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    Pepp & Dolores

    4.6 (1.3k reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed • 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Pepp & Dolores Photos

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    PEPP & DOLORES ATMOSPHERE

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    Casual
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    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Pepp & Dolores

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    Grilled Asparagus- Smoked Aioli, Garlic Breadcrumb, Grilled Lemon
    Khaliek T.

    Pepp & Dolores was a 20/10. I'm not even going to lie... I definitely slept on this place . My wife convinced me to go for her birthday, and I'm glad she did because this place did NOT disappoint. From the appetizers, to the main course, to the service -- everything was on point. The food was great, the atmosphere was perfect, and even though we went toward the end of the night, the wait was 100% worth it. Honestly, picking a favorite dish is hard because we enjoyed pretty much everything. But the pasta definitely stole the show. The Gricia was SO good -- my wife was tearing that thing up . And I went with the spicy vodka, which was also . You could really taste the fresh ingredients, and everything just tasted well-made. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely recommend this spot. It can be a little tough to get into since they tend to sell out or book up, but if you get the opportunity to go, ORDER ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. Seriously. We would happily go back and do it all over again.

    Menu
    Cylia B.

    Pepp & Dolores is a super cute dinner/date night spot. My friend and I went for a late Saturday dinner at 9pm and it was packed ( definitely have a reservation) and we're seated downstairs at the bar. Very cute place, well decorated and they give out matchbooks. The spicy vodka was my favorite dish for sure! The pasta is al dente, but not in a bad way. The pesto was also pretty good, but ours was a little cold when it came out. The meatballs were also good, heavy on the breadcrumbs tho. Would recommend for a night out in downtown cinci.

    Lemongato
    Carolyn E.

    Had the most fabulous birthday dinner here with my bestie. The service was top tier. Lots of people out celebrating that evening, but service and attention did not lag! We got the housemade ricotta, eggplant involtini and artichokes alla guidia for appetizers. All of which were phenomenal. The ricotta was so smooth, the flavors of the filling and sauce with the eggplant complimented each other perfectly, the lemon vinaigrette on the artichokes was delicious. I ordered the crab and corn for my entree, the corn puree was the perfect sweet compliment to the ricotta ravioli and crab. For dessert I got the Lemongato, mmmm. Looking forward to my next visit!!

    Spicy vodka
    Colleen A.

    My best friend and I dined at Pepp & Dolores to celebrate the restaurant making Yelp's Top 100 list! We decided to go a little crazy and do a pasta flight. We tried: GRICIA- 10/10 for big flavor and very filling. While this pasta dish was my third fave of the four we tried, it was great. I took leftovers home to my husband and he loved it. FUNGHI- Definitely my second fave. I am a huge mushroom fan, so this was just the perfect dish for me. Aside from being delish, it was also a really comforting meal. Our waiter described it as "everything you wish Campbell's cream of mushroom soup was" and that was the perfect description, tbh LOBSTER- ONE OF THE BEST THINGS IVE EATEN IN CINCY. This dish is truly expertly crafted. The flavor is exquisite and the textures and colors all enhance the experience of eating it. SPICY VODKA- A really solid, more "normal" dish. I could see this one appealing to a lot of different people and palates. We started our meal with the homemade ricotta and I don't even have words for how delicious and perfect it is. Just order it. Made even better by the fact that it's served with Allez Bakery bread. We each got a mocktail as well. I got the pineapple punch and she got the blood orange mule. My mocktail was good, but I don't think I would pay $12 for it again. We sat at the bar and the bartender took great care of us and humored us while we got lots of content of our dishes. Oh, and can now confirm that four pasta dishes for two people is too much food, but all reheat well. I was pumped to have leftovers and to get to enjoy the flavors again the next day!

    Downstairs
    April A.

    Would have to say this is my favorite Italian meal in Cincinnati. Atmosphere is amazing, patio, upstairs and downstairs seating. Love the downstairs so much it's cozy and dark. The waitress was amazing and gave us great recommendations on wine. The cocktails were fantastic. The gricia pasta is off the charts fantastic, such a great flavor. Limone pasta was also amazing. We loved the gem salad and the fresh made ricotta and bread. Overall a fantastic experience.

    Menu summer '26
    Chad P.

