Dive Into Some Pasta and More at the Top 13 Italian Restaurants in Cincinnati

Italian cuisine is very popular all around the United States and finding the perfect one can be quite challenging. This is why you stopped here, because you need the help finding that perfect slice of pizza.

So, say ciao to those other restaurants and step into a world of mouth water pizzerias and savory pastas with these top thirteen best Italian restaurants to visit in Cincinnati. After reading this list, you will have a good sense of the best italian food in The Queen City. 

Make sure to also grab our amazing GiftYa electronic gift card to be able to experience these thirteen Italian restaurants, along with other restaurants, shops, recreational attractions, and even get personal services done as well! This gift card is completely digital and can be uploaded right onto your debit card for your convenience. Make sure to snag a GiftYa electronic gift card ASAP and enjoy these amazing Italian restaurants in Cincinnati!

Sotto

Basement dining spot serving rustic Italian cuisine!

Sotto is an incredible Italian restaurant in Cincinnati that you need to try out! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

118 E 6th Street | Downtown | sottocincinnati.com

Looking for some unique rustic cuisine in Cincinnati?

Rated the number one italian restaurant in Cincinnati, Sotto is a unique, high-end restaurant that features it’s well-known rustic italian cuisine. With it being one of the most popular italian restaurants in the city, it is recommended that you make a reservation to enjoy the different options that Sotto has to offer. 

The seats fill up fast at Sotto for the family-style italian eatery with options such as pennette vodka, linguine carbonara, and spaghetti aglio e olio. Sotto also features vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options as well.

“Sotto is like dining in a cave with exposed brick pillars amidst a vibrant energy in this popular and crowded restaurant.” - TripAdvisor Review

Buy a gift card for Sotto

Nicola’s Ristorante

Contemporary Italian cuisine at its finest!

Nicola’s Ristorante is a contemporary Italian restaurant with a lot of delicious specials and unique dishes! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

1420 Sycamore Street | Over-the-Rhine | nicolasotr.com

Do you have your heart set out for a more contemporary italian restaurant?

Nicola’s Ristorante is a contemporary italian restaurant that is known for its elegant setting and delicious and authentic italian cuisine. All of their pastas, desserts, and breads are made fresh every day to ensure its quality and dedication towards great food. 

Only open for the dinner hours, making a reservation is your best option if you wish to eat Nicola’s specialty dishes, such as crispy potato gnocchi and tagliolini ai frutti de mare. Nicola’s is rated the second best italian restaurant in Cincinnati and is perfect to go to if you’re looking for an exquisite italian restaurant to go to!

“Well-balanced dishes with fresh and high quality ingredients, nothing we had was over-seasoned or under-seasoned. Very satisfying meal!” - Yelp Review

Buy a gift card for Nicola’s Ristorante

Forno Osteria + Bar

Featuring signature pizzas and craft cocktails!

Forno Osteria + Bar is the perfect Italian restaurant to go to for a special night out with a loved one! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

3514 Erie Avenue | Hyde Park | fornoosteriabar.com

Looking for a pizzeria with wine and craft cocktails?

Here at Forno Osteria + Bar, rustic italian entrees and pizza is what is usually served at this bustling and light-filled restaurant. Not only is Forno Osteria + Bar known for their delicious pizzas, but they are also known for their craft cocktails, like their signature Fernet cup, with ingredients such as gin, fernet, cucumber, ginger beer, and mint. 

If you choose to come to Forno’s Osteria + Bar earlier in the day on Sunday, they have a brunch menu consisting of french toast, mushroom quiche, and a pork milanese panini.

“It's cozy, the food is great and they have a good wine selection. The service is always great and I've never had anything but a positive experience.” - Yelp Review

Buy a gift card for Forno Osteria + Bar

Biagio’s Bistro

Cincinnati’s Neighborhood Hangout for Great Italian Cuisine

Biagio’s Bistro is the perfect place to get a delicious Italian dish along with a glass of wine! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

| 308 Ludlow Avenue | Clifton | corkopolis.com

Are you searching for a comfortable hangout spot for some classic and delicious italian food?

Located within a half mile of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Biagio’s Bistro is a comfy italian hangout that serves all of your favorite, and classic italian dishes at a low cost. Some of their signature dishes are fettuccine alfredo, veggie pasta, italian wedding soup, Caesar and Greek salads, and many other classic favorites. 

Biagio’s Bistro has many food options for all italian lovers and includes vegetarian options as well. Biagio’s Bistro also gives customers the feature of watching their food being cooked by the chef!

