ZaZa's Cucina, nestled in Ithaca, NY, is a gem for Italian cuisine lovers. Reviews highlight an exceptional dining experience marked by friendly service and a warm atmosphere. Guests rave about the freshness and authenticity of the dishes, with one patron celebrating the Seafood Risotto as "absolutely phenomenal," perfect for a romantic evening. The menu boasts an impressive range of antipasti, including the delightful Baby Greens with red wine vinaigrette and the savory Buffalo Mozzarella paired with vine-ripened tomatoes and basil. Highlight dishes in the primi section include the Bologna Style Lasagna, layered with homemade pasta and creamy béchamel sauce, capturing the essence of traditional Italian comfort food. Meat and seafood dishes shine, particularly the Duck Breast, which is perfectly seared and complemented by a rich red wine grappa sauce. Diners appreciate the option to customize their orders, like substituting pasta with gnocchi—a testament to the restaurant’s flexibility and commitment to guest satisfaction. Overall, ZaZa's Cucina not only serves excellent food; it promises a memorable dining experience that will make it a beloved spot for both locals and visitors. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in authentic cuisine, ZaZa's Cucina is a restaurant that consistently delivers quality and flavor.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Service options
Offers takeaway
No delivery
Highlights
Has fireplace
Serves great cocktails
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts cheques
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Photos
Reviews For ZaZa's Cucina
Logan Watkins
Jun 2,2025
Not much I can say other than EXCELLENT! The waitress was phenomenal and made sure we were constantly tended to, the food was AMAZING! I ordered the Seafood Risotto, which turned out to be absolutely phenomenal. Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fancy date night. :)
Susan
May 3,2025
Wow! On a road trip just happened upon this place. Authentic and delicious. So excited about leftovers today. Mine and my friends (she forgot her doggy bag at my house), can't wait. There are NO bad choices on their menu, and wait staff is excellent.
Ian Ault
Apr 8,2025
The food is wonderful; a great balance of originality and familiarity. My wife and ate here for our anniversary and it did not disappoint. My steak was cooked perfectly and the beet salad was amazing. Her Florentine was decadent! The service was prompt and friendly as well. Tony R's used to be our special place, but Zaza's has become our new favorite!
Ed Fischer
Mar 28,2025
Fantastic restaurant. Great atmosphere, great staff and top notch delicious food. I started with the Burrata appetizer; soft, creamy and SO fresh. The mixed seafood in red sauce was incredible. I asked to substitute the pasta for gnocchi, and they made it like it was a long-time regular menu option, UNBELIEVABLY DELICIOUS!
Carolyn Penix
Mar 24,2025
Lovely restaurant! Second time there. Just as exquisite this time as before. Beautiful setting, wonderful atmosphere, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff. Food came quickly, cooked perfectly and delicious!
Jake Dau
Mar 11,2025
Was one of the few places that had a reservation available in town so I was skeptical. Everything was fabulous!!! Love the atmosphere! Server was exceptional! Prices are reasonable too. One of the best soups I've ever had- broccoli Parmesan . Will be back.
Cate T.
Mar 3,2025
I always get veal parm when we eat at an Italian restaurant. This was one of the best I have had in a very long while. I could cut it with the butter knife they provided. The spaghetti served with it was a nice consistency, somewhere between regular spaghetti (that is usually served at other places) and angel hair. You can see how large of a piece they served! Our waiter was great and he removed our leftovers from the table and packed them up for us. There was a talented guy playing some great instrumental music while we ate. This was our first time eating here. It was Valentine's Day and many people tended to be a little dressed up. Our impression based on the ambiance, the menu, the prices, etc., is that this is one of the more upscale restaurants in Ithaca. We truly enjoyed our evening.
Abby Davis
Feb 21,2025
first of all, the ambiance is so stunning. the space is so elegant and beautiful, you feel like you're participating in something beautiful just sitting in there. secondly, heck was the food good. I had the short rib and gnocchi and WOW. I out loud gasped after my first bite because it was so delicious. I had the coconut milk flan for dessert and that was also excellent. the service was a little slow, but everything else was so good that it didn't even bother me. amazing.
Reviews For ZaZa's Cucina