Review Zarra's - Pittsburgh

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

Really excellent and friendly service. Wonderful appetizers to pass around and share:. stuffed banana peppers, calamari antipasto, rollatini melenzane. House salads with balsamic vinegar, chick peas, and optional anchovies was mighty tasty. Great entree portions to also share:. Calamari di Julia, sampler platter (really good lasagna), Linguine di Contosta, Judy's homemade pasta noodles. One of the best meatballs we've had. Red sauce was really good.

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!

Best Italian food I've ever had. The Italian sausage was phenomenal. Very spicy, but I loved it. I had the Zarra's sampler plate and I can hardly pick my favorite food because they were all so good. Also had the Cannolis for dessert and they did not disappoint. The dining room looks like a museum with a full suit of armor, medieval weapons, antiques, and interesting paraphernalia all around. The host Donny was very cool. Friendly and accommodating. I'll be back for sure whenever I am in town.

Had a fantastic experience here. Excellent atmosphere, very friendly owners, and incredible good. We started with the dumpling soup, which was gooey and warm, and hit all the right spots in our stomachs. Then we moved on to the entrees and I ordered the Pollo Romero. Fantastic pasta and breaded chicken. Enjoyed every bite. Felt like we were at home here.

This place is a hidden gem. It should be packed, the food and atmosphere are Italian to the core. Even the Italian mom cooking upstairs. It feels like I'm at home. Love it!

Lovely experience. I was worried that my Italian husband would not like it because he is used to homemade food from his mom. He loved it. Fun decor and kind staff. Definitely a hidden gem!!!

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

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!!

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.

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.

Looks nice, owner and servers are nice. Very helpful and take care of you while there like you are family. Food is expensive. Go to enjoy a slow relaxed evening. Not a rushed evening at a restaurant. As an example $10 for mushrooms. The food was great but expensive for everything. Buddy paid $50 just for 2 drinks.

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!

My husband and I with our friend Ron had been looking forward to visiting Zarra's on our trip to Pittsburgh and it did not disappoint. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter and the best Italian food I've ever had. We ordered the Calamari antipasto and Rolentini di Melenzane for appetizers. It was the best calamari any of us had ever had. Both dishes were amazing. The crusty bread and salads were also very good. I ordered the Linguini di Contasta and the guys both got the Zarra's Sampler. I can't rave enough about the freshness and perfection of preparation of the seafood. Simply out of this world!

We we're staying at the hotel across the street from the restaurant and just happened to stumble in for dinner. We were immediately greeted and welcomed by the owner Johnny who was so kind, especially to my little son. The food was amazing. Everything was homemade and delicious. My son, who at times is a very picky eater, devoured his spaghetti and the bread. He even ate some of his salad which is very rare. Our waiter was so polite and was great with our little guy as he tried to explore the entire restaurant. At the end of our meal Johnny came to see that everything was to our liking, which it was (especially my canoli) and he gave my son a bag of suckers to take home. I'm so glad we stopped in. It was a wonderful meal and experience. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone.

We just left five minutes ago but my family and I all agree this was possibly one of the best meals we have had. Food was delicious, decor was lovely, and our waitress, Sarah, was the best waitress we have ever had. We will make this our first stop whenever we are back in Pittsburgh :)

We have never been to Pittsburgh and really enjoyed our meal at Zarra’s! The eggplant and ricotta noodles were delicious!

We were in town for the Tool concert last night, and stayed in the hotel across from Zarra's...the hotel didn't have a bar, so we walked over for a few beers. The friendly staff engaged us in conversation about music, and showed us all the history surrounding the old Electric Bananna punk club that used to reside there, even showing us the closet where bands like Henry Rollins used to put their stickers on the wall! Wish we would have had time to try the food, but what a great staff & great ambiance!

I went for the first time two weeks ago. I can't understand why I hadn't been here before. I totally loved it and will be a regular there in the future. I had the sampler that was wonderful the lasagna was the best totally different from what I have ever had. If this place was in New York City there would be lines out the door. Save room for the Tirami-Suzy!

Go here, NOW!! Excellent!! Don't waste your time and money going to any other Italian restaurant in town. Superb food, friendly ownership and staff. It's amazing to say the least!

This place is just like Grandma's house. The dining room could have been hers...And the cooking, Oh My God. Just like my grandmother's. Donnie Zarra is a great host. Bring your appetite. Ciao.

Fabulous staff & atmosphere personable, inviting & friendly!!!! Would highly recommend!!!!

My wife and I come to Pittsburg, from Cleveland, to go to Zarra’s for our anniversary dinner. The food is wonderful and the atmosphere is perfect.