“From the atmosphere, to the classy waiters, to the chef cooking your meal where you could watch - truly great food & experience at affordable prices.” - TripAdvisor Review

Buy a gift card for Biagio’s Bistro

A Tavola Bar + Trattoria

Get some famous wood-fired neapolitan pies!

Make sure to check out A Tavola Bar + Trattoria for their tasty neapolitan pizza, antipasti, and so much more! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

1220 Vine Street | Over-the-Rhine | atavolapizza.com

Who wants some famous wood-fired neapolitan pies served with antipasti?

Yes, you heard it here. A Tavola Bar + Trattoria is an industrial chic restaurant that serves it’s famous neapolitan pies, or pizzas that are served with antipasti. Their pizzas are very unique and one of their signature ones has delicious ingredients such as fig jam, prosciutto, fontina, and arugula. 

While A Tavola Bar + Trattoria is famous for its pizzas, they are also known for their craft cocktails, such as their signature Archibald cocktail, with ingredients such as Watershed Four Peel gin, Fernet Branca, and fresh squeezed orange juice. A Tavola is a smaller italian restaurant, but it is filled with many different flavors and options for hungry eaters.

“If you want to escape and feel like you are eating in Italy go here and enjoy!!” - Yelp Review

Buy a gift card for A Tavola Bar + Trattoria

Via Vite

Sleek Italian restaurant with a view of Fountain Square!

Via Vite in Cincinnati is the perfect upscale restaurant to go to if you’re looking for a tasty Italian dinner! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

520 Vine Street | Downtown | viaviterestaurant.com

Looking for a view of Fountain Square while eating your delicious italian meal?

Via Vite  is a sleek italian restaurant with a beautiful view of Fountain Square with a breathtaking view of the Tyler Davidson fountain among the bustling streets of Cincinnati. Featuring many Tuscan traditions with their food, some of their signature dishes feature a seafood risotto, Faroe Island salmon, and lamb shank. 

Via Vite also offers endless options of beer, wine, and cocktails, and reservations are recommended when wanting to eat here. Via Vite also uses all fresh ingredients to prepare their food and it is also a sister company of the famous Nicola’s in Cincinnati.

“Our meal was delicious and the overall experience was very relaxing and enjoyable. I highly recommend this restaurant to visitors and locals!” - Yelp Review

Buy a gift card for Via Vite

Primavista

Elegant and up-scale Italian restaurant with endless delicious meal options!

Primavista serves an exquisite Italian dinner with a city view of Cincinnati that we know you’ll enjoy! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

810 Matson Place | Downtown | pvista.com

Want to have a delicious italian dinner with a city view of Cincinnati?

Primavista is an up-scale italian restaurant located in Cincinnati with a beautiful and breathtaking view of the city. They offer endless options for all different kinds of customers, such as classic italian options, and also vegetarian, vegan, and even gluten-free options. 

Primavista is known for its sensational food, along with being named “Best Dining With a View”, “Best Date Spot”, and was also named “Best Italian Restaurant” in Cincinnati Magazine’s Readers Choice. They specialize and are known for their veal and fresh fish dishes, and their sauces and stocks are all handcrafted and made in house. 

“From the moment you arrive, you receive comfort, beauty, and a glorious dining experience. Cocktails, wine list, appetizers, entrees and desserts are all worth the trip.” - Yelp Review

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Maggiano’s Little Italy

Cincinnati’s semi up-scale classic family-style served Italian restaurant!

Enjoy a family-style Italian restaurant such as Maggiano’s Little Italy right in Cincinnati! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

7875 Montgomery Road | Downtown | maggianos.com

Searching for the ultimate classic italian restaurant served family-style?

Maggiano’s Little Italy is a semi up-scale italian restaurant located in Kenwood Towne Centre that serves all the classic italian favorites family-style. In a relaxed environment, customers are able to enjoy seasonal fresh salads, Italian sausage flatbreads, and classics such as spaghetti and meatballs and fettuccine alfredo. They also offer different options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free customers as well. 

“Our whole experience here was absolutely top notch! Great service, great food, great atmosphere.” - Yelp Review

Alfio’s Buon Cibo

Enjoy delicious Italian favorites with an Argentinean twist to them!

Alfio’s Buon Cibo is a delicious Italian restaurant with an Argentinean twist to it for you to really enjoy it! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

2724 Erie Avenue | Hyde Park | alfios-cincy.com

Thinking about treating yourself to some tasty Italian dishes with a little bit of a twist to it? Consider going to Alfio’s Buon Cibo today for some tasty pasta, ravioli, empanadas, and lots more with an Argentinean twist to it! This upscale eatery serves your food with a fancy bottle of wine, or a cocktail of your choice to make it an intimate setting as well.

