Buona Forchetta

Jen Knight

Came here early on a rainy night and had the restraunt to ourselves! Pizza was good charcuterie board was good. Desert was just okay. We would definitely come back, but maybe not when it's crowded.

James Ge

In order to celebrate a great moment in my life, I searched for a highly-rated Italian restaurant. They offered homemade pasta and pizza, and all the wines were from Italy, including the house wine. The service was as warm and attentive as in Italy. When I arrived with my dog, they enthusiastically provided water and treats for him. For a moment, I felt as if I had returned to Italy. Upon reflection, I realized that aside from the people and the air, everything here was 100% from Italy! PS:It is said the boss was made in Italy

Abby Margolin

This restaurant is INCREDIBLE! The food is some of the best we’ve ever had, the atmosphere is gorgeous and lively, and the staff are so kind and charming. This will be the first place we come back to the next time we visit. This is a must try!!!

Karen Gardner Realtor, eXp Realty of California

Amazing food & service! You definitely have to try this new place! My friend and I stumbled across this cute place just looking to get a glass of wine a little later in the night. Everything was closing down except the younger places on the boardwalk which we did not want! The owner Matteo said they were closed and we mentioned all we wanted was a glass of wine, well he invited us in and not only gave us some great wine, but also had a pizza made for us in their wood burning oven which was delicious! We had such great service from all of the staff we decided to come back the next day for dinner. We were greeted by Matteo with some champagne & a big smile which was a special treat. The food was fantastic! We all had something off the specials menu. We were also treated with a tiramisu that was so good to thank us for coming back. We highly recommend Buona Forchetta in Newport and we can't wait to be back! You will not be disappointed with the food and especially the great service. Thank you Matteo, you have something special and we appreciate your generosity!

tesa lau

Customer service and yummies - top notch! Mad props to Kailyn and Omar for their vibe, guidance, and incredible service 🙌🏼 Thank you, both of you...you are stars! The pizza was the perfect hit after a beach day (I got the Sergio plus artichokes and yummy hot oil, after Omar's rec). The vino was the perfect pairing to Sergio, especially after Omar let me figure out which one fit my palate...after multiple samples, ha. Thank you, Omar! The last couple days - my cousins had been commenting on Buona Forchetta - and I don't regret that this was my last meal on my last night visiting Newport!

Pam’s Reviews

So happy this place is open! Love the OG sister restaurant in South Park neighborhood of San Diego! We ordered the cioppino, sage ravioli, pomodoro, and make your own fettuccine with pink sauce and 🍤 Friendly staff! Lovely atmosphere

Mitchell Neller

Got reservations to Forchetta for my birthday and a friend's birthday celebration dinner! Man, we were not disappointed at all, and this place surprised me immensely. Great flavors on EVERY dish. There was not one dish we had that had bad taste at all. The service was on it the entire night as well! What we got - Foccacia Garlic Bread and Gluten-Free Garlic Bread, Meatballs, and the Juno pizza as appetizers. The Juno was phenomenal. It's a great pack of punch and flavor with a wonderful fluffy crust. The bread had great crunch and TONS of garlic flavor! Meatballs can't go wrong. Just get them. Main courses, we of course, had to the pasta and ended up choosing their Pappardella with the Buona Forchetta sauce, just do it. Make sure to get the handmade egg pasta! Friends got the pesto, cacio e pepe, and another meatball red sauce. Again, all wonderful. I'm definitely going back again to try more pasta and pizza. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Mohammed KH

It was a great experience! They offer amazing traditional Italian food, full of authentic flavors. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about Italian cuisine, which made the dining experience even better. I’d especially like to thank Giancarlo for his exceptional service—he made sure we fully enjoyed our Italian food experience. I will definitely be coming back!

jackie bassman

We stumbled upon this gem during our time in Lido and it was 5 stars across the board. Marco recommended a fabulous wine and was very knowledgeable about the selections. Rico was an incredible server and made thoughtful suggestions and made sure we were comfortable and taken care of. The food was exceptional, authentic Italian and best of all - they had a very extensive vegan menu and wonderful gluten free options. Everything was top notch, including the dessert, and the ambiance and water views can’t be beat. The patio is so charming. A must try!

Great food and service! We have heard great things about the pizza here and it did it did not disappoint. Their gluten free pizzas are also probably the best we have had. Great hospitality from everyone we interacted with there. We will definitely be coming back!

