Buona Forchetta - Encinitas

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!

I gave up dinner to a really nice italian restaurant nearby to go here since I saw all the great reviews. Well first of all the ambiance is a hole in the wall and outside was quite noisy the people next to us were so loud as the seating is very close.Ambiance well I felt too dressed up as it is very casual the chairs were uncomfortable the whole setting was a small table barely could fit the pizza, pasta and salads waiter had to keep taking things off well i wanted to ejoy my food together. ALso the kitchen is right there and you hear the loud silverware etc. I ordered the Beet salad way too much dressing and cheese so I could barely eat it. Gluten free pizza with the proosciutto which gave me stabbing stomach pain after and the bolognese which I could have done without. I ordered pesto on the side with extra tomato sauce since the pizza did not have barely any. I was really disappointed and would not go back. Also note stomach was upset for 2 days.

Awesome date night spot with incredible food.We started with a prosciutto, fig, and burrata appetizer that was surprisingly very generous on the prosciutto especially. Dressed simply with balsamic glaze and a nice salad of arugula on top for a lovely, classic bite.Main was seafood and lobster tail risotto and house-made pappardelle pasta with mixed seafood. Both were generously portioned and perfectly seasoned. The different types of seafood (clams, mussels, squid, shrimp, lobster) were all respectfully cooked and nothing tasted overdone or compromised for all being in one dish. I asked for extra bread to sop up the sauce in the pasta dish, and they happily obliged.Intimate spot with tables inside as well as on their front and side patios. Service was prompt and lovely. Couldn't ask for more out of an enjoyable dining experience.

Went last Saturday night, something has changed. Didn't recognize any of the staff (they used to have great waiters). I got the gnocchi w/ bolognese it was terrible, felt like I was eating wallpaper paste. My husband liked his dish - a seafood special over pasta. We split the beet salad and they changed that also - hardly any beets were in it. We also ate here two months ago and did not like our meals but we thought maybe it was an off night. Sadly, won't be back

Really wasn't a fan of the food at buona forchetta. The service was REALLY good and that was honestly the only really good thing about it. The bread was stale and the pasta I got was just untasty. I didn't taste any spice and it really just tasted like slightly sour milk to be honest. The guy at the table next to me also got the buona forchetta sauce and said he rated it a "D" on a grade scale. I would say it was more of a "C" rating but it really just didn't hit the spot. I normally like creamy pasta or pink sauce but I didn't taste much of the marinara and it wasn't salty enough... just tasted like straight cream. After I was done with the pasta, there was a whole pool of oil beneath it which was unappetizing. For the price, a very underwhelming serving of pasta and I think you can get much better in the area. I will say, the pizzas looked very good and my friend's pasta was decent. However, her pasta still didn't wow me when I had a bite :(The staff however were realllyyyy friendly and that makes this experience a higher rating. Staff deserve 5 stars for sure!

Outstanding fresh food! homeade pastas , incredible pizzas and variety of salads! We arrived , got our order taken right away and the food came out quickly and nice and hot !

This restaurant has decent pasta if that's what you're craving. They have unique pasta noodles you might not find in other Italian restaurants.I tried the pesto pasta and it was satisfying -- but on the oily side. Considering there's no protein, the price of $19 is kind of steep too.Service was slow, but we did go during rush lunch hour. The servers were friendly and you could tell they were doing their best given the circumstances.We sat outside because we had the pugs with us -- restaurants with nice outdoor seating always get bonus points :)Overall, I'd say this isn't the first restaurant that comes to mind when someone asks me where I want to eat in downtown Encinitas. But if I'm craving pasta, I would definitely come back and maybe try another entree.

Buona Forchetta is my favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego. I mostly frequent the South Park location so it was nice to try this Encinitas one that was conveniently located along Coast Hey. It was consistent in their hospitality, service and quality of food. This location had a cute alley way that was turned into outdoor seating as well as out front on the sidewalk. I did try two items that I've never had before - Juna pizza with vegan mozerella & carbonara pappardelle. The pizza was amazing with a variety of meat and the spicy honey which goes surprisingly well. The carbonara pappardelle pasta was cooked perfectly Al dente with a creamy sauce and bacon bits. The food came out quickly in less than 10 minutes and portions were a good size. I left feeling satisfied and glad that I again had a great experience at Buona Forchetta!

I absolutely love Buona Forchetta and it's an absolute must for anyone that's Gluten Free. Hands down the best pizza and homemade pasta that's the closest to the real things I've ever had. I've been several times most recently for my birthday with my family. We had the grilled marinated artichokes to start which had a great garlic and herb flavor and were tender to cut into. We shared the gluten free margarita pizza and gluten free pasta with Buona Forchetta sauce and shrimp. The pizza was cooked perfectly, just like the pizza in Naples. The pasta was outstanding, it was a gluten free penne but I loved the texture and the Buona Forchetta sauce is like a creamy vodka sauce with a little less spice. So flavorful. The shrimp were grilled and relatively large and had the perfect taste and texture. I also love that they carry several Italian wines that are very reasonably priced. We chose a Barbera since it was a hot day. We sat on the side patio which is mostly shaded but some sun was peeking through to give it a little warmth. Our server was attentive and offered a kids pasta option that was not on the menu for my kids. I'm always happy with my experience at Buona Forchetta - grazie!

Great service! Great food. Outdoor seating (a little tight). One restroom (probably more needed).