Il Forno Restaurant

It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here

Why ‘the oven’? Because Il Forno deliciously melts Australian and Italian cuisine together. Owned by Nazzareno Cugliari and his wife Kristina, Il Forno in Hampton serves the kind of wholesome food you’ll want to savour—and keep coming back for. Reflecting their heritage in Sicily and Calabria, the menu is a tribute to Italian culture and cooking. You’ll be dreaming of the Italian landscape while licking your fingers at this elegant yet understated restaurant. The menu features many of the favourites you’d expect to see at a popular Italian joint—calamari fritti to start, mushroom and ricotta ravioli served with sage butter and black truffle oil—but it’s the preparation and passion that takes Il Forno’s food into the red hot zone. The handmade pastas absolutely sing—there’s even a pasta that’s shaped with a knitting needle—and the weekly specials are worth, well, coming in weekly for. Il Forno has a growing legion of loyal followers. Why not join it?

Best Dish: Wholemeal spaghetti tossed with fresh prawns, garlic, chilli, white wine, parsley and virgin olive oil