Buona Forchetta New restaurant Friday is a little like panning for gold. You have to sort through a number of pebbles and rocks to find a single gold nugget. Last night we hit a mother lode. Buona Forchetta in Newport Beach was exceptional in every way. From the young lady who answered the phone to the hostess at the front door to Gabby, our wonderful Server to Omar, the manager, all working together to make our evening memorable. We started with an appetizer of pizza bites that were more like Pizza mouthfuls.Three flavors each excellent and a great way to start our dinner. We then shared a pizza. Not just any pizza, but a pizza that compared favorably with any that I had growing up in New York City. A rare find indeed for Southern California. Our next course was tagliatelle with shrimp in a special house sauce that was delicious. By the time we got to the desert portion of our meal, we found we had no room left to put it. Maybe on our next visit. Can’t wait! Great food! Great service! Great atmosphere! Generous portions! More than reasonable prices!

Valentine’s Day dinner at Buona Forchetta? Say less. I had the Lasagna Bolognese and my husband ordered the Cacio e Pepe with burrata, and listen… it was that good. The lasagna was rich, hearty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Every bite felt like comfort on a plate. The Cacio e Pepe was creamy, perfectly seasoned, and the burrata made it indulgent in the best way. This place stays on point with both food and service. Every single time.

Buona Forchetta is hands down one of the most incredible dining experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment you walk in, the ambience immediately captures you—it’s warm, inviting, and has this perfect blend of cozy charm with a lively, vibrant energy. Every detail feels thoughtfully crafted, making it the kind of place where you can truly relax and enjoy yourself. Now, the food—oh my goodness, the food is out of this world! Every dish we tried was bursting with flavor, made with such care, and cooked to absolute perfection. It’s clear that this kitchen takes pride in what they serve. My family and I were completely blown away; it’s easily some of the best food we’ve ever had. What makes this place even more special is the care and kindness of the owner. My son didn’t finish his meal, and the owner personally came over to check if everything was okay and if anything needed to be fixed. That level of attentiveness and genuine care is so rare—it truly made us feel valued and welcome. Everything about Buona Forchetta is amazing—amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambience. We cannot recommend it enough and will absolutely be returning. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience, and one that will stay with you long after the meal is over.

Omar, the host, and the entire restaurant staff go above and beyond to ensure a unique and unforgettable dining experience. The food is delectable, the wine exceptional, and the atmosphere warm and inviting. If you’re seeking quality, exceptional service, and mouthwatering cuisine, this is the place to be.

Ayaan Kohli

Buona Forchetta is hands down one of the most incredible dining experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment you walk in, the ambience immediately captures you—it’s warm, inviting, and has this perfect blend of cozy charm with a lively, vibrant energy. Every detail feels thoughtfully crafted, making it the kind of place where you can truly relax and enjoy yourself. Now, the food—oh my goodness, the food is out of this world! Every dish we tried was bursting with flavor, made with such care, and cooked to absolute perfection. It’s clear that this kitchen takes pride in what they serve. My family and I were completely blown away; it’s easily some of the best food we’ve ever had. What makes this place even more special is the care and kindness of the owner. My son didn’t finish his meal, and the owner personally came over to check if everything was okay and if anything needed to be fixed. That level of attentiveness and genuine care is so rare—it truly made us feel valued and welcome. Everything about Buona Forchetta is amazing—amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambience. We cannot recommend it enough and will absolutely be returning. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience, and one that will stay with you long after the meal is over.

I really think this place has the potential to be a five star. Just needs a bit more. We were a party of 6 and were sat down promptly at our reservation time. We ordered a few cocktails. I had their spritzer that USA water down version of an aperol spritz. I asked the waiter whether the use aperol and he said it’s ther own version which I am not sure what that meant. Had the focaccia artichoke and calamari for appetizers. 4, 5, 4 stars. For mains I had their weekly special pasta with heirloom tomato sauce and scallops. Pasta was really under seasoned and the scallop was really well seasoned. 4. I finished my wife’s cioppino. The xioppino was good but the bread needed to be toasted but regardless it was a hearty portion with good broth. 5. I tried the tiramisu and the or salted caramel gelato. Both really good. With wine it came to $130 per person.

It was our first time here and I came with my whole family so we were excited. The location is in a beautiful spot right next to the harbor with nice outdoor seating. Service was also excellent and we were able to order right away. Here’s what we ordered: Eggplant Parmigiana: this was alright. It’s usually my favorite dish to eat at an Italian restaurant but this wasn’t. The eggplant wasn’t seasoned at all but was totally blend. The presentation was great but lacking flavor. Piera pizza: the best dish on the menu! Wish they added more pesto pesto but I may just be getting greedy. All ingredients were fresh and delicious. Gnoki: it was overdone and the texture was off, not flavorful either. We would never order this again. Calamari: my in laws absolutely loved this dish! It was crispy and delicious. Carbonara: my in laws also enjoyed this dish - can’t go wrong here. Fatorre: delicious salad - the veggies were fresh and the dressing was on point. Chefs special salad: my wife enjoyed the grapefruit and I enjoyed the creamy burrata. Fantastic dish overall. Buono forchetta: this was my wife’s favorite dish! The sauce was creamy and extremely mouth watering. A truly warming dish. All the wines my family had they also loved. Overall, a solid restaurant but definitely room for improvement.

