I never really took much of an interest in this place, probably because the font of the signage, and the fact that neon lights illuminated the signage, give the place a cheap, chain pizza place kind of vibe from the outside. I decided to go one night, as there were not too many other options on Bethnal Green Rd. The food is actually pretty good, and the place has a good vibe. It is not one of the amazing small places that you find where you feel like you are in Italy, but the experience definitely had an authenticity about it. I do recommend having a pizza, as I was really satisfied with the size and quality of my one. The place is far from expensive as well, which really makes a difference. read more

La Forchetta - Italian Near Me - London, XGL

Buzzing atmosphere, authentic, reasonably priced Italian food. Highly recommended restaurant for a night out with group of friends, but lacks that romantic feel for a date. Oh, and mention it's your mate's birthday and the whole restaurant will serenade you! read more

I'm from New Jersey. Most instantly think of the Jersey Shore (i.e. fist pumping, GTL, Snookie - all very real things by the way). I instantly think of pizza. La Forchetta reminded me of the comfort that I feel walking into my local "pizza place". The neon red lights, the ugly blue table clothes, white floors and big brick oven behind the bar. All this pleased me, but could the food live up to tri-state style pizza? Unfortunately no, but it was darn good nonetheless. My pizza was very nice and big enough to take some home (leftover pizza tastes like winning). Despite the small sauce stain on my shirt, I felt happy that we had come in and left in a good mood. Would be decent to take a date here, but I think overall I'd chalk it up as a venue for a casual meal on a Monday evening. read more

Ideally I'd give La Forchetta 3.5 stars, but when pushed I plumped for four given the excellent value for money. This often half-full, or near empty restaurant is often overlooked or ignored by locals, but the truth is it does excellent authentic pizza. And the calzone is, wow - one of the best I've ever eaten. The decor is kinda random, and reminds me of family holidays to Italy and Spain in the 80's. If you can handle sitting underneath a yellow fishing boat or net though while you eat then try it, I doubt you'll be disappointed. And if you are you won't have spent much and can go to the sun opposite, followed by a kebab from paradise cottage :-) read more

Had a meal in here with my girlfriend once as a last resort and am glad I did. La Forchetta is a pizzeria with a real traditional Italian feel. The pizza and pasta I ordered was very flavoursome and fresh tasting. I let my waitress choose the wine and it complemented the meal well. The staff did not rush things or attempt to 'fast food' the service. We stayed for desert and had a digestive and a few cocktails and I was happy to see that the bill didn't make me want to cry. The price in truth was excellent. To conclude the service was warm, unobtrusive and efficient. The food was close to being excellent and I would definitely recommend. read more

With a group of 14, we enjoyed a great dinner at La Forchetta. The service was friendly and accommodating -- especially since it was a friend's birthday with a large group. They played "Happy Birthday" over the speakers and brought her desert with a candle. One of the "Italian Stallion" waiters even gave her a kiss on the cheek! My Chicken parmesan was a tasty large portion, complete with appetizing veggies. As a simple, unassuming Italian restaurant, I would recommend it. read more

I have to admit, I'd probably have never walked into this place if it weren't for the fact my Italian flatmate had told me it was good. Well, actually, the pizzas are good, she's never tried anything else. It has the ambiance of an Italian restaurant with no ambiance. Functional furniture, red neon lights.... Where are Lady and the Tramp? Where's the guy playing accordion? And I'd have to agree with my flatmate. No nonsense, thin crusted, crispy Italian pizzas with straight forward non-fusion-y toppings. The waitresses were very nice and accommodating, and the food was plentiful and came quickly. This would be a great place for a large party or group dinner because it is a massive space and not too busy. Pretty much all the pizzas are between £6-10, so on par with Stringray. Yummy, filling, inexpensive pizza? Win. They also do take away. Probably not a destination, but if you live in the area, do come check it out. read more

I'm not going to get excited about this place. It does simple, pretty traditional Italian grub, composed mostly around their two big exports, pizza and pasta. Admittedly in England, we're far more carbohydrate diverse - we've got the mashed potato, the baked potato, the roast potato, the boiled potato, chips AND crisps. Still, we shouldn't boast - there is nothing wrong with just having pizza and pasta. Most of the dishes at La Forchetta are interesting enough, the pasta menu is pretty varied and the pizzas too include some classics as well as restaurant favourites. The beer is imported and quite a few of the staff are Italian so there is a definite local feel. It's tacky but it's cheap and friendly enough so as long as you don't expect the best meal ever you should be ok. read more

does the job, in a kind-of-spendy-but-not-that-spendy way, but you can probably do better at home. I sure can. Head round to E Pellici instead. Acutally, nevermind that - just go here. Leave my table down the road open. read more

