
Pepp & Dolores
Experience high-quality, family-style Italian dishes in a warm, lively atmosphere. Famous for house-made pastas and a great wine selection.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Pepp & Dolores

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience high-quality, family-style Italian dishes in a warm, lively atmosphere. Famous for house-made pastas and a great wine selection.
"The best Italian food I ever tasted. All was fresh and delicious."
Share Appetizers
Try splitting two appetizers with a friend and ordering your own pasta dish.
Don't Miss Ricotta Bread
The house-made ricotta bread is a must-try and is considered some of the best bread ever.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Homemade Pasta
Experience high-quality, house-made pastas like Sunday Sauce and Limone, crafted with family recipes.

Lively & Charming Atmosphere
Enjoy a warm, vibrant setting with a beautiful patio or a cozy, moody date-night vibe downstairs.

Shareable Appetizers & Sides
Indulge in delicious starters like the ricotta bread and grilled artichokes, perfect for sharing.
Plans like a pro.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Share Appetizers
Try splitting two appetizers with a friend and ordering your own pasta dish.
Don't Miss Ricotta Bread
The house-made ricotta bread is a must-try and is considered some of the best bread ever.
Popular Pasta Choices
Consider ordering the lemon sauce or Sunday Sauce for an authentic and flavorful Italian taste.
Outdoor Seating Option
Enjoy the pleasant ambiance with outdoor seating, especially on a sunny afternoon.
Tips
from all over the internet
Share Appetizers
Try splitting two appetizers with a friend and ordering your own pasta dish.
Don't Miss Ricotta Bread
The house-made ricotta bread is a must-try and is considered some of the best bread ever.
Popular Pasta Choices
Consider ordering the lemon sauce or Sunday Sauce for an authentic and flavorful Italian taste.
Outdoor Seating Option
Enjoy the pleasant ambiance with outdoor seating, especially on a sunny afternoon.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Pepp & Dolores is celebrated for its exceptional, authentic Italian cuisine, particularly its homemade pastas and flavorful sauces. Diners rave about the warm and lively atmosphere, friendly service, and shareable dishes, though some note the absence of a traditional dessert menu. It's a highly recommended spot for both casual lunches and romantic dinners.
"I’m speechless, my honey took me out for birthday dinner at a place that’s been on our list for quite sometime. I went to thank Mark our kind generous server for being so knowledgeable and making my birthday amazing.
To drink I ordered the Giardino Spritz and my honey got the Limoncello service. Mark gave us a taste of the prosecco, the drinks were wonderful.
For appetizers we decided to try the Crostini funghi (Amazing!!), the house made ricotta and marinated cucumbers.
I decided to get the Sunday Sauce which has Nonna's red sauce, veal & pork meatballs and braised pork shoulder. My honey went with the Lobster which was a squid ink pasta with saffron cream, caramelized and fennel. Joe also decided to take the Limone to go. Oh and I got a cappuccino and I'm a bit of a coffee snob but it was smooth and delicious and so was the armaretto cookies.
We were sitting by an out door and the restaurant was quite busy and bit of a whirlwind shock when Mark when the bill came. We both are super appreciative and shocked. We will definitely be back. Thanks for making my birthday memorable!"
Erica Moore
"We had a great experience here! The food was delicious. It was setup such that you order all of your courses at the beginning, and then the team staggers the arrival of the food at a pace such that you're not waiting long between courses, but also not rushed. It was hard to narrow down exactly what we wanted because the menu looked so good. The house made ricotta bread was some of the best bread I've ever had. They don't have a dessert menu, so go in knowing that. They leave you with like an Italian cookie when they bring the bill. It was good! Overall, would highly recommend! The service and waiting staff was friendly and professional too."
Cory Fowler
"This place will always be a hit. Upstairs is a little more loud and casual with a beautiful patio while downstairs offers a moody date night scene. The spicy vodka will always be a hit and the house made ricotta is dreamy. You really can't go wrong with anything on this menu!"
McKenna Meehan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Highly recommended dishes include the house-made ricotta bread, various homemade pastas like the Sunday Sauce and Limone, and the grilled artichokes.
Pepp & Dolores does not offer a traditional dessert menu. They often provide guests with Italian cookies alongside the bill.
Yes, you can select different pastas and meats to share, allowing for a personalized dining experience.
The restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere with a cozy downstairs date-night scene and a beautiful patio upstairs.
Yes, Pepp & Dolores has outdoor seating available, perfect for enjoying a meal on pleasant days.
The restaurant is inspired by family recipes and the tradition of Sunday dinners, creating a welcoming atmosphere focused on food that brings people together.
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Cincinnati's Sotto, Pepp & Dolores listed on OpenTable's top 100 restaurants in America for 2021
Two Italian restaurants in Cincinnati are being recognized nationally for their cuisine.Sotto and Pepp & Dolores, both located in downtown Cincinnati, have been listed on OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2021 list. OpenTable determined the list by analyzing more than 10.5 million reviews from restaurants across the country that have all been submitted by verified OpenTable diners."The result is a selection of spots across the country that constantly serve up creative dishes, unparalleled hospitality, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences for all occasions," OpenTable said.In addition to being listed on the top 100 restaurant list, Pepp & Dolores also was named "best overall in Cincinnati/Dayton."Pepp & Dolores sits in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and features homemade pastas, a wide selection of wines and family recipes.Thunderdome Restaurant Group opened Pepp & Dolores in December 2019. The Italian restaurant is located at the corner of Vine and West 15th streets."We’ve always wanted to open an Italian restaurant and we got the opportunity here. We thought it was a great space," said Joe Lanni, who is co-owner of Pepp & Delores, alongside his brothers, John, and Alex Blust.The Lanni brothers are Italian and said the inspiration for the restaurant came from their Italian heritage.
