Buona Forchetta - Encinitas — Restaurant in Encinitas

If you're in Encinitas and craving an authentic Italian pizza experience, look no further than Buona Forchetta. This gem of a restaurant brings a true taste of Italy to Southern California, and their pizza is nothing short of spectacular.

From the moment you step inside, the ambiance exudes a cozy, welcoming Italian charm. The staff is warm and attentive, making you feel right at home. But the real star here is the pizza.

The crust at Buona Forchetta is the epitome of what an Italian pizza crust should be – thin, crispy, and perfectly charred. It strikes a delicate balance, offering a satisfying crunch without being too brittle. Each bite delivers a delightful contrast of textures, with a tender, airy interior beneath the crisp exterior.

Their menu offers a variety of pizzas that cater to all tastes, from classic Margherita to more adventurous toppings. The ingredients are fresh and of the highest quality, which shines through in every bite. The tomato sauce is vibrant and tangy, the mozzarella is creamy and melts beautifully, and the toppings are generously applied without overwhelming the crust.

One standout is their Margherita pizza – a simple yet perfect representation of Italian pizza. The combination of San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil on that flawless crust is a match made in heaven. Each ingredient is allowed to shine, creating a harmonious and utterly delicious pie.

Beyond the pizza, Buona Forchetta offers a variety of other Italian dishes that are equally impressive. However, if you’re there for the pizza, you won’t be disappointed. Pair your meal with one of their excellent wine selections or a refreshing Italian soda for the full experience.

In summary, Buona Forchetta in Encinitas delivers an authentic Italian pizza experience that is hard to find outside of Italy. With its perfect crust, high-quality ingredients, and welcoming atmosphere, it’s a must-visit for pizza lovers....

I've dined at the South Park location and had the pizza at The Liberty Station location. Unfortunately, the Leucadia location was a disappointment to me.

We had reservations at another restaurant down the road and we ended up canceling it because I wanted a good pizza. Boo! My big mistake.

We arrived and the wait time was about 20-25 minutes for a table for 2. Perfect! I thought to myself I know the other locations is always a long wait.

We were first seated out on the patio. The fans were hitting straight on me and I knew I'd get annoyed so I asked a server if they could aim it elsewhere. He said no he can't turn it so I said no worries. As I sat there I eventually came to my senses and decided to ask for another table.

The front staff said it would be a wait and I was perfectly fine with waiting again. We were actually sat within 5 minutes. Our table for two was right behind the high top chairs by the glass window to the kitchen and the pathway for servers delivering the food from the kitchen. Errr... the walkway was tight so servers walking by would bump into my chair.

Our server was very nice but we barely saw her. While she was cleaning our table i grabbed my wine and held it. She almost knocked it down. Whew...

Food: Pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms Pasta (forgot what I ordered) It was okay but it lacked salt. See photo. • Complimentary Bread -meh... not worth the carbs and I asked for butter.

The pizza was so bad. I ate a slice and Tupac ate a slice. We didn't event take the left overs home. The pizza was soggy. I was so disappointed.

When we walked out we both said we will never return nor will I recommend...

I tried multiple times during our vacation to stop in for lunch or dinner to one of their several locations and it just never worked out... until almost the end. We came on Sunday mid-afternoon, maybe 4pm, that perfect hour. Very few patrons, seated right away in a large back room so no one had to hear our kids (I appreciate this strategy).

The calamari was alright; ordered only because the kids inhale it. Had a difficult time making a selection off the specials menu, the options were amazing! But I finally chanced the carbonara ravioli with butter/sage sauce. Absolutely delicious! Sage can be daunting to kids but they both enjoyed their portion.

Now. I am not a pizza person. Husband and boys can eat it all day but not me (Even then, I prefer a pizza bianche). But when I enjoy it, it's because it is made very well, with time and style. Buona Forchetta nails a perfect pizza. Regardless of topping, the crust was just right. It was not heavy or doughy, just right to carry a fresh sauce and quality toppings. We had a Margherita with sausage and pepperoni the "cupping" kind and a Sergio. The former was good but the latter was just lovely. A special kind of pizza can carry a salad :)

No room for dessert. Not even considered. To me, this is always the best sign of a good meal out.

We usually stay in Carlsbad so we are thrilled they have a location in Encinitas. Looking forward to...