Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

Food was great and the food was very fresh you can tell it’s homemade noodles my kids don’t ever want Olive Garden again lol service was good as well Moses was our server ! I really wish in the future they come up with a kids menu!!! Please :)

Great Italian food, great service, classic ambiance. Recommended if you are in Herndon area 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

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 Taylor herself.

My wife and I dined there just today (21 February 2025), for a delayed Valentine’s date. I had the Lobster Bisque to start and the Linguine alla Vongole and my wife had the Pollo alla Romana as our entrees. The atmosphere was quite pleasant but the table felt a little close. The food was absolutely lovely, and the service was wonderful. I recommend reservations to ensure you get a table so you can enjoy this wonderful Italian restaurant. Also don’t forget desert, I recommend the homemade Tiramisu or homemade cheesecake.

A quiet little place in Herndon. A great atmosphere for great conversation and just enjoying company. The food was all homemade and freshly cooked - we had the buffalo burrata, a caesar salad (which was made with the anchovies as originally made), and whats shown in the photos - they had a chef special with veal that we got and it was phenomenal. The tiramisu was also incredible and so fresh. Highly recommend this place.

The service and ambiance is amazing. I need to come back and try some more dishes. Felt like what I got was all a bit bland.

I took my wife out for date night recently and we went to Zeffirelli. I read great reviews so decided to try it. Service was phenomenal. Not much waiting and there was a certain amount of attention that our host gave us that made our time memorable. We had the Caesar salad and Calamari & Zucchini to start. Loved them both. I enjoyed the size of the calamari. My wife had Ravioli and I had the Pollo alla Romana. Both dishes were great and filling. The restaurant gives off a real authentic vibe and is romantic. Perfect location for a date. I look forward to going back.

We decided on Italian for a date night and we were definitely happy with our choice. I had the Cleopatra and my husband had the Festa di Mare. We both enjoyed our dishes very much. Our dessert picks were the pana cotta and creme brulee. Our server Mohammad was very attentive and we would definitely come back.

We visited an Italian restaurant for our 17th anniversary. From the moment we entered the restaurant, we both liked the atmosphere. With the help of the friendly waiter, we ordered calamari Fritti and zucchini as an appetizer, veal chops, and linguine vongole as mains, and ordered red wine (cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend) recommended by the waiter. The veal chops have been the best dish in town since 1991, and many customers still order them because of the special sauce.

Wow! We were lucky enough to fine Zeffirelli on a recent visit to Herndon. First the atmosphere is great. Like being in a small restaurant in Italy. The staff super friendly and helpful. Pablo did a great job waiting on us. But the food was spectacular and portions huge. I had the special of the night Rockfish deboned at the table which is fun to watch. My partner had the linguine and clams that was fresh and delicious. The wine by the glass menu is interesting and all the prices are quite reasonable. And save room for the Cannoli which was a wonderful treat and perfect way to end the night. The owners and staff really have nailed this one!

Excellent food, service and ambience. It felt like being in an elegant, cozy and authentic Italian restaurant in NYC. We will be back often. While most restaurants nowadays are boring franchises or “fast casual” (glorified fast food, no service, no tablecloths) this restaurant is a dining oasis. It starts with a delicious bread basket followed with generous portions of whatever you order. The veal chop is world class.

This restaurant is a cozy little place with excellent food and service. They were especially accommodating to my son with autism. They prepared his food different than the menu and to his liking. I will definitely go back again.

The Reston area (next door to Herndon) abounds with huge chain restaurants that serve up good food but lack — IMHO — the charm and ambiance of a small owner-operated business. Zeffirelli’s feels like coming home. The waitstaff are incredibly welcoming and accommodating while maintaining professionalism. Our recent visit had us enjoying perfectly grilled Bronzino and a veal ravioli that might be grandma’s recipe. This is classic, old-school Italian. Delicious. The Trebbiano is a must for dry white wine aficionados. And the tiramisu? A rich, pillowy ending to a fabulous meal.

A friend and I were looking for a good Italian restaurant to eat, near out hotel. We happened to find Zeffirelli's by accident. One word can be used to describe the overall atmosphere, food, staff friendliness, and it's excellent! I highly recommend Zeffirelli's to anyone who lives or is visiting the Northern Virginia area. My compliments to the owners, management, waiters, and chefs, for making my friend's and I dining experience exquisite!!