Thanks Again for the Wonderful time we had at Zarra's. Lauren & Donny really made it special for us. Food was amazing . A hidden Gem for Pittsburgh.

Closest thing to Grammas kitchen there is! Great atmosphere and amazing food with even better people. True gem in Pittsburghs Italian cuisine.

Great place, food, and owners. Didn’t know this was the electric banana before. So awesome to know the history.

Gorgeous place to eat. Absolutely fantastic rack of lamb. Will make any Aussie / Kiwi homesick for home. Beautiful family and so welcome to a lone traveller.

Really disappointed with my experience here!<br/><br/>(Skip to the ~~~~***below to get to the real juicy stuff)<br/><br/>First of all, My friend and I were excited to go out for a "girl's night" and have some nice food in a place slightly off the beaten path. We're both young ladies, but immediately upon entering were treated by the manager as though we were children. He also didn't seem to respect his wait staff. He yelled to the back, "THE GIRLS WILL GET YOU SOON", to prompt their attention so someone would come seat us. This didn't seem like a respectful way to speak to his employees, and especially not in front of customers. So that was an unpleasant start.<br/><br/>Our waitress was a nice and friendly lady. Immediately upon sitting down I asked if I was able to use my restaurant.com coupons. I had two "buy $20 get $10 off" coupons. I figured there might be a rule against using two coupons at one table, but the waitress told me it was no problem, so my friends and me felt excited to order whatever we wanted.<br/><br/>For two young people the meals aren't cheap, about $25 per entree.<br/><br/>When the meals came, we were surprised to see how much they charged for how little they provided. The ricotta noodle entree came sparsely plated with only five small-sized dumplings and a big meatball. I don't know how they can ration selling that for over $20? Certainly not worth it on the purchaser's end.<br/><br/>I mean, the food was fine, it wasn't earth-shattering. The lasagna on the sampler platter was definitely the best part. Everything else was pretty average. The tomato sauce was sugary sweet. It was nice to have hot food on a cold night, but the flavor of the food itself wasn't anything original or special.<br/><br/>At one point I was in the bathroom near the kitchen and cash register area, and heard workers yelling complaints at each other through the door. Again, not a pleasant customer experience.<br/><br/>~~~~***The biggest problem came when my friend and I wanted to pay and leave. Firstly, it took a long time for the check to arrive.<br/><br/>Our nice server finally came, and I handed her my coupons. At that moment the manager walked over, and the server, who after we had ordered told us this was only her second day and her second job, ask him how to apply the coupons. The manager, who treated us demeaningly on the way in, roared back "WHAT COUPONS?" He proceeded to tell us that Zarra's doesn't take restaurant.com coupons anymore, and that they haven't for a long time.<br/><br/>Now, I know restaurant.com. I love them and will stick by them. If restaurants no longer want to utilize their services, restaurant.com will send out a notification to whoever bought their coupons and will refund them, no questions asked.<br/><br/>This did not happen to me for Zarra's.<br/><br/>He told me, trying to make himself out to sound benevolent and as though this would seriously strain him, that he "would honor one coupon tonight". I told him that our waitress told us that we would be able to use both coupons. He boomed back at me, challengingly, "WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!" I didn't want our waitress, who was so kind and working another job apart from this one, to get in trouble, so I told him it wasn't important. He told me that "if it's the new girl, she doesn't know anything".<br/><br/>Well, isn't that your job as a manager to teach her? I'm not sure you're completing your duties to the fullest extent either, then.<br/><br/>I pulled out my phone and showed him how Zarra's was still listed on the restaurant.com website. He told me that it must have been a mistake, that he cancelled it, etc. etc. etc.<br/><br/>Throughout this entire exchange he made his demeanor very intimidating. He's a large, bald, loud man, and we're two small young ladies. It was obvious he was trying to use the power dynamic here to overpower us. My friend admitted afterward that he made her feel very scared. Should customers really leave a restaurant, a place they go to spend their own money for leisure, feeling shaken up and uncomfortable?<br/><br/>I didn't feel scared per say-- what was he going to do, fight someone a third of his weight?-- but he definitely was not acting level-headedly or rationally. I would have been more assertive, perhaps refused to pay what I wasn't expecting to pay throughout my long dinner, if I weren't concerned that the new waitress would get in trouble.<br/><br/>Ultimately, us paying $10 more is not worth her losing her job. I just hope she doesn't find working there to be as unbearable an experience as it seems to be, since clearly management has little respect for its employees and its customers.<br/><br/>~~~~***In the end I left feeling disrespected, dissatisfied, angry at my mistreatment, and just scammed.<br/><br/>I would not go back and I don't recommend you try going there.<br/><br/>If you want better service and food there is a McDonald's on Forbes down the road a ways that I guarantee is a better option.<br/><br/>Hopefully this review is a lesson to Zarra's to treat their customers better, and not to mess with small girls with laptops~

