Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    ROC Restaurant

    3.9 (284 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Desserts, Salad
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    ROC Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    ROC RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Upscale
    Classy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - ROC Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Yummy
    Diana J.

    My son is leaving for the Army in two weeks & I wanted to go somewhere special for dinner and what better choice than tableside Cacio e Pepe at ROC Restaurant in Louisville. ROC is located on Bardstown Rd (parallel parking is one of my nightmares!) the restaurant is chic & elegant, warm & inviting. Our reservations were @5 so we got great views of the interior. We did sit in a private room which was nice. ROC has a cast wine, spirits and "Roctails" as they call them. We chose calamari e zucchini fritti which was fried calamari & thin strips of zucchini served with spicy marinara which was lightly breaded and tasted amazing. Heidi wanted a side of sautéed broccoli with garlic and all four of us got the famous Cacio e Pepe. Cacio e Pepe pronounced "kaa-chee-ow ee pe-pay" is a classic Roman dish that translates to "cheese & pepper". ROC Restaurant turns it up a million notches by preparing it in a flaming sheet of cheese served tableside. Watching the pasta show was worth every penny. It's an experience that is truly amazing. I thought that it would be super rich; but, let me tell you it melts in your mouth. It wasn't a heavy dish. Perfect with the perfect amount of fresh ground pepper. We all loved it!!!! To end a perfect evening we ordered the Gelato e caffe which was Italian gelato covered in steaming strong Italian espresso making a lovely velvety, creamy end to an amazing dinner. Thank you ROC for making it so special. Tableside Cacio e Pepe is served only on Tuesdays from 5-9pm. Reservations are strongly recommended. By the time we walked out the place was almost packed. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as we did.

    Penne con salsa alla vodka e vegetali
    Annie O.

    ROC is one of the best Italian restaurants in Louisville! The service is always superb and feels very upscale. We went on a Tuesday, so I ordered the Cacio e Pepe special which the cooked table side which was fun to see. The pasta is always fresh and flavorful and you can tell they use the best ingredients. They also have a great selection of cocktails that pair well with their food. Love this place!

    Good Selection of Bourbons
    Jeff M.

    Our most recent experience was interesting. Started out terrible, as the restaurant gave away our reserved table in the bar area because another party came in with more people than their reservation was prepared for, 15 minutes before ours. It wasnt even crowded. We were moved upstairs to an isolated 'closet' and decided we would rather breath so went to Patio. A little cold but at least is was more lively and engaging. I will leave you a few food details, but given our poor service and experience was the main theme - will leave this short. The fresh mozz appetizer, and truffle fries were good - again not something i would remember or come back to. Entrees we tried Gnocci and the Scottish Salmon. Again good but nothing special. Party of eight was overwelmed with attitudes and just hungry. Really felt like ROC wanted to be "The Place to be" - but couldnt close the deal. I may try it again with a date night or double date, but not with a group. Will likely look elsewhere when we visit 2-3 times per year.

    Avery E.

    I made reservations a month in advance for my partners birthday. I knew this place was popular in the community and could not wait to try it. Roc has cute curb appeal and is small bust restaurant with traditional Italian cuisine. We went on voting day at 6:30 pm, so there was not much of a crowd this day. The service was good, slow but good. Our server was kind to us, able to remember the specials, and did not keep us waiting for anything. I appreciate service that does not feel drawn out, so this server has amazing tempo for our night. Now we got extremely lucky because on Tuesdays they have the Cacio e Pepe, which I ordered. This was a creamy cheesy dish that I will be having again soon. The cracked pepper on top really elevates the flavor and creates a good sensation while eating it. The table side service was fun, I appreciate that it did not mess up when my partners food came out. When my food was ready, hers came out of the kitchen as well. If you are looking for a date night Italian restaurant, I recommend Roc for all taste buds.

    The only available Tuesday nights special, Cacio e Pepe prepared tableside.
    Jerry Z.

    ROC is undoubtedly one of Louisville's top 3 Italian dining spots. The food? Impeccable. From their specials to regular menu items, the flavors were incredible, and the pasta was homemade delicious. The atmosphere? Italian warm and inviting. We couldn't resist the Tuesday special, Cacio e Pepe prepared tableside. The presentation was top-notch, and the dish was creamy and perfectly seasoned. MY short video, the making of ROC's Tuesday special, Cacio e Pepe prepared tableside could not be uploaded. Not a problem, much better if you personally enjoy and share it fresh at ROC with friends. Service was fun and excellent throughout, and the desserts and cocktails didn't disappoint, with many options, including both extensive wine and bourbon menus. Thank you Rocco Cadolini for for an exceptional warm delicious dining experience. This was our first visit. It won't be our last. We can't wait to go back.

