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    Nicola's Ristorante

    4.2 (511 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Nicola's Ristorante Photos

    NICOLA'S RISTORANTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Intimate
    Classy

    Recommended Reviews - Nicola's Ristorante

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    Apurba B.

    We had the good fortune to try Nicola's last night and holy moly, we might be in love. As a couple who has tried Restaurant Week in 3 different cities- Milwaukee, Chicago and Cincinnati, this might be a unique instance where they had their BEST SELLERS on the Cincinnati Restaurant Week menu. We absolutely loved the gnocchi, the braised lamb, the mussels and scallop. Need to go back there ASAP to try their full menu. Thank you Elle for the hospitality

    Halibut
    Oneya O.

    Nicola's offers a delightful experience that I don't enjoy nearly often enough! Recently, I had the opportunity to bring an out of town guest and Nicola's duly impressed her. The service was impeccable. Our water glasses were never less than half full and we constantly had everything we needed. On the server's recommendation, I had the Nero Noce cocktail which was smooth and warming. Foodwise, we began with the eggplant parmigiana, which I hadn't had before but won't neglect in the future. There's a reason why it's a menu staple; that smoky pomodoro sauce belongs on everything! I continued with a half portion of the famous gnocchi and the halibut. Not large portions but amazing cuisine. From the chandeliers to the white tablecloths, Nicola's just feels special. I'm so glad the food, drinks, and service are truly worthy of the setting.

    April B.

    This was an elegant and delightful dining experience. We were seated in a private corner upstairs. Service was excellent with great recommendations, understand and accommodating of dietary restrictions, an so attentive. They offer a special gluten free bread service-it's not only delicious but beautiful too. Request it right away as it takes 20 minutes to prep. Everything we had was perfect.

    Half portion: Potato Gnocchi
    Jaclyne A.

    It felt like dining in Europe, with service that allowed the group I was with to sit and talk for hours. The kindest servers & hosts, food that was worth dreaming about, and an atmosphere that was cozy and inviting for such sweet conversations!

    Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese
    Larry H.

    We came in for their special Mother's Day menu. First time dining here, and we were not disappointed. Initially we were seated inside the restaurant, but they happily accommodated my wife request to eat out on their patio, which is very nice! For our appetizer, my wife tried their roasted mushroom soup, which she loved, and I tried their baked oysters. I'm not a huge oyster lover, but these were very good. We both ordered their Tagliatelle Bolognese. Off the hook good! Our server shared with us that Monday evenings are Bolo Monday, and I would say that is worth the price. Both of us tried the tiramisu for dessert - it was excellent. High marks for the food and service. They were both fantastic. We will be back!

    Risotto
    Jennifer J.

    We had a reservation and got a fantastic table outside for our group of 7. The appetizers came quickly but the drinks took some time. I waited 15 min for my martini and so did a couple of people who ordered wine. We waited 25 minutes for our desserts and asked a couple of different people if they were coming. We got there at 530 and it took nearly 3 hours for us to eat due to the slower service.

    Halibut
    Craig K.

    Food was nice but I ordered a high end bourbon that was served in a glass that was hot from the dishwasher. I asked the server for ice and was given a fresh glass but that did not correct the issue of the warm bourbon . This is unacceptable for this class of restaurant and mandatory 20% tip on a large party.

    Taylor R.

    Amazing upscale dining option for a date night, celebration, girls night, you name it. We went with some friends and everyone ordered something different! We got the bread variety which was delicious and a round of drinks. The espresso martini was one of the best in Cincinnati - very espresso forward and not too sweet. I ordered the Hard Thymes and it was so refreshing and light. For your main - you cannot go wrong with the gnocchi or the bolognese! Already craving their espresso martini and bolognese...

    Tiramisu
    Anna O.

    One of the more higher end Italian restaurants in Cincinnati. This has been on my list for awhile and finally got to try it out. It sure did not dissappoint. The servers were very professional and welcoming. Their truffle gnocchi was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The bolognese was rich and flavorful and paired well with their selections of homemade bread. My favorite was the presentation of the tiramisu, I will definitely be back for more!