This place is a unique Pittsburgh gem. My now-husband took me here for our first date (surprising me with a rare PGH restaurant I hadn't been to). The fun decor, home-y atmosphere, and delicious food made it a perfect place. He then surprised me by taking me there the night we got engaged --so of COURSE, we had to have our rehearsal dinner there! SO sweet, accommodating, fun. Can't recommend this place enough. It is unique --if you're looking for a stuffy "foodie" establishment, don't come here. If you want delicious food and authentic, family-owned business --support this Pittsburgh treasure!

zero wasn't an option. <br/>It was the most bizzare, unprofessional service I've ever had.<br/>I took my family for my husband's birthday and the place was empty<br/>An hour later the first of our BAD food arrived<br/>My food had to be re-ordered because they didn't remember to put mine in<br/>I ordered the kids 3 & 5 the rack of lamb as a special treat and from what I was told someone in the staff ate it. Supposedly because it was a little overcooked. <br/>The one we did receive was full of fat and undercooked but with two kids and an hour wait we made due. By not eating it. Our waitress appeared loaded and I cannot tell you enough about how extremely disappointed we were with the food and the whole birthday experience. What a waste of hard-earned-money<br/>save yourself and go elsewhere. January 2,2016

This was a GREAT FIND AND AWESOME Italian food. I felt like I was eating at my grandmas house. I loved the place and suggest eating here if you have the time. CHEERS!!!

Bait and switch with the prices. Great food but it is unfortunate that they ripped us off use different priced menus. We were charged $24 dollars more on a group of 7 because we were given the sheet of paper menu instead of the regular menu. It was not due to the size of our group because I was there with a group of 23 and we had the regular price. Up charge and added tip on a scribbled illegible bill that we could not keep will probably stop me from going again, don't llike going to places with sneaky cheaters.

This is a MUST in Pittsburgh!. I ate here as business person just passing through. It was just lucky I was staying across the street. But this place is worth traveling in for. What a great restaurant! The family atmosphere is phenomenal and the food is just like your grandma used to make. Unbelievable personal service and attention to detail. I will be in Pittsburgh again. For the food at this place.

Hidden Treat. Great good, beautiful patio, and truly friendly servers in this unique gem hidden in Oakland!

So darn good! I got it to go, wish I had went there and dined in. Must try this place if ever in Pittsburgh!

Go Somewhere Else. When you're in a restaurant on a Friday night and there's no wait and empty tables, that should tell you something.

Save your money. I have eaten here several times due to the fact that a family member drags me here. The meatballs are spongy and sandy textured and overly seasoned with garlic. A serving of lasagna weighs 10lbs and will upset the strongest of stomachs. Dry bread, some nasty looking tuna appetizer that sat out all day, and their sauce is bland and soupy. And the rancid eggplant parm. Way overpriced for such terrible Italian food. The dining room smells musty and my allergies really kicked up during dinner. And the cracked and chipped dinner plates put me over the edge. The ricotta cake is so dense and heavy. the only bright spot is the homemade balsamic dressing. Watching the owners interact with customers and the strange decor made me feel like I was in the middle of a Quentin Tarantino movie feeling like something dreadful was about to happen to me. It did-it was the worst Italian food I've ever tasted in my life. if you must go there, stick with salad and balsamic dressing.

OK but still looking for the best. We went there on a Saturday night, the place was empty. It was a gorgeous night so we sat outside, big mistake, the wait staff completely forgot about us. We had to go in and order our drinks, the owner's son brought them out and forgot glasses, that took another five minutes to get. We placed our order and it took at least 20 minutes for the soup and salad to be brought out. The ricotta soup was to die for. So good. Beautiful side salad and tasty bread. I ordered the ricotta homemade noodles in red sauce and my husband got the sampler, egg plant, meatball, sausage and greens. The ricotta noodles were really good, the meatball very tasty and the sausage was delicious. The greens were overcooked and the eggplant was flavorless. The red sauce was embarrassing, very think and tasted like ketchup. I don't understand why they would take so much time making homemade noodles and sausage and ruin it with this sauce, yuck. <br/>At the end of the meal my husband had to find the "staff" to pay the bill. they brought out the check with out giving a summary of charges. We still can't figure out why the bill was so high the the "staff" could not give an explanation. <br/><br/>Overall I feel that this place could be good if they worked on their red sauce and paid more attention to the customers.

