So you are looking for good Italian food in Newcastle. Fair enough. There’s a lot of options but honestly most of them are just… meh. Nothing special. You go in, you eat something okay, and that’s it.
In Forno is different though. The food actually tastes like someone cared about making it. And I mean that genuinely.
Here’s what you need to try when you go there.
Why In Forno’s Italian Food Actually Matters
Look, Italian food can be tricky. A lot of restaurants say they do Italian but they’re just copying recipes without understanding them. They use shortcuts. Pre-made sauces. Frozen pasta. Whatever saves time and money.
In Forno doesn’t do that.
Harry, the owner, is a trained pizzaiolo but he cares about all the food. Not just pizza. The pasta, the starters, the whole thing. He sources ingredients properly. Makes things fresh. Actually follows recipes instead of just doing his own thing.
That is why the food is actually good.
You can taste the difference between a restaurant that cares and one that does not. In Forno cares.
The Pizza (Obviously)
Okay so the pizza is gonna be the main thing, Fair enough.
Margherita – The basic, A place that fails to prepare a decent Margherita is a place that is clueless about Italian cuisine. Margherita at In Forno is truly superb. San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, Just four ingredients. Nothing more, Chic, Flawless.
Buffalo – mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, rocket, lemon oil. The peppery rocket, the lemon cutting through the heat. Demonstrates that they really think about flavor combinations.
Quattro Formaggi – four cheeses. Smoked fior di latte, gorgonzola, smoked scamorza, parmesan. It’s rich, it’s indulgent, and if you happen to be a cheese lover, it’s really great.
BBQ Beef – I didn’t quite believe that they could put together a BBQ and an Italian and it would work. But they have done something clever with it. Smoked base, mozzarella, red onions, pickles, garlic-parsley grilled beef. The pickles cut through the fat. It really works.
Each of the pizzas features a true Neapolitan-style crust – crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with real char from the wood-fired oven.
The Pasta – This is Really Good
Beyond pizza, the pasta is actually worth ordering.
Carbonara – this is textbook. No cream, which matters because so many places get it wrong. Just pancetta, pecorino, egg, black pepper. The heat from the pasta cooks the egg. It’s creamy but technically has no cream in it. Most people don’t realize how precise this dish actually is until they try making it at home. In Forno gets it right.
Bolognese – slow-cooked properly. You can taste it. Most places make it in an hour and it’s fine I guess but forgettable. This one you remember. There’s depth to it. You know someone spent time on it.
Seafood Pasta – fresh prawns, mussels, calamari. They’re not cheap with it either – actually puts seafood in there. Some restaurants give you a bowl of pasta with like three prawns in it. In Forno doesn’t do that. You get actual seafood.
Other Pastas – they do other things too depending on what they’ve got that day. The point is they’re made fresh, they’re made properly, and they actually taste good.
The Starters – Actually Worth Ordering
Crispy Pork Belly – this is the one people rave about. Properly cooked, crispy on the outside, tender inside. Seasoned right. Not overdone. Not underseasoned. Just properly cooked pork belly.
Customers call it “perfectly cooked, crispy, not too salty.”
Calamari – if they’ve got it, get it. Fresh, properly cooked, not rubbery.
Bruschetta – proper tomato, garlic, basil. Sometimes simple is best.
Arancini – if you haven’t had these before they’re basically Italian rice balls. Crispy outside, risotto inside. Good comfort food.
The Vegetables and Sides
They do vegetables that actually taste like something. Not that sad steamed stuff you get at most restaurants.
Grilled vegetables with proper seasoning. Salads that have fresh ingredients. Sides that actually complement the mains instead of just being filler.
It’s the small stuff but it matters.
Wine List – Better Than You’d Think
Look, the wine list isn’t massive but it’s been thought through. They’re not trying to rip you off. Decent Italian reds that don’t cost 40 bucks a glass. Whites that pair well with the food.
You can get something proper without spending a fortune.
What Makes In Forno’s Italian Food Different
Most Italian restaurants in Newcastle are either:
Too corporate – big chains, everything by the book, nothing special. Too casual – doesn’t matter about quality, just pushing food out.
In Forno is actually in the middle. Casual enough that you’re not stressed. Professional enough that the food is actually good.
