La Forno Cafe — Restaurant in Kerala

After visiting La Forno Cafe for the fifth time,I can confidently say it's consistently excellent. Each time, I’ve tried different dishes, and this review is a culmination of all those experiences. It’s written from the perspective of a Malayali food lover who’s never been abroad to try authentic ingredients, but has always searched for them here at home.

Starting with the Chicken and Leek Soup,easily the best soup I’ve ever had. It was unbelievably well-balanced, with a comforting richness that didn’t overwhelm. The croutons added a much-needed textural contrast, making every spoonful interesting. Slightly disheartened that it’s no longer on the menu,it truly was a standout.

The Philly Steak Burger was another highlight. A beautiful balance of creamy, savoury richness with a touch of sweetness from the caramelised onions, tanginess from the pickles, and freshness from the lettuce. The soft, golden, buttery brioche bun wrapped it all together perfectly without overpowering the filling.

The Chicken Panini was also phenomenal, served on sourdough bread,which, by the way, was my first time trying sourdough. The bread had a slight tang and a lovely crust that worked beautifully with the juicy, well-seasoned filling.

The filet mignon was cooked beautifully, and the creamy pepper sauce took it to a whole new level,rich, smooth, and peppery without being overpowering. It had just the right kick. The veggies and mashed potatoes on the side worked wonderfully as palate refreshers. The Lasagna La Forno, while indulgent and generously creamy, was a bit too rich for my palate,maybe it’s that Malayali side of me craving a touch more spice and balance.

When it comes to desserts, I think they’re absolute maestros. The croissant was golden, perfectly shaped, flaky on the outside, and airy and light on the inside. It was buttery without being greasy, and the fillings just took it up a notch,whether almond or chocolate, both were fantastic.

The choux bun (profiterole) was delicate and lightly crisp on the outside, with a beautifully airy interior. The gianduja crème filling was absolutely divine—chocolatey and rich, with that lovely hazelnut depth that struck a perfect balance. The apple pie was no less impressive, with its crisp golden crust, gently spiced apple filling, and that slight bite to the fruit that kept it from becoming mushy. The cinnamon was subtle and warming.

The passion and care that the chef and owner put into their food is evident in every plate. The service is equally commendable,warm, attentive, and welcoming. Each dish is thoughtfully plated, often looking like a piece of art. Every visit feels like a new culinary experience. For someone who loves exploring flavours, this place is a rare gem,where passion meets craftsmanship, and every bite reflects a quiet kind of love.

I’ll be returning again and again, hungry and...

Had an amazing experience at la forno cafe the other day. The second we walked in we were greeted by the cozy ambience of the place and the friendliness of the owner. He guided us through the menu and dessert selection, explaining every unfamiliar dish and offering his personal favourites. We told the staff that we were a vegetarian group when placing our order. Not soon after, the owner came and told us that the brioche buns they use to make burgers were made with egg and milk and confirmed with us if we'd like to proceed with that order (Thankfully we are eggeterians because the burgers are too die for). He even offered us a sample of their famous Christmas plum cake which convinced us to instantly order a while cake to go ! The food itself was amazing, in fact the authentic Mediterranean taste in every dish enhances the food in a way no other establishment in Trivandrum could compete with. The Ratatouille burger is such a unique dish that still fascinates me (I don't understand how they turn Ratatouille into a burger patty, put a slightly sweet bun on it and still make it one of the best burgers I ever had) The pasta was cooked perfectly (PS, farm cheese as a topping is just paneer. 🤷🏼) The entire sweet and dessert selection is impressive to say the least. This is the best place to come to get diabetes, and I mean this in the best way possible. The lemon tart had an indescribable tangy-citrust filling that has all of the best parts of a lemon squished into the form of a custard filling on top of a hard thick shell all topped of with a torched meringue. The chocolate croissant was also really good but a little too sweet in my opinion. The price is a little bit more than what you'd expect from a cafè but certainly not 'overpriced', this is one of the taste situations where the food and service is worth the extra price! Overall, wonderful experience ! I would recommended this place to anyone without giving it a second thought. A full five...

The first thing that struck me was the genuine warmth and affability by both Chef Priya Roy and Chef Roy Satheesan to all the patrons visiting their outlet. Running around to every table asking about the food, service, etc. Shows you the true meaning of not just plain customer service but yearning for customer excellence.

The ambience is done up like an upmarket European café one might find in the by lanes of Paris or Rome. Only shortcoming I felt was the less seating space. It can accommodate a maximum of 15 people at the moment. I was informed they would be expanding based on the feedback from the customers. An open kitchen is also part of the overall décor and only accentuates the beauty of the café.

Items ordered are given in the bill. Since we had 4 ravenous kids with us, all the items were finished off in a jiffy. I took a bit of everything and can definitely attest to the deliciousness in each bite. All the dishes mentioned tasted exactly as one would picture it. No ifs or buts.

For me personally, the stand out was the Mushroom, Artichokes, Peppers and Cheese pie. As the tagline for a famous chips brand goes, “Once you pop, you can’t stop”. I kept going back for more and more of the pie with every spoonful. Took me quite some effort to stop.

Another must try item is the La Forno Chicken Panini sandwich. You can get it with either Ciabatta, Croissant or sourdough bread options. Since all the breads are freshly made in-house, the freshness is guaranteed.  They have a good collection of bread baked fresh every day and cookies too.

Everyone including the kids loved the different dishes and enjoyed the experience as a whole.

Some might concur the dishes are a bit expensive compared to other cafes but I feel it’s worth the price you pay for the quality and taste.

Once again, wishing the whole team behind the café all the very best in their newest venture. I will certainly be back again to try out the other items...