★ 5

Wonderfully eclectic decor!
Kind, friendly, knowledgeable staff!
Amazing, authentic food, served promptly!

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★ 5

The best meal I have had in a long, long time. The atmosphere was great, the owner and staff were incredible. So much personality in the place and great history! The ricotta noodles were excellent and so was the tiramisu. Please go here, it’s a delight!!

Source: Google

★ 5

We’ve been eating at Zara’s for 15 years or so. We found it soon after we moved to Pittsburgh. The food and atmosphere has always been terrific and reminiscent of my husband’s family cooking.

We ate there this past Friday. We were reminded of how much this family restaurant has gone through with the losses of two loved family members. They haven’t missed a beat with terrific food, great staff and an atmosphere that could be my grandmother’s eclectic attic.

I had the chicken piccata and linguini. My husband had the Italian sampler plate. The piccata was the best I’ve had in a long time. The sampler plate was delicious. We had Caesar salads with homemade dressing. Everything was very special. Thank you.

Source: Google

★ 5

First time visiting this restaurant and it was just amazing. The food was perfect, I ordered from the specials. Our waitress was very attentive and atmosphere was warm and welcoming and it truly felt like I was eating a home cooked meal! I don’t usually write many reviews but this restaurant was incredible! 100% found my new favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. Zara’s also had tons of antiques throughout the restaurant which made the entire dinner such an incredible experience. 100/10 must visit!!

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★ 5

Perfect evening. Wait staff and food was exceptional.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 1

Between food (funky smelling, chewy seafood, sauce that tasted like Ragu) and service...stay away. I should've known what was coming when the server asked what "al dente" means.

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★ 5

The room at the rear of the restaurant has fantastic and completely unusual decorations. I am not a fan of Italian food, but absolutely loved my dish. I got the seafood ciopinno. My family all loved the dishes. The waitstaff was very knowledgeable and attentive. We got to speak with the owner at the end of the meal. Highly recommend.

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★ 5

Can't say enough good things about this place!

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★ 5

Excellent home made Italian food.

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★ 5

Update- another visit- still awesome! Ricotta dumpling soup (never heard of it) was of the chart!! Food was awesome as usual. Stuffed peppers just right. Alfredo is great with the peppers. All 4 of us loved it. Surprise crowd caught limited wait staff off guard... but they made everyone happy. Feels like family

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 1

I've waited a few days to write this because I HATE giving a restaurant a bad review, but after careful consideration, I want to share with you our Valentine's Day experience. My husband and I eat out (alot) but we haven't been to Zarra's since pre-covid days and I was so excited to be going back! It was and still is a family owned/operated restaurant that reminds you of your grandma's living room. We had a 5:00 reservation and we were the second couple to be seated in an otherwise empty restaurant.

1. We waited 14 minutes (I timed this) for a server to stop by; we waited another 10 minutes to get water; another 10-12 (I stopped timing) to get a glass of wine and some bread.

2. After another 15 minutes (I started timing again!) our server came back an took our order. The (delicious) crab bisque and salad (very good) came quickly and these dishes were cleared in a timely matter.

3. And then we WAITED for our main courses (gnocchi with chicken for me; Zarra's sampler -- Lasagna, meatball, spinach, eggplant and sausage -- for my husband). And we WAITED some more. The owner stopped by to see if everything was "ok" and I told him about the long waits. Many people had been seated and served during this "wait period." His response: well everything is hand made and will be worth the wait. It was all pasta that we ordered -- surely on Valentine's day you would not be making things to order...??? Finally our meals arrived (after 1 hour and 15 minutes -- yep, I timed it again!) and after watching many tables get served and even leave while we waited, I was so excited to get my meal only to find the gnocchi's were cold and the chicken was burned. I could not eat this and when the server asked if I wanted a doggie bag I said no. My husband sent his meal back, too, but that's not my story to tell.

4. We asked for the check and then our server disappeared for another 20 minutes or so (at this point, what was another minute). Again while we were waiting the owner stopped by once again and said: well, wasn't it worth the wait? When I said no it was not, he laughed and I again said NO, it was not worth the wait, the gnocchi were cold and hard and the chicken was burned. He than gave me an "ugly" look and said: Yah, the best restaurant in town, THANKS. He turned his back to me and never said another word.

I STILL would have come back to Zarra's on another night to try something different because every restaurant has a bad night, but this guy's flippant/sarcastic attitude to me is the main reason I will NEVER return to this restaurant nor will I encourage any of my friends, colleagues or family to dine here. I am wondering if we would have responded to a man in the same manner as he did to me, but I will never know since I won't be back.

FYI, we paid the bill, not asking for any discount or "freebies" so if he reads this I hope he realizes we were not looking for free meals --only GOOD meals and a polite, professional attitude from him, the "face" of Zarra's restaurant.

