Out of the 5 pizza spots I tried this time around in Chicago, Zarella's ended up being my absolute favorite. We grabbed a reservation for an early Sunday lunch the day before, but the restaurant was pretty empty. Tavern Style Pepperoni (4.75/5): Crust is super crunchy and the tomato sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Pepperoni was uber savory and salty with a good crisp on em. Texturally, everything about this was perfect and you can just tell all the ingredients used were high quality. Mozzarella Sticks (4.5/5): Picture perfect mozzarella sticks. Insane crunch with a good amount of salt on the outside and melty, stretchy cheese when it hits your table. As with the pizza, the tomato in the marinara sauce really shines through. read more

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Had an absolutely fantastic experience!!! Had a reservation and showed up a little bit early and they were able to seat us right away which was great. Vibes in there are super fun and chic, casual but still cute and a little bit old-school I had done my research on our order lol but was really impressed by everything. We started with mozzarella sticks, fried zucchini, and meatballs, which were all generous portions and very tasty. The mozzarella sticks were very silky on the inside crunchy on the outside and came with a nice flavorful pomodoro dip. The meatballs had an Italian sausage/fennel flavor and were very tender, and the zucchini chips were the star of the apps!! Nice and crisp, they were cut into little super thin chips not like a traditional fried zucchini and the dipping sauce on that was also delicious and super fresh tasting Finally, we tried the spicy vodka tavern style pizza and added pepperoni to half. It was great both ways, super flavorful and the crust was perfectly crisp without being dry or overly crumbly. Pepperoni was a nice addition but not needed for sure. Would love to come back to try a pasta and dessert! read more

Came out to Chicago on business and decided to drop by Zarella with a few people from work after wrapping up with meetings. Honestly was the best pizza I had all week. We ordered the standard plain cheese pie, and the crust held up insanely well -- super thin, crackery crunch on every bite, and zero flop in the center. The sauce had real depth to it, the cheese ratio was spot on, and the party cut made it way too easy to clean the tray. Our server brought everything out hot and kept checking on us throughout the night. The place itself has a chill, cozy setup where you can actually sit back and talk without shouting over music. I'm definitely saving this place for whenever I'm back in the city. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - 14" Artisan or Tavern Style - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A solid 4.5 stars! I was finally lucky enough to snag a reservation, and we were seated in the downstairs "speakeasy" type room. The room had great vibes and was well decorated. We had a mozzarella sticks, pepperoni tavern style pizza, and the vodka sauce pasta. I really enjoyed everything. I'm typically not a huge mozzarella stick fan but these were delicious and I'd definitely order them again. The pizza and pasta were also both very good! read more

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We got takeout, so everything was around room temperature by the time we ate it. Mozzarella Sticks (6/10): They had a thin, slightly crispy coating with mozzarella cheese inside. They were decent, but nothing particularly memorable. The pomodoro sauce was on the lighter side and could have used a bit more flavor. Artisan Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey on the side (7/10): The standout was definitely the crust. It was huge, puffy, and had a nice crunch while being soft and airy inside. Even after takeout, the pizza wasn't soggy, which was a plus. Overall, though, the flavor didn't really stand out. read more

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I went here for the first time right after they opened and I am HAPPY to report it still holds up. I genuinely love their tavern style crust. It's not as thick as other places, but it's perfectly cracker crust. They also have one of my new favorite salads in the city, which is the Sunday salad. My mom and I both agree that we hate when a restaurant is lazy with their salad and this one has so many toppings and good stuff. The ricotta gnocchi was decent but I'd skip next time. Service was fine, but the vibes are just really solid here and I think it's such a good spot in the area. It is a bit loud upstairs in the bar area and I do prefer the speakeasy but both serve different purposes. read more