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1501 Vine St., Over-the-RhinePepp & Dolores is the latest from Thunderdome Restaurant Group — the team behind The Eagle, Bakersfield, Currito and Maplewood Kitchen and Bar. The Italian eatery is inspired by Sunday dinners at Thunderdome co-founders Joe and John Lanni's grandparents' house. “We designed the space to have a timeless look and feel with elements of a classic cafe or bistro from the early to mid-20th century on the first level and a lower level that is darker, cozier and reminiscent of a New York City supper club,” says John Lanni.
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Inspired by the hospitality experienced on a Sunday dinner at your family’s house, Pepp & Dolores is a super casual Italian restaurant that’s all about paying homage to just that…home cooking, laughs, and love shared between the family. With actual family recipes featured on the menu, Pepp & Dolores plans to bring you back to those childhood memories of your own home, and that’s unique in itself. Whether you’re planning an event or just going out to eat anytime during the week, this place makes every person feel comfortable and taken care of.
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Pepp & Dolores is the latest from Thunderdome Restaurant Group — the team behind The Eagle, Bakersfield, Currito and Maplewood Kitchen and Bar. The Italian eatery is inspired by Sunday dinners at Thunderdome co-founders Joe and John Lanni’s grandparents’ house. “We designed the space to have a timeless look and feel with elements of a classic cafe or bistro from the early to mid-20th century on the first level and a lower level that is darker, cozier and reminiscent of a New York City supper club,” says John Lanni.
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Authentic Italian comfort food at its finest, Pepp & Dolores dishes up satisfying plates of pasta that would make any Italian nonna proud. A glass of vino to accompany the “Dunk,” a baguette served with herbed olive oil and vinegar for dipping, is the perfect introduction to your meal. Follow it up with soulful pastas adorned with meaty Sunday sauce, roasted beets and goat cheese, seafood, lamb ragu, or pesto or chili-flecked lemon.
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Opened in 2019, Pepp & Dolores is a casual Italian restaurant that "pays homage to family and to the food that brings people together" (per Pepp & Dolores). The restaurant is co-owned by brothers Joe and John Lanni, along with their partner, Alec Blust. The brothers named the restaurant after their Italian grandparents, Pepp and Dolores, who openly welcomed family to their home for authentic Italian meals (via CityBeat).
6 Cincinnati restaurants land on OpenTable's Top 100 in the US list
This Over-the-Rhine Italian restaurant was the only dining spot in Ohio or Kentucky to make OpenTable's Top 100 Most Beloved Restaurants in America list last year. The cozy, family-style eatery carries an emphasis on its homemade pastas, as inspired by owners Joe and John Lanni's Italian American grandparents. The menu also features an offering of vibrant cocktails and sides like grilled shrimp and charred broccolini.
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This charming Italian restaurants in Cincinnati impresses with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The menu at Pepp & Dolores showcases a variety of classic Italian dishes prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The wood-fired pizzas are a particular highlight, with their perfectly crisp crusts and flavorful toppings.
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A classy Italian joint that won’t empty your wallet, Pepp & Dolores is one of the trendiest options in town. Traditional fare like spaghetti and meatballs sits alongside flashier options like butternut and mascarpone agnolotti. This is one of the most budget-friendly places for a fancy night out.
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This casual Italian restaurant pays homage to family and to the food that brings people together. The popular dining destination features housemade pastas, carefully curated wines, and a balance of cherished family recipes with fresh, vibrant flavors that will make you feel: this is home.
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They are very accommodating for food allergies and have gluten-free pasta. Also, the service and atmosphere were both great. However, I have a few complaints: the pasta needed more salt and/or seasoning and was a very small portion for what we paid and we left still feeling hungry.
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Pepp and Dolores burst onto the OTR foodie scene and changed the homemade pasta game. This spot oozes romance - from the bright and airy first floor to the sultry and dark basement bar - there's a table for any occasion. The food does not disappoint.
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The website says, "Inspired by the spirit and sense of hospitality experienced at Sunday supper in the home of our grandparents, Pepp & Dolores is a casual Italian restaurant that pays homage to family and to the food that brings people together.
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- Rating: 4.6/5 (1097 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 1501 Vine St. Ohio, Ohio - Categories: Italian- Read more on Yelp. This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 319 metros.
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Pepp & Dolores is family-friendly Italian restaurant located right in downtown Cincinnati. This family friendly spot has amazing Italian food that will make your family’s tummies happy and their taste buds dance with joy!
Coldwater Cafe in Tipp City makes top 10 list for Best Overall Restaurants in Dayton/Cincinnati area
Main St. in Tipp City, was spotlighted alongside nine Cincinnati-area restaurants including Nolia Kitchen, Sotto, Pepp & Dolores, BOCA, Oriental Wok - Cincinnati, Salazar, Alfio’s buon cibo, Carlo & Johnny and Wodka Bar.
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Pepp & Dolores in Over-the-Rhine offers a lively Spanish tapas experience, perfect for sharing delightful small plates with your loved one. The casual yet vibrant atmosphere adds a fun touch to your celebration.
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Pepp and Dolores has some amazing things on the menu, but the pasta is far from the best in the city. Again, that said, I love P & D. Their ricotta is incredible.
Pepp & Dolores, Sotto and Carlo & Johnny listed among OpenTable's '100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America'
OpenTable named Jeff Ruby's Carlo & Johnny, Pepp & Dolores and Sotto as three restaurants on its "100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2023" list.
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1501 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202Phone: 513-419-1820 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Pepp & Dolores (@peppanddolores)
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