Called in just before 6pm on a cold wet Ballarat Saturday night without a booking. Plenty of seats available and waitress pleasantly and professionally seated us for our request for a table of two. Our drinks order was asked and appropriate time afforded us before waitress sought our food order. Drinks and food delivered correctly and not undue delay. Please note it was not peak time so this helped the quick delivery of food. Food was nice, appealing, tasty and sufficient quantity. Prices are reasonable against like dining. Interior has that old warehouse / commercial vibe with nice ambience. Hard concrete flooring and having been here once before at peak time the customer noise does build. This venue holds its own amount the many nearby varied food venues. You are not packed in and tables and chairs are functional. Couple of long e tended tables for bigger groups but make a booking to ensure you can get them. Over all happy to recommend when you want a pizza pasta feed.
steph
Google
Amazing food! Everything was fresh and delish, you can tell lots of care went into each dish. I got the kids pizza and it was pretty big for 15 dollars. The cheese was perfectly cooked and crispy. 10/10 would go again
N C
Google
We had a great time dining here on a weeknight during our first visit to Ballarat. The pizza and drinks here were delicious. Staff were warm, friendly, and helpful with our order. Highly recommend if you're in the area.
Sharyn
Google
Visited here recently while passing through Ballarat for the night and were seated straight away at one of the many distressed wooden tables.
We ordered the Forge Meatballs, the Cheesy Garlic Pizza (from the specials board) and the Sliced Potato Pizza to share. The food arrived quickly and was incredible! Delicious Italian at its absolute best. The meatballs were perfectly cooked and the pizza had just the right amount of quality ingredients on the toppings. We loved it so much that we grabbed a box to take the left over slices home!
The staff were really friendly and super attentive and the restaurant itself had an industrial look that was spacious yet comfortable. Combine that with great music and you have the perfect atmosphere to dine in!
It’s clearly a local favourite and now ours for whenever we’re in Ballarat!
Dana
Google
We stood at the front and waited to be seated for awhile, no one served us till we starting walking to a table as we were unsure whether we were supposed to seat ourselves.
The guy said to wait over there and they will have a table for us in a moment. We kept waiting and no one was preparing any tables and there were heaps empty.
We stood there for awhile until someone placed menus on a 4 seater table and ask if it was for us.
We were confused as it was just the 2 of us but she sat us down anyway. The table wasn't even wiped down and the cutlery wasn't even replace form the last diners.. I had to brush crumbs off the table.
We sat at the table for quite awhile without any service and new diners next to us got served before us. This wasn't a good start and dampened our experience here.
We finally got service and the food came out in like 5 minutes which was very surprising.
The first slice of pizza was really nice when it was hot and freshly made.
I got the pumpkin pizza and it was good except there were way too many pine nuts that it was overpowering. I had to take them off to enjoy the rest of the pizza.
When I dine in at a restaurant, its not all about the food, it's about the experience/service as well.
We were both really disappointed with the service here.
Lupe W.
Google
Love the cold winter Ballarat delicious cheesey crumptious smokey flavoured pizzas 😋 and hot spaghetti carbonara with fresh side rocket salad . The high light of our meal was if u eat in you help yourselves to baked breads and pastries from the kind bakery next door 😘 I don't like wasting food. Thank u Isla and Charlie, great friendly staff. I just love the gold country 💛 vibes. Will be back 💛🖤💛
John K.
Google
We were looking for something to eat while in Ballarat, and we happened upon The Forge Pizzeria. Great friendly, and prompt service. The food was yummy, and generous servings. They followed up after the meal, and asked if we enjoyed our meal. We will definitely be back. Thank you guys.
Mounika C.
Google
Really great spot for Italian food. The gnocchi was probably the best I’ve had—super soft and full of flavor. The pizza was fresh, light, tasty, and not too heavy. The place has a nice vintage vibe. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into good Italian food.
Steven P.
Yelp
Very polite and friendly staff, my two star rating is merely for the food and wine quality.
My wood fired pizza "Volcano" was undercooked and frankly tasted just awful (not sure which ingredient was causing this). The Shiraz was served in a warm glass.
I was happy to pay for my entire order, but the staff insisted I only pay for the wine which was appreciated.
I'd give them another go as meals for surrounding diners looked on point.
