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Restaurant Reviews List >
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Little Italy Restaurant Reviews >
Italian Restaurant Reviews
Buon Appetito Reviews List
Buon Appetito
Urban Italian groove, old country cuisine with a modern flare. Buzzing with vibrant energy.Rotating local artists splashing their creations on our walls as we bring our culinary prowess to your table. Sustainable & local is our mantra. Our menu screams old school classics yet our specials are whimsical creations from whats in season. Quail, rabbit, lamb ~ Homemade gnocchi, lasagne and ravioli rock the casbah...Gluten-free & whole grain pastas are available as well as a wide variety of vegetarian items to choose from. "A day without wine is a day without sunshine" over 100 bottles & more than 20 by the glass are offered to dazzle and delight. This list is off the hook! Small, boutique wineries from all over the world! We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and high quality products for an enchanting experience for all of our guests. Raise your glass and fill your soul with heart and goodness ~ cheers!
See more Buon Appetito details
49 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 49 reviews
5 stars
(23)
4 stars
(25)
3 stars
(0)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(28)
- fit for foodies(26)
- notable wine list(17)
- great for outdoor dining(16)
- special occasion(13)
- romantic(11)
Buon Appetito Reviews List
Review 1 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Small somewhat noisy Italian restaurant in Little Italy. Food was quite good with large portions. Reasonably priced, good diverse wine list including many wines from Italy. Service was a bit slow, it took quite a while for us to even get a server's attention to get water and to order, but we weren't in that much of a hurry anyway. We were surprised at how busy the little place was on the Tuesday night we were there!"
Dined on 6/11/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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Review 2 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
BUON APPETITO
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was our first visit to San Diego's Little Italy and we were not disappointed by the BUON APPETITO restaurant. As stated above the food and service were excellent even though we went for lunch. The restaurant is small as you would expect for a intown place but you don't feel at all crowded. The noise level is quite high due in part for us because there was a loud party near our table.
The only caution I would recommend is to be careful and plan for extra parking time if you drive. The restaurant is easy to find but a parking spot is not."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Authentic Italian Food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Really enjoyed the food. I'm Italian and I took my grandmother here and she enjoyed it! Small dining room and very loud, but we had great service."
Dined on 5/28/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 4 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ignored
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had made reservations, but still had to wait for about 20 min after my reserved time to get a table. Once we had sat at the table, we were ignored for another 20 min or so. I had to flag down someone that worked at the restaurant to ask them if we even had a waiter. He was another waiter working a different section and was nice enough to take our order.
The poor service killed this one for me, and I doubt that I will go back."
The poor service killed this one for me, and I doubt that I will go back."
Dined on 5/14/2013
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Review 5 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food and service was very good, it was a busy night and we had a good time.
My only complaint was the I noted in the reservation that it was a special occasion and this was not acknowledged by the hostess
We will definitely go back, we enjoyed the night"
Dined on 5/09/2013
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Review 6 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A gem I always return to
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is as good as you can get if you want real Italian food, seasoned properly, served properly. When I am in San Diego this is always a stopping point."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 7 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The best experience ever.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had such a great dinner for Mothers Day. The food was some of the best I ever had.
We will definitely be recommending and returning..."
We will definitely be recommending and returning..."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 8 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Small, crowded and noisy. Food was great, service very good as well. Parking a problem but would go again."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 9 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This restaurant is one of
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This restaurant is one of the best in San Diego. I came here with my family from Texas. The food is good, the people are great. The people who created this restaurant had a well thought out business plan, because it is definitely working!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2013
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Review 10 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was great!, we had
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was great!, we had group of 7 and the service was excellent. Best of all it was very reasonably priced. More food than one person could eat. I will make this one of my favorites in San Diego."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 11 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Loved it. Truly authentic
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Loved it. Truly authentic Italian food. One of our favorite places in San Diego. The waiter was Italian and truly knew the menu. Great place and must have a reservation as people were trying to get tables without reservations and there were not any in the place."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 12 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 13 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food, good service...you will not be disappointed"
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 15 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food but hostess was awful
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We were here for Valentines Day, so we did have reservations. We were sat on the other side of Buon Appetito in a corner where the space was very small. It seemed like they added several of extra tables & chairs which made it very uncomfortable. I asked the female hostess if we can sit outside and she was very rude. After that whole interaction, she allowed us to sit outside where the space was more spacious & comfortable. The server and food was great."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 16 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I would give this 11 stars
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I would give this 11 stars if I could. Food was fabulous and servie incredible. Most wait staff were from Italy but you could tell they loved what they did."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 17 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This place was everything
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This place was everything I expected and more. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it!"
Dined on 02/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 18 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love this place,always satisfied
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Love this place,always satisfied favored place for my wife and I to get away for a nice evening!!"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2011
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic
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Review 19 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A Little Italy Gem
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Buon Appetito is consistently excellent. I live in Little Italy and eat there as often as I can."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 20 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Restaurant in Little Italy
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"After looking through previous Open Table reviews, I decided to make a Valentine's Day reservation for my wife and me. When we arrived we were immediately seated and waited upon. Restaurant was packed with couples celebrating Valentine's Day and the atmosphere was lively with conversation. The food was generally excellent with large entre portions. We both had the Lobster Bisque as an appetizer. The taste of the Bisque was good; however, it was not as thick as I normally would like. Overall experience was great. We will visit again."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We went here on Valentine's
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went here on Valentine's Day. It was packed, and this place does not leave a lot of space between tables, so maybe not the most romantic spot ever, but the food and service made up for it. We asked for meals without dairy, and the kitchen complied with very delicious wine-based sauces. Our calimari was great, as was the fish with morels, but I thought my pasta with mushrooms and peas was the best of the lot -- I had enough to take home and have the next day - yum! I would return here tomorrow!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 22 for Buon Appetito
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Went there for valentines
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went there for valentines day. Although very busy, had out table waiting for us. Food came out quickly and was delicious. Good server. Overall a very nice nite."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Buon Appetito
Based on the average of (27) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic