Il Fornaio IFSC

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#645 of 2,737 Restaurants in DublinItalian, Pizza, €€ - €€€

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Il Fornaio IFSC

Review

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Website

+353 1 672 1853Improve this listing

About

Il Fornaio is a family run restaurant & bakery serving Authentic Italian Food since 1998. We promote a healthy Authentic Mediterranean diet, by using no additives and no preservatives in our traditional Italian Cooking. We only use carefully selected ingredients. Il Fornaio serves a variety of pasta, meat, fish dishes & pizza complemented by our exclusive Italian wine. Our breads are baked daily in our bakery. Start your own tradition with us.

Features

CUISINES

Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, European

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly

FEATURES

American Express

Cash Only

Gift Cards Available

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Takeout

Visa

Wine and Beer

Location

Custom House Square Valentia House Mayor Street Lower, Dublin D01 P3K7 Ireland

Does this restaurant serve Lombard food?

Yes

Unsure

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Hours

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Closed now

• Opens at 4:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 - 21:00

Monday

16:00 - 21:00

Tuesday

12:00 - 21:00

Wednesday

12:00 - 21:00

Thursday

12:00 - 21:00

Friday

12:00 - 21:00

Saturday

12:00 - 21:00

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3.8

279 reviews

Excellent

116

Very good

Average

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Terrible

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Yes

Patrick O

Cork273 contributions

A Mixed Dining Experience Near the 3Arena

Nov 2024 • couples

We recently stopped by this Italian restaurant for lunch while attending an event at the 3Arena. The space is small but cozy, offering an authentic Italian atmosphere that feels inviting at first glance. Upon arrival, the chef greeted us with “Table for two?” but quickly followed with, “Do you have a reservation?” in a rather abrupt manner. Given that the restaurant was nearly empty at the time—just one other table that left shortly after we sat down—it felt unnecessary. Even during our visit, only about four more tables filled up, leaving us puzzled as to why reservations seemed such a priority. The food was a mix of highs and lows. The bruschetta featured unusually large chunks of tomato, which wasn’t what we’d typically expect from Italian-style bruschetta, leaving us a little underwhelmed. Traditionally, bruschetta is topped with finely diced tomatoes to ensure a harmonious blend of flavours and ease of eating, so this deviation felt off. The pizza was tasty but overly juicy and runny, making it difficult to eat without spilling the toppings. While Neapolitan pizzas can have a soft and slightly moist centre due to fresh ingredients, this one crossed the line into excessive. It didn’t align with traditional Italian pizza preparation or even photos we’d seen in other reviews, which made it a bit disappointing. The service was prompt, though the staff carried an air of rudeness that was hard to overlook. Despite arriving soaked from a downpour, we were dressed smartly and made an effort to be polite, so the attitude felt uncalled for. Overall, while the food wasn’t bad, the service and atmosphere left much to be desired. Unfortunately, this experience didn’t leave us inclined to return.

Written 18 November 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lucia

Trento79 contributions

I thought better

Dec 2023 • family

Intrigued by the overall positive opinions, we wanted to try it. Small, pleasant place. Area well served by Luas. Courteous, smiling staff, fast service. Let's get to the point: pizza. We didn't like it!! The pasta was bland, thin and dry, it was even difficult to cut. Maybe we ended up in the evening NO. The price is overall adequate for Dublin, but decidedly expensive for the quality offered. I have been coming to Dublin for years now and have tried various pizzerias run by Italians. This one didn't satisfy me and there are at least 2 or 3 places (I'm referring to fairly central areas) that offer better quality at a lower cost (the price of a margherita varies between 10 and 13 euros versus the 15 paid here). I'm sure they could do better

Written 29 December 2023

Marla7

Naas832 contributions

Good pizza

Dec 2024 • friends

I went to Il Fornaio with some friends and overall it was a good experience. We all had pizza, the base was good although some of the toppings weren’t of the best quality especially considering the price. The drinks were good and the service attentive and friendly despite being very busy. I would definitely go back for pizza.