Dissappointed. I first saw Zarra's while driving around the city for work. It looked interesting with the outdoor patio. I went home pulled Zarra's up on the computer and read the extensive menu options, all of which were enticing. We decided to give it a try Sat. night and drove the 40 miles from Cranberry twp to the Burgh.<br/><br/>We were seated and given what appeared to be a specials sheet (dirty and food stained), and three nice covered menus. After reviewing the first sheet we opened the covered menus to find one to be a beer list and the other a wine list.<br/><br/>NO MENU as advertised on their website. Only the one sheet with a few apps, 5 or so menu items, and i think a few desserts, thats it. With such a limited menu we both found something we would like and stayed.<br/><br/>Dinners came with an Italian bread basket and a tossed salad with the only option for dressing being their house basalmic which was OK.<br/>We were asked if we were would like blue cheese or anchovies on our salads, I said yes, <br/>The dinner salads were very small and the anchovies (3 slices) were an upcharge of $3.00 and the blue cheese and additional $1.75 for a total $4.75 extra added to the meal.<br/><br/>I had the Linguine Di Contosta, which was scallops (1 Large), shrimp(3 large), and mussells (4 on half shell) in a light broth over linguine for $28.00.<br/>It was good but a bit pricey for what you get.<br/><br/>My other half had the Melenzane Romano with sauted spinach and mushrooms in a red sauce. for $20.00. Not so good.<br/><br/>Overall, We won't go back. Would have loved to have had the menu they offer online to order from. The Polenta and the riccotta dumpling soup on website menu was what I went there to try. Not available. And $4.75 for dry blue and anchovies is rediculous. Also some decent, plates, siverware, and napkins would be great.<br/><br/>Save your money.

I have eaten steaks around the world and the steak I had at Zarras was the best piece of meat that has ever touched my mouth. Although it is pricey it is worth every penny!!! I promise you will not be disappointed.

I ordered the Insalata Grande as takeout. After several bites, I started tasting something gritty and unchewable that appeared to be sand after spitting it into the sink. I'm not sure how sand could wind up in this salad, but it did. Sadly (because the cavatelli with spinach and sausage was so tasty that it transported me back to my Italian grandma's house), this will be the last time we go to Zarra's.

It was terrible! We ordered the Bruschetta.. Ugh! It was so gross. Stale bread topped with spinach and roasted red peppers. So plain. I couldn't even touch it. My fiancé said it was terrible. We also ordered the calamari. It was tough and gummy like. The Alfredo sauce was tasteless. I tastes like it came out of a jar. Store bought would have been better than what they serve at Zarras. The decor in the restaurant is very interesting. Def. a lot of things to look at.. So much that you can see the cobwebs coming down from some of the decor. My husband and I own an Italian restaurant and we were shocked to see how terrible this place was. In our restaurant we take pride in serving good food. The food at Zarras is WAY over priced. I do not recommend eating here

Great food great place will return and highly recommended best food in the burgh

I came to Zarras for dinner with my husbands family with pretty high expectations. They are Italian and have great taste when it comes to restaurants in that genre but this one threw me off a little. So the positives of my experience were that I found the place to be pretty interesting, decor wise, it was like a better version of how Bucca looks. We sat on the patio and that was nice, as well. And my salad was pretty good. As for the rest, here we go: to start I'd say I think a customer expects a certain level of experience and quality based on the pricing of a meal alone. So say if you're spending between $18-$23 for an entree as you are here you would assume that you would receive fresh bread (not gonna happen, stale packaged rolls with packaged butter "squares"), maybe you would assume that the plates your food were being served on would match or would be free of chips and cracks (also not gonna happen, they need new plates, we will leave it at that) and you might assume that your meal would be properly prepared, cooked and would taste pleasing....keep dreaming. <br/>I ordered a calimari pasta dish and the calimari was overcooked to the chewy point and became very fishy tasting because of it. Other people felt the same about their choices while some people liked theirs but everything I tried tasted unpleasant to me. Lastly I ordered the tiramisu, it's my staple, if I go somewhere and it's on the menu I'm guaranteed to get it. This was the weirdest tiramisu I've ever had, it didn't seem homemade, the cake seemed like a plain store bought cake without any rum, the frothy cream was like cool whip and they drizzled RASPBERRY all over it....how weird is that?!? It was so odd and all I can say is I would take Bucca any day to this place and that's a darn shame.