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★ 1

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★ 5

Wheelchair accessibility: Easy

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★ 5

What a great dinning experience. Johnny Zarra made us feel like old friends and the food was exceptional.

I had sampler and my wife had the Tilapia.

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★ 1

Called and pre recorded message saying open Wednesday at 5 but we arrived at 6:00 and lights out and none was there

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★ 5

Great food, great atmosphere, great service highly recommend

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★ 1

I wish I could say if the food was good or not, but I couldn’t say because we never got our food or water. When we got there at our reservation time, there wasn’t a table ready for us so the hostess had to put two tables together. No big deal. But then we waited 45 minutes and not even water that whole time we were seated. Eventually, we walked out because we’re not going to waste our time like that. On the way out both the hostess and some other worker made eye contact with us, no asking what happened, no “Oh we’re so sorry!”, nothing. So rude. Btw the menu from the site and on google maps app isn’t accurate to the menu in the place…. Maybe fix that. We ended up going to Alta Via, with a much better menu and very nice servers, nothing like Zarra’s 😂

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★ 5

Wonderful experience! The entrees were truly amazing , and the portions very generous. You should definitely order the Baked Alaska for dessert!

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★ 5

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★ 5

The food is so good! The vodka sauce on the gnocchi special is amazing and, as someone who doesn’t typically like meatballs, they’re meatballs are really good! I love the decor and the atmosphere, and it smells amazing as soon as you walk in. Reasonable pricing as well! Highly recommend!

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★ 5

Unique and warm restaurant with delicious food!

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★ 5

What a cultural gem! This family-owned Italian restaurant is unique because of its eclectic decor that is both authentic and full of character. Zarra’s is a perfect blend of old-school Italian charm and edgy history and the food is amazing!

Our server, Johnny, was absolutely wonderful; he was personable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the food and the restaurant’s story. Every detail, from the freshly made pasta to the rich, homemade sauces, was spot on. You can taste the love and tradition in every bite.

I very much enjoyed our experience here and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious food, great service, and a unique dining experience!

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★ 5

My wife and I came to this beautiful and charming restaurant for dinner. The experience was above and beyond amazing. The food, drinks and the staff was superb. I highly recommend Zarra’s Italian Restaurant if you’re in Pittsburgh.
Besides the great food and drinks the decorations are full of history and the atmosphere has so much love in it. Thank you for making our Pittsburgh dinner experience special and Great!
Thank you Zarra’s restaurant!❤️❤️❤️

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★ 5

Fresh and delicious authentic Italian food!! The owner and our server Taylor were incredibly accommodating and gave outstanding service. I had the manicotti which was light as a feather with delicious sauce.Highly recommend and next time will do outdoor seating. Deck has a wonderful view

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★ 5

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★ 2

We heard a lot about this establishments decor and just had to go check it out! VERY UNUSUAL! The owner was extremely personable and friendly!
There was NO one in the inside restaurant but our party of 6. I have to rate the food as terrible! My wife and I both got sick that night! Way to overpriced!

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★ 5

Favorite Italian place in tbe city. Eclectic old school atmosphere with food that reminds me of my grandparents Italian dinners.

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★ 1

Food was cold and super bland, reminded me of hospital food. We came for a birthday dinner and were let down by the food not to mention how over priced it is

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★ 5

One of my favorites in Pittsburgh!

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★ 5

Such a cute place!! The food and atmosphere feels like your grandma’s home. <3 The greens and beans which were excellent! Our waitress was the granddaughter of the owners and she was super sweet and helpful :)

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★ 5

New generation has taken over, still great food.

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★ 5

My mom has been wanting to take me to this restaurant for the past year, and today we finally made it happen—and I am so glad we did!!

Like some other reviews mention, this place is truly a hidden gem that should be more widely recognized. It perfectly replicates a traditional Italian Sunday dinner from start to finish, making customers feel at home and welcomed as soon as they walk through the door. The food, might I add, was delicious. I got a special that they were trying out: gnocchi with vodka sauce and burrata. It was incredible!!!

What separates this place from other restaurants is the HEART of it all. This is a family owned business with a LOT of history(just ask the owner). Everyone that works for Zarra’s truly cares about the business as well as making the customer’s experience exceptional. We will be back very soon and will be recommending it to friends and family in the meantime!!

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★ 5

The atmosphere here is unlike anywhere you've ever been. I'd go back even if the food wasn't excellent. The ricotta noodles were lovely pillows of cheese!

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★ 5

I highly recommend this restaurant the food is to die for and the service is spot on I definitely plan on going back

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★ 5

Wonderful place. It was my first time there and the owner, Johnny, treated me like I’d been coming there for years. I feel so blessed that a place with so much history (and good food!) is right next door.

Delicious bread, salad, and pasta dishes. My partner got the tilapia (a non-pasta dish) and he loved it. Also many dessert options. Go for the baked Alaska—they torch it right at your table!

