Love the atmosphere, always feeling welcome, the food is the best in blouberg. love going there with friends and family
As long as you dont expect promp service you in for a treat ! Food is real Italian and delicious. Place had been here forever off the beaten track ask around you wont be disappointed.
Unpretentious, no frills no fuss hidden gem in Tableview. Very homey vibe. We really enjoyed our meal here. Had the Domenique pizza and fillet medallions with pasta as a side. Well priced, tasty, decent portions. Our waiter was attentive and helpful in explaining the menu items. Best part, they have amazing little pastries to end off a very enjoyable meal. Wine list not too extensive but take your favorite bottle with, as corkage is only R25! Great for both a romantic or family night out.
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I’ve been here twice recently for Pizza, and have not been disappointed. The pizza is a 4 plus +!
This venue, between Parklands & Tableview, is unassuming & may have been an actual house once..?
It looks not to have been decorated since circa 1977, when it was perhaps someone’s front room!
I bet many of the thousands of people that drive through this busy thoroughfare every day have never bothered to drop in for a pizza or pasta. I urge them to give it a try sometime.
I’ve tried 2 different pizzas here and both were brilliant.
R127.00 for a Capriccioso & 2 Castle Lites, sans tip, is a veritable bargain!
I only have two gripes but they are not food related.
On my first visit there I had the house red wine which was tasteless! I come from the wine industry and had never even heard of this cheap plonk, so a tip to the owners- just get some Two Oceans or Leopards Leap, not this gormless attempt at a wine....
The second thing is that there is a “Cash Only” sign by the till. This doesn’t bother me at the R150.00 price end, but what happens if a large family or a work group visit and the bill’s over a Grand..?
One presumes that many a visitor there has had to nip out to Bayside over the road to draw emergency cash. Or worse still, they just don’t go there because you can’t use their Plastic.
Business lost!
Not good Capo…
Claire Victoria Henderson
+5
One of my faves. Amazing pasta and their pizza is on point. My go-to place for Neapolitan Pasta for sure and their desserts are my wife’s favorite. Also, R53 for a caprese salad that is just as nice as one from any high end eatery in the mother city is amazing value for money.
A little gem in Tableview. Very casual and laid back atmosphere, although maybe the service is slightly too laid back but no major complaints. Pizza is some of the best I've had in Cape Town (maybe the pizzeria at Spice Route wine farm being an exception). Very reasonable prices and generally a friendly atmosphere. The only thing I would say is that the restaurant itself could do with a little updating and maybe a touch of Italian flair when it comes to the decór; would really add to the experience. Either way this is a great little place and would definitely recommend Forneria Italia, whether eating in or taking away. It will blow your debonnaires or Romans pizza out of the water and will probably work out cheaper.
Really tasty lasagna, first time I tried it was the other night and I really enjoyed it. The pizza and other pastas are also really good. I always do take out, I have never sat and eaten inside the restaurant, so not sure what the atmosphere is like, but the times that I go in to collect they are always busy and seems nice.
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Being new to tbe area we decided to try this place for the first time after reading some great reviews here on zomato. We decided to share the parma ham caprese starter which was delish with a far bigger portion than we expected, we washed it down with a bottle of the fairbridge red blend wine which was quite pleasant for an entry level red blend. In fact i enjoyed the wine so much that i made a pig of myself and the bottle was finished by the time my wife finished her glass :-D For our main course i had a biella pizza and my wife ordered the portofino, both were delicious. We wanted to save space to try their dessert menu so we didn't finish all the pizza and ordered the small pastry delights they had on display at the bar are, they were delicious too, so we were a pleasantly surprised couple of customers. Unfortunately our whole evening was spoiled when we were leaving and my wife lost her footing on the stairs when we were leaving, the stairs are very uneven and not adequately illuminated, the owner said that they had never had anyone fall down their stairs in 7 years, my wife only had one glass of wine so definitely wasnt drunk, she should probably have been a bit more attentive down the steps seeing that it was our first time here, fortunately she didnt sustain more than a few grazes and b@ruises and our doggy bag of leftover pizza was splashed allover the paving. I would have given this place a score of 5 if not for the stair fall episode, and pointed out to tbe owner the lack of lighting and uneven nature of the steps, he didnt appear to think that it was a problem, next time someone could be more badly hurt then perhaps he will take note of the hazard when he is being sued in a public liability lawsuit.