    Menu
    Anna Y.

    Went to Nicola's for a friend dinner anniversary and it was great. Our server Maddie was really nice and helped with great recommendations! Would love to come back and check out their bolo Monday!

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    1 month ago

    Tonight's special!! Bolognese!!!! Highly recommend!! The guy Bartender, April 6th! Excellent service!! I'll be back!!

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    4 months ago

    The food, service and atmosphere are always above grade. One of my top 5 restaurants in the city!

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    Poor service. Charged for items I didn't order. Apparently computer system overrides common sense.

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    Page 1 of 13

    Nicola's Ristorante Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nicola's Ristorante

    Are there vegan friendly options?

    Don't do it. Our vegetarian asked for a vege pasta dish and it was, quite literally, overcooked Barilla pasta with watery Campbell's soup dumped on it. My advice: steer clear.

    Do they still do Bolo mondays?

    Yep! $15 for bolognese and it includes a salad. Great deal! Delicious!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Pepp & Dolores

    Pepp & Dolores

    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    0.3 miOver-the-Rhine
    $$

    We had an unforgettable experience at Pepp & Dolores last night. It's rare that a restaurant…read moremanages to combine incredible food with such genuine, heartfelt hospitality. My husband and I went to dinner for our 10 year anniversary after a very difficult week for our family, and we were honestly too emotionally drained to make decisions. Our server, Jasmine, kindly took the reins and chose our meal for us -- which turned out to be the best decision we could have made. Every single dish she brought out was phenomenal. We started with the artichokes, arancini, and whipped ricotta -- each one better than the last. Then came the lemon pasta, spicy vodka pasta, shrimp, spaghetti and meatballs, and veal scallopini. Everything was absolutely delicious and clearly made with so much care. By the end we were so full we couldn't even attempt dessert. What made the evening truly special, though, was the kindness of the team. Levi, the GM, went so far out of his way to make us feel cared for and welcomed during a moment when we really needed it. The warmth and compassion we experienced there meant more than I can adequately put into words. Restaurants often talk about hospitality, but the team at Pepp & Dolores truly embodies it. Thanks for an evening we will never forget.

    Our servers Gina and Chloe were amazing! Very tentative and had great recommendations and banter!…read moreWill definitely be asking for them every time we come back! Can't forget how amazing the food always is here as well.

    Photos
    Pepp & Dolores
    Pepp & Dolores
    Pepp & Dolores

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    Sotto - Cappellacci

    Sotto

    4.6(1.8k reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown
    $$$

    Took a chance on getting into Sotto tonight. Drove down there and put ourselves on the waitlist for…read morethe bar. Love walking down those steps, waiting for your eyes to adjust, while knowing you're somewhere special. Luckily, after not too long of a wait we were seated!! We had the most amazing bartenders, Trevor was fantastic! They all were. We had another absolutely out of this world meal. Love their oil packed tuna, their bistecca fiorentina and the pappardelle al cinghiale!! Unfortunately, we had no room for dessert so we're going to have to go back again to eat more. Haha Oh and we actually tried their Blue Oven bread for the first time and it was incredible. What a fabulous restaurant! So lucky to have it here in Cincinnati! We don't even miss La Normandie anymore!

    First time in Cincinnati -- dined at Sotto the evening after the Flying Pig Half…read more I went solo and sat at the bar. The ambiance is intimate and very dim, mostly candlelit. It's a nice vibe, though definitely on the darker side. I ordered the black kale salad, cappellacci (short rib, shallot, thyme), and the branzino. * The kale salad was solid, but a bit heavy on the pecorino. * The cappellacci was decent, though the accompanying elements didn't quite work for me. * The branzino was cooked well, but overall the dish didn't stand out in flavor. In general, the food felt underwhelming for the price. My bill was around $100, and I didn't feel the quality or flavor justified it. Some dishes came across a bit muted -- not sure if that's the intended style, but it didn't land for me. Parking in the area was also a bit inconvenient. Overall: great ambiance, but the food didn't meet expectations for the cost. I probably wouldn't return.

