Great pizza, fast service and a unique atmosphere!! Mille was a gracious waitress too! read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Loaded! - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

In town for a week and had walked by a few times. Seated in the dining room. Greeted and ordered drinks and food. All servers that brought food to us were lovely. Start with a beer and an appetizer. The Burrata/Caprese. She recommended the focaccia with it!! Oh my... fabulous. We also ordered the Luna pizza. Incredible. Pepperoni:Sausage and drizzle of honey. Delightful. Really enjoyed this place!! Look forward to returning soon. read more

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Don't be fooled by the exterior. It's in an old car repair shop, and not on the main drag. Recommended by a local and they weren't wrong. The coal-fired oven pizza was amongst the best I've ever had. A throwback to a trip to Naples. Our server was somebody who obviously enjoyed her calling. Enjoy!! Nice shaded dining area in the back. read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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My family and I had a fantastic dinner at Garage Buona Forchetta! We had reservations, which is highly recommended. We split an appetizer of their calamari. It was cooked perfectly and tender. We also split their Sottoterra salad, and really enjoyed the freshness and goat cheese. For my entree I opted for their seafood risotto which was on their daily specials menu, and it was phenomenal. There were plenty of shrimp and mussels, and the risotto was cooked to perfection. My husband also really enjoyed his beef gnocchi dish. He truly can't stop talking about it. We took our baby in a stroller with us, and their covered patio was perfect for us. They had warming lamps out as it did get cool when the sun went down. Our waitress was also very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. We'd love to return when back in town! read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Sottoterra salad, seafood risotto, beef gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

Went to a concert at the Coronado park and my friend suggested we get pizza here, as she has had it before and highly recommended it. We went around 7 pm on a Saturday and were seated immediately. Service was slightly slow but not horrible. We ordered 2 different pizzas, one with an Italian ham and gorgonzola cheese and carmelized onions. The carmelized onions were good, and the crust is amazing. However, the ham was a little salty and the gorgonzola cheese a little bit overpowering. My friend ordered a vege pizza with some olive oil and fresh garlic on the side and enjoyed it. The atmosphere was very cute with garage doors and old style garage signs. There is also a little Italian market with wine at the entrance. I highly recommend the pizza. I give 5 stars for the quality of the pizza, 3.5 stars for the service. Eric at the bar was very helpful, though, for ordering 2 pizzas to go for our friends who didn't make it to dine with us, as the takeout area was closed. Unfortunately, the pizzas we were given to go were not the pizzas we ordered. But everyone was so tired and we had already left the venue so we just took what they gave us but very disappointed we didn't get what we ordered. Not sure where the miscommunication happened but just make sure to check your pizza first if you order to go read more

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Fun reimagining of this space and delicious food! Couldn't finish my gnocchi - insane portion size and probably could have fed 3 people. Wait staff were friendly and accommodating. Recommended! read more

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Garage Buona Forchetta, or as I'd like to call it, the gritty cousin of Buona Forchetta, is equally delicious but with a more laid back, grounded vibe. Handmade pasta and sauces need to feel homey and fresh to really call them italian, and GBF doesn't disappoint in that regard. Every single thing we ordered was delicious. Their specialties menu is great, but the star of any good italian place has to be their pasta. I love having the option to create my own by offering multiple options of ingredients. So don't be shy and order that pasta bowl you've been thinking about all week! read more

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Food here is the highlight, pizza, salad and pasta are top notch, the atmosphere and ambience are unique and classic. Service is great. Recommend if you're ever in coronado, especially if there are long waits at other nearby restaurants. read more

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This is one of my favorite dinner spots on Coronado! The gluten free pizza is so fluffy and chewy. They also do a gluten free garlic bread on pizza crust and have gluten free pasta! Servers are always friendly and attentive. Cute industrial vibe. Be sure to check it out around Halloween - they put up tons of decorations! read more

