dinners, after-work drinks and group meals particularly well. The service is efficient, casual, although not particularly attentive.
Bokaxankla Bar – Menu
The menu at Bokaxankla feels built around a concept Madrid understands particularly well: taking classic Spanish bar dishes and giving them slightly more attention without losing what made them good in the first place.
There are smaller tapas, as well as some larger sharing dishes on the menu. The overall direction feels Mediterranean with a recognisably Spanish foundation, but there are enough contemporary touches to prevent it from feeling predictable.
Bokaxankla Bar – Food
The first thing we tried were the boquerones, a type of anchovy traditional in tapas bars. Good version of a classic dish with a lot of oil to dip the tasty bread we got with it.
Next, the Super Gilda, a larger version of a traditional gilda, with different anchovies, peppers and olives that is big enough to share.
The ensaladilla rusa with tuna belly was one of the better versions I have tried. The tuna introduces extra richness and depth without forcing the dish away from what people already expect it to be.
The meatballs Bourguignon was one of my favorite dishes. The rich wine sauce coated the soft meatballs and we dipped endless bites of bread into the dish. The sauce is what really makes the difference in this dish.
Classic patatas bravas with flavourful brava and aioli sauce. Good execution without being extraordinary.
The steak tartare was absolutely delicious. Excellent texture, juicy meat and balance between acidity and spice. I would definitely go back for this and the meatballs.
Finally, we got a lemon tart for dessert as well as some truffles with oil and salt. Both were very tasty and I particularly enjoyed the lemon cream and the base of the tart.
Conclusion
Bokaxankla Bar takes recognisable Spanish dishes, applies a more contemporary approach and places them in a neighbourhood already known for eating and socialising well. For diners looking for a casual yet high-quality restaurant in Chamberí, Bokaxankla offers a menu with broad appeal and enough personality to distinguish itself from standard neighbourhood bars. Consistency, good ingredients and a lively room are enough. Definitely worth a visit.
Visit: May 2026