Buona Vita

Name: Buona Vita
Address: 801 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ, United States, 08244
Telephone: (609) 788-0370
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1541 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top Tags:

Summer Season hours are everyday from 3pm to 10 pm
New to Somer's Point the Grand Opening of Buona Vita Restaurant is dedicated to preparing deliciously authentic and classic Italian foods served with only top-shelf ingredients, charm and smile, where guests are celebrated and welcomed. With beautiful high ceilings, warm ambiance, beautiful Tuscan décor, walking through the doors of Buona Vita takes you to an intimate and cozy Southern Italian villa right in the heart of Somers Point. We are also offering takeout orders! Please visit our website to place your order!

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Aug 19, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(609) 788-0370
Website
http://www.buonavitarestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
801 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ 08244
Neighborhood
Somers Point
Parking details
4pm-12pm Private Lot
Additional
BYO Wine, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access

Featured in

45 Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Antipasto Buona Vita$9.95
Fresh sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, prosciutto di Parma, marinated olives, Seasonal grilled veggies finished with aged balsamic vinegar
Cozze$7.95
Pei mussels, peperoncino, oil, garlic, white wine or tomato sauce
Vongole$8.95
Sautéed clams, oil, garlic, basil, white wine or tomato sauce
Calamari Freschi$9.95
Fresh calamari grilled or fried to perfection
Prosciutto di Parma$8.95
Roasted peppers, provolone picante, arugula pesto
Melanzane Ripieno$8.95
Light fried sliced eggplant stuffed with whipped fresh ricotta cheese, topped with Fontina cheese and finished with marinara sauce
Brusccheta di Pomodoro$7.95
Homemade focaccia bread topped with heirloom chopped tomatoes, shallots, capers and extra virgin olive oil
Zupa del Giorno
- MP

Insalate

Cesare$7.95
Crispy romaine, focaccia croutons in our creamy homemade Caesar dressing
Panzanella$7.95
Frisse, baby spinach, pane tostado, tomatoes, roasted carrots, red onions, Sherry wine vinaigrette
Arugula é Pere$8.95
Wild arugula, shaved pears, fennel and pecorino sardo, toasted pine nuts, honey lemon vinaigrette
Roasted Beets$8.95
Beets mix greens, toasted almonds, Gorgonzola dolce, raspberry vinaigrette

Le Paste

Home-made regular, whole wheat and gluten free is daily prepared

Spaghetti Caprese$16.95
Spaghetti pasta with fresh home made marinara sauce, topped with fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil
Fettuccine Alfredo$18.95
Egg fettuccine pasta tossed in our creamy egg yolk sauce, sprinkled with fresh grated Parmigiano Cheese
Gnocchi$17.95
Home-made potato dumplings tossed in your choice of sauce: marinara, Gorgonzola or aurora
Lasagna$19.95
Homemade meat lasagna, meat sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh tomato gravy
Papardelle Bolognese$18.95
Homemade wide ribbon noodles in our signature slow cooked meat sauce
Penne alla Vodka$17.95
Penne pasta tossed with pancetta, green peas, pink vodka sauce
Penne alla Puttanesca$16.95
Penne pasta sautéed with black olives, anchovies, Italian long hot peppers in our homemade tomato gravy
Linguine del Giardino$17.95
Linguine pasta, sautéed seasonal vegetables in oil, garlic white wine or our homemade fresh tomato gravy
Risotto Primavera$18.95
Arborio rice, sautéed seasonal vegetables, basil in a oil, garlic white wine or homemade tomato gravy
Cheese Ravioli$17.95
Ricotta cheese ravioli, homemade tomato gravy

Pasta di Mare

Fettuccine Buona Vita$23.95
Homemade spinach fettuccine tossed with jumbo lump crabmeat, grape tomatoes, basil garlic extra virgin olive oil, splash of white wine
Spaghetti alla Vongole$19.95
Spaghetti pasta, little neck clams, diced tomatoes, arugula, basil, oil, garlic white wine sauce
Spaghetti alla Cozze$17.95
Spaghetti pasta, pei mussels, oil garlic, basil, lemon white wine sauce or homemade tomato gravy
Linguine Pescatore$24.95
Linguine pasta tossed with sautéed mussels, clams, shrimp and calamari
Linguine Traditional$21.95
Linguine pasta tossed with sautéed shrimp, artichokes heard, baby arugula, cherry tomatoes in a lemon white wine sauce
Farfalle alla Salmone$20.95
Bow tie pasta, smoked salmon, asparagus, brandy pink cream sauce
Penne Scampi$22.95
Penne pasta sautéed with shrimps, baby spinach, brandy cream sauce
Risotto del Mare$25.95
Arborio rice tossed with sautéed mussels, clams, shrimp and calamari in a white wine or home made tomato gravy

Pesce

Flounder Francese$27.95
Filet of flounder, egg dipped, white wine lemon butter sauce, capers
Salmone Livornese$24.95
Pan seared king salmon filet with olives, capers, shallots, finished in a light tomato sauce
Tilapia$24.95
Stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat, spinach saffron, white wine sauce
Langoustine
Large mediterranean shrimp, grilled to perfection, olive oil and fresh squeeze of lemon dressing
- MP
Fish of the Day
Chef's choice from the market
- MP

Poultry

Pollo Buona Vita$21.95
Sautéed chicken breast topped with prosciutto di Parma, baby spinach, fontina cheese, imported porcini mushrooms, light demi glace sauce
Pollo Parmigiano$18.95
Breaded chicken breast with our homemade tomato gravy and melted mozzarella cheese
Pollo Fantasia$20.95
Chicken breast sautéed with fresh asparagus, melted fontina cheese, finished with lemon white wine sauce
Pollo alla Cacitora$21.95
Chicken breast sautéed with roasted peppers, white bottom mushrooms, home made tomato gravy
Pollo Marsala$20.95
Chicken breast, sautéed white bottom mushrooms, sweet Marsala wine light demi glace sauce

Carne

All Entrees served with side of Pasta or Veggies of the day $3.95

Vitello Buona vita$25.95
Veal medallions topped wit prosciutto di Parma, smoked mozzarella, imported porcini mushrooms, brown veal stock reduction
Veal Parmigiano$20.95
Lightly breaded veal medallions, homemade tomato gravy, fontina cheese
Veal Carciofi$21.95
Veal medallions, artichokes, white mushrooms, white wine lemon capers sauce
Veal Francese$20.95
Veal medallions, egg dip, lemon white wine sauce
Veal Scallopine$22.95
Veal medallions, roasted peppers, white mushrooms, homemade tomato gravy
Agnelo
New Zealand lamb chops sautéed with porcini mushrooms, roasted peppers; asparagus brandy demiglace sauce or plain grilled
- MP

Per Il Bambini

Chicken Fingers & Fries$8.95
Meatballs & Pasta$8.95
Fettucine Alfredo$8.95
Penné Butter & Cheese$8.95

Homemade Desserts

Tiramisu$8.95
Chocolate Fondant$8.95
Tartufo$6.95
Cream Brule$7.95
Pana-Cotta$6.95
Cheese Cake$7.95
Cannoli$7.95
Seasonal Fruit Sorbetes$7.95

Beverages

Coffee & Tea$2.25
Espresso$3.25
Cappuccino$4.50
Mineral Water$3.50

What 1,541 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.3Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Atlantic City
Neighborhood Gem
Atlantic City
Outdoor Dining
Atlantic City
Italian

