Forno is a hip and understated bakery, pastificio, and deli located in East London serving up traditional Italian delicacies, ideal for breakfast on the go, a quick bite for lunch, or a relaxed afternoon with coffee and some friends. Nestled underneath a train line, with exposed brick and a discreet entrance, Forno is decidedly cool, and its tasty offerings are just as unpretentious, but nonetheless high-quality.
Formed by the people behind Ombra, which is just across the street, the simple formula of hand-crafted, freshly baked, in-house products, using quality ingredients, continues to prove successful. With low, curved, corrugated ceilings and exposed brick, the industrial-style decor is funky without being cold, and the open kitchen lets diners see the talented chefs creating and baking the next batch right in front of them.
While availability changes, expect to find on the menu classic pastries such as maritozzi with fresh cream, cornetti, lemon curd-filled croissants, and sfogliatelle. In addition, there is a limited selection of sourdough and focaccia, baked fresh in house, that can be taken home to enjoy - as long as you can beat the queues! More seasonal treats can also include an orange and polenta rosemary cake, and there is always the iconic tiramisu.
It’s not just sweet-tooths that should be satisfied, either, as Forno also offers savoury pastries, such as nduja sausage rolls and tomato and ricotta tarts, and a pizza menu. By the slice, diners can indulge in pizzas with toppings like spring onion cream, leeks, shallots, and lamb’s lettuce, or rocket pesto, parma ham, heritage tomatoes, and stracciatella, as well as the perennial margherita. Other savoury options include the spaccata sandwich, with crema di carote, pancetta, chard, and pecorino, and a montanara pizza friti. A compact selection of wines pair well with the food, but it is the Italian coffee that gives Forno its edge.