About Buca di Beppo

about buca

THE HISTORY OF BUCA​ DI BEPPO

The Food, The Fun, The Pope! Did you know the first Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1993? Buca started in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building which also inspired our name (more on that below). Emphasizing family-style dining for large groups in a fun atmosphere, the restaurant was an immediate hit with local diners.

We’ve come a long way from those humble beginnings, and our restaurants have grown in size over the years! We’ve opened Buca locations across the United States and around the globe as demand grew for our delicious Italian inspired dishes. But our mission remains the same. To capture and share the fun and enthusiasm of a lively Italian gathering filled with generous portions of classic Italian food. Every Buca di Beppo restaurant offers an eclectic setting designed to make every meal feel like a celebration!

animated interior of buca di beppo
hand holding fork with spaghetti

THE BUCA EXPERIENCE IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY STYLE DINING

At Buca di Beppo everyone is part of the famiglia and our food is the star of the show! Our menu of classic Italian food is inspired by the cuisine enjoyed by Italian Americans for generations. Delicious dishes with roots in the villages throughout Italy are served just the way Italian American families enjoy at home – family style!

Bring your appetite! Each menu item is meant to be shared around the table and offered à la carte in two sizes: Buca Small to feed three or more, and Buca Large to feed an average sized country! Well, actually five or more.

Nothing brings a group closer together than trying a bit of this and a taste of that. The portions are plentiful and just like any successful family dinner, no one ever leaves hungry!

At Buca, we continue to innovate and create recipes beyond our traditional style by adding new menu items inspired by Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Indulge in the Buca experience of family style dining sharing unforgettable appetizers like our World Famous Meatballs, fresh salads, pastas, pizzas, entree specialties, and desserts. Save room for tiramisu!

WHAT DOES BUCA DI BEPPO MEAN?

If you’re wondering what does the name “Buca di Beppo” mean, you’ve come to the right place. What’s in a name? We have to go back to the beginning and look at where we started. In a basement! The name “Buca di Beppo” roughly translates as “Joe’s small place” in Italian.

We’ve come a long way! Most Buca di Beppo locations now boast multiple dining rooms. Our expansive restaurants can accommodate the entire neighborhood! However, we have preserved the intimate setting with semi private rooms to give you that same family style dining room feeling from the first Buca di Beppo years ago.

Buca babies and meatballs

ALL BUCA DI BEPPO LOCATIONS ARE OPEN FOR FUN!

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, planning a business dinner or having a night out with family and friends, you’ll enjoy Buca di Beppo’s classic Italian food in an eclectic, vintage setting. All Buca di Beppo locations are known for fun! The friendly staff and whimsical atmosphere are sure to be a hit.

Keep the conversation flowing by admiring the walls covered in family photos and candid shots of Italian-American icons such as Sophia Loren and Joe DiMaggio, while you listen to the classic tunes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Buca di Beppo has the festive atmosphere to make any gathering feel like a special occasion with family and friends.

CELEBRATE WITH THE POPE!

From the very beginning, guests have been charmed by our themed rooms, thousands of vintage photographs covering every wall in our restaurants, and fun details like recorded sounds of men and women laughing and conversing in Italian in the restrooms. We knew the importance of gathering around the dinner table sharing great food, laughter and fun times.

Each location features a few extra special tables you can reserve, including our iconic Pope Table! It’s the restaurant’s largest table, in its own room, named for the centerpiece bust of the Pope. Most locations also have a Chef’s Table, usually inset to the wall, located directly across from the main kitchen, where the waiters and chefs will chat with guests and bring you samples of the kitchen’s magnificent dishes. These unique rooms, tables, and details have drawn guests to return over and over again for a fun group lunch or dinner with family and friends.

Buca celebration table with the pope
Buca catering  bumper car

ITALIAN FOOD TO GO, DELIVERY & CATERING …OH MY!

BUCA IS THE HOME OF CELEBRATIONS!

Whether it’s a casual night out with family and friends or a special occasion, birthday, baby shower, bridal shower, wedding event, sports team outing, holiday party, or corporate event, Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant is The Home of Celebrations! Not only will you be treating your taste buds to great Italian food, our décor will feed your funny bone.

Group dining plates picture