Marzano Italian Restaurant

I’m picky when it comes to Italian food, but this place really blew me away! The house starter salad was so refreshing and flavorful! The scallop and black ink risotto dish I had was cooked to perfection and well seasoned. I also tried a bite of my friend’s lasagna and it was phenomenal! We ended the meal with tiramisu and creme brulee, both tasty! Service was friendly from start to finish. I highly recommend making reservation through OpenTable. The place gets packed often. Plenty of parking. I will definitely be returning. Highly recommended!

I had an amazing experience at Marzano with my mother! honestly, it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Tacoma. First off, the atmosphere is perfect for a cozy, intimate meal. The interior is classy and warm, which really sets the mood for a relaxed and enjoyable evening. It’s one of those places where you immediately feel like you’re somewhere special. The food? Absolutely incredible. You can tell that everything is made from scratch. We could tell the chefs really care about the quality of their dishes. The service was great as well. The waiters were friendly and attentive, making us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. Oh, and the music was a nice touch — they were playing bossa nova, which perfectly matched the vibe of the restaurant. It added to the overall experience without being overwhelming. If you're looking for a classy, delicious Italian meal in Washington, this place is definitely worth a visit! Highly recommend.

I celebrated my 57th birthday here last Friday evening and I couldn’t have been more impressed! First of all our server, Katie D, was phenomenal; super sweet, attentive, very accommodating, great sense of humor and knowledgeable. What a treasure! Second, the food was incredible!! There were 9 of us and we ordered 6 different dishes and all were amazing. Best Italian in WA hands down. Third, the restaurant itself was absolutely adorable! Quaint, intimate inside with wonderful outdoor seating both in front and in back. And finally, the location has a really cool and groovy vibe (right next to PLU on Garfield Street). We’ll be back on a regular basis!

I loved this place when it represented simple cuisine and catered to American tastes. They have done much since then to aspire to the authentic food of Italy, but have fallen short in my opinion, leaving a somewhat lukewarm result at premium prices. I recommend Eatily as an alternative, if you get to one of those locations.

I have been a customer of Marzano's for about 7 years now. I've always been very happy with my meals there, and all the people I've introduced to Marzano's have all loved their meals, too. Marzano's is a guaranteed slam-dunk winner every time. There are some nights where the food at Marzano's is even better than fantastic, and tonight was one of those nights! Marzano's often makes variations of a dish over time - different iterations of an autumn lasagna, of cappellacci, and of capesante - some of the fillings are different, the risotto is a little different, that kind of thing. I've gotten the capesante before, but the current version is accompanied by mushroom risotto (with giant pieces of mushroom!), onion soubise, and pickled shallots. I find it hard to believe that this was not capesante in its highest and best form. For those of you who are gluten-free, this dish is, too! There was one other time I called Marzano's later in the evening after I'd taken out a spectacular meal (short rib ragu with Moroccan spices over pappardelle). I'm going to make that call again tonight, but I wanted to post this review first. Thanks for always being so awesome, Marzano team!

Absolutely wonderful meal and experience! The staff is exceptional, the food and drinks are excellent, and the ambiance is both elevated and cozy. From start to finish the experience was 5 stars. To add, as someone who is gluten free, I was thrilled with the amount of options available. If you’re anywhere nearby, Marzano’s is a must!

What a gem! I had such wonderful service from start to finish. My server Katie was an absolute doll. The house made ricotta and pistachio cheesecake with macerated cherries were my favorites. Make reservations! I was lucky to get in without one. A must visit for a solo date night. 💗

We dined here for my birthday. My husband and I loved the appetizer set (Cicchetti) , especially the one with the anchovies! It was delish! We also tried the Pan-braised rabbit and Girasole, and we liked them. I wasn't just expecting the Girasole to be on the sweeter side. We ended the night with a slice of Guiness Chocolate Cake. 💕

The foods are great. The Calamari I ordered for appetizer was sooooo good. I had Bolognese Spaghetti paired with Red Wine. Mama Mia! Isso delicious. Great foods complemented by great friendly staff.