This place does fantastic Pizza and is great if you are going out on a budget. They do a great lunch deal too. But you will find that you can have a nice plate of pasta or a big pizza for under a tenner. The pizzas have nice thin crusts, well topped and spread it out nicely. You will find yourself taking many a pause between mouthfuls in order to fit the beast of a pizza in but it's worth it. The decor is a bit on the Del Boy side, but given how cheap it is in there and how nice the food is you will find yourself overlooking those surprises. Another great thing is that the restaurant has good space between the tables, so is great to go on a date or even with a group of friends and know that you are going to have lots of space to yourselves. Let's face it, that is not easily achieved in London! I love going for lunch here, but it is also a nice budget option as a place to go before going onto a bar or club. read more

If you're living in the area and you're tired after work for cooking or you're just want food for a dinner at home between friends or simply in front of you favourite program, here is the right place. The food is italian , pasta or pizza make your choice and wait while you're eating free olives with herbs. The staff is welcoming and they really try to give an excellent service by offering help if you can't make a choice for the menu. They serve large portions for pasta that you can't finish your plate and it's really delicious. You can call them and come after 20 minutes to take your pizza , their calzone is amazing and by looking to your plate during a moment you feel in Italy. It's a huge place but there are different decors which don't go together so it's not the perfect place even if you're tired for a romantic dinner. Prices are nice with a simple large margharita pizza at £5.99. read more

Pretty decent food and okay atmosphere on a Thursday night. But only once choice of red wine by the glass knocks a few points off and not many appetising starters. Also a VERY RESTRICTIVE pre theatre menu - 3 starters and 3 mains. I had veal escalope with bolognese. Tasty. Our server (a young girl) was great some of the others weren't so good. read more

This is my boyfriend's family's favourite restaurant. They are regular customers and they are treated like special guests. We went to celebrate his dads birthday and turned up to the restaurant with no reservation. They were so helpful in seating us despite being extremely busy on a Saturday night and came to check everything was ok several times. I found that the courses are quickly prepared and served which means no waiting around when you are hungry for dinner. We ordered garlic bread to start which was a large 8 slice pizza bread. Yum! Me and my boyfriend both had pizzas which were bigger than the plate, his mum had seafood spaghetti and his sister had a classic spagg bol. His dad ordered the tuna and was able to change his side order and order a top up of veg with no problems. The entertainment came when they bought out the cake with happy birthday music filling the restaurant. Thus us a very busy and popular Italian restaurant so best to book a table in advance. There is parking outside and in the surrounding streets. read more

I love this place and eat here quite often. If you're looking to impress a date with somewhere nice with low lighting , this place probably isn't for you. But if you want somewhere to eat with a friend/friends that has tasty food for a good price, this is a great option. The pizza here is great (pasta is pretty good too) the tricolore salad is a must have, their buffalo mozzarella is melt in the mouth and if your feel like pigging out their deep fried brie is great too. The decor of the place is pretty low grade to be honest, wine bottles round the edges and kinda naff art on the walls. Not very authentic Italian, it's more like you're on holiday in Greece and you go to an Italian restaurant while you're there. However the staff are always friendly and polite, which really counts for something in my book. All in, I've found the food to be great value and I've enjoyed every meal I've had there. read more

Went for lunch and even though the cavernous space was empty the waiter seemed to struggle raising his game until we were leaving... Token courtesy and too much confrontation rational attitude to enable us to relax. The food was ok nothing special I had the pepperoni pizza and I won't be writing home about it, nice thin base and all so very standard. This part of Bethnal Green is not blessed with lunchtime options over and above the very decent cafes and Japanese canteen and I doubt be going back in a hurry read more

You know you're in a proper Italian restaurant when there's a boat hanging from the ceiling. Ok, so not every Italian is lucky enough to have a boat, but the green, white and red one in La Forchetta is symbolic of the beautiful tackiness that characterises so many genuine Italian eateries. And just in case you're in any doubt there's a looped CD of classic English cheese on the stereo. But if any of that sounded negative, it really isn't - almost all the staff are Italian and that authenticity is clearly evident in the good selection of food - especially the handmade pizzas. The best part is how affordable everything is - those pizzas start at under £6 and alone will be enough for most people (but try the garlic bread with cheese as a starter if you're really hungry as it's practically a pizza in itself, for about £3.50). All in all La Forchetta isn't going to win any design awards, or a Michelin star for that matter, but you'd be hard pushed to find a better option for eating out on a budget. read more

Really good Italian pizza at an affordable price. I often come here after checking out some shows in Viner street on a Thursday night with a friend and the quality of the food is always great. The decor isn't amazing but who cares about the decor when the food and company is good and you are getting value for your money. The wine here is not of a great standard but you cant have everything i suppose. They also serve pastas here. read more

Strange but funny atmosphere, good sea food BUT very bad ham (very disappointing from italian food)..