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It's been about 4 years since I last reviewed this location. We recently dined here 2 times within 2 days last week: 11/09/25 and 11/11/25. The first visit was to meet up with family that was visiting for the weekend. The second visit was to celebrate my daughter's birthday. We have been here at least 3 times per year since the last review. The place never disappoints us. My daughter had her HS Graduation dinner and her birthday dinner here in 2023. Needless to say, Garage Buona Forchetta is our fave location. On the 11/09/25 visit I ordered the Juna Pizza: Pepperoni, Sausage, drizzled with honey. It was ABSOLUTELY delicious as usual. The service was good and we sat at a clean table in the restaurant. On the 11/11/25 visit for my daughter's birthday we had an Open Table reservation. We were immediately seated after arriving. The place was pretty packed on this Veterans Day night. We ordered: 1 table appetizer of Focaccia Bread, 2 Chef's Special Roasted Pork Loin Shank in a red bolognese sauce and Pappardelle Noodles, Shrimp Gnocchi Pasta in Quattro Formaggi (4 Cheese) Sauce, 1 Lentil Soup, 1 Side of Broccolini with Prosciutto, and 1 Side of Brussels Sprouts glazed with balsamic reduction, and 1 regular menu item of Pappardelle Pesto Pasta. Our beverages were Blood Orange Italian soda in a glass bottle, 1 IPA Beer, and 1 Peroni Italian Beer. My daughter was served a mascarpone dessert with a sparkler for her birthday. Our server was very customer service oriented and friendly. He checked on us frequently and we appreciated this. We always come here because the food is great, the servers and staff are wonderful, and the Buona Forchetta brand uses really good and authentic ingredients in their food. Overall, another set of 5 star dining experiences within 2 days. read more

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Such a wonderful experience tonight at this delicious restaurant! My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years, but tonight we had the best service we've ever had with amazing server Heba. Heba was so incredibly kind and professional, and so attentive! She noticed the smallest details like me not finishing my side of sauce (asking if it had tasted good enough), suggesting to my boyfriend when he didn't eat any of his muscles in his seafood dish that she could leave those out next time for him if he doesn't like them, etc. She really is a gem! There was also a black-haired male bus boy who kept coming over and checking on us, and he was so fast when we asked for extra balsamic or Parmesan, and even followed up asking if we were OK. he was so kind and always approached our table with a smile. Overall, excellent service and the food was stupendous! I loved my spaghetti Bolognese and we had the Burata Caprese appetizer. The Burata cheese was so soft and delicious! My boyfriend had the ciopino special and he really loved it! read more

We stopped there to have lunch on Memorial Day and we had a great experience. The garage artifacts give the space a cool and retro vibe. We only had to wait a few minutes before being seated outside, enough time to appreciate the nice little market area and the vintage car, used by people for photos. The food was delicious and the service friendly and attentive. It made the day in Coronado Island even more memorable! read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Sergio pizza (GF) - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

Soooo good. We ate off the specials menu and all three items were amazing. Beef cheek paparedelle, Gnocci and Zuccini soup. Super yummy. Service was also perfect. read more

I ordered a pizza to go from the little walk up window and it only took 10 minutes to prepare The Giulia was so tasty. I loved the hot honey on the side, it really made the pizza . It's a great option for grab and go in Coronado read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Giulia pizza - so yummy - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

The Garage Buona Forchetta is a charming Italian restaurant located on Coronado Island. I spent one Saturday evening there, and it was just the vibe I was looking for This restaurant has plenty of seating, but it's such a popular spot that you may end up waiting for a table. There's exterior patio seating that's perfect for date nights or for people watching out front. There's also the main dining area (inside) that offers a lively atmosphere. There is also a backyard patio (covered). We sat in the backyard, and it felt like a lovely little outdoor dinner party. The entire restaurant is beautifully decorated. I like really appreciated the small Italian cars placed as decor. This is a converted garage/car repair shop, so, it seems fitting. But as someone who gardens, one of my favorite things was seeing the hanging planters out front (on the fences) that had both flowers and produce growing like pepper plants. This made me think they most likely compost, and I love restaurants that compost The menu offers a variety of Italian delicacies (antipasti, insalate, pizza, etc). There a vegetarian options as well. There is a beer, wine, and cocktail menu. There are also non-alcoholic options. I got the Sicilian mule, and the cup was neat, but it was really just a Moscow mule with a touch of grapefruit I like to think of myself as a pizza connoisseur, and I would recommend this one. It's Neapolitan style, lightly charred on the crust, thin, and flavorful. The base/bottom of the dough was slightly soft, but it was delicious. The carbonara was rich and tasty. With the pasta dishes you can choose which pasta you prefer which is a nice touch. We also had the calamari, which was fresh, but it had more of a fishy smell than I wanted lingering at the table. Still delicious Some tips: They do take reservations, and this spot is a popular destination, especially on the weekends. There's quaint market inside the restaurant and you can purchase groceries (mostly Italian), and these are components you might not find in a typical market or grocery store. They also have an extensive selection of wine that you can purchase and either take home or you can enjoy there (with a corking fee/up charge) Cheers!! read more