I’m definitely gonna be a regular. Anyone who loves Italian food must try it out. It’s a PGH treasure.

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★ 5

A hidden gem that needs to be less hidden! This place is outstanding. From start to finish this meal was one of the best experiences I have had in a long time. I was in town for business and this came recommended by a coworker. Nothing disappointed, the service was top notch, the owners son gave us a full background on this history, if you are a punk rock fan then this is your place. An old punk club turned southern Italian restaurant. These walls definitely have stories. I ordered the ricotta noodles with a meatball and hands down amazing! I will come back every time I visit Pittsburgh.

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★ 5

I don’t typically write restaurant reviews, but this experience was exceptional and well worth sharing. This is one of the most authentic Italian restaurants I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. The building itself is rich with history, and the thoughtfully curated décor adds to the charm, making it a destination in its own right.

The service was impeccable—attentive, knowledgeable, and helpful with both recommendations and details about the specials. From the appetizers to the main courses, every dish was outstanding in both flavor and presentation.

To complete the experience, the Baked Alaska for dessert is an absolute must. I highly recommend spending an evening at this remarkable establishment. It’s truly a memorable dining experience.

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★ 5

The ambiance is spectacular. They have antique and interesting artifacts. The food is unique and savory. We will definitely be coming back.

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★ 5

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★ 5

I’ve gone to Zarra’s since they opened (and when it was the Electric Banana). Wonderful staff, great atmosphere and incredible food!

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★ 5

The atmosphere is really cozy. The service was great. The food was fantastic and I am hard to please with Italian food. Each thing I received was better than the last Ted I was truly impressed with the whole dining experience. I would highly recommend this restaurant

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★ 5

If you're looking for an old school, laid back atmosphere reminiscent of old Italian homes from days gone by, this is the place!
You need to come whenever you have time to relax and wait, things move slowly as each entree is prepared to order, allowing time to converse over a drink or bottle of wine.
Great experience especially if you like the unusual!

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★ 3

It took 2 hrs to receive food. I ordered lasagna and it was very dry and stiff. My friend ordered the eggplant dish and loved it. I think it was just the Valentines Day rush that caused issues :/ would give it another try, very cute restaurant

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★ 1

I would’ve given a negative for service if I could. I’m writing from the restaurant. It’s been an hour and a half since I came and I haven’t gotten my water.

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★ 1

We spent our Valentine's Day here and I think they honestly owe every couple who decided to spend their meaningful night here an apology. We sat at the table for more than two hours for our entree. One hour in, another table near us was passing two salads to another table - they probably have already had their salads and tried to figure out if anyone hasn't had it. Then we asked the servers for our salads and they handed us the salads from that table to us. 30 minutes later, we finally got some bread with no dips. We had been dipping the bread with the salad dressing that's left in our bowls. Then I asked for extra vinegar and oil. They never arrived. Two hours in, the server asked us what we were waiting for. Then the server asked us if we already had any food and brought us salads. We said we already had it but were still waiting for our entrees. She then asked us what's our order. Still, she brought us a plate of mushrooms that we didn't order and she told us later that she mixed us up with another table. 15 mins later, our food finally came with the protein choices mixed up, but we just took them as is. The dishes were already at room temperature and turned cold pretty quick. The taste was bland. All this time we have looked around the dining area, everyone had the same experience - waiting for two hours or even longer with only waters on their tables, and getting asked by servers about what their orders are after a long wait. I saw at least two couples left in the middle of waiting for food. Some of them chitchatted across tables about how awful this was. And all this time the restaurant continued to seat new customers. My partner and I both said that we had never been to a restaurant this bad. It's hard to make italian food so bad and is still charging this much. I cant understand how this place has gotten all these 5-star reviews. It honestly makes me wonder if this is the standard of Pittsburgh's food since it's our first proper meal here. I mean no offense, I just can't figure out how this place can survive - it would probably close down within a few months in my town. I never bother to leave any review - good or bad - but I genuinely feel urged to do this after dining in here. I left a very small tip because of how unpleasant it was. I feel bad for the servers, although they made mistakes themselves too, they seem to suffer under a horrible management.

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★ 5

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★ 1

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★ 3

Food tasted great, portions are generous. Family owned business. Owners are friendly. Can't wait to come back.

