Il Fornaio

I've heard a lot of great things about this place, so I've been wanting to try it for a while. I finally got the chance yesterday, but overall, it didn't live up to the hype—nothing was particularly amazing except for the service. The staff were fantastic; their attentiveness and friendliness made the experience enjoyable from start to finish. However, the food was just mediocre Italian fare. I might have chosen the wrong dish—a Fusilli Salmon Fillet—which didn't impress me at all. It lacked the flavor and excitement I was hoping for. Would I come back? Maybe, especially if I'm in the mood for solid service, but I definitely won't be craving it or rushing to return anytime soon. If you're going, I'd suggest exploring the menu more carefully or asking for recommendations.

The restaurant from the outside is beautiful, from the inside it almost felt like a restaurant at an all-inclusive hotel. It is still beautiful, it’s just not an intimate Italian restaurant feeling. The service was excellent, our waters were refilled continuously. The server was very welcoming and friendly. They brought bread and it was warm, which is definitely a plus. The pasta was good, and the food came out fairly quickly. I recommend the chicken Parmesan, it was really good. I was disappointed with the tiramisu, it was not great and would not recommend it. Overall it’s a good option for an Italian dinner in Irvine, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend for a special occasion.

10/12/25 Celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary. Great service. No wait. Exceptional! We will be back again soon. 8/17/25 We'll be back. Thank you for the excellent service & cuisine.

I had a decent experience overall. The service was great—super friendly and on top of everything, which really made the visit feel welcoming. The atmosphere was nice, but the seating felt a little cramped in some areas, especially if you’re looking for a more chill or spacious vibe. The food was super fresh and good quality, though flavor-wise it was just okay—nothing that really stood out. That said, the prices were pretty reasonable for the area, which made it feel worth it overall. Solid spot if you’re craving Italian with good service and a nice setting.

This was voted best for a reason! Everything on this menu was delicious. The calamari. The zuppa was stunning! Great service. Great drinks. Great food. You could relax here with some cocktails and enjoy your afternoon! Great for a date night!

Their pasta and pizza are all good. Rigatoni all pasta and seafood pasta un the pictures were really good. It would be good start if you dont know what to order. Calamari was also good.

Love this place. Everyone eats everything. No one leaves hungry and there is always room for dessert even when you are full.

I went to Il Fornaio in Irvine and ordered Fusilloni with Salmon. The salmon was tasteless and seemed burnt (photo attached). The pasta was overcooked and didn't taste good to me. I also ordered Vulcano, which was great. I loved it. I noticed an area where they cut bread, and I saw the waiter cutting bread and putting it in bags with bare hands, without gloves. This happened multiple times, which I didn't like. I don't think I'll ever eat bread from there again. Overall, the dessert was good. If I come back, I'll only come for the dessert.