Zarra's A Taste-Southern Italy

Zarra's restaurant is the absolute best Italian restaurant I have ever eaten at. Everything is homemade and simply amazing. Not only is the food delicious, but the atmosphere is great! On warm nights you can enjoy your meal out on the patio next to the fire! The Zarra family and staff are all very nice and genuinely care about your dining experience. I will definitely be stopping by Zarra's on my future visits to 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 Zarras so much, we even had our rehearsal dinner there, and our family is still talking about that night. We feel like Zarras is one of the best kept secrets in the city, and want everyone to know what a phenomenal restaurant they are missing!

Pros: Food quality and selection, outdoor patio, friendly staff

I remember playing here with my punk band back in the day. Stage diving, skanking and seeing the worlds best punk rock acts grace the Electric Bananna stage. Now Judy is cookin and the place has revitalized itself into my favorite restaurant. The sauces here are incredible, and the home made sausage is great.
Johnny and Donny are characters and really nice guys. My only draw back ins that its really expensive..
I love their food though!!!

Pros: The Food Rocks!!!!!!

Cons: Price..

We were first wowed by the eclectically furnished dining room with separate bar room. The charm extends to the meticulously kept rest rooms. We were seated promptly, but (unfortunately) on top of two other tables of diners, when the dining room was practically empty. Our service was courteous and prompt and pleasant though. Hungry, we asked for bread, which was average storebrand Italian "air" bread and came only with butter no dipping plate. And the menu had been scaled back that night >:-(

Oh no?

We found some hefty prices especially for chops and steaks, BUT we found some nice offerings anyway . Calimari salad was interstingly prepared in a vingret, I even enjoyed this. Dinners came with salad, average mix with an adequate Italian dressing, it worked - nothing to write home about. For entrees, the eggplant was tasty and had a good portion. Greens were sauted to perfection. Pastas were a bit on the skimpy side, but good nonetheless with nice sides, with the manicotti extremely wonderful - crepe, full soft and creamy in the house sauce, which was OK - traditional, not out of the ordinary. Italian sausage was OK too, but extremely small portion, next time I would like to try the meatballs which sound yum. Full, we all skipped dessert. Wines were adequate with a healthy pour. We were quite surprised by this place and will try it again.

Pros: Dining room, quantity of food, friendly service

Cons: Prices, some average tasting foods

What can you say about this place? Top notch, great food and fun. Johnny & Judy are great and the food will keep you coming back for more. A great addition to N. Oakland!

Pros: Great food & atmosphere

Cons: A little too pricey, but darn good

The Zarra's are a great family and Judy can cook her buns off! I remember Johnny & young Donny from slam dancing back in the day when the place was the rocking Electric Bananna punk bar. Zarra's is expensive but well worth it. You feel like your in there living room and they make you become a friend of their family.

Skip lunch if you go there for dinner because the food is heavy, delicious, and they don't chince out on their portions. Their sausage, greens and eggplant is off the charts. What ever you order, you can't go wong here! Try to get Donny as a waiter, he's really a character and a lot of fun!

Pros: great all around

Cons: none

My wife and I had our first Zarras experience June 16, 2006. We were under the assumption that this would be another run of the mill Italian Restaurant, with mediocre food and enough salt to disrupt normal circulation. However, we were delighted and simply blown away by what we experienced at Zarras.

The Evening began with banana peppers stuffed with sausage and cubanella peppers Potenza style. These babies had some kick to them, but not so much to the point that it would make you uncomfortable. The perfect amount of heat.

The entrees were even better. My wife had the Salsa Piccante di Junior Williams, which is a very spicy tomato sauce w/mushrooms, hot peppers, topped over a very light pasta. I had the Linguine di Contosta, which is mussels, shrimp, and scallops w/a spicy tomato sauce over linguine. The best part of the meal, without a doubt, was the meatball. The texture was soft and it melted in your mouth.

We made it a point to have dessert. We split a Tirami-Suzy, which was incredible. It's not the what some restaurants call tiramisu. It is softened up the marscapone with a little sourcream, soaked pound cake in Chambord, Amaretto and black coffee, sprinkled cocoa on top, and yes, it's very good.

Here is the most interesting part about this restaurant: it used to be one of Pittsburghs most popular venues for local and national acts. Zarras was the Electric Banana. The owners, Johnny and Judy Zarra were once know as Johnny and Judy Banana during the clubs heyday. They turned the club into the restaurant about 6 or so years ago.

This place is a must for anybody who loves Italian food. It will not leave you broke either. Their entrees are reasonably priced. All around, one of the best restaurant experiences I have ever had.

This is by far one of the best places I have eatten in Pittsburgh. On top of that it is one of the best Italian restaurants that I have ever been to. Everything is preparred in house and service is great. Restaurant is very eclectic and has a certain charm that makes you want to come back. I highly reccomend this restaurant.