• Banner 1
  • Banner 2
  • Banner 3

Welcome to Buona Terra

Buona Terra, an Italian wine bar located in Chicago, IL, offers a delightful dining experience with a wide range of vegetarian options and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant excels in creating delectable dishes such as Rigatoni Buona Terra, Fruitta di Mare, butternut squash ravioli, chicken breast, and Rotini di Nonna. The burnt jalapeño pepper spread with the bread is a must-try. With impeccable service, ample seating options, and a Latinx and women-owned establishment, Buona Terra is a favorite among patrons for its outstanding food quality and friendly ambiance. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the magic of Buona Terra.

Buona Terra: Reviews & Ratings

Patrice G.
Patrice G.

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!

Melissa C.
Melissa C.

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.

Emily H.
Emily H.

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!

Dena K.
Dena K.

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;)

Tara Lynn O.
Tara Lynn O.

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.

Vince A.
Vince A.

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.

Dan R.
Dan R.

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.

Marlene S.
Marlene S.

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.

Joyee T.
Joyee T.

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!

Location

  • Buona Terra
    3608 W Irving Park Rd Chicago, IL 60618 Hotline: (773) 289-3800

Buona Terra, located in Chicago, is a hidden gem that offers a delightful experience for lovers of Italian cuisine. This Latinx-owned and women-owned wine bar not only offers a wide range of delectable dishes but also provides a cozy and inviting atmosphere for its patrons.

With a menu that boasts many vegetarian options, Buona Terra caters to a diverse array of tastes. Customers rave about the impeccable service and mouthwatering dishes, from the Rigatoni Buona Terra to the Fruitta di Mare and butternut squash ravioli. The special burnt jalapeño pepper spread paired with their garlic spread is a must-try for bread lovers.

The restaurant's owner, Eileen, goes above and beyond to ensure that guests have a memorable experience. Whether you're hosting a birthday party or simply looking for a great Italian meal, Buona Terra offers customizable menu options and excellent customer service.

From the savory pasta dishes to the well-cooked calamari, every bite at Buona Terra is a delight. The cozy ambiance, friendly staff, and top-notch quality of the food make this restaurant a standout choice for any occasion. Don't miss out on experiencing the magic of Buona Terra for yourself.