My wife and I celebrated her birthday at this restaurant yesterday I had been to the location once before when it was owned by the previous owners. I'm happy to say the food was wonderful, even beyond what I remembered. We started off with grilled artichokes and then had the Parma pizza. The ingredients are so fresh at this restaurant. The service was wonderful. The owners were delight. I have nothing but praise. We finished the meal off with a lovely ricotta pistachio birthday cake slice. We look forward to returning to this local favor and trying more things on the menu, which all look wonderful! read more

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Food, service, FOOD, were all outstanding. Alfredo was so light, yet rich. Pizza was perfection, airy, crispy and oh-so tasty. Will be back. Soon! read more

Forchettina - Tribeca pizza and Penne Alfredo w/ shrimp. - Italian Near Me - Encinitas, California

This guy Joele the owner is an absolute legend. Stays open later then anyone else in Encinitas, best pizza I've had in my life and coolest hang I've experienced around here. Definitely a must try if you are looking for Italian in Encinitas. read more

What a great casual italian eatery in Encinitas. We started with calamari fritti which was very light and delicious. We also got half hawaiian and half bronx pizza (cause i couldn't decide) but love that it's thin crust. I had the special that night which was scallop risotto and to me, the dish was a little salty. We ended our night with dessert and I opted for their tiramisu cause i can never resist tiramisu when it's on the menu. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. Service was great and attentive. read more

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We decided to go to Forchettina because we hoped it would be as good as its predecessor restaurant, Forchettaboutit, was in its heyday. Forchettina is actually much better in every way! As other recent reviews have noted, the owners are present, passionate and friendly. Our server tonight was co-owner, Georgia, born and grown up in Italy (despite sounding like a southern U.S. state). The food was excellent: we started with a cheese pizza that was generous with tasty cheese and nice tomato sauce; perfect homemade gnocchi with a delicious pesto sauce and eggplant parmigiana with wonderful red sauce. We finished with delectable cannoli. Finally, the new owners have done some interior upgrades that elevate the ambiance of the restaurant from what used to be too much of a fast food pizza place. Great place for an authentic Italian dinner! read more

This restaurant gets all of it right. Excellent combination of great, real Italian food, attentive and friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere. We had a great meal and experience last night. We are definitely going back, and soon! read more

Delete cious artichoke appetizers and very abundant servings of main dish. Friendly owners too.

We use to travel to Italy annually to enjoy the cuisine. No more TSA lines. Now we relish we have exceptional Italian cuisine right here in Encinitas. Organic fresh food prepared daily by a talented passionate chef and owner . read more

Great food and wonderful service! We love the meatballs and artichokes. The owners are kind and accommodating.

Saw some positive reviews on Next Door so tried take out. Tiny portions of lasagna for $26 each! Literally less than a 4 X 4 piece in a small take out box. Nothing else. Asked for bread, but was told no free bread. Won't be going back for those prices. read more

The mussels soup, the fried calamari and prawns were very fresh and delicious! I loved the focaccia too and their wine. It's a really authentic Italian restaurant! I know it because I am Italian! I am looking forward to go back ASAP read more

Excellent food and very respectable staff :) A lovely authentic spot with good ambiance. 10/10 would return again! read more

Their pizzas are overall tasty as well as their subs -- both meatball and eggplant parmigiana specifically. Service is okay.

My husband and I can't get enough of this place! This spot has THE BEST authentic Italian food. I honestly can't eat at any other Italian place after eating here. We come here every single Sunday and I have never had anything I didn't like. We brought our moms here back in October, and they still say it was the best dining experience! The ambiance makes you feel like you're in Italy. The owners are THE nicest people! read more

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Hands down some of the best Italian food i've ever had! Everything tastes fresh, authentic, and made with love. The owners are incredibly warm and welcoming, you can tell they truly love what they do and their guests. The cozy, vibe makes it the perfect spot for lunch and dinner. Can't recommend this place enough! You will not regret eating here. read more

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I love FORCHEETABOUTIT!!! I ordered the eggplant pizza, penne pasta with vodka sauce, mushroom pasta, artichoke, amd trimasu. Wow the eggplant pizza was amazing the pizza dough was green soft and yummy!!! The best pizza I ever had. My 2 year old debuted his pasta and my very picky husband enjoyed the mushroom pasta. It was making. Above all, the service was impeccable and everyone was helpful, attentive, friendly, and it made us feel like we're at home. Highly recommend it! read more