Authentic Italian. My friend and I stopped at Zarra's on a whitewater paddling trip a couple of weeks ago. Please be warned... this is not your neighborhood (american) Italian restaurant. If they did have any pizza or calzones I must have missed it because I was distracted by the extensive menu of authentic italian dishes. The hardest part of my experience was choosing what to eat. This is one of those places where you're not going to be choosing something you think you'll like, you're going to be deciding between dishes you know you'll love. The decision is made easier by Zarra's excellent family of staff. <br/><br/>We sat outside near the outdoor fireplace fueled by a real wood fire. The scene, smell of the kitchen mixed with the wood fire, and excellent company set the stage for a perfect evening. <br/><br/>I enjoyed a regional craft brew that was delicious, an appetizer sampler, and a seafood entree with a spicy red sauce over a seafood medley with pasta. The shrimp and scallop were huge and perfectly cooked. The scallop was especially savory. <br/><br/>We stayed for a couple hours eating, drinking, and taking in the city through this small neighborhood gem. When you do go inside take a look at the pictures on the walls and notice they are all family of the owners. If you're lucky John will tell you the history of the establishment, how he met his wife there, and came to own it so many years ago. When you go to Zarra's you'll feel like part of their italian family for sure. We liked it so much we went back for dinner the next night while we were still in town. After all, how can you say no to an authentic italian family dinner?

Great Food. Zarra's is by far the best Italian restaurant I have ever eaten at. Not the same old boring menu as most Italian restaurants have, but a unique menu with fresh ingredients. If the weather is nice, eat outside next to the fireplace and enjoy the best Italian food on the east coast. They have a good selection of beer, and a friendly atmosphere. This is a real family restaurant and the food is the best. You can tell the owners love to cook and take the time to make your meal with only the best ingredients.

Good: prompt service despite being late. Salad was soggy with dressing and oddly contained chickpeas. The specials included my clam linguine. A very creamy sauce, clams were a bit gritty. Nicely al dente pasta. Bad: manager seemed to be talking very loudly about bad Italian restaurants to other customers. Pasta arrived without allowing me to finish my salad first. Manager was rather abrupt. All in all, I had a VERY long day of traveling for 18hrs. This place is opposite my hotel and very convenient for the weary traveller but not great value for money.

First of all I would like to say that I set up this Urbanspoon account primarily because of the restaraunt. I am completely appalled by the food, service, and atmosphere Zarra's boasts about on their website and I guess through the wait staff which seems to be mostly family. I have been to this North Oakland establishment regrettably twice. The first time was mediocre at best. I ordered the homemade raviolis which were not horrible but found a hair in my meatball. Disgusting. My husband ordered the Sampler which was even worse. The plate (cracked and chipped) was hotter than the food itself which to me is always a red flag to a dish being microwaved. The lasagna you could almost call a quiche with noodles considering the filling must have more egg than anything else. The meatball I refused to eat but my easily pleased husband commented that it was overly garlic and the strangest meatball he's ever tasted. The sausage was delicious even though it looked like it had been sitting in a pot for days. The eggplant was decent but the most disappointing aspects was the marinara sauce named after the "chef" Judy. Chef boy-ar-dee's sauce has more flavor! And the spinach was either EXTREMELY overbooked or (I hate to think) frozen! It was green hair on his plate. What brought us back was the cheesecake. Creamy and delicious. The second time got even worse. Even the bright light at the end of the meal was tarnished. The quality of food from a year ago to tonight was drastic. The fairly empty dining room might speak to that. We started off with the mushroom caps which were I hate to say frozen in the middle. The salad dressing was oily and so salty. I ordered the scallops which were not properly cleaned as I saw on another review! The website boasts about Zarra's being the "finest Italian restaraunt in Pittsburgh" yet "chef" Judy doesn't clean her scallops? And once again my spinach and mushrooms tasted like they came out of a can. My husband ordered the tilapia which was burnt on the outside and borderline raw on the inside. We ordered a piece of cheesecake to hopefully take away the sting of the overpriced microwave dinners but even the cheesecake lost its creamy center and rich flavor. Overall, I'd rate Zarra's 2/10 including food, service (which was slow and awkward considering you're being bothered by what seems like every member of the Zarra's family) and decor which between plastic Christmas table cloths in July to the most hideous statues, figurines, and mix matched chairs and tables it's like sitting in the home section of Good Will. Will NOT be returning for a third time!!!!!!!

Simple Arguement. Olive Garden > Zarra's<br/><br/>I'll take the tour of italy any day!

