Pepp & Dolores

A foodie gem in Cincinnati.

One of the best restaurants I have found in Cincinnati so far has been Pepp and Dolores. I’ve been there now three times and have absolutely no complaints about the restaurant. The vibe, drinks, and food are amazing, and you can’t order the wrong thing on the menu. The only downside to this place is that it is always – and I mean always – packed full of people. Although that does just prove even more of my point that it’s one of the better restaurants in Cincy.

One of the reasons that Pepp and Dolores is worth going to is because everything on the menu looks like it would be a reason to come back and try. As I said, I have been there three times now, and I have gotten something new every time – and it’s always delicious.

Pepp and Dolores has probably the best presentation and make of an Aperol Spritz, my favorite drink.

That also gets them ahead in the Cincy food rating – it’s hard to find a good Aperol Spritz, and of course, being an Italian restaurant, they definitely deliver.

I believe that every restaurant should have complimentary bread.

Pepp and Dolores does not, but it is an appetizer on the menu. It’s an appetizer that I have gotten every time I have eaten there and will get the next time I eat there as well. The ricotta and grilled sourdough bread are so delicious paired with “the dunk” which is a baguette with olive oil and herbs to dip into. Both of these appetizers are required when I eat here and are definitely worth the hype that I’m giving it right now.

The entrées at Pepp and Dolores are mainly pasta related – obviously. Although I love Italian food, pasta is not usually my number one choice, but being that they hand make all of their pasta was a deal-breaker for me. On my second trip there I tried my favorite pasta of theirs, the Pomodoro. I usually am not a red sauce girl, but this pasta changed my mind. The other kinds of pasta that I tried here are amazing too, but when I go again I definitely will go with my favorite.

The only downfall, which they make up for with their food and drinks, is that Pepp and Dolores does not have any dessert.

Just put a cannoli on the menu and call it a day and I would be happy.

But they don't have any dessert which is probably the best for the calorie intake that happens during the meal – but that just means to order another drink for dessert instead.

All in all, Pepp and Dolores is an amazing restaurant and one of my favorites that I have found in Cincy so far. It’s one of the places that I will definitely not turn down when asked to go.

City Spritz Ranking: 6/10.