Introduction
Newcastle is a coastal city, so it is no surprise that diners here love seafood. Italian cooking has a long tradition of celebrating the sea, from simple grilled fish to rich, tomato-based seafood stews. At In Forno, our seafood dishes bring that tradition to the table with bold flavours and generous portions.
Here is a guide to our top seafood picks, from sharing starters to showstopping mains.
Italian Seafood Cooking in a Nutshell
Italian seafood cooking is built on restraint. Rather than hiding the seafood, cooks use garlic, chilli, tomato, olive oil, lemon and herbs to bring out its natural sweetness. The goal is a dish that tastes of the sea but has depth and warmth.
This philosophy runs through our menu. Garlic, chilli and cherry tomatoes appear again and again, forming a bright, aromatic base for prawns, calamari, clams and octopus.
Grilled Octopus
Octopus is a staple of Mediterranean cooking, but it is a difficult ingredient to master. Cooked badly it is rubbery, cooked well it is tender and smoky with a delicate sweetness.
Our Grilled Octopus is chargrilled and served on a bed of house-made romesco sauce with a fresh lemon wedge. Romesco is a rich blend of roasted capsicum and nuts, which gives the dish smoky depth and a velvety base. The squeeze of lemon cuts through the richness. It is a great starter to share, and a good introduction to the style of our seafood menu.
Garlic Chilli Prawns
A pan of sizzling garlic prawns is hard to resist. Ours are pan-fried prawns and chorizo cooked with fresh garlic, cherry tomatoes, chilli, parsley and napolitana sauce, served with toasted bread to mop up the sauce.
The chorizo adds smoky, savoury spice, the tomatoes bring sweetness and the garlic and chilli give the dish its kick. It is cooked with wine and is one of the most popular sharing plates on the menu.
Seafood Hot Pot
If you want a true centrepiece, order the Seafood Hot Pot. It is a bold, aromatic dish of grilled octopus, prawns, calamari and clams in a garlic, chilli and cherry tomato broth, topped with fresh parsley and served with toasted bread for dipping.
The broth is the star. It carries the flavour of the seafood and begs to be soaked up with bread. It is a warming, generous dish, ideal for sharing with one or two people alongside a salad.
More Seafood on the Menu
If you want to explore beyond those three, try these:
- Seafood Marinara: linguine with prawns, calamari and clams in a garlic, chilli and cherry tomato napoli sauce.
- Chilli Prawn Linguine: silky linguine with prawns, chilli oil and a splash of cream.
- Seafood Risotto: slow-cooked arborio rice with prawns, calamari and clams.
- Seafood Pizza: tomato and mozzarella topped with prawns, calamari, clams, cherry tomatoes and basil.
- Barramundi: crispy skin fish with buttered greens and a lemon garlic butter sauce.
Between them, you can build an entire seafood-focused meal.
Planning a Seafood Feast
For a table of four, try this combination: Grilled Octopus and Garlic Chilli Prawns to start, a Seafood Hot Pot and a Seafood Marinara to share and a light salad on the side. Finish with something sweet and creamy, like Tiramisu or Crème Brûlée, to balance the chilli.
A crisp white wine or a sparkling option is a classic pairing for seafood. Our team is happy to recommend a glass or bottle.
Visit In Forno in Hamilton or Charlestown
With two venues, Hamilton on Beaumont Street and Charlestown on Pearson Street, a seafood feast is never far away. Menus can vary between venues, so please check the current menu for your chosen location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which seafood dish is best for sharing? The Seafood Hot Pot and Garlic Chilli Prawns are both ideal for sharing, especially with toasted bread for dipping.
Are the seafood dishes spicy? Many include chilli, but the heat is moderate. Tell your server if you would like less spice.
Do you cater for shellfish allergies? Our kitchen handles shellfish, so cross-contact is possible. Please inform your server of any allergies before ordering.
Book Your Table
Ready for a seafood feast? Book at In Forno Hamilton or book at In Forno Charlestown, or call 02 4961 0079 or 02 4961 4031.