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★ 5

Very good food. Great service

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★ 3

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★ 5

A true local gem! Went for the first time on a Friday night with friends who knew about this place We were the only customers - possibly because of winter storm predictions, but this family-run business deserves more attention, so I’m posting a review. Authenticity abounds here, from the cozy family atmosphere, the made-with-love-from-scratch food, the eclectic and fascinating collection of antiques on display, and the friendly owners and staff. The menu puts a personal spin on classic Italian dishes, and the food was expertly cooked and beautifully presented. Plan to spend a relaxed evening; the food is made to order and takes some time. Our party of four all devoured the appetizers and entrees, enjoyed some really good wine by the glass, gratefully quaffed some delicious after-dinner liqueurs comped by the owners, and left with full bellies and warm hearts. If you’re looking for home-cooked Italian food served with love by a local family who’s been in business for decades, bring some friends for a great meal. We will be back!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 1

Let this review serve as a heads up to those searching that are not familiar with the area. I knew better than to enter this restaurant after showing up and the place was a ghost town at 6:30 on a Saturday night. All the red flags were there, I ignored them and that was my fault. The restaurant picked up a bit after about an hour which was promising, and the app were served at a decent amount of time. Bread came to the table but dips promised where missing and showed up later after bread was gone. The reality of what I already knew came to a reality when I noticed others being served out of order of their arrival. After an almost two hour wait for entrees the food came out fridge cold. The quirky and weird decor got me in the door being from out of town and looking only online but ended up being a reminder of a good lesson, if the place is empty go somewhere else, there is a reason.

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★ 5

Quirky Italian place. Truly felt like I was in my nana's dining room!

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★ 5

Incredible food, atmosphere, and history!

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★ 5

This place is AMAZING, with an intriguing history to boot! A true hidden gem with outstanding food! The interior is one of the best I've seen. If you love an eclectic curiosities/antique/flea market aesthetic, then you'll truly dig this place. Two great things that go great together, character and delicious food!

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★ 5

Amazing meal!

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★ 5

The food was great, atmosphere eclectic and fun. But the jewel was the owner and family. We visited because the online menu said they had baked Alaska, which my date had never had before. But when I asked, they said they no longer offer it. But THEN, the owner said, Hold on, let me call my mom. Mom apparently tells him how to make it over the phone, and by the end of our meal, they just roll out an enormous, delicious baked Alaska, which they set on fire at the table. Kudos. Well done, fam.

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★ 5

Amazing experience. Amazing food. Owner served us and made us feel at home. Made us Baked Alaska at the table. Fantastic place!

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★ 5

Great family dinner experience food,staff,owners all top notch hidden jem in oakland

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★ 5

I must say, we stumble across a good find every once in a while. The people were over the top wonderful. The homemade Italian food was beyond what I expected and I like the decor and the history of this place. I'd highly recommend and I will go there again.

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★ 1

Undercooked food. Owners were constantly swearing and yelling. Prices were too high for quality of food. Sleazy atmosphere. Would not try again.

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★ 1

Not a fan. Im a glass half full person and have only ever written good review up until this review. We had a reservation for 10+ people and they made us wait 2 hours for food despite knowing a large group was coming. Food was cold and ingredients not fresh but expensive. Automatic 33% tip included for the most mediocre service. They charged me 60$ for my 30$ meal and the owner insured me I would get refunded but I never did. The only good thing was how cool the decor was.

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★ 4

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★ 1

The food was absolutely the worst I have had in a long time. The chicken was very dry and the pasta was not good at all. In addition, no pricing on menu for the very expensive small glass of wine I received. I will not be going back. Sorry.

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★ 5

What a great place. Visiting town and man oh man we are so glad we found this gem. Told to us by our waitress Judy still makes the pasta by hand with her daughter in law. The food was outstanding. I had the ricotta pasta with sausage. Sausage so good!! The stuffed mushrooms were amazing, meatballs were light and fluffy. Tiramisu was excellent. Service was really good. Nothing was rushed and we enjoyed every second of it. Hand leftovers and was super happy to feel like I was having a second amazing meal today for lunch!

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★ 5

Food atmosphere and service is always great.

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★ 5

Great old world eclectic decor. Dinner was wonderful. We enjoyed the stuffed pepper appetizer. Seafood pasta, lasagna & the ricotta noodles were all delicious. Red sauce was fabulous. Highly recommend this family owned restaurant. Heard this location was one of the first cabarets is Pittsburgh!

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★ 5

This was our first visit here. This place was absolutely amazing! We loved the atmosphere and the food was delicious ! Real authentic Italian cuisine! I had the Pollo Romano …..pictured below…..Oh and the bread was thick and plenty ! The Staff was very friendly. We’ll definitely be back!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Italian grandma's home cooking with a grandma's house ambiance. Perfectly homey and soul warming.

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★ 2

Mid tasting food, long wait, bad service, but the atmosphere is cool. Pricy food for the portion and quality.

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★ 5

Awesome place! Love the food, people and atmosphere!

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★ 5

Absolutely everything about this place is amazing, from it's history, to the owners, to the present day wonderful menu. What a great place to visit, can't wait to go back!

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★ 1

We made reservations for 5:30 and when we got there it was closed,so oh well!

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★ 5

Had dinner with my father here, really nice place! Solid food and service, couldn't ask for any more.

