Met up with friends from SoCal for dinner at Il Fornaio on a beautiful Friday night. Solid four-star Italian. The food at Il Fornaio is the main draw -- fresh ingredients, well-seasoned dishes, and portions that leave you satisfied without feeling stuffed. The bread alone is worth the trip. Our server was excellent -- warm, attentive, and made the whole experience feel effortless. Not quite five stars, but the kitchen and the staff clearly know what they're doing. A reliable spot for a quality Italian meal. Will definitely return! read more

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We were in the mood for Italian and had heard good things about Il Fornaio. The menu certainly looked good, but sadly, the actual taste just didn't match up. My friend's beet salad was basically a pile of arugula with a small addition of tiny beets. My fusilli pesto with chicken was similar - loads of pasta with a handful of sun-dried tomatoes and some cubes of dry chicken. The servers were all fantastic and friendly, the atmosphere is quite beautiful, but the food itself leaves much to be desired. read more

We've had dinner here a handful of times before and it's never had a lasting impression but they just hit it outta the park and wowed us this time. Honestly nearly each dish - the calamari, the uva salad, the gnocchi gratinati had folks moaning, branzino alla livornese had a surprisingly crispy skin even in the light sauce, and the filetto al vino rosso was perfectly med rare as requested and so tender. Even the simple green beans and potato sides were perfectly cooked. Really great tiramisu. My only "gripes" were: Somehow too many pecans and not enough salad but I also love pecans). I prefer my gnocchi a lil fluffier. Cannoli siciliani shells are a little thick, but freshly filled so not stale/soggy! Room was VERY warm but felt like a hot Italian summer..? Omg the bread was so good, had me taking leftover bread basket home (only leftover bc we had so much other food) and hubby ate most of it immediately, stating "it's not every day you get good bread like this" and his family literally owns a multigenerational Italian bakery. Service was great - Jose and Ray killed it! So friendly and professional. Big props to them for juggling our private event and rolling with all our food and orders, many courses, refilling glasses, bringing boxes (I told you we had a lot of food). read more

Il Fornaio - Branzino - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Il Fornaio is not a new Italian restaurant to many of you, however the downtown Burlingame location is new to me, and I'm satisfied I finally was able to dine here. Actually, I had dined here several times in 2025. Parking is a mixed bag as there are public lots nearby and also further down the main street or you could get lucky and find street parking across from the restaurant. The location and interior is charming and warm. The space is sizable and can accommodate large parties. The menu is typical Italian fare and my favorite to date is their Linguine Mare Chiaro(seafood) and their Calamari starter is solid. They do have a full bar as well. Service has been solid thus far and I'm looking forward to more visits in 2026. read more

Il Fornaio - PAPPARDELLE ALLA NORCINA CON POLLO - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

It was our first time at this restaurant. Everyone was friendly, but the person who served us, Diego, was very quick and efficient at taking our orders and making sure everything was okay. The food was delicious, with a unique mix of flavors. The place is elegant yet family-friendly, perfect for spending time with friends. I highly recommend it and hope to return soon! read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

I came for Il Fornaio's M-F happy hour (3pm-6pm) around 3:15pm. The whole restaurant is beautiful, but even more stunning with the intricate Christmas decor. The friendly hostess let us know that HH included open seating in the bar. There were around 4 groups of people or individuals already seated in the bar area, and we were easily able to grab a two top table. They have two TVs which were playing sports. Their HH deals are great for both food & drinks. To sip, I went with their house red ($9) which offered a generous pour. To eat, we shared the Pizza Margherita ($13), the Polpettine ($13), and the Cavolfiori ($11). The pizza was large and the crust looked incredible. Heads up - I didn't see a gluten free option for pizza crust but did see they offered a gf pasta option on the menu. The Polpettine came with three beef meatballs sitting in a delectable & savory red sauce. My husband ate these meatballs up. I saved some of the marinara for the roasted cauliflower. The sprig of rosemary on the cauliflower added an aromatic touch to the dish. All in all, the ambiance, food, and drinks at Il Fornaio are not to be missed! read more

