Our team lunch for January was held in Encinitas at Buona Forchetta. It's the last one for me as I am laid off at the end of the week and retiring. There was lots of parking on the other side of the street and we were greeted by a friendly waitress. I tried the gelato. Vanilla gelato was creamy with a rich, sweet vanilla flavor. I loved the smooth texture and bold vanilla notes. Lemon sorbet was icy with tons of sour lemon flavor. Best in small quantities. I'm glad I got one scoop of each. Service was friendly and efficient. I will miss our monthly adventures to places I have not visited before. read more

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Buona Forchetta came highly recommended by a friend who raves about their pizzas. After trying it myself, I'd rate it closer to a 3.5 out of 5. It's a solid neighborhood restaurant, but it didn't quite live up to the hype for me. We ordered two pizzas: a gluten-free Margherita and a regular Margherita. One thing that immediately stood out was how similar the two crusts tasted. Both had a comparable level of chewiness, which was surprising given that one was gluten-free. The gluten-free crust lacked some of the wheaty, earthy flavor you'd expect from a traditional dough, but overall I was genuinely impressed by its texture and quality. It's one of the better gluten-free pizza crusts I've had. The pizzas are Neapolitan-style and generally enjoyable. The dough itself is well made, though I would have preferred a bit more chew and structure to take it to the next level. My biggest criticisms are the sauce and cheese. The sauce was applied too sparingly, leaving the pizza without enough moisture or cohesion to tie the different components together. More importantly, the flavor felt one-dimensional--mostly salty, without the rich tomato sweetness, depth, and complexity that make a great Neapolitan pizza memorable. But I want to be fair. Judging from the photos posted by other Yelpers, some of the pizzas shown have a good amount of pizza sauce. I need to try the food again and update my review. As for the cheese, the fresh mozzarella on the Margherita didn't quite meet expectations. The slices had a firmer texture than I typically associate with fresh mozzarella and lacked some of the soft, creamy moisture that helps create that signature melt. The flavor was also milder than expected; instead of delivering a pronounced milky richness, it tasted somewhat diluted. This may be a minor criticism, but on a simple pizza like a Margherita, where every ingredient is on display, these details become much more noticeable. Overall, Buona Forchetta serves a respectable Neapolitan-style pizza, and its gluten-free option is particularly impressive. However, the underwhelming sauce and mozzarella kept the pizzas from reaching the level I was expecting given the enthusiastic recommendations. read more

Buona Forchetta - Menu - lower half - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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i have to say, i was so disappointed in my experience. i used to live in san diego (& work at buona forchetta, different location) and this was my favorite restaurant, especially for their gluten free offerings. the food used to be so fresh & i don't think you could order anything bad on the menu. i dined in on a monday night & ordered my favorite pasta - the buona forchetta sauce wit chicken - the chicken looked questionable, the sauce was flavorless (the server even brought over additional marinara without me asking because he even thought the color was off...) and i was so sad! all of the gluten free dessert options have also been removed from the menu. i was so disappointed but i did go back to see if the gluten free pizza was still amazing. the crust is still fantastic but the pizza looked like it was created in a rush and the proportions were off, minimal sauce/cheese, a lot of crust. read more

Buona Forchetta - Buona Forchetta Sauce - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Still good, but not as good as they used to be, unfortunately. They seem to be becoming "Americanized" by putting more cheese and sauce on their pizzas. Also, the pizzas are more soggy in the middle than they used to be. (I'm talking about the Encinitas location.) These are matters of quality control which are fixable, and hopefully they owner (Matteo) will review. Still the best Pizza Napoletana in San Diego that we know of, but not like they used to be. read more