    Amazing experience here! We were able to get reservations around 4:00 p.m. on a weekday just a few days before and that was basically what we could get. We parked just across the street in a paid lot. Samantha was our server and she was amazing it took great care of us! She really went above and beyond. Ambience was friendly with there being many different rooms where they can seat people in. Food was amazing! Can't put into words just how amazing everything was. Everything from any of the pasta dishes to the meatballs to the bread to the dessert. Check out my pictures and see just how delicious everything was. The crab and corn was probably my favorite followed by the lemon pasta. Husband and I are ready to put this in our top four of Cincinnati restaurants along with Sweetgrass, Sotto, and Shire's Rooftop.

    Sandra E.

    I've been wanting to come here for years. Heard nothing but great things about Pepp & Dolores. My best friend and I just finished a 5K nearby and wanted to grab lunch. I mentioned this place and with no hesitation she said yes. I love the vibe outside and inside. Very laid back and relaxed feel. Also the natural lighting is inviting. Makes me feel like I'm in Europe. The food and drink menu looked so good that it was hard to choose what I want. My bestie mentioned it is tapas style which I love. So we shared our dishes. We ordered: Drinks: -House red- Cirelli, Montepulciano D'Abruzzo -Barbera Blend Salad: -Gem- gem lettuce, walnut, ubriaco Rosso cheese, croutons, citrus Caesar dressing, parmigiano-reggiano Lunch: -Limone- Spaghetti, Meyer Lemon, chili flake, parmigiano-reggiano, garlic breadcrumbs, Ricotta -Funghi- Maccheroni alla Chitarra, wild mushrooms, sherry cream, Parmigiano-Reggiano Since we didn't make reservations, we sat at the bar and our food came out right away. The salad was very light and had great flavor. Both the pastas were amazing but the limone is hands down my fave. Both wines paired well with my meals. Would I come back? Absolutely. I know my fiancée would love it here! What a great experience! Food and drinks were on point. All fresh ingredients and hand made.

    Arancini
    Michelle D.

    Delicious food and fantastic service. My daughter brought me here for a birthday dinner a few weeks ago and we had a wonderful meal. To start we both ordered the Nocino Old Fashioned. It was divine! The appetizer we chose was the Arancini. It's fried risotto balls and it's amazing! For our entrees I chose the Limone pasta and my daughter chose the Spicy Vodka. We also chose the Meatballs for a sharable side. The entrees were awesome! The meatballs were average and I wouldn't order them again. They were good but not a standout. But the extra side the server brought out to us complimentary was fabulous! The Eggplant Involtini was so good! I'm not usually a fan of eggplant because when it's overcooked it is mealy. This was perfectly cooked and delicious! I'd definitely order it again. The service was fantastic!

    Limone
    Alexandra B.

    We booked a reservation for my birthday while in town celebrating and were ecstatic to be seated in the quaint basement bar. Our server was amazing and even gave us some other recommendations while we are in town! We started with the meatballs and devoured them. My husband commented how much the sauce reminded him of his Sicilian grandmother's sauce growing up. Hubby ordered the Sunday Sauce while I immediately knew I wanted the Limone! I now have a new favorite and immediately started searching for options closer to home once our trip ended. The balance of the lemon and ricotta with the spaghetti is absolutely divine! We loved the gelato options as our celebration came to an end.

    Corn & Crab
    David B.

    The food was good, but the overall experience made it hard to rate Pep & Dolores higher than three stars. We were seated and waited nearly two hours before being served. For a $121 meal, the portions felt surprisingly small. The noodles were thick and satisfying, the meatballs were large, and the Corn & Crab dish was excellent. The bread may have been the highlight of the meal. Absolutely delicious. It was also my 48th birthday. We would have celebrated with a special dessert and candle, but at the pace things were moving, I figured I'd be 50 before we got to enjoy it. The outdoor seating was a different story. There was a strong sewage-like odor throughout our meal, mosquitoes were relentless, and we were approached by people soliciting money while we were trying to eat. Good food, especially the Corn & Crab and bread, but the nearly two-hour wait, small portions, outdoor conditions, and overall cost took away from what should have been a fun birthday dinner. I'd give the food closer to four stars. The total dining experience lands at three.

    Limon Pasta
    kristin s.

    Just in Cincinnati for a work trip, and after scouring for pasta restaurants, I settled on Pepp & Dolores. It had a nice menu and moderately priced for my work budget. The restaurant has a great ambiance, the pasta was al dent and all the staff I interacted with were so helpful. It's a bit louder in here, but that kind of added to the vibe. First I started with the Barbera Blend which was delicious! G.D. Vajra was the name. Next I ordered the gem lettuce salad, I asked for dressing on the side, but dressing was on the salad when it came. I decided I would send it back if it was heavy dressed which it was not! I loved the cheese and walnuts. The Cesar dressing was lighter and not too thick and heavy. I was torn between the Grecian and the Limon but settled on the Limon. It was delish! If I had another day I'd come back for the Grecian. It was a little creamier than expected, but that was just it. I was expecting a thinner lemon sauce, it was a little thicker. I added red pepper flakes. Overall, I'd recommend this restaurant for the staff, ambiance and price point. You do need to have two dishes to get full, but I still feel the food pretty exceptional .