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I have been trying to get into zarella for quite some time now and finally managed to get a reservation. let me tell you, it was worth the wait! their tavern style pizza is perfectly thin and crispy and the ranch was also incredible (good ranch is chefs kiss). also such a fun vibe, can't wait to go back and check out the speak easy downstairs. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - 14" Tavern Style Soppressata Mortadella - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Quite possibly the best pizza I've ever had or least in the top five. I was a visitor and I've never tried Tavern style Pizza but now I am officially a fan. We had such a hard time deciding between the different toppings and specialty pizzas, but finally landed on the carbonara because our server said it was his favorite. We were definitely not disappointed. Also, the salads are huge and completely worth it. The sundae salad was amazing though I don't really like Greek olives or tomatoes so I would remove those next time. Our server was super friendly. Everything was very homey and welcoming while also being trendy. read more

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The gnocchi is a must-get. You hear this dish often being described as pillowy, but these little beauties were somehow unbelievably light yet decadently rich. We also had the radiatore pasta in spicy vodka sauce and we were fighting over the last scoops. Don't sleep on the pizzas. We had tavern style vodka and sopressata and mortadella pizza. Absolutely amazing. Service was wonderful also. This is a must stop for Italian in town. read more

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I have visited Zarella a few times and really enjoyed my meal each time. Can be a little tough to get a reservation but I have had great luck with the notify feature on OpenTable for this spot specifically. One of the times I visited with a reservation, I had to wait for about 20 minutes after my reservation time to be seated because they were backed up, which was a little frustrating. Other than that, the service has always been great and food is tasty. The highlight is definitely the pizza, but I really liked the vodka rigatoni and mozzarella sticks as well. I did not care for the Zarella martini at all, neither did the other person I was with, but could be just our preference. When he noticed we barely touched them, our server was kind enough to take them off our bill. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Mozzarella Sticks - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Zarella seriously never disappoints me. This is hands down the best pizza I've had in Chicago. My absolute favorite is the tavern style mushroom and truffle pizza. It is thin and crispy like a cracker and comes covered in cheese and mushrooms with a subtle truffle flavor. I also love both their sunday salad and kale caesar. I've always had outstanding service here as well. read more

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Zarella was a treat when it comes to thin, crispy, cracker thin pizza. We started with the carrot dip, which was interesting. The texture was something resembling hummus with sweet and savory components. The plating was nice offering varieties of vegetables and crackers. That made for a more fun experience. Next, the main event. We ordered 1 truffle mushroom pizza and 1 spicy vodka, both with beef pepperoni. The spicy vodka is not the creamy sauce that I envisioned but still had decent flavor with the peppers and pepperoni with a dash of hot honey drizzle on top. Overall, this pizza was good but not the best. The truffle mushroom with beef pepperoni with the star of the show offering a white sauce with red onions and paired well with the mushroom and truffle flavors infused into the sauce and the salty pepperoni cut thru it. That was great and each bite had a nice crispy crunch. Finished with the butter cake that was drenched in a banana glaze and crema fresh. It was a nice end to the meal. Overall, the service was good, ambiance was nice and food tasty! read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Signage - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After a long weekend of drinking during my visit to Chicago, ordering pizza was the best decision ever. Getting and ordering carryout was so seamless and quick from Zarella. The spicy vodka pizza was delicious, especially with the banana peppers. The carbonara pizza added a different flavor, that was also delicious and paired perfectly together. The restaurant was so cute (I need to go back and dine there) and busy, but our pizzas were made quickly and were so fresh. When sharing a pizza with friends, I personally love when a pizza is cute in to little pieces! read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The absolute highlight of our trip! We took the advice of our server and got the spicy vodka tavern style pizza add sausage. Side of their truffle ranch. The pizza was ABSOLUTELY DYNAMITE. Im still thinking about it. Grab a reservation or a bar spot near open if no resy. Unreal spot. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Coming from NY, I wasn't sure how I'd like the Chicago style pizza. Wow! This was excellent! The tavern style (thin crust) pizza was outstanding! I ordered the Margherita pizza. Thin, simple, saucy, crispy... no notes! I also got the mozzarella sticks. The server was kind enough to ask the chef if I could do a half order because the full set of five was too much for me. So, he brought out two mozeerlla sticks and this was just right! A big cheese pull and crispy exterior. Very good, but the pizza is the real star here! Though thin crust, it is filling. I had leftovers for two days after that. Perhaps the mozzarella sticks were too filling? haha The interior is casual tavern like with seating ranging from high top tables to booth seating, and the bar. My server was great! Friendly and good with suggestions. He was also attentive checking on me every so often, which I appreciate. Restroom available. Add this place to your list when in Chicago! read more