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s
shoredine
New York Area
117 reviews
vip
3.0
117 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall3food4service4ambience3
Way under - staffed. Felt sorry for wait staff. Ola was great. She Saved the night. The management should be ashamed. Very poor management. Need to consider coming back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall4food4service5ambience4
Overall experience was good. Food tasted great. One dinner seemed to be drowning in the sauce a bit but other than that one dish it was great. Service was excellent. Outside seating was great but would recommend getting rid of hanging plants or have something set up to avoid some of the flies. I know you can only help that but so much but little things like that might help
LS
LeoS
New York Area
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall3food3service5ambience4
Food was good. Not great. But good. Portions were somewhat small. Not sure I will go back
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to go back!!
V
Valerie080
Washington DC
66 reviews
vip
5.0
66 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food, excellent service. We really love to dine there.
J
Jersey
Atlantic City
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
The dinner was delicious and the service was very good. They do not rush you at all. The menu is quite extensive although there are no beef or pork dishes. Mostly seafood, pasta , chicken and veal dishes. It is one of our favorite places to go to when we are at the shore.
LK
LorettaK
New York Area
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food & great service. Best food in Somers Point!
SM
SMmmm
Philadelphia
9 reviews
1.0
9 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall1food1service1ambience1
They've got a 14 year old and 15 year old running the front. We waited 40 minutes for our reserved table for 4 and were seated at a table for 2 or maybe 3 on the front porch. Asked to be moved to another table. The 15 yo pointed to a table and said we're setting that one for you. The 14 year old said we could not have that table despite the fact that the party they were sitting there had told us earlier that they had 730 reservations, and ours were for 7. I was at Buono Vita because the first time we were there we had a good meal. I basically told the child that if I wasn't seated there would be a negative review AND we would be leaving, and basically his response was "crowd in at that uncomfortable table, or leave." We drove over to La Pizzatega, where the food and the service are always great, and had a very enjoyable meal. Such arrogance in an industry where survival is built on customer service. Some people use the wrong definition of service. When Farmer Brown wants his cow inseminated, he has Farmer Green bring his bull over to Service his Cow. In that regard, we were truly serviced!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
53 reviews
vip
4.0
53 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food3service4ambience5
The building/house dining rooms are charming. The Decor is lovely and sits across the street from the marina. We did not dine outside as requested. Our waitress was very good except another waitress at the next tables was very loud and her voice was annoying.! The food was very good could use a little attention to presentation but fresh and tasty.We had lobster ravioli which was excellent. But a little too saucy. We had also had Bronzino Special with crab meat which was also very good.The Caprese salad was generous and The beet salad was a little light on beats, cheese etc. needed a little more attention to details. We enjoyed our meal but did not have room for dessert. Perhaps on a return visit. And it is a BYOB!
CW
CarlW
New England
1 review
vip
3.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall3food5service1ambience3
The food is very good but the reservation and check- in system was chaotic at best. An Open Table reservation was meaningless. We had a 7:15 reservation and got seated at 8. Customers got seated randomly without any regard to reservations. Once we got seated, the food was good and the service was decent but they were clearly short staffed.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 11, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Nice. A little delay in getting seated. Busy. We ate outside which was much quieter. Food was very good. Extensive menu. Courses came at a nice pace.
D
Dee1dee
Philadelphia
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on August 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Awesome! Return there when we can. So far two weeks in a row!
LC
LisaC
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great restaurant!!! Food Amazing! Going back before the end of the summer!
JC
JCdiner
Philadelphia
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
Outside dining in the back courtyard was a bonus. Gnocchi were so tender and delicious.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic City
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 8, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
N/a bbbbbbbbbbbbbb
D
josephD
Tampa
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on August 7, 2022
overall2food3service2ambience2
Leak from ceiling vent. We mentioned to our server. Dripping on our clothes. Service poor!
GN
GrandmaNancy
Philadelphia
77 reviews
vip
5.0
77 reviews
Dined on August 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Another wonderful meal at Bueno Vita! Service was excellent! Three of us had the branzino special over angel hair and it melted in our mouths! Desserts were very good… Tiramisu was excellent! Third time eating here in 2 months!
KL
KenL
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful meal on the outdoor deck overlooking the bay. Great service with interesting takes on classics (chicken marsala, chicken cacciatore). Branzino special with crabmeat was well prepared. Very good value in Somers Point. Would prefer pasta to veggies with entree's but that is minor quibbling.
s
sphillysam
Philadelphia
66 reviews
vip
5.0
66 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The Best Italian restaurant on the Jersey Shore. The food was fresh and delicious I recommend the Pollo Buena Vita if you like a great chicken entree. My wife's branzino was cooked perfectly. Our server, ALBA was outstanding. She explained the menu in detail and was very attentive to all of our needs.
EJ
ElizabethJ
Pittsburgh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our favorite Italian dining in the OCNJ area. Authentic Italian. We come back year after year on our summer beach trip and it never disappoints. Olla has been our server the past two years , she is excellent and already had our favorites memorized. Request the outdoor front balcony if you can.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent place!
n
nancyd
Atlantic City
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 3, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
The food is spectacular and delicious
JT
JohnT
Baltimore
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 2, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Had a great meal! We ordered two specials. And Osso Bucco and Bronzino special. Both were absolutely delicious.
D
Dee1dee
Philadelphia
28 reviews
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on August 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great dinner! Nice and friendly atmosphere. Dinner was delicious
JM
JMike
New York Area
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Another fantastic experience at this family owned dining place.
KC
KarenC
Philadelphia
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on July 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Always a delicious meal! Service was delightful and appropriately attentive! Thanks for another lovely evening.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic City
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and staff We’re amazing. Love it here!
s
shoredine
New York Area
117 reviews
vip
4.0
117 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
Excellent food and service
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
59 reviews
vip
5.0
59 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food & service are always very good. One of our favorite places to eat.
CF
CFred
Philadelphia
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent as usual. We love this place and the fact that we can make reservations and eat outside. The food, no matter what we get, is delicious. We had the Bronzino. We brought friends and they raved over the Chicken Anastasia. Another great visit to Buona Vita!
JD
JohnD
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
Food and service was exceptional, staff was very attentive and took very good care of us and value was good
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, great service. Prices were very reasonable.
T
Triman1
Philadelphia
29 reviews
4.0
29 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Our second dinner here. Service was excellent both times as was the food. Outstanding eggplant, veal and fish. The risotto dish, however, was tasteless. It won’t keep us from returning. Parking off-street is a plus!
CS
CathyS
Philadelphia
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and great food. Always a summer favorite for many repeat visits.
BC
BrianC
New York Area
109 reviews
vip
5.0
109 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This super cute historic home converted to a restaurant is a neighborhood treasure!! That plus our favorite server, Ola, and the great food from the excellent italian recipes. It is a very affordable BYOB. Get the specials. They are always great!! Thank you!!
RS
RomaS
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was great, as was the service
AS
AngelaS
New England
3 reviews
1.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 25, 2022
overall1food4service1ambience2
While the food was good the service was awful. We brought a bottle of wine which the server did open but did not pour. She never asked our daughters if they wanted anything to drink and only came to our table once. I’m sure there are other Italian restaurants with good food and good service.
C
Coll
Atlantic City
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service! We would definitely return.
RJ
RobbyJim
Atlantic City
18 reviews
2.0
18 reviews
Dined on July 24, 2022
overall2food1service2ambience3
We both had their pasta & clams in white wine sauce. The clams were chewy and the sauce was tasteless and watery. Their EVOO was plain without any seasonings; the bread basket wasn't warm. My guest had to ask for a spoon for her pasta. The best part of the meal was the dessert - tartuflo . We did not know it was a BYOB.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on July 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food is always great. Servers make it known they appreciate you being there it was beautiful night to sit outside

