Narbona — Restaurant in Boca Raton

Narbona just opened it's 6th (and largest) location worldwide in Boca Raton in the Town Center Circle plaza off Military. It was one of those rare dining experiences where every dish we tried got better and better and better. It was remarkable.

The location is spacious and pristine. Wrapping along the back and sides are stations with a butcher, tons of cheeses, fruits, wines, olive oils, jarred vegetables, crackers, gelato, savory and sweet pastries including empanadas. (All are available to purchase for home and are very reasonably priced, especially the meats). From what our very informative waiter Augustine explained, the reason the food is exemplary is because everything used to cook is grown, created or prepared from Narbona's network of farms, fields and vineyards.

I came into this only knowing it was Urugyuan cuisine. According to Augustine, the original owner was French, and in 1909 he moved to Uruguay and opened the first Narbona resort and vineyard in Carmelo, Uruguay. It was his great-grandson that eventually opened the first three American locations in Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove and Wynwood.

We came for brunch and within 45 minutes we decided we have to come back soon for dinner. The worst thing we tried was the ceviche, and it was great. It had just the right amount of citrusy tartness, combined with enlarged red pepper flakes, very fresh Corvina and crushed plantain chips.

Soft is a word I'm going to use a lot to describe some of these dishes, because some of the protein like the salmon tartare took no effort to eat. They were incredibly soft bites that were mixed with smashed avocados and a wonderful passion fruit sauce that worked very well and balanced out the piscine flavors of the salmon.

The short rib empanadas were one of the best empanadas we've ever had. The shell was perfectly browned, moist and flaky, brimming with slow cooked short rib that just fell apart. The criolla sauce was also notably great. My best guess is it was the homemade olive oil and vinegar that elevated that taste of simple onions, red and green bell peppers, and tomatoes into something greater than its parts.

Different managers walking by all kept mentioning to us Narbona is known to have some of the best sushi in the country. Augustine said the secret to its delicious sticky rice is the method of how the rice is washed and the vinegar they use. Now add the softest tuna I've ever tried, avocados, cream cheese and top that with black caviar, spicy mayo and microgreens, and the manager's hyperbole was still a bit exaggerated but began to make sense. It was delicious.

The key lime pie was made fresh that day. Pleasantly excellent and it achieved that sweet spot where it wasn't too tart or sugary. The crust was clearly homemade as well.

The flan with dulce de leche was on another stratosphere. My wife adores flan. She sometimes scares me with the lines she would cross to find the perfect one. This was it. It was (not surprisingly) soft and rich and mouth-watering, and avoided the gelatinous mistakes of refrigeration. There was a very generous heaping of dulce de leche that went with each spoonful of flan.

The brunch menu may have had 25 items, compared to a much larger dinner menu. In addition, we only tried the sauvignon blanc directly from their vineyard (it was so light and very good). I feel like we just scratched the surface of the dining and drinking we have in store...

I just cannot say enough about the new NARBONA in Boca Raton. From being unexpectedly invited into their soft opening to yesterday's experience has been far beyond any restaurant in South Florida. Immediately, I met with their event coordinator, Natasha, and booked for a party of twelve on Christmas Day. Being born on Christmas, it has always been a challenge to make our oldest daughter feel special on her birthday. With the help of Jennifer, Natasha and staff NARBONA made yesterday's luncheon an incredible memory for all twelve of us....especially our daughter. We arrived to a restaurant surrounded by classy, gorgeous birthday decor at no expense to us. We were greeted as though we were their family, despite every table already filled with patrons celebrating the holiday. Our table was beautifully decorated and awaiting us. As family members took turns touring their extensive market and gorgeous layout, each area's staff went above and beyond to answer questions and offer samplings. Our family is a loving combination of cultures, and all were very impressed with the varieties of food offerings from exquisite sushi, fresh handmade pasta, delectable gelato and pastries, to empanadas that would rival our oldest son-in-law's mother's. Twelve unique people gave 5-star ratings to their twelve very different meals and continue to rave about an experience far beyond their expectations. I also need to thank Orgnala for the excellent service and impeccable attention to detail as our server. Finally, although it may be a bit more difficult for us to secure a table in the future, I must encourage you to make it a priority to immerse yourself in NARBONA as soon as you are able. I promise that you will have an...

If you’re craving a culinary world tour without leaving your seat, this spot is your passport to flavor heaven. Let’s start with the pizza—a thin-crust masterpiece that’s crispy, chewy, and topped with ingredients so fresh, they might have just been plucked from someone’s backyard. It’s the kind of pizza that ruins all other pizza for you. Forever.

Next up: the skirt steak. Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, it’s cooked to perfection and pairs beautifully with their chimichurri sauce. Pro tip: you’ll want to order one for now and one for “later,” though chances are “later” won’t last past the car ride home.

For sushi fans, the Dragon Roll is a showstopper. It’s got everything—flavor, texture, and just the right amount of flair to make you feel like a sushi connoisseur. And if you’re looking for decadence, don’t skip the truffle pasta. Rich, indulgent, and comforting, it’s a dish that hugs you from the inside. Dessert? The molten chocolate cake is a gooey, chocolaty finale you’ll be dreaming about for days.

Don’t forget about Jorge at the ice cream stand. So many flavors. So many options. So delicious!!! 😋

Now let’s talk vibe. Seating is right in the heart of the restaurant, with a lively buzz all around you. Prefer a side of fresh air? They’ve got outdoor seating too, where you can soak in the atmosphere as people stroll by on their way to grab deli goodies, drinks, coffee, and desserts from the other sections of this foodie paradise.

In short, this place nails it on all fronts: food, ambiance, and an experience that keeps you coming back for more. Highly...