Very cute homey family run Italian place in south Tacoma. This place is super cute. It looks like it's in an old converted home. The pasta was fresh made and service was good. My co worker ordered the lasagne and I had unpronounceable brigioloti(?) haha! Maybe I ordered the wrong item or the flavor profile was not my cup of tea. The pasta was cooked perfectly but the sauce wasn't my favorite. If I'm going to eat this many carbs, I need the earth to move. My co worker kept adding chili flakes to her lasagne. I guess she felt it too bland. We thought the food was good but not earth shattering. If I come back to Tacoma I would try another place.

Great service by their staff specially Kadi responding all the request within timely manner. Food: outstanding with homemade style of Italian food is amazing experience! Ambiance: cozy and comfortable place to be. Strongly recommend reservation and try their specials and dessert!! Wine list: I think room to improve here

Finally tried Marzano and how have I not been here sooner?! I love that it's in an old house, it's so charming. The service was a little slow at first, but to be fair, it was packed. The food was fantastic--no notes. I seriously can't wait to come back.

Mariano's has a very welcoming and charming ambiance. The staff were all personal, friendly, and knowledgeable about every item on the menu. My daughter made the reservation and mentioned it was my birthday but I was surprised by the adorable birthday card presented on the table! The chef is amazing with flavors and textures and everything we ate was delicious- I can't say anything would be better than anything else so just try it all!! If I'm back in the area I know I'll be back at Marzano's!

Location, eh... No bar... but who cares! The food was outrageously delicious, unique and top notch. Our server was helpful, sweet, knowledgeable and kind. It was quite homey with great outdoor dining spots as well. Prices are on the high end, but worth it. Homemade pasta, super fresh ingredients and cooked perfectly. Freshly baked bread, too. Can you imagine melt in your mouth calamari? I didn't know there was even such a thing! Squid ink pasta? Just say, "Yes please!" No matter how full, try dessert even if you share one with the table, so rich and yummy. Perfect ending to a wonderful evening. PS thank you for not kicking us out as old friends laughed and enjoyed a perfect night long past closing, whoops...

I can see why this place has so many great reviews. I celebrated my birthday here. The food is great, I've been searching for a good authentic Italian restaurant for a very long time. It's so hard to find good pasta carbonara in Seattle area, but I finally found the one! Top service, staff is personable and friendly. I loved the non-alcoholic choices. Definitely going to come back!

It's been a while since I visited, but a 5-Star review is so deserved for Marzano's. I reserved a large table for my birthday and they did such a wonderful job to accommodate my large party. It's a bit tucked away and I loved that almost hidden feel to the restaurant. The atmosphere was warm and inviting with simple yet elegant touches to impress. The food was absolutely fantastic and I can't rave enough about the Diavola pizza, tomato bruschetta, and both the gluten free and chocolate cake! Truly divine food with amazing service. They also did a fantastic job at accommodating for food allergies in our group and were very careful with gluten cross-contamination. We were all super impressed and left with full bellies and wonderful memories! I will be back!

I wish I would have known about this place years ago! The food is fabulous, atmosphere was cozy and quaint service absolutely fantastic and prices were appropriate for the quality of their food. This will forever be my family's go-to for Italian food. The Butternut Cappellacci is to die for but it's seasonal so order it while it's available! The Carlton Farms Pork Belly was scrumptious, their Diavola Pizza was uniquely delicious, bruschetta on point and I can honestly say the salad that came with the entree was simple but REALLY GOOD! I could go on and on. Thank you to Katie D for her patience, kindness and attention to detail!! See y'all soon...

Wonderful and cozy atmosphere, feels like you are being served delicious food in the comforts of home. Amazing staff, all very welcoming and attentive. You can't help but feel special as if they are there just to make your experience the best. Everything is absolutely delicious!! The flavors of their sauces, the fresh pasta, calamari and bread are like none other. Hands down the best Italian restaurant! Save room for dessert and treat yourself to the best tiramisu on this coast!

