Unearth The Voyage
There is a restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, where the pizza comes out of a massive wood-fired oven with a blistered crust and a smoky aroma that hits you the moment you walk through the door. The menu goes far beyond pizza, with dishes like lobster ravioli, crispy scallops, and a breakfast pizza that makes weekend brunch feel like an event.
The atmosphere is stylish without being stuffy, the happy hour is genuinely hard to beat, and there is even a speakeasy tucked away in the basement for those who want to extend the evening. Whether you are a Columbus local or just passing through, this Short North spot has a way of turning a casual dinner into a full-on experience worth talking about.
Keep reading to find out exactly what makes this place so hard to forget.
The Story Behind the Name and the Oven
The name Forno is the Italian word for oven, and at this Short North restaurant, that single word tells you almost everything you need to know about the cooking philosophy here.
The centerpiece of the kitchen is a massive stone-fired oven that burns at high temperatures, producing that signature char on the crust that no conventional oven can replicate.
This is not just a design choice or a gimmick. The oven is the heart of the operation, shaping the flavor of every pizza that comes out of it.
The blistered edges, the slightly smoky undertone, and the perfectly melted toppings are all products of that intense, dry heat.
Forno Kitchen + Bar has built its identity around that oven, and the food on every plate reflects a kitchen that takes its craft seriously without taking itself too seriously.
Where to Find It in the Short North
Forno Kitchen + Bar sits at 721 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, right in the middle of the Short North Arts District, one of the most walkable and vibrant neighborhoods in the entire city.
High Street is the main artery of the Short North, lined with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, and Forno holds its own among some serious competition on that block.
The location is easy to spot, and the energy on the street outside tends to match the energy inside the restaurant, especially on weekend evenings when the neighborhood really comes alive.
Parking can be a challenge depending on what is happening in the area, so arriving early or using a nearby garage is a smart move.
Once you are inside, though, any hassle getting there fades quickly when the food and atmosphere take over.
A Menu That Goes Well Beyond Pizza
Pizza may be the star of the show, but the menu at Forno Kitchen + Bar is genuinely stacked from top to bottom with dishes worth ordering.
The arancini is a crowd favorite that disappears fast at the table, and the scallops have earned a loyal following among regulars who come back specifically for that dish.
Chicken Marsala arrives with a crispy skin and juicy meat served over mushroom risotto, and the lobster ravioli is the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite just to appreciate it.
The pasta Forno, loaded with rich flavor, and the chicken alla vodka have both made strong impressions on diners looking for something hearty and satisfying.
Mozzarella sticks come with a pesto sauce and marinara that elevate what could be a basic starter into something genuinely memorable.
The Pizza That Earned Its Own Reputation
Not every restaurant can pull off a pizza that stands out in a city full of options, but the stone-fired pies at Forno have developed a reputation that brings people back again and again.
The Al Forno pizza is a go-to order, and the white pizza has also drawn plenty of praise from diners who prefer something lighter on the tomato.
During happy hour, pizzas are available for around ten dollars, which makes an already appealing menu even harder to resist at that price point.
The crust hits that sweet spot between chewy and crisp, with just enough char from the stone oven to give it character without overwhelming the toppings.
A breakfast pizza is also available during weekend brunch, and it is exactly the kind of creative spin on a classic that makes you wonder why more places do not try it.
Weekend Brunch Worth Setting an Alarm For
Saturday and Sunday brunch at Forno Kitchen + Bar runs from 10 AM, and the menu is creative enough to make it genuinely difficult to decide what to order first.
The Eggs Purgatory Skillet is a filling and flavorful choice that holds up well even on a busy game day morning when the restaurant is buzzing with energy.
The Forno Grilled Cheese with Tomato Bisque has been called the real winner of the brunch menu by more than a few people who have made their way through multiple visits.
Chicken and waffles land that perfect balance of savory and sweet, and the crispy rice with tuna is a starter that sets the tone for the whole meal.
If it is your birthday, let the team know, because Forno has a way of making special occasions feel even more worth celebrating.
The Happy Hour That the Neighborhood Talks About
Happy hour at Forno Kitchen + Bar has built a reputation in the Short North that is hard to ignore, and the combination of discounted pizzas and shareable appetizers makes it a strong contender for the best deal in the neighborhood.
The garlic shrimp is a reliable order during this window, and the warmed ricotta is the kind of dish that sounds simple but consistently surprises people with how good it actually is.
Crispy rice with tuna is another happy hour standout that disappears from the table almost immediately after it arrives.
The scallops have been called the best dish on the menu by people who have worked their way through a good portion of the appetizer list.
Coming in during happy hour with a group of friends and ordering a spread of small plates is genuinely one of the better ways to experience what this kitchen can do.
The Atmosphere Inside the Dining Room
The interior of Forno Kitchen + Bar leans into a sleek, modern aesthetic that manages to feel upscale without ever making you feel like you need to whisper or straighten your posture.
The decor is clean and considered, with warm lighting that flatters both the food and the people eating it, which is always a good sign in a restaurant that takes presentation seriously.
It works equally well for date nights, group dinners, work outings, and solo bar visits, which is a harder balance to strike than most people realize.
The dining room does get lively, especially on weekends, so carrying on a quiet conversation can be a bit of a challenge when the place is packed.
That energy, though, is part of the charm, and most people who come in for a relaxed meal end up staying longer than they originally planned.
The Speakeasy Hidden in the Basement
One of the more unexpected features of a visit to Forno Kitchen + Bar is what waits downstairs after dinner, and it is the kind of surprise that makes the whole evening feel like it has an extra chapter.
The Marmont Bar is a speakeasy tucked into the basement, and the space has a moody, intimate quality that feels completely different from the main dining room above.
Specialty drinks served in creative ways, including shots presented inside fresh strawberries, give the bar a playful personality that matches the festive energy of the space.
During certain seasons, the speakeasy has been decorated with themed installations that make the atmosphere feel especially cozy and worth lingering in.
Most people who discover the Marmont Bar on their first visit make a mental note to come back specifically for it, which says a lot about how well it delivers on the promise of something different.
Standout Dishes That Keep People Coming Back
Some dishes at Forno Kitchen + Bar have earned the kind of loyalty that makes regulars order the same thing every single visit without any hesitation.
The meatballs are consistently mentioned as a must-order, with a flavor that is rich and satisfying in a way that makes them hard to share once they arrive at the table.
Brussels sprouts as a sharing dish have also drawn genuine enthusiasm, which is a strong endorsement for a vegetable that does not always get that kind of attention on a menu.
The tiramisu rounds out the dessert side of things with a version that has been described as off-the-chain good by people who are not typically dessert people.
Key lime pie is another option worth saving room for, and the pasta with vodka sauce and shrimp is a combination that hits all the right notes for a satisfying main course.
Hours, Pricing, and What to Expect
Forno Kitchen + Bar is open most days of the week, with hours that shift depending on the day, so knowing the schedule before you go is worth a quick check.
On Friday the restaurant opens at 11 AM and stays open until 1 AM, while Saturday and Sunday both start at 10 AM for brunch service, with Sunday closing at 11 PM.
Monday through Thursday the kitchen runs from the afternoon or early evening through 11 PM, giving plenty of flexibility for both weeknight dinners and longer weekend outings.
Pricing falls in the moderate range for the Short North, which is competitive given the quality of the food and the effort that goes into the presentation.
Making a reservation is a smart move, especially for larger groups or weekend visits, since the restaurant draws a consistent crowd and walk-in availability can be unpredictable.
New American Cooking With Italian Roots
The menu at Forno Kitchen + Bar draws heavily from Italian culinary tradition while firmly planting itself in the New American category, which means the food feels familiar but never predictable.
Dishes like arancini, lobster ravioli, and wood-fired pizza point clearly to Italian influence, but the kitchen interprets those classics through a modern American lens that keeps things feeling fresh.
One honest observation from people who have eaten here is that this is not the kind of Italian food you would find in Italy, and that is perfectly fine once you understand what the restaurant is actually going for.
The goal seems to be elevated comfort food with Italian soul, and on that front the kitchen delivers consistently.
The result is a menu that appeals to a wide range of diners, from people chasing something hearty and indulgent to those looking for a lighter, more refined plate.
A Short North Spot Worth Returning To
There are restaurants in every city that earn a visit, and then there are the ones that earn a second and third visit almost automatically, and Forno Kitchen + Bar lands firmly in that second category.
The combination of a wood-fired kitchen, a creative menu, a lively atmosphere, and a hidden speakeasy in the basement gives the place more than one reason to come back.
Happy hour pricing on pizza and appetizers makes it accessible for a casual mid-week outing, while the full dinner menu and weekend brunch make it equally suited to a more deliberate dining experience.
The Short North is full of good options, but Forno has carved out a specific identity on that stretch of High Street that is hard to replicate.
Once you have had a pizza from that stone-fired oven, it has a way of staying in your memory long after the meal is over.