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Nice fancy ambiance and classy feels! I came here first on December 2024 and December 2025. Both for my work holiday dinner. So our party was around 20 to 30 people! The server were excellent in making sure we had enough drinks and served our food promptly. I ordered the Rigatoni with mushroom truffle sauce and tiramisu for dessert. My colleagues ordered the fillet salmon, chicken piccata and steak with wine red sauce. They had Variety of drinks and mocktails. I love the rigatoni with the truffle mushroom sauce, right amount of texture and taste of the truffle. Glad they also put fresh cheese on the spot to your liking. I'm sure we'll be back again for another work holiday dinner. Thank you for the awesome classy dinner experience! read more

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Closer to 3.5 stars. Il Fornaio has been in downtown Burlingame for a long time and there is a reason this place is so popular as it is. First off, parking can be easy or challenging. It really depends on the time and day. The good news is there are lots of parking options within a decent walking distance. The interior is warm and I like the tall ceilings. They can also accommodate large parties. This is a white tablecloth kind of restaurant if you're not familiar with this chain. Service during our most recent experience was as one would expect from such a restaurant. I recently ordered their Linguine Mare Chiaro(clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, tomato sauce). This dish was fresh and not overly salty. The table bread was also quite nice. Overall, I would be back in the future again. read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

My mom, brother, and I came here last week for dinner since the Palo Alto location recently closed! It was super busy and the restaurant was super cozy on a cold day. Our waiter was friendly, but there were a few minor issues. I ordered the vodka rigatoni, my brother had branzino, and my mom had steak. We also ordered the bread and burrata/proscuitto appetizer. We had ordered the lobster bisque to share, but it never came. We also all ordered our own desserts (tiramisu, chocolate lava cake, affogato) and my mom got a coffee, and he brought her a decaf instead of regular. The food was pretty good but nothing to write home about. I'm sure we'll be back sometime since it's a good place to meet people, but I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite restaurants in the area. read more

Came here for a work event and thankfully they changed some of the menu. Il Fornaio never fails to deliver really good food. Service staff was great. Although we had to flag a few of them to refill our waters, they were quick at serving us our food and drinks. They're known to host big parties and are an expert at it. Place could probably use a little upgrading but oh well. The food makes up for it. Not shown here is the il fornaio spritz! So good :) 4 stars because one of my coworkers ordered the marguerite pizza and it was just meh. read more

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Been here a few times. Food is overall okay. Service is okay. A bit old school here. Restaurant is big. Drinks are nice too. Tried their fish last time it was really nice. Very flavorful. This seems to be a popular place. But nothing too personal to me so I find it hard to come back. But once I am in, I enjoy my food most of the time. Might be back later. read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

The ambiance of Il Fornaio is nice, but I feel there are better Italian restaurants close by. I visited on a Sunday night with my husband, and we had the rigatoni alla vodka and the tagliatelle bolognese. Both were nice dishes - we could tell the pasta was homemade and was not overcooked. The complimentary bread was crusty and fresh, and came with olive oil and balsamic. However the menu felt limited (would have loved some more pasta options). Service were great though - very attentive and friendly. Overall, I wouldn't protest to returning, but I probably won't be craving their dishes. read more

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Il Fornaio is a neighborhood gem. It's been around ever since we moved here 23 years ago, been clearly a favorite. Our server Ray we've known forever. He's great at his job and always so friendly. We've tried quite a few things on the menu always good. Love, the y change the salads and have regional specials. Going out to eat is more than the food it's the people who work there. It's fun to get out and socialize while you eat read more

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I was here for a Sunday lunch. It was extremely noisy and uncomfortable. . Most likely due to the acoustics. Bread was not fresh ( and is an extra charge). Both of our pasta dishes had watery sauces. The vodka tomato sauce was thin and the creamy pesto sauce had no cream. I was very disappointed. My other past experiences were more positive. They were not very organized when it came to seating and serving. 2 different sets of people for each service. I am not sure if the left hand knew what the right hand was doing. Jury is out if I will ever return here. read more

Loveeeee their happy hour and staff. Shout-out to the staff at the bar. They make excellent drinks and have the best welcoming personalities! Super friendly (shout out to Alex and the team). Happy hour is from 4 to 6pm. Drinks are $9 and they have excellent appetizers. I love the arancini and the pizza. The calamari is also very good! Recently got the lasagna and it was really rich. It was a hefty slice! The pappardelle pasta is good but the chicken could use a bit of flavor. I've been here before a long time ago for brunch when they had the crab cake Benedict. I enjoy their bread and they have tasty salads too. This is a great place for a business meeting. Overall, it's a nice atmosphere and I highly recommend coming for happy hour. read more

Il Fornaio - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

I really enjoyed the dinner: I had the burrata and their pizza. Really nice atmosphere!