The atmosphere, service and food is a 10/10. Just really really good food. I didn't make reservations but was able to squeeze in a table for two with a 15 minute wait on Saturday night. (Make reservations!) The place was full! A sweet buz of activity all around. The whole restaurant is cozy and smells amazing. We had all the things. Drinks, appetizer, dinner and desert. Maybe their special drinks were like just a "7" for me but the dessert was a "20"! Our server was Kate. Smart, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. She provided top tier service. We will definitely be back!

Make a reservation!! Even for a weeknight at 8pm... make the reservation :) The hours say they close at 9:30 but that's just when seating stops. Feels like an extended family member's home for dinner. Intimate and romantic rooms.. birthdays and anniversaries and last meals before college and celebrations every which way. Marzano's is an important part of our area. And guess what - for a "fancy" restaurant, the prices are way more reasonable than your El Gaucho or Cuerno Bravo. You're not going to leave with a hole in your pocket, feeling like it could've been a little tastier. Nope. The food is fantastic, just like the service (they'll even tell you about all the drinks and what NW location they're from). You'll leave Marzano's with a smile on your face.

Perfect for date night! Located next to the campus of PLU, Marzano's is tucked in a cute little house right on the corner. It's got an intimate and cozy atmosphere inside and some outdoor seating as well. While they offer a menu full of staple Italian foods (lasagna, bolognese, etc) they also have a smaller rotating menu of different Italian regions. My husband and I have been many times and we always enjoy ourselves. The service is on point and very professional. This place is a must for food lovers.

Awesome date nite! Share a dish, they dont mind splitting and the house salad and bread make a meal, we share lasagne and end up taking some home. House wine is excellent. Service, dont get me started. Make reservations and get some.

So good love the atmosphere. Service and food is great! The steak is to die for and the pesto pasta delicious we will definitely be back!

We consistently have a fabulous dining experience when we come to Marzano's. It offers a warm and cozy atmosphere, with gracious and attentive staff, and the food is always top notch.

My family has been coming to this restaurant since it opened - for years!!! Things have changed over the years but the food has remained consistent. The space is small, intimate but feels cozy in a good way - old Italian charm. My favorite dish is the Bigoli w/smoked salumi and prawns (it is INCREDIBLE). The pizza is delicious, we always get a pizza as an appetizer. They bring out a dessert tray so you can see the dessert before you order it (kids love this)! They have a nice wine list w/ knowledgeable staff. This is our favorite spot for birthday dinners or anniversaries - Marzano's is a family favorite, truly delicious, if you haven't gone GO.

This tucked away place is a hidden gem. The service was top notch. The food was also just as amazing as their ambiance and service. I got the special, white bolognese and my friend got the special tiger prawns. It came with creamy polenta and roasted poblanos, the flavors were so layered and delicious. Entreees come with a house salad which was ok. Overall great food service and such a cute house inside. Would come back!

Some of our food is no longer on the menu because it was seasonal, but this restaurant was incredible. Located in a converted house within a cool downtown district, this place is a must go. Service was lovely, and it was such a great night!

One word - YUM! Try the bruschetta. Also spaghetti and 2 meatballs on side. Great service too - Ronnie!!!!!

We arrived for our reservation to celebrate a birthday and were seated right away. The restaurant has a nice cozy feeling. We ordered drinks and an appetizer. Our server regularly stopped by to check on us throughout the meal, but not overly hovering at the table. The calamari was super flavorful and delicious. The lasagna bolognese was so good! It was cheesy and rich and like a nice warm hug. The crème brûlée didn't seem the most evenly cooked. Part of it was kind of an eggy texture while the other part was loose and kind of runny. But the flavor was still good. We would definitely return for a special night.

Best Italian restaurant in the South Puget sound. Not fancy but cordial atmosphere with excellent menu and wine list.

We love Marzanos. This venue is very small, so recommend always having a reservation. The food is delicious, the staff is very friendly, and the setting is pretty intimate. It's dimly lit, and the decor is pretty cute too.