It pangs me to leave a less than 5 star review for one of my absolute favorite restaurants. From my previous review, you'll gather I'm a pizza connoisseur of sorts. I first found Bouna Forchetta in Liberty Square, San Diego and fell in love. Their pizza dough, gluten free even, tasted light and airy, fluffy with the perfect leopard charring around the edges of the crust, how it should be. They didn't skimp on ingredients and you felt the presence of something great when it was delivered to your table. Subsequently, I often have gone to Encinitas and am equally happy with their magnificent pies. Then comes San Clemente, I've been here many times, and sometimes I'm happy to say it's not bad but mostly, I don't understand why but clearly, there is no love in the making of this pizza pie. I should have taken a picture tonight, we ordered one to share, the Martina and had it downtown under the light up trees. The crust was flat as a cracker, hard and chewy like it was over kneaded. No charring on the crust, the crust didn't even rise. They commonly skimp on toppings, which is not horrible if the crust is good. But when I get this at one of the other locations and I'm blown away, and then here I'm left with hardly any cheese, not much of the arugula even, and a flat, hard cracker of a crust that should be airy and delicious, hence the 00 Italian flour, I'm wondering why I keep coming back. The employees are all very nice, ambiance is great, cozy and just the right amount of indoor/outdoor seating. Wish I could have left a better review. read more

Buona Forchetta is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is amazing. I love the Martina Pizza and a Blackberry Margarita--never fails to blow my mind. We love to take friends and family here for the whole experience (good food, good service, good ambiance). One of my girlfriends is a chef and she was so impressed. I outed her to the waiter and the chef came out to chat with her, so fun! read more

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

This place was just wonderful from start to finish. I feel like I've been writing a lot of 5 star reviews lately, but honestly I check Yelp sooo it's not all that surprising. Y'all did not let me down on this place! We were in town for my birthday and wanted a quick lunch before hitting up the beach one last time and heading home. This place delivered all that and more. It's a relatively small location so I probably wouldn't come here with a large group of more than a few friends, especially during peak hours. Parking also seems like it could be an issue if you're not on a beach bum vacation like we were. The place was practically empty when we were there so we had the most attentive service and honestly our server just seemed like a really nice person. The calzone was just incredible and I could just drink that sauce. Both of my daughters loved the spaghetti and sauce. They slurped it up and the restaurant brought us both white and red so they made their own pink sauce. Now my kids want that every time we have spaghetti. I'm a vegetarian but my husband (aka my pet tiger) is not, so they kindly brought the meat on the side for him. THEN my daughter outed me that it was my birthday weekend and the server kindly offered us a complimentary dessert, which they definitely didn't have to do, but even after I admitted my bday was the day before she insisted that it was on the house. It absolutely made our day and she tried to hard to get that candle lit for me despite the fact that the wind kept blowing it out. So kind. This place was the icing on an already incredible day and I would recommend this place to anyone looking for some really delicious fresh Italian food. read more

Buona Forchetta - Complimentary birthday dessert - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I just got home and throw up the whole eggplant parmigiana that I had here. I felt sick right after I finished eating. This place is awful.

The chicken parm was out of this world (though it really should come standard with pasta vs having to add it on). Bucatini Alfredo was a great choice for my 7 year old. I like the half portion option! I opted for the homemade pappardelle with buona forchetta sauce (kind of a pink spicy sauce) - I had high hopes, but it wasn't my fave (the meatball wasn't awesome either). The pesto gnocchi was very good. Service was speedy and friendly. We will totally be back! read more

Buona Forchetta - Bucatini Alfredo (half portion) - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Every time is beyond fantastic and decadent food. I could think of nowhere else to go but here for Italian.

I'm actually not sure why this place get rave reviews. The ambiance is cute, but otherwise there's so many better options. Don't fall for the cocktails w faux liquor, they're awful. The service was disappointing, the runners kept passing plates to us and reaching across. They would arrive at the end of the table w adults with kids pasta, wondering where it goes, then have us pass it down. It's unprofessional. TL;DR - ambiance cute, stops there. Service unprofessional and cocktails bad. read more

Been here a few times and always had a great meal! The wait staff is always incredible and very friendly. They were able to answer all our questions and help us to decide on what to get. The side area for larger parties isn't always the best for vibes, it can get a little tight back there. Overall the food here is delicious and well worth it! Looking forward to our next visit! read more

