Buco Pizzeria & Vino Bar Windermere — Restaurant in Edmonton

This evening, my family and I had the distinct pleasure of dining at Buco Pizzeria + Vino Bar in Windermere, Edmonton—a venue that gracefully marries rustic Italian charm with contemporary sophistication. Though the restaurant was moderately occupied, the ambience retained an intimate and inviting quality, unmarred by the hum of adjacent tables. Upon arrival, we were courteously escorted to a corner table, thoughtfully fitted with a plush couch—an ideal arrangement for our party, especially with two young children in tow. The spatial arrangement allowed for both comfort and containment, a minor but meaningful detail that parents will undoubtedly appreciate. Shortly after we were seated, a youthful and spirited gentleman introduced himself as Mathew, our host for the evening. With a blend of affability and polished enthusiasm, he navigated the evening’s service with commendable attentiveness and poise, striking that rare balance between geniality and professionalism. Our culinary journey began with a Cream of Mushroom Soup, velvety and richly layered with earthy undertones—a masterclass in restrained decadence. The Buco Chop Salad offered a vibrant medley of textures and flavors, harmoniously tossed to preserve both freshness and balance. For appetizers, the Arancini arrived—golden orbs of risotto, perfectly crisped on the outside with a molten, savory core. The Whipped Ricotta Bruschette, ethereal in texture, was delicately sweetened and paired wonderfully with its crisp vehicle. The Fungi Bruschette was a rustic triumph, celebrating the humble mushroom in all its umami-forward glory. Our main courses showcased the heart of Buco’s expertise: wood-fired pizza. The Vegetariana (red sauce) was a vibrant, herbaceous affair—vegetables kissed by flame and anchored by a well-balanced tomato base. The Funghi (white sauce) was a more subdued, yet no less compelling, counterpart—earthy, creamy, and luxuriously indulgent. For the young diners, the Veal Meatballs and Rigatoni in Tomato Sauce were both approachable and satisfying—elevated children’s fare that did not condescend to its audience. A round of Hot Chocolate completed the meal, served warm and comforting, with just the right touch of sweetness. In summation, Buco Pizzeria + Vino Bar delivered a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The food was consistently excellent, executed with precision and passion. Mathew’s spirited hospitality elevated the experience further, making us feel genuinely welcomed and well cared for. I would, without hesitation, extend my highest recommendation to anyone seeking a refined yet relaxed Italian dining experience in the...

This is a good place for Italian without being fancy. Just straight casual setting.

The food is good. We ordered three dishes (antipasta, Secondi and dolce). Sorry if I used these Italian phrases as I been taught by Italian owner/chef of a typical Italian meal structure.

For antipasta, we ordered the mussels to share. The mussels taste good; however, the mussels you may need 3-4 pieces of bread to soak up all the tomato sauce. Also I felt that the mussels was warm not hot as I suspect the dish was sitting at service but was forgotten for a bit until being served.

Next my Father ordered pasta (primo). I tried my Father's pasta and it is good. I dare say better than Vaticano Cucina.

My Brother and I shared a Grigliata Mista (Secondi). The various meats on this dish tasted very good. This dish is cheaper than West Side Vivo. I was kinda surprised with the porchetta as I thought it would be wrapped in prosciutto not regular bacon. The sauce I felt is unnecessary as you should let showcase the meat and the spices used on that dish; as I barely used the sauce only for my fries I used the sauce. One thing the Mista dish is missing is a pasta (primo) of some sort. Perhaps a small or medium pasta dish for any grill dishes. Then I think this dish would be perfect and I would rate it a 10/10.

Next time I would buy a pasta dish to share if I decide to order something from the grill section.

Finally Dolce (dessert), the dessert is good overall. Although I prefer the ricotta cake but I was surprised with Bombolini as I had low expectations with that dish. Also I did not know buying an Americano comes with two biscotti. Even the server commented that this the way Italians have coffee (caffe) with their dessert. She rarely sees other customers doing that.

The server is good as we initially thought that someone forgot about us. However, she came by and apologized to us and explained that she was busy at that moment.

I...

Wow! Our team was left speechless! What an amazing experience! We had our office Holiday Party at Bucco this year and will definitely be returning! The planning process was extremely simple, and Jessica is an absolute breeze to work with! From the moment we connected she took care of us with the utmost attention to detail and positivity you just can't beat. When we arrived our tables were arranged and ready to go, welcome drinks were displayed and all they needed from me was the okay to start. Such a huge relief off my plate as the planner, Jessica had everything under control! The service from our 2 servers, Demi and Sebastian, was top-notch, they were both extremely attentive, prompt and friendly. The food was spectacular and made its way to us in a very timely manner. As an Italian, it is incredibly hard to find authentic Italian flavours and food here in Edmonton. This pizza is the closest I have had to real Neapolitan pizza, the kind that flops when you hold it up and has that nostalgic charred flavour on the bottom of the puffed-up crunchy crust. 10/10 recommend! As you can see from the photos, everyone enjoyed the food! With a 4 course meal, bottles of wine, welcome drinks and the whole nine yards, we came in UNDER budget.  My team was incredibly impressed and thinks I am a superstar, which I owe all to the Bucco team! Don't sleep on this one! Book your next party here and you won't be disappointed! Thank you so so much to the Bucco team for making our party a huge success and we look forward to visiting again...