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★ 2

The food was ok, but the service was nonexistent. They had two young servers trying to handle the whole dining room, and they weren't even close to keeping up. We waited a full hour for our food. I had to ask for bread and water multiple times before it came. I felt bad for the kids serving, but the place shouldn't have been accepted tables they couldn't serve or probably even open at all. My kids left hungry and very disappointed.

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★ 1

Wish i could even give this place a review. I'm in town for Pitt parents weekend. I made a reservation almost 2 weeks ago and was looking forward to it. I received a confirmation email. We walked a mile up hill from lower campus only to find out they were closed. There was a sign on the door that said they would be open Nov 3rd. I received no phone call and no email that they would be closed. Another couple with a reservation showed up as well, only ro be disappointed. Terrible customer service to not let people with reservations know you will be closed.

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★ 4

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★ 1

Not good and unnerving!

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★ 4

Delicious food, unique atmosphere, and wonderful service!

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★ 5

From the moment you walk in, you are instantly immersed into an old Italian family dining atmosphere. It's unique, and your eyes gravitate to the surroundings.

We had a fantastic experience at Zarra's, and it's been on my wish list for a while now. The service was great! I absolutely loved Judy's Homemade Ricotta Noodles as my meal. You could tell it was authentic Italian. My family shared the Baked Alaska, which is something not on the menu, so you need to ask for it. It's huge, so it's definitely shareable. Will be back for sure!

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★ 5

Loved the quirky atmosphere and fresh cooked Italian food. Delicious!

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★ 5

It felt like a friend had invited me for dinner at her mom or grandmother’s house. The woman who took my order was also the famous “Judy” on the menu who made the pasta I ate (and was also the owner). It was all really delicious and just a very unique restaurant in regards to aesthetic. Definitely check it out and support this local and authentic Italian establishment!

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★ 1

The food was awful, the experience and service were ok. Very over priced for what is served. The chicken Romano came out soggy and the spinach was the frozen kind that appeared to have been microwaved. The mushrooms were canned. The sauce is decent. You know it’s a red flag when the server says “be honest, how does it taste?”

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★ 2

Sadly...as out of towners... we need to rely on internet info. We chose the restaurant based on online menu...but not the same on arrival. No soup? Etc...goodbye. we were leaving as a pest control crew was coming in...eek. Next!

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★ 5

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★ 1

Dirty chair, great salad & seafood, but no taste pasta. Very disappointed

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★ 5

Very cool old school Italian place! Don't be in a rush.

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★ 1

it was really terrible experience.

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★ 5

The best homemade Italian food.
Service, and Atmosphere is awesome.
Best all around Italian anywhere.

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★ 5

Absolutely amazing place, the best food and great people

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★ 2

50 dollars for a half decent meal that most likely used cheap canned tuna and and canned squid. The squid was a huge disappointment with almost not squid in the appetizer and I found hairs all in it. The squid was cold and flavorless. Please look elsewhere for a good meal. This place grossly over charges for food.

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★ 5

The food is homestyle southern Italian American and delicious. The atmosphere is eclectic and more like immersive theater. Baked Alaska is not on the menu anymore...but you can ask to see if it is available. The Ricotta Noodles are my personal favorite.

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★ 5

Vegetarian options: Very limited vegan options but plenty of ovo-lacto vegetarian or pescetarian ones

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★ 5

Great homemade food!
Great service!
Great place!

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★ 3

Cool atmosphere. Felt like eating in grandma’s living room. Many cool decorations and things to look at. Kind of felt like being in an old yinzer museum. They even have a dumbwaiter that delivers the food from the upstairs kitchen! We had high expectations when our waitress told us grammy Zarra was prepping our food up in the kitchen.

As far as food, it was alright. Nothing bad, but not as flavorful as we expected, given the price. We assume it was probably better back in its heyday.

Waitress was cute and funny. Kept things lively. She suggested a good red wine.

Overall good experience… Just not worth the price.

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★ 5

Lovelyyyy

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★ 1

Food was ok. However the service wasn’t. If you are prepared for have a lot of patience waiting for service, getting drinks or even the check, you are in the right place!

Definitely service is something that NEED TO BE IMPROVED. ASAP!!!!

Btw, not a busy night, so service shouldn’t be that bad as now.

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★ 5

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★ 5

What a lovely restaurant. The food is delicious and atmosphere is unique. One of a kind. What's more is that it is the location of The Electric Banana and the same owners. I love Zarras

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★ 5

Upon approaching the door I noticed a NRA sticker! I was very happy to see the business is owned by a freedom loving owner! Besides the fact the food is excellent and service is outstanding I will gladly eat here knowing I'm supporting a patriot and real American business not woke leftists! I highly recommend trying this place! And thank you for supporting my rights!

