Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in Herndon

Came for the first time, with my father, and as others have mentioned, it’s a very quaint place. Quick note that the front entrance is immediate stairs to/from the door, no landing, so I needed to hang on to my dad so he wouldn’t fall.

Inside it was pretty full and several birthdays were being celebrated in Italian so I was really encouraged. Our waiter seemed quite put off by my deaf father and his demeanor was pretty distant the rest of our visit. The busser, on the other hand, was charming, welcoming and just really friendly, so it made the contrast between the server and him all the more stark.

We shared a burrata/beets appetizer that was delicious, along with the house made bread that was also wonderful. I was really in the mood for pasta but was surprised to see that all of the pasta dishes except two contained veal or shellfish. I don’t eat veal (I hadn’t realized this was a veal-focused place—my bad for not checking) and I’m allergic to shellfish, so it really narrowed my options to cheese ravioli, which I already eat often at home and gnocchi, which is just too heavy for me. No other options, sadly. So I went to the chicken and opted for the piccata. I hadn’t had that in many years so I was happy to have the chance. As others have said, they’re heavy handed with sauce. It was also a rather thick sauce, heavy on the roux and more thick than any wine sauces that I remember. The tiny mound of potato plus some steamed carrots and broccoli made the the plate. It wasn’t bad but not something I’d order here again. I took my leftovers home because my father wouldn’t hear of leaving food behind. My father, on the other hand, was a big fan of his halibut special and the same veg I got.

We shared a crème brûlée, which was eggy, tasty and large enough for two to share. Coffee, wine and cocktails were nothing to speak of. Overall, it was a decent meal but nothing I’d rush back to eat again.

With tip, was $163 for 1 app, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 1 coffee, 1 cocktail, sparkling water (bottle) and 1...

A Night to Remember at Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

From the moment the breadbasket arrived, brimming with an assortment of warm, crusty loaves and creamy butter, it was clear that Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano understands the art of a proper welcome.

Though fresh-squeezed lemonade wasn’t on the menu, they didn’t hesitate to make it happen—an early sign of the exceptional service to come. And let me tell you, it was refreshingly perfect.

The Feast

Lasagna de La Casa – Delicate layers of house-made pasta enveloping two rich cheeses, ground veal, and a light tomato sauce. Every bite was a masterclass in balance—comforting yet refined.

Petto di Pollo Marsala – A beautifully sautéed chicken breast paired with shiitake and portobello mushrooms, all bathed in a velvety Marsala wine sauce. Earthy, deep, and utterly satisfying.

And then, the grand finale: House-made Tiramisu. Light, creamy, and perfectly soaked—this wasn’t just dessert; it was an experience. Possibly the best tiramisu to ever grace my spoon.

Naturally, no meal is complete without a cappuccino, and mine was as rich and foamy as I’d hoped.

Service & Atmosphere

As impeccable as the food was, our evening truly shined thanks to our server—affectionately dubbed “Elizabeth Taylor.” With her effortless charm, sharp humor, and flawless recommendations, she elevated our night from simply enjoyable to truly memorable.

The setting only added to the experience. Housed in a historic building dating back over a century, Zeffirelli has been a staple of Herndon’s dining scene since 1991. The interior exudes timeless elegance, from its leafy green carpet to its classic, intimate ambiance.

Final Thoughts

Zeffirelli isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a culinary institution where both food and hospitality take center stage. If you appreciate masterfully executed Italian cuisine in a warm, historic setting, this is a must-visit. And if you’re lucky, you just might find yourself in the capable hands of Elizabeth...

Wow. This restaurant is not what all of the reviews claim it to be. I’ve never been to a mom and pop Italian restaurant where so many corners were cut. I’ve had better Italian meals at restaurant chains - North Italia up the street.

To begin with our server was just grumpy from the start and it was clear from the get go he didn’t want to wait on us. That being said, it was very clear that there were excellent severs on staff that night we just weren’t seated in that section.

Not only did it take forever for the server to ask our drink order, but then he was trying to make up for his lack of attention (to appetizer and drinks) by weirdly lingering while we were deciding entrees and wine. Like I felt I was being stalked while I was reading the menu and eating my appetizer.

Appetizer and bread was a joke. I’ve never been to an Italian restaurant where they don’t serve olive oil. Not only that the plating of their “special” Burrata Procuitto looked like my 3 year old nephew did it. Frankly for the price, this was a shock.

My husband couldn’t even eat his meal. He took bites to make sure he wasn’t losing his mind and it was totally inedible. Thick, tough veal parm… which was small, and alongside a half portion of pasta (no spoon to assist with twirling) and “marinara”. Wow, wow wow. The sauce, the veal, the cheese, the pasta. It was worse than the Italian night at our Sandals honeymoon.

My meal was edibles the veal ravioli was delish on the inside. The sauce flavor was lacking.

What really was the killer, is that after my husband politely mentioned the issues with his meal.. they took it away. Because he didn’t want to eat his dinner there. Yet they still brought him a dessert menu as if he enjoyed his meal….. he took maybe 4 bites and...