Holy Bowl of Pasta! This place is truly a gem. My wife and I wanted a fancy dinner, but didn't want to dine in and Marzano's met that mark. Even better, wine bottles are 30% off when you order takeout. We mmmhhh'd, oooo'd, & awww'd our way through every bite and sip we took. Definitely call ahead, as takeout orders are based upon kitchens ability to handle an order. Dine in orders obviously take priority. We ordered on a Thursday night and the restaurant was packed when I arrived to pickup our food. The gentleman who helped me was beyond knowledgeable of the wine list, and definitely exuded owner/sommelier/management vibes. He was very nice and accommodating even though I was way under dressed and much younger than most of those eating there that evening. Date night vibes for sure. Dimly lit, not a huge space, candle lit, renovated house turned chic restaurant. My wife and I will definitely be returning to dine in person, and 10/10 would recommend all the items we ordered. On another note: My wife hates all cheeses in the blue cheese family, and loved the Gorgonzola pizza. I specifically didn't point out that it was a blue cheese till she was raving about how much she loved the pizza. More proof than Marzano's is doing it right! We ordered 3 food items and a bottle of wine. DUCK PROSCIUTTO BOARD -- 25 Duck prosciutto, Scorpion sheep's cheese, Manchego, quince mostarda, pickled cherries, dried fruits and nuts, grilled baguette toasts. 22 (gf) GORGONZOLA WALNUT -- 28 Fresh pears, gorgonzola dolce, walnuts, prosciutto, mozzarella, balsamic reduction. CAPPELLACCI -- 29 Potato, leek and gruyere filled cappellacci pasta, melted leek crema, creme fraiche, truffle pearls, reggiano. Wine 20 Soave Classico Gini Veneto -- 38

Best Italian food I've had here in America. Very authentic flavor and menu, as a whole. This dining experience really did remind me of Italy (other than free water here of course lol). The tiramisu was insanely good, if you go, you can't miss it.

Marzano is definitely a must try Italian restaurant in Tacoma. With the exception of the carbonara being slightly salty, the food was exceptional. Service was great. Restaurant and restrooms were clean. Great atmosphere.

Alright. So. One of my clients swore by this restaurant so I decided to try it, since I'd never been and brought my husband and mom. Ambiance - house converted into a restaurant with a cute outside seating space. It's awkward to stand in the entry way as you wait to be sat, which is what happened, despite several open tables and a reservation. Waiting for 10 mins allowed us to see how bustling the staff is, and I was shocked no one ran into each other and crashed. We were sat in a nice corner, but unfortunately, our table neighbors were super obnoxious, which dampened our evening. Before you crucify me for being a snob, every single table would turn to look at them as they loudly laughed and discussed how much money they made off of people. Service - like I said, we waited about 10 mins to be sat, and then about 15 to have anyone come over to take our orders. Because of this, we ordered everything at once, just in case that's all the engagement we got. Fortunately, this did not happen, and our male waiter was very attentive after we ordered. Food - alright. My mom and husband had a LOT to say and gave this place a C+. I, however, do not agree and give them a B+. I really enjoyed all of the food (I had a little taste of everyone's dish) and enjoyed the bread, simple salad and the app we got. It's nice to get authentic carbonara and pancetta, and I really appreciated the wholesome veggies and meat quality in my husband's boscaiola. They felt everything was bland and even the dessert was disappointing to them. I will say, the dessert does trick you, as you expect chocolate and hazelnut and what is delivered looks, and tastes, like caramel crocanti cheesecake. Good, but not what one pictures. My only complaint, truly, is my mom's Bolognese should've boiled for 1-2 more minutes and you could feel it. My husband's pasta also could've used one more minute of boiling and rest. As my husband put it, you can see and appreciate the fresh, quality ingredients (but they felt everything lacked flavor). He also felt the meatballs were dry, which I didn't agree with. Yes, outer part was a bit dried out but the inside was juicy, and my mom agreed. I also really liked the sweet and umami flavors of both the meat and the accompanying tomate sauce. Overall, I would return (I just don't know whom I'd return with after this lol). Our total bill was $150, which I felt reflected the quality of the food.