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I love this place! I came in with my fiance and we had the best meal. Ordered everything off the specials menu: chickpea soup, octopus appetizer, pescatore pasta with pappardelle, risotto al mare and it was all spectacular. The ambiance feels like you are in Italy or NYC, a small spot that is bustling with energy and good vibes. There is a new energy here from when I came previously. Our server Bella was fantastic and she recommended some amazing red wine, the Amarone della Valpolicella, that was written on the specials board. It was a great deal since we only wanted it by the glass. Everything was quick between the bussers and service. They are all on top of it here. Overall 10/10 experience, food, and atmosphere. Definitely will be coming back to try the pizza! read more

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Buona Forchetta has been around for years, and yet it unceasingly holds itself to a high standard. I've lived in italy and I believe the pizza and pasta served here are especially authentic. It's one of those places you simply do not want to miss if you have any kind of love for italian food-- as we proudly have the real deal here in san diego. read more

Went here with a large group of 14. Food was really good however the pizza bites were a strange texture and we didn't love. The pasta was really good. We got tirrasmisu which was really good. overall really good read more

Buona Forchetta - buona forchetta with chicken - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

I just ordered this dish and found a piece of plastic inside (see photos). This is unacceptable and very concerning for hygiene and safety. read more

Buona Forchetta - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

The food here doesn't disappoint. Focaccia is amazing, as well as the burrata appetizer and pastas. Nothing blew me away, but it was a great spot to celebrate the birthday. The waiter was prompt, food came fast, and overall enjoyable evening. The only bummer was that they asked us to leave the table after we finished paying. I was pretty disappointed, considering we celebrated a birthday and haven't been lingering that long. That's a boo and left a bad taste in our mouths. Considering that, probably won't return. Sad! read more

Went here with my friends last night because we were in the area and it gets busy so make sure you make a reservation! Its definitely worth it if there is a wait time though! Their food came out quickly and the patio seating was heated! read more

Buona Forchetta - Buena forchetta pasta - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We've been coming to Buona Forchetta for years now. They've always had exceptional food that goes so well with the cozy and romantic ambiance. We did notice that the gluten free crust was not as good as the years past. They used to bring out freshly baked bread with oil and vinegar, and we didn't get that this time. The service was okay, but our appetizer came out before our drink order, which wasn't the best. It's still a really good spot for a casual date night or if you just want some good food. read more

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So so so crowded and loud here on a Sunday night. With a reservation for four they shoved our party into a corner and I was hitting my head on a shelf all night. Horrible uncomfortable. Service... just ok. Seemed like the waiter didn't know the menu well. Food: 5 stars! The pizza here is great and the sweets are just perfect. This was my first time here, and I will probably go again as long as I can sit somewhere I am not hitting my head all meal long. read more

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Being that I'm in a wheelchair and my sister and I arrived on a Saturday at 5:30 the place barely had a seat left... I didn't even think to make a reservation because it was my first time there but they were so accommodating! They made sure that we were able to sit inside for the full experience, which was so wonderful! We had two glasses of wine, which was such a great pic. We had Sangiovese from Tuscany and it was amazing. The pasta was fresh. The sauce was amazing and they have a beautiful selection of desserts. I would highly recommend and look forward to going again. read more

The service was good. No complaints, but it didn't particularly stand out. The heated patio was a highlight. It's small and cozy, but the decor really gives it that classic Italian restaurant feel. As for the food, the flavors were nice, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I was hoping for a bit more overall. read more

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Tip for solo travelers: they do not have a bar so to avoid waiting, make a reservation, even for just one. Usually traveling alone, you can get into any restaurant immediately by sitting at the bar. The service is really good. The ambience is very nice for a date or I guess a date with yourself. They have a very large menu and plenty of gluten-free options. I had gluten-free pizza and gluten-free focaccia, which was basically just the same as the pizza crust so you can probably skip it. They make most of their cocktails with Soju, which is kind of interesting, but I just had a regular aperol spritz. Is it the best gluten-free pizza I've ever had in my life? No. That was in Chicago at Forno Rosso. They also had the best burrata Ive ever tasted in my life. The second best gluten-free crust was in Miami. But this is probably undoubtably the best in San Diego. It is chewy it is fluffy. It's not a cracker so it is very good. Don't get me wrong. I do wish they had a pistachio pizza with pesto that has been a favorite of mine at Neapolitan pizza places in the states. But overall, it's worth trying it's worth your money. read more

