Forno d'Oro — Restaurant in Lisbon

Episode 101 - BEST IN DOUGH - Giving this pizza place the soft and crunchy dough award

Wish there was 10 stars to give them !!

As a self-proclaimed pizza enthusiast, I have had my fair share of delicious pies over the years. But none have quite compared to the mouth-watering pizza I had at Forno d'Oro in Lisbon.

From the moment I stepped into the cozy and charming restaurant, I knew I was in for a treat. The aroma of freshly baked dough and bubbling melted cheese wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble with anticipation.

I perused the menu, which featured an impressive array of pizzas ranging from classic margherita to creative combinations featuring local ingredients like chorizo and bacalhau (salted cod). Unable to resist the allure of the latter, I ordered the bacalhau pizza and eagerly awaited its arrival.

When it finally came out of the wood-fired oven, piping hot and perfectly crisp, I took my first bite and was immediately transported to a state of pure culinary bliss. The tangy saltiness of the cod was expertly balanced by the sweetness of caramelized onions and the creaminess of mozzarella cheese. Every single ingredient was clearly carefully chosen and combined to create the ultimate flavor explosion.

But what really set this pizza apart from all others was the crust. Made with high-quality flour imported from Italy and left to proof for hours, it was airy and light, with just the right amount of chewiness. It was the perfect vehicle for all of the delicious toppings, and I found myself savoring every last bite of every last crumb.

And the best part? Forno d'Oro doesn't just serve incredible pizza. They also offer a wide selection of antipasti, pasta dishes, and desserts, all made with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality. I couldn't resist trying the tiramisu, which was a perfect end to an already-perfect meal.

But while the food was undeniably amazing, what really left an impression on me was the atmosphere of the restaurant. The staff were all incredibly friendly and welcoming, and it was clear that they took pride in providing an exceptional dining experience for every customer. The space itself was warm and inviting, with an open kitchen where you could watch the chefs expertly toss dough and assemble pizzas.

In short, Forno d'Oro is a must-visit for anyone who considers themselves a pizza lover or just appreciates delicious food in general. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you've stumbled upon a hidden gem - except that once you've been there, you'll want to shout its praises from...

Without a reservation it apparently really takes luck to get a table here.

I was lucky and got the (almost) last one, located between entrance and bar. For sure, this wasn’t the ideal spot to enjoy dinner but different from people who arrived even later, I was not rejected. So I definitely enjoyed what I got.

The staff is really friendly and attentive, it seems like all are speaking English very well. They are also quite fast without rushing you. However, if you are located right in the middle of everything you are not left unaffected by all the staff traffic going on. That didn’t bother me, though. When I entered, I got to know until when I could use the table, so everything was fine.

A selection of starters is brought to your table to select from. You don’t have to take any, but I highly recommend the bruschetta. 1,35 EUR is an absolutely fair price for what you get. It was amazing. Also the pizza is delicious, as well as the tiramisu which was the recommended dessert. It probably was the best I ever had. Thus, I second the recommendation for sure!

Noteworthy is that beer seemed a bit pricey, especially the ones that are actually not available in Portugal but that get imported from Italy. However, I appreciate the effort to bring original Italian taste to other countries.

In summary, I had a great experience. Forno d‘Oro is one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve ever been to, and I do certainly not regret having decided for Italian during my stay...

Fantastic Pizza Experience.

This restaurant is tucked away in a basic Lisbon facade, it seems quite small but they can seat many people as the tables "snake" through the available inside space. You'll be greeted by a large golden pizza oven and the waiter will walk you to your table.

The tables are quite small but they're comfortable, they offer you some entrees like corn bread, tomato on toast and a side of olive oil and black vinegar, all those were quite good and the bread was quite warm and fresh.

I asked for the Diavola and although the place was packed, they served it very fast. The pizza was truly amazing, you could the taste the sweetness of the San Marzano tomatoes, the smooth Fior di Latte cheese and fresh basil. The only thing I would make different is let the pizza touch a bit more the bottom of the oven as it didn't create the famous leoparding on the bottom, I noticed the pizzaiolos were always "showing" the pizzas to the flames which cooks evenely and fast but it means picking up the pizza and not charring the bottom.

The desserts looked delicious, specially the Tiramisu but it was lunchtime and I was full, so it's an experience for another time.

Overall for the quality and location, I think the price is fair but a bit on the high side: 21€ for Entrees + Pizza + S. Pellegrino Water.

They also serve you (if you want of course) cooled Limoncello in a shot glass, big...