Stopped into Zucca tonight for a work dinner and let me say, the pasta is a difference maker. You can feel the love and time in the dish. I went with pappardelle bolognese because it seemed like a good first visit selection and it far exceeded my expectations. The pasta was perfect and the sauce balanced the tomato and meat flavors exquisitely. For dessert I chose the chocolate mousse cake to help finish off the red wine bottle with a good pairing. Service was attentive and friendly, made us feel right at home in this quaint little spot. Reservations are recommended as there is limited seating; but, do yourself a flavor experience and grab a reservation to enjoy this little gem! read more

Our waiter was amazing and remembered our names throughout the night. The restaurant is cozy and inviting, but has only a few tables so be sure to book a reservation. I enjoyed an espresso martini for my drink and thought it was very tasty. The pastas we ordered were all delicious and nicely seasoned. The pastas was al dente and the sauces were creamy. To finish off the night, we had a limoncello cake as well as the chocolate mousse cake. Both were delicious! read more

See all

Best Italian food anywhere. Fresh homemade pasta.. amazing fish dishes. great service beyond belief. 14 of us for dinner. 14 new fans

Read as 4.5 stars. Zucca has been on our list ever since we tried Half and Half next door - run by the same owners. Solid menu options for dinner and drinks. The highlight was the shrimp grand marnier - which was so good you may not want to share. Tried the bruschetta and eggplant rolatini as well for app. For dinner we ordered the clam linguine, penne ala vodka and bolognese - all the dishes were very good. Reasonable prices, attentive service. Restaurant is on the smaller more intimate side, recommend reservations for larger parties. read more

See all

Moved to Florida last December Had to come back Fantastic service fantastic food Worth while to go to Make reservations always busy Can't go wrong Drinks are great priced no skimping on alcohol Owner makes the drinks and served read more

Zucca Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Reading, Massachusetts

Excellent food, amazing service. I felt like I was the only person in the restaurant. Small intimate restaurant read more

We had a reservation on a very busy Friday night. Table was not ready on time, we were offered a drink while we waited. Would have been nice if there were seats on the sidewalk. The resturaunt is small and cozy, situated on a corner. We had the eggplant rollatini and Cesar salad. Our waiter asked if we like surprises and he brought us two dishes of his choice. He did ask if we had allergies or food preferences. My husband had a generous lamb chop that he loved. I had fresh fusilli with summer vegetables in a plum tomato sauce. Everything was so good., fresh and flavorful. Looking forward to our next visit and trying the owners new breakfast place a few does down! read more

Zucca Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Reading, Massachusetts

See all

We just got back from here on a Saturday night. It is 630 reservation. We got there, and we're seated in a table for two literally in the aisle of the restaurant. If I turned my head, my ear hit the bar. So we asked to be moved. Lol. We were moved to a table by the window. Much more room for people to size like us. The waitress was nice. Took her a while to come over to get us drinks, but we ordered drinks and an appetizer of calamari to start. The drinks came right away. The calamari? About 15 minutes later. Happy was almost done with his drink at that time. She then asked what we wanted for meals and I ordered shrimp scampi and he got the veal Puccini. And that's where the fun kind of ended. It was so loud in the restaurant. And I get that it was a small restaurant, but the large table behind us, and the large table in front of us made it literally impossible for us to hear each other. we were seated promptly at 6:30. Our meals still hadn't come out at 7:50pm. I had to ask the waitress if she could check on them. She came back about 10 minutes later and told us that they were on their way out. We got them. Very ample portions on both meals. However, I don't actually think I got shrimp scampi. Both of us had asked for the fusilli on our meal which is homemade. The waitress did not tell us. It was an up charge, but knowing from other restaurants in the area, I was well aware they probably would be. Three dollars extra each meal? Not a big deal. And the food was amazing. My shrimp scampi? I would bet with any local book that they used Marsala wine instead of the white wine they were supposed to because the sauce in the bottom of my bowl was dark. I've never had a shrimp scampi that had dark sauce. It's white wine, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese most of the time. I even questioned it from the waitress? And she said absolutely that it was. It had a sweet taste with a little lemony aftertaste. Not garlic in anyway. So, I will still stand on my ground to say it was not what I ordered. I will say the food was flavorful. It was a very large portion, with a lot of shrimp, and it was tasty. But it was not what I ordered. Would we go back?. I think if we were seated closer to the front of the restaurant where were there were tables of two all around and not large parties, it would be better and we be able to hear each other. A little bit more of an intimate setting. And I don't think we would go on a Saturday night. You can be the judge. read more

