3 Best Italian Restaurants in Cincinnati, OH

Expert-recommended Top 3 Italian Restaurants in Cincinnati, Ohio. All of our italian restaurants actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

11+ YEARS IN TBR
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SOTTO

118 East Sixth Street,
Cincinnati, OH 45202 Directions

Since 2013

Specialities:

Burrata Black Kale Caesar Prosciutto Arugula Insalata Mista Tonnato Tartare Di Fassone Grilled Octopus Cacio E Pepe Pomodoro Orecchiette Con Salsiccia Penne Alla Vecchia Bettola Linguine Al Limone Tagliatelle Al Prosciutto Pappardelle Al Cinghiale Cappellacci Black Kale Chicken Caesar Salmon W/ Farro Breaded Pork Loin Eggplant Parmigiana Grande Misti W/ Verdure Sott’olio

"Sotto is a perfect dining spot with an austere brick-and-wood interior serving inventive rustic Italian cuisine. They prepare all their dishes using freshly sourced ingredients. You can try their tagliatelle con porcini. mushrooms, white wine, Parmigiano, and cacio e pepe with their tonnarelli, black pepper, and pecorino. Their staff is ready to provide excellent service. Sotto has semi-private dining rooms for special occasions available from Monday to Sunday for up to 12 members. The restaurant also has Lower East Side and Vampire Room facilities. Sotto provides traditional and digital gift cards.

2026 Highlights: They provide gluten-free menu options along with gift card services. They offer physical gift cards that can be mailed or delivered to the purchaser, as well as digital e-gift cards available in any amount for instant or scheduled delivery. You can try their Tagliatelle con Porcini, made with porcini mushrooms, white wine, and Parmigiano, or the Cacio e Pepe, featuring tonnarelli, black pepper, and pecorino."

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Menu:

ANTIPASTI:
Blue Oven Tortano $8
Fettunta $8
Goat Cheese $13
Oil-Packed Tuna $16
Chicken Liver Mousse $14
Burrata $24
Black Kale Caesar $14
Prosciutto Arugula $14
Insalata Mista $14
Tonnato $22
Tartare Di Fassone $19
Grilled Octopus $26
PRIMI:
Cacio E Pepe $25
Pomodoro $25
Orecchiette Con Salsiccia $23
Penne Alla Vecchia Bettola $21
Linguine Al Limone $20
Tagliatelle Al Prosciutto $19
Pappardelle Al Cinghiale $23
Cappellacci $23
SECONDI:
Black Kale Chicken Caesar $24
Salmon With Farro $29
Breaded Pork Loin $24
Eggplant Parmigiana $20
Salumi & Formaggi:
Grande Misti With Verdure Sott’Olio $32

Discount:

Get $20 E-Gift Bonus Card for every $100 you purchase in gift cards

Contact:

(513) 977-6886 (513) 822-5154

Lunch
Mon-Fri: 11am - 2pm
Dinner
Mon-Thu: 4pm - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 4pm - 11pm
Sun: 4pm - 9pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

7+ YEARS IN TBR
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MAGGIANO'S LITTLE ITALY CINCINNATI

7875 Montgomery Road,
Cincinnati, OH 45236 Directions

Since 1995

Specialities:

Italian Chopped Salad Entrée Maggiano's Salad Side Maggiano's Salad Entrée Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Mom's Lasagna Jumbo Stuffed Shells Spaghetti and Meatballs Spaghetti Rigatoni d Rigatoni Alla Vodka With Sausage Rigatoni Alla Vodka With Shrimp Mushroom Ravioli Four-cheese Ravioli Baked Ziti Eggplant Parmesan Chicken Parmesan Chicken Francese Chicken Marsala Shrimp Scampi Beef Tenderloin Medallions Gigi's Butter Cake Tiramisu New York Style Cheesecake

"Maggiano's Little Italy Cincinnati is located in Kenwood Towne Centre. The restaurant is a semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished space. The executive chef of the restaurant is Karl Lenz. Maggiano's Little Italy Cincinnati offers a menu of hand-crafted pasta like Rigatoni alla Vodka and signature dishes including Chicken Parmesan, complemented by a variety of cocktails crafted tableside and finished with indulgent desserts. Maggiano's Little Italy Cincinnati features a beautiful patio during the warmer months and hosts visits from Santa during the holiday season. The restaurant provides the happy hour menu.

