Buona Terra Ristorante

First try after hearing a few people say this place was great, and I am so happy we tried it!! The start of the meal with warm bread and a delicious garlic pesto is mouth watering. Overall, all of our dishes were SO Delicious! Excellent, fresh homemade pasta cooked Al Dente. I recommend trying the grilled calamari - so much flavor and cooked perfectly. I would come back for the Ciacio e Pepe again (which my husband ordered) and I had the corkscrew pasta with Parmesan cream, peas, prosciutto and mushrooms. Also very delicious! My friend tried the special with butternut squash and shrimp scampi- the shrimp was giant and so fresh! Cooked perfectly. Only thing i would say is get there early, we arrived at 5pm and by 5:15 every single table was taken! The restaurant gets very loud also. Service was very friendly and food came out quickly without feeling rushed. Desserts were also wonderful- I’d you have room left!

The food was decent and the service was fine — but the night ended on a sour note when our server confronted us over the 10% tip we left. Tipping is discretionary and there is no obligation to leave a certain amount. If staff take issue with their wages, that’s something for them to raise with the management of the restaurant — not with customers. We left feeling awkward and unwelcome, which completely ruined what had been a pleasant evening.

***NEIGHBORHOOD GEM ALERT*** We celebrated our son’s 22nd birthday with dinner at this wonderful restaurant! The setup & aesthetic of the restaurant is visually appealing with the brick exposed wall, the covered “outdoor” eating area, and full stocked bar. I like the fact the you can see the chef cooking in the kitchen. Quaint restaurant that delivers GREAT FOOD! From the warm bread and garlic spread to the grilled calamari & bruschetta to our entrees - spaghetti (2), rotini & pennini…everything was perfectly prepared! Our drinks were well made, too! The birthday boy was gifted with a complimentary tiramisu, which is excellent & well made. My favorite part, we were greeted by the manager who was pleasant and shared the history of her establishment! All in all…great experience!

Last week I hosted a private party for 20 people. We had drinks, dinner, dessert and it was all delicious! The service was outstanding and Eileen went out of her way to ensure the event was beautifully planned. It was everything I could have asked for. Thank you!

This was such a pleasant surprise/hidden gem for the neighborhood. The whole meal was amazing, portions were good and the flavors were on point. I would rather come here than deal with the hassle of going to the west loop or river north where I usually aim for date nights; that’s how good it was! Service was great and they even gave us the most amazing cheesy soft chewy hot out of the pizza oven bread on the house when we asked for extra bread to sop up the sauce in the mussels.

Always a favorite for Italian food in the city. Eileen and Chepe really know what they're doing! The food is always delicious and the service is top notch. We've been coming since 2014 roughly and the quality has remained the same, even through the consolidation of both concepts. We love it. Keep up the good work you two! 😄

I appreciate you taking the time to reply. We (wife and I) were happy to try in-person dining. The soup breadsticks/croutons: how do I get more?!? The salmon was delicious. The pizza tasted quality coming straight out of the oven! Balcony seating deserves a 9 out 10. Was a pleasure and I look forward to another visit. Thanks!

Went with friends, and we had the best meal! The bread! #iykyk The butternut squash ravioli was divine! And the cocktail called The Independent is not to be missed!

Delicious Italian food. Service was really good. They made it memorable for my wife's birthday with friends. It's made for intimate fine dining, but casual ambiance. I really enjoyed the food here. Reservations are great for larger parties. Some of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. Plus, I didn't have to drive deep into the city. I would definitely come back. Plenty of paid street parking, but you can also park in the neighborhood behind the restaurant or across Irving Park Avenue. Just be careful with the signs.

I miss it when it used to be the other restaurant. I know they are the sister restaurant but it just wasn't the same! We dine with another couple and my toddler. The food didn't taste as extraordinary like it was before. The pizza was pretty good when it was hot and fresh but once it cooled off which was pretty quick it just didn't hold the same taste. The pasta were just mid.

