Antico Forno
Italian · Longyuan, Taipei
Restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan
Book with PearlThe Read
Oven-Centred Italian
Price
$$
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Antico Forno is worth keeping on the Taipei shortlist when the brief is easy Italian, moderate pricing, a dinner plan that does not require heavy advance work. It is better for casual evening comfort than a major occasion, with Michelin Plate and Gambero Rosso recognition giving it more credibility than a generic neighborhood fallback.
About Antico Forno
Antico Forno is a Taipei Italian restaurant for a direct meal when the brief is simple: Italian cuisine, a $$ price point, a smart-casual dress code. Its hours make it mainly an evening option, with lunch also listed from Friday through Sunday.
The main reason to choose it is practicality. Taipei has many dining rooms that can turn dinner into a bigger occasion, while Antico Forno reads best as a grounded Italian choice with clear basics: Italian cuisine, $$ pricing, guide recognition. For another Taipei option, diners can also compare it with 16 by Flo.
Choose it for an easy Italian dinner, not a high-drama occasion
The value case is clear: this is a $$ Italian restaurant with recognition from Michelin Plate and Gambero Rosso 1 Spicchio. The appeal is practical: an Italian choice in Taipei with a moderate price category and a smart-casual dress code.
Antico Forno is best considered for a Taipei Italian meal at a manageable spend. On that read, it is a sensible candidate.
Readers comparing across the city can use Pearl's Taipei restaurants guide for a wider shortlist, then branch into Taipei bars or Taipei hotels if dinner is part of a longer plan.
The late-dinner angle is the practical reason to keep it on the list
The strongest use case is evening flexibility. Antico Forno is listed for dinner from 6–10 PM every day, with additional 12–3 PM lunch hours on Friday, Saturday, Sunday. That makes it useful for diners who want Italian food in Taipei without building the whole day around a complicated plan.
That does not mean it is the right answer for every craving. Within Taipei, Antico Forno's appeal is its balance: Italian cuisine, $$ pricing, smart-casual expectations, guide recognition. If the night calls for a different style of meal, compare the mood with other Taipei dining rooms rather than treating this as a one-size-fits-all answer.
If the group is split between cuisines, compare the decision against options such as Taiwan Rice Dining Hall, The Diner Ruian Branch, Xiao Lizi, or æ³ ç±³é£å . Those make more sense when the group wants something other than Italian. Antico Forno makes more sense when the plan is a Taipei Italian meal at a $$ price point.
Quick reference: Choose it for a $$ Italian meal in Taipei, especially for dinner; also note the Friday-to-Sunday lunch hours if a daytime meal fits better.
Planning details
- Location
- No. 141號, Rui'an St, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
- Website
- facebook.com/anticoforno141
- Phone
- +886 2 2706 3322
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Antico Forno reads like a classic neighbourhood trattoria translated into Taipei: framed around a wood-fired, oven-centred approach and rooted on a quiet, tree-lined stretch of Rui'an Street. The writing stresses a warm, approachable room with an emphasis on repeat local diners rather than tourist curiosity. Its Michelin Plate signals steady, well-executed cooking rather than haute experimentation, and the mid-range pricing keeps the tone relaxed and familiar. Overall the restaurant projects steady, comforting Italian tradition—familiar flavours cooked with a clear oven focus—rather than high-concept flash.
Best For
This is a go-to for approachable Italian dinners where food is the draw: shareable, oven-driven pizzas and hearty pastas make it easy for groups or couples to settle in. The mid-range ($$) positioning and the large volume of repeat reviews point to consistent, affordable evenings out—good for date nights that want flavour rather than formality, group dining where everyone can order a pizza or pasta to share, or casual hangouts with friends who appreciate reliable, wood-fired cooking.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the restaurant’s oven-first identity: start with a classic Margherita to assess the crust and wood-fired character, then try the Tartufata to experience their richer, artisanal topping work. For pasta, the Tagliatelle with Duck Sauce and the Pappardelle Bolognese showcase the slower, saucy preparations the kitchen does well. Portions and shareability make pizza-plus-pasta a sensible strategy for groups; the Michelin Plate and high review count suggest sticking to these signature items for a dependable meal.
