Al Forno Wimbledon

"A charming spot off Wimbledon Broadway, Al Forno is an Italian restaurant with a comforting Anglo twist. The buzzy neighbourhood favourite is rustic and comfortable, with pots and pans hanging from the ceiling and a roaring brick oven. Waiters sprint across the restaurant carrying the hefty-looking pizzas while diners watch on, waiting their turn. The pastas are consistent and satisfying, but the move is to get a large pizza and refuse to share it with anyone. The British influences come through when you move on to dessert. The banoffee is a slice of excellent biscuity craftsmanship, and warm custard is a necessity with the apple pie." - rianne shlebak

"For a wholesome birthday that starts with a round of bruschetta and ends with a hefty slice of banoffee with a candle stuck in it, Al Forno is your friendly neighbourhood Italian spot in Wimbledon. 'Keeping it down' isn’t something that happens here. In fact birthdays are celebrated loudly and inclusively, with strangers putting down their slice of pizza to join in the clapping and flour-covered chefs singing along from the kitchen. The pastas are consistent and satisfying, but the move is to get a large pizza and refuse to share it with anyone." - Jake Oliver, Rianne Shlebak, Sinead Cranna

"A charming spot off Wimbledon Broadway, Al Forno is an Italian restaurant with a comforting Anglo twist. The buzzy neighbourhood favourite is rustic and comfortable, with pots and pans hanging from the ceiling and a roaring brick oven. Flour-covered chefs throw in dough after dough, and pull out crispy, bubbling pizzas. Waiters sprint across the restaurant carrying the hefty-looking pizzas while diners watch on, waiting for their turn. The pastas are consistent and satisfying, but the move is to get a large pizza and refuse to share it with anyone. The British influences come through when you move on to dessert which are just as much a main event. The banoffee is a slice of excellent biscuity craftsmanship and warm custard is a necessity with the apple pie. As is a booking—this place is always packed out. photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat" - Rianne Shlebak