The epitome of "authentic" when it comes to Italian joints in Cape Town. Always busy and full of locals, it's not hard to see why. Friendly staff and owners that make you feel at home with wholesome pizza and pastas. Not by any means speedy but worth the wait. Amazing pizzeria.
BEST pizza and pasta. Price is cheaper then even debonairs pizza. I would recommend this restaurant. They take very quick take away orders. My pizza was delicious. And so much avocado...
Never disappointing. I only eat pizza about twice a year and this is my go to place. Thin crust and lovely toppings. Prices are right and wine is not a rip off.
This place has the perfect pizza base that you won't find anywhere else in SA. You will not want to leave any part of the crust. The pizza selection is amazing but everyone ends up with a favorite they can't replace. Been going there since they've opened and their prices have always stayed below the competition. Great owners, but they only take cash so come prepared. Prices are better also than anywhere else.
This is the only place I order pizza from ( I'm gluten intolerant but I allow this 1 splurge ). Pizzas are made true Italy style! They also have delicious sweet treats to take home too. All time favorite of mine and highly recommended 👌
Old school Italian to the tee!
Here is my verdict:
Vibe = Family. Friendly. Intimate.
Service = Fast. Honest. Entertaining.
Food = Variety. Generous. Delicious.
Takeaways seem to be a very popular option here and if you are a first time customer, be sure to bring an extra bit of moola - the array of delicious little sweet choux pastries will be right under your nose as you wait or pay and trust me, it will be very difficult to say no!
I could definitely become a regular here :)
P. S. Heads up that this restaurant only accepts CASH and Zapper.
What a stunning meal!
Best pizzas we've had in years! Started with garlic focaccia for the table... and then I had a Parma pizza with extra avo.
Everyone loved their meal. A friends son had the burger and it arrived in a pizza instead of a roll and he said it was the best he's ever had.
Not the place for a quick meal, however the waiter was amazing
The tables and chairs need a bit of a revamp but look past it... amazing food at really reasonable prices
Great homely Italian restaurant. Pizza are excellent with a great base and that genuine wood fired flavor. Generous toppings good service and great flavours. Highly recommended
We moved to Table View in December and were fortunate to find ourselves within walking distance of this neighbourhood gem. The pizza is excellent, but it’s the desserts that place Forneria Italia among the best Italian eateries in Cape Town.
Hallelujah I have finally found an authentic Italian restaurant in Cape Town!!!!!
This place is such a gem and has the most important foundation of an Italian restaurant - it's owned and ran by an Italian family.
The main reason I love it is because of the pasta, none of that pre bought junk that a lot of places try to pass off. It's made in house and brought to life by a wide choice of flavours.
The pizzas showcase the toppings rather than lashing of cheese, which is also a winning formula.
Is it fancy inside? No
Is the food satisfying? 100%
I'll be back soon
I have been meaning to visit here for a good many number of years now having heard many wonderful stories about this little hidden gem and finally last night we decided to give it a try.
I am so sad that I waited this long as it really is am amazing little place. The furniture and decor could really (no really, some of the chairs are very dodgy) use an update, they don't have many serving staff, the service overall was quite slow and in these moderns times they still only take cash but to be honest, I really did not care about any of that while I was enjoying my food, it was just that good. The prices are very reasonable and portions very generous but man those pizzas were good. We also had a selection of the desserts, which were amazing too. I can't wait to go back!
Small homely place with excellent service ... Serves thin crust base pizzas .. Vegeteriana and Verona are worth a try .. The only drawback , do not accept cards
Seriously the best pizzas in town, authentic italian, always fresh ingredients and very good value for money, throw in the relaxed vibe and this makes it the perfect place to enjoy good food with friends
What a pleasant experience we had last night on our first visit to this small neighbourhood Italian eatery. A very unassuming looking restaurant viewed from the road, the interior proved to be equally unassuming. However, the quality of our meal lived up to the good word-of-mouth reputation it has earned on local Facebook forums. Definitely worth another visit!
Love this place!! Great food, great service. We always leave with a smile. Remember to save space for dessert......the canoli is to die for!
Small place. Very homely. Excellent service. Very well priced. Good variety on menu. Great pizzas. Superb pastas. They only accept cash payments. Will be back for sure.
My second visit was as good as the first. Friendly service, helpful advice, excellent food!
I've seen the comments about slow service and I've noticed that this can be the case when the restaurant gets busy. Arrive with patience.
The pizzas are stunning, thin base, the real deal. I had a bad experience long ago with a restaurant that didn't understand what form the egg should take in a carbonara sauce. I was convinced that here they know what they're doing. I'm so glad I listened! Absolutely sublime pasta.
Desserts were a little thin on the ground tonight so there wasn't the usual amazing array of take away pastries on offer. The Italian kisses were, however, delicious.
I'll be back again and again
YUM YUM YUM!!! I know understand why people rave about this place!
We are busy renovating our kitchen and been living on Take-Away's for now and THAT's how I Finally got to try their pizza and it was everything I was expecting having heard so much about this place! We ordered one pasta and must be honest I was not too impressed with it, however I do think it's something I will try again when dining at the restaurant as I don't think the take-away did any justice...
If you are in the area it's a definite MUST, it is everything you hear about!!! YUM!
What a gorgeous traditional pizzeria. This is a simple, special little place for excellent pizza/pasta and little hand made desserts to make your mouth water. Very busy most nights, excellent vibe and excellent food. Pizzas are delicious!
Anastacia Candice Julie
+4
I was surprised for a late Dinner last Friday, and drove all the way from Mouille Point to Table View. Upon arrival, I saw a quaint and authentic looking Italian restaurant which was quite full with a cosy ambience.
Our waitress was exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable and the food arrived in no time The Carbonara was perfectly balanced and aromatic and Arrabiata was hot as it was plenty!
Overall a lovely, authentic experience which is well priced and worth the drive.
I went there within a week of their opening and I been going back ever since!
The venue is great, they really did a good job with the makeover.
The pizza, oh my god the pizza there is absolutely amazing!
The pasta is just as nice!
It has a very comfortable vibe with the most delicious Italian deserts.
The managers there are very friendly and the waiters are pretty chilled.
They can however improve on the service, I have seen sometimes when they are very busy, the waiters stress and often forget things.
My only other quarry is that they should teach their kitchen staff HOW TO CUT. More than I can count, they did not cut the pizza properly, so when I got it it was basically still in one piece. There were only light cut marks that didn't make it past the layer of cheese.
The decor is nothing to go by, but their pizzas are amazing! This is our go to for take away pizza! They have a nice range of vegetarian pizzas.
If you love Italian food you must go there. Unfortunately payment is cash only, otherwise it would have been the perfect place... Good value for money though.
If you want some authentic Italian food and don't mind self service then you will love Forneria Italia. It is a very quaint and small family run restaurant that's serves some of the BEST Italian food I have ever had. Their pizza has the perfect crisp and topping proportion and their pasta is heaven in the mouth. The downside however is the extremely slow, almost non existent, service. I was told that this was not the usual situation, however on our visit we found ourselves fetching our own drinks and on a number of occasions having to go find the waiter/manager. If it wasn't for the amazing food I would never go back, but I definitely will!!
You got to have the Puttanesca pasta BRILLIANT!!. If you into red wine order a bottle of "The old man's blend" groote post 2014. Service quick and efficient. Be aware that you have to book....
We stumbled upon this little gem of a Resturant while on holiday in bloubergstrand. What a treat! Authentic family run Italian cuisine. Large selection of interesting Italian dishes to choose from. Don't let the decor put you off-they made up for it with their generous portions and delicious flavors. They only take cash, so come prepared. We will definitely be back here!
Best Italian Pizza in Cape Town. Friendly staff makes any visit worthwhile. Awesome thin base pizza, with lots of cheese. Well done to the chef
I would give this place a 4 for the amazing pizzas and pure Italian authenticity alone! The waiters are so cool and relaxed, but it makes service a bit lack-luster. The Italian music playing in the background gives it a good vibe, and the decor doesn't fit the theme, but other stuff makes up for it :)
The corkage is only R25, so we took our own wine, but they have a decent drinks menu.