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★ 4

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★ 5

Great family owned and run Italian restaurant.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Just like dining in grandmas kitchen! Delicious, homemade Italian food & desserts🤌🏼

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★ 5

Judys Homemade Ricotta Noodles with their red sauce, with the meatball !! Worth cheating on even the most committed Keto Diet. OMG!

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★ 5

After 6 years I have a new favorite Italian restaurant. Absolutely phenomenal. Great job.. You earned it

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★ 5

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★ 5

Very hospitable, kind sweet staff, family friendly. Must see decor!!!!

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★ 4

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★ 4

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★ 1

Great service, awful food. Tiramisu is just like a cake, red sauce on the manicotti was bland, manicotti was over cooked. Coffee burnt and $6.75… ridiculously overpriced.

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★ 3

Going to reserve my judgement on food until I try it. However people should know that prices on the menu are not the correct prices. I'm uploading a new menu. (the one that was given to me when I walked in). Sampler is now $34. (Not the 21 in the Google menu). Portions was very small especially for $34.

Got home. You get lasagne, eggplant, and meatball and sausage and spinach with the sampler. Lasagne was too cheesy for me. Meatball was okay. Spinach didn't have too much taste. Sausage was so so. The look of the sausage wasn't too appealing.

Wasn't bad. But wasn't $34 good.

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★ 4

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★ 5

Found Zarra’s online while searching for good Italian food and this place exceeded our expectations. Great food and atmosphere! Will definitely be back

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 4

Great place to have a leisurely home-cooked Italian dinner. Prepare for a slow comfortable evening. Enjoyed both times here.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Legendary nightclub, iconic italian eatery. I have to say, Zarra's never disappoints, even at 9:30 at night, when you call and say, "Are you still serving for dinner?" And the response is, Yes! When will you be here? Me: 6 minutes! Donnie: Come on in!
**Now, that is service.**

Thanks Donnie for the amazing dinner recommendations and dining experience.

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★ 5

My fiancée and I had our anniversary dinner at Zarra’s and had an amazing experience! Donny made us feel like family, and it felt like we were welcomed into their family’s home! Everything exceeded expectations and we will definitely be going back!

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★ 5

Great place for authentic Italian food. Quiet atmosphere and friendly staff.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Food-Fantastic, Atmosphere-Great

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★ 5

We had dinner at Zarra's and it was delicious. Johnny and Judy greeted my wife and I, we were seated and ordered drinks. My wife had the filet and I had the sampler plate. Both were delicious. The stuffed mushroom appetizer we shared was perfectly broiled and scrumptious.
After dinner, Johnny reminisced and shared stories with us about days gone by before Zarra's was a restaurant.
The atmosphere, the food and the entire evening, hosted by the Zarra's, was an evening to remember.
We will dine here again on our next 'burgh' visit for sure.

Source: Google

★ 5

I came here last week with my mom while she was up visiting. The atmosphere is cozy, the food deliciously authentic, and the staff incredibly friendly and fun to talk to! One of the guys who works there has a service dog named Ali who’s an absolute sweetheart—he might wander into the dining room and check you out from time to time, but he won’t do anything to bother you.
If you’re there, you HAVE to try Judy’s Ricotta Cake, it’s to DIE for.

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★ 1

We have been coming here since 2013. Never again. Terrible service and cold food. Very sad.

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★ 1

This was the absolute worst restaurant I’ve ever been to. My friends and I decided to come here for their birthday dinner, which ended up being a terrible mistake. Before even walking into the restaurant, the staff was outside smoking and there was only one worker in the building. Before we even walked in the female server with the red spiked hair, rolled her eyes and made exaggerated body movements which indicated that she did not want our business. Walking in we were even more disappointed, there were dirty dishes all over the tables. It took forever to be greeted at our table to order. Once we did get our food, there was hair in it. We will definitely not be back. Worst $90 we’ve ever spent.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 3

The food was good, but not great, or worth the price we paid. For that price I would expect fresh spinach for the sautéed spinach, not the frozen block stuff. The friendly service and the decor made up for it. It was an interesting experience, but we won’t be back.

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★ 5

Beyond delicious plates! Amazing staff and beautiful atmosphere. Highly recommend!

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★ 5

casual atmosphere.. great sauce..

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★ 4

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★ 5

Zarras is my go to restaurant for Italian food in the city. It's 100% authentic Italian cuisine. And the homemade pasta is incredible. I highly recommend this restaurant.

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★ 5

If you are looking for a rare experience in dining look no further. The atmosphere is beyond description and cannot be adequately described and must be viewed in person to be appreciated. The food is excellent and Johnny’s Famous Filet Mignon is a must. The service is not speedy, but the staff is friendly and accommodating. Johnny Banana is an unforgettable character and a delight to be around.

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★ 5

I drove past for eight years. So glad I finally stopped!