Here’s what they’re doing right:
Fresh Ingredients – they’re not using a freezer for everything. Fresh pasta. Fresh seafood. Fresh vegetables. Actual herbs, not dried stuff.
Proper Technique – there’s a reason recipes are the way they are. In Forno respects that. They make carbonara without cream. They slow-cook bolognese. They ferment pizza dough for 72 hours. They don’t cut corners.
Sourcing – Caputo flour from Naples. San Marzano tomatoes. Proper cheese. Quality components make quality food.
Care – you can taste when someone cares. The food at In Forno tastes like someone cared about making it.
That’s the difference.
How Much Does It Actually Cost
Pizzas are around 25 to 28 dollars. Pasta is similar price. Starters are reasonable. Wine is fair. So you’re not spending crazy money. But you’re not getting the cheapest either.
Fair for what you’re getting though. You taste the quality.
The Atmosphere and Service
The space is casual. Warm. Not pretentious. You can bring a date and it feels nice. You can bring your mates and laugh. You can sit at the bar alone.
Service is warm without being annoying. They know what they’re doing. They’ve eaten the food themselves. They can actually recommend things instead of just reading the menu.
They remember you if you come back.
Two Locations
Hamilton – 79-81 Beaumont St, Hamilton NSW 2303, 02 4961 0079
Right in the middle of Beaumont Street where all the good restaurants are. Easy to get to. Good vibes.
Charlestown – 36 Pearson St, Charlestown NSW 2299, 02 4961 4031
Other side of Newcastle. Same food, same care. Both are doing it right.
Real Talk
Are they perfect? No. The TripAdvisor rating is 3.3. They’re still building. Sometimes the food is excellent. Sometimes it’s just really good. That’s normal for restaurants finding their rhythm.
The menu is pretty massive which could be spreading them thin. But the core stuff – pizza and pasta – that’s solid.
Book ahead especially on weekends.
If You Want Good Italian Food in Newcastle
Stop settling for mediocre.
Come to In Forno.
Get pizza made with proper technique and proper ingredients. Get pasta that’s actually been made fresh. Get food that tastes like someone cared.
That’s good Italian food. Everything else is just okay.
The Best Way to Experience In Forno
Get one pizza. Get one pasta dish. Share. Try different things. Start with Crispy Pork Belly if you want an appetizer.
Get a glass of wine or two. Take your time. Enjoy it.
The whole point is the experience. The food that actually tastes good. The atmosphere that’s relaxed. The staff that actually care.
That’s what In Forno offers.
Questions People Ask
What’s the best dish at In Forno?
Depends what you like. Margherita pizza is classic. Carbonara pasta is textbook. Crispy Pork Belly is what people rave about. Try different things.
How long do you wait?
Depends on time. Lunch is usually quick. Dinner especially weekends you might wait. Book ahead to be safe.
Can I get takeaway?
Yeah both locations do takeaway. You can get Italian food at home.
Is it good for a group?
Yeah definitely. Good for groups, dates, solo. Works for all of it.
What if I don’t like pizza?
The pasta is genuinely good. The starters are good. It’s not just a pizza place even though that’s what they’re known for.
Do they do vegan?
They can usually work with dietary restrictions if you let them know.
Are the portions big?
Fair portions. You’re satisfied but not uncomfortably full. Not those places where you can’t move.
Can I watch them cook?
Yeah you can see the wood-fired oven and the kitchen from the dining area. Transparent about what they’re doing.
What’s the vibe?
Casual. Warm. Italian but not pretentious. Family-friendly but good for dates too.
Is it noisy?
Normal restaurant noise. It’s busy so there’s background noise. But not annoyingly loud.
Should I dress up?
No. It’s casual. Come as you are.
Bottom Line
You want good Italian food in Newcastle? In Forno.
Pizza that’s actually Neapolitan. Pasta that’s actually made fresh. Starters that are actually good. Service that actually cares.
Ring them. Book a table. Get food that tastes like someone cared about making it.
Both locations: Lunch and dinner, both do dine-in and takeaway, booking recommended for dinner and weekends.
🍕 Hamilton, Newcastle – Come to In Forno and taste the difference.
📍 Come to charlestown, Newcastle, or reserve your table online today!
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