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Buona Forchetta

4.3 (238 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

Buona Forchetta Photos

BUONA FORCHETTA ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
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Sergio Pizza
Shaza R.

This was our first time coming to Buona Forchetta and we were so happy with our experience. We came to celebrate our 7th anniversary and came on a quiet Sunday evening. The restaurant gave such a cozy atmosphere and seemed like a great local spot for families and friends. Our server, Kevin, was incredibly kind and explained how the menu operated and what he recommended. We ordered some calamari to start, which was light and delicious and not too heavy on the breading. Then we split a carbonara and a pizza. The carbonara was rich and delicious. We both loved this pasta so much! The pizza crust was to die for and the ingredients were very fresh! We even had leftovers for the next night and it was perfect. Very happy with the portions and quality of food. Finally, we split the specialty lemon dessert per Kevin's recommendation and it was perfect. They had decaf espresso, which was such a treat for me being pregnant and ended the night perfectly. Thanks for making our night special!

Jade W.

The food was outstanding! I ordered off the specials menu & it was a fantastic choice! I ordered a mushroom pasta & the portion size was huge! It's very light and airy, not many places to sit. Our server was awesome and she was very attentive.

Beer
Elisa G.

I'm obsessed with their gluten free focaccia but they never put enough garlic even when I call and request it however it's still AMAZING! The salmon tonight was overcooked and I think it was previously frozen which is unnecessary when they can easily have fresh salmon. I'm kind of bummed but the focaccia was delicious. I can't wait to eat it for breakfast tomorrow with avocado on top.

Vegan ravioli with asparagus. Omggg-worthy.
Korbi K.

WHOA. Just the thought of Buona Forchetta induces an embarrassing amount of drool. Although I'd explored the Newport location's menu and was enticed by ample vegan options, I didn't get around to actually visiting the restaurant until an overnight pet-sit led me to this San Clemente spot. Better late than never...better never late. My only regret is not gettin' my nom on at Buona Forchetta sooner. My date (erm, Italian lover) and I ordered everything from the vegan ravioli with asparagus to foccacia to roasted potatoes with vegan cheese (customized). Our decadent drinks included champagne and red wine--both house (my choice) and whatever obscure brand that my date raved about. I actually loved my house wine more than his semi-fancy choice (he agreed!), but I'm also a two-buck-Chuck/Charles Shaw kind of girl. Staff was accommodating to my dietary needs. It's so refreshing to see a menu that caters to all preferences! More Orange County restaurants should take note. Generous portions of fantastic food: leftovers the next day tasted just as divine--if not more so--as original meal. The fact that my Italian amante loves this place as much as me says everything. No more need be said: just go!

Adele M.

Another awesome meal@Buona Forchetta!! You can always depend on excellent service & quality food. Lovely inside and outside patio for your choice of dining. On site parking is very convenient. Never a disappointed! Awesome wine list.

Juna pizza no sausage, added red onion
Maral C.

We stopped by for Sunday lunch and had no trouble getting a table. The staff were friendly and polite, and the restaurant has a cute design. Here's what we ordered: * Calamari (appetizer): Really good, crispy and flavorful. * Juna Pizza: Light, fresh, and satisfying. * Eggplant Tortino: Soft and good * Penne with Bolognese: Just okay, nothing standout. Overall, the food felt light and on the healthier side, but some dishes could've used a bit more seasoning, especially salt. A nice spot for a casual meal, but nothing particularly memorable for me.

Gluten free focaccia
Ahlennah B.

Actually great gluten free pasta (bucatini only). We tried the carbonara with both regular and gluten free pasta and both were great. Cacio e pepe was the same sauce without the guanciale. The gluten free focaccia was really great! I would get that again a heartbeat! Fantastic. Everyone enjoyed it. Service was great and the patio was plenty warm with heaters, even tho it was a breezy cold evening. Service was excellent. Everyone was wonderful, great recommendations, very personable, kind and entertaining. This was a very fun place to dine.

Gluten free gnocchi with pesto and burrata
Rylee C.

So happy to have found this place! Great food, service, and ambiance. Pretty large menu with so many different options including customizable pasta dishes. They also have a nice amount of gluten free options, some of which are gluten free focaccia bread and even gluten free gnocchi! I haven't had gluten free gnocchi in over a year so was pleasantly surprised to see that they offer that here. I ordered it with pesto and burrata and it was really good! Definitely hard to stop eating! I can't wait for my next trip here to try more of the menu!

Cioppino
Danielle W.

I enjoyed this restaurant. The food was good (not great) but it came out cold. Meh. The manager was kind of a d*ck the whole night which was a bummer. The rest of the service was excellent including our lovely server from Rome. Apparently the cioppino was the thing to have. Artichoke app and salads were also pretty good.

Lamb
Nate P.

It's a chain but they always deliver. Whether it's the homemade pasta or a regular entree. Food is always good and the service never disappoints. I went with a rack of lamb which was delicious as always. Would have liked more lamb but beggars can't be choosers. Risotto was super tasty as well. Pretty much anything you get here will be good. Trust. Parking is definitely a pain but that's pretty much everywhere in San Clemente. Definitely stop by if you're looking for some good Italian.

Cioppino
Chi L.