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★ 5

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★ 3

Food was bland and over priced. Selection only fair. Service was attentive

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★ 5

Our kids took us to Zarras for dinner last night. A unique place! We wanted to eat outside. Nice little area to do that since the weather was beautiful. Afterwards, we moved inside and glad we did. Good music playing and the decor was something to be seen!! Their menu was extensive and described each item in detail very well.. We had good salads, meals and cannoli for dessert. Great service. Delicious manicotti!!! Good sausage too! Very different...we would go back! It would be great if they had a strolling accordion player!!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Our dinner was amazing authentic Italian food. Family owned for 52 years. The price was more than reasonable. I live in Ohio and I will be back!!! Melanie our waitress made us feel like family!

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★ 5

AMAZING! I searched Google for a long time looking for an authentic Italian restaurant. i found it. The prices were great. True family owned for 52 years. Melanie was our waitress. Her mother and father in law are still on site cooking. I live in Ohio, I will be making the drive back down. I had the manicotti with a site of eggplant. It was all cooked to perfection. Just like our home Sunday dinners. Melanie was working alone but still took the time to talk to us. She also gave us an excellent after dinner drink.

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★ 5

Delicious authentic freshly made Italian food.

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★ 3

The food was good but not worth the price. The service was awful. Slow and inattentive. The decor looks like a flea market. The whole time we were there the service staff was screaming at the kitchen staff. It was obnoxious.

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★ 2

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★ 5

Best Italian I have ever eaten. The lasagne and sauce is to die for! I highly recommend this place. Family owned which is even more of a plus for me. I will return frequently!

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★ 4

I walked in the door and there was Johnny Banana in all his glory (Electric Banana flashback to 40 years ago)! The food was delicious, the wait staff great, and the decor was awesome.

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★ 5

excellent italian food. had the sampler... highly recommended.

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★ 5

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN PITTSBURGH!!!!!

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★ 5

Excellent food and really great ambiance. Top notch service with a personal touch.

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★ 5

Had a wonderful evening and dining experience! The food was delicious, the atmosphere relaxed and the owner was gracious and welcoming! Homemade lemoncello ended the meal with a smile! Will definately return soon!

Source: Google

★ 5

Best authentic Southern Italian restaurant in the burgh! Had homemade raviolis, meatballs, key lime pie and lemoncello (from the owner). Exceptional! They also have a nice wine list. A true family run business! I'd give it 10 stars. Perfect night out!

Source: Google

★ 1

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★ 5

Amazing homemade pasta, sausage, meatballs, and sauces. Family owned snd operated. A very down to earth place. Outside dining was wonderful, but have been seated inside as well. A very quirky dining room, very fun and original!
A Pittsburgh hidden gem

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★ 5

Amazing..... Hands down!

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★ 4

The food was okay (the appetizer was great), the service was unfortunately very slow. But I liked the vibe of the outdoor seating!

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★ 1

Made reservations for 2 couples 2 weeks ago. When we got there tonight, the place was closed! No one in the place at 6:30 pm. There were other people there too who had reservations at the same time. No sign on the door, nothing. Really disappointed.

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★ 5

I can’t believe I have been in Pgh my whole life and didn’t know about Zarras! I went with a few friends and ate one of the best meals I’ve ever had on the patio (and same with all the other dishes I tried!). The family owned restaurant used to be a music venue called the Electric Banana that I would go to as a teenager. Johnny Banana told us stories of owning the club, and his wife Judy and son Donny were wonderful as well. The atmosphere in the dining room is as awesome as the food, and we spent a half an hour after dinner just walking around and looking at everything. This place is an absolute must visit!

Source: Google

★ 5

My mom, dad, and I dined at a fabulous Italian restaurant, Zara’s Italian Restaurent two nights this week. We were awe struck at the dining room inside with its unique wall decorations and antiques creating a warm atmosphere. The food was exquisite and as far as we were concerned could not have been any better. We also ate one night in their garden patio with a vista of Pittsburgh below. The service was impeccable and run by the Zarra’s family. Bon Apetite! Grazia to Zarra’s restaurant!!! 🥰The Caserio Family!

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★ 4

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★ 5

Glad to see them back open. Great atmosphere and food!!!

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★ 4

Good authentic Italian cuisine.

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★ 5

Definitely one of the coolest Italian restaurants you'll go to. It looks and tastes like you're eating at Grandma's house. Anything on the menu that has their marinara sauce is one of the best things you'll taste. Price is a little high and service is a little slow but that's small potatoes to how awesome this place is. Come here and support a truly family owed and operated business.

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★ 5

Wonderful service and great food!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Excellent experience! Loved the decor inside! The stuffed mushroom caps and the Salsa Piccante di Jr. Williams were delicious. We will be back again 🙂.

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★ 1

I had food poisoning after eating the salad that contained canned fish on it. I believe the canned fish had expired for a while, it didn’t taste fresh at all. I end up vomiting for the entire night...