Written 6 December 2024

ciaracIre

Lucan93 contributions

I wish I could give a better review

Jan 2025 • friends

I was here with a group of friends for dinner and I wish I could give a better review. I had never eaten here before but had heard good things. The food was very good except when one of our party noticed there was something unusual in her pizza. It turns out it was blue tissue paper and the waiter offered her a glass to put it in to , I think they expected her to pick it out and continue eating the pizza ! When she said she thought it should be replaced a manager had to be consulted. Her fresh pizza did come and there was no issue with the rest of the food. When we got the bill we were charged for the replacement pizza. We expressed dissatisfaction at this and it was removed from the bill , but surely they shouldn't have charged us at all given that the first pizza had tissue paper in it ? A manager again had to be consulted about amending the bill. The staff were clearly inexperienced apart from one girl who seemed to know what she was doing. We got attention when we didn't want it and none when we did .

Written 20 January 2025

Afonso B

1 contribution

How bad management may risk a good restaurant

Aug 2024 • family

Good experience until we finished main course (very good, by the way), in spite off a waiter that was much more interested in doing... nothing ... than in taking care of clients. Than, really the bad experience happened. My wife asked for a cannoli for desert, that was the worst on earth, probably cooked 1 or 2 days ago, considering how hard and dry it tasted. We made our point to the waiter and the manager and, basically, the answer was 'it is what it is' and you will pay for it, 'thank you very much'! Meanwhile, the service level of the waiter remained on a 'basement level' and the restaurant added a taste of elegance: start cleaning the floor of the restaurant, while clients were still eating! This restaurant has the potential to be a good one, but I kindly sugest to the owners to change management urgently!

Written 17 August 2024

Cristina C

2 contributions

Disappointing

Apr 2024 • family

Worst experience EVER. The service was awful, we ordered a few arancini to start and the waiter brought them all on the same plate so when we asked which was which as we ordered different fillings he replied "just cut them all in half to see" then they didn't give us cutlery because they were too busy just chatting between them. I had a canolli that was like a week old, soggy and not very appealing. And the cherry on top...my mother had a few tiny cones for takeaway and when we open the box at home they didn't give us the right flavour. Absolut shame.

Written 1 April 2024

Ludovico G

1 contribution

Very bad

Oct 2024 • friends

The restaurant was presented to us as the best pizza place in town, so expectations were high. Unfortunately they were widely disappointed, nothing different from a frozen pizza or a small pizza that you can enjoy in any "Speedy Pizza" in Rome. For the Irish it may be fine, but as a Neapolitan pizza is something else. Bad service. As someone said: " Italy is not written in vain".

Automatically translated

Written 5 October 2024

Alex Petiet

1 contribution

Disappointing.

Oct 2021 • none

I had been told many fantastic things about this restaurant but had never been able to visit in person, below is a review from my father who had expected the same standard of service and quality that he had been accustomed to receiving pre-Covid. I used to be a frequent visitor to "Il Fornaio", pre-Covid, and thought highly of the place. I took my family there last night with great expectations. Roberto, the chef, was on a night off, unfortunately, as I had boasted his ability and talent. We started with a shared platter of salamis and cold meats, which was, though poorly presented and thrown together, of great quality and very tasty. A bottle of Nero d'Avola, reasonably priced at €32, was also very satisfying. A pasta and mushroom dish followed, looking like a dark brown mess on the plate, and tasting very coarse and heavy. No effort at presentation, more like slops at a school canteen. Pizzas followed in a heavy, doughy, shapeless mess. Hints of cheese and tomato failing to get though the dryness of overcooked chorizo. The lucky person with the Calzone was the only one to manage more than half. Some sense of clumsy effort here, and a lot less dry and heavy, though still an overly doughy base. Deserts, which used to be lovely, came ready made and tasted as though they had sat in the display cabinet longer than one would have wished. A chocolate cake was terribly dry and stale, and Tiramisu, mostly cream, no texture, and clearly not fresh, served effortlessly in the plastic box from the factory. A taste of each was enough and they also got removed from the table uneaten. Service was of a matching standard to this unfortunate experience. A young surly waiter clearly didn't want to be there. We had to ask four times for a jug of water, and similarly for anything else. Poor English is no excuse for not trying. Previous waitresses in the place had varying levels of English, but never let that hinder perfect service. This young man appears to have had little to no training in his job, and clearly had no interest in our experience, which is why, exceptionally, I share it here instead. I am sorely disappointed with this place, of which I used to speak so highly. Sébastien

