Buona Forchetta

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where It All Started

On the corner of 30th and Beech in San Diego's South Park neighborhood, Buona Forchetta opened its doors in 2011 and set the standard for authentic Italian dining in the city. Founded by Matteo Cattaneo, this original location has since grown into a multi-location family — seven strong across San Diego and Orange County — but South Park remains the one that started it all.

The recognition has followed accordingly. Gambero Rosso, the authoritative Italian food guide, named Buona Forchetta among its Best Pizzerias — a distinction that carries real weight for an Italian restaurant operating thousands of miles from Naples. San Diego Magazine's Best Pizza Critic's Choice 2023, OpenTable Diner's Choice, and features in the New York Times and Travel + Leisure round out a press record that speaks for itself.

The Food

The wood-fired pizza is the anchor. Buona Forchetta's Neapolitan-style pies — with that soft-yet-crispy crust that comes only from a properly heated wood-burning oven — are made using authentic Italian recipes passed down through generations. The menu lists both the Classiche Napoletane STG (Margherita, Marinara, Regina Margherita with mozzarella di bufala) and a wide range of signature white and red pies, each named after a person rather than a flavor profile, which gives the menu a personal, family-recipe feel. Fried pizzas and calzoni round out the options.

Beyond pizza, the kitchen produces handmade pasta in every classic configuration — Carbonara, Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe, Bolognese — with the option to choose your pasta shape, sauce, and toppings separately. Antipasti include beef polpettine, fried calamari, burrata caprese, and a Tagliere Misto for the table. Vegan and gluten-free Italian options are available across the menu.

Drinks and Atmosphere

The wine list is entirely Italian in its backbone — Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone, and a strong showing of Super Tuscans — with a few California selections for good measure. Italian-inflected cocktails like the Sicilian Mule or Espresso Martini keep things thematic without being rigid.

South Park's original location carries the warmth and authentic charm that the restaurant built its reputation on — a neighborhood spot that earned national attention without losing its footing as a place where people actually want to eat.