Absolutely superb! We made a reservation for the last weekend of restaurant week and ended up having to call because traffic was so heavy coming from the burbs but that was not an issue when we got there- the owner was super nice and made sure to accommodate for our tardiness. The atmosphere is warm, you can see the kitchen in the back and all the chefs cooking their buns off! The smells are delicious. The starter bread with garlic is so tasty but the meal itself was to die for. We did their restaurant week special of the steak and halibut. Both were cooked perfect.... I mean like PERFECT...... it's been a long time since I've had a meal at this standard! It was pair perfectly with the sauces and sides - not too much and not too little but just enough to leave you wanting more. The service was on point - we were in and out in 1.5 hours which was awesome since we had other plans! 11/10- will def be back here! This place gets pretty crowded so I would def make a reservation if you can.

I came here with my family for Chicago Restaurant week. The CRW menu was simple: any appetizer, any entree, and any dessert for $45. My kids had pizza while my husband and I ordered off their regular menu for CRW. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! I was so impressed and satisfied with this establishment. They give you two condiments to go with the bread, a garlic spread and a jalapeño oil. Pro tip: eat them together. For my meal, I ordered the calamari in tomato sauce, cacio e pepe, and profiteroles. My husband had the arancici, rotini di la nona, and tiramisu. I want to say this is one of the best cacio e pepe I've had in Chicago. The service was fantastic. The space was decorated really cute for Valentine's Day too.

The food is absolutely amazing! We started with the Arancini, which were crisp and tasty, with an amazing dipping sauce. I had the veal ravioli with creamy tomato sauce...incredible. Overall a "simple" dish, but so flavorful - the sauce was amazing! You can tell they use high quality ingredients and everything just works together. It's a casual place with an inviting bar, looks like they have some regulars hanging out there - a very comfortable feel and welcoming atmosphere. Certainly a place I'm looking forward to come back to!

great deals for restaurant week! and speaking from a veggie point of view -- really enjoyed their take on the eggplant parm. not your typically heavy and fried eggplant cutlets - instead coated in almonds and just the right amount of cheese. the service was very very spotty, although the server himself was a doll. you could tell there were a lot of regulars and the hostess (maybe the manager/owner) was a social butterfly making everyone feel like we were eating in her own personal dining room. would definitely return!

We go here at least once a month as it is close by. It is about 8 years, we are very friendly with the owners and staff. This place is real comfortable and all the food is great. sometimes we go for a three course meal, other times, just salad and a brick oven pizza. So happy we have a place like this right down the street.

Went on Friday 5/23/25 with my wife and two grandchildren. The white fish was superb and so was the fruity di mari with linguini. The Burrata was also very good. The portions were plentiful and the service excellent. Excellent price for what we got served. My daughter lives 200 feet from them and we go every time we travel to Chicago. Enjoy!

Wonderful selection of restaurants is one of the advantages of living in Chicago... Buona Terra recently moved to it's Irving Park Location. I ate at the previous location and found the food ok. The food at this location was wonderful. Buona Terra has a great selection of home made pastas. They have a nice menu of meats and seafood as well. The service was great. Made a reservation on-line. We were able to find parking right in-front of the restaurant. We were seated right away, despite the fact the were busy on a Saturday night. Definitely will come back!

Delicious food and service was great! Went here with my sister and it wasn't too loud so we could hear ourselves think.

The food and service is always good. My family and I always feel comfortable there and are able to have good conversations because it is not super noisy. We like that. I had the pasta arrabiata which was perfectly spicy. My sister had the burger which very delicious. My daughter had the wide pasta with meat sauce(Pappardelle bolognese). The wide pasta could have used a little more meat but other than that , all was delicious. We will be back and are glad that this is part of our neighborhood.

Food was really good! I enjoyed everything we tried. Pasta was delicious and calamari was well cooked. Giving 4 stars for service, we got seated in the back room. It almost felt like an overflow table and seemed like service was poor - one person was covering the whole back area and it was too much for him to keep up. He was very nice but had to ask for water, long waits for food, had to call over to get help. The ambiance was much better in front- not sure on service there.

The service was very good and the ambiance was very relaxing. I wished there were more food options but the flavors were there. I'd come back again!

Food was superb. It was a bit loud but had a delicious dinner with the wife. We like booths but got a table and still felt cozy. Good hospitality.

Went for restaurant week. Ambiance is wonderful, so that gave me high hopes. Unfortunately the service was extremely disappointing. Server did not exactly seemed thrilled to be there so he lacked that welcoming enthusiasm. The arranchini app was smaller than expected. Chicken in my pasta was very dry. Water not refilled until I asked. Several bites in and not asked how it tasted. No ask if I needed extra bread. I would have liked an after dinner drink but all my menus were cleared quickly and I wasn't asked. I took my dessert to go. Did not feel welcome.