Stay Away. The restaurant was recommended to my by the front desk staff of the hotel across the street. It looks like a hole in the wall place that I normally love to frequent. Unfortunately, it was an awful meal and service and my advice is to stay away.<br/><br/>I walked in and there were children coloring on a front table and a guy sitting at the small bar in front. I stood for a minute and walked back to the dining area in the back. I was greeted by a waitress and sat. The decor is charming and feels like you are at an italian grandmother's house, including the plastic tablecloths.<br/><br/>I was having trouble deciding between the stuffed banana peppers and stuffed mushrooms. I asked the waitress for her recommendation and she highly recommended the stuffed banana peppers. I placed my order and waited.<br/><br/>Sometime late she approaches me and informs me that they don't have the banana peppers this evening would I like the mushrooms. I switched to the mushrooms. That was the last time this waitress checked in on me until it was time to pay. <br/><br/>Another waiter, the owners's son, brought the stuffed mushrooms to me. They were cold and soggy and not fresh. I ate 1/2 of one mushroom before moving my plate to the side. He returned to ask if I was finished. I replied yes. He asked if I wanted them boxed. I looked at him like he was crazy. Really, someone orders an appeitizer takes one bite and your follow up isn't "is something wrong" I declined his offer to box them up. Although, it may have tasted better after cooking them at home.<br/><br/>My scallops were next. They were tender and cooked to the correct amount of doneness but they had not been cleaned properly. The scallops were gritty. Yuck.<br/><br/>Lastly, I ordered an espresso tart. The owner's son boasted of his sister-in-law's mad baking skills. Chocolate and Espresso, It sounded so good. I ordered a slice of the tart. The chocolate and espresso filing was delicious but the baker must have dropped a mountain of salt into the shell. It was like eating a salt lick. I ate the filing but didn't touch the crust again.<br/><br/>Through all of this the waiter was going from table to table trying to show diners his summer vacation photos. He was creepy.<br/><br/>Overall, I spend $50 for mostly inedible food. The waitress came back and with the bill. I left cash but she chased me down because I took the receipt in the little folder. She needed that. I told her I was on business and needed a receipt. She had to recopy it on to another check receipt. I had to wait another 5 minutes to leave. Believe me it was a long 5 minutes as there was nothing I wanted more than to leave the restaurant.

HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. This place could be a nice place. However, the people who work and own this place have chosen not. First time I was there, I felt like family. Everything was wonderful. Second time I was there, they acted like I was a bum on the street looking for scraps. They served me cold food and horrible service. When I complained about it, they told me to leave and find another place. I actually think our waiter was drunk and being belligerent. Overall, they will treat you well as long as they think you are spending money. This unevenness is unacceptable, especially for what they are charging. Be warned, you are either friend or foe here. BE WARNED!!!! and if you have a good time, don't expect it a second time. Apparently they owners try to write reviews on here and other sites to seem a better establishment than they are, but lies can't treat people well. If you read a good review, its probably from them.

Yum!. Went to Zarra's for dinner last night for the first time. Everything was absolutely delicious. I had cavatelli with spinach and garlic, and my mom had a filet. My food was super! Not only was the filet delicious, it was also huge. The entrees included salads were really good, too. Not too much stuff on them and really good dressing. We saved enough room to split dessert, a riccotta cake. It was kind of like cheesecake, but lighter and less sweet. It was great!!<br/>We'll definately be returning soon!!

Wonder Italian cuisine with an equal atmosphere! We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the view. Thanks Don!

Bad food in a creepy, cheap atmosphere. The people who give Zarra's good reviews on here have obviously never had GOOD Italian food. <br/><br/>When you first walk into Zarra's, there's a nice open bar area. It's very clean and a not a bad place to have a cocktail. But then they walk you back to your table in the overly cluttered and crowded dining room and it's downhill from there. The dining room is arranged with various shapes and styles of unmatched tables and chairs. There are various tall and short cabinets and pieces of furniture against the walls, all covered with knickknacks that you might find at a garage sale. I think there are a few daggers or swords hanging on the walls, as well as a full suit of armor standing against a wall. You sit there and absorb it all in, and at first it's kind of cool in an eclectic, kitschy way, but after a while it starts to feel like you're dining in a flea market. And if you look at the weapons or the suit of armor for too long or the knickknacks staring back at you, it starts to feel creepy or like you're having dinner at your crazy Aunt Edna's house. <br/><br/>The food is bland and overpriced for the quality that you get. The meatballs are far too large in size and taste like they have 20 cloves of garlic in each one. The texture of the meatballs is also peculiar and unappetizing, as if there's far too much breadcrumbs or some other unidentifiable substance binding the meat together. They're dense and gross. The so-called "famous tomato sauce" has no flavor. It's as if they took a can of tomato puree, heated it up without seasoning it, and dumped it on your plate. The lasagna is another trip to bland-ville, with the same bland tomato sauce and ricotta cheese that tastes like it's straight out of the plastic tub it came in. The lasagna is dense and tasteless, and I challenge you to down the whole square of it. I've also had the fried and breaded eggplant which also tastes like nothing. The eggplant was cut entirely too thick. Eggplant has a subtle, delicate taste and needs some finesse to make it appetizing, and a big hockey puck of eggplant is not subtle or appetizing. <br/><br/>I've been to Zarra's a few times because I work in Oakland and my company has had dinners there, so I can't chalk up my experience to the restaurant having a bad night. I've had the same bad food over and over at Zarra's. Let me say though, that the owners are very nice people. They're very accommodating, but the food is just not good at all. It's awful. I think this place only stays in business because there's a hotel across the street and unsuspecting out-of-towners go there for convenience. <br/><br/>If you want GOOD Italian food in that part of town, do yourself a HUGE favor and cross the Bloomfield bridge and go to Del's, Alexander's or D'amico's. They serve good Italian food. Don't waste your money on Zarra's.

