Reviews of Cafe Murano

I treated myself and a friend to birthday lunch there.What can a say the best £54.15 excluding service I have spent in a long time.We weren't drinking so expect to pay closer to the £85 mark if you are..Just the right amount of service as well.

Took a group of eight to Zucca Fri 6 July for a special celebration. The food was exceptional, accompanied by wines the sommelier chose for us. Deep fried squash with sage to share, raw sea bass and raw trout with shaved fennel were outstanding, then roast cod, divine grilled cuttlefish with lentils, a perfect veal chop, calves liver with caramelised shallots, wicked chocolate cake, red currant granita and roast apricots. There was more. All I can say is it was extraordinarily reasonable given the calibre of the food and I cannot wait to go back again.

After reading so many enthusiastic reviews,we finally tried Zucca. The food was indeed excellent but the overall experience was mixed. The service was okay, but not overly friendly or professional. And, given the price, some of the portions were pretty sparse. For example, a main course ravioli (for £15!) had less than 10 small cubes. Perhaps they were running out, but then they should have said it was off the menu. So - would we go again? Perhaps for a special occasion, but it's a shame that the overall feel was rather "hit and miss".

they still serving good food but the place is noisy and way too smelly.

Enjoyed another delicious dinner on Friday 11 November at Zucca. It was busy but that only added to the buzzy ambience. We started with the signature dish of zucca fritti as well as octopus, together with all the home made bread, made a meal in itself. Main courses of pasta with pheasant and pork saltibocca were very good. We just about managed to find room for dessert - expresso cake (which was listed as walnut by the waiter but tasted of coffee) and almond tart were delicious. Three courses plus wine for under £60 for 2 people is not bad value in central London.

Having booked 2 months ago to get a table, the anticipation of Zucca was high.

Everything was faultless - the welcome, the service, the food and the presentation.

Packed on a Thursday night, not cheap but well worth the money. A great place to go for a special dinner

no need for lots of detail in this review just to say that Zucca sets the standard for others to aspire towards. Truly authentic Italian flavors, excellent attention to detail, superior service. Why bother with Zizzi or Strada with Zucca nearby.

All,

I have recently been to ZUCCA to eat their Italian-inspired (and cooked!) food.

And boy, that (food) did not disappoint! From the DELICIOUS foccacia to the DELICIOUS risotto, these guys know how to do Italian!

The best thing about it is that it does not cost too much money - which, in these recession-hit times, is all-important - let's face it!

So if you like DELICIOUS Italian food at a price that is not as bad as it could be, and if you live near, then head to ZUCCA and give them a try. "Molto bella!"

"If in doubt - ask Winston out!"

Winston

We know a lot of people who have been to Zucca and I've received mixed feedbacks, from bad service to good food. I must admit the wine lists alone is a treat.. Been there a few times and had always met expectations (now that doesn't mean to say it was fabulous!). Food is average to good but rather expensive.. But they always tried to accommodate us even though we had not made reservations and its always full there.. worth a visit,,,

Went there last night for our third wedding anniversary. The food was fantastic, particularly the handmade pasta with mushrooms. Great wine list, too.

I don't know if they've been a victim of their own success, but in contrast to other reviewers, we found the service utterly hopeless. We had to ask twice for several things and the waitress misheard our order for both the pasta and the pudding (I think she was Italian, but the problem could have been avoided by repeating back to us what she thought we'd ordered).

It's also got a canteeny style so very noisy in there - possibly not the best choice for a romantic anniversary dinner.

And, my, haven't they crammed the tables in! I was actually grazing arms with the person at the next table throughout the meal.

Bright, airy restaurant, attentive well informed staff, delicious food. We had clams and shrimp pasta to start and squid & samphire for mains washed down with a bottle Fiano di Avellino, rounded off with a very good piece of pistachio nut cake and a glass of vin santo

Had dinner at Zucca last night - a fantastic addition to the area. Everything a good local restaurant should be: bright, friendly, good value and buzzing. The staff were great, genuinely friendly and very helpful with the menu. The food was very well presented and cheap for the portion size. I think that this place highlights the mediocrity of some other establishments on Bermondsey Street (a flat, lifeless glass of Prosecco served in Village East by a moody uninterested barman before our meal for example).