Forchettina - Cheers - Italian Near Me - Encinitas, California

Good pizza and salad. They also have pasta specials and sandwiches which I look forward to exploring. Very cute decor and friendly staff. NY style pizza- but this is a light crust that isn't floppy. The flavor is amazing, my only wish was more cheese to crust ratio. I just don't want 2-3 inches of crust. Again, the flavor is there. Light, fresh and the perfect blend of seasonings. I'm a purist so stuck with plain cheese on one side and pepperoni on the other. Also had the antipasto salad which was incredible, they are not stingy on the meats and the salad had artichokes! Fantastic. Maybe add marinated red peppers? You can order by the slice, which they make fresh and it's worth waiting for. Wish they had crumbled sausage not sliced though- as that was what I was craving and used to. This is a cute place that I stopped by after running errands in the area. The location is in the middle of a strip mall- indoor and outdoor seating. This is a casual place where you can do take out or eat in. Ambiance is cute. Staff very helpful, I wasn't sure whether to get a few slices and they said at that price point better to get a 12"- glad I did as the leftover pizza was just as good the next day. Super friendly and helpful staff! I recommend and I'll be back! read more

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Incredible food, service and experience. The chicken parm sandwich was absolutely delicious (even my picky east coast husband loved it)! My kids really enjoyed their pasta and the cannolis were delicious. Can't wait to come back!! read more

Forchettina - Menu - Italian Near Me - Encinitas, California

Good ravioli and the mozzarella sticks were great. I didn't try the pizza but my husband enjoyed it a day later after I brought him a to-go order. I'll be back! read more

Didn't want anything fancy for dinner and we ended up here! NY style pizza and a caesar salad hit the spot. The place is cute and they have a nice outdoor patio. Easy to find and plenty of parking. read more

Forchettina - Staten Island Pizza - Italian Near Me - Encinitas, California

We absolutely love this restaurant! The food is so good! They are all very attentive and caring for each and every customer! They make excellent food! The owners are so wonderful. We are lucky to have them in Encinitas! read more

this place slapped I'm not even a crazy Italian food fan, but I really enjoyed it. I got the Primavera pizza and I love how unique it was and the flavor was great. the staff were all really friendly and the place smelled so good. I recommend and will probably go back. read more

Forchettina - Italian Near Me - Encinitas, California

New ownership is so friendly and they provide stellar service! Got the Parma pizza and there was a generous amount of prosciutto on top, would highly recommend. read more

unfortunately this place is not what it used to be. took my family here tonight. my food arrived partly cold - chicken parm - and partly burned, sausage. really disappointed and embarrassed - i ate a little, faked it, asked for a box packed it up and paid top shelf pricing. getting ripped off sucks. i am choosing one star below as negative stars is not yet an option with yelp. read more

Best Italian (authentic) food on the West Coast. I don't give this review lightly. Too bad the restaurant is closing this month (May 2025). Owners returning to Italy. Thanks read more

Forchettina - Eggplant parmagiano. - Italian Near Me - Encinitas, California

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This is a sister restaurant to Buona Forchetta! They've been around for 2 years and they converted to a sit down restaurant from a small quick order shop. If you're seeking an authentic taste of Italian heritage, look no further than Classic Italian New York Pizza. This pizzeria delivers the quintessential New York pizza experience with its perfect blend of tradition, flavor, and simplicity. The pizza here is nothing short of exceptional. Each slice boasts a thin, yet sturdy crust that's crispy on the outside and a soft, pillowy inside. The tomato sauce is tangy and rich, made from fresh, quality ingredients, while the cheese melts to a perfect gooey consistency, offering that unmistakable New York pizza stretch. Staying true to its roots, Classic Italian pizza uses time-honored recipes and cooking techniques. The dough is baked in traditional pizza ovens, ensuring each pie has the signature New York flavor and texture that pizza aficionados crave. The ambiance is casual, reminiscent of a classic New York pizza parlor. The friendly staff add to the charm, making each visit feel like stepping into a beloved neighborhood spot. The prices are reasonable, especially given the quality and authenticity of the pizza. Whether you're grabbing a quick slice or sitting down for a whole pie, you'll find excellent value for money. I was going to order pizza by the slice but the server enticed me to get the 12" pie (half Cobble Hill/half Bronx Bolognese) and thank god she did. The fresh baked pie came out hot and each bite was mouthwatering. The tiramisu was standard. I will be returning to try other flavors. read more

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Delicious italian food and love that they change their specials staying innovated! Each item ordered was great quality and flavor in every bite. Also love how this is the sister brand for Buon Forchetta so you know they're the real deal with Italian food! Service was great and we were taken care by Izzy! read more

