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On the corner of Wells and Grand, chefs Chris Pandel (Swift & Sons) and Lee Wolen (Alla Vita) delivered Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna in March 2025, part of a growing trend in new-school tavern pizza spots. The space shifts depending on where you sit: There’s a dim, modern barroom that’s ideal for after-work drinks and casual dates; a second dining room that leans nostalgic with booths and old-school Italian restaurant touches like paisley walls bedecked in clusters of family photos; and an intriguing downstairs cocktail lounge that would make Frank Sinatra proud. But the draw here is the crackly, light tavern-style pies that feel dangerously easy to finish solo.
Try the Peach Keen, a blend of peach, lemon, and iced tea that balances sweetness with subtle bitterness and cuts through heavier, cheese-forward dishes.
Multi-room energy defines the experience at Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna: a polished bar area that works for Thursday hangs, after-work drinks, or girls’ nights, plus a booth-filled dining room with nostalgic, family-style energy. The downstairs lounge offers a more intimate setting — ideal for date night or quieter conversation — so ask about seating there when you reserve. If you’re staying upstairs, request a table near the bar and large windows for the best ambience and people-watching.
Make reservations, especially after 5 p.m., when bar seating fills fast. I had a reservation and still had to wait 10 minutes to be seated.
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Tajah Ware
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