Venue details
Ambiance
Lively, uniquely Italian vibe with comfortable indoor and cozy outdoor terrace seating.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Margherita Pizza
- Tartufata Pizza
- Tagliatelle with Duck Sauce
- Pappardelle Bolognese
Planning details
Location
No. 141號, Rui'an St, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- The Diner Ruian Branch, Notable alternative
- æ³ ç±³é£å , Notable alternative
- Taiwan Rice Dining Hall, Taiwanese, $$
- 16 by Flo, Notable alternative
- Xiao Lizi, Porridge, Porridge
Restaurant context
How Antico Forno compares in Taipei
Choose Antico Forno when the group wants Italian at a moderate spend and an easier booking path. Taiwan Rice Dining Hall is the better fit for a Taiwanese $$ meal, while Xiao Lizi makes more sense for a simpler porridge-focused stop. The tradeoff is cuisine and mood: Italian comfort here, local-food practicality there.
The Diner Ruian Branch is the more casual neighborhood alternative if the priority is ease over Italian specificity. 16 by Flo should be the cross-shop for diners who want a more composed experience and are willing to plan harder around the meal. Antico Forno sits between those poles: more dinner-oriented than a diner stop, less demanding than a polished destination meal.
If the decision is about ambiance, æ³ ç±³é£å and Taiwan Rice Dining Hall are stronger when the night should feel rooted in Taiwanese cooking. Antico Forno is the safer pick for mixed groups, especially when one person wants Italian and nobody wants to negotiate a complicated booking.
Explore Taipei
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Antico Forno guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Antico Forno
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antico Forno | Taipei | Italian | Michelin Guide Taiwan 20262026 Gambero Rosso Top Italian Pizzerias2024 Michelin Plate | $$ |
| The Diner Ruian Branch | Taipei | No published awards | ; | ; |
| æ³ ç±³é£å | Taipei | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Taiwan Rice Dining Hall | Taipei | Taiwanese | 2024 Michelin Plate | $$ |
| 16 by Flo | Taipei | 2024 Michelin Plate | ; | ; |
| Xiao Lizi | Taipei | Porridge | 2026 OAD Casual in Asia Ranked · #842025 OAD Casual in Asia Ranked · #622024 OAD Casual in Asia Ranked · #42 | ; |
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How Antico Forno Taipei compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Antico Forno?
Antico Forno is a $$ Italian choice in Taipei with Michelin Plate and Gambero Rosso 1 Spicchio recognition. Choose based on the current menu.
Is lunch or dinner better at Antico Forno?
Dinner is available daily from 6–10 PM. Lunch is listed only on Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 12–3 PM, so dinner is the more broadly available option, while Friday-to-Sunday lunch can work if those hours fit your plans.
How far ahead should I book Antico Forno?
Since Antico Forno is a recognized $$ Italian restaurant in Taipei, it is sensible to plan ahead for dinner, especially if your timing is fixed.
What should a first-timer know about Antico Forno?
Start with the basics: Antico Forno is an Italian restaurant in Taipei, priced at $$, with a smart-casual dress code. It has Michelin Plate and Gambero Rosso 1 Spicchio recognition.
What are alternatives to Antico Forno in Taipei?
For a different meal, compare Antico Forno with 16 by Flo, Taiwan Rice Dining Hall, The Diner Ruian Branch, Xiao Lizi, or æ³ ç±³é£å . Antico Forno is the Italian option; the others are names to consider when you want a different direction.
Is Antico Forno worth the price?
Yes, if you want a $$ Italian meal in Taipei with Michelin Plate and Gambero Rosso 1 Spicchio recognition. It makes sense when the goal is Italian cuisine at a moderate price point rather than a more elaborate special-occasion plan.