    Chef and the cheese wheel by our table.
    Rebecca T.

    Love this place. Very cozy. Calming ambiance. Can get a little loud if it's crowded. Beautiful bar. Nice bourbon and wine selection. Had this amazing pasta dish that is apparently only served on Tuesday. Table-side cheese wheel gets lit on fire and pasta is rolled around in it. Probably not recommended if you are on a diet. It was deliciously cheesy! Excellent service throughout the night. Clean bathrooms (although gender specific so had to wait a little while to access; would have preferred gender neutral). Had a fun night out with my high school friends. They also have outdoor seating. Decent vegetarian options for the non-meat eating folks like me. Pricey, but worth it for a splurge night.

    Sausage and Peppers
    Andrew C.

    One of the best restaurants in Louisville! Great atmosphere- hard to park... Service was top notch- Chef/owner walks the room- very personable and the food is next level. Best Bolegnese in Kentucky- great sausage and peppers and refreshing watermelon and feta salad. Great selection of meats- highly recommend ROC

    The main floor. They have dining and bar space upstairs as well

    See all

    Photo of Lori H.
    258
    23
    4

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M S.
    0
    5
    0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay H.
    32
    26
    6

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jerry Z.
    110
    23
    168

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dani C.
    142
    20
    2

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nat M.
    0
    26
    0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Kara R.
    109
    20
    23

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Superb Italian cuisine in a family owned operation. Pricey - but worth it!! Book a reservation today.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kelli L.
    57
    10
    17

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 8

    ROC Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - ROC Restaurant

    Is there a parking lot?

    No. Typical Bardstown Rd street parking, but I've never had a problem.

    No current menus here and website does not show prices. How spendy is it here?

    It's not cheap. The Cacio e Pepe on Tuesday, was probably a $30 dish. I'd say on the high side of middle range prices.

    What's the dress code for this place?

    It runs the gamut. I saw people wearing anything from nice jeans/shirts to suits and cocktail attire. It's an upscale place so t shirts and cut offs are probably not a good choice.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Italian 4,841 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Volare Italian Ristorante - Goat Cheese Bruschetta

    Volare Italian Ristorante

    4.4(511 reviews)
    1.4 miClifton, The Avenue
    $$$

    We understood the hype of this one! Came here with my mom for a late Mother's Day dinner and sat at…read morethe bar. The restaurant is lively, bustling, and they even had excellent live music. The service was phenomenal - from the hostess to the bartenders, you could tell everyone took pride in their role and was proud of their food and the experience they provide to their guests. The bread service is warm sourdough bread served with dipping oil that has roasted garlic cloves inside - yum! For dinner, mom had their sea bass special which was excellent. I went all out and got the 16 layer lasagna, which has 4 different types of meats. Soooo good and the size was large enough that I had the leftovers again the next night. Can't wait to come back and try more items on the menu. One of the best Italian spots in Louisville - 5/5!

    By far, one of THE best pasta dishes I've ever had and I lived in Italy for 3 years. The gravy was…read morelush and silky smooth. It was smoother than the satin pillows I use to keep my hair in check while I sleep. The Pappardelle Boscaiola's perfectly choppes applewood bacon practically melted in my mouth. I barely had to chew it for it to saunter its way down my throat to my waiting belly. There is something to be said about fresh pasta & these folks used all of my ten dollar words when bouncing ideas off one another in creating it. The only thing I didn't care for were the 'shrooms and it had nothing all to day with preparation or the cook of them but rather my dental work. That pasta dish was so delicious I contemplated another one to go for a midnight snack! In all seriousness, if you can make it, I totally recommend it. Bestie had the Lasagne Al Fornno and it was also delectable. I specifically saved room for dessert and the Tiramisu was not a disappointment. Seriously folks, go! Run! It's just that good. The folks were friendly, Gary was a superb server with excellent recommendations & despite it being a coldish night, our patio seating was warm and comfy. I'm gonna be sad to leave this city. We have enjoyed ourselves immensely and if I ever make it back, bar bites are next up.

    Photos
    Volare Italian Ristorante - Interior views of restaurant toward another dining area

    Interior views of restaurant toward another dining area

    Volare Italian Ristorante - Fried Green tomatoes

    Fried Green tomatoes

    Volare Italian Ristorante - Outside

    See all

    Outside

    Perso

    Perso

    4.5(113 reviews)
    1.5 miShelby Park
    $$

    Delicious as always! The sour cherry pork eclair was innovative and a wonderful start to the meal…read more I appreciate the nonalcoholic cocktails and the preserved lemon salt on the rim of my blood orange NA margarita was delightful.