The food menu is everything you could want! So many pizza and pasta options and reasonably priced too. Both our pizzas were very good.
I have a fault, we both swopped out an ingredient for an equal-priced one, and they charged double, which wasn't cool. And a warning, they only accept cash!
It's always a pleasure eating at Forneria! Their service is great and their food is even better. They have a wide variety of food options which don't really differ in price, making it attractive to those usually needing for the end of the month to arrive before eating out again.
Really, really good Italian food. Don't let the decor put you off. Its one of those places you can go to for lunch and you stay until supper and end up playing cards with the owners. The service is very relaxed and the desserts are a bit meh but you can't go wrong with their pizzas and pasta.
Can't believe I haven't rated them before! Forneria Italia is my go-to for the BEST pizza in town - I honestly haven't had better.
The base is thin, crispy, tasty, and loaded generously with toppings. The actual restaurant is simple, and not very modern but don't let that put you off - the food is stellar! Plus, I often order takeaway anyway.
The place is owned and operated by a friendly Italian family so you're guaranteed an authentic experience.
They only take cash though so be prepared!
I have to say that I had the BEST pizza I have ever had at Forneria Italia.
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this quaint and homely restaurant by chance. We decided to give it a try and boy oh boy were we surprised 😀
This is a family run restaurant and all the staff make you feel so welcome and at home. The pizza is to die for. Generous toppings on a thin base, makes a tasty and juicy pizza.
I can never go to an Italian restaurant without finishing off my meal with some good Italian kisses. I really liked these ones as they were ice cream served in small wafer cases, sealed with chocolate. You can only imagine how good they were.
Best fresh thin based perfectly Italian pizza in the area. They made a mistake with one of the orders but fixed it within 2 minutes no problem.
So this review is a a little while after actually visiting this little gem, but better late than never.
I've been told great things of Forneria and their pizza. Well they most certainly lived up to the word out on the streets. I had a bacon, brie and caramelized onion's pizza. It was perfect and tasted like more with the perfect wood fired pizza base and just the right amount of toppings - not to mention the combo was amazing!
The service was okay, not great, but different. It gave me a feeling of being in Italy with the Italian charisma and attitude possessed by the family that owns Forneria.
I enjoyed the traditional cappuccino - different to that of a flat white, which we are served nowadays. I did not like the fact that the milk had been overheated - burnt. To me, coffee should be immediately drinkable upon serving.
All in all, loved the food and enjoyed the experience :-)
Great place for Pizza... The Pasta is even baked in the wood fired pizza oven.
I have been to this restaurant at least 6 times and also ordered pizza take away. The pizzas are yummy always have the Modena with chicken gorgeous. You are allowed to take your own wine as well. We'll worth a visit to this wonderful Italian gem. Another note is they only except CASH
This little gem takes you straight to Italy. Cosy and hits all the right spots. Perfect hosts accompanied with the best Italian food. Thought my Nonna was in the kitchen.
Jana Lorraine Pretorius
+3.5
As far as local restaurants go, Forneria Italia would definitely be classified as a hidden gem. Although it's positioned in a less than ideal location (in a small business/shop complex between Table View and Parklands), its offerings far exceed other local restaurant options. Run by a Sicilian family (who really are as authentic as they come--linguistic barriers and all), the meals are prepared with utmost care, are always fresh, and reflect the zeal of their makers. The pasta dishes are particularly praiseworthy, and are my usual go-to options. I have sampled just about every pasta dish on the menu--from the refreshingly simple vegetable Ortolana, to the zesty Frutti de Mare, to the hearty Bolognese, to the rich and creamy Al Salmone, to the punchy Puttanesca, to the soulful Pescatore (which is still my favourite). Each dish is prepared individually and with all the passion and character of the Italian countryside. To finish off, there is also wonderfully tasty gelato on order, or, alternatively, freshly baked mini pastry balls made with different fillings (including chocolate, custard, and my personal favourite, amaretto). To top off an already fantastic experience, their prices are unbelievably good, especially considering the excellent quality of their dishes. Don't let the apparent simplicity of the restaurant's humble exterior fool you. Bella!