Dinner in this nice Italian restaurant, i didn't have pizza ... and looks like pizza is the beat thing they can do ... The other dishes are pretty good some probably very good ... but looks like they're not really Authentic Italian ... too much garlic...too much onions... Service is very good and friendly... Location is nice . Next time I'll try again and see if I can give them 4. Starts .

Great place for our Valentine’s Day Dinner! I’m vegan, and my girlfriend is vegetarian and they had lots of options. Huge portions as well, for a good price. We both really loved the focaccia and the entree were both good. Gf got margherita pizza and I had Penne al Funghi. We spent $150 including 22% tip for a huge focaccia, two entree, italian sodas, tiramisu, espresso shot and bottle of prosecco. I feel for that price point, it was good. Not to mention, very kind, gay-friendly italian server

Shahram Mehraban

I really think this place has the potential to be a five star. Just needs a bit more. We were a party of 6 and were sat down promptly at our reservation time. We ordered a few cocktails. I had their spritzer that USA water down version of an aperol spritz. I asked the waiter whether the use aperol and he said it’s ther own version which I am not sure what that meant. Had the focaccia artichoke and calamari for appetizers. 4, 5, 4 stars. For mains I had their weekly special pasta with heirloom tomato sauce and scallops. Pasta was really under seasoned and the scallop was really well seasoned. 4. I finished my wife’s cioppino. The xioppino was good but the bread needed to be toasted but regardless it was a hearty portion with good broth. 5. I tried the tiramisu and the or salted caramel gelato. Both really good. With wine it came to $130 per person.

Harsh Patel

It was our first time here and I came with my whole family so we were excited. The location is in a beautiful spot right next to the harbor with nice outdoor seating. Service was also excellent and we were able to order right away. Here’s what we ordered: Eggplant Parmigiana: this was alright. It’s usually my favorite dish to eat at an Italian restaurant but this wasn’t. The eggplant wasn’t seasoned at all but was totally blend. The presentation was great but lacking flavor. Piera pizza: the best dish on the menu! Wish they added more pesto pesto but I may just be getting greedy. All ingredients were fresh and delicious. Gnoki: it was overdone and the texture was off, not flavorful either. We would never order this again. Calamari: my in laws absolutely loved this dish! It was crispy and delicious. Carbonara: my in laws also enjoyed this dish - can’t go wrong here. Fatorre: delicious salad - the veggies were fresh and the dressing was on point. Chefs special salad: my wife enjoyed the grapefruit and I enjoyed the creamy burrata. Fantastic dish overall. Buono forchetta: this was my wife’s favorite dish! The sauce was creamy and extremely mouth watering. A truly warming dish. All the wines my family had they also loved. Overall, a solid restaurant but definitely room for improvement.

Stefano Bertera

Dinner in this nice Italian restaurant, i didn't have pizza ... and looks like pizza is the beat thing they can do ... The other dishes are pretty good some probably very good ... but looks like they're not really Authentic Italian ... too much garlic...too much onions... Service is very good and friendly... Location is nice . Next time I'll try again and see if I can give them 4. Starts .

Jojo Huang

A beautiful spot for a girls night out or a date night. The ambience is great, it feels classy but accesible. The food was yummy with good portions for sharing.

Jay Scott

Great place for our Valentine’s Day Dinner! I’m vegan, and my girlfriend is vegetarian and they had lots of options. Huge portions as well, for a good price. We both really loved the focaccia and the entree were both good. Gf got margherita pizza and I had Penne al Funghi. We spent $150 including 22% tip for a huge focaccia, two entree, italian sodas, tiramisu, espresso shot and bottle of prosecco. I feel for that price point, it was good. Not to mention, very kind, gay-friendly italian server

Nadia Sanchez

this place is SO cute and so yumm BUTTTT..you will have to evacuate to go to the bathroom. whether it comes up or down, it will be coming out of ur body in no time. definitely recommend if you're trying to clear out your system. enjoy!!