    Crostino di Tonno - loved this. It was light and so flavorful. The homemade stracciatella cheese…read morereally elevated it. Eggplant Caponata - this was okay. My friend enjoyed it but it needed to be served with bread. Salsiccia Alla Pizzaiola - this was good-great, my friends really liked it. It was a tomato sauce with sausage. Not soupy but very saucy. Barchetta di Pane - this was the next actually which surprised us all. The bread, cheese, and sauce were all so flavorful, fresh, and complimented each other. TS Farms Chicken Quarter- this was very good. My friend who got the branzino ends dip likening this more and I ended up liking the branzino more. The chicken was definitely more filling than the branzino. Branzino- this was light and refreshing. It's a small portion but very good. I would order this again for sure. Rhubarb Pastry - fantastic. Maybe a touch sweet for me but everyone at our table loved this. Service was great. Very knowledgeable of the menu and kind. Everything came out at a good speed: not slow and not too fast. (I hate when things come out too fast). It's a NY style atmosphere with lots of natural light in the front from windows and darker in the back. There is also outdoor seating I have yet to check out cause it's been too hot.

    Photos
    Perso
    Perso - Sharing some delicious appetizers

    Sharing some delicious appetizers

    Perso

    See all

    DiFabio's Casapela - DiFabio's Casapela

    DiFabio's Casapela

    4.1(211 reviews)
    1.4 miClifton, The Avenue
    $$

    It's been a while since I've been here and the food was delicious! Sad to say it will close by the…read moreend of the year, so make reservations and go! Reservations can be made online through open table and it's extremely easy to book. Side note, your entire party will need to be there before you are seated. The restaurant is cozy and inviting, located on Frankfort Avenue. They have a full drink menu and plenty of wine to choose from. They also offered several specials when we dined there. We opted for the bruschetta topped with mozzarella and served with tomato basil drip. Then the fresh bread arrived and my goodness was it good. It was fluffy with a crunchy exterior, perfect for dipping into the sauce of our entrees. They have lots of pasta options, including a build your own pasta with a choose of noodles, sauce and meat. I was torn between the piccata or Marsala, but wanted something fresh and bright - the piccata did not disappoint. the chicken was moist, the capers were huge and the sauce was bright and tart. I would definitely order it again. I've already made reservations to go back in December!

    We really loved this restaurant and are so sad that it's closed now. The smalls as soon as you…read morewalked into this place was so nice. The staff were also so nice too. We really hope another wonderful place opens up in this place.

    Photos
    DiFabio's Casapela - Chicken Parm.

    Chicken Parm.

    DiFabio's Casapela - Chicken Alfredo

    Chicken Alfredo

    DiFabio's Casapela - Chicken parm very yummy!

    See all

    Chicken parm very yummy!

    Ciao Ristorante - Waffles

    Ciao Ristorante

    4.0(394 reviews)
    1.1 miIrish Hill
    $$

    Amazing environment, excellent food, stellar service!…read more Lighting is such an important, but often overlooked aspect of a room. Ciao has created one of the warmest, coziest spaces in town with just a ton of bulbs that are warm (low K) and low lumens to make everything feel soft. Combined with all the exposed wood and metal, much of it harkening back to Louisville's shipping of bourbon barrels, it is just a lovely space to dine. Our party was large, so we ate in the private room upstairs. The food was buffet style and still very good. Quite a bit to choose from, even on the abbreviated menu. I have to talk about desserts, though. That Basque cheesecake was art. So much fluffier than a New York Style, with amazing flavor and a perfect sauce. Wherever you're eating, private room, a cozy table or even at the bar, Ciao is going to treat you well!

    Met friends here for dinner and free parking available on the nearby street. Interesting building…read moreand interior was lovely. Noise level was high and made conversation very difficult. Service was slow and timing between courses was noticeable. We had to ask for several items multiple times (silverware, water refills, cocktail order, final check) and this seemed to irk our server slightly and the dining room manager quite a bit. We felt like we were a bother. Ah well. Food was okay -- good but not swoon worthy. Might try it again just for a second chance and perhaps as a summer option for an alfresco experience.

    Photos
    Ciao Ristorante - Lanterns made from barrel staves is a great touch for the bar.

    Lanterns made from barrel staves is a great touch for the bar.

    Ciao Ristorante - Pizza

    Pizza

    Ciao Ristorante - Mocha with oat milk

    See all

    Mocha with oat milk

    ROC Restaurant - italian - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...