Went here on a Wednesday evening for dinner to meet some friend that were in town. We had reservations and seated right away. It was located right off the freeway and parking was super easy. It wasn't crowded at all. It was a cute little place with indoor and outdoor seating. The waitress was super nice and explained the dishes. She kept checking on us at the right time when we ran out of wine! Perfect! We started with foccocia and caprese salad. It was very delicious. Every one but me order a pizza but I've been to other Buona Forchetta before and know the pizza are amazing. Pasta is great, too but pizza is my fav. I ordered now o forget the name but it only had cheese and tomatoes and they allowed me to add a meatball which was giant and buratta. It was soooo good! I also had Sauvignon blanc from Napa that was amazing. Now, I was so excited to see my friend forgot to get pics but it was great. Highly recommend. read more

This cozy little spot on the main road in San Clemente offers some tasty Italian eats. The restaurant lacks dedicated parking, so you will want to plan ahead to use the attached garage or hunt for a street spot nearby. The inside is inviting and features a nice little patio. The interior has an industrial vibe, but they did a great job with the decor to tie the space together and make it fun. Service was warm, friendly, and quick. The servers answered all our questions thoroughly and were highly knowledgeable about both the dinner and wine menus. The charcuterie platter was mid. Given this is an Italian restaurant, pepper jack cheese felt like the wrong choice, and it was a mistake to trim all the fat off the prosciutto di Parma. The presentation was great, but I would pass on it next time. The special menu had some promising dishes. I tried the asparagus risotto with chili shrimp. The flavor was there and the shrimp was cooked nicely, but the risotto was way too liquidy. I also tried the pappardelle with due pomodori and added guanciale. This was delish, and I would order it every single time I dine here. All in all, this is a great little date spot or a fun place to share food and wine with friends. Check them out! read more

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The food is to die for. Literally everything I've ordered has been amazing. The manger/owner that I have come across a couple times has no bedside manner. The staff works their butt off and I see him yelling at them every time I dine. He has been rude to my son when asking to switch to a bigger table. It won't stop me from going but maybe it will help. read more

Buona Forchetta - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Food was good. Service so-so. Parking ... Wow. Anytime around 7pm, be prepared to park no where near the restaurant and hike there or take an Uber. Outside seating is a nice option. Inside seating is noisy. read more

Buona Forchetta - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

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The pasta is fresh and so is the pizza dough. Great ambiance as you feel like you're in a cafe in Italy. Pretty basic sauces. You just choose the pasta shape and the sauce. Perfectly executed al dente. Service is slow. Just like Italy. Prices are high. Just like Italy. read more

Great Italian spot! We were greeted the moment we got there. The staff were warm and friendly. The service was fantastic. Alex was our server and she was friendly and had great energy. The food was delicious! I ordered a vegan pizza that had artichokes, olives, and arugula and loved it. My husband had the lasagna bolognese and loved it. We also ordered a cheese pizza and spaghetti for our kids. They gave two thumbs up. The restaurant has a warm and cozy vibe. Definitely check it out. The only negative things were I mentioned it was my husband's bday in our reservation and no one acknowledged it. Also we ordered four regular drinks which came out to over $22. My kids lemonades were $6.50 each. I would love for them to add a kids menu drink included in a kids cup. read more

Buona Forchetta - Vegan (Jackson) pizza. - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Great service but pasta was mediocre pizza was best choice. Not likely going back too many other choices.

We were thrilled to learn that this beloved San Diego restaurant opened up a spot in San Clemente. Pizzas are just as delicious- there's something special about a wood fired pizza that makes it stand out from other eateries. Perfect for an outing for our small family of three. Toddler approved and took bites from all three meals - we had a fried pizza appetizer with burrata on top (texture is like a doughnut), the pappardelle with meat and red sauce, and the mushroom pizza. See pix. So delicious. read more

Buona Forchetta - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Came in here randomly and it reminded me of an old Italian grandmas kitchen. It's very cute and the patio is even cuter! We ordered the foccacia, burrata and the AOP and everything was great! AOP could have used a little more salt but that was on the table so no complaints. Service is a little slow but they only had one server working. I'd come back and try the other items on the menu read more