Written 1 November 2021

Unhappy customer

1 contribution

Terrible experience

Nov 2022 • family

Unfortunately one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. Booked before a show in the 3 Arena. Service was very slow, after a long time waiting for drinks wine was eventually brought to table, opened and plonked back on the table. Waitress didn’t pour it. Very simple order with both of us ordering the same main course. Finally was served and order was wrong with one dish correct and the other totally different. Waited a long time for correct main course to arrive and when bit into ravioli stuffed with spinach the spinach was frozen. Charged for everything apart from frozen dinner. Appalling and will never be back.

Written 6 November 2022

Ezequiel90

London46 contributions

They were so rude by phone

Mar 2024 • solo

I just phoned at 21:00pm to place an order and go to pick up and when I told them I wanted to place an order they replied "PUES NO" which means in English "BUT NO". I don't understand why they have been so rude to me if on the website it says that the restaurant closes at 22:00 and their Collection Orders close 20 minutes prior to their closing times. I live in the building next door and from now on I will definitely look for another pizzeria.

Written 1 March 2024

Marcella

13 contributions

Disappointed

Feb 2023 • couples

I Would give it a zero if I could. Sleepy service, the pizza Dough was too heavy and to make things worse we saw the big chef Being so rude to one of the staff that we felt embarrassed. That’s why I only go to Dolce Sicily. Great food and great environment.

Written 8 February 2023

SpringOffer

Dublin10 contributions

Would not recommend

Dec 2023 • family

Booked a table for 3 people for 6pm. A group of 3 walked in just in front of us with no reservation and get seated straight away. We then had to wait for a table to become available. 1 hour and 10 minutes after we sat down we were told the table was needed and we could either leave or squash onto a small table for 2. I questioned why we had to go when the people who didn’t have a reservation and other table that were in before us were not being asked but the lady wasn’t at all apologetic. She then didn’t even come back to us to take payment for the bill (which she presented us with when asking us to leave). When we went to the counter to pay she asked another person to deal with us and to say sorry about the table but the other girl refused. We will NOT be back

Written 2 December 2023

Andrea L

3 contributions

Italian flavor and hospitality

Apr 2024 • family

A place with an Italian welcome and pizza made with excellent raw materials of local origin. The owner is very attentive. He solved a problem for my family on the reservation which was not present, offering us the possibility of having dinner anyway. Very varied and tasty pizzas, correct waiting times and Although the place is not very large, it is welcoming and familiar. Prices are similar to Italian pizza in Dublin but with an ITALIAN flavour. Highly recommended. GOOD.

Written 9 May 2024

Gloria

Castroville2 contributions

Lost their passion

Jun 2022 • family

What can I say. If you can’t cook a basic spaghetti dish you should close the doors. No kidding they had no spaghetti noodles. The noodle substitute was fine, however the sauce was plain and had no taste and I’m not sure where they found the Parmesan Cheese. The Parmesan cheese came out in a cold drinking glass. It appears as if they have lost their passion for cooking and it’s just a job.

Written 11 July 2022

Seb

Penrith3 contributions

Incredible Food!

Sept 2021 • couples

Well me and the gf came across this place while looking for an Italian before heading off tomorrow and WOW did we get lucky! The food was the best Italian food either of us have ever had. The carbonara that my gf had was the best either of us had ever tasted and showed how the classics can be given a whole new meaning by a talented chef. Without a doubt will be visiting again and sending any friends, family or trip advisor readers to II Fornaio, if they want a wonderful meal. Hands down 5 stars.

Written 23 September 2021

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IL FORNAIO IFSC, Dublin - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor