The best pizza I have ever had! the toppings are always fresh and flavorful, we especially love barbaresco and Adriano pizza. The staff is also very friendly and accommodating And the place is very nice, Thank you Pavi for your attention and recommendations... read more

We all loved our meals. Chris was our server & he was great. Very friendly. We loved the quaint ambiance!

I LOVE Buona Forchetta, it's the closest thing to food in Italy. I've only ever been to the one in South Park so I was excited to try another one of their locations. We ended up ordering three dishes for the table (for 3 people) - the gnocchi with zucchini and pistachio cream, and two pizzas (Sergio & Juna). I'd get all of them again, everything was so flavorful, and the gnocci and pizzas were cooked/baked perfectly. The staff was very friendly and was always checking in on us. Parking is a bit tougher for this location but there is a neighborhood in the back with easier parking spots. read more

Buona Forchetta - Gnocchi - pistachio crema - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

Never disappoints! If you're looking for delicious Italian food + good atmosphere, come here. The pizzas are amazing, the burrata, and any of the pastas. read more

See all

Sunday - October 24th, 2021 11:45 PM/Noonish Came here to celebrate girlfriend K's birthday. We arrived early, but they seated us after majority of the party was here. We had around 7 ladies. We weren't able to sit outdoors in the alley as our party was too big, also looked like it could only seat smaller parties of 2-4. They also had the option right in front of the restaurant, but it was quite sunny and warm. We were seated pretty close to where we walked in, right by where the entrance is to go to the alleyway and the bar. They had some specials that I was eyeing with sadness as I was and am still currently on a calorie-tracking diet (as I got to fit into a dress). Eyeing what my seatmates ate, I plan to order them next time once I'm off the diet! Gnocchi special looked amazing! The risotto with scallops, the scallops being a good size, not the tiny ones! All my seatmates entrees' looked delicious and yummy well. I ordered the toscana insalate as an entree as I did have some food prior to arriving from a housewarming I went to. Grilled chicken in the insalate was soft and tender. Staff also surprised my friend with dessert and we all sang happy birthday to her. The one annoying thing that kept happening while we were eating were the amount of flies that kept flying in our faces or around us while we were eating. I didn't think were were sitting nearby any garbage, but it is kind of annoying to continuously swat while you're eating or talking. Hopefully the restaurant will buy an indoor bug trap to minimize the amount of bugs inside the restaurant. I understand a few bugs, but having 2-3 hours of continuously swatting and waving away from the food was a bit much. There is some construction going on in front of the restaurant, so if you end up coming from the 5 N, be sure that you'll be going down for a bit until you can finally U-Turn. Fair warning also that if you parking under a tree, your car is liable to get dog poop - as that happened to mine! But thankfully it rained the next day (Monday) so I managed to ge that cleaned off. Though the bug experience was kind of minor, I would consider coming back to try their entrees and specials for next time I'm in the area. read more

Our server, Katie, was awesome! she was pleasant and has a great smile. :) She was very attentive and made our visit/dinner enjoyable. We had a few of their pizzas and look forward to trying a pasta dish next time. read more

We got take out which was easy to do on their website. The pasta was to die for, we had the alfredo and the house specialty Buona Forchetta pasta. The flavors were delicate with a bit of tang i enjoyed that. With it being take out it seemed a bit on the smaller side when it comes to portions just with maybe how it was packaged. Ultimately i understand this is better for more of a sit down experience where you're having multiple courses. i'd love to come back and try out some of the appetizers and wine. The hostess was so kind and she went above and beyond to make sure we had what we needed. (silverware, parmesan, chili flakes) Can't wait to return :) read more

Solid four stars. Service was on point. Slightly disappointed with the food. Came here for dinner one night and ordered a few entrées and appetizers to share. You really have to listen to the recommendation of the server, if you order the wrong dish, it will ruin your meal. We initially ordered something and it was not good at all, but the ones that we ordered based on the recommendation of our server turned out great. The pasta dishes were pretty good, although the bounciness of the noodles could be better. Flavors were good. And you can't go wrong with a pizza dish obviously. The calamari appetizer was mediocre. The tiramisu dessert was good but wasn't amazing or anything. Overall I would say the food is three stars and the service we received was definitely five stars. I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. There are definitely better Italian restaurants in town. read more

See all

My family loved our experience at Buona Forchetta. We came here for an early dinner on a Saturday to celebrate my brother's birthday. It was nice - we came before the usual weekend rush, so the restaurant was quiet when we arrived. The interior was cozy and homey. Our server was lovely, recommending a red wine from the daily specials and sharing his favorite items on the menu with us. We started with the calamari and beet salad. The calamari was crispy, but light and the beet salad was a refreshing balance with the entrees. We ordered a variety of pasta, but the standout dish was definitely the pizza. We ordered the Giulia, which comes with mozzarella, spicy salami, onion, sausage, bell pepper, and spicy honey. It was SO GOOD - the crust was thin and chewy, but crispy on the edges, and this particular pizza had the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Since it was my brother's birthday, we ended the meal with a dessert. read more

See all

If you eat gluten free you have to try this gluten free pizza crust. First time I saw it I asked the waiter if they had made a mistake. It's that good. I love the puns on the t shirts, I think it sets the right ambience but that's a personal preference, some might find it corny. The mushroom pasta is the best I've ever had. Of course I wish the servings were larger because it's so delicious. We haven't actually tried that many items on the menu because what we've tried is so good we keep ordering the same dish read more

This one of my favorite spots to stop by for cacio e pepe, calamari & glass of wine. I decided to try this location since I visited the other ones in south parks and Coronado. I'm happy that I did! The food and staff were amazing! :) read more

We were walking by and we decided to stop here to have a quick bite and we were pleasantly surprised! My wife had the Angela pizza and I had the Cioppino, they were delicious! My half Italian wife said the pizza was authentic, which I was personally surprised because she is very picky. I highly recommend and we will definitely be stopping by soon. read more

Food is ok -artichokes are the best thing on the menu! Had the chicken Marsala which was very good but the seafood pasta lack favor and the noodles were mushy read more

I would not say it is a date spot as the decor of the place leaves a lot to desire but pizza is amazing! Service is always quick and the quality is great. read more

Yum! Stopped by because I was selling some stuff at Flashbacks and had a few minutes to kill. The windows are filled with insane looking combos of pizza. Had to walk in and spent around $6 for a generous slice of what looked like focaccia with artichokes, prosciutto and mozzarella on red sauce with balsamic. They put it in their pizza oven to get all warm & lovely, then drizzled the top with EVOO and more balsamic glaze before slicing the slice in 1/2 for easy eating. I thought this would be like a focaccia - soft and bready. It was not. The bottom was super crispy and the top was cloud like. Nothing heavy about this. The flavors melded perfectly and there was just the right amount of everything. Absolute perfection. And the one slice was plenty. I was starving and am now full. Should have tried this place sooner but will definitely be back! The service was fast and friendly too. Not much of a vibe but it does have some tables to eat there. Perfect for a walking around snack! read more

Bolognese was mostly tomato paste. Amatriciana was bland. I don't get the appeal of this place. I guess diners have never had good Italian food? read more

Our new favorite local restaurant. Our server, Antonella was excellent and the food was perfect. We split a salad then shared a pizza. The pizza was very tasty - you could tell all the ingredients were top notch - the tomatoes and pepperoni were especially good. We loved every bite and will be back for sure. read more

Buona Forchetta - Best pizza! - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

Love this place but it can be very noisy. We had lunch on what we thought was a quiet mid week in February. A big group of 10 was seated next to us. We moved! Thankfully they were not loud & very respectful of the small space. Service was great but the poor waiter was the only one in a full restaurant. He had excellent support staff. Food was delicious as always. read more

We loved our Italian dinner Buona! The food is so fresh and delicious. Great team service approach and very friendly staff. read more

See all

They don't take reservations. Excellent pizza and pasta. The pizza is Neapolitan style which means it is 1. Very thin crust in the center 2. Tasty chewy edges 3. Baked in a very hot oven which produces the "leopard spots" of char on the underside; 4. Kind of soupy near the center. My mother ordered the Ekaterina pizza which had salmon on it - not very good We ordered the salami and sausage pizza that was very good and even better eaten cold the next AM We ordered the calamari fritti that was so light; IDK what they do the flour coating but it's was perfect. The brussel sprouts that came with bacon was seriously good; my mother even liked it! Tiramisu to finish the meal read more

