Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

4.7

1076 Reviews

$50 and over

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 21, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 30 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Lively
Great for fine wines

Zanti presents authentic Italian cuisine in a high-end casual atmosphere. Contemporary décor will combine with a charming outdoor patio, bar lounge area, pizza station and lively dining room. Handmade pasta, prepared daily in our kitchen and our gleaming brick oven, in which we will bake pizza, piadinas and select main dishes, will add to the unique vibrancy of Zanti. It is a place to feel yourself among friends and enjoy the beauty of the Italian experience.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Mon, Tue 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Wed, Thu 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(281) 378-4890
Website
https://www.zanticucina.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Hilario Zamora
Private party facilities
www.zanticucina.com

Location
1958 W Gray St suite 101, Houston, TX 77019-4816
Neighborhood
River Oaks
Cross street
Driscoll St
Parking details
Valet
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

Zanti RO power lunch
$35.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Enjoy a three course lunch for $35. Choose from a list of appetizers, entrees and dessert. This menu includes ice tea or soft drink (not bottle water). Service is not included.
Pre theatre menu $55
$55.00 per person
Multiple dates available
3 course meal before the theatre. · First Course · Cacio & Pepe Salad Minestrone Soup Arancini Shrimp Ceviche · Second Course · Chicken Piccata Margherita Pizza True Cheese Ravioli Flank Steak · Third Course · Panna Cotta Homemade Gelato Sorbete

Popular dishes

Imported selection of cheeses and meats, served with rustic Pugliese grilled bread, honeycomb, Marcona almonds, Cerignola olives and truffle stracciatella spread. Meat: Prosciutto di Parma, Golfetta Salame, Sopressata Calabrese Piccante, Coppa or Speck Affumicato. Cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano, Fior d' Arancio, Pantaleo, Sapore del Piave or Trillium

Piccolo$28.00
2 meats and 1 cheese
Medio$38.00
3 meats and 2 cheese
Grande$58.00
4 meats and 3 cheese

Antipasti

Black Truffle Beef Tartare$28.00
hand-cut beef tenderloin, truffle oil, sun-dried tomatoes, celery, Parmigiano Reggiano, capers, parsley, arugula and Dijon lemon dressing
Burrata Caprese$19.00
burrata cheese, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, pesto, roasted pistachios and Maldon sea salt
Duo di Tonno
yellowfin tuna tartare and carpaccio, preserved lemon, fried capers, baby heirloom tomatoes and lemon dressing
Eggplant Parmigiana$13.00
eggplant, melted mozzarella cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil and pomodoro
Fritto Misto Mediterraneo$26.00
calamari, shrimp and artichokes, fried, served with arrabbiata, garlic aioli and grilled lemon
Mediterranean Hummus$13.00
chickpea spread, Kalamata and Cerignola olives, mint, extra virgin olive oil and Sardinian Carasau bread
Mussels alla Tarantina$25.00
pomodoro sauce, peperoncino and white wine
Octopus Carpaccio$24.00
fennel, heirloom cherry tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette
Scampi Aglio Olio & Peperoncino$24.00
grilled shrimp, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, peperoncino, lemon zest, parsley and grilled lemon
Zanti Artichoke$18.00
artichoke hearts, pancetta, sundried tomatoes, basil, white wine and stracciatella cheese

Insalate & Soup

Artichoke & Roasted Beets$18.00
goat cheese mousse, crispy quinoa, micro celery and oregano vinaigrette
Cacio & Pepe Salad$16.00
baby lettuce, 25-year-old balsamic vinegar, Cacio cheese & pepper dressing and Parmigiano Reggiano
Frutti di Mare Soup$21.00
mussel, clam, baby scallop, shrimp, squid, pomodoro sauce, peperoncino, garlic, white wine and grilled Pugliese bread
Tuna Salad$32.00
seared yellowfin tuna, baby kale, baby arugula, coriander, avocado, Parmigiano Reggiano, red onion, fennel, Maldon sea salt and lemon vinaigrette

