Zanata — Restaurant in Rockwall

Oh, Zanata. How I love thee. I strongly feel the argument could be made that Zanata is the best restaurant in Rockwall. However, before you get too excited, note that while it would still be good in a bigger city (like dallas), it probably wouldn’t stand out as much because there are so many other great options to compete. That being said, it’s still your great bet for a great meal.

We have only eaten here a handful of times. Most of the time we get it to go as it’s five minutes from our home and makes for a fantastic date-night-in after the kids go to bed. However, our most recent visit was with the whole family on a Friday night at about 5pm so we could beat the inevitable crowd.

This time, our server was fantastic. She was super sweet and took great care of us. In the past our service has been okay to good, but never this great. She just got us. For example, when I came in with the kids, she was leaving the table my husband was already sitting at. She paused to get our drink orders, but I immediately asked if the mussels had been ordered (our fave!). She said no and immediately recognized I was hangry and understood the importance of getting that order in! 😂 This is a seasoned server that can read her table. Thank you sweet person that recognized exactly what I needed.

Onto the food. We are never disappointed. As I mentioned, we had the mussels as an appetizer. The broth they are steamed in is full of flavor. It’s a tad spicy, but includes onions, tomatoes, and thin slices of sausage that make you want to sop it all up. I even enjoy the super crusty bread it’s served with. I recommend letting it soak in the broth a bit before taking a bite.

They do not have a true kids menu. However, our awesome server did bring our girls “snack plates” that had cut grapes, pears, and their cracker bread. This was the perfect appetizer for them as we can’t seem to get them to enjoy the mussels as much as we do. Lol. We ended up ordering them the meatball appetizer to share. It came with three rather large meatballs. My girls loved them and felt pretty full after having just one each. The sauce was a tad unexpected in that it reminded me of my meatloaf sauce which is delicious.

MH ordered the smoked chicken ravioli. OMG was it good. The pasta was perfectly cooked, there was a good amount of sauce without the ravioli feeling drowned, and the filling was full of delicious flavor. Highly recommend this dish.

We also ordered the house pizza. This is a classic for us and you really can’t go wrong with any of their pizzas (we’ve tried many). Our eldest (6yo) tried a slice and really enjoyed it as well. The sausage was a tag spicy for her, so she took that off. However, she loved the prosciutto and would have been thrilled with just that.

We ended the night with the coconut cream pie. I was a bit disappointed when my husband chose this, but let it go as I told him it was his choice. Lol. Boy was I wrong! This pie was simply amazing. Definitely the best coconut cream pie I’ve ever had. It had texture and the graham cracker crust was thick and perfectly crumbly, the whipped cream fresh. It was true perfection.

In the past, we’ve gotten their banana fosters dish. We like that one, but weren’t nearly as thrilled with it. We’d be hard pressed to try something else now that we know the heaven of the coconut cream pie.

So what could make Zanata better? An espresso machine. That’s right, the owners need to channel a true Italian restaurant and out in an espresso machine. Being able to end the evening with a decaf cappuccino would be the icing on the cake to an...

January 9th we had dinner at Zanata, Rockwall, a privately owned Mediterranean/Italian open, airy, loud, friendly, casual, “sports-bar feeling”, party-type, family friendly restaurant located in quaint, downtown Rockwall. On the high end in pricing with a menu packed with comfort foods, Zanata seems to be a gathering place for regulars, as several patrons were greeted with smiles and sent off by name and a “see you next time”. Duane and I had the House Salad and Blue Crab Dip for appetizers to share. I was happy to see that they split the $11 salad in half for us, and the 1/2 portion that each of us got was more than enough, with fresh greens, nuts, dried figs and lots of texture and flavor! The crab dip was a “no” for me, as it seemed runny and tasted fishy, plus the lavash and bread were underwhelming and flavorless. Duane found it palatable, but would not order it again. Regretfully, Duane’s Rib-Eye steak dinner, and my Sunday-Roast Chicken were disappointing, as the steak was average flavor and a bit grainy and the chicken was over seasoned, too salty and dry, served with a hefty pile of soft, mushy risotto and a few slices of artichoke heart. The generous serving of roasted baby potatoes, mushrooms and tomatoes on the steak plate were divine!!!! We ended our meal with their famous Bananas Foster which was set aflame at the table and served with a tasty scoop of vanilla ice cream atop. I loved it! Duane thought it seemed a bit grainy like it was made with a non traditional baking flour. Portions were large and our friendly and attentive server, Rachel, neatly packaged all of our leftovers and placed them into a bag for us. My personal opinion is that Zanata was overstimulating and underwhelming, but the place was packed with happy patrons so obviously my opinion differs from theirs. I prefer a quiet dining experience. If you enjoy large family gatherings you’ll love this...

Zanata in Downtown Rockwall is nothing short of a culinary gem and an absolute must-visit! This place has truly earned its reputation as a local staple and a top dining destination for anyone in the Rockwall area.

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality by the exceptional staff, who are clearly passionate about what they do. The team here goes above and beyond to make sure every guest feels welcomed and taken care of, making each visit feel like a special occasion. It’s rare to find this level of service and attention to detail!

The menu at Zanata is a classic yet innovative take on wood-fired dishes and Italian-inspired flavors, with something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re in the mood for one of their famous wood-fired pizzas, a perfectly cooked steak, or a deliciously fresh seafood entrée, the quality and flavor are consistently outstanding. Every dish reflects a commitment to freshness and flavor that you can taste in every bite. The owners clearly have a vision for quality and consistency, and it shows in every aspect of the dining experience.

And let’s talk about the drinks! Zanata has an impressive wine selection that caters to both enthusiasts and casual sippers alike. The curated choices are well thought out and pair beautifully with the food. If you’re more into craft cocktails, you’re in for a treat – their mixologists are top-notch, creating balanced, creative drinks that make it hard to pick just one!

Overall, Zanata is the perfect blend of classic and contemporary, with an ambiance that’s both inviting and vibrant. It’s easy to see why this restaurant has become a Rockwall favorite. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to stop by – you won’t be...