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Delicious pasta and pizza. Fun environment too. But the food is amazing!!! I would say don't fill up on appetizers, but they are amazing too!!! read more

My first time visiting this location. I came with a friend and we started with the Eggplant Tortino (3/5). It was good, but I would have preferred a bit more flavor, and the bread tasted like it could have been fresher. We also shared a side of broccolini (4/5). The flavor was nice, though I personally prefer my broccolini cooked a little less. For my main dish, I ordered the Bolognese with spaghetti (3/5). The portion was satisfying, but it was slightly too salty and oily for my taste. read more

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I had their Filet mignon that was covered in a brown wine gravy on top of roasted veggies. OMG most incredible meal I have had in years. My wife got the cheese n spinach ravioli with a small lobster tail. Incredible!!! Can't wait to go back. read more

Love the buona forchetta pasta! I switch the spicy marinara for regular marinara and get the fettuccine. Next time, I might ask for the marinara on the side :) read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Buona forchetta pasta with fettuccine - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

We came to the restaurant around 8:30 and were seated around 9. Street parking is very limited. The hostesses were lovely and really accommodating to our baby. They also welcomed our walk-in party of seven with a baby. One hostess even brought my baby a piece of bread after we ordered, which was so thoughtful. Unfortunately, our server did not match that level of service. He seemed rushed, didn't smile, didn't offer any suggestions, and didn't upsell. It felt odd because we were polite and attentive customers. My husband ordered the fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp, which he found very bland. The sauce barely stuck to the noodles and had a heavy milky flavor with almost no seasoning. Although it's not listed on the menu, our server said don't worry, we can make it! We now understand why this isn't on the menu permanently. The pizzas were authentic Italian style but also quite bland. We tried the fried pizza bites, but they weren't impressive. The frying didn't stand out and the sauces were over the top. Overall, the hostesses made a great impression, but the food and service from our server left us disappointed. We won't be returning. read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Fried Pizza Bites - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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Great food and pretty large spot! We were shocked with how much space there was in and out of the restaurant! Service was great and friendly. We ordered the calamari, burrata, focaccia/cheesy bread, mushroom truffle prosciutto pizza, bolognese, and lamb risotto. Calamari - 5/5 - I liked it a lot! It was light and crispy, perfect for sharing. Burrata - 4/5 - I love burrata! I wish that there was something more to this dish. Focaccia/cheesy bread - 4/5 - tasty, pretty cheesy. The kids loved it! Pizza - 4/5 - tasty! This was probably my husband's favorite. Bolognese - 4/5 - loved the fresh noodles! The kids liked this one too. Lamb risotto - 4/5 - this was highly recommended by the staff. The meat fell off the bones and the risotto was delicious. I wish that it was a little more flavorful though. Overall, a great spot to meet up with friends and family! read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Mushroom, truffle, prosciutto pizza - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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The outdoor seating here is lovely and the times we've come on a Saturday for lunch and for dinner we only waited 5-10 minutes for a table for 4. The garage theme is so fun and there are lots of great details to notice, including a table for two inside of a little red car in the middle of the garage. The Nicola I can still remember the taste of a month later because it was so good. Perfect amount of salty prosciutto, mushrooms and cheese. The pizza dough here is so soft and it cooks so quickly you only wait about 5-10 minutes for your food. Delicious. Lina is a bit spicy but with the right amount of honey to cut through it with sweetness. Another great option. Everything we've purchased at the front store has been excellent - especially the fig jam and bruschetta mix. read more