    Photos
    Sotto - Inside (but better lighted)

    Inside (but better lighted)

    Sotto - Cacio e Pepe

    Cacio e Pepe

    Sotto - Sotto Ricotta Donuts

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    Sotto Ricotta Donuts

    Boca - Beef Wellington

    Boca

    4.5(714 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown
    $$$$

    We had an exceptional dinner at Boca! First off, big shout out to Seth, who is really wonderful…read more Secondly, to Katie, and lastly, to every other person who stopped at our table. Everybody, each member of the staff was fantastic. The pomme soufflés are out of this world. They are such a treat. We always love their Hamachi, specially, when they have it with the grapefruit and slivers of jalapeños. Right now they have a truffle Hamachi, which was really fabulous as well. Their foie gras torchon is also exceptional. We cannot wait for them to bring back the cod in buerre Blanc sauce. But last night we opted for the hamburger, which is quite the treat there. If you are a bourbon drinker, you should try their buffalo trace single barrel right now. My husband thought it was more delicious than most other buffalo trace, more of a cherry and vanilla hint. Anyway, we had a perfect night.

    We came as a group on Friday night, we were all excited as this seems to be the place to go in…read moreCincy. After our dinner, none of us get the hype. The location and venue are super cool, beautifully decorated and super interesting. The service is also impeccable, our server Lindsey was very knowledgeable and the rest of the staff seemed to care for patrons to ensure they had a great experience. However, our final bill came to over 900$ and none of us were impressed by the food. I understand fine dining is not going to be large portions, but 1 small scallop and 1 Brussels sprout for 32$ is insane. The rest of the dishes were fine, but in the same way they were very small for insane prices. The pommes soufflés are just French fries. There are so many better places in the city that you're not going to spend this kind of money and get such disappointing food.

    Photos
    Boca
    Boca - Halibut

    Halibut

    Boca - Œufs mayonnaise

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    Œufs mayonnaise

    Via Vite

    Via Vite

    4.0(827 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Luxury

    We made a reservation for the Chef's Experience, which lets you sit by the open kitchen and watch…read morethe staff prepare the dishes. My 10 year old was really excited about it. Our reservation was at 7:30 and we arrived around 7:25. When we got there I noticed the table near the chef's counter was still occupied, but we weren't too concerned since the party already had their to-go bags on the table. About 15 minutes passed and they ended up ordering dessert (slowly), so it became clear they weren't leaving anytime soon. The manager offered us a different table and apologized, but Lola had been really looking forward to the chef's seating since that's specifically what we reserved. In the end we waited about an hour, which was frustrating, especially since the other party could clearly see we were waiting. Overall it was an awkward situation to be in. That said, the staff handled the situation very kindly. The manager offered Lola a tour of the kitchen and the chance to meet the chef. My daughter was a little nervous and wanted me to go with her, but it seemed like the invitation was meant just for her and they didn't want adults in the kitchen (I get it!). The manager noticed she was scared and took her hand and walked her through the kitchen which made my daughter feel at ease. It was a thoughtful gesture and they were incredibly apologetic the whole time. Again, it was just an awkward situation overall. Plus we were starving. The food, however, was fantastic. The pasta was made from scratch and tasted incredibly fresh. The eggplant parmigiana was excellent, and I especially loved the "Via-misu." Despite the long wait, the staff was so kind and apologetic that it actually made us want to come back and try the experience again.

    After nearly 20 years, Via Vite still delivers. I'm between 4 and 5 stars here. Maybe another…read moregood visit will bump it to the next level. Our table had the short rib pappardelle and the lasagne. Generally agreed that there was a little too much bechamel with the lasagne, but the short rib pappardelle was fantastic. We had the prosciutto service, focaccia and the arancini for starters, and all were excellent. The Caesar salad was a little watery - like the lettuce was washed but not really dried. Our server (I think Beth) was perfect. Attentive, well versed in the menu, and quickly resolved a minor issue with the check very helpfully. The rest of the team was great too. If it was just for service, it would be 5 stars for sure. I look forward to returning!