Lovely vibes at the Burlingame Il Fornaio! We celebrated my sister's birthday here and really enjoyed our meal. Portions were generous, our server was attentive and friendly and the rigatoni alla vodka was the standout dish read more

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One of my favorite places to eat in Burlingame! Food is always prepared perfectly. Menu selection is great, and made with quality ingredients. Staff are always friendly and attentive. I suggest making a reservation, as it gets quite busy most nights. Parking can be hit or miss. there is a large lot just past the restaurant, as well as street parking. But it can fill up fast on a busy night. read more

I am a frequent patron of this place for their happy hour menu. I've tried a variety of their drinks and food items. Both the taste and the price are solid. The standout dishes are the arancini, the calamari, the meatballs and the pizzas. The bartenders are super friendly and it's always a good time sitting at the bar watching them make drinks. We love spending our Friday afternoons here to unwind after work. I tried the Pappardelle Alla Norcina from their regular menu this week. Sadly this was quite a bit of a letdown. The chicken breast meat was dry and lacked flavor. The sauce was heavy and I couldn't taste any truffle. The pasta was overly ardente that borderlines undercooked. read more

Il Fornaio - Pappardelle Alla Norcina - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

Had dinner delivered and it was really delicious. We had soup, pork belly, a pistachio pesto pasta and lasagna. All good. The pork belly was particularly tasty. The lasagna was rich and comforting. The pasta was flavorful and interesting. Worth the price compared to other Italian options in the area. We will do this again. read more

Came with a friend on Friday night at around 6 pm and was able to snag a table for 2 pretty quickly. The interior is very spacious, wooden and cozy. The staff were very friendly and our food came out very quickly after we ordered. Sourdough bread - My friend loves their bread and I definitely understand her hype about it now. The bread itself is warm with a crunchy exterior but a soft interior. It wasn't tough to eat and it went so well with the olive oil balsamic vinegar but did cost 1-2 dollars for a plate. Cristina - The toppings were all very fresh, especially the prosciutto and the cheesy mushroom top shone through. The pizza itself was thin and could have been a little more charred to make it crispier but it wasn't soggy and held all the toppings well. Casarecce Al Pesto E Pollo - A highlight of the dinner. The dish came out piping hot, had a rich nutty and herby flavor from the pesto and the best with parmesan on top. From the nice service to the solid dishes, a great dinner spot to go to in the Burlingame area. read more

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Wanted to eat dinner where they had a simple grilled Salmon entree on the menu and a variety of Italian food and that was still open since it was almost 8pm. I remembered Il Fornaio and had looked up the menu while my friend was driving. The last time I was here was probably 2018. Parking was nearby and the restaurant was spacious. I went to the one in Walnut Creek last June and remembered it was tasty and had friendly servers. We entered and I asked for a table by the window and it was available. I'd say the minute we walked in, the customer service was friendly, warm and sincere which was a pleasant feeling to set the tone. We sat down, settled in and a waiter asked if we wanted Still or Sparkling water? We asked if the water was filtered and he said it was. We ordered that and were asked if we wanted bread with olive oil and vinegar so my friend ordered that as she was starving. Karla, our waitress came by to introduce herself and asked if we wanted any drinks/cocktails? I asked about the regular Prosecco vs. the Rosé Prosecco which was slightly sweeter so I opted for the regular which was drier. Afterwards, Karla suggested some menu favorites of hers and the specials. There was a Seafood Medley entree that Karla mentioned which had a smaller portion of Salmon as it came with 2 pieces of Shrimp, 2 pieces of White Fish & 2 Scallops along with sauteed Spinach and Yukon Potatoes. We went thru the menu and decided to order the Grilled Norwegian Salmon for my friend to keep it simple as that was a bigger portion but also came with Sauteed Spinach w/Garlic slivers and Yukon Potatoes w/Rosemary. I ordered the Tagliatelle with Bolognese Sauce(my fav!!) and a 20 oz. Prosecco that Karla poured from a mini Carafe. Entrees came out shortly after ordering and we chowed down. They were so tasty and my friend's Salmon was cooked just as she asked--Well Done. For dessert, we ordered Tiramisu and my friend had a Decaf Cappuccino which she said was strong tasting which was good. The Tiramisu was nice and cold, not too sweet and was so authentic with just a dusting of cocoa powder, chocolate shavings and a dollop of Whipped Cream w/a sliced strawberry on the side. I could've eaten the whole thing. I had some leftovers so Karla gave me a couple of boxes and we paid our bill on the handheld device. To note, there's a 3% surcharge that's added on that they say is "allows them to continue to provide quality employee programs & benefits to their team amid rising costs and regulatory increases." You'll see it on the bottom of the menu and on your bill. It was already past 9pm and a few people were left. Karla and the staff thanked us and we both left feeling happy for great customer service and food from beginning to end. We never felt rushed. No wonder Il Fornaio has been here for decades as they run a tight ship for both locations--Burlingame and Walnut Creek. read more

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Food: Really Good Seafood Pasta fillet mignon prawns salad Pizza were very good. Service: "Shout Out" to Ms. Jennifer , she was very friendly and did an excellent service. Very funny as well. Keep it up. Ambiance: Very nice and clean. The Chef gave us a complimentary appetizer . Thank you guys that is why we always comes back here and it is one of our favorite restaurants in Burlingame. Shierly&Prinses read more

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The food here was delicious! I also ordered their seasonal pumpkin martini which was very tasty. A standout was their seasonal bread pudding with Nutella. The place was very lively for a Wednesday evening and great place for date night which you can dress up or dress down for. A great place to try if you're craving Italian. read more

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Amazing service, hospitality, food and ambiance! I eat here practically every day. 5 stars. Will return. read more

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We came for a big team lunch around 12 and there was plenty of seating. Parking can get pretty hard since it's downtown burlingame but you'll eventually find a spot. We got free bread when we sat down and it was good and soft. Calamari: 3/5 Was hoping for the calamari to be a bit crispier. By the time we got it, the breading was already getting a bit soggy. Ravioli: 4/5 Good portion size. Cream sauce was nice but definitely needed some more salt, the actual ravioli was kind of bland. Overall the food was fine but was nothing special, i've had better italian food around the bay. read more

Il Fornaio - bread - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Been here many times over the years for lunch and dinner, staff are kind, food is ok. The main reason my family and I like to come here is for the ambience. They have beautiful decor during the holidays and throughout the year the vibe inside is very warm, lively and suitable for the more casual special occasion meals. Food wise, butternut squash ravioli is my favorite, but everything else , (pizzas, calamari, lasagna, most other pastas) taste very commercial, and gives similar vibes to the cheesecake factory. Prices are also similar to cheesecake factory, where it is a bit pricey for the portion and quality you get. So overall if you're prioritizing ambience this is your spot, but if you're looking for more authentic Italian food, might need to keep looking. read more

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Food looked so unpleasant was so sour and tart and my friends had no sauce! Continued our dinner when I know I should've sent it back. Went home and ended up with severe stomach cramps and stayed up all night sick to my stomach with food poisoning it's 6am almost and I still haven't slept! Horrific wouldn't wish this restaurant on my worst enemy! We ordered two pastas Dirty silverware and pasta wasn't fresh when biting into it I got a stale piece im sure they reheat it all day long read more

We've been here a few times. First, was a Christmas Parties and dinner for two. Il Fornaio in Burlingame delivers a dining experience that's hard to forget--thanks to its beautifully curated ambiance and exceptional cuisine. From the moment you step inside, the warm, rustic decor sets the tone for an evening that feels both elegant and inviting. We started with the calamari, which arrived perfectly crisp and tender, a true testament to the kitchen's finesse. The Linguine Mare Chiaro was the star of the night--al dente pasta swirled with a generous medley of seafood in a sauce that struck the perfect balance between richness and freshness. It was cooked to perfection and plated with care. To round out the meal, a Grey Goose martini--smooth, chilled, and just the right pour--added a touch of sophistication. While the food and setting were outstanding, the service unfortunately didn't match the same standard. Our waiter's inattentiveness detracted from what could have been a flawless evening. That said, the culinary team deserves full credit for crafting a meal that left a lasting impression. If you're seeking a spot where the flavors speak louder than the flaws, Il Fornaio is well worth a visit. Just cross your fingers for a more attentive server next time. read more

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Let's start with parking .... Plenty of it!! Street and lots thankfully this area is busy in the evening. Location is beautiful every elegant and open We came for the Happy Hour which was from 3-6pm Monday through Friday Great deals for delicious Italian cuisine Associate Eddie at the bar was very welcoming we sat at a table but he was very kind and helped us order wine and food. Aurora was wonderful as well very made our date night a very pleasant experience! We order an calamaretti fritti and the pizza fradiavola both great choices delicious and filling!! Over all 5 stars we will be back but next time with friends read more

Il Fornaio - Finally I get to try - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Pretty much spot on with what others have said -- Il Fornaio nails the ambiance and the food, but service can be hit or miss. I, too, have had the issues of inattentive servers or long waits until first greeted, which isn't a one-off issue from what I've heard. Once things got moving, though, the meal was solid. The pastas are flavorful, if occasionally a bit oily, and the sourdough bread is everything you want it to be -- warm, crusty, and perfect with olive oil and wine. Speaking of wine, their list is consistently good and well-priced. Being allergic to seafood limits my choices a bit since much of the menu leans that direction, but what I can have is always enjoyable. If the service ever matches the quality of the food, this place would be an easy five-star. read more

It's been over eight years since I've eaten at this location. To my knowledge, it was pretty much the same. The service was very good and the server was extremely attentive. The location is in the heart of Burlingame. It's nestled around a pleather of restaurants of all different types of food. How do they stay in business? It must be loyal customers and consistent good food. The menu didn't change since I visited here eight years ago. The dining area was spacious and roomy. Like most fine dining resturants, bread and vinegar/olive oil was offered to wet your pallette. We ordered a rigatoni dish along with a bolognese with pasta. For appetizer, we ordered the burrata with prosciutto. Overall the food was good. No complaints. For dessert, we ordered a pastry with cream filling and strawberry puree. read more

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This place food is ok only, everything expensive to me. We come here with a group of friends to celebrate birthday, service ok. I don't think I will like to go back cuz food is just macicore and I can get these from elsewhere and cheaper. Maybe is the economy? read more

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Ordered a takeout pizza. Was underwhelming as there was hardly any sauce. It was also supposed to have pesto and I didn't taste any. Thin crust was nice but overall the pizza lacked a lot of flavor read more

First time in this Italian restaurant in Mountain View. The decorations of the restaurant were beautiful. Outdoor seatings were nice and relaxed. Ordered the lasagna and seafood linguine. Foods were very delicious and presentation was nice. The only minus was they charged $4 for breads and it wasn't that fresh. Definitely will come back to try other entrees next time. read more

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I absolutely love the ambiance of this restaurant. The lighting is perfect, the staff is so friendly, and the food is pretty good! Would love to come back to try the pizzas!! read more

Il Fornaio - Casarecce Pistachio e Gamberetti - Italian Near Me - Burlingame, California

We came at around 8:30 and the kitchrn closes at 9. The food was okay but it was overpriced. The rigatoni was alright but I was kinda of full frlm the appetizers. The Brussel sprouts were bland but it came with bacon. The Calamari was alright but not the best ive had. Tge tiramisu wasnt too sweet and pretty good.. but it was also 14 dollars. The waiter forgot our drinks and one of our orders but it was alright. There wasnt many people around when we came and was really dark. The besr part was the bread to be fair. read more

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Pretty basic. Food is fine but expensive. Service forgot I needed a fork and knife (took it away with appetizer) so I had to forage for one like an idiot after two servers didn't understand my request for a new one. I like the interior if you are not sitting near the kitchen where it is loud and the lights change from a nice warm hue to this clinical bright white spotlight. read more

I passed by this restaurant from the scenery outside I fell in love with this restaurant just absolutely gorgeous it cut my eyes how elegant it looks from the outside and the inside not only that one day I would love to go over there and I recommend this place because it's a touch of class people would enjoy their food when you could fix your plate like it's gourmet and beautiful it talks value it represents itself I highly recommend this place and I'm sure there hospitality's top 10 too so this is in Burlingame California whenever I could afford it I'm going to go I'm not going to deprive myself from going into this restaurant looks so beautiful and I'm sure the food is good take a look at my photos doesn't that look good they took pride and rearranging their food and dish read more

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I didn't take any photos, but dinner was delicious, service was great and I would highly recommend that you go here