Celebrated table

Forno

A railway arch Italian bakery in Hackney recognised by the Good Food Guide for honest production, regional pastries, and Friday night transformations.

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The story

Forno Italian Bakery Review | Hackney, London

Archway Origins

Forno brings authentic Italian baking to a Hackney, London railway arch near Regent’s Canal. Operating as the dedicated extension of the neighbouring restaurant Ombra, the space maintains a strict focus on traditional techniques. The Good Food Guide awarded it a 2026 Local Gem designation for keeping production honest and locally rooted. Daily batches move through a streamlined kitchen that values ingredient quality over fleeting trends.

Signature Pastry Production

Morning visitors select from Roman-style maritozzi packed with fresh cream or the custard-rich veneziana. Every item reflects distinct Italian baking traditions, alongside the nutty Colomba Pasquale and dense gianduja chocolate buns. The Bonet tart stands apart as a practical masterpiece. This Piedmontese pudding rests inside a crisp chocolate pastry shell and matches restaurant desserts without the premium markup.

Evening Service & Takeaway

The room shifts atmosphere after dark when Friday evening service begins. Forno sheds its daytime pastry focus to become Brillo, hosting live music and serving wood fired pizza alongside natural wines. Lunch hours offer a shorter menu built around excellent focaccia, simple pizzas, and warm toasties. Shelves outside display tiramisu, fresh pasta, house sauces, and selected bottles for home dining.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

The Good Food Guide

Local Gem

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Local Gem

Cuisines Bakery, Italian

History

On the record

2026

The Good Food Guide — Local Gem

Forno is the bakery adjunct to Italian restaurant Ombra, located in a railway arch near Regent’s Canal and Broadway Market. It specialises in Italian baked goods, such as Roman-style, cream-filled maritozzi, custardy veneziana, Colomba Pasquale, and richer-than-the-Agnelli-family gianduja chocolate buns. The Bonet tart, based on a Piedmontese pudding, piped into a chocolate pastry shell, is superb; you’d pay double in a restaurant. Enjoy it all with coffee (a collab blend with Cardiff’s Hard Lines), spiked with Frangelico if you’re that way inclined. Lunch is a short, simple offering of excellent focaccia, pizza, and toasties. There are also goodies to go – including tiramisu, fresh pasta, sauces and wine. On Friday nights, Forno becomes Brillo, an evening of music, natural wine and pizza.

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Established

Location

Find us

322 Andrews Road, Hackney, E8 4RP
London, United Kingdom
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