Pizze Napoletane

Lobster$38.00
white Parmesan sauce, mozzarella, lobster meat, garlic and basil
Margherita$21.00
mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil
Napoletan Pork$25.00
mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, dried oregano and fresh basil
Pesto & Salame Golfetta$25.00
pesto sauce, mozzarella, salame golfetta, roasted pistachios and stracciatella cheese
Piadina Napoletana$23.00
Chef selection of charcuterie meat, truffle stracciatella cheese, baby arugula and extra virgin olive oil
Prosciutto di Parma$24.00
mozzarella, baby arugula and prosciutto
Stefano$28.00
mushroom cream sauce, mozzarella, smoked speck, stracciatella and white truffle oil
Testarossa$28.00
white Parmesan sauce, mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, baby arugula, crispy pancetta, blue cheese and white truffle oil

Pesci e Carni

Braised Lamb Ossobuco$48.00
served with Parmigiano Reggiano risotto
Branzino Baked in Sea Salt$76.00
32 oz fresh Mediterranean Branzino, extra virgin olive oil and grilled vegetables
Chicken Paillard$26.00
thinly pounded grilled chicken breast, baby arugula, heirloom tomatoes and grilled lemon
Halibut alla Sarda$46.00
seared Halibut, zucchini, bell peppers, parsley, crispy prosciutto, garlic and pasta fregola
Lamb T-Bone & Chops$52.00
mint and pea sauce, sautéed seasonal mushrooms, roasted red peppers and crispy brussels sprout
Piedmont Beef Filet$54.00
grilled 8 oz beef filet, creamy mashed potatoes, charred onion and sautéed Chiodini mushrooms
Rib Eye Tagliata$56.00
sliced 14 oz rib eye, arugula, baby cherry heirloom tomatoes, crispy potatoes, Parmesan cheese and mustard demi-glace
Saffron Scallops$42.00
seared scallops with saffron and asparagus risotto
Salmon Acqua Pazza$34.00
kalamata olives, baby heirloom tomatoes, basil, white wine, asparagus and capers
Seafood Cioppino$42.00
shrimp, scallops and mussels, garlic, peperoncino, thyme, heirloom tomatoes, white wine and pomodoro sauce

Homemade Pasta

Beef Ravioli$28.00
braised beef ravioli, sage, red wine and Parmigiano Reggiano
Black Truffle Tagliolini$58.00
butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, truffle oil and fresh black truffle
Gnocchi ai Funghi Silvestri$23.00
roasted mixed mushrooms, cream, garlic and parsley
Pappardelle al Ragú di Ossobuco$34.00
shredded braised veal ossobuco, saffron, pomodoro and Parmigiano Reggiano
Rigatoni All'amatriciana$22.00
guanciale, pomodoro sauce, peperoncino and Parmigiano Reggiano
Tagliatelle Bolognese$24.00
Bolognese sauce and parmesan cheese
Tagliolini Frutti di Mare$31.00
squid ink black tagliolini, shrimp, calamari, scallops, mussels, clams, garlic, peperoncino, white wine, basil and pomodoro sauce
Tagliolini Lobster$48.00
white wine saffron lobster sauce
Truffle Cheese Ravioli$26.00
fontina, Taleggio and Parmigiano Reggiano, homemade cheese ravioli in a truffle Parmesan creamy sauce

Alla Griglia

Bistecca alla Fiorentina$148.00
42 oz Prime Porterhouse served tableside
Costata di Manzo$84.00
grilled 22 oz prime Cowboy

Contorni

Brussels Sprout$10.00
fried brussels sprout with Italian saba balsamic vinegar
Crispy Potatoes$10.00
garlic, rosemary, thyme and olive oil
Sage Polenta & Seasonal Mushroom$12.00
Wild Mushrooms$14.00
mix of wild mushrooms, sautéed with olive oil, whole roasted garlic, rosemary and parsley

What 1,076 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks offers an inviting ambiance with "beautiful interiors" and a lively atmosphere. Guests rave about the "excellent food" and "amazing service," highlighting dishes like truffle pasta and desserts like TORTINO DI LATTE BRUCIATO. Despite occasional noise, the restaurant promises a memorable dining experience.

1,076 Reviews

E
Eric
Houston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our daughter had an amazing time. The food was amazing, especially the truffle pasta. The wait staff was excellent. Thank y’all for making our daughter’s birthday so memorable.
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded today
Thank you for celebrating your daughter's special day with us, Eric! We're delighted to hear that she had an amazing time and that you all enjoyed the food, especially the truffle pasta. It’s so great to know that our wait staff helped make her birthday so memorable. We look forward to welcoming you back for more celebrations in the future!
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T
Tiffany
VIP
Houston
57 reviews
5.0
57 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We sat at the bar because we came earlier than our reservation and no seats were available. Aaron was a wonderful waiter made great suggestions and provided excellent service. It was my second time here. We had the meatballs they definately needed more seasoning. The fried calamari shrimp etc were good. My husband had steak and risotto was good i had the black ink seafood pasta it was really good. Cocktails were great as well. Will definitely go again.
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D
David
VIP
Houston
11 reviews
3.0
11 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The food and service was great as always, however on this visit I noticed a 3% surcharge for using my credit card. None of the other restaurants in the area all of which I have dined at have this surcharge. The Berg Group tried that tactic and lost so much business and had such negative feed back that they removed. I would rather you raise your prices than add a surcharge for using a credit card, as if I would have to go to a bank withdraw several hundred dollars just to pay for dinner. As long as you continue with the surcharge I will not dine at Zanti!
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C
Callum
VIP
Houston
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Service wasn’t great. Asked for a kids menu twice (3yr old child) and after 20 minutes had to go to the front and get one myself. Drinks orders were forgotten about.
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K
Karen
Kansas City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 13, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Zanti Cucina delivered an unforgettable dining experience that deserves every one of its five stars. From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting ambiance set the tone for an exceptional evening. The decor perfectly balances modern sophistication with cozy charm, creating an atmosphere that’s both elegant and relaxed. The service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu, offering excellent recommendations Zanti Cucina is a true gem and a must-visit for anyone who appreciates outstanding Italian cuisine, impeccable service, and an ambiance that makes you want to linger long after the last bite. I can’t wait to return!
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded 5 days ago
"Thank you so much for your kind review, Karen! We’re thrilled to hear that the ambiance made your evening enjoyable and that the service stood out with attentiveness and care. It’s wonderful to know how much you appreciated the cuisine and overall experience. We look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable visit soon!"
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T
Thomas
Houston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 13, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The lobster pizza was a unique mix of culinary cuisine. Combining seafood and italian into one world.
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded 5 days ago
Thank you so much for your kind review, Thomas! We’re so glad to hear that the lobster pizza stood out to you—it’s one of those dishes we love seeing guests enjoy. Your kind words mean a lot, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to try more of our creations soon!
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C
Christy
VIP
Amarillo
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on January 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food, wine, and cocktails were incredible. The bartender was our waiter and he gave the best service we have probably ever had anywhere! He was very knowledgeable about the food and drink options, and gave great pairing recommendations. The ambiance was wonderful and the meal was outstanding. This was a wonderful experience and we will be back soon!
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded on January 7, 2025
Thank you for the glowing review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the food, drinks, and ambiance, and that our bartender provided such exceptional service. We look forward to welcoming you back for another wonderful experience soon!
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j
jamie
VIP
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious! Great food and good service. No complaints
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded on January 7, 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the food and service. We can’t wait to welcome you back again soon!
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C
Claire
VIP
Houston
55 reviews
5.0
55 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful restaurant with delicious food. We started with a charcuterie board and the Black Truffle Beef Tartare which was very delicious. My husband had the Black Truffle Tagliolini which was delish. I had the Chicken Picatta which was a little dry and my son had the Bolognese which he loved. For dessert we had the TORTINO DI LATTE BRUCIATO which was amazing! Cocktails were also very good. We will definitely be back.
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded on January 7, 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed the ambiance, delicious dishes, and cocktails. We appreciate your feedback on the Chicken Picatta and are thrilled to hear the rest of your meal, especially the dessert, was a hit. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
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J
Jeri
VIP
Houston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We had a wonderful experience. The food was delicious. My husband had the steak. I had the lobster and pasta. The lobster was a little tough and overcooked, but the pasta was so delicious. I didn’t mind. We also had the calamari and shrimp appetizer, which was delicious Our service was excellent We will definitely be back
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded on January 7, 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed the food, especially the pasta and appetizers, and that the service was excellent. We appreciate your feedback on the lobster and will share it with our team. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
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FAQs

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (281) 378-4890.

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks is rated 4.7 stars by 1076 OpenTable diners.