The pizza was good, The pasta was lacking in flavor(got the carbonara and it just tasted like butter noodles, no richness to the sauce at all and was a bit runny). Calamari was good and cooked well, and the fresh focaccia was good. Overall an OK experience but likely will not be back again. Service was a bit slow, and felt the table got forgotten a bit and had to flag down our waiter for drink refills, but it was valentines day which is to be expected for a bit of a longer wait

This place had many good reviews, but honestly… I don’t think I’d ever go back. I lived in Italy for almost ten years, so I’m quite picky when it comes to Italian food. I ordered the calamari fritti , pizza Margherita, and penne all’arrabbiata. The calamari was excellent — fresh, light, and perfectly cooked. I’ll give full credit for that. However, the cheese on the pizza was poor in quality, and the tomato sauce was overly sour and lacked flavor. The pasta was disappointing as well. The atmosphere was somewhat romantic, but the service was not good at all. The staff avoided eye contact, and even when I finally got their attention, they looked away again. They brought the welcome bread only after I asked for it — when I was almost done with my meal. So… despite the nice reviews, this place just wasn’t for me.

Ara

This place had many good reviews, but honestly… I don’t think I’d ever go back. I lived in Italy for almost ten years, so I’m quite picky when it comes to Italian food. I ordered the calamari fritti , pizza Margherita, and penne all’arrabbiata. The calamari was excellent — fresh, light, and perfectly cooked. I’ll give full credit for that. However, the cheese on the pizza was poor in quality, and the tomato sauce was overly sour and lacked flavor. The pasta was disappointing as well. The atmosphere was somewhat romantic, but the service was not good at all. The staff avoided eye contact, and even when I finally got their attention, they looked away again. They brought the welcome bread only after I asked for it — when I was almost done with my meal. So… despite the nice reviews, this place just wasn’t for me.

The manager (or owner) and their employees are very biased on their level service depending on who you are. The owner went up to every table, expect for ours. The waiters as well, very attentive towards others, constantly checking up on others, but just not us. Didn't feel welcomed to be there. For example, we were never asked if we want dessert after our meal. Other tables were asked by the same waitress, just not us. Another example, the table behind us asked for a box for their pizza. The waitress came, grabbed the pizza and helped them put it in the box. For us, we asked and she came by dropped the box and walked off without saying anything. I felt racism and discrimination at many restaurants. And I get people have their own perceptive and opinions, but this place doesn't compare to theother discriminatory places I have been too. I honestly don’t write bad reviews for restaurants, because I believe every restaurants have their pros and cons. But I was disappointed at this place. Truly as a person it sucked. Not to mention, my fiancée and I just got engaged. We got all dressed up to celebrate our engagement. We were excited, especially because our friend recommended this place. Our friends actually told us that the manager and waiters were very friendly. But just not to us. Maybe we expected too much? Or caught them at a bad time? As for the food, this was my first "authentic" Italian food. For me the food was bland,tasteless, and undercooked. Pizza dough was watery and very raw. I would lift the pizza and all the toppings fell off because of how watery it was. But maybe thats me and "real" Italian food is like this. To each their own. Atmosphere was great, the place inside and outside was very nice. I do want to give it props to them for that. But overall very disappointed, dissatisfied, and felt like trash here. I truly hope no one will ever be treated like how me and my fiancée were treated here.

Harris Kim

The manager (or owner) and their employees are very biased on their level service depending on who you are. The owner went up to every table, expect for ours. The waiters as well, very attentive towards others, constantly checking up on others, but just not us. Didn't feel welcomed to be there. For example, we were never asked if we want dessert after our meal. Other tables were asked by the same waitress, just not us. Another example, the table behind us asked for a box for their pizza. The waitress came, grabbed the pizza and helped them put it in the box. For us, we asked and she came by dropped the box and walked off without saying anything. I felt racism and discrimination at many restaurants. And I get people have their own perceptive and opinions, but this place doesn't compare to theother discriminatory places I have been too. I honestly don’t write bad reviews for restaurants, because I believe every restaurants have their pros and cons. But I was disappointed at this place. Truly as a person it sucked. Not to mention, my fiancée and I just got engaged. We got all dressed up to celebrate our engagement. We were excited, especially because our friend recommended this place. Our friends actually told us that the manager and waiters were very friendly. But just not to us. Maybe we expected too much? Or caught them at a bad time? As for the food, this was my first "authentic" Italian food. For me the food was bland,tasteless, and undercooked. Pizza dough was watery and very raw. I would lift the pizza and all the toppings fell off because of how watery it was. But maybe thats me and "real" Italian food is like this. To each their own. Atmosphere was great, the place inside and outside was very nice. I do want to give it props to them for that. But overall very disappointed, dissatisfied, and felt like trash here. I truly hope no one will ever be treated like how me and my fiancée were treated here.