By Giovanni Minichiello on June 14, 2026 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

Flawless! Impeccable service! The best dining experience I can remember. First order of business, ask to be seated in Elizabeth Taylor’s section, haha. I know I know, just trust me. You want this. For us it was the Chianti room. Nice cozy quaint section for a romantic dinner. The food was amazing! It was delicious, authentic, and satiating. Elizabeth, our server was so attentive and funny she definitely made our experience. She went above and beyond and even went out of her way and mixed us up some sweet tea. From the moment we walked in we were welcomed by a warm and inviting staff. That warm caring quality never stopped the entire time. Again, the experience was amazing! Definitely made my day and this is probably my favorite restaurant now. Just come, splurge a little bit and enjoy life. This is what it is all about. And don’t forget to try their tiramisu 😉

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By Sophie on April 24, 2026 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

We were there to celebrate my friend’s birthday and it was a great experience!
Food: I didn’t care for the appetizers- we ordered the burrata which was deep fried? And the octopus salad was very tasty. The main courses were delicious ! We ordered the lobster ravioli, Cleopatra seafood special, Linguine Vongole. The food was served hot and we didn’t wait long for it. Generous portions too!
The pana cotta was absolutely divine!! The best I’ve ever tasted. I was full after the meal but couldn’t resist eating it!
Service: Raul was fantastic! He was professional, warm and friendly. He kept us entertained during the night with great enthusiasm and service.
Highly recommend!

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By Fedline Crowell on April 20, 2026 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

We went here for our anniversary and I don't regret a thing. The food was delicious. We had calamari for our entree and for main course, I had the pappardelle with veal ragu and hubby had the branzino everything was well prepared and seasoned to perfection. The wait staff was phenomenal! Upon finishing our meal they brought us a panna cotta as a complimentary anniversary dessert, and we also ordered a tiramisu. Both desserts were amazing with just the right amount of sweetness. I can't say enough good things about this place and the level of service we received. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a cozy, romantic date night spot and authentic Italian food with excellent service.

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By Sabrina Lozano on February 17, 2026 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

We tried Zeffirelli’s out on a delivery order and the food was amazing!!! We ordered lots of seafood and pasta dishes. The seafood was fresh and tender, the sauces were balanced in flavors and the desserts were so delicious (tiramisu and cheesecake). We were impressed and will order again from them. Deliver service was excellent and food was well packaged.

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By Trot on February 16, 2026 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

This is a beautiful restaurant but there are things that weren't up to par for our liking on an upscale Italian restaurant. First we were sat in a corner table against a divider and my husband being tall was squished in between. We moved no problem. Then we order an appetizer of Calamari which was great along with the Caesar salad and lobster bisque was not. It was something I was looking forward to as I love it and it was not a hit. It was fishy tasting and missing some flavor. Sent that back bc I couldn't stomach the taste. Next we had someone else's appetizers dropped at our table and.thsmnot was taken away with so much confusion that didn't make much sense. The food can't go to its table once you dropped it elsewhere. Next up was the lobster ravioli we were also excited to try and it was just as miss as the bisque. We didn't want to send anything else back but the lobster is just not made how it should be in their meals from someone raised in NY around some of the BEST Italian food.

Overall a 3 but def not returning.

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By Stephen Shiflett on January 21, 2026 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

Had an Anniversary Celebration Dinner with my wife and found Zeffirelli online. I couldn't have been happier. The experience was absolutely wonderful! The food was some of the best authentic Italian Cuisine we've ever tasted. My wife said the Scampi was the best she has ever eaten. I chose the Cleopatra and it was absolutely wonderful. Our service was perfect. Mohammed could not have done anything more to make the service any better. We highly recommend them for an exquisite experience. 5 Stars doesn't do it justice. Thank you for making our night as special as you did.

