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    Pepp & Dolores

    4.6 (1.2k reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Pepp & Dolores Photos

    PEPP & DOLORES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Pepp & Dolores

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    Gricia and Limone pasta
    Anthony T.

    If you're looking for one of the best Italian spots in Cincinnati, Pepp & Dolores absolutely lives up to the hype. We started with the ricotta and grilled bread, and it was a favorite for our party of six. Creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced with a drizzle of olive oil. Paired with the warm, crispy bread, it was one of those simple dishes done exceptionally well. The veal cutlets were crispy , golden, and super tender, with just the right amount of brightness from the lemon and sauce. For pasta, we went with the gricia and the limone, and both were amazing. The gricia was rich, salty, and packed with flavor from the jowl bacon and cheese, while the limone was lighter, silky, and perfectly balanced with that citrusy kick. You can tell everything is made fresh. Service from Mike was great, super chill guy. The atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to and recommending.

    Nutella and Vanilla gelato swirl
    Sharmeela S.

    We love this place. The arancini is wonderful. The parking is the only downside, but there aew a few lots and garages nearby. The have ice cream but not a full dessert menu. The funghi pasta was excellent. The portions are great for lunch here and if having dinner might get a salad along with the pasta. The pasta quality is top notch. We enjoyed coffee and gelato as well. But the arancini and the pasta dishes are what we will be coming back for hopefully sooner rather than later. This place is consistent, elevated and memorable.

    Crab and Corn  Ravioli
    Marhen L.

    We had such a tasty and enjoyable family dinner. The food tasted fantastic and you can taste the different layers of flavors. Our compliments to the chef. My daughter added that she believes it was the best meatballs she ever had, and she fancies herself a meatball connoisseur. Samantha, our server had such a pleasant attitude and offered great recommendations. The Service was all around. Awesome! Thank you for a great dinner experience tonight.

    Apurba B.

    I had a chance to go back to Pepp last year in August with two of our out of town friends and HOLY MOLY- their food was EPIC!!!ABSOLUTELY loved their hospitality, the ambience was PERFECTION. I am so glad that Pepp is part of the Cincinnati food scene and can't wait for our next Pepp rendezvous

    Pomodoro
    Presley J.

    Absolutely incredible! It's a no brainer for Pepp & Delores to be on the Yelp Top 100 US restaurants for 2026 because it was fantastic! The spicy vodka pasta was great and so was the Pomodoro! We didn't have a reservation but we were able to sit at the bar as a walk in which was great. We had incredible service even with it being extremely busy. We loved the overall vibe of the inside. It's perfect for a date night. I can't wait to go back!

    Nice brow of the patio form Inside
    Dan S.

    Nice vibe in the place, but a bit oversold. An enjoyable meal I had the Sunday Sauce which was very good but frankly the house made pasta was nothing special and over cooked. We really enjoyed the desert the gelato was on point and the additional amaretto cookies was a nice finish. The wait staff was very good and service was excellent.

    Espresso Martini
    Tonya S.

    After a long day of roadtripping, Pepp & Dolores was the time out we needed. An incredible atmosphere that feels small and quaint but gives you enough breathing room to feel comfortable. We were seated at the bar which was perfect because we like being close to what we love. I decided to try one of cocktails on the drink menu, I wasn't too fond of it so I changed course and ordered an espresso martini. It was the best decision I made that day. Scrumptious! I started with an appetizer of meatballs which were delicious and juicy followed by the Lobster pasta. I thought the espresso martini was the best decision I made that day but quickly after taking my first bite of pasta- I knew I was going to have to fight off the urge to lick my plate clean. I had another espresso martini for dessert and my companion and I left Pepp & Dolores thanking whatever Italian food Gods (and the chefs in the kitchen) were responsible for such an incredible meal.

    Baguette with olive oil dip and marinated cucumbers
    Shruthi S.

    I moved from Cincinnati 2 years ago and this place continues to be excellent. My review from 4 years ago stays true. Still consistent and delicious to this day. Every time I come back to this city - P&D is a mandatory visit. Service is amazing. Ambiance is spectacular. A very special place I've shared with special people. Food is top tier and unmatched. Lots of love for this place.

    Kim S.