DELICIOUS!!!. My husband and I split the sampler ..... OMG! It was sooo delicious ....lasagna, Italian greens, sausage, (my favorite, eggplant!) The bread and the salad before it all......I can't say enough! You're family is so gracious to make us feel so at home as well..THANK YOU! Beautiful, beautiful place

Zarra's is awesome!!!!!!!. My gf and I travel for a living and are constantly looking for great local family restaurants of all ethnic cuisine. Zarra's absolutely is one we recommend if you like southern Italian food. The service was great, the ambiance was definitely authentic and most important...the food was absolutely delicious!!! Everything is made to order and the portions are enough to share (if you must). A definite must if driving through Pittsburgh! Thanks for a great home cooked meal Zarra,s!!!!

Good Food and Friendly Service. I have been to Zarra's probably close to a dozen times and have always had good food and good service. The Italian food is authentic and never disappoints. If you are looking for something different than the same old Italian chain, check this place out! Plus, the atmosphere and decor inside and out are worth a trip to this place alone.

Best Date Ever. I took someone to Zarra's for our first date and all I could say was Wow! Beginning with what's most important, the food was fantastic! I had a pasta dish called the Claudia and I'm still thinking about it days later. My date's dish was also fantastic along with the perfectly spicy banana peppers we had as an appetizer. As if this wasn't enough, the tiramisu and complementary after dinner drink capped off the evening wonderfully.<br/><br/>As for the atmosphere and service, Zarra's has it all. We sat out on their beautiful patio with a great view of Bloomfield and a roaring fire that warms and romanticizes the environment. Our server was on the ball and went the extra mile to make sure we had a great evening. I had the opportunity to chat with the owner and I told him I would be sure to be coming back as soon as possible!<br/><br/>I am surprised to see such negative reviews of what seems to me to be Pittsburgh's best kept secret. I am very glad I didn't see them before I went so they could not sway me from having the one of the best dates ever. Highly recommended!

The Ricotta Noodles are AMAZING!. I wandered into Zarra's for no reason other than the fact that it was across the street from my hotel, but I am definitely glad I did. The people there were down to earth and friendly. I'll take real people acting normal and kind over fake niceties and flattery any day. The food was outstanding. I had the Ricotta Noodles which was completely home made from noodles to sauce and it was absolutely delicious. I'd definitely recommend Zarra's to anyone looking for home made quality Italian cuisine.

Grbage with a twist. If you are wiling to spend a ton of money on bad food, horrible service, with a twist of boring old stories....this is your place. Personally, I don't care how many old band you scatted out of this place, or how much you pump your chest when you tell your old, boring stories, or that you've caught the biggest fish ever...................this place lives on fairy tales and those wishing to love them. The food isn't good for the price and you get the same routine...trust me.....I've seen it a hundred times. Get impressed by small people propaganda and bad food and service. If it is good, let this be a lesson: Sometimes a broke clock is right twice a day.

Overpriced. After reading reviews I was set to hit up some good Italian food in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, PA (traveling for business)<br/>.<br/>Atmosphere: The dining room is neat and has a good selection of music, although not Italian in the least. Outdoor patio seemed nice. Got to meet owners<br/><br/>Food: Me and my wife's food was served cold, took forever (and they weren't busy), and tasted bland. I thought it was way overpriced. I also didn't feel like waiting another hour for them to get me my food<br/><br/>Wine: They don't carry everything they claim, and will try to serve you something else; waiter even told me they subsitute without telling you after I complained, and he finally admitted they didn't carry what I was ordering<br/><br/>Overall: C- : College kids seem to like this place, but for the skilled palet, a let down. I also don't like being lied to about wine selections, which they seem to do frequently from what I've been told. The only good thing: If you want constant water refills they will do this with consistency!Seems like they do this to take your attention off of their poor/wierd service and food

Did this place close. I tried to call for reservation and the phone is disconnected. Also the web page is down. Did it close??