    Ricotta and grilled sourdough, pineapple punch mocktail and blood orange mule mocktail
    Erin F.

    Pepp & Dolores remains my favorite festive-yet-approachable spot in Cincinnati for amazing and comforting dishes! I visited with my foodie best friend who had been before a long time ago but didn't remember much and had been hearing me rave about how much I loved their pasta too many times :) We also wanted to celebrate P&D making the top 100 Restaurants over the winter! This, combined with the fact that she wanted to try a lot of the menu, and we ordered a LOT- it was the most indulgent and fun night! If you have a couple people I'd highly recommend splitting or sharing pastas, flight style. Or just take home the leftovers- they were delish the next day! Of course we got the ricotta and grilled sourdough which was as good as ever. No notes, just my top favorite starter in the city. For pastas, we tried the gricia, the funghi, spicy vodka, and the lobster pasta. I would have honestly never ordered the lobster on my own but OMG- it was so good! I was totally blown away by the texture and flavor profile that I didn't even have any idea of before. I liked it better than any of the pastas I have previously tried! Funghi was delicious because we both loved mushrooms, but I still prefer that spicy vodka as one of my favorite menu dishes. I love to make vodka sauce at home but this one still tops it and is just so comforting. The gricia was my least favorite- probably just because I had 3 other amazing options in front of me too, I didn't gravitate towards it but I did find my bites savory and satisfying. You really can't go wrong with this menu. And because it's small and navigable, it's not overwhelming to try and fit your fit. If you had any questions about the menu, I'm confident their staff would be so helpful. I've always had such wonderful and friendly service, even when I have trainees or bartenders as servers. The bartender we had on this particular evening was wonderful and struck the perfect balance of making conversation and leaving us to our friend time. He also gave us tasting samples of a NA wine they are offering and gave us excellent menu notes before we ordered. Because my friend was anticipating our visit so much, I wanted to sit in the main dining room with beautiful windows but we sat at the bar downstairs. It was actually so cozy and romantic for a late winter evening and I think that space rivals the upstairs! I used to always request the main room in my reservation but now I want to return with my husband to the downstairs space. Well done, Pepp & Dolores! I already want to come back!

    Ricotta and bread
    Madison J.

    This place was delicious. Prices were reasonable for the quality of food. There's is a lot of inside seating, but seems like reservations are required to get a spot inside. We ate outside which was okay, there's a lot of cars and people walking by the area.

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    Page 1 of 32

    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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    Rosie’s Italian  - Chicken Parmesan

    Rosie’s Italian

    4.3(250 reviews)
    0.6 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    Inside is nice, tan and green and modern aesthetic…read more Waiter/tress was very nice. Attentive and ensured all was good for us. Garlic knots were incredible. Tasted fresh, and came with a slightly sweet tomato sauce. Would highly recommend! Gnocchi with pesto sauce was freakin incredible! Was hard to not finish (even though we were so full!) could eat the sauce by itself Pasta vodka was delicious too! Was slightly undercooked (pasta was a little hard) but the sauce was really good and would get it again! The tiramisu would delectable. Creamy and good size to share for two. Definitely a must get! If we lived in Cincinnati, this would be a spot we frequent once every few months. Its high quality ingredients and recipes, as well as reasonable prices, would drive us here for every date night. Highly highly recommend!!

    The homemade pasta was amazing. I appreciate the fact the put our Caesar salad on two plates plates…read morewhen we noted we wanted to "split" a salad. I ordered salmon and it was nicely prepared and crisp on the outside with summer vegetables. The butter sauce was too voluminous for the dish and overwhelmed what was supposed to be a "light" dish - it was super heavy with melted butter. The environment for a Wednesday evening was busy! We had a bit of an issue in that we made the reservation over two weeks ago with the specific request to be seated away from the kitchen door, and we ended up being seated right near the very small hostess area and of course, next to the kitchen door. Our server mostly made up for it with good service and a very nice demeanor.

