A relaxed evening of Italian dining in Horsforth – first impressions of Pranzo Italian’s new sourdough pizza.
On Thursday evening, I headed over to Pranzo Italian in Horsforth for my first visit to try the new additions to the menu. With the warm weather still lingering and the sun out, Horsforth was buzzing with people making the most of the sunshine. It felt like the ideal setting for a relaxed dinner.
Arriving just before my booking, I was shown to my table by the window at the front of the restaurant. One of the things I immediately liked about Pranzo was the atmosphere. While Horsforth Town Street still had plenty going on outside, it felt noticeably calmer and slower paced than the City Centre, making it a really pleasant place to sit and unwind for the evening.
Inside, the restaurant has a cosy and welcoming feel. Family photographs line the walls,giving the space a personal touch and reflecting the inspiration behind the restaurant itself.
Pranzo’s menu draws from owner Marco Greco’s Calabrian heritage, inspired by memories of homemade pasta and fresh ingredients prepared by his Nonna in Southern Italy, which brings a warmth that carries through both the atmosphere and the food.
When I arrived at 6pm, the restaurant was still fairly quiet with just a handful of tables occupied, but the atmosphere gradually built as the evening went on. By the time I left, it was bustling, creating that warm, lively energy that makes an Italian restaurant feel at its best.
To drink, I started with a Peach Bellini, before later trying the Peach and Pineapple Spritz. Both were refreshing and well-suited to the warm evening, especially while watching the people go by from the window.
For my starter, I chose the Bruschetta ai Funghi and added Parma ham. I really enjoyed this dish. It was full of flavour, with the pesto and balsamic glaze bringing everything together nicely. The richness of the Parma ham worked well alongside the mushrooms, with each part of the dish feeling fresh and balanced without being too filling.
For my main, I tried one of the restaurant’s newer menu additions: pizza. I went for the Diavola, which included nduja and hot honey, which is a combination I always find hard to resist. It did not disappoint. The sourdough base had that ideal balance of crispness without becoming too crunchy, while still keeping a softer, airy texture around the crust. The nduja brought a nice level of heat, while the hot honey added just enough sweetness to balance everything out, without overpowering the other flavours. It was a really well-executed pizza and definitely something I’d order again.
The service throughout the evening was also excellent. Everything arrived quickly, and every member of staff I spoke to was warm and friendly. Even as the restaurant became busier, the relaxed atmosphere never changed.
Overall, I had a really lovely first experience at Pranzo. Between the welcoming atmosphere and flavour-packed food, it’s the kind of place that feels easy to settle into for the evening. Whether you’re after a casual midweek dinner, date night, or simply a good pizza, it’s definitely a spot in Horsforth worth visiting.
Photography by Alex Christensen unless otherwise captioned.