    When a restaurant makes the list of top restaurants time after time and it takes over a month to get a reservation, there's a high expectation that, unfortunately, Pepp and Dolores didn't meet. That's not to say it wasn't good, we had a good meal and our server was attentive but I just don't see what the hype is. We arrived early, so had a short wait before being led to our window table with lots of natural light and a view out onto the patio. The restaurant itself is casual; from the reviews, I expected it to be more upscale. Since it was our first visit, the server went over the menu and was sure to stress that the pasta is made inhouse and was served al dente (ours wasn't by the way). We ordered drinks; my spritz was very refreshing. For dinner we shared the carpaccio, and for our dinners, the spaghetti with Sunday Sauce and Chicken Scarpariello. The appetizer was good but the entrees fell short; even though the flavors in both were quite good, the chicken was dry and the pasta was overcooked. I don't know if we hit the restaurant on a bad night, but with all the other fantastic restaurants in OTR, I don't think we'll be going back any time soon.

    Dunk bread
    Robert G.

    This is THE spot to visit in Cincinnati. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time because it fills up quickly. I got there earlier than my reservation so I chose to just have dinner at the bar and I'm glad I did because I met a really nice couple who I spoke with and laughed with the duration of my meal. I had dinner here after a Reds game. It was about a 15-20 minute walk from the stadium to the Over-the-Rhine area of town. Pepp and Dolores was such a satisfying dining experience with the delicious food and drinks, the friendly and helpful service, and the welcoming vibe of the place and the people. I split the spicy vodka, dunk bread, grilled shrimp, and meatballs with a friend of mine. Everything was tasty, I wish we had ordered more. I heard from others that their pesto pasta is amazing... I guess next time.

    Menu
    Kim A.

    Pep & Dolores has been on our must-try list for a while, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The location in OTR is perfect, and we were immediately greeted by the friendliest staff when we walked in. The ambiance was amazing--loved the decor and being able to look out the windows and take in the OTR vibe. Our waiter was fantastic--super friendly and gave great recommendations on what to order. My friend and I ended up splitting two entrées so we could try more than one, and both were absolutely delicious. Everything we had was so good. What really stood out was how relaxed and welcoming the experience felt. Our waiter was so kind, let us sit and catch up without feeling rushed, and kept checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. Overall, we loved it, would definitely recommend it, and will 100% be back.

    Zucca Spritz + Limoncello Spritz
    Sarah M.

    My sister and I had a lovely dinner here this past weekend. We arrived for our reservation early and opted to forgo our table for bar seats downstairs and had a wonderful evening. We started out with the house-made ricotta (and it was INCREDIBLE) and each got a different spritz cocktail to sip on. We saved the remaining ricotta for when our charred broccolini came out and it was sooo delicious with that as well, highly recommend it for dipping your vegetable sides in! We also split the arancini and it was to die for. The risotto was chefs kiss. For mains, we got pasta, of course. I had the lobster and it was so tender and flavorful. Our server told us that the squid ink pasta is the most time consuming pasta they make since everything is house-made and they have to get it shaped perfectly (love the tentacle shape, so fun). My sister got the vodka pasta and it was classic, spicy, and incredibly flavorful. We shared bites of everything throughout the night and it was nice to be able to try so many dishes. For dessert, we each got vanilla mascarpone gelato with different toppings. I opted for olive oil + sea salt because I had it before back in Indy once and loved it. This time it was just as good, if not better! My sister got the crushed pistachio + mini chocolate chips. We each got a little espresso drink (classic espresso for me, cortado for her). It was the perfect end to a perfect dinner. Our server/bartender was very attentive, gave us recommendations, refilled our waters all night, and was super friendly. All around such a lovely night and it was less than a 10 minute walk from our Airbnb! Can't wait to come back.

    Artichokes and bread
    Billy T.

    Heard a lot about Pepp, and it definitely delivered! Definitely more of a formal vibe, so I'd recommend going in business casual to blend in (although some people had hoodies). Food was consistently good- we ordered a bread basket and artichokes and I ordered the Sunday sauce pasta. Portion sizes were perfect- not exorbitant, but also not too small like many nice restaurants. I think I'll be back!

    Sourdough bread, ricotta, broccolini

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    Rachel was fantastic as our server. All of her recommendations were spot on! Our food was delicious. Especially the Crab and Corn ravioli.

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    Page 1 of 31

    Pepp & Dolores Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pepp & Dolores

    Were you formally RSVP restaurant?

    Yes, you need a reservation

    Is the bar opening seating or require a reservation/waitlist?

    It's open seating

    Do they allow outside birthday cakes?

    They do not sell any sort of dessert offering in house or on their menu, so if you called and alerted them to wanting to bring a cake, I'm quite confident they would accommodate!

    What is the limoncello service?

    Limoncello is a strong lemon liqueur and the service is a pitcher of it with tiny liqueur glasses made specially for drinking liqueur, It is made in house and is delicious! I think it serves six.

    Is the limoncello cold?