Buona Forchetta - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Amazing owner, we didn't like a pizza. He brought a new one free of charge and a bottle of wine

We were given little squares of focaccia and oil and vinegar to start. Always a fan of free bread and wasn't expecting this so it was a nice surprise! The Giulia pizza was perfectly crispy and fluffy and the spicy honey was the perfect sweet and spicy touch. Recommend getting a side of marinara to dip your crust in! read more

Buona Forchetta - Giulia - Mozzarella, spicy salami, onion, sausage, bell pepper, spicy honey - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

Food was absolutely delicious!! I love that you can mix and match the pasta type, sauce, and toppings to create your own dish. It was busy for a Wednesday night, so a reservation is definitely encouraged. My only complaint is it was very loud inside and very compact. When the people at the table next to us got up, their chairs hit our table. Many tables were close like this. I also watched our server ask another table to leave when they were done eating read more

Buona Forchetta - Bucatini pasta with Buona Fochetta sauce add burrata - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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This is one of our favorite Italian restaurants! We love the other locations too! Yummy food in a cool location on the coast!

Buona Forchetta is a gem with six locations in the San Diego area, and a seventh coming soon in Newport, OC. We visited the Encinitas location several times, and it never disappointed. The interior is cozy and intimate, with a charming, romantic feel. The street-side patio is equally inviting--quiet, well-lit, and perfect for a relaxed meal. The meal started with a complimentary serving of bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a nice touch that set the tone for a delicious evening. The staff is mostly Italian, which added to the authenticity of the experience. We were recommended Buona Forchetta by a co-worker from Italy, who said it's the only place where the pizzas taste just like they do in Naples. Having visited Naples in my teens and still holding fond memories of the food there, I couldn't agree more. We tried two pizzas: the Puttanesca (Mozzarella, capers, anchovies, olives, San Marzano tomatoes) and the Nicola (Mozzarella, mushrooms, prosciutto di parma, truffle oil). The Puttanesca had a perfect balance of salty and savory flavors, with the anchovies and capers giving it a briny punch, while the San Marzano tomatoes added a rich, tangy sweetness. The thin, Neapolitan-style crust was beautifully crisp on the edges, yet soft and airy in the middle. Surprisingly, the gluten-free crust was just as delightful--not too hard or chewy, just slightly less crispy and airy compared to the wheat version, but still a fantastic option. The Nicola was a decadent mix of flavors. The prosciutto di parma was tender and flavorful, and the truffle oil added an earthy, aromatic richness that paired perfectly with the mozzarella and mushrooms. Each bite was a delicious contrast of rich and light, with the thin crust providing the ideal base. We haven't yet tried their pasta because the pizzas are just too irresistible, but one day we'll explore that side of the menu as well. Service was spot-on--attentive and knowledgeable without being intrusive. Overall, the ambiance is romantic and perfect for a date night or a cozy dinner with friends. Highly recommended! read more

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Popped into Buona Forchetta on a Monday evening and was able to snag a table for two. We split the Guilia pizza and the hot honey was to die for! The pizza was cooked perfectly and the crust was so thin but held its shape when you picked it up. The perfect italian slice. We sat outside on the covered patio and even though it was drizzling outside, their space heaters made the area nice and warm. read more

Buona Forchetta - Guilia - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

We recently explored hosting our rehearsal dinner at Buona Forchetta, as it's one of our favorite restaurants in Encinitas, and although we decided to go in a different direction with our plans, I felt compelled to write a review because of how exceptional our experience was with Andrea, the general manager! From the very beginning, Andrea was incredibly thoughtful, responsive, and generous with his time as we discussed the possibility of hosting our celebration at Buona Forchetta. When we came in for dinner, both times since in communication with him, he welcomed us so warmly and made the entire evening feel special. We were well taken care of he undoubtedly made us feel like family! You can tell he truly cares about the experience guests have at Buona Forchetta, and I have no doubt that if we had hosted our celebration there, he would have made the night magical! Even though we won't be celebrating our rehearsal dinner there, we're so grateful for the kindness and care Andrea showed us throughout the process. It really did leave a lasting impression! Thank you, Andrea, for your generosity and genuine hospitality! We love Buona Forchetta! read more