See all

What a charming place! Fabulous food, North End food quality. Fresh pasta, varied menu of Italian classic and innovative Italian. Fabulous service and so friendly. Issac who greets you is so welcoming and has great suggestions. We had the shrimp cocktail which was actually grilled shrimp with an amazing sauce. Veal Parmesan, shrimp and scallop Casanova and salmon florentine with cream sauce over house made fusilli we all amazing. The tiramisu was a delicious ending to a fabulous meal. read more

Isaac made our meal so memorable! Make a trip to Zucca for greasy authentic Italian food. Isaac will take good care of you!

Fantastic dinner at Zucca last night. Super attentive and friendly service. My glass of red wine was a little sour but was replaced immediately with a fresh pour. Italian cuisine at its finest...better than some of the other local options! read more

This place is amazing. The food is SO good. I also got catering for 20 people xmas eve- It was so affordable and Issac is just so great. Will be doing this every year read more

Every visit confirms the exceptional quality of food and service. Dine-in and takeout consistently meet the highest standards.

Fabulous food. Cozy atmosphere. Amazing staff and owner. My meal was superb. Nice to go to a restaurant, feel relaxed and taken care of. Definitely make a reservation. read more

Service Excellent! Ambiance Cozy and Appropriate Food Unbeatable; Tops North End! Isaac is the host. He runs a great establishment with a smile, compassion, and professionalism! read more

Food is amazing. Love the veal braciolettini. Eggplant appetizer is great! Isaac is a wonderful host and Sean is a great chef. Love it here! read more

What a great Italian restaurant! Found this with the help of fellow Yelpers! My husband and I are in Massachusetts for the Boston Marathon. We were looking for Italian that wasn't inside the City to avoid traffic and crowds. We saw the great reviews and saw how easy to make a rsvp o Yelp. We ordered the appetizer special, zucchini balls. They were delicious and filled w hot mozzarella. We got the carbonara (without pancetta bc we are vegetarians) and penne alla vodka. DELICIOUS! And the dishes were piping hot. Large portions. Service was excellent. The table comes w complimentary bread. Issac (I believe the owner) introduced himself to us and made us feel at home. Our waitress was friendly and had great service. Come for delicious food, with a warm and intimate setting. Free street parking. read more

See all

My 83 year old stepmother and I went to Zucca Sunday night at 5:00. We had reservations and were promptly seated at a window table, which was good because the place is TINY and really stuffed full of tables. You are very close to other diners, and the place got loud and I mean loud to the point that we couldn't even hear each other speaking, and my ears actually started ringing. The food took a really long time, but it was piping hot and there was a ton of it. I got the Lcioppino and my stepmother got a veal dish. I also got a salad (which was very small, but very good) and absolutely amazing Italian bread came with the meal. Even the butter was delicious. We each got a bourbon martini, which was the best I have ever had. It also took a really long time to get the check, and it seemed that the waitress was overwhelmed. So, back to the main meal. The food was delicious, BUT way too salty. When food is this good, you do not need so much salt!! I am glad we tried Zucca, but due to the noise level, the way too intimate dining, and the amount of salt used, I doubt I would go again. What I WOULD do to try a different dish, which might be less salty, is takeout. read more

Best service and food Always a great meal and service The Staff is always pleasant and welcoming read more

Zucca is a favorite of ours!! The food is always delicious and we've even had catering for the holidays and other events from then. The owners Issac and Sean are amazing - kind, welcoming and always accommodating. Their eggplant relation, chicken wings and all entrees are delicious. read more

Best pumpkin ravioli ever! Never been there is person, only done delivery. Bruschetta is also very good!

Always a good meal !!!! Great service and staff !!!! We enjoy going there !!!! Been going there for a long time now read more

The food is fabulous our waiter Issac is the best . It's a hidden jewel. They accommodate anything that you need..

What a gem! The food was fantastic and the service was great! Our group all had different entrees and shared the eggplant rollatini and bruschetta as apps. Everyone enjoyed all of it! Lemon cello cake was our favorite dessert too. read more

Best Italien food in the area. Wait staff is excellent!! Reasonable pricing and food always comes out piping hot!!