Make sure you make a reservation, they get very busy on the weekend. We sat in the smaller part of the restaurant and it was super tight as loud. We started off with some delicious bread with some garlic sauce. It was so yummy!! And we shared the calamari. I had a coke and the CAPELLINI D'ANGELO AL NATURAL with chicken. It was pretty good and I took some leftovers home. Overall a nice spot, which there was more space around seating.

Yum! What a great Italian place. It looks like a perfect date night with a selection of wines and a specialty menu based on the day. The bread and garlic paste they provided which was very unique to this restaurant was SO GOOD. I wanted to take all of the paste home or make it myself. We ordered the calamari as a starter which was a good choice! The marinara was on the sweeter side in my opinion but you could tell the calamari was not fried in old oil (my pet peeve) and it was tasty! I'd say it was a smaller portion but perfect for 2 people. We ordered the rigatoni terra which had an amazing sauce with a nice addition of feta and linguine alla Vongole (clams) in a white sauce which was so good because there were bits of seafood that covered the whole plate which gave the dish depth. Would definitely come back to try other plates!

It's decent. You can get a reservation quickly. Food is decent. Service was great as in there were kind servers. Ambiance is that of a more upbeat lounge experience. I might visit again.

Bright but cozy dining room. Nice cocktails. Lovely food. No parking but not too bad on the street. Not far from the highway. Good place to go if you're in the area.

This is a place that I've passed for months. I was blown away by the food and service. Super fast service and friendly staff. The food was outstanding. Why isn't this place booked up!? Highly recommend if you are looking for great Italian food. Also a great atmosphere.

By far, one of our favorite places to hit. The food is always top notch quality and the ambiance is friendly. Rigatoni Buona Terra is crave-worthy. My husband loves their Fruitta di Mare whenever it's available, but also the butternut squash ravioli. My faves are the chicken breast and the Rotini di Nonna. Don't forget to ask for their special burnt jalapeño pepper spread with the bread -- goes amazing with their garlic spread!

Went to this place while in the city for a sporting event and it didn't disappoint. It was a Saturday night and they were busy but being a local place we were able to get in and seated without a reservation. Servers were very friendly and helpful - like you would expect from a mom and pop type place. They had an excellent burrata plate. Pastas and sauces were tasty and dessert menu looked good but we were too full to partake. Prices were fair and friendly folks packed the place. Tables were fairly close together so we were able to chat with those around us or stick to ourselves. Definitely would recommend.

We just left; I can't say enough about this restaurant. Every single thing I put in my mouth was delectable. The wine of the night was superb, as was the bread, tapenade, salad, pizza, pasta and dessert. I just want to eat here every night (but alas , I live an hour away). The service was impeccable as well. Cannot wait to come back!

The owner should learn how to be more courteous when speaking to customers, plain rude to my family and I over seating , I will not be going back.

I normally don't come up to Wicker restaurants since I live south but glad my friends convinced me to come eat with them. We came on a moderately not freezing day and got to take advantage of the covered outdoor patio that was very warm and spacious. Our servers were super hospitable and patient which was definitely appreciated. We all ordered different things but it was hard to pick a clear winner because all dishes were so great. The portions were generous and we were all able to take some home to enjoy the next day. If you are looking to dine in the winter I'd recommend calling to make a reservation for sure.

Now on Irving near Elston, similar greatness to the previous location, different atmosphere. Buona Terra merges into Hearth & Crust with the pizza from the new oven and the Italian food and lovely staff as before. The bread and garlic stuff (Mexican caviar) is still amazing, and many of the Italian favorites are retained. The "new" build out is brighter and more modern, which feels less charming than the old rustic dining room on California. That said, the essence of the original Buona Terra rises above Hearth & Crust as a concept. This is the kind of business that never really goes out of style, and never goes out of business. We enjoyed sitting at the odd curvy bar over the blocky tables or three season room. To be enjoyed as a neighborhood regular over a special occasion.

Cocktails are strong definitely recommend the BT cosmo! Lobster corn bisque was yummy. Shrimp scampi was super tasty with giant prawns. Penne arribiatta was my favorite. Bread for appetizer Seated us nicely for Valentine's Day. We left within 15 min bc of toddler tantrum but took the food home and loved it. Great service.

