Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Balmain neighborhood, Forli Italian Restaurant stands as a welcoming destination for those who appreciate the timeless traditions of Italian culinary arts. Located at 379 Darling St, Balmain NSW 2041, our establishment serves as a peaceful retreat from the bustling city streets, offering a warm atmosphere where neighbors and visitors alike can gather to share a meal. We believe that the essence of Italian dining lies in the harmony of simple, high-quality ingredients prepared with patience, care, and a deep respect for heritage recipes that have been passed down through generations.
Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that food is the ultimate connector. Whether you are planning an intimate dinner for two, a lively celebration with friends, or a relaxed family gathering, our doors are open to provide an authentic experience that feels both sophisticated and comfortable. We take great pride in being a part of the local Balmain community, contributing to the rich tapestry of dining options that make this area so unique. Every dish that leaves our kitchen is a reflection of our commitment to excellence and our passion for the craft of cooking.
What Makes Our Dining Experience Special
Authentic Culinary Approach: We focus on the fundamental pillars of Italian cooking, emphasizing the natural flavors of our ingredients. By sourcing fresh produce and pairing it with traditional techniques, we create dishes that honor the rustic charm of Italy while maintaining a modern standard of quality.
Warm and Inviting Atmosphere: Our dining space is designed to foster conversation and relaxation. We strive to create an environment where guests feel truly at home, with attentive service that anticipates your needs without ever feeling intrusive. It is the perfect setting for creating lasting memories over a shared plate.
Prime Location in Balmain: Situated on the historic Darling Street, our restaurant is perfectly positioned for those exploring the local area. Whether you are strolling through the neighborhood or looking for a reliable spot to end your day, our central location makes us an accessible choice for anyone seeking a genuine taste of Italy in Sydney.
Commitment to Quality: We believe that consistency is the key to a great dining experience. From the moment you walk through our doors until the final course is served, our team is dedicated to ensuring that every detail is handled with precision and care, reflecting our deep respect for our patrons.
At Forli Italian Restaurant, we invite you to slow down and savor the experience of a well-prepared meal. We understand that in today's fast-paced world, finding a place to disconnect and enjoy the company of others is a luxury. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that every visit to our Darling Street location is characterized by warmth, flavor, and a genuine sense of hospitality. We are constantly inspired by the feedback of our guests and the vibrant energy of the Balmain community, which motivates us to continue refining our offerings and maintaining the high standards that our visitors have come to expect.
We look forward to welcoming you to our table soon. Whether you are a long-time resident of Balmain or a visitor discovering this beautiful part of Sydney for the first time, there is always a place for you at Forli Italian Restaurant. Come join us to explore the depth of our menu, enjoy the curated selection of beverages, and experience the heartfelt service that defines who we are. We are more than just a restaurant; we are a space dedicated to the joy of eating well and living better, one plate at a time.
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Reviews Forli Italian Restaurant
Martin
30-05-2026
Very enjoyable meal here with delicious food and a very nice martini! Cosy restaurant space feel despite being a large open room.
Prawn pasta had plenty of good sized and tasty prawn and was a generous serve … More
Inspired4me2You
30-05-2026
Italian Bliss💋💋💋
Update April 2025
Just upgraded this to 5 stars.
This is a fantastic food. Our second visit as good as first one.
Italian Bliss - love this restaurant💕
Excellent food and service
We went here on a luxury escape experience voucher.
The restaurant has a special menu for this offer to choose from and includes wine, beer or soft drink.
We share one of the freshest salads we have had for a while with the restaurant’s home made focaccia ( OMG) it was unbelievable. Then we both had chicken with a mushroom cream sauce with was served with roasted veg, very generous meals. We finished with a generous slice of tiramisu cake.
There are tables for two along a window and larger tables scattered around the restaurant. This is suitable for couples, friends and family.
Bathrooms cute.
There are a lot of restaurant in Balmain with shiny fairly lights and claims of good food. Walk up to this restaurant from the car park behind Woolworths and you won’t be disappointed.
Seriously this is good.
Love your local guide-M❤️
Like or follow me please
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu, Homemade Fettuccine Boscaiola
Vegetarian options
On the menu
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Free parking garage
Parking
Behind Woolworths
Christine M
30-05-2026
Wow wow wow!!! This place is a must try, everything was amazing, the mussels were cooked perfectly in a very flavorsome sauce, the pork and fennel homemade pasta was rich in flavor, the squid ink prawn and calamari pasta was amazing and our … More
Iarla Flynn
30-05-2026
Good pasta all round. Excellent beef ragu. Gelato was ok, lemon sorbet was charming, tiramisu was average. Service very good. More
Elise G
30-05-2026
We received this dinner from a relative as a gift. The food was a set menu with a variety of choices. All Italian food and drink so make sure you like pizza, pasta and creamy sauces.There was Italian music playing in the background and it … More
Nicholas Khor
30-05-2026
decent selection of pastas and pizzas, pasta were decent, setting itself was ambient and comfortable. food was on the pricier side. More
Shri M
30-05-2026
Great ambience with inside and outside seating. The staff are attentive, friendly and welcoming . Service was quick. Seems very popular with the locals. Great tasting pizzas and pasta. The Burrata pizza and Homemade Gnocchi are highly recommended. More
Janet Beyrouthy Khalil
30-05-2026
Nice atmosphere, friendly staff. We had the squid ink spaghetti & fettuccine boscaiola. Was a generous size and very tasty & because it’s handmade pasta if felt lighter afterwards. Will be back. More
Inspired4me2You
30-05-2026
Italian Bliss💋💋💋
Update April 2025
Just upgraded this to 5 stars. … More
Jharana Timilsina
30-05-2026
Had such a lovely experience at Forli Italian Restaurant! The food was full of flavour and beautifully presented, and the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. The staff were really friendly and attentive, which made the visit even better. If … More
vivien li
30-05-2026
Nice dining experience! It is very efficient of the food service and it is excellent of the food!