Buona Forchetta - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

I'm going to start this off my saying that this was one of the worst experiences i've ever had at a restaurant, if not the worst. I would recommend avoiding this restaurant like the plague, because I sure will be. This restaurant was a very strange experience to say the least. I went in tonight with a party of 8 and we were immediately met with hostility from staff. We were seated and all but ignored by the waitress for a while, then after we ordered and got our food she avoided us for the rest of the night. The manager and staff went to all of the other tables to check with them and have friendly conversations, but again avoided and ignored us the whole time. The pizza was not very good either, it was weirdly soggy and the crust was very thin. It was some sort of water or juice, not oil. The toppings tasted fine, but they all fell off of the pizza immediately. I've attached a few photos of the pizza. In addition to the sub-par pizza, one person at our table ordered a tequila drink and it was never brought out. I understand forgetting that stuff but on top of everything else it seems worth mentioning. The atmosphere there was also very strange, walking in we were getting stared at and side eyed by staff and other customers. It felt like we were walking into an event that we weren't invited to or that we were the butt of an inside joke we weren't apart of. In my opinion, a place can have either bad service and good food or good service and bad food to still be decent, but not bad service as well as bad food. This place had bad service and bad food. I don't know if their management just doesn't want repeat customers or what, but it seems like they're doing a great job of making sure that people don't want to come back. read more

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Met friends for dinner tonight and none of us had eaten here before of even noticed it so we were all excited to try something new. It was a little chilly to fully enjoy the big open space of the big main room and the large windows. The big doors are likely open on a warm summer night. The design elements gave an intentional feel as though you are eating in a friend's Italian garden at a farm house table. Boxes of wine bottles stacked neatly against the wall added to the charm of a "local Italian business" nothing pretentious about this place. We had fast and friendly service and our food was prepared quite quickly despite a nearly full restaurant. Everyone in our party loved their menu choice but I only got to photograph my Margherita pizza and our surprise birthday dessert. The pizza was perfectly cooked with a nice wood smoked scent to the slightly chewy crust. A few of the bubbles on the crust were also a nice blackened char that added to the overall flavor but didn't detract from the sweetness of the sauce. My mouth is watering just thinking about eat bite as I write this. Our server knew we were celebrating two birthdays and brought us a surprise Panna Cotta with fresh berries and a sparkler to top it off. Surprisingly, I have never had Panna Cotta before and it is such a lovely treat. Not overly sweet and something everyone can enjoy. We had a pleasant evening and will definitely return. We look forward to tasting more items from the menu but as a Margherita pizza lover myself, I will find it hard to stray from that selection now that I've tasted how fresh it is! Thanks Buona Forchetta for welcoming our families into your "home" tonight. read more

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I was excited to finally try Buana Forchetta but was severely disappointed. The pizza presentations were fantastic but lacked flavor. The pizza sauce was light and watery. The toppings slid off the slice as I picked it up. The crust was soggy. I hope they do a much better job with the pasta but I don't know. The Momtanara was the best thing we ate from the 4 items we ordered. The restaurant decor was charming and our server was fantastic. The manager was rude, arrogant and not friendly at all. I saw three separate group of customers walk in and the manager didn't smile once. Our sever should be the manager. You have one chance to make a first and last great impression. Sorry, not a fan. I hope they get better and wish them more success. Visited on April 26th 2026 read more

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We sat on the patio for dinner and it was such a lovely atmosphere. Our table tried several of the vegan options and it was all delicious with plentiful portion sizes. Our server was friendly and the service was perfect. It was a beautiful evening! read more

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Disappointing experience at Buona Forchetta in San Clemente. The service was poor, the waitstaff were unpleasant, and management didn't seem friendly or welcoming. The pizza was especially disappointing--the crust was undercooked in places, while the bottom and center were burnt. It had an unpleasant burnt taste that made me question how well the pizza oven was being cleaned. There was also no Wi-Fi available, and we couldn't get cell reception inside the building. Between the food and the service, this was not an experience I would want to repeat. read more

This restaurant has been on the hot-hot list of restaurants not just in San Clemente but all Orange County. But when all the hoopla dies down and your taste buds are in working order, the food, menu selection and quality are very typical of all the Italian restaurants in the area, just more expensive! Sometimes, people get caught up in the hype and want to be part of the conversation. Kudos to Buona Forchetta for creating an image that has put them in the spotlight! However, sometimes, an image is just a mirage. read more

Lovely spot for a date night or girls night out!! We had an awesome dinner at Buona Forchetta. Their homemade pastas are incredible and you can mix and match pasta with different sauce and add ins. The salads are also really good as starters. Great selection of wines and desserts. We got the fried pizza dough with dipping sauce - amazing!' Service was wonderful as well. Our waiter was super personable and made great recommendations. We can't wait to go back! read more

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! read more

Buona Forchetta - Vegan ravioli with asparagus. Omggg-worthy. - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Great pizza spot! We got the Martina and really enjoyed it. They have great wine selection, great service and ambiance. read more