I have been here a few times and it has always been a wonderful experience. The staff are attentive and friendly and the atmosphere is nice. The food is amazing. My boyfriend chose this restaurant for our first anniversary dinner and it was a wonderful experience. Drinks were delicious as well as the food and deserts. With a Romantic and Excellent atmosphere, great service, and delicious food and drinks, I would recommend Marzano Italian Restaurant to anyone.

Very accommodating from Bradley and good service from staff. Celebrated my great family 70yo bday. I would definitely go back for the fresh and great quality food. Fine wine takes time but you have to be patience with time but worth it.

Really hard to get in to most weekends, so finally was able to make a last minute reservation mid week. I can see why it is so hard to get in on the weekends now. The food and service were spectacular. The atmosphere is more casual than I had anticipated; I didn't expect to see so many hoodies, ripped jeans and kids that forgot to change out of their pajamas. Ordered the caprese salad, bruschetta, pasta alla norma, and the tiramisu. All wonderfully presented, perfectly seasoned and reasonably priced for the quality ingredients used. It looks like the menu might be seasonal, so I look forward to the summer menu. Hopefully squash blossoms will be on the menu!

Our first time here tonight and it was my boyfriends birthday. They'd set out a card for him on the table when we arrived which I thought was nice. My boyfriend had an Italian beer and I had this pomegranate, cardamom seltzer that was delicious as far as mocktails go. We enjoyed our salads and a loaf of bread. I had the special which was a smoked chicken lasagne. It was delicious! My boyfriend got a huge ribeye with mushrooms and fondant potatoes that was also really good. For dessert we shared a tiramisu that was really wonderful, especially with coffee. All in all, a really great dinner, nice ambiance and great service.

Very great service the food was excellent and the vibe of the spot was great I would certainly recommend

Some of the best Italian food I've ever had, after traveling all throughout US. Fresh, homemade pastas, solid wine and cocktail offerings, and impeccable service from staff. Highly recommend this hidden gem in the Pacific Northwest

This place is a gem. At first I wasn't sure if I'd get over the loud atmosphere but the good service and delicious food made me quickly forget about it. We started off with two appetizers - the calamari and tomato Bruschetta...both were absolutely tasty! For our mains we had the pan roasted sturgeon, bigoli calabrese & duck which was a dinner special. Each dish had big bold flavors and none of them left us disappointed. If I had to choose my favorite of the night, it would be the sturgeon. I want to come back and try everything else on the menu! I'd also like to mention that most everything on the menu is affordable for the quality of food that you get. Also, be sure to make reservations a day or two ahead if you're trying to have dinner here.

Very romantic ambience. We got sat right by the kitchen so there was a lot of coming and going, my husband and I didn't care as much but if you're trying to have an intimate dinner there are other spots that would fit better. It is a small restaurant with low ceilings, and feels cozy. We got the calamari appetizer which was just so flavorful. We used the bread that came out to dip into the sauce. It was great. We got the carbonara and lasagna for our entrees. The carbonara was very rich, only had half and I actually wasn't a huge fan of the lasagna but I've never cared for lasagna. There was a significant wait between our app and entree which is why I dropped a star. The salads that came with the entrees were good, the dressing is fairly tart, my husband was a big fan. We got the tiramisu and cannoli for dessert. The cream on the tiramisu is fairly thick, I liked it but my husband didn't. But the cannoli was soo good!

The ambiance,the service, to the food is the best restaurant in the Puget Sound region!!

I would give this 5 stars if not for the location and tough parking situation! I dined here with a friend and can't wait to come back again. The food was delicious- lots of pasta options and the server was really helpful in suggesting dishes. The last time I had something as good was Pink Door in Seattle! The bruschetta is an absolute must try- it was so fresh and full of flavor. My pasta portion was huge and had enough for leftovers the next day haha. My meal came with bread and a house salad. We ended with the berry cake and that didn't disappoint either! So delicious!

The ambience was fantastic, a refurbished/repurposed very old home. Service was great and everything we ate, including the layered berry/cream cake dessert was fabulous. Nice variety on the regular menu, with nightly entree specials. A grand dining experience. Take your very most special peeps here!!