Don't go to Zarra. Last week I was in Pttsburgh and the hotel I was staying at recommended Zarra's. I wish it hadn't! First, after getting the menu, I finally had to ask the bus boy to find my waiter to order my meal, because he never came back to my table (there were only two other tables with customers at the time). Next, after placing my order, I waited for about a half an hour without receiving anything--no bread, no salad--nothing. Finally, I got tired of waiting and told the bus boy I simply wanted to pay for my drink and leave. He admitted to the waiter that they had lost my ticket and the waiter's amazing apology was "well s**t happens right?" When I replied that I didn't think it should happen to me, the waiter literally threatened to come across the bar and beat me up. It was frankly surreal. Maybe Zarra's has a loyal local following, but I have never been treated so badly in all of my travels, and I travel quite a bit on business. My recommendation? Don't go unless you want to potentially engage in fisticuffs with an obnoxious waiter. Oh, and he made me pay for my drink as well!!

AMAZING!!!!. This place is GREAT!!! I went my first week of school at Pitt and it was the most delicious meal ever! The place is truly authentic italian and the food was unbelievable!

Interesting Atmosphere. This restaurant has the look of Disneyworld but it's in Pittsburgh - not Orlando! The decor is heavily themed from ancient times, complete with swords and skulls everywhere. The restaurant is very clean, even though it is in an older building, and there is a dumb waiter as the kitchen is on another level.<br/><br/>The food is classic Italian fare, with a homestyle flavor. We had the chicken and shrimp for entrees, both very nice. The salads come with the entrees and they were crisp and fine.<br/><br/>Cocktails were generously sized - a good Cosmos and a nice coblet of wine.<br/><br/>We would certainly good back again!

Best Italian in Pittsburgh. We first ate at Zarra's about 5 years ago, and we were immediately impressed by the food. My husband is Italian and his mother is an incredible cook, so we have high standards when it comes to Italian food. I had the Cavatelli con Polo Primavera di Judith and it was fantastic. That dish remains one of my favorites followed by the Linguine di Contosta with the spicy "palmieri" tomato sauce. I love red sauce, and can't believe how many different types of red sauce they make here, each more flavorful than the next. My husband has worked his way through most of the menu, and his favorites include the Polenta Calabrese, Pasta e Fagoli and Cavatelli e Verdure di Rena. There are so many good dishes it's hard to pick a few to recommend! We may have started to go there because of the food but we remain loyal customers because of the people. Each time you dine at the restaurant it is as if you are being welcomed into the home of the Zarra family, and it's a place you don't want to leave anytime soon. Johnny, Judy, Donny and Jamie, as well as their entire staff make you feel welcomed and it's truly the best place to relax after a long work week (or work day!). We grew to love Zarra's so much, we even had our rehearsal dinner there, and our family is still talking about that night. We feel like Zarra's is one of the best kept secrets in the city, and want everyone to know what a phenomenal restaurant they are missing!

Best Italian in Pittsburgh! Marinara to die for, awesome balsamic dressing and homemade pasta, will definitely go back.

Best italian food****ever!!!. Zarra's restaurant. is the best! not only the atmosphere great...the food and people is awesome too. when u go there...go there hungry. i love to eat outside in the summer time. their patio w/ the outdoor fireplace is unbelievable.fantastic view of the city as well as very romantic. check it out...you will absolutely love the place and food!!!!!

OUR FIRST BUT NOT LAST VISIT. Our first visit to Zarra's was on June 17,2008 after an 8 hour drive from the Philadelphia area. Our daughter was touring the University of Pittsburgh and our hotel recommended Zarras for our dinner. Boy are we glad we went , what an awesome meal, we were greeted by the most warm and outgoing owner who only wanted us to have a wonderful dining experience. The decor is very unique with odd antiques scattered everywhere - you must look in all the nooks and crannies to appreciate the collection . <br/><br/>We had Brushetta bread and stuffed/rolled eggplant for appetizers . The salad was crisp, cold and the dressing was really tasty. For dinner we had homemade spaghetti and meatballs, spaghetti with olive oil and garlic, manacotti, and spaghetti and mushrooms - all of our dinners were wonderful reminded us of grandmom's. Zarras will be a regular stop for us over the next 4 years - Don't hesitate to go!

The food was very good.. I had the chicken with cavatelli that had a spicey sauce (I even ate the leftovers at 7am for breakfast!!)

italian rest on every level. owner may make his way to your table and kiss your wife. like eating at grandma's house, but looking over your shoulder for the mafia. everybody i've ever introduced to this restaurant has asked it to marry them on the first date. repeat customers are understood. it's a family joke that the owner's son, Donny, is my 'boyfriend'. he's adorable, and always running around kissing the ladies and delivering delicious entrees.