I dined here for the first time and I would highly recommend trying this restaurant for the service, great team and staff, and the pizza! The front desk is very helpful with accommodating reservations. I was able to secure one for Saturday at 5:15pm last minute so make sure to book in advance. Our server was Alexandra and she made us feel very welcomed, relaxed, and excited for our birthday dinner. Her warmth and hospitality went above and beyond. We tried the special items: Cioppino (very tasty and perfect for 2-3 to share) and the Lobster Tagliolini Special (it was good if you prefer pasta with less sauce). We ordered the Sergio pizza and it was great! The cheesecake was a wonderful dessert. The manager on staff was also so gracious, understanding and generous when there was a mixup with our dish to go, but he resolved the issue no problem. I will be back for more pizza options! Im grateful for the service, the entire crew from the kitchen, servers, busboys, receptionist, and manager made the moment truly memorable!

Bolognese Fettuccine
Angelica B.

This place exceeded my expectations. What a fabulous find! We were getting in from Rosarito, Baja Norte and wanted to try a new Italian spot; glad we did. We enjoyed icy cold blond Menabreas with their focaccia bread w/olive oil, Bolognese Fettuccine, and their Margherita Pizza. The pizza dough was PERFECT! Their pizza is easily as delicious as Sei's Pizza from Los Angeles (Michelin Guide Bib). The Bolognese Fettuccine was perfectly Al dente and finally, a bolognese with a generous amount of meat sauce (yes!). The Bolognese had a bold savory flavor with just the right amount of sweetness at end of every pasta bite. Reminded me of my food experience in Italy. We finished our meal with a delicious jumpstart espresso for our trek back to Los Angeles. I'd give it more stars if I could. Service was very pleasant as well.

Buono Forchetta

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Thank you Nate! See you again soon I hope. - Joe P., GM

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1 month ago

Kristin C. was wonderful. We had some car issues and were late for our Rez, but they sat is within 15 min. Service and food was fantastic!

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truly rewarding to read this, thank you Angelica! - Joe P., GM

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23 days ago

Food $ service was excellent!! Kevin are waiter from Rome was amazing!! Will definitely be back again

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2 months ago

Our favorite go to homemade Italian food. They are fun and friendly and I can't say enough of about every item I have tried.

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Buona Forchetta Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Buona Forchetta

Glad to see a new restaurant opened up in San Clemente. Need to ask one question my granddaughter is celiac, she cannot have any gluten nor cross-contamination of gluten. Will you guys be able to provide her with gluten-free options?

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I had a wonderful experience at The Cellar and was honestly surprised to see a negative review…read moreabout a server's "attitude," because that was the complete opposite of what I witnessed. The owner has created an incredible space warm, intimate ambiance, an outstanding food menu, and one of the best wine selections I've seen in a long time. Everything felt thoughtful and elevated without being pretentious. Our server, Tatum was professional, attentive, and extremely patient. I happened to be seated nearby during an interaction with a group of women who were openly rude and condescending toward her from the start. Despite that, she remained calm, polite, and handled herself with grace. If anything, she showed remarkable composure under unnecessary pressure. Service jobs aren't easy, and it's disappointing when unfair situations get misrepresented online. Based on what I personally observed, Tatum did nothing but her job and did it well. Highly recommend The Cellar for the food, wine, atmosphere, and overall experience. We'll absolutely be back.

This was nothing short of an incredible brunch experience. We were sad there were no seats…read moreoutdoors, but then were immediately appeased by the AMAZING vibe indoors with live music and a hilarious interactive musician. Our server was very nice and led us right by telling us to order the lavender latte and French toast. That was the best French toast I've ever had. The ceviche was also bomb. Everyone else had similarly great experiences with their food. Loved this and hope to be back someday.

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We kicked off our evening at Wine Experience with the chorizo stuffed dates--sweet, smoky, and…read morewrapped in crisp bacon with a touch of whipped fig crema that made each bite worth while! If you can, try the warm smoked almonds and olives; they're smoked perfection with bright lemon zest and paired beautifully with whatever you're having. The food throughout was absolutely delicious, with thoughtful, elevated small plates that felt refined. The standout on the spring menu? Those beef Wellington puffs--tender filet mignon wrapped in golden, flaky pastry and served with Dijonnaise!! They were rich, elegant, and utterly irresistible; we couldn't stop reaching for more. 3rd order anyone?! What truly made the night special was the team. From the moment we walked in, the knowledgeable staff was genuinely helpful and enthusiastic, guiding us through their wine selections with thoughtful recommendations that perfectly complemented each dish. Their passion turned a lovely dinner into a memorable experience--approachable yet refined. Highly recommend for a special night out. We left smiling, a bit fuller, and already planning to come back. Five stars!

This was truly one of the best wine bar experiences I've had in a while!…read more The staff is what made our night - owner Mike is so attentive and intelligent and kind! He took time to walk us through our tastings and sat down with us for almost an hour to chat wine and food. Everyone else working was also awesome and they make you feel so comfortable and at home. Lovely wine selection and house made pasta and flatbreads as well!! Highly recommend :)

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Service: The service was excellent. The waitress was very…read moreattentive and energetic. Everyone there had a very positive attitude. Which is a big plus. Food: We started off with the coconut shrimp. The coconut shrimp was good. The coconut was crispy and the shrimp was well done for the main dish. I got the Cali Benedict. It was Soooo good. The hollandaise sauce was so tasty. The shrimp was fully seasoned and the potato's were well seasoned and huge. I recommend people getting this dish. Ambiance: The ambiance was great. There wasn't really a lot of people so that was nice. Just kids screaming and cry from time to time.

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Buona Forchetta - italian - Updated May 2026

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