2026 Highlights: They offer private event and catering services with customizable menus tailored to a variety of occasions and guest preferences. They also provide gift cards that can be used for dining or given as flexible gifts."

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Menu:

PASTA:
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo $26.50
Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo $28.50
Mom's Lasagna $24
Jumbo Stuffed Shells $28.50
Spaghetti & Meatballs $24
Spaghetti $21
Rigatoni "D" $25.50
Rigatoni Alla Vodka With Sausage $27
Rigatoni Alla Vodka With Shrimp $28
Mushroom Ravioli $24
Four-Cheese Ravioli $23
Baked Ziti $24.50
APPETIZERS:
Italian Meatballs $16
Calamari Fritté $18
Parmesan-Stuffed Mushrooms $15.50
Crab Cakes $21
Zucchini Fritté $16.50
Crispy Mozzarella $14
Truffle Garlic Bread $15
Roman-Style Flatbread Margherita $15
Roman-Style Flatbread Italian Sausage $17
SALADS:
Chef's Signature Caesar Side $9
Chef's Signature Caesar Entrée $18.50
Italian Chopped Salad Side $8.50
Italian Chopped Salad Entrée $17
Maggiano's Salad Side $8.50
Maggiano's Salad Entrée $16.50

Contact:

(513) 794-0670 (513) 794-0676

Mon-Thu:11am - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am - 11pm
Sun: 11am - 9pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

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PEPP & DOLORES

1501 Vine Street,
Cincinnati, OH 45202 Directions

Since 2019

Specialities:

Carpaccio Piemontese Marinated Cucumbers Artichokes Alla Giudia Arancini The Sunday Sauce Pesto Limone Pomodoro Lobster Gricia Spicy Vodka Crab & Corn Arrabbiata Funghi Meatballs Braised Pork Chicken Scarpariello Grilled Shrimp

2026 Highlights: Pepp & Dolores is a casual Italian restaurant inspired by the warmth and hospitality of traditional Sunday family suppers. They celebrate authentic Italian cuisine with housemade pastas, thoughtfully curated wines, and a menu that blends cherished family recipes featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and flavors. Guests can enjoy handcrafted dishes such as signature pasta specialties, flavorful appetizers, fresh salads, and classic Italian sides In a warm and inviting neighborhood-style atmosphere. Their inviting atmosphere, attentive service, and commitment to bringing people together over great food make them a popular place perfect for both casual dining and special occasions.

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License #5544365

Menu:

PASTA:
The Sunday Sauce $20
Pesto $17
Limone $19
Pomodoro $16
Lobster $25
Gricia $18
Spicy Vodka $18
Crab & Corn $22
Arrabbiata $17
Funghi $20
APPETIZERS:
The Dunk $9
Housemade Ricotta $12
Salumi & Cheese $18
Carpaccio Piemontese $16
Marinated Cucumbers $8
Artichokes Alla Giudia $10
Arancini $15
Meatballs $13
SALADS:
Wedge $12
Gem $12
Bibb $12
SIDES:
Braised Pork $11
Chicken Scarpariello $18
Grilled Shrimp $18
Veal Cutlets $17
Grilled Asparagus $11
Eggplant Involtini $11
Greens And Beans $8

Discount:

Get $25 Off When you spend $250

Contact:

(513) 419-1820 (513) 419-1830

LUNCH
Fri - Sun: 11am - 4pm
DINNER
Mon - Thu: 4pm - 10pm
Fri - Sat: 4pm - 11pm
Sun: 4pm - 10pm

TBR® Inspection Report: