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Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna offers elite tavern-style pizza with a perfectly crispy crust and a unique speakeasy downstairs.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Artisan Style Pizza's

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna offers elite tavern-style pizza with a perfectly crispy crust and a unique speakeasy downstairs.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This restaurant should serve as a model for the hospitality industry."

TIP

Reservations Highly Recommended

Book in advance, especially for groups, as seating can be limited.

Customize Your Pizza

Order a custom pie for your preferences, or ask for less arugula if it overwhelms toppings.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

Italian

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(312) 470-0250

Address

531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Tavern-Style Pizza Perfection

Tavern-Style Pizza Perfection

Experience elite tavern-style pizza with an exceptionally crispy, cornmeal-like crust and delightful flavor profiles.

TikTokGoogle Review+3
Cheesy Mozzarella Sticks

Cheesy Mozzarella Sticks

Indulge in incredibly crispy mozzarella sticks with a satisfying cheese pull and a special accompanying tomato sauce.

Google Review+3
Speakeasy Vibe

Speakeasy Vibe

Discover a unique speakeasy downstairs, offering a cool vibe and a great spot for drinks and conversation.

TikTokGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The top rated new pizzeria in Chicago in 2025, as ranked by Chicago Beli users. Some of the best tavern-style pizza we’ve had to date 📍 Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna (River North, Chicago) #chicagopizza #pizzachicago #chicagoeats #pizzeria #chicagofoodie
@beli_eats
4.8K likes • 133.8K views

Reservations Highly Recommended

Book in advance, especially for groups, as seating can be limited.

Customize Your Pizza

Order a custom pie for your preferences, or ask for less arugula if it overwhelms toppings.

Zarella Pizzeria in Chicago may be some of the best I’ve had in the city
@stoolpresidente
20.3K likes • 335.5K views
✨🍕😋Chicago’s newest pizzeria, #ZarellaChicago recently opened under the helm of two amazing chefs, @leewolen and @cpandel. We started with their massive mozzarella sticks which are insanely cheesy and delicious. Not to mention, the calamari is perfectly fried and tender. The carbonara pizza is the one I’ll be dreaming about, but then I came back another night and fell in love with the artisan-styl...
@sherriesavorsthecity
91 likes • 3.3K views

Don't Skip the Fries

Fried zucchini chips with a special ranch dressing are a must-try appetizer.

Explore the Speakeasy

Venture downstairs to the speakeasy for a unique ambiance and drinks.

Zarella Pizza at 531 Wells Street became a favorite since it’s opened with friends and hammering solo too. Easy bar seating, tables and a surprise downstairs too. #pizza #exploring #chicago #fyp #friday
@mspinell
106 likes • 4.5K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Highly Recommended

Book in advance, especially for groups, as seating can be limited.

Customize Your Pizza

Order a custom pie for your preferences, or ask for less arugula if it overwhelms toppings.

Don't Skip the Fries

Fried zucchini chips with a special ranch dressing are a must-try appetizer.

Explore the Speakeasy

Venture downstairs to the speakeasy for a unique ambiance and drinks.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna receives widespread acclaim for its exceptional tavern-style pizzas, crispy mozzarella sticks, and inviting atmosphere that blends modern and old-school Chicago vibes. Diners consistently praise the friendly and attentive service, with many calling it a top-tier dining experience. While most reviews are glowing, some find the music a bit too loud for conversation.

"Love Zarella! The food here is great! Tried the Mozzarella Sticks, Tavern Style Vodka Pizza and the Spicy Vodka Pasta! the mozzarella sticks were super crispy and had a great cheese pull. the tomato sauce with it was also very good. the pizza was a little underwhelming expected more of the vodka sauce flavor but it just tasted like a normal sauce. i like that the pizza is thin and crispy! the pasta is one of my top five spicy rigatonis in the city! definitely recommend making a reservation since bar seating is limited and first come first serve"

V P

"My friend and I had a wonderful time here. The restaurant felt like a blend of modernity while preserving that old-school Chicago vibe. Their tavern-style pizza was amazing, my friend mentioned it was the best one she had tried in Chicago so far. The service was amazing and they took good care of us and made the dining experience wonderful. I would highly recommend this place for others to try and will come back here again when I am back in Chicago again."

ngawang sherpa

"This restaurant is phenomenal! We wish we could give it more than 5 stars for the food, service, and atmosphere because they are all exceptional! Our server provided so many wonderful suggestions to make our first visit here a wonderful experience, and it exceeded our expectations. We are a family of foodies, and we drove over 2 1/2 hours to get here from our Airbnb while on our vacation from NY. It was so worth the drive. We will definitely be back! Every single person we encountered here was so nice and professional. This restaurant should serve as a model for the hospitality industry."

Lori Fritzen

What People Like

Crispy tavern-style pizza
Amazing mozzarella sticks
Fantastic service and ambiance

What People Dislike

Music can be too loud

Frequently Asked Questions

Zarella is highly praised for its tavern-style pizza, which features a very thin and crispy crust.

TikTok+2

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for groups, due to limited seating.

Google Review

Diners rave about the mozzarella sticks and fried zucchini chips with a special ranch dressing.

Google Review

Yes, the restaurant offers a blend of modernity and old-school Chicago vibe, with a unique speakeasy downstairs.

TikTokGoogle Review+1

Yes, you can order a custom pie. Some suggest asking for less arugula on certain pizzas to better enjoy the toppings.

Google Review

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