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Three Stars. I hate that I have to review this in such a way. The food is Amazing. I made a reservation and waited as walk- in's were seated over and over while my family waited. When the hostess was asked she said the table must be set up and gave serious attitude. That being said, the set of the place is interesting with tables in cars and even outdoors. The food makes up for it all! read more

Delicious spot. Visited with my family for dinner and we got a lot of different dishes to try, and honestly everything was so good. No complaints at all. The lasagna was what I ordered and it was probably one of the best I've ever had. Super fresh, very flavorful, and the sauce had lots of meat. Normally lasagna leans more cheesy, but this one was rich and hearty and absolutely amazing. The Margherita pizza was really good, and the BYO pasta was solid too. We got the penne with cacio e pepe, which was simple and well done. Great meal overall and a place I'd definitely come back to again. read more

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I came tonight with my family, we were a big group- probably 14 people. This is not my first time here at this location or their other locations. Tonight, the service was a little slow. Although our waitress, Was very nice. And they were clearly very busy due to Christmas events. Everyone agreed the food was yummy. Chicken is always cooked perfectly, my brussel sprouts were amazing, I feel like my pasta sauce lacked the same consistency it usually has but It was still great. My mom had a couple margaritas and was on a good one. We had a vegan, and a vegetarian, in our family and they had great options for both, and everyone really enjoyed their meal. Their menu is VERY inclusive, Nobody felt left out read more

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My family's new FAVORITE MUST EAT AT spot in Coronado. All 7 of us came on a busy friday night, the service was fantastic, and our experience was amazing. We started off with Calamari and Brussel sprouts. Best calamari we have ever had, the batter was light and the rings were great. The Brussels were great too. Two of us got the Ciopinno (loaded with fish/Shrimp), Two others got the pasta with burrata, one pesto (very very good) and the gluten free pizza (also was a stand out). The espresso martini and mule were the favorite drinks. Can't wait to come back and try more! read more

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Visiting San Diego and this place had amazing pasta. We ordered fresh pappardelle pasta with their signature buona forchetta sauce made w cream & egg yolk & parmigiano, amazing! The wood fired pepperoni pizza was very good, and the garlic focaccia was excellent! My kids loved the food here, reservations are probably a good idea. We came a few minutes before they open for dinner on a Tuesday night and there were people waiting, but we got a table within 10min. after they opened. read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Pappardelle w buona forchetta sauce, we could've kept eating this dish all night - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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There is a walk up cafe where you can order coffee and desserts. We visited for a sweet treat. Ordered a cheese cake slice with strawberries on top and a lemon bar for $13. The desserts were not too sweet. The cheesecake could have had more of a crust to it for our liking. The lemon bar has a nice fresh lemon taste and was not too tart. There is a main restaurant and a market place attached. We just didn't make our way into the other spaces. Selections looked great for all ages and casual. read more

Best pizza in Coronado! We love the Nicola pizza, but the Garage Buona Forchetta also has incredible breakfast too. We love getting coffee and chai tea at the cafe in the morning and pizza to go in the evenings. They make the best Chai Tea! We love the takeout window with the Cafe attached. The service is fast and kind and the ambiance is very Italian. This is definitely our go to pizza place in Coronado! read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Nicola - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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This was my first time at this location! I've been to the one in south park a couple of years ago. Came here for a friends goodbye dinner and the food was good/average. I got a risotto dish and we all shared a bit of our dishes with eachother. Pizza, pasta, risotto, salad and dessert. The place is spacious, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting! Our service was great! Our waiter knew everything about the menu and was helpful. Overall, it's nice spot and a night out with great friends! read more

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Delicious food & great service. We ordered a pizza and the ingredients were so fresh. Highly recommend!