    Photos
    Via Vite - The view from the chef's table

    The view from the chef's table

    Via Vite - Seafood Risotto

    Seafood Risotto

    Via Vite - Closing time so no patrons, still took great care of us.

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    Closing time so no patrons, still took great care of us.

    The Davidson - Pork chop with kale and squash

    The Davidson

    4.4(191 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown
    $$$

    We celebrated my parents' anniversary tonight. The staff was so gracious with changes we needed to…read moremake to our reservation. We had great service at the bar and at our table. They allowed us to bring our own cake. They brought it out on a cake stand for pictures and then took it in the back to cut and serve it to us. They also had a card on the table for my parents. It was a wonderful celebration. Dishes that we tried tonight that were new to us: Mushroom Bisque - 8/10 Bread and Butter - 7/10 Burger - 6/10 Scallops - 7/10 Cannelloni - 8/10 Coffee - 5/10 Our favorites remain the fries with the delicious sauce 10/10 and the vodka rigatoni 10/10. Best smelling bathrooms in the city. Love the house wine, the bar, the patio, and the service!

    The Davidson is a elegant spot across from Fountain Square. I've been here twice with my family to…read morecelebrate Mother's Day and they have made each occasion feel special with their kindness. The first time we went they gave flowers to all the women for Mother's Day. This time though they're weren't flowers, they were very accommodating. My grandmother had an issue with her food, they remade the entire meal though it did take a while they gave her a treat for the long wait. The server and manager were very friendly and apologetic for the inconvenience. The food is 7-8/10. It always comes out fresh and plated nicely. I ordered their chicken sandwich and that was good! My family shared a lot of our entrees, I feel their poultry and seafood are their best. The pork chop though tender, wasn't incredibly tasty. I have not tried a beef dish. The dessert was delicious! The manager recommended eating the pan a cotta and pan de crème together and that was soooo good! It was a nice, light dessert but very tasty! I would definitely recommend trying it

    Photos
    The Davidson - The Davidson, with a chocolate, olive, paprika, and gold color palette, was quite inviting.

    The Davidson, with a chocolate, olive, paprika, and gold color palette, was quite inviting.

    The Davidson - Scallops

    Scallops

    The Davidson - Espresso Martini (look at the detail)

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    Espresso Martini (look at the detail)

    Scotti's Italian Restaurant - Salad - comes with entree

    Scotti's Italian Restaurant

    3.4(236 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown
    $$

    I've been here a VERY long time ago and remembered it being so good! The bruschetta was hands down…read moremy fave appetizer and the spaghetti & meatballs were fire! It's still awesome till this day! My Mr has never been here so he booked a reservation surprise for my 50th birthday (9 friends were invited). When you walk in, it takes you back in time. You feel like you're in Italy. Love the Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, the mosaic walls and old school pictures from back in the day. This is a family restaurant passed down from generations. And been here for over 70 years! Now that's respect! Omg! The menu is super huge! You better come here with an empty stomach because you will get what you pay for. They have everthing Italian you can think of. Except for pizza. Me and my Mr ordered: Bottle of Banfi Centine Toscana Rosso Spaghetti ala pasquale Canneloni lombardi You get a side salad and Minestrone with your meal. The food was on point! Homemade everything and made with love. The spaghetti had great flavor and love the soup that came with it! The Rosso (wine) went so well with the meal. My Mr and all my friends enjoyed their meals. They give so much food that we had to take some home. What an awesome experience! The service was excellent and the food was delicious. If you want authentic Italian food and love nostalgia, you have to check this place out. You will not be disappointed! I promise!

    Took a chance on Scotti's before a play, no reservations but were welcomed right in. This is the…read morecutest place, small but enough room to do what's needed. The absolute star of the show was the minestrone soup, it was amazing. The meals come with soup, salad and bread. I had the shrimp scampi with garlic bread

    Photos
    Scotti's Italian Restaurant
    Scotti's Italian Restaurant - Minestrone soup.

    Minestrone soup.

    Scotti's Italian Restaurant

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    Nicola's Ristorante - italian - Updated May 2026

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