Solid hotel Italian with polished ambiance and attentive staff, but quality is uneven and prices are high; brunch draws raves and rants alike.
Buono delivers reliable hotel dining with standout attentive, personable service and a polished, comfortable setting that justify its Sheraton location. However, mixed food execution—strong risotti and pork offset by inconsistent pizza, overcooked fish, and bland preparations—combined with significant quality fluctuations across visits prevent higher standing. Best suited for hotel guests and brunch-focused diners rather than destination seekers.
Set inside the Sheraton/Marriott complex in Retiro, Buono feels elegant yet relaxed with a business-friendly polish. Service wins frequent praise—guests name-check thoughtful servers who keep things easy. One diner summed it up: "staff made brunch feel effortless," even when the room felt busy at peak times. Prices are hotel-level, and experiences range from memorable dinners to uneven buffet moments. The cooking leans classic Italian with local touches—think risotti, braised pork, and salmon—more elevated traditional than avant‑garde. When the kitchen hits, plates are comforting and generous; when it misses, complaints focus on tough steaks, overcooked pasta or fish, and hard pizza crust. Brunch is plentiful and visually appealing, though some guests find crowding and temperature control undercut the value for the price. Expect polished hotel convenience over destination-level culinary fireworks. Families do fine here thanks to kid-friendly staples like pizza, pasta, plain sides, and dessert variety. Reviewers bringing children note success with fries, simple pastas, and brunch tables, though very plain eaters may need tweaks. No dedicated kids menu is cited, so ask for simple preparations; brunch includes one child per two adults per a recent guest report.
Area vibe: Central Retiro by the port, business-heavy with hotel and office crowd; convenient for conferences and travelers.
Safety: Generally safe, high foot traffic near major hotels; typical downtown vigilance at night.
What's nearby: Inside Sheraton/Marriott complex; near bus/train hubs, offices, harborfront and shopping corridors.