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Zarella is one of Chicago's newest hot spots for tavern pizza. If you're a fan of thin crust pizza, they have what you're looking for. We stopped by on a Thursday afternoon, and were seated immediately and a two-top. The wait staff was attentive and checked on us the entire meal. The interior was subdued and basic. We ordered a pizza some pasta, and calamari. Everything tasted great. Not at any point was the food greasy or heavy. The calimari was crispy on the outside. The pizza was crispy all throughout. The pasta was perfectly al dente. Overall, a great experience and a good representation of what Chicago has to offer. read more

Incredible tavern style pizza! I always have to hit up one pizza place whenever I visit Chicago 2-3x per year, this time it was Zarella! We ordered and had it delivered. Was delivered on time and was still warm! We all kinda shared and got a vegan cheese pizza, a margherita pizza (both tavern style), beans, and eggplant. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the eggplant but I think I'd like it mixed in something. The pizza crust was perfectly crisp and thin, didn't get soggy or anything! Perfectly cheesy and fresh toppings. My sisters vegan cheese pizza was so good too. And we loved the beans as well, flavored so well. SUCH a good spot, I absolutely need to come back. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Margherita - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Got this for delivery and everything arrived in great condition. We got the tavern style pizza with vodka sauce and basil. The crust was crispy and thin and kept its shape. The sauce was really good with the cheese. We also got the mozzarella sticks and the gigante beans. The mozzarella sticks had great breading with the marinara sauce. The giagante beans were good as well. Would be excited to try their pastas read more

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From the moment you walk in the door, Zarella feels like the proper Italian night out and well worth the 30 day wait to get a prime time reservation. The decor has beautiful art and dark wood all around, making it a cozy experience that's not too crowded or loud. Service is excellent and our server was attentive, making the birthday celebration of the evening extra special. The food....out of this world. One of the best tavern pizzas in the city. Food reviews: Truffle and mushroom tavern--light and well balanced. Delicate sweet notes from the red onion balance out the earthiness of the mushroom, truffle and charred crust. Cheese doesn't overwhelm the pie and compliments all ingredients with a salty bite Spicy vodka and sausage--so different than the first pie but equally as delicious! Vodka sauce has a deep flavor with only subtle heat. Sausage packs a ton of flavor. Heavier of the two pies since it had more cheese on it but my husband enjoyed Chocolate peanut butter sundae--birthday celebration treat brought by our server! Wow it's a must order. The puppy chow was an insanely smart ingredient to add for texture and bit of chocolate. Can't wait to return to try another specialty pie! read more

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We had such a lovely evening at Zarella. We enjoyed a pizza, the meatballs, carrot dip (very different but tasty, and gnocchi). I would order each dish again as they were all delicious. Overall the restaurant gave a very laid back feel and would be perfect for all groups! read more

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Yum, yum, and YUM!!!! Went here with a larger group for a surprise birthday dinner and it didn't disappoint! We had a little bit of a wait before we were able to be seated, but not too bad. We were seated in the basement level of the restaurant, which had a small bar and intimate, dark lighting. The decor is very fun, patterned, and glitzy. Our server was super kind and attentive -- wish I remembered her name! We got a wide variety of menu items, but the stand outs for me were the meatballs, mozzarella sticks (some of the best I've ever had!!!), kale cesar salad, radiatore alla vodka pasta, tiramisu, and brown butter cake. The pizzas we ordered were all good, but I wished we tried the other style crust as I think I would've liked it more than tavern style. Wished the ricotta gnocchi, while it had a great texture, had more of a basil flavor. The green river sodas were a fun touch, as I don't see that often in the city!!! Definitely a great spot for a group outing such as a birthday, or a casual dinner. Would love to try lunch here, as well as the cocktail menu. Can't wait to come back!!! read more