I've eaten my way all up and down Bermondsey Street over the past few years, and this is the single best meal I can remember having in that time. Excellent rabbit and pancetta salad to start. My piece of grilled salmon was a deliberately safe choice, but it was probably the best piece of grilled salmon I have ever eaten. Mrs ABC's pork chop was tremendous also. Unfortunately didn't have a chance to get stuck into the wine list. You apparently need to book a week ahead to get in for an evening meal at the moment, and I think that's completely justified. Get down there before the prices go up. The very best of luck to the owners!

Dined with my friends on Saturday evening, who are very discerning diners & Italianophiles who had flown in from Tuscany. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal - from the pre dinner prosecco through to the rhubarb & almond tart (very generous size portion & completely heavenly!). The excellent home made breads have already been mentioned by previous reviewers. The all Italian wine list was a very good selection. What was very exciting about Zucca was sitting next to the open kitchen, and hearing Sam (owner & head chef) calling out the orders to his 2 female sous-chefs, and seeing the girls deliver impeccable plates of food. I will definitely be back!

I went there yesterday with my friend. We had a wonderful time. The staff was very friendly and helpful. My salad with hazelnuts, rocket, pancetta and rabbit was delicious and the portion very generous!
We both had fish for mains. The sea bass and the halibut were very well done even if I could have had more fish (it was so good).
I would also recommend the caramel ice cream and the tart with frangipane and rhubarb looked very tasty (I was not allowed to sample).
We wanted to go back on Monday but they are not open on that day. Will be back soon.

We had dinner for 2 at Zucca last night. Very busy and a bit too noisy for my liking. But the food was superb and amazing value: beautiful home-made bread, fun starters (deep-fried 'zucca' and rabbit salad), superb veal chop, delicious panna cotta. The food is unfussy but perfectly cooked and seasoned.
Starters are £3/£4. Main courses are £12/£13 although pasta is cheaper. Service was brisk. Will definitely go back.
No connection, etc...Just a happy customer!

I'm thrilled to have Zucca on Bermondsey Street. We paid a visit a few days after opening. Admittedly the room was a little empty (and cold with a draught from the door), but the food, wine and service was spot on. Our spaghetti came with generous portions of seafood at a very reasonable price. I keep thinking about it! I'm looking forward to paying a second visit very soon.

Zucca is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.On our visit the food was pleasant and presented without fuss.The restaurant was mostly empty,so the atmosphere was a little lacking.
Contrary to what was stated by the previous reviewer,the chef is italian.
The owner is an ex River Cafe' employee.
We will certainly visit this restaurant again

Italian restaurants in London just keep getting better - and more reasonably priced too (no extra charges for veg etc). We didn't have a single duff dish, and they even allowed us to have a little taster plate each of one of the pastas. The menu isnt huge but thats how they keep the quality. We have lived in Milan and Rome and really this is as good as many of our favourite spots in Italy - but that means its interesting combinations of Pure uncluttered and well seasoned tasty good food - if you want a bucket of cream in your Carbonara then this isn't for you. We were surprised that the chef was English (almost the only person who was) but less surprising that he is ex River Cafe. The ultra plain decor does mean that if get there early it takes a while for the atmosphere to warm up but with the wine so fairly priced that is quickly sorted. Lovely hospitable people too. We weakened and had a glass of excellent Grappa to finish - which kind of ruined the afternoon shopping but then thats what weekends are for.

I went to Zucca with my partner last week. I had high hopes, I think the place looks great, nice clean décor and I love open kitchens. The staff were very friendly and the place was about 60% full. It had only been open a few days.

I really wanted to like the place as I think the area could do with a fresh, modern, reasonably-priced Italian. The menu was pretty good. Some antipasti, pasta, fish and meat - just like you'd expect. We had some sashimi of sea bass and their signature starter - the Zucca Fritti. The sashimi was quite bland, and needed a good squeeze of lemon and some chilli, not just herb oil. The Zucca Fritti were bland also, and faintly soggy - not great for a signature dish!

For the main course, I had the squid. It was presented at the whole squid, with a pile of rocket. Again, fairly bland, and after chomping through about 3 mouthfuls of this underwater beast on my plate I gave up. As for a pile of rocket - yuck, but that's a personal thing.

My partner had some Sea bass, which was well cooked, but needed flavour and acid. It came with some sloppy aubergines. We left at least half of the meal.

The desert was panna cotta which was nice. Wines - a decent selection, well priced.

I think despite our rather uninspiring experience we will be back. The menu needs some work, and the chefs need to put the dishes together with more emphasis on flavour and complimentary ingredients, but it was very reasonable and it could be due to lack of experience. Please try harder Zucca.