Buona Forchetta is my favorite Italian food in San Diego - it may be my favorite Italian food that I've tried outside of Italy! The Encinitas location in particular is quaint with a cozy covered side patio and friendly staff. The food is DELICIOUS - as someone who can't eat gluten, I absolutely couldn't believe it the first time I tried their gluten free pizza, it is 1000% the best gluten free pizza I've ever had. Family and friends who have compared their gluten to gluten free crust can't taste a difference. The Nicola pizza is my favorite. They also have amazing gluten free pasta options, even gnocchi! The artichoke dish is incredible as an appetizer too. In addition to gluten free options, they have a number of vegan options as well. I have never had something from Buona Forchetta that I didn't enjoy, I can't recommend it enough! read more

SUPER vegan friendly. Not only vegan ... but delicious vegan ITALIAN options. The service was super friendly and fantastic. The pizza is a must. The shared vegan veggie plate was underwhelming but the rest was amazing. Have a free birthday dessert as well, very cute place! read more

Buona Forchetta - Vegan pesto and veggie pizza - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

Quick pizza served in under 10 minutes. Ordered it in a way they a didn't think of and no problem! Thin in middle and bubbly thick edges. Soft pizza. Definitely not fast food type. Another plus real silverware and glassware! Carafe of water delivered to the table. Excellent service. read more

This is a super casual, appeared to be "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant at least where we came in and was seated but maybe it's bigger on the other side? Anyway it doesn't matter. Super casual, delicious fresh food. Tried a pizza and some of their house made pasta (only a few types are so make sure you choose the fresh pasta). Enjoyed the chocolate mousse and tiramisu. Would definitely return for what I expect is consistently great food read more

See all

The soggiest pizza I've had in a long time. Just practically inedible unless you like squishy soggy bread with ingredients on top. Not sure what happened. Also service wasn't great, the only time we spoke to our server was when we placed an order and when he brought us our check. read more

It pains me so bad to write a negative review because the original BF location in South Park was my go-to birthday dinner request every year. The food used to be spectacular. I was so excited to try the Enci location and was so disappointed. Our server was not very friendly and messed up our order twice. The food runners were loud and aggressive. Drink: thought I was getting a fun gin drink bc it was under cocktails on the menu but it was literally gin and a pre bottle mixer (they gave me the rest of the mixer, I've bought this before at gelsons) Pizza: soggy, cold and blah Pasta: Al dente which I love but just basic Caprese: nothing special Brussels sprouts: soaked in vinegar, soggy I was also disappointed in the liberty station location, I feel like after BF expanded the quality declined. :/ I'll give it a last shot again but sadly this may be my last time. read more

Service was okay; around a 20 minute wait to get a table, but the vibe inside was nice. However, the food was lacking. Attached below is the Juno "pizza", which was one of the worst pizzas I've ever had. The pasta was very good, though. After asking the waitress if the pizzas normally are like this, she was unsympathetic and said they all are made this way and walked away. Would not come back. read more

Came back here recently on my birthday in early June. Service was still spectacular. They accommodated our big group and gave us the small room in the back. The service was still amazing. The food was still awesome. Our friends were amazed at the quality of food, especially we had just been to Sardegna together last summer. Felt like we were back in Italy and Buona Forchetta still does a fabulous Napoletana pizza.!! which you can't find as easy in Sardegna. lol . I love the pizza.!! Friends had seafood risotto. Amazeballs!! And friends also said the Ravioli vodka was the best they'd ever had. read more

Very authentic and fresh Itialian , Service was spot on good wine selection too. Pretty nice inside read more