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    Rosie’s Italian  - Entrance

    Entrance

    Rosie’s Italian  - Orecchiette Pugliese

    Orecchiette Pugliese

    Rosie’s Italian  - Eggplant Parmesan - so good!!

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    Mama’s on Main - Spaghetti lemone

    Mama’s on Main

    4.5(306 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    •$$

    My husband and I chose Mama's for our anniversary dinner and had a wonderful experience! We…read morefrequent another pasta restaurant in town and wanted to try something new that also had several Italian classics to choose from. It was all delicious, service was wonderful, vibes were beautiful, and I felt the food came at a good value for what we ordered. Mainstrasse in Covington is an experience and Mama's is part of that! We sat outside on the patio to take it all in- highly recommend in nice weather. The building itself is beautiful and both the inside and outside feature artsy details in the decor that I really appreciated. My favorite was the mismatched plates, which were darling and cozy! Our waitstaff was quick and friendly, allowing us to order all at once and bringing things out with great timing- quickly, but not until we finished a course so we weren't rushed. We appreciated getting in and out relatively quick as we had a sitter at home. We decided to go a little all out and try a lot of items together. First, the focaccia and ricotta was enjoyable but not my favorite bread starter I've had. It hit the spot but I wasn't raving about it like another one of my favorite whipped ricotta starters across town. The arancini, however, was fantastic- probably our favorite thing we ate. Hot, crispy, and paired with a delicious spicy marinara that was super standout and flavorful. Next we got the stonefruit panzanella, which was beautiful and really yummy. The burrata was delicious in particular and while the cherries and peaches weren't the best I've had all season, they worked well together in this dish. For our entrees, we split both the chicken parmesan and the limone pasta. The chicken parmesan was huge, we both had a large piece even after it was split. The pasta had that delicious marinara from earlier and we really enjoyed it, which is saying a lot for a simple marinara spaghetti. The chicken was very thin and crispy. I liked the limone even better- it was very lemon forward which can be hard to achieve in a creamy sauce. We only wished we tried more shapes of pasta because it's made in house and the spaghetti was the perfect level of al dente in our opinions. We were super full, but ordered the cookie platter to finish the meal. We split a couple of the 6 cookies that came in 3 varieties, but took the rest home! The chewy almond/amaretto cookie was our favorite and really unique. My husband also had an old fashioned and commented that he liked it a lot. I would have expected this much food to come out to much more than it did- $100! I feel that is a great value for a special occasion considering we were stuffed and tried a ton of menu items. Overall, this was such an indulgent and fun experience and I'd highly recommend Mama's to anyone who is looking for a yummy Italian experience with comfort food classics in a fun, cozy Covington setting.

    Here's the deal: amazing Italian restaurant with a unique decor. Great seating outside and even a…read morerooftop section to explore on a beautiful night. The menu is small, but the food is wonderful! Our service was excellent! Highly recommended Mama's

    Photos
    Mama’s on Main - Inside

    Inside

    Mama’s on Main - Arancello Spritz, marinated olives, and whipped ricotta with rosemary focaccia.

    Arancello Spritz, marinated olives, and whipped ricotta with rosemary focaccia.

    Mama’s on Main - Inside

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    Inside

    Via Vite - Seafood Risotto

    Via Vite

    4.0(831 reviews)
    0.7 mi•Downtown
    •$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Luxury

    Via Vite is an Italian place right on fountain square in Cincinnati. I really enjoyed everything I…read morehad here! For appetizers, I had their arancini, veal meatball, and octopus. I really like the arancini and meatball but did find the octopus to be overly salty. For entree I had their bone in short rib and a peppered pinwheel sausage as a side. I really like both, but my one knock on it was that the sauce used for the short rib was pretty strong

    Had dinner with friends while in Cincinnati. There were so many amazing options on the menu and our…read moremeal was so amazing, I decided to try my luck at the bar the next night, we had reservations the first night! I did get a spot at the bar and service was outstanding!! They are so busy there but your wouldn't know it with the service! Super nice and attentive and busy! I love that the owner/head chef walks around and chats up the customers. Really makes you feel special, but he did it with everyone!! I asked a server for her favorites and she said the gnocchi with salmon.... So I went with that because I had thought about it the day before. It doesn't usually come with salmon but that was a great suggestion, I loved it. The bar tender suggested a Chianti, it was awesome!! Then some customers were raving about their espresso martini so I tried that and it was also great! Next time I'm in the Cincinnati area I will eat here again!! Delicious food, excellent service, a kitchen that cares, and amazing food! Do it!!

    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.

    Pepp & Dolores - italian - Updated October 2026

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