Food was good, not great. A couple of observations... First, we had attended the NASCAR Race on Coronado Island and when we went to be seated, it was obvious that we were seated based on our appearance, shorts and t-shirts. This was fine dress for a definite casual Italian restaurant. Then all the staff acts "Italian ", even though they are not. When ordering our meal, the waiter tried upselling the menu, even through his broken Italian accent. Then, my girlfriend asked for bread and the waiter stated they didn't have any? What Italian restaurant doesn't offer bread? I ordered a pasta and asked for one additional meatball, one. The meal came and as I stated the food was good, including the three meatballs that were delivered. Upselling at it's best. Food was good. This place is not in the category that they think they are. It is a casual Italian Restaurant with a fancy worded menu and is a tourist trap. One and done for me. read more

Very good thin crust pizza! Service was awesome! Very cool automotive repair shop vibe! read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Seating area - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

Loved the vibes, it felt like a nicer restaurant but in an old auto repair shop. The menu was expansive and I would have ordered so much from it. My sister and I shared the Martina pizza as well as the burrata caprese. Only things I would critique is the pizza had wayyy to much arugula on it and we wound up pulling a bunch off, felt like we had a salad on the pizza. I also felt like the outer crust was cooked nicely, but because of how hot the cook is it seems like they pull it out of the oven so the edges don't burn but the bottom of the pizza is left really floppy and moist. Flavors were delicious though. and I think once the summer tomatoes come in that caprese is going to be unreal. our server was wonderfully nice, and so was everyone that came and stopped by our table. read more

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The food and service are wonderful. I love their pasta. The atmosphere is fun and they have authentic Italian pasta for sale.

Food was delicious as was the ambiance. Service was also great! We will definitely be back next time we're in Coronado.

The best Italian food on the island! We ordered the Regina Margherita pizza, the Sergio pizza, and an order of the Buona Forchetta Pasta. Delicious!! Loved the creamy pasta combined with the marinara on top and the Margherita was to die for. Portions are very generous-- 3 of us split these dishes and we still had leftovers. Complimentary bread service is always a plus! Garage Buona Forchetta is a great option on Coronado for a nice Italian dinner for families or date nights. The ambience is lovely with dim lighting and the decor is really cool. There's even a shop inside the restaurant where you can buy groceries and other products from Italy. Waitstaff was friendly! There are locations all over SD and a couple in OC, but this one's my favorite :) read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Regina Margherita pizza, Sergio pizza, and Buona Forchetta Pasta - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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Oh Garage, how much I love your gluten friendly calamari and gluten friendly pizza crust. I was excited to come back and enjoy a meal with family here this 4th of July holiday. Service was great and I love sitting in the outdoor area because the weather is amazing. Looking forward to next year! read more

Every time I go to garage I leave wanting more. The minute you step in, you feel like you're in Italy. The vibe of the place is so welcoming, with a cute little shop at the front. The service is amazing and food is so good and comes out quickly. Pictured is just one of my many meals I've had here, and as always I keep coming back for more. read more

Garage Buona Forchetta - Fettuccini with bueno forchetta sauce - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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I loved this place a ton! The service, the food, the place itself and they're soooo dog friendly! I have nothing but positive reviews for this place. Located in Coronado, Garage Buona Forchetta has lots to offer. It's not far from the Del and the Beach. Parking isn't the greatest but it's not bad! There's a good amount of street parking everywhere. There's also a lot next to it, wasn't sure if you have to pay for it though. The restaurant itself is super spacious and clean. They have plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, and their little market is also very clean and organized too. Service was really good as well. I had no issues with anyone. The hostesses were super kind and they were even super kind to my dog. I'm not sure if she was a manager or not, but the woman who took our order was so kind and it seemed like she was trying to get to know her customers. She also recognized us because we've been to the Liberty Station location as well! I liked that the servers were even personable with the customers as well! Food was delicious! We had calamari and focaccia for appetizers. Calamari was flavorful and not too oily. Portion was generous! Focaccia was really yummy. It was freshly baked and flavorful. We had the eggplant parm, a pizza, carbonara and a pear salad for entree and all were delicious as well. I really liked the carbonara the best! The Panna cotta was delicious and my favorite! It wasn't too sweet and it left me wanting more. People may think that this is on the pricier inside, but I think you get what you pay for. The food is good and the service is good, I honestly think this place is worth it. And as of right now, I can say this is probably my top spot for some good Italian food in Coronado! read more

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