Buona Forchetta - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

The food was delicious i mean it the best Italian food I have ever eaten that was not made at my own house it was amazing it felt and tasted home made i would totally go back the service was awesome we came very close with a waiter named Kevin we hade 5 times in a row! The ambiance I love because they really stuck with one theme it wasn't crazy with a bunch of different things it was calm pretty and good background music so I would definitely go back to the San Clemente restaurant location read more

Buona Forchetta - My delicious food i got at the San Clemente restaurant location - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

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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. read more

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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. read more

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First time here, came on the recommendation of a friend who lived in Sicily, Italy for 20 years and this is his favorite Italian here. It did not disappoint, the food was great , service impeccable and darling decor/ambience. Will definitely be back! Highly recommend: Artichoke appetizer, garlic focaccia bread, prosciutto pizza, pesto pasta, overall the pastas & pizza was incredible. There were 9 of us and each one was so happy with their choice read more

Buona Forchetta - Prosciutto, Arugula pizza w/added balsamic glaze & crushed red peppers - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Wonderful all around. We're locals but it took my wife and I a couple of years to get here (kids). Food: The cioppino special was outstanding...sauce was flavorful and not too thin. My wife had the tagliolini w/pesto, another tasty choice. The flavors are nicely pronounced and dishes aren't too heavy. Drinks: Chianti Riserva was a great compliment, nice Italian wine selection, I appreciate that it's focused and many by the glass options, you must try the Cantucci Vin Santo if they have it for dessert...vin santo is a beautiful after-dinner wine Service: Laurlynn was very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. I hope she stays for our next visit. Interior: Bright, open, and welcoming Exterior: We sat inside but there's a nice outdoor patio with many tables Location: Far enough from Del Mar to avoid the crowds but still accessible to town, exit El Camino if coming from the north to avoid traffic Parking: We went early and found free street parking right outside, but the receipt notes their free underground lot with entrance on Santiago Ave read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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Our server Kevin was awesome. He added so much to our experience and made our night extra fun and extra special! He was attentive, so helpful with recommendations, and just so funny! read more

We had a quiet little Italian dinner with the absolute best of Italian food served by an excellent server Laurlynn.

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. read more

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Food was ok; service was good. It's a cute restaurant. However, the inside seating is extremely noisy. Not likely to go back, as there are too many other choices. read more

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! read more

Buona Forchetta - Gluten free gnocchi with pesto and burrata - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

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This visit we ordered takeout rather late in the evening and it was wonderful on a Monday night that their hours accommodated our order after flight delays and late return home. I'd been eyeing their pastas from afar and this was the perfect opportunity to indulge. They did not disappoint! I can't tell you how difficult it is to find an Amatriciana pasta, and then for it to actually be delicious. Very satisfied. My husband got the lasagna bolognese and really enjoyed it - wonderful and hearty for a chilly evening. The brushcettone is still the go-to dish for us. One of these days we'll have to find time to dine in :) On a side note, I'd like to add that Joe B and his responses to reviews, including my own is very honest, targeted and genuine, unlike a lot of others in this community. Looking forward to that potato pizza romana ;) read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Buona Forchetta - Lamb - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Nice service and delicious meals. Great variety of food. Really nice place for lunch and dinner. Thank you!

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. read more

Buona Forchetta - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Since moving to San Clemente a year and a half ago, this is still our favorite Italian place in town. Hands down. The only thing is the pizza is inconsistent in a different way, sometimes it's incredible like today (Easter Sunday) with thick crust and juicy, delicious, with tons of toppings and other times it's very thin dough and overdone with barely any toppings. It got to the point where we'd only come on certain days since whoever was cooking just wasn't using enough ingredients. Other than that, I can't get enough of this place. I've never had gluten free dough that's better than regular dough, it's sooooo good. And the pepperoni...don't get me started on the pepperoni. Mmmmmmm! Mmm! Mmm! Still five stars. read more

If there was a zero-star option, that's what I would give. I waited over an hour just to get a table for two. Once I was finally seated, the experience immediately went downhill. The server who helped us (a husky, red-haired woman) made it very clear that she was trying to rush us through our order. Her tone came across as impatient and unwelcoming, loudly saying, "Hey, what do you guys want?" right after we sat down. I ordered two beers, but after that interaction and the overall attitude, I decided to leave without even getting the beers to the table. I didn't even get a chance to try the food, which was disappointing. Unfortunately, the service completely ruined what could have been a good experience. read more

House made everything. Pappardelle was fantastic with the guanciale carbonara sauce. The house made burrata with organic tomatoes was incredible. Broccolini sautéd in EVOO with garlic was perfectly al dente. wine list comprised mostly of Italian wines was impress read more

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! read more

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We're BF fanatics and have been to this location several times now and just like the other locations it never disappoints. Love their lasagne and the Nicola pizza. Wish this location had more than a beer and wine permit. read more