Forneria Italia has recently been revamped and repainted. A combination of homey and classy, it's the perfect venue for a relaxed evening of phenomenal food and wine. This is our Friday night usual and it never fails to exceed our expectations! Italian waiters, Italian music, Italian vibe, Italian food.
I unfortunately cannot review any other main meal besides the Rovigo pizza because we order it every. single. time. (Tonight my dad ordered two just for himself). The combination of massive prawns, cheese and chilli (combined with a thin, crispy base) is just to die for. Awesome vibe. Awesome service. PHENOMENAL FOOD.
P.S. You cannot leave without trying one of each of their mini desserts. They're super tasty!
Good, honest, homely environment and food!! Usually with restaurants if you don't see your waiter for awhile you consider this bad service but not here, because of the relaxed nature of the whole setting, it works and remember to take cash! Unfortunately there are no card machines which I definitely think would help!!
Fabulous service and amazing food! Really enjoy the atmosphere, the desserts are really really worth the calories! Recommend this place to anyone looking for amazing food and dessert! I go there just for the dessert!
I have died and gone to pizza heaven! Thinnest crust, freshest toppings, extensive menu, affordable prices. Favourites so far: Domenique and Catania Pizzas. Can't wait to go again to try something else! Once you have eaten here, no other pizza joint compares...
So Italian their waiter/manager hardly spoke english! :) Pizza's don't have usual toppings not to fond of the odd cheeses but definitely make one of the best pizzas in the area. Bases are devine and balance of toppings perfect. Definitely recommend!!
Really great, delicious and authentic Italian food!!! Wide selection of pizzas and pastas to choose from and very affordable. Definitely one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to.
Such awesome service & delicious food!
Please get an EFT machine. Cash is so 1950's.
This little pizzeria is the bee's knees. The small restaurant provides an intimate feel, the pizza is delicious and well priced, the coffee is perfect, the staff are efficient.
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Decor-wise, Forneria Italia is as plain and simple as it comes, bordering on a little tired looking, but don't let it fool you or put you off, because their food is out of this world! The owner and waitrons are all Italian, and it shows in the quality of the food (only true love and passion can make food this wonderful).
The range of pizzas is extensive (and that is a serious understatement), and their pasta dishes are brilliant - you choose your 'flavourings', e.g. Carbonara, and then decide whether you want it as pasta (penne, tagliatelle, spaghetti), or gnocchi!
Between the three of us, we had the Caprese starter (so incredibly fresh), Carbonara gnocchi, basil pesto and fresh tomato gnocchi, and a beef ravioli with a lasagne sauce, and tagliatelle with the same sauce. The gnocchi is incredibly light and fluffy, and even better than what we tried in Italy itself.
We finished the meal with two of their little choux pastries... I cannot begin to describe how wonderful these are! You have to try one to understand (though, they are a little pricey - R4 each and they really are pretty tiny).
Really the only downside is that it's cash only, which in today's day and age is pretty inconvenient.
Great for couples, friends and families - there really is something for everyone!
My husband and i took drive and decided on Forneria Italia for pizza. We had their very popular Dominique pizza and it was all worth it! No frills just good food, good hospitality, great ambiance!
Give it a try. Remember cash only.
If you are looking for a no-frills but authentic Italian experience then look no further. Excellent pizzas but leave space for their delicious selection of choux pastries. No card facilities so remember to bring cash.
UPDATE: They now accept Zapper payments
Try to look past the interior because believe me, the pizza here is worth the eye scorching decor. I cannot remember the name of the pizza we had but it had chilli, parma ham, avo - really nothing out of the ordinary right? Well it was still one of the best pizzas I've had in a long long time. On par with Burrata (if you close your eye of course!)
The best authentic Italian pizza I've ever had. My favorite pizza joint for 2 years running
Only ever ordered take out, but they have a lovely selection of pizza's and the Italian owners are a breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.
I have heard only good things about Forneria Italia. So when we craved pizza on Friday, they were an obvious choice.