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Called for a takeout order today. Picked up the eggplant Parmesan sub. It is huge and very tasty. They use smoked mozzarella and a really nice tomato sauce. Will get this again. read more

Forchettina - Mulberry ST Slice Pizza - Italian Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Solid little spot for quick, tasty Italian food. I always get the spaghetti, we love the mozzarella sticks too. Workers are friendly as can be. It's a clean, hole in the wall vibe. read more

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Definitely 5 stars here! I finally came to check out this Italian ristorante. Right from the get-go. I was greeted by the owner, a very young and friendly person, and also the staff. The service is outstanding, and so is the food, well, the pizza I tasted. I will come back to explore more of their menu. I highly recommend this place for an authentic Italian experience. I grew up in Switzerland and traveled to Italy countless times. This is the closest I have come here in SoCal. I will be back soon for the next dinner there. Arrivederci! read more

Decent Italian food if you are looking for fast dining. The service was great although it is a bit loud inside if it's full of people. We really enjoyed the calamari appetizer. read more

Random find on Yelp. We had no idea this place was even here. So very glad we tried it! It took a bit of time from order to table, but that's because it's made to order and not pre made. We're only talking about 20 minutes even so. My meatball sandwich was fantastic! The bread is soft inside and crunchy, crusty outside. Meatballs are tender and hearty. The sauce is bright and fresh, not over seasoned, and has big chunks of tomato and garlic. I mopped up every bit of the sauce. I NEVER do this! It was so good, I didn't want to leave any behind. My dad loved the pizza and commented on the sauce too. I spoke to the new owner, who served us. They just took over and have started making changes to the menu in favor of more fresh and handmade items. There will also be a name change coming soon. I sure do hope this takes off for them so they can keep the fresh made format. It really does make a difference. The look of the place fits in with what you expect of a little beach community. A bit rough, but open, friendly, and clean. As long as the food stays this good, I'd bring a stool and tv tray with me. I'll make a point of coming back each time I visit and I wish the young new owners the best. They have a winner here if they keep the vision. read more

Seriously awesome neighborhood gem! I live in the area and just stumbled upon it and I was blown away finding such a charming, authentic Italian place in Encinitas! The pizza was amazing and sauce was totally different than the run-of-the-mill. In fact, everything was unique and tasty. The staff was also super friendly and helpful. I will become a regular! read more

Bad service Terrible food If you want pizza go to Rosati or Oggis They don't know how to make Italian food Borellies was better read more

Artichokes are a must-order! Pizzas great, plus open for lunch. Trying to get to 85 characters.

the chicken caesar salad was excellent. Chicken cooked and heated just perfectly. Very tasty dressing and the right amount was used. very well mixed. Every bite. a delight. Service was great. Staff attentive but not over bearing. JDB read more

This was a fabulous find. I wanted something that was casual but dog friendly. And with an elevated menu. The pizzas being named after NYC borough's and neighborhoods sold me. Of course I got the Bronx and was blown away. It was perfect and reminiscent of my favorite NYC pizza slices on the street. The waitstaff was awesome to get the patio heater on for me, was prompt and friendly, and validated my feelings about the Bronx pizza. I was telling friends about it before I even left. Can't wait to come back. Solid solid spot. read more

We've lived in Encinitas for a couple of years, and have dined, several times, at a very nearby Italian place (basically, back to back with this one). That place is very good; I'm not going to criticize it. Tonight, my wife told me that I should choose where to eat, and I was about to suggest that other place, but instead I chose to try - for the first time - this restaurant, Forchettina. We were greeted by a very friendly young guy, who let the two of us take a four-top (we like a bit of extra space, to make it less likely that we'll inadvertently knock over a wine glass, or whatever, on a cramped two-top table). We ordered wine; she had Chianti, I had a Sauvignon Blanc-like Veneto. Both excellent, and both generous pours. My wife ordered pasta - which she loved. Even though I'd chosen the venue, I didn't feel like pasta, so I ordered the Bistecca. I grew up in Europe, where steaks are usually cut no more than about a half inch thick - unlike in the USA, where everything apart from flank (or hanger) steak is cut at least an inch thick. This one was European-style. I asked for (and got) medium-rare. Tender, flavorful, melt in the mouth. The accompanying veggies (carrots, cauliflower, zucchini) were cooked to perfection, still a little bit of crunch. I had a glass of chianti to complement the steak. Another generous pour. It went well with the food. We'll most certainly be back. Great food, friendly people, doesn't get much better than this. read more

Fantastic spot. New ownership, really making the spot better. Happy with the change. Nice outdoor space read more

Food was delicious and the young Italian couple who own it were delightful . We will definitely return