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312 Eats
River North

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna

4.92,284 reviews ·Opens at 4 tomorrow
I love a vodka sauce, but personally didn’t like it paired with the pickled peppers on the pizza, so that was a learning for me, but the vodka sauce itself was very good, for what that’s worth
Tom ZeienTom Zeien · 164 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna — the Mozzarella Sticks leads at this top-tier River North food spot. It gets busy, and that's part of the appeal. Service that's warm without being over the top. "The pasta was incredible and pizza was unique and perfectly crispy" — Molly Colburn

What 2,284 diners keep saying

Neighborhood institutionLivelyCozyOld schoolQuick bite
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Reserve on OpenTable
531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
River North
Today4-10PM
Sun11AM-9PM
Mon–Thu4-10PM
Fri–Sat11AM-11PM
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What 2,284 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Andrew Millon
Jul 2026

Darn good pizza!

Andrew Millon

Andrew Millon

46 reviews on Google

Review photo by S Ahmed
Jul 2026

Cool spot with DELICIOUS tavern style pizza. Caleb Williams da goat.

S Ahmed

S Ahmed

342 reviews on Google

Review photo by Mario C
Jul 2026

Hands down the best tavern style (thin crust) pizza in Chicago. Our server Miranda was excellent. Will be back!

Mario C

Mario C

14 reviews on Google

Review photo by Keith Bentley
Jul 2026

Best tavern style pizza I’ve ever had.

Keith Bentley

Keith Bentley

15 reviews on Google

Review photo by Brydon Papenberg
Jul 2026

Wow wow wow. Tavern style is legit. Ranch dressing is key!

Brydon Papenberg

Brydon Papenberg

177 reviews on Google

Review photo by Krystal Madrigal
Feb 2026

Wow. Amazing food, amazing staff, and love the ambience. We got tavern style pizza, Alla vodka pasta, and calamari which were all an 10/10. Our server was Storm who was so friendly and attentive (along with the rest of the staff). Already can’t wait to be back!

Krystal Madrigal

Krystal Madrigal

52 reviews on Google

Review photo by Robyn Jones
Feb 2026

10/10 would recommend. We sat jn the speak easy section at the bar and our server David was so nice, he added to the experience. I look forward to visiting next time im in Chicago

Robyn Jones

Robyn Jones

12 reviews on Google

Review photo by Abe A.
Feb 2026

Chicken Cesar sandwich and tavern pizza are great! Atmosphere is beautiful and staff are friendly.

Abe A.

Abe A.

118 reviews on Google

Review photo by Daniel Perez
Feb 2026

Great pizza and friendly service!

Daniel Perez

Daniel Perez

4 reviews on Google

Review photo by Jacqueline Segura
Feb 2026

The food was so good!!! And the tiramisu even better we loved it so much.

Jacqueline Segura

Jacqueline Segura

11 reviews on Google

Review photo by Andrew Schaefer
Feb 2026

Zarella lives up to the hype!! I've read about this place prior to trying it, and let me assure you it lives up to the hype. One of the best tavern-style (true Chicago style) spots in town. Great service from Dan too!

Andrew Schaefer

Andrew Schaefer

300 reviews on Google

Review photo by Josh Banfield
Feb 2026

What a perfect meal. Smaller menu but everything we had was great, pizzas, pastas and traditional Italian appetizers. For two people we did one app, a pizza and a pasta and had to take most home. When you come you have to get the mozzarella sticks, they were great and the hot marinara was so good with them. We did the Soppressata and Mortadella pizza (5/5) which was really good and the hot honey was a nice touch, but I'm unsure why it was completely covered in arugula. Way, way too much in my opinion. Lastly was our favorite dish the Radiatore Alla Vodka Pasta. (5/5) The noodles were so unique and held the sauce so well, can't wait to come back and order this. They also have a few Italian takes on cocktails on the menu, the Chicago gold and day in bologna (Italian old fashioned) were both great.

Josh Banfield

Josh Banfield

380 reviews on Google

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