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By Blue Rose Cherry Pie on December 19, 2025 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

Truly exquisite dining and a magical experience. Everything about this place is wonderful from the setup to the service to the cuisine. A very nice and relaxing environment and a great location overall (old town Herndon, as small as it is, is a real charm). The wait staff are very friendly and attentive to guests. For my 🍽️ on this visit, I had what they call the "Cleopatra", which is a 🦞 tail, 🦐, sea scallops, and mussels served over a bed of linguine with the best damn vodka sauce I have ever had. They also had a grilled baby 🐙 appetizer which was phenomenal. I highly recommend Zeffirelli's for a surreal and dream like dining experience.

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By Teresa Wu on November 15, 2025 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

I have been to Zeffirelli years ago. I went back this past week and it still has the Good ole authentic Italian restaurant. The food portion is generous. The service is ultra attentive. They offer a number of special dishes to keep the menu fresh and interesting. I had the Cleopatra which is a seafood dish with a lobster tail, large shrimps, scallop and mussels served with tagliatelle. I don’t usually have dessert but how can I miss the homemade tiramisu?!

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By cathydO8488GX on August 20, 2025 Verified by Email Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

Delicious dinner and apps. Nice dinner and wine specials and good entree selections. Nice atmosphere with good service. Low noise level makes for enjoyable dinner conversation.

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By marybO6504QZ on June 14, 2025 Verified by Email Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

We had been to Zeffirelli's several years ago and enjoyed it. Sadly, this experience was anything but favorable. We were a party of four, treating two of our guests to a birthday dinner. We ordered appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The calamari was overcooked and chewy - but the waiter never once came to confirm that the food was to our liking. At one hour and 10 minutes, while we were still having dessert, the waiter actually asked us to hurry because they were booked tight with reservations. It was embarrassing to us and our guests. We will not be back.

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By Virginia59 on April 16, 2025 Verified by Email Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

Ok….I can be a tough critic because I’m a “ foodie” who’s been preparing delicious meals of all cuisines for over 40 years (especially Italian cuisine). About a year ago I brought a friend here for his birthday and we had a wonderful lunch. Today was my wife’s birthday and looking for something with polished and quiet ambiance led me back to here for a lunch meal. It’s about a 40 minute drive for us.

Once again the ambience is delightful and the service is polished. The linens are pressed; the bathroom spotless. Glasses are sparkling and the wall art takes one to an Italian restaurant for sure. Only two other couples were present.

We started with a Caesar salad and an order of stuffed clams in a garlic sauce. The salad was crisp and fresh with a pleasant Caesar dressing—-albeit lacking in garlic “punch” and acidity which are two biggies that “make” a Caesar salad to me! The stuffed clams were a flop for me. I ate two and struggled even with those. My wife ate the other three and said “just okay.” Would not order again. They just had a weird flavor that I can’t even pinpoint.

Entrees arrived; Lasagna for me and Lobster stuffed raviolis for my wife. The presentation was nice and thought we were off to the races! I love a good lasagna, especially with fresh pasta. I make them often. I kind of consider it my “litmus test” when visiting an Italian restaurant. This was marginal with no pizazz whatsoever. ($22). The lobster raviolis were decent but very forgettable ($24).

Little things: the three packets of butter in foil sent a lame message; a place of this “caliber” can do better than that. Water glasses never re-filled.

Bottom line: One glass of house wine ($13) brought this lunch to just shy of $100. I’m giving the rating a four mainly due to the ambiance (delightful music playing). I will not rush back as there are no shortage of Italian restaurants in Northern VA.

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By peppyh on April 4, 2025 Verified by Email Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

Excellent, attentive service, authentic Italian food with a great wine selection! Had the branzino which was cooked perfectly, lasagna, veal Marsala & chicken Parmesan. All were happy with their meals!

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By Kimberly Andreassen on March 27, 2025 Verified by Google 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 :)

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By Sigit Priyanggoro on March 19, 2025 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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

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By Paul Meijer on February 25, 2025 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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.

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By Evan Muxen on February 22, 2025 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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.

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By Zach on January 26, 2025 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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.

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By Fahad Aqeel on December 18, 2024 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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.

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By Mark Orebiyi on November 26, 2024 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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.

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By Randi Lebron on November 2, 2024 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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.

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By Sky YANG on September 16, 2024 Verified by Google Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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.

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By davidkB2277UE on August 16, 2024 Verified by Email Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano

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!

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