A 26-year journey of Italian excellence, recognised by the people who matter most: its customers
Abu Dhabi, UAE. Il Forno is proud to announce that it has been named Favourite Casual Italian Restaurant at the What’s On Awards, a hospitality awards program in the UAE. The recognition is particularly meaningful for the brand because the winners are selected through public votes, reflecting the trust and loyalty of the customers who continue to choose Il Forno.
Since opening its first restaurant in Abu Dhabi in 2000, Il Forno has grown from a single location into an established Italian restaurant brand in the UAE, with more than 30 locations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah.
For more than two decades, the brand has focused on bringing the flavours and traditions of Italy to diners across the UAE. Its menu includes handcrafted pizzas, freshly prepared pasta, signature appetisers, desserts, and a selection of dishes designed to offer a welcoming Italian dining experience for families, friends, and food lovers.
Staying True to Italian Roots
While Il Forno has grown significantly over the years, its approach to food has remained closely connected to its Italian roots. Traditional recipes, quality ingredients, generous portions, and warm hospitality continue to form the foundation of the brand.
Consistency has also played an important role in its growth. Whether a customer is visiting Il Forno for the first time or returning after many years, the aim is to provide the same familiar standards of food, service, and hospitality across its restaurants.
Growing With Its Customers
The restaurant industry has changed considerably since Il Forno opened its doors in 2000. Customer expectations have evolved, and technology has become an important part of the dining experience.
Il Forno has responded by expanding its menu, introducing seasonal offerings, refreshing its restaurant concepts, improving its delivery services, and investing in digital ordering platforms. The brand has also explored new marketing initiatives, customer engagement campaigns, and data-led strategies to better understand the changing preferences of its guests.
At the same time, the focus remains on keeping the dining experience personal and welcoming.
The Importance of Customer Feedback
Customer feedback continues to be an important part of Il Forno’s development. Reviews across restaurants and delivery platforms provide valuable insight into what customers enjoy and where improvements can be made.
Positive feedback encourages the team, while constructive comments help identify areas where the brand can do better. Listening to customers has therefore remained an important part of Il Forno’s approach to maintaining its standards as the business continues to grow.
Embracing Technology and Innovation
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the restaurant industry, and Il Forno has continued to adapt to these changes.
The brand has invested in online ordering, delivery platform optimisation, digital marketing, customer engagement initiatives, AI-assisted creative content, and data-driven marketing strategies. These tools help the team understand customer behaviour, improve efficiency, and make ordering and dining more convenient.
However, technology is viewed as a way to support the customer experience rather than replace the personal hospitality that has always been central to the Il Forno brand.
Looking Ahead
Il Forno’s journey is far from over. The brand plans to continue growing while maintaining the values that have shaped its success over the past 26 years.
Customers can expect new menu ideas, seasonal offerings, enhanced dining experiences, improved digital services, new locations, and continued investment in food quality and customer service.
For Il Forno, the goal is not simply to expand, but to make sure that each new step maintains the quality, authenticity, and hospitality that customers have come to associate with the brand.
What the What’s On Award Means to Il Forno
Receiving the What’s On Award is a proud moment for everyone at Il Forno. Because the winners are chosen by the public, the award represents more than industry recognition. It reflects the experiences, trust, and loyalty of the customers who took the time to vote.
The recognition is also a reflection of the work carried out every day by Il Forno’s chefs, restaurant teams, and support staff. Their dedication helps ensure that customers receive the same level of care and quality across the brand’s locations.
For Il Forno, the award is both a celebration of what has been achieved and encouragement for what comes next.
Executive Interview
In an exclusive interview, Il Forno’s leadership team reflects on the brand’s journey since 2000, its What’s On Award win, the importance of authentic Italian dining, and the role of innovation in shaping the future of the brand.
What do you believe sets Il Forno apart from other Italian restaurants in the UAE?
Authenticity has always been at the heart of Il Forno. We combine traditional Italian recipes with quality ingredients, generous portions, and genuine hospitality to create an experience that feels welcoming and familiar.
Consistency is equally important to us. Whether someone visits us for the first time or has been a customer for years, we want them to experience the same quality, taste, and level of service.
How important is customer feedback to Il Forno’s success?
Customer feedback is one of the most valuable ways for us to understand our guests. We regularly monitor reviews across our restaurants and delivery platforms to see what customers appreciate and where we can improve.
Every positive review is encouraging, while constructive feedback gives our teams an opportunity to raise their standards. Listening to our customers has been an important part of our growth over the years.
How is Il Forno embracing innovation and technology?
Innovation has become an important part of the modern restaurant experience. We have invested in online ordering, delivery optimisation, digital marketing, customer engagement campaigns, AI-assisted creative content, and data-driven marketing.
These developments help us understand our customers better, improve efficiency, and make the overall dining experience more convenient. At the same time, we continue to value the personal service and hospitality that define Il Forno.
What can customers expect from Il Forno in the future?
Our focus is on continued growth without losing sight of the values that have brought us this far.
Customers can look forward to new menu creations, enhanced dining experiences, greater convenience through digital platforms, new restaurant locations, and continued investment in quality and service.
Most importantly, we want to continue creating memorable experiences through authentic Italian food and genuine hospitality.
What has been one of Il Forno’s biggest achievements over the past few years?
Winning the What’s On Award is certainly one of our proudest achievements because it represents the trust and appreciation of our customers.
At the same time, our continued expansion across the UAE, stronger partnerships, new concepts, marketing initiatives, and ongoing investment in customer experiences have all contributed to our progress.
Together, these achievements have helped Il Forno strengthen its position among Italian restaurant brands in the UAE.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
The What’s On Award marks another important chapter in Il Forno’s 26-year journey. From one restaurant in Abu Dhabi to more than 30 locations across the UAE, the brand’s growth has been shaped by its customers, its people, and its commitment to Italian dining.
Il Forno extends its sincere appreciation to its loyal customers, dedicated employees, valued partners, and everyone who has supported the brand throughout its journey.
As the brand looks towards the future, the award is a reminder of what has been achieved, and an opportunity to continue raising the standard of casual Italian dining across the UAE.
About Il Forno
Il Forno opened its first restaurant in Abu Dhabi in 2000 and today operates more than 30 locations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, serving handcrafted pizzas, freshly prepared pasta, signature appetisers, and desserts.
