My first time there last Saturday for my surprise birthday get together. My boyfriend was emailing the owner for a month before and said Guisseppe went above and beyond and we were able to be safe in the confines of covid restrictions. Service was stellar. Chef greeted us at the table and whipped up special requests, which were delicious with a generous portion size. We had burrata which was smooth and creamy with sliced prosciutto which had the perfect amount of salt and fat to add to burrata's creaminess. The meatballs were soft and flavorful and the sauce was perfect. I had the Osso Bucco over saffron Rissoto. Osso Bucco takes days to make and trust me....not easy and not everyone can make it. The shank was so tender and full of flavor...the vegetables perfectly cooked and kept their own flavor, very difficult to accomplish. The risotto creamy and cooked perfectly. Not only authentic Italian cooking but dining experience as well. Never felt rushed and very attentive service. And IMO the prices are great. No problems with the BYOB either...just beer and wine, nothing goes better with Italian cooking than a great glass of wine, which they do serve as well. Place so good going back tonight, just a week later.
Anna Prohl
La buca trattoria is so delicious ! Everything was perfect !! Great date night spot. Five stars.
Donna Iaffaldano
Great food and I highly recommend!!
Mercedes Weinberg
Excellent Service and Amazing Food.Best kept secret in New Haven.
Robin R.
First time here and we will definitely be back. Bread came out warm. Both our meals were excellent. Service was good even though the owner was all by himself. We will be back:
kaelyn brennan
The atmosphere and the food ? ? will be back and bringing many more to enjoy this gem!!
Ken D.
Outstanding! Took my girlfriend for her birthday last night. Everything exceeded expectations. We had the Brussels sprouts on risotto and fried artichokes for apps. They were light, lemony, and delicious. For the mains I had the pasta special which had a variety of seafood with a tomato white wine base and my girlfriend had pasta in a parmesan cream sauce. Both were wonderfully executed. All the while bread and cured meats are being dropped off and devoured as fast as they hit the table. We are food lovers and when fresh ingredients are prepared with passion and care what more is there to want! It's the type of place to keep going back and sampling the entire menu. Thanks for making a special occasion even more memorable!
Nicole S.
Awesome pasta dishes, can't say enough good things about the food here. Very authentic Italian. Delicious!!!!
Mike G.
This is the most authentic Italian food I have had in New Haven. The food was extremely fresh and the portions were extremely generous. High recommend. Can't believe I waited so long to give it a try.
Jonathan Q.
We took our daughter and her college suite mates here on Saturday night. The food and atmosphere were excellent. We felt like we were in the old country. Giuseppe and the rest of the staff made us feel at home. For apps we had the artichokes, meatballs, eggplant, and meat/cheese dishes and each one was better than the next. I usually do not care for eggplant but thought that it was excellent. We originally not ordered it but Giuseppe insisted and I am glad he did. The dinners were equally as good. We certainly will be back.
This is the best high end style Italian cuisine I've had in New Haven. The Chef has a wonderful diverse menu and is a very warm engaging individual. We especially relied on him during the lockdown and ordered from there as much as 3 times a week. His food is so fresh and he approaches his creations like an artist. My personal favorites are the buratta salad as well as the bucatini carbonara which is the best I've ever had. The meatballs and marinara sauce is also outstanding. If you're looking for incredible Italian cuisine you must try Buca.
Peter P.
Best Italian food in New Haven as most of the reviews have pointed out. I have eaten here dozens of times and absolutely enjoy everything. The meatballs and chicken Parmesan are great Italian classics. His fish specials are amazing and light. The Ossobuco is hearty and delicious. My girlfriend gets the burrata salad and bucatini carbonara virtually every time. Everything is always hot, fresh, and delicious.
Natalie D.
Everything was so inedible- it was shocking... probably the worst food I've had in New Haven.
My first time there last Saturday for my surprise birthday get together. My boyfriend was emailing the owner for a month before and said Guisseppe went above and beyond and we were able to be safe in the confines of covid restrictions. Service was stellar. Chef greeted us at the table and whipped up special requests, which were delicious with a generous portion size. We had burrata which was smooth and creamy with sliced prosciutto which had the perfect amount of salt and fat to add to burrata's creaminess. The meatballs were soft and flavorful and the sauce was perfect. I had the Osso Bucco over saffron Rissoto. Osso Bucco takes days to make and trust me....not easy and not everyone can make it. The shank was so tender and full of flavor...the vegetables perfectly cooked and kept their own flavor, very difficult to accomplish. The risotto creamy and cooked perfectly. Not only authentic Italian cooking but dining experience as well. Never felt rushed and very attentive service. And IMO the prices are great. No problems with the BYOB either...just beer and wine, nothing goes better with Italian cooking than a great glass of wine, which they do serve as well. Place so good going back tonight, just a week later.
La buca trattoria is so delicious ! Everything was perfect !! Great date night spot. Five stars.
Great food and I highly recommend!!
Excellent Service and Amazing Food.Best kept secret in New Haven.
First time here and we will definitely be back. Bread came out warm. Both our meals were excellent. Service was good even though the owner was all by himself. We will be back:
The atmosphere and the food ? ? will be back and bringing many more to enjoy this gem!!
Outstanding! Took my girlfriend for her birthday last night. Everything exceeded expectations. We had the Brussels sprouts on risotto and fried artichokes for apps. They were light, lemony, and delicious. For the mains I had the pasta special which had a variety of seafood with a tomato white wine base and my girlfriend had pasta in a parmesan cream sauce. Both were wonderfully executed. All the while bread and cured meats are being dropped off and devoured as fast as they hit the table. We are food lovers and when fresh ingredients are prepared with passion and care what more is there to want! It's the type of place to keep going back and sampling the entire menu. Thanks for making a special occasion even more memorable!
Awesome pasta dishes, can't say enough good things about the food here. Very authentic Italian. Delicious!!!!
This is the most authentic Italian food I have had in New Haven. The food was extremely fresh and the portions were extremely generous. High recommend. Can't believe I waited so long to give it a try.
We took our daughter and her college suite mates here on Saturday night. The food and atmosphere were excellent. We felt like we were in the old country. Giuseppe and the rest of the staff made us feel at home. For apps we had the artichokes, meatballs, eggplant, and meat/cheese dishes and each one was better than the next. I usually do not care for eggplant but thought that it was excellent. We originally not ordered it but Giuseppe insisted and I am glad he did. The dinners were equally as good. We certainly will be back.
Restaurantji Recommends
BEST FOOD IN THE CITY!!
great food.owner super nice
This is the best high end style Italian cuisine I've had in New Haven. The Chef has a wonderful diverse menu and is a very warm engaging individual. We especially relied on him during the lockdown and ordered from there as much as 3 times a week. His food is so fresh and he approaches his creations like an artist. My personal favorites are the buratta salad as well as the bucatini carbonara which is the best I've ever had. The meatballs and marinara sauce is also outstanding. If you're looking for incredible Italian cuisine you must try Buca.
Best Italian food in New Haven as most of the reviews have pointed out. I have eaten here dozens of times and absolutely enjoy everything. The meatballs and chicken Parmesan are great Italian classics. His fish specials are amazing and light. The Ossobuco is hearty and delicious. My girlfriend gets the burrata salad and bucatini carbonara virtually every time. Everything is always hot, fresh, and delicious.
Everything was so inedible- it was shocking... probably the worst food I've had in New Haven.