The owners let me have my daughter's birthday party with 15 guests before they opened and the food was delicious. The service was excellent. It was quick and delicious. The owners are very sweet and really enjoyed. The place is beautiful very clean.. read more

Excellent food and service! Everything was Delicious. We will be returning soon. Reasonable prices also. read more

This is our first time at Zucca's. We were greeted by Issac, one of the owners, who was extremely accommodating and personable. It is nice to get that type of welcome when you go to eat out especially being the first time at a restaurant. The food was excellent and the service was excellent! We ordered the shrimp mariner appetizer, which was excellent. We also had the salmon stuffed with shrimp and the fra diavolo. Issac said he could make it anyway I wanted , so I had a combination of shrimp and scallops . It was spicy but great! The fusilli pasta was also superb! The shrimp was cooked perfectly! We finished off with the lemoncello cake which was one of the best I have had. Also the food came out quickly and was nice and hot which I think is key to a good meal. The restaurant was recommended by some locals and I would highly recommend it and give it a try. It's a cozy little restaurant, and that's what makes it charming . read more

Never disappoints. From the top notch service, quaint setting and delicious food, I have never left this place unhappy or hungry. Issac (owner) is amazing. He knows people by name and makes them feel at home. Amazing read more

Fabulous food with fabulous service. Issac made sure to know our names and was very attentive.

Issac always pleasantly greets the guests. My husband and I have been there several times (maybe every 3-5 months) so it not like we are regular guests. We are greeted as though we are family. I feel like we get special treatment. We started with shrimp cocktail which was exceptionally delicious, not like any shrimp cocktail I ever had. Our entrees were haddock brocellitini with pasta fusilli and shrimp and scallops fra diavolo and we finished with dessert lemon cello. read more

Service was not great. Ordered our apps and drinks and then waited nearly 20 minutes after we had finished our apps before she came over to ask us what we wanted for our entrees. Mind you that there wasn't many people in the restaurant at the time. It then took another 20 minutes and our food came out pipping hot. Had to wait about ten min just to be able to stick a piece of pasta in my mouth. The food was only OK. Definitely overrated on the yelp app and I will not be returning read more

Had a very cozy dinner there tonight w/ clams fra diavolo, grilled veggies, lemoncello cake, and another pasta. Everything was uber delicious with generous portions. Hands down one of the best service from a family owned restaurant, so friendly and attentive. We'll be back often. Thank you guys for a lovely evening! read more

Zucca Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Reading, Massachusetts

See all

Staff are terrific, food is delicious, they provide gluten-free meals, and everything is fantastic.

The food and service were very good- the appetizer special along with the haddock and veal dishes were very good with the right size portions- will be back for another visit read more

Again, another wonderful dining experience at Zucca. We brought some friends who had never been and they loved everything about Zucca. Isaac, we really appreciate you and your entire team. read more

A superb dining experience. Our waiter was the restaurant's owner, who also owns Half & Half, the breakfast and lunch place next door, and who had been at work since 6:30AM! He never showed it, though, as his service was friendly and attentive. The food was excellent. My wife had a haddock special, and I had a scallop risotto dish. We also shared roasted veggies and fusilli in a creamy white sauce. We were there mid-week, and the place was fairly quiet. A home run, to be sure. We'll be back! read more

Took my Mother in law and rest of the family here for dinner on Mother's Day. Isaac was amazing . Service top notch from beginning to end. The food was amazing everything was so fresh and every thing he recommended was delicious. Highly recommend! read more

Everything is delicious. The food is fresh and tasty. The place is cozy, clean, and peaceful. The atmosphere feels nice. The service is excellent, full of kindness and good energy. A place you want to come back to. read more

Well, we had an early 5 pm reservation for a Saturday night last week and were off to a great start. Our waitress was wonderful and offered suggestions for wine along with samples. The food was delicious although could have been seasoned a bit better. Service was slow, but we were not in a rush..... ....that's when it went bad. We were reviewing the bill and a man came over and told us we needed to leave as he needed the table! What? I was still sipping my coffee that took forever and we had all ordered dessert. Plus he could see were in the process of settling the bill. That in itself ruined our experience there. So uncalled for when it was their slow service at fault. In addition, for the caliber of this restaurant, they should offer fresh ground pepper and grated cheese. Instead, there were old fashioned salt, pepper, and cheese shakers on the table. That was disappointing. read more

Zucca Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Reading, Massachusetts

See all