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!
Overview
Marzano Italian Restaurant, located at 516 Garfield St S, Tacoma, WA 98444, offers an authentic Italian dining experience that captures the essence of Italian cuisine with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re craving a taste of Italy in the heart of Tacoma, this cozy eatery might be just what you’re looking for.
Walking into Marzano Italian Restaurant, you’re immediately greeted with a sense of comfort and tradition. The soft lighting and rustic décor set the tone for a meal that feels both casual and special. Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner or a family gathering, the ambiance provides a relaxing backdrop to enjoy your meal.
The menu at Marzano Italian Restaurant showcases a wide variety of classic Italian dishes, each made with fresh ingredients and crafted with care. From homemade pastas to wood-fired pizzas, the options here reflect the true flavors of Italy. A standout favorite among diners is the Spaghetti Bolognese. The rich, slow-cooked meat sauce is perfectly balanced with the al dente pasta, creating a dish that’s both hearty and comforting. For those craving something a bit lighter, the Margherita pizza is a great choice, featuring a thin, crispy crust topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil-simple but incredibly flavorful.
For an appetizer, the bruschetta is a must-try. The toasted bread is topped with a generous helping of diced tomatoes, garlic, and basil, with just the right amount of olive oil drizzled on top. It’s the perfect start to any meal, offering a burst of fresh, tangy flavors that make you excited for what’s to come.
The drink menu at Marzano is also thoughtfully curated. With a selection of wines from various regions of Italy, it pairs beautifully with almost any dish. If you’re not in the mood for wine, the restaurant offers a selection of craft beers and classic cocktails, ensuring there's something for every palate.
One of the standout aspects of Marzano Italian Restaurant is its commitment to quality and authenticity. The ingredients they use are sourced from trusted suppliers, ensuring each dish is made with the best possible products. Whether it’s the hand-stretched dough for their pizzas or the locally sourced vegetables in their salads, you can taste the care and attention to detail in every bite.
Customer reviews often highlight the friendly service and the cozy, intimate atmosphere. It’s not uncommon for guests to rave about the staff’s attentiveness and knowledge of the menu. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular, the staff goes above and beyond to make sure you feel at home.
What sets Marzano Italian Restaurant apart from other Italian spots in the area is their dedication to creating an experience that’s more than just about food. They focus on crafting an environment that encourages conversation, laughter, and enjoyment. The restaurant regularly hosts special events, such as wine pairing dinners and holiday-themed menus, adding a unique touch to their offerings.
If you're looking for a family-friendly spot, Marzano also offers a children's menu that provides a great variety of options for younger diners. The pasta dishes are a favorite, and there’s even a kid-sized Margherita pizza for the little ones to enjoy.
Overall, Marzano Italian Restaurant in Tacoma stands out as a genuine taste of Italy in the Pacific Northwest. With its delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to quality, it’s no wonder that locals and visitors alike keep coming back for more. If you’re ever in the area and craving authentic Italian cuisine, make sure to stop by and see what makes this restaurant so special.
Good to know
From the business
✓ Identifies as women-ownedService options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ No-contact delivery ✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great coffee ✓ Great dessert ✓ Great wine listPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Healthy options ✓ Organic dishes ✓ Small plates ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Gender-neutral toilets ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Cosy ✓ Quiet ✓ Romantic ✓ Trendy ✓ UpmarketCrowd
✓ Groups ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Lunch reservations recommended ✓ Reservations required ✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservations ✓ Usually a waitPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ High chairsParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 1218 reviews
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!
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.
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!
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.