Mea…
More
Li Lim
30-05-2026
We visited this Italian restaurant for Saturday lunch, and every dish we ordered truly hit the mark. It’s rare to find a place where each plate impresses, but this one delivered from start to finish.
What We Ordered
Entrée: Cozze (Mussels)
A generous serving of plump, fresh mussels. Perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
Burrata Pizza
The dough was excellent—thin, light, and beautifully done. The burrata added the perfect creamy touch.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Outstanding texture. The gnocchi had that ideal al dente bite—not too soft—and the rosé sauce complemented it perfectly.
Squid Ink Pasta
Highly recommended. The prawns had a delicious char‑grilled flavour, and the whole dish was rich and well‑balanced.
Veal Funghi
Another standout. The veal was thin yet incredibly tender, and the mushroom sauce paired beautifully with it.
Service
The service was just as impressive as the food. Our server was attentive, friendly, and polite, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Overall
A fantastic Italian dining experience from start to finish. We will definitely be coming back.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Not sure
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Vegetarian options
Available on the menu.
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free street parking, Paid street parking
Wheelchair accessibility
Accessible for wheelchair. The restaurant is spacious.
Chris James
30-05-2026
Very welcoming restaurant. My friend was vegetarian and she was surprised how accommodating they were. There was only two options on the menu for vegetarian...they actully offer quite a few dishes with a vegetarian option you just need to … More
NN
30-05-2026
Great food, friendly and efficient service, very well organised. The tiramisu is my favorite. It is super fresh and light creamy, not overly sweet with a decent espresso flavour. The pasta is a bit overcooked for my liking ( not al dente) . More
Candice Shields
30-05-2026
Great Italian food and a beautiful atmosphere with some inside and outside seating. The service was friendly and quick. Clearly popular with the locals and authentic pastas. More
Cassandra Sos
30-05-2026
Expensive Food with Mediocre Experience 🤷🏼♀️
Looking past that size and price, it still tasted nice overall, but here my detailed experience:
Ordered a Veal Saltimbocca for $39.90, off the bat, $40 for a main is on the higher end, I’d expect that from a more exclusive/popular restaurant, or only if the ingredients were more pricey like steak or ribs, not veal.
The food came out and was small for $40. It was a few small flaps of veal, I would be expecting almost double for the $40, and a small handful of veggies. It honestly just looked like pub food presentation.
I was a little confused by the thick brown gravy, as from my personal understanding and some internet searching; white wine sauce (and for saltimbocca) is usually a more yellow or creamy looking sauce, but this just seems like plain brown meat gravy?
Considering the prices, I’d expect the atmosphere to be nicer. The interior was pretty casual and the staff looked casual as well. I didn’t feel like I was in an elevated expensive restaurant essentially.
Probably wouldn’t go back again, due to the disconnect between atmosphere/food quality and their prices.
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Schwebble
30-05-2026
The service was quite bad, there were like 4 or 5 other tables but it took over an hour to get the food out. But I guess we got a salad to fix our hunger? Servers seemed inexperienced.
Food was moderate. Risotto marinara was lukewarm when it came out. And their “focaccia” was more like puff bread. Not the real deal sadly.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 3
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 3
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Alison L
30-05-2026
Absolutely incredible food and flawless service. We hosted a group function for 22 people on a busy Saturday night, and the staff at Forli Italian didn’t miss a beat. Every dish came out perfectly timed, and the team was warm, attentive, and completely on top of things.
The pasta was a standout, freshly made, cooked al dente, and coated in a rich, slow-cooked tomato sauce that paired beautifully with sweet, tender seafood. It was comforting, balanced, and bursting with flavor.
We also tried the burrata and prosciutto pizza, and it was phenomenal. The creamy burrata melted into the hot crust, while the delicate, salty prosciutto added the perfect contrast. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh basil tied it all together - absolutely worth ordering.
The kids' pizza was not only a generous portion, but the chefs shaped it with adorable puppy ears 🐶 A thoughtful and fun touch brought laughs to table.
Forli Italian hits the mark for both quality and experience. Highly recommended for groups, families, or anyone who loves Italian cuisine.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
bùi trâm anh
30-05-2026
Hidden gem of Italian food in Balmain area deserves more attention. I have come back 3 times for the good food and nice service. Staffs are all very friendly and try to deliver their best. Would recommend the burrata pizza, pappardelle ragu and homemade lasagna!
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations not required
Wait time
No wait
Nadav Linden
30-05-2026
Had a great Father’s Day lunch here!
Service was great, very welcoming.
All the dishes we ordered were very well executed, with the mussels and black ink prawn spaghetti topping the list.
Highly recommended!
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Group size
3-4 people
Wait time
No wait
Victor
30-05-2026
Forli is a great casual Italian restaurant with delicious food and excellent service. We really enjoy the pizzas at Forli and they have a good selection of Italian wine. The staff are always friendly and welcoming. Nice family-friendly atmosphere that works well whether you're bringing kids or just having a relaxed dinner. Highly recommended.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Reviews Forli Italian Restaurant