    Yes! Cold and delicious!

    Does this restaurant offer a corking fee?

    Since they serve their own wines I highly doubt it. But I'm not 100% sure

    Do you have gluten free pasta?

    Hi Coral, we do have gluten free pasta available though it is not made in house like our other pasta.

    What are the gluten free options? Is there a gf pasta?

    They have a gluten free pasta available

    Do you have a happy hour?

    No we do not!

    Do they have a dessert menu?

    Not as such when we went. They were experimenting with what they wanted to offer for dessert. Felt like it was a work in progress.

    Do they take reservations yet?

    Hi Sharon, we are not taking reservations yet.

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    Carmelo's Restaurant - Oxtail ragu

    Carmelo's Restaurant

    4.4(174 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Having a birthday on Valentine's Day has always felt special to me. I love seeing couples…read morecelebrating their love all around me. As I get older, I try to love myself a little more, so each year I treat myself to something a little extra special. This year, that was Carmelo's. Honoring his Bisnonno, Carmelo Caserta, Chef Billy Grise & his longtime friend, Chef Mitch Arens, opened this slice of Sicily in 2024. They make you feel at home with a warm intimate atmosphere, top tier service & food so good you're sure to come back time & time again. My Server, Deron, was so friendly & helpful. His professionalism & expertise shined all throughout the evening! After explaining the full menu to & carefully selecting a signature cocktail for me, Carmie's Kiss, I selected the hand pulled Mozzarella served with Grilled Focaccia & Olive Oil, the savory & spicy Garlic Soup, the cheesy crispy Potatoes served with a Calabrian Chili Mayo, and the hearty indulgent Oxtail Ragu. Each bite I took whisked me away to another world filled with enticing scents, beautiful colors & bold flavors! Then, when I thought I was finished, Deron surprised me with a delicious slice of Tiramisu served with a delightful glass of Pinot Grigio, and it was absolutely heavenly!! I had such a lovely experience & I am so excited to go back again. My favorite bites were the deliciously perfect Potatoes & Oxtail Ragu! Whether you're celebrating a special day, going on a date night, or treating yourself, this is the perfect place to step away from your worries & celebrate life. Truly a 10/10 experience!! 434 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011 https://www.eatatcarmelos.com/ Instagram & TikTok: @biteswithmissb

    Exceeds expectations all around. Beautiful space, intimate…read moreand personal seating, and staff that clearly love their jobs. We did our research and took most of the recommendations of our fantastic server Harris. The Cauliflower flabbered my gasts it was so amazing. The crispness of the cauliflower, the bright spark of the lemon aoli, and the warmth of the toasted almond slivers come together in perfect bites all around. The Garlic Soup had five forms of garlic and transports you to a sixth dimension. Needs to be corrected in the menu description as it DOES NOT share well and if you love your table mates you will get individual portions. The Crispy Garlic Alfredo was so decadent and delightful. Definitely not for the faint of heart but a mound of pasta worth dying for IMO. The Tomahawk Pork was unfortunately our last dish and didn't get appreciated as it deserved due to logistics/stomach space. But it was perfectly crisped and ooeygooey on top with a vodka sauce with a kick. PS: we thought the experience was classy from the start but the labeling of the leftovers sealed the deal. Name and date, just their process not a special request from us. Cute since the Alfredo didn't last 24 hours.

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    Carmelo's Restaurant
    Carmelo's Restaurant - Meatballs

    Meatballs

    Carmelo's Restaurant - Super Tucson wine

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    Sotto - Cappellacci

    Sotto

    4.6(1.8k reviews)
    0.7 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.

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    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

    Noche - Short Rib Pasta

    Noche

    4.6(57 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    I've been to Noche more times than I can count, and at this point it's safe to say they simply…read moredon't miss. I've made my way through the entire menu (food and drinks), and there honestly isn't a single item I wouldn't recommend. Everything is consistently spot on every single time. That kind of reliability is hard to find, and it's exactly why I keep coming back. That said, a few personal favorites stand out. The goat cheese flatbread appetizer is a non-negotiable. It's the kind of dish you order "for the table" but secretly don't want to share. The cacio e pepe and pasta rustica are also incredible and always hit. As for drinks, the seasonal espresso martini is always a go-to and never disappoints. But my personal favorite is either the regular old fashioned or, when I'm feeling myself, the wagyu old fashioned... especially if Scott is behind the bar. He clearly knows what he's doing, and it shows. The service is always warm, attentive, and consistent, which makes the whole experience even better every time. Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere, and a bartender who takes his craft seriously. I'll definitely be back (again...and again).