This place, sister of La forchetta in Angel Islington, has nothing to do with italian food. My korean gardener would certainly cook better then their chefs. One of the few italian restaurants in the Bethnal Green area, but far too much simplistic, with inexperienced staff and bad management. Not to reccomend. read more

Really tasty Napoli style pizza. Beautifully thing base and super tasty. Spaghetti and meatballs were also good, but they could use a kids menu. The portion given to my 8 year old was enormous. read more

Ghastly pasta here last night - dry, cloying sauce. Left half of it and the manager asked why I didn't like it. I told him, he agreed and said he would tell the chef but didn't even offer me a drink on the house to compensate! Bad food - and bad PR! Will not return. read more

We are regulars...we have been going there for more than 7 years...Always happy experience all together. Pizza and Pasta is what they master! Staff are very helpful, kind, accommodating..great with kids; what you expect from Italians. The wine is nice, the prices are very very reasonable! The atmosphere is great...It's just really lovely all around. read more

Been my local for a fee years. Never fails to impress. And cheap too. Great for takeaways although collection only

Booked a table for New Year's eve and the restaurant was packed. The waiters were always very helpful, always enquiring about our needs and whether we are happy with the food, which came very quite quickly. Everyone loved their dishes ordered. The prices are easy to compute and very reasonable. The salad was very fresh, the pizza stone-baked and the lamb had a wonderful sauce with it. The lemon sorbet was served in a frozen lemon shell. Only thing I could think of improving would be to state on the menu, which type of coffee it is they serve, e.g. the country of origin as the tastes vary quite a lot. read more

The best way to describe La Forchetta is "Shabby Chic" with an authentic Italian feel complete with stone oven behind the bar. The decor is exactly as it would have been in 1982 as is their idea of music and service, complete with flashing lights and serenading staff if you mention a birthday, however this does not prevent it from being decidedly over-subscribed. The cavernous, split-floored dinning room was full to the brim along with a long line of eager guests waiting at the door. I can only put this demand down to the pizza, the thin crust, oven baked and authentically topped pizza. The pizza is served in a standard size but is a more than generous portion for one person and at an average of £8 per pizza it is the perfect meal out with a big group of friends towards the end of the month. The wine however is an entirely different story, in fact I would steer clear of it at all costs. After trying and sending back the Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Soave I settled for a Peroni. The service could be improved but exceptions were made as when they did arrive at the table the waiters were friendly and helpful. All in all I had a pleasant visit to La forchetta and would happily return. read more

We had a two month stay in east London recently and this restaurant became our 'comfort-food' place-to-go. We were staying at the chic Town Hall Hotel, but their food was too rich and eclectic, so we ended up eating at La Forchetta at least three times a week! It was always good - and I would recommend it to anyone who happens to find themselves on the east side........ read more

went there with a friend last week for dinner. very nice waitresses (i could go there just to see them : / ),. very nice service, amazing menu and definitely value for money. the portions are amazing and are a match for the price (a pizza costs around 7.90). next time i should definitely try the pasta as they looked very nice on my table neighbour's plates :D read more

By far the best pizza in Bethnal Green. At an incredibly cheap price. less than 7 pounds for a Margherita. They are always very quick when ordering takeaway, the pizza is always ready in under 10 minutes. Reasonably authentic too. It is definitely not amazing pizza; but it is the best in Bethnal Green for a quick, cheap eat. read more

Ghastly pasta here last night - dry, cloying sauce. Left half of it and the manager asked why I didn't like it. I told him, he agreed and said he would tell the chef but didn't even offer me a drink on the house to compensate! Bad food - and bad PR! Will not return. read more

nice and well worth the price :)

Best pizza around and absolute bargain. We regularly get takeaways from here- always ready in ten minutes. Staff are lovely and recognise us and always remember what topping we want on our pizza. Cannot recommend this local highly enough read more

We are staying at The Town Hall Hotel for an extended stay and we have been seeking out nearby restaurants on a daily basis as the food at THH is not practical for everyday purposes (a little too eclectic/chic/costly). We happily stumbled upon La Forchetta. It has a great menu with reasonable prices and we were all very happy with our meals. Not only would I recommend this restaurant, we are also planning on returning soon. read more