We hosted my 60th birthday party at Buona Terra in late April 2024 What made Buona Terra so appealing to us was we could have the entire restaurant to ourselves and the food, of course!Planning the party was so easy with the help of the owner, Eileen. Eileen was helpful and accommodating and walked us through every step from the menu, bar options and different seating options. She emailed sample bar packages and sample lunch and dinner packages. She also said we could create our own menu which was exciting for us. We decided on caesar salad, pasta di la Nona, chicken piccata and tiramisu. When we arrived for the party Eileen had the room set up perfectly for our party of 35. And the weather was so nice she opened the front patio windows. Everyone had a great time! The food was delicious and the staff very friendly. Our family and friends all remarked how great everything was and that they'll all be back, including the Italians;)

Always great ambiance and service. Love many of their pasta and seafood dishes. Also, enjoy their cocktails. I've been many times with family and friends and always have enjoyed my time there.

This was such a pleasant surprise and hidden gem for the neighborhood. The whole meal was amazing, portions were good and the flavors were on point. Service was great and they even gave us the most amazing cheesy soft chewy hot out of the pizza oven bread on the house when we asked for extra bread to sop up the sauce in the mussels. Everything at this place is delicious and unique! We would highly recommend Buona Terra Ristorante for a genuinely next level, Italian dining experience.

I'm embarrassed to say that I only today found Buona Terra, which is easy walking distance from my home. We got carry out (Spaghetti Al Gamberetti, Melanzana Alla Emilia Romagna, fire roasted vegetables) and it all was superb. We're now looking forward to a in restaurant meal. This was the best Italian food we've had since moving back to Chicago six years ago. A jewel in Irving Park!

You know those places people say are fantastic for a special occasion? This certainly isn't one of them. Tasty food? Sure. Atmosphere? Adequate. Service and overall experience? Laughable. Look elsewhere for a memorable night.

The best Italian food I've had in chicago! Very charming place with unbelievable food!! The owners, Cheppe and Eileen, are as welcoming as ever. The garlic Parmesan spread that they serve with hot fresh bread is like crack. Buy a container of it to go!! Fabulous service. Don't miss this gem!

We've lived in Logan Square near Buona Terra for two years and somehow never made it in, despite walking by it all the time, and always remarking we should go. Lucky for us, the Italian restaurant down the street was closed on the day my friend came into town to visit, but Buona Terra had reservations open on Tock. I'd browsed the menu beforehand and thought I'd probably get some pasta, and the waiter confirmed that if I like a cream sauce, the rotini with peas, bacon and mushrooms was the way to go. We first started with the burrata, prosciutto and tomato special appetizer, which was served with DELICIOUS warm bread and OUSTANDING roasted garlic spread, which I can't wait to go back and stuff my face with. The burrata was a beautiful and tasty dish. I got the rotini, my friend got the calamari appetizer (expertly fried and flavorful) and the escarole soup special. The pasta was SO good, and I'm glad I took the waiter's recommendation. It was everything I wanted it to be, as was the whole experience, which included a few glasses of red wine and tiramisu for dinner. Buona Terra would be a GREAT place to take visiting parents, out of town friends, or a date night where you can linger over good food in an atmosphere conducive to conversation. The service was wonderful (the waiter preemptively asked us if we wanted more bread - yes!!), the portions are inline with the price, and overall this was a 10/10. We will absolutely be back!

It's was fine. Nothing mind blowing and wouldn't revisit. I was looking forward to it given the other reviews however I felt service was lack luster. Was there on a Friday night and it was busy however it took awhile for our drink order to be taken so much as the food order. They serve bread with a fresh garlic and olive oil mix which was great. I ordered the grilled mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto. I felt the smokiness overpowered the flavor so that's all you could taste. The mixed greens it comes with was a nice touch. I have shrimp allergy but I can have the rest of the underwater friends and usually what I pick for pasta dishes. There wasn't much variety and the specials I saw on the website were not what was offered onsite. I had been eyeing a special with seared scallops but it wasn't on the current list. I ended up with the pappardelle Bolognese. Noodles felt overdone. Sauce had a good meat ratio however I found myself spooning the garlic and olive oil mix for the bread on to my dish. There was a jalapeño concoction our waiter brought us since he knew we liked spicy which helped. Overall I had a meh experience.

My family and I lived near the previous Buona and it never disappointed. Since their move from Logan to old Irving, we have not had a chance to go to its new location until recently. It was nice to see familiar faces in the staff. Staff was attentive as usual. Ambience was nice and quaint, felt homey and the food reminded me of the old Buona. There was something I always ordered at the old Buona that was not on the menu but when I inquired about it, no questions asked, they made it for me. And it tasted exactly how I remember it. The prices went up significantly and no more Thursday specials but I would definitely be back.

This place is a neighborhood gem. They have hearty pasta plates drowning in richness and a pretty extensive wine list. The highlight has to be the roasted garlic cheese spread they give you with the bread though. It is way too easy to fill up on the bread because of this, but it's so delicious is it beyond worth it.

Love the new location on Irving Park road. Food is consistently good. Many entrees I would consider excellent. Service was attentive.

I was hoping for more with the good reviews here!! Wine seemed old and flat. Pasta with shrimp for $30 had a nice flavor but had small unimpressive shrimp. Will likely give it another try to support local. Fingers crossed.

This chicken is tender, perfectly grilled and drenched in a lemon herb butter sauce that is simply sublime...served next to a chopped caprese on a mound of fresh arugula and this bread...served with an amazing garlic spread. Wow. So so good. Cute little outdoor patio, perfect for a mild summer night. Love it.

Our first visit to the new location. We had a 6:30 reservation on a Thursday night and although the place was pretty full we were escorted to a table right away. It seems much smaller than its former Logan Square location but there is another dining area in the back, although it seems to be for special occasions. In a nutshell, the food was very good. I had the veal special, which was tender and tasty; my partner had the Melanzana, which he enjoyed. We thought the sauces for each seemed a bit sweeter than we're familiar with, but thought there might be a regional variation or something. Good wines, great service, and cozy atmosphere. My one negative is about the noise factor. It was almost impossible to hear my partner even though we were sitting next to each other. Hard surfaces everywhere in a narrow space made it feel like we were dining under the El tracks at times when the restaurant was full. That said, we already plan to be back, maybe earlier or later in the evening.

I was brought here by friends, who said we had to try this Italian American place, being Italian American and us traveling to Italy they wanted to impress us, and they were soo right! The service and experience was fabulous. The Bruschetta is great! very heavy on the tomato but wonderful. The Garlic Parmesan spread is amazing. Calamari light and nice seasoning. The veal ravioli was done very well, nice pasta The Rotini di la Nona was by far my favorite. perfect al dente pasta with great peas and mushrooms. I shall return and make sure my travels take me back here

So friendly and delicious food. Ambiance could be slightly better but the service and food are what really matter. I like when the big window in front is open. It's our go to neighborhood Italian restaurant. Consistent every time.

Simply amazing! Love the food, love the vibe. The staff is always nice, and always have suggestions about what they enjoy off the menu.

hands down the best italian food i've ever had. cutest little restaurant with a small, but wonderful, staff. all the food was genuinely the most high quality you could imagine. we has nothing left to take home! if you go, you have to try the arancini and the salmon.

Had a wonderful birthday celebration tonight with family. The food was outstanding, hot bread and the best garlic to add to it. The staff is very friendly and attention to detail in everything they do. Always feel warm and welcomed when we go to buona terra. Thanks for always making our celebrations so special.

Thank you once again for a perfect meal! Your specials of mahi mahi and veal were absolutely delicious! The mahi mahi was perfectly cooked with a wonderful citrus sauce. Usually I get a hard and overcooked version of this and it's so nice to have mahi mahi perfectly cooked. The veal was delicious with pine nuts and mushrooms in a great sauce . So good! I'm glad you brought back the buratta with prosciutto and pesto was awesome! Glad you brought it back for a special. The regular menu is always amazing per usual. We have loved all you do. Please bring back the duck if only for a special because it one of my favorites! Thank you as always.

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Buona Terra recently. Our server, Matias, was just lovely. He was friendly, knowledgeable and patient as the 4 of us chatted and laughed at the end of our crazed workdays.. The food was fantastic, drinks delicious and service outstanding.

Went here for dinner on a week night. We made a reservation but it didn't seem necessary since there wasn't a lot of people around 6 pm. The food was good and the staff was courteous.