Zucco

The story

Zucco Italian Dining in Leeds | A Family Legacy in Meanwood

The family behind the counter

Zucco in Leeds serves seasonal Italian cooking rooted in the traditions of the Leggiero family. Brothers Michael and Rosario originally opened the venue after accumulating over fifty years of combined hospitality experience, with Michael guiding the kitchen and Rosario managing guest relations. This steady commitment to quality earned the venue a recent Good Food Guide recognition, validating a multi-generational operation where sons Matteo and Joe now assist with daily service.

Seasonal Italian cooking

The kitchen builds its menu around what arrives fresh each day, though classic staples remain firmly on the board for regular guests. Diners typically order four to seven sharing plates designed for two people, allowing the team to showcase techniques drawn from the south of the country and beyond. Standout preparations include spaghetti with polpette, salt cod ravioli finished with sage and white wine, and chargrilled octopus served alongside saffron potatoes. Sweet endings lean toward traditional Italian classics like ricotta-filled cannoli and house-made gelati.

Bacaro-style atmosphere

Inspired by London’s bacaro eateries, the dining room features high stools, subway-tiled walls, and black-and-white chequerboard floors beneath a copper-panel ceiling with dangling filament bulbs. Guests gather around this animated space to share drinks from a rotating selection of regional wines and crafted cocktails. The layout encourages conversation and leisurely pacing, matching the restaurant’s focus on relaxed aperitivo spirit.