See all

I have been here many times. Usually a good experience. However, the last time I came, everything seem to be messed up from the host to the service to the food. First of all the hostess was quite rude. We got there at 5 PM hoping TO HOP ON A TABLE. EVEN IF IT WAS ON THE PATIO OUTSIDE. There were multiple tables open, and yet the hostess said it would take a while for us to get a seat. I did not understand why and when I asked her, she looked at me in a dumb way and pretty much avoided answering my question. Anyway, we got sat down and I was sat down right next to the kitchen with the door, banging into my chair. Every time they ran out. Probably one of the worst seats in the house and they were many tables open.. We were sitting for quite a while before the server came up to us. The service was very aggressive and jumped to offer the most expensive bottle of wine when I asked for a good read. He also did not give me time to review it, and seem to want me just to order. My friend asked for a good glass of white and of course, it was the most expensive white glass.. Calamari was soaked in oil, it was not crispy at all. We ordered the carrot salad, which I always like. Dressing is good. I ordered the special Seabass and it was very chewy. Not very good. My friend ordered the pasta which is usually always good. Server came by at the end after waiting quite a bit, and proceeded to ask for my credit card. He did not even show me an itemized receipt and I asked him. I am glad I reviewed it since he double charged me for the wine. I definitely did not like the service. I do not like the hosting. I am not sure I'll be back and that is sad for me to say. Or I'll be going to other locations instead. I'll have to see how I feel. read more

This place is simply not good. The spinach in the salad was brown and rotting and the pasta (gnocchi and lasagna) was middle of the road in quality. My 5 jumbo shrimp ranged in temperature from room temperature to slightly cool. They served us room temperature Encinitas tap water in a plastic carafe. Our waitress took the order and never again acknowledged our existence, never once checking to see if the food was good or if we needed anything else. She came back to deliver the check. In short, save your money. Whoever said that this is "authentic" Italian cuisine went to all the wrong places in Italy. read more

4.5 stars review? Really? We went there for pizza and pasta. How could they go wrong? The margarita pizza was soggy and the bolognese pasta was dry and tasteless. I have been to Napoli and love their thin pizza but this ain't it. Sorry. Will never go back. read more

After my last review I was contacted by the management team and they wanted to know the details and were concerned about my experience. I have to say you don't see people reach out anymore like this and they were very understanding and tried to rectify the issue. I appreciate businesses that are looking to improve the service and value their customers. I will definitely give this location a try again. read more

Buona Forchetta - Way too much onion!!! - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

I gave up dinner to a really nice italian restaurant nearby to go here since I saw all the great reviews. Well first of all the ambiance is a hole in the wall and outside was quite noisy the people next to us were so loud as the seating is very close. Ambiance well I felt too dressed up as it is very casual the chairs were uncomfortable the whole setting was a small table barely could fit the pizza, pasta and salads waiter had to keep taking things off well i wanted to ejoy my food together. ALso the kitchen is right there and you hear the loud silverware etc. I ordered the Beet salad way too much dressing and cheese so I could barely eat it. Gluten free pizza with the proosciutto which gave me stabbing stomach pain after and the bolognese which I could have done without. I ordered pesto on the side with extra tomato sauce since the pizza did not have barely any. I was really disappointed and would not go back. Also note stomach was upset for 2 days. read more

AMAZING! Pesto gnocchi is always a banger, don't miss the ravioli specials (sausage porcini alfredo was phenomenal) and can't forget a traditional Neapolitan pizza. Chefs kiss. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients! Hearty portion sizes of pasta are great to share family style. Enjoyed this spot since it opened and the last visit was the best to date! read more

Great food and service here. I really enjoyed the Tagliere Misto as an appetizer. My entree was the create your own pasta with Amatriciana sauce and was also pretty good. I would definitely come back here. read more

Buona Forchetta - Tagliere Misto - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

See all

The food was amazing and Bella was so sweet and super attentive!! Always knew when to be at the table without being overbearing. We will definitely be back! read more

This is the best Italian restaurant! Delicious gourme homemade well priced food and portions. Impeccable service from Katie and John. Can't wait to return to try other menu items. Sure all are excellent. Thank you! read more

Overall, amazing! We had a to wait since we were walk ins, they told us 30 mins and it was about 30 mins which we appreciated the transparency. The pizzas were incredible and we also got calamari! Very yummy and crispy. The service was quick and efficient and everyone was very nice. read more

We went for pizza and we're not disappointed. Our wait was reasonable, pizza was good and ambiance was comfortable. We will go back.