    I stopped in here yesterday to have a late lunch and a cocktail. I was greeted at the door by a…read morehost and chose to sit at the bar. Parking was easy on the street outside the restaurant. I have had this spot on my list for a while. I started with a cocktail, the Soda Italia Mojito and it was so refreshing, bubbly, and delicious without being overly sweet. I ordered an appetizer for my meal. Unfortunately I did not feel well and ended up taking almost all of this home with me. I ordered the Bourbon Wagyu Burrata. This app was hand pulled mozzarella stuffed with braised wagyu brisket and bourbon butter and served with crostini. I just ate this for lunch and it was absolutely delicious. The bartender said these are made to order, mozzarella pulled and filled after I placed my order. The atmosphere was cozy and right in the heart of Covington. Both bartenders were super friendly and when I said all of a sudden I did not feel well, they took my meal and put it in a box for me and got me an ice water to go. I will definitely stop in the restaurant again to give something else on the menu a try. Probably will order the same cocktail as it was so good.

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    Noche - Atmosphere

    Atmosphere

    Noche - Bread service

    Bread service

    Noche - Burrata Appetizer

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    Il Gusto Pizza & Pasta

    Il Gusto Pizza & Pasta

    4.8(109 reviews)
    9.1 mi

    Il Gusto is not only one of THE best hole in the wall restaurants, it is also THE best Italian…read morewe've had in the area! Though spartan, the classic vibes and service are very welcoming! We had better service here than most "normal" sit down restaurants. And the food...not one item we have tried was bad, the vast majority have been the best in their category. Best mozzarella sticks: it's obvious it's a higher quality mozz than whatever everyone else uses. Crispy perfection! Best GF/cauliflower pizza: lots of toppings to choose from (though somehow chicken isn't an option on DD) and again, from the mushrooms to the sauce, you can taste the difference. They make the sauces in house! According to my husband, best Chicken Parm he has had since moving here! You get a healthy portion. And...best cannoli in the area! Growing up in a predominantly Italian and Polish area, I have been lucky to have REALLY good Italian pastries...and their cannoli was reminiscent of those times. This has been the ONLY cannoli in the greater Cincy area that is worth consuming, IMO. All in all, we would dine in at Il Gusto constantly, if we lived closer. Glad they're on DoorDash though! If you are in the Kenwood area, and want a break from the chaos and crowds, Il Gusto is close by!

    Good pizza, fresh dough and crispy crust ends. The staff there are friendly and will let you eat…read moreyour pizza there if you order ahead online. I would definitely go back! It's a fast casual setting with a few tables/order online or at the counter yourself.

    Photos
    Il Gusto Pizza & Pasta
    Il Gusto Pizza & Pasta - Fluffy, chewy pizza with double mushrooms, bacon and green olive on half.

    Fluffy, chewy pizza with double mushrooms, bacon and green olive on half.

    Il Gusto Pizza & Pasta - Counter

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    Counter

    Ferrari's Little Italy and Bakery - pastry case

    Ferrari's Little Italy and Bakery

    4.1(309 reviews)
    9.6 mi
    $$

    This Italian gem is always amazing! My family and I have eaten here several times over the years…read moreand it has been consistent every time. The inside is so cute and well decorated. The huge fireplace in the first dining area is beautiful! The service is always friendly, fast and attentive. This past visit we got the bread for the table like always and it was fresh and delicious. We like that it is a selection of different breads from the bakery! I got the mushroom ravioli and it was incredible. My parents got the linguine carbonara to share. It was fantastic as well. Everything is very well-seasoned plated nicely. The portions are very large so the ability to share is nice. For dessert my parents got the spumoni and I got the toasted almond after-dinner coffee. I cannot wait to return the next time we are around Madeira!

    3.5! Venue is tucked away in an unassuming part of town. Restaurant opens to their large ovens and…read moredisplay case of deserts, very classic Italian cookies, cakes etc. Venue is leaning towards the older fashioned Italian decor, lots of brick and dark wood, charming in a way that you know these recipes are tried and true. Chicken picatta was served slightly soupy with the butter lemon sauce, and I prefer a creamier sauce. The pasta and bread were solid and we came on a half off wine bottle day. Patio out back was romantic and will request seating out there on a cool summer date night.

    Photos
    Ferrari's Little Italy and Bakery
    Ferrari's Little Italy and Bakery - The breads were different and tasty. This is the olive bread.

    The breads were different and tasty. This is the olive bread.

    Ferrari's Little Italy and Bakery - Patio

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    Patio

    Pepp & Dolores - italian - Updated May 2026

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