Ben F.
Yelp
This place never fails to disappoint and I happily travel over an hour to eat here that's how good it is! The pizza sauce is next level and so is the Gnocchi Gorgonzola! DO NOT eat for three days if you plan on doing the feed me option because they will feed you and feed you well. Bring sweat pants, a towel to mop up the meat sweats you are sure to get and maybe a wheelchair so you can just roll on out of here after you have been to food heaven and back.
The staff are so friendly, attentive and will go to any length to get that food into your belly but it is worth every bite.
Andrew C.
Yelp
A favourite location of visitors and locals alike. The pizzas are good, although there aren't many pork free pizza options.
Darren K.
Yelp
Warm, friendly and relaxed - this was the perfect place to warm up after a night out at Sovereign Hill. Can't believe this place doesn't have more reviews !
Family had a bunch of pizzas - none left! Fresh ingredients and that wood fired taste was just what the Dr. ordered on this cold winters night.
Volcano had bite and the pulled pork pizza w fresh apple was great. Signature pumpkin salad was excellent. Recommended.
Jason M.
Yelp
When I first entered into this restaurant, I had a good impression with the services. And not to forget the pizza and dessert here is an absolute stunner. Give it a go and you won't regret.
Bryce M.
Yelp
Wow! Just wow! Forge pizza is just wow!
we went for forge for dinner without a reservation and they still managed to seat us, without any hesitation. The place was packed and it was great to get a table still.
Now to the pizza! All I can say is Holy Shit that's good pizza! The tastes were well matched and just so tasty I cannot explain it. The only thing I didn't like was that the pizza topping was slightly sparse and centralised not spread out across the whole pizza. They use very little cheese to hold the pizza to the base but that's what makes it so unique. And they also use no sauce on their bases which also was great in my mind!
The staff are all very friendly and make good recommendations from the menu and the special board.
The price is slightly high but I think for the quality of the pizza and service of the staff it's well worth it.
If you haven't been here yet, you MUST! If you are staying in ballarat for the night I strongly suggest visiting Forge!
Chris T.
Yelp
Really good food. Great service. Quality ingredients. If you don't mind spending that extra money for quality, I would recommend this fantastic pizzeria. I also love their salads and I'm always proud to take. Melbourne friend there for a great pizza.
Don't hesitate.
Sarah F.
Yelp
We went to this pizzeria for a friends birthday and it was absolutely amazing!! The staff was very attentive, although a bit anxious to take your plate away prior to you being finished. The pizzas (and we tried almost everyone they make) were amazing. I especially enjoyed the lamb one! The strawberry dessert pizza is awesome as well!!
The selection of alcoholic drinks is great as well! Definitely a go to if you're down in Ballarat.
Did I mention yet that they are also kid friendly? In the back of the restaurant next to the toliets there's a little area with toys and a chalk board for the kids to draw!!
Stop by there and try out their yummy food!!
Bec J.
Yelp
What a wonderful surprise, pizzas were sensational. The pumpkin salad was amazing- a must try if you are there!
Paul W.
Yelp
I read the reviews about this place and was so happy that it lived up to the reviews. The food was fantastic, pizza, gnocchi & deserts. Lovely people , nice settings.
Ann M.
Yelp
What is it about rapid service in Ballarat ? The food was on the table minutes after we ordered. Limited menu but good. Excellent pizza bases but the taco pizza special is a mistake. Try the homemade gnocchi. You won't get better! The amatriciana special is a winner. Also Capri ( sic) salad. Good selection of drinks. This place is very popular. If you are in town for an event I recommend booking. (What I'm trying to say is that all the cyclists will be here. We saw Matt Sherwin too.)
Kevin F.
Yelp
Not even pizza. Its warmed flatbread with cold salad and deli meats on top. Tries far too hard. Very expensive, pizza for two and a drink each was $80. Would have gotten an actual pizza that was better from Pizza Hut. If overpriced fancy for fancy's sake flatbread is your thing go for it, but if you want actual pizza avoid like the plague.
Stephen D.
Yelp
Delicious quinoa salad. Medium size pizzas for about $20 cooked in front of us. Pizza ovens gave the cavernous barn a cozy atmosphere. Lovely coffee. Friendly and efficient staff.