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★ 5

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the service is amazing! As a proud American Italian, I am so happy to find truly authentic Southern Italian cooking. Everything about this place makes you feel like home. We had Judy’s Ricotta Noodles, made from scratch. This fresh homemade dish is truly delightful. They also have an amazing selection of wines, cocktails and beers to accompany any meal! We are visitors from another city and we will definitely be back to Pittsburg, if for no other reason than to visit Zara’s!

Source: Google

★ 5

Outstanding food and service!

Source: Google

★ 1

We came with high expectations given some other reviews, and were excited about the idea that we would finally be venturing out after a year of take-out. We were extremely disappointed. First and foremost, no social distancing, or even an attempt to limit capacity. The server did not have a mask. That should have been the first red flag, but we decided to give it a chance. Second, the wait after we were seated was almost unbearable--at least 35 minutes before we even got water, and then a total of more than 2 1/2 hours before getting our entrees, which were mediocre at best. I noticed at least one table leave after waiting so long to have their orders taken (and in hindsight should have taken their cue). The food, which is touted as being "homemade", had a generally sour taste, and was certainly not worth the price. Maybe they were just having a really bad Saturday night, but I unfortunately cannot recommend this restaurant.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Pretty funky, super good food. Enjoyable experience.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Best Italian food I've ever ate!

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★ 5

amazing food. we were the only ones there and had amazing service.

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★ 5

The food was delicious. The whole atmosphere was warm and cozy. We really enjoyed our waitress Kelly this was our first visit to Zarra’s and Kelly was very patient in explaining the menu, she also gave us a brief explanation on the place and was attentive and accommodating.

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★ 5

First time trying it was very good and the decor was very interesting. Will return to try a different menu item because I had a hard time picking

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★ 5

Good food good atmosphere. We really liked this place

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★ 1

Zero stars. Terrible. When we arrived, there was only 1 other table sitting down. Regardless of that, the service was beyond terrible. The wait staff seemed to be 100% children under 12 (no joke), bread, drinks, and really everything took 30 minutes to get to the table, they forgot a dish that was ordered, and then when we asked them about it, said it would take too long to make, and brought me something else. The food was not good, nobody likes what they got. And then the kicker, a 20% gratuity that was automatically added to the bill FOR A PARTY OF 5! When paying the bill, we asked about the gratuity, and the staff became very belligerent. A man drinking at the bar started to become agitated and inserted himself into the conversation. Turns out he was the owner. He never once apologized, and simply aggressively started we were wrong, and they were right. Overall 5 people were there for almost 2 hours, ate terrible food, and paid prices like it was a 5 star experience. And don't forget about that automatic 20% tip they don't tell you about, after all, it's not their fault the wait staff were children. Zero stars

Edit: The owner 100% makes fake 5 star reviews and antagonizes people who leave 1 star reviews. Minus 12 stars

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Great service, delicious food. Makes a wonderful date night! Highly recommend

Source: Google

★ 5

If i could rate this more than 5 stars I would. Ive never had itallian food like this before. Im not much of an itallian food lover but boy am I now, deffintely will be back again. Just the service was absolutely amazing. Everyone is so nice and interactive and talkitive with you. They make you feel like your right at home on a sunday dinner. The atmosphere is also amazing with at the antiques and everytbing else, its not your typical Itallian restruant, just walking in and hearing the waiter calling for his mom makes you feel so much more relaxed and comfrotable. I highly recommend to come here and eat.

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★ 5

To say this place was Awesome doesn't do justice to this restaurant. The menu has a wide variety of homemade, yes...homemade entrees. When we went, we had a lot of picky eaters and everyone found something on the menu that they liked. We had great food, a pleasant atmosphere, totally Covid protocols in place, the servers were efficient and friendly. Most definitely going back again.

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★ 4

It was easy to find and the interior is worth a look at least once. The staff were friendly and the food is good. I wasn't overly impressed but I would return again.

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★ 5

My family and I went there last night it was cozy and relaxing the food was excellent

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★ 2

Staff were very overwhelmed. Outside seating is alittle crazy, they move and shove tables together to accommodate. Our table was very wobbly and moved with every knife movement. We waited and waited to get salads. A large group were beside us, they waited and were still waiting for entrees when we left. The staff do not seem to have the tables numbered outside and are unclear as to where food goes when it needs delivered. It seems to be very disorganized and scattered. The food was ok, cold but ok.. I was disappointed in the overall experience.

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★ 5

Holy heck!! This place has the BEST Italian food outside of Italy. Not joking.
If you’re looking for a quick dinner with fake parm and waiters shoving the check in your face, go to your local Olive Garden. This place is TRUE slow Italian (in a good way)...EVERYTHING is made from scratch and is truly sensational. I’d go here every single week!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Best Filet I ever had. And the Ricotta cake is delicious.

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★ 5

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