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Food was amazing. Not matter what you get, everything is good here. Would recommend the chicken piccata. Service was super fast we were only here for about 45 minutes. And the insides have this nice old timey pizzeria vibes. read more

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Everything was excellent, service, food, drinks. Highly recommend visiting. Definitely up there with some of the best pizzas in the city. Definitely appreciate the beef pepperoni, most places don't have pork substitutes so love that. The chicken Parmesan was delicious, so were the mozzarella sticks and fried zucchini. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Medium size space inside. Reservation will be good they do take walk in. Service was good. Vegetarian food review out of 5. In summer they allow dogs on patio. Fresh basil lime mocktail- 4 - refreshing Purple cocktail- 4 Gnocchi- 4 - ricotta was good and sauce was good too Tavern pizza spicy sauce -4 they made half with vegan cheese. Really good. Zucchini fries - 5 - tasty read more

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If you're looking for a pizza spot that basically aces everything and does not pinch your pocket, Zarella is the place to come. They have the warmest staff, a really good wine collection and a moody diner style ambiance perfect for any occasion.. I went for a girl's night out and we practically ordered everything on the menu and nothing disappointed. They have a unique menu for dessert with floats made with local sodas. If you're vegetarian, be sure to try their beans, fried zucchini, hot honey dressing w the spinach and artichoke pizza. For those who eat meat/fish, the calamari is refreshing! And for dessert, i recommend the brown butter cake (you'd probably eat the whole thing yourself) Will be back soon! read more

This place surprised me! We came down to the city on a Saturday. There weren't any reservations open so we ordered a pizza to-go with plans to take and eat it along the Riverwalk. I typically prefer Artisan style pizza but we went with tavern style since I figured that would be easier to eat without a proper table. Spoiler alert: it was delicious! The crust was thin and crispy and the pizza was not super oily. The sauce was some of the best I've ever tasted too! We ordered the margherita style and added red onions. They are definitely sneaky when it comes to toppings. In most cases, it's cheaper to order one of their existing combos rather than creating your own. The portion was decent. We split one pizza which was more filling than I expected. I think one pizza plus an appetizer would have been the perfect portion. Only complaint was that they didn't have any napkins or utensils available for to-go orders. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Margherita Tavern Style with Red Onions - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sat at the bar and service was great! It was my first time here and the bartender explained the menu and gave her recommendations. Would recommend to friends. It was pretty busy for a Sunday night! read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Fried Zucchini - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was fine. I had higher expectations. It's got a casual pizza tavern vibe. The service was alright. Our server seemed too nonchalant and so not offer any information. They have high chairs but no kids menus. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Radiatore Alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food: The kale Caesar salad was absolutely massive, a way bigger portion than I expected and worth the price! It definitely feeds at least a party of 4, but there were only two of us so we took the rest to go. It's seasoned well and had a nice, satisfying crunch in every bite. For the star of the meal we had the tavern style carbonara pizza. Absolute cinema. We added hot honey on top (though it was $3 for about a 2oz bottle) and the flavors all came together perfectly!! I didn't think we'd be finishing it but I was dead wrong. Since they are tavern cut they went down fast like chips, but needless to say I ate 3/4 of it and enjoyed every bite. Service: The host was amazing, we arrived about 15 minutes early but they were glad to seat us and we appreciated that. Ambiance: It was a little cold in there where we were sitting, so it made our food (as well as ourselves) get cold a little quickly, but like I said it was still good regardless. The AC was blowing directly at our table so maybe bring a jacket. Overall great restaurant, I would come back again to try the other pizzas and items! read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Kale Caesar Salad - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Omg tavern style pizza was to die for! We just asked the waitress for recommendations and she said fave was the vodka sauce pizza. She had it done half the version noted on the menu and the other half house made sausage with giardiniera peppers. Had a couple mocktails too. Will be back which in Chi town. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Kids split cheese + pepperoni. Everyone loved! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The spicy vodka was unfortunately no where to be found in the spicy vodka pizza. It was still a solid pizza nonetheless. The entirety was super crisp and what you expect out of tavern style. The fried zucchini was good as well, but flavor was quite one note between that and the side sauce read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Spicy Vodka - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Upstairs looked adorable. We got bar seats around 4 on a Friday and staff was friendly. Speakeasy downstairs doesn't open until 5. Only 4 seats at the downstairs bar so if you don't have a reservation, get there when they open. read more

