IL FORNELLO on Danforth

Came here for the first time this evening and it won't be the last. The ambiance, the service (thank you Lisette) and the food were all excellent. Highly recommend the calamari and the pizza - both were some of the best we have ever had.

December 31, 2024 on Google

We had a great dinner and had a lovely experience this evening. Although the place was bustling with customers, the staff maintained a positive attitude and were attentive. While the service was a bit slower than what we typically expect, it was absolutely worth the wait. I ordered a pizza, and it was delicious—perfectly baked with fresh toppings. My husband chose the pasta, and he was raving about how tasty it was! Overall, despite the busy atmosphere, the quality of the food and the professionalism of the staff made our visit enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this spot and can’t wait to return!

December 31, 2024 on Google

A restaurant doesn’t survive for 30 years by chance—it takes dedication to consistently delivering the quality and standards that keep patrons coming back. This location of Il Fornello is a perfect example of that, maintaining its reputation for exceptional food, reasonable prices, and attentive staff. Although it had been a year since my last visit, I was delighted to see my favorite dishes still on the menu, along with some enticing new daily specials. We started with the Avocado Cashew Caesar, which features a plant-based dressing and cheese. I had no idea it was vegan—it was rich and satisfying, with generous chunks of avocado and plenty of cashews, making it the perfect starter. We also shared a plate of gigantic warm olives served with crostini. It was my first time trying warm olives, and I’m now a convert—I’ll never eat them cold again! For my main, I chose the Orecchiette Funghi with added chicken. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, packed with wild mushrooms, and coated in a luscious, truffle creamy sauce I couldn’t get enough of. The generous portion was a bonus! The Fig Pizza was another standout—its combination of prosciutto, fig, mascarpone, arugula, parmigiano, and honey hit the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It was devoured in no time. Our server, Suzanne, elevated the experience even further. She was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful with her recommendations, always attentive without being intrusive. It felt like she could anticipate our needs before we even asked. Overall, we had a fantastic time and can’t wait to return soon. This visit only solidified why Il Fornello has been a staple for three decades—it truly lives up to its legacy.

December 6, 2024 on Google

Lovely Italian spot on the Danforth. Great food and reasonably priced as well. The gnocchi and bruschetta were fantastic. Staff were amazing, our waitress, Suzanne, was super attentive and funny.

November 4, 2024 on Google

We had a reservation and everything was on time and organized. The food was very pretty and was incredibly filling. The portions are not too big and not too small, and I was quite content after my meal. I ordered the plant-based orecchiette funghi and I loved the taste!

September 2, 2024 on Google

I have been to this restaurant many times and I usually love the spaghetti here. I ordered a pesto spaghetti and I was shocked to see the amount of margarine/vegetable oil in it. This is soo dissappointing. All you could taste is the oil in it. I go here because of its quality and taste. However, I believe if anybody who is concerned about their health needs to think long and hard before going here. This is very dissappointing.

July 19, 2024 on Google

It’s so beautiful here & the chef’s here are so nice! I love the food here too, so beautifully plated and perfectly cooked! The atmosphere is extremely comfortable and clean! I’d recommend coming here for special occasions or any time ◡̈

June 23, 2024 on Google

As a lot of these reviews say, this place gets PACKED at lunch and dinner time, especially during Friday and Saturday nights. It is a hot spot to dine in on the Danforth, as the food is very good. Reservations are essential and it will get very loud! I’ve been going here for a while now, and my most recent dinner with a few friends was lovely. Our server was kind and helpful, even though I know she was spread thin! The restaurant itself is nicely decorated, but again, it gets very rowdy! For my appetizer, I got their garlic-cheese bread and it was so yummy! For my main, I got their mussels in a spicy tomato broth. It came with bread and butter was absolutely delicious! Lastly, for dessert, I got their New York cheesecake slice; I ALWAYS have to get one, it is so delectable. My friends got their creamy gnocchi and raspberry tartufos. I was blown away by the gnocchi when I had a taste; I will definitely try it when I come back! During my dine-ins before, I have gotten the butternut squash soup: IT IS HEAVENLY, I would also highly recommend! This place is great for a night out with a group of friends. The food is consistently good and you can see how hard the chefs work. But I will emphasize this once more: reservations are essential, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. And don’t be surprised by the noise level!

December 5, 2023 on Google