This is one of our favorite spots in Encinitas for dinner. If you're looking for an authentic Italian cuisine, this is where it's at. It's one of the only places near us where we can truly get that feeling of being in Rome. The ambience is wonderful. We prefer sitting in the dining room or the side patio, both are very nice. Service has always been attentive, friendly, and all in all outstanding even during their busiest moments. We always get the homemade pasta with the forchetta sauce. We love the juna and the lina pizza, but honestly, you can't go wrong. Owners and management are doing something right here. Clearly! We will continue being loyal customers and sending everybody we know that loves Italian food their way! read more

Buona Forchetta - The Lina - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

Quiet Monday lunch! Wonderful Pizza with an awesome glass of wine! What more could you ask for!!

Got there at 6 pm with lots of empty tables and told need reservations, first available was 8:30 ridiculous...

Located in a charming corner of Highway 101 is the hidden gem Buona Forchetta serving fresh and flavorful Italian cuisine. They are extremely accommodating to food allergies with GF pasta, gnocchi, and pizza crust. The GF pasta was a bit thick and soft textured but the creamy carbonara sauce made up for it. The halibut was light and fresh while the calzone was bubbly and crispy. The patio has warm heaters to make dining outside in the winter a pleasant experience. Definitely recommend Buena Forchetta! read more

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Okay, I'm going to say 3.5 stars, but leaning towards 3 The pizza... absolutely amazing. Second best pizza I've ever had in my life, we'll be back here all the time to get that pizza The mozzarella potatoes were meh, they definitely needed SOME kind of seasoning, or at least just some salt I ordered a carbonara pasta and I probably won't get their pasta again. I mean $20+ and the carbonara looked like scrambled eggs... I know carbonara is tricky to make, but it wasn't smooth at all, I was trying to be positive so I didn't take any pictures, but I was disappointed, I love an authentic carbonara Like I said though, the pizza is worth coming for. read more

We reserved the private dinning room for a large party, were greeted and seated kindly. Servers were nice, patient and accommodating. The pasta dishes came out fairly quickly but the pizza took a very long time. Overall it was a nice experience although we had to send a few plates back that just weren't very good. We all agreed that the pizza's were by far better than the pasta dishes. Portions are nice and prices are reasonable I suppose. Atmosphere was vibrant and enjoyable. read more

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their calamari is some of the best i've ever had! so, so tasty. and i highly recommend the marisa pizza and adding nduja! we shared three pizzas and that one was gone the fastest! read more

I hosted my husband's birthday dinner for 30 people at Buona Forchetta in Encinitas, and everything was great! The private space was perfect for our group, service was attentive, and everyone loved the food. read more

We approached this quaint and cozy restaurant on a Friday evening as they opened. I've heard so many great things about Buona F and had to try it for myself. The place was just opening and already a line down the street. I didn't make a reso! My bad. I reach the host stand and cautiously ask for a "table for 4 with two toddlers" under my breath. The host probably wanted to laugh in my face BUT instead she asked us if we can eat quickly (trust me, twins, that is the only way we do it) she hooked us up with a lovely table in the window and we were thrilled. Mad props to her The whole staff was pleasant and quick on their feet. We ordered a delicious pizza and some salad. My husband also had the gnocchi. My friends weren't lying. It was amazing. Such a warm atmosphere and very kid friendly! We will surely be back again. I can't wait to go sans kids too. read more

Buona Forchetta - Pesto gnocchi. - Pizza Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We typically go to the location in liberty station or South Park, but today we were up in North County and decided to try the Encinitas location. This spot has a few tables out front on the sidewalk and a few more on the side patio, but does offer indoor seating as well. The menu has a plethora of pastas, pizzas, salads and antipastas. I'm a fan of the calamari fritti, polpettine and the Angela pizza which is what we chose these time around. The pizzas are always a good choice as they are wood fired Neapolitan style. The pastas are also very customizable since you get to choose which pasta shape, which preparation/sauce, as well as any additional add one. read more

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