Was super surprised to get seated in 5 minutes. Staff was amazing and very welcoming. Food was fantastic and very flavorful. Loved the rustic fresh bread. If/when I am back, will definitely dine again

Took my four youngest children here for dinner. Haven't been here in years. They don't have a true children's menu, but two split a pizza and they made portions of Speghetti and fettuccini. All the food was spectacular and our server Daniel and the entire team made it a great time

We love Marzano. We've dined here about 10 times and have never been disappointed by the quality of the food or the service. The pasta is 10/10. The pasta portions are large enough that we always have a meal left over for the next day. The bread and salad that come with the pasta are perfect. We've had several of the appetizers and pizzas and have enjoyed them all. The desserts are thoughtfully and delicately crafted. Value and service put this cozy restaurant above and beyond 5 stars. I saw a couple reviews (not many though) about wait or time between app and entree - we've never had an issue with this but have almost always had a reservation for around 5 pm which may be why. Food and service have been great every time!

So Marzano's is known by word of mouth in Tacoma as some great Italian food. We made reservations for a Saturday night. The location is right by PLU. The restaurant is really cute and cozy. Service was impeccable from the start. We ordered a glass of wine, an appetizer (the pizzelle), and we were given some warm bread. The before dinner salad was the only thing I didn't care for (not a fan of the spiky lettuce). Everyone at our table ordered something different. I had the lasagne- amazing!! I closed my eyes many times while savoring every bite. For dessert we all ordered tiramisu- also delicious. We will be regularly visiting Marzano's!

Marazano's is fantastic - a good wine selection and great mezzaluna when I visited. Very nice and inviting plating, good portions too. fantastic 5 stars meal and I don't have to go to downtown Bellevue!

Diverse but not too big menu selection. Staff is personable and attentive. Food is delicious!!

Marzanos is always good. Food is very high-quality but they still manage to keep the ambience unstuffy. It's in a cute little house so you get the quality without necessarily the pretentious feel. the meatballs have a unique texture and fragrance. The noodles are homemade.

Marzano's is a great place to visit for delicious food and an exceptional wine list. The food is plated in beautiful big white plates, served in an appropriate portion size. Our meals were cooked perfectly, still steamy when it reached the table. The wine selection was extensive, in a good way. It wasn't too large, but not too niche. We choose a lower to mid level Sangiovese from Tuscany. A very smooth and dry red with a brief aftertaste of sweet berries. We polished off this meal with a triple berry tiramisu that had the perfect combination of coffee, cream, and berries. The service was great. Our server did stumble blurting out all the specials and whatnot, but not a huge deal. Only reason for rating this experience at 4 stars was that we had a rotation of 3 different servers. It was a bit odd in our opinion, but it could just be a personal issue. We enjoy sharing our experienced with one, dedicated server. Overall, I highly recommend trying Marzano's - you will leave with a full belly and a great attitude. We will be back! Ciao!

I can't wait to go back. Our food was delicious the service could not have been better and the ambiance was warm and inviting. We sat by the fireplace. Looking forward to sitting outside!

Amazing Italian food in an unassuming location. This is definitely in my top 3 fav restaurants in Tacoma. Even though it's out of the way / far from anywhere I ever need to go, it's always worth the drive. Super fresh, super flavorful food. I love their bruschetta , ribeye, and all of their pasta dishes. Desserts and wine are yummy too. Service has always been pleasant. 100% worth the price. I'll be back, many times.

If you're looking for a classy and intimate environment with outstanding food and service, this is it. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience tonight. I had steak, mushrooms and finger potatoes while my wife had scallops and (?). Each dinner came with a green salad and bread. I added a side of carrots. Their wine list (by the glass or bottle) gave plenty of options. Dessert was wonderful tiramisu and triple berry almond cream cake. The total was around $235 (after tax and tip) which would keep us from going there very often - only because of our limited budget - but totally worth it if you can afford it. I'm nearly 70 and until tonight had never seen a hand-written birthday card waiting for us at the table. Marzano is a real class act.