We made sure we booked, as they get very busy. We arrived, and was promptly shown to our table. Most of the staff are Italian, and they bubble over with Italian hospitality!
We took our own wine as corkage is only R18. They menu has such a big variety, you are truly spoilt for choice. We both made our choice, and started sipping our wine. It was not even 5mins later and our "hot out the oven" pizzas arrived! It was one of the most delicious pizzas I've had in a very long time! The toppings were actually falling off the slices!
The prices are really reasonable and we will defiantly support them in the very near future! Just remember they only accept cash, so be sure to go prepared.
A good family place, with authentic Italian food. Pizzas are lovely & well priced. They also have bite size deserts for the person who wants to taste more then one thing!
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It is not everyday that a pizza beats me. Today it did. My friends had been before but it was my first time at this cosy authentically presented Italian eatery. The waitress was friendly and quick to take our drinks order which arrived promptly. The food order was taken without hassle and also arrived within the appropriate time. The al forno looked piping hot and was a huge portion of penne and cheese and goodness. The salada caprese with Parma ham was done with real mozzarella fiori de latti and super thin Parma ham. Delicious number two. My Adrian pizza with salami and Brie cheese was perfectly done. Crispy and tasty and far too much for me. I took three slices home and my friend ate the other one. It was that good. The seating was it great and the tables a bit too small to comfortably accommodate four people and their food. That is why they lose the one star. Also it is not wheelchair accessible although the four steps in front are not that steel for someone using a cane to walk. No view to speak of but there are nice touristy posters on the wall or you could actually speak with your companions!! Oh yes and the cream puffs! Oh my hat. Let’s just say we started off with four and ended up with about 12 and three espressos... we will be back!!!
We love coming to this down to earth Italian eatery. The food is ALWAYS fabulous, with good pricing.
This is probably the best Italian restaurant that I've ever eaten in... Ever! Which makes me sad as the previous best was a top 100 restaurant that made me feel like family. Definitely going to become a weekly resident of this restaurant. Carry cash as they don't accept cards.
Brilliant experience. Very cosy and true thin based Italian pizza - just the way I like it. The owner also makes sure that everybody is comfortable. A nice selection of wine and a great variety of dishes. Definitely worth going.
Thank you for hosting a much needed Mom's Night Out!
I loved the casual warmth of the restaurant coupled with efficient service and delicious authentic Italian meals.
Amazing food with great staff! The vibe is very old school but it is just great. The waiters are always on point and very very friendly. We seem to always hear the guys from the kitchen but never get to meet them, maybe next time. There are seating inside and outside and a million options on the menu but all very good. The parking is limited but once you find a spot it is safe and well looked after by the car guard who is always a pleasure. We look forward to going again.
Authentic Italian food, amazing Pizza - they take Zapper and Cash, no card machines
Great spot for authentic Italian food.
There is a great selection of Pizzas to choose from, every time I’ve had one it has been amazing.
Pasta options look great although I haven’t tried one yet.
Wine List is very nice and corkage is cheap.
Only downfall is that only cash and zapper is accepted so come prepared.
The best pizza I've ever had. Really.
Good food, basic but enjoyable. Prices are very reasonable. The wine list is not very large so recommend that you take your own. Their homemade pastries are amazing. Even if you just go there to get pastries it is worth the drive.
Awesome atmosphere.......very efficient waitress........lovely experience
To this day this place has served some of the best pizza I've ever had.
Went out with the family and had a very pleasant experience
Come here and support local businesses especially now during the dark times. Also doesn't hurt that their pizza is mind blowing
We have all tried new recipes, baked bread and experimented with peanut butter biscuits during lock down but when it comes to pizza and pasta, don't waste your time at home. Treat yourself to an outing at this family owned Pizzeria and enjoy some of Mama's pastries with the best coffee in town.
Close your eyes, go there on a sunny day and you'll feel like in Sicily!
The restaurant is so typical :) the owner and waiter even have a strong Italian accent, they are also nice and helpful.
The pizza was very good!
Only darker point is that they don't accept credit cards. But they accept zapper so we didn't have to drive and withdraw money.
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