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Zarella lived up to the hype!! Dirty martini was 10/10, very crisp. We split the meatballs and the beans which were also great but the salad was one of the best parts of the meal!! For pizzas we got the mushroom & truffle and the vodka sauce. The mushroom was the winner; the vodka pizza was pretty simple, more like just a cheese pizza. The textures on both were excellent though. Would come back here! read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Mushroom & Truffle, Spicy Vodka - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food amazing Service amazing Ambiance amazing I cannot wait to go back. The interior is decorated beautifully and cozy. I was close to licking my plate clean, that's how delicious everything was. I can see myself coming in for a cozy family dinner or a group chat meetups. read more

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Finally, a spot that treats gluten-free crust like an art form. Dropped into Zarella's and the space immediately hits you with that effortlessly cool, dimly lit, retro-cool pizzeria energy. It's got that timeless, upscale-but-chill neighborhood charm down pat. While the regular menu looks spectacular, you need to get over here for the gluten-free crust-- it is an absolute revelation and easily one of the best in the city right now. It completely avoids the usual traps of being soggy or overly dense. Instead, you get a genuinely phenomenal, shatteringly crisp undercarriage that achieves that legendary Midwest tavern-style crunch without falling apart. Major shoutout to the crew for getting the texture so right. Pair it with a classic cocktail, grab a table downstairs if you can, and enjoy. A mandatory stop for anyone who needs a truly outstanding GF option in Chicago with zero compromise. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Wish I took my pics. It's beautiful and very cool space. - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The artisan pizza topped with fresh spinach, green onions, and mushrooms showcased quality ingredients and a flavorful, well-seasoned sauce. While well executed, a slightly longer bake would have added a more desirable crisp to the crust. The mozzarella sticks were a highlight -- golden, perfectly fried, and complemented by a rich, well-balanced marinara. The wait staff was incredible -- attentive, friendly, and professional -- further elevating the experience. Combined with the restaurant's classy, vibrant ambiance, Zarella offers a polished dining experience worth revisiting. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - 14" Artisan or Tavern Style - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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OMG. Fantastic Tavern style pizza. Zarella checks all the boxes- Great Atmosphere , Great Location -River North and top notch service @ Zarella. read more

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My first time trying Tavern-style pizza and I really dug it!! The crust is flat and crispy, almost like a cracker, and the sauce is flavorful with just the right amount of toppings. One pizza is probably enough for two people. I tried to finish it on my own and it was definitely a lot. The staff were very friendly and attentive, and the ambience is nice, great spot to hang out with friends or even for a casual date. read more

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This is some of the best taverna style pizza I have had in Chicago great thin crunchy cornmeal crust fresh ingredients and delicious sausage. I ordered to go delivery so did not get a chance to experience anything in person read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - Tavern pizza - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The interior of Zarella is so cozy and homey, definitely a great place to bring someone from out of town. Service was also helpful and accommodating, we initially walked in to sit at the bar, but they quickly sat us at a table after we were unable to find seats. I was excited to try tavern style pizza for the first time and I was not disappointed! I thought the crust was super crispy and balanced with the sauce and cheese. The radiatori alla vodka was less exciting to me, however-the sauce did not have much depth. read more

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna - cheese tavern pizza - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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