FAQs

Buona Vita is rated 4.6 stars by 1541 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Aug 19, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

801 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ 08244

Additional information

Neighborhood
Somers Point
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
4pm-12pm Private Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Additional
BYO Wine, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access

Website
http://www.buonavitarestaurant.com/
Phone number
(609) 788-0370

Featured in

45 Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Buona Vita

Make a reservation

Additional information

45 Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Pollo Buona Vita

Calamari Freschi

Gnocchi

Antipasti

Antipasto Buona Vita$9.95

Cozze$7.95

Vongole$8.95

Calamari Freschi$9.95

Prosciutto di Parma$8.95

Melanzane Ripieno$8.95

Brusccheta di Pomodoro$7.95

Zupa del Giorno

Insalate

Cesare$7.95

Panzanella$7.95

Arugula é Pere$8.95

Roasted Beets$8.95

Le Paste

Spaghetti Caprese$16.95

Fettuccine Alfredo$18.95

Gnocchi$17.95

Lasagna$19.95

Papardelle Bolognese$18.95

Penne alla Vodka$17.95

Penne alla Puttanesca$16.95

Linguine del Giardino$17.95

Risotto Primavera$18.95

Cheese Ravioli$17.95

Pasta di Mare

Fettuccine Buona Vita$23.95

Spaghetti alla Vongole$19.95

Spaghetti alla Cozze$17.95

Linguine Pescatore$24.95

Linguine Traditional$21.95

Farfalle alla Salmone$20.95

Penne Scampi$22.95

Risotto del Mare$25.95

Pesce

Flounder Francese$27.95

Salmone Livornese$24.95

Tilapia$24.95

Langoustine

Fish of the Day

Poultry

Pollo Buona Vita$21.95

Pollo Parmigiano$18.95

Pollo Fantasia$20.95

Pollo alla Cacitora$21.95

Pollo Marsala$20.95

Carne

Vitello Buona vita$25.95

Veal Parmigiano$20.95

Veal Carciofi$21.95

Veal Francese$20.95

Veal Scallopine$22.95

Agnelo

Per Il Bambini

Chicken Fingers & Fries$8.95

Meatballs & Pasta$8.95

Fettucine Alfredo$8.95

Penné Butter & Cheese$8.95

Homemade Desserts

Tiramisu$8.95

Chocolate Fondant$8.95

Tartufo$6.95

Cream Brule$7.95

Pana-Cotta$6.95

Cheese Cake$7.95

Cannoli$7.95

Seasonal Fruit Sorbetes$7.95

Beverages

Coffee & Tea$2.25

Espresso$3.25

Cappuccino$4.50

Mineral Water$3.50

Overall ratings and reviews