At Aflio’s Buon Cibo, make sure to try out the braised veal short ribs, the short rib ravioli, seafood risotto, the empanada trio, butternut squash soup, grilled romaine salad, and even pistachio crusted salmon. Make sure to book a reservation to Alfio’s Buon Cibo as soon as you can!

“Amazing food and fantastic service! My husband and I had a wonderful dinner here yesterday evening.” - Yelp Review 

Buy a gift card for Alfio’s Buon Cibo

Buca di Beppo

Love family-style restaurants? This Italian restaurant is the one for you!

Check out Buca di Beppo, a fun family-style Italian restaurant that you and your kids will fall in love with! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

2635 Edmondson Road | Norwood | bucadibeppo.com

Do your kids love Italian food and you want to go to a restaurant that they can also enjoy too? Consider going to Buca di Beppo today for their amazing family-style restaurant and kid-friendly atmosphere! Buca di Beppo lets you pick through the menu and select a few dishes to be served in the center of the table for you and your family to dive into, and it’s all delicious!

Buca di Beppo serves all of your favorites when it comes to Italian food. Everything from lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, spicy chicken rigatoni, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, chicken marsala, caesar salads, and lots more are among the great food items you can choose. Make sure to go to Buca di Beppo today to treat your family to something special!

“The portion was large and totally delicious. I forgot to take a pic but will be returning soon to have this again and will get one then.” - Yelp Review 

Buy a gift card for Buca di Beppo

Pepp & Dolores

Another family-style Italian restaurant to check out that makes homemade goodies!

Enjoy a dinner date at Pepp & Dolores with your significant other for their delicious homemade Italian favorites! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

1501 Vine Street | Over-the-Rhine | peppanddolores.com

Do you love the idea of Italian restaurant being family-style because of all of the delicious food that they can offer you? If this is what you’re looking for, then go to Pepp & Dolores today for a delicious Italian meal with your family and friends! Pepp & Dolores is known for not only their family-style restaurant, but also that they make their very own pasta and bread for a homemade meal you never knew you needed.

At Pepp & Dolores, you can try everything from pesto pasta, a wedge salad, vodka pasta, squid ink fusilli, butternut and mascarpone raviolis, limone pasta, and lots more. Come to Pepp & Dolores for a tasty and unique Italian restaurant experience today!

“The food was good and fairly priced. We loved the dunk course, bibb salad, and pomodoro pasta. All of these were homemade and special takes on classic dishes.” - Yelp Review 

Buy a gift card for Pepp & Dolores

Olive Garden

A lively chain restaurant that is perfect no matter the occasion!

Olive Garden is the perfect and affordable Italian restaurant that you need to go to right in Cincinnati! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

3290 Vandercar Way | Oakley | olivegarden.com

Are you looking for some delicious Italian dishes that you can get for an affordable price? Make sure to go to Olive Garden no matter if it’s a special occasion, or even if you are just craving some Italian dishes! Pastas, salads, soup, and of course, their signature breadsticks are what you’re going to love about Olive Garden, and even your kids will love it,

Olive Garden serves all of your favorite and classic Italian dishes, such as chicken and gnocchi soup, chicken parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, shrimp scampi, wedding soup, salad with their signature Italian dressing, and lots more. With that being said, get over to Olive Garden right away to enjoy a great Italian meal!

“The service was extremely friendly. I strongly recommend the chicken parm, gnocchi soup, and ALWAYS... the breadsticks.” - Yelp Review 

Buy a gift card for Olive Garden 

Gabby’s Cafe

Pizza, pasta, and lots of other Italian favorites are served here!

Get some delicious pizza, pasta, other Italian dishes, and even American-fare food at Gabby’s Cafe! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

515 Wyoming Avenue | Wyoming | gabbyswyoming.com

Are you looking for an affordable, yet delicious pizza place that also serves other Italian favorites? Consider Gabby’s Cafe today for their Italian favorites and even American dishes as well! Gabby’s also serves up craft beer or wine to go with your meal and they are even known for their sweet homemade desserts.

At Gabby’s Cafe, you can try out everything from the cranberry pecan salad, caesar salad, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, chicken parmesan, grilled salmon, zucchini linguine, spaghetti and meatballs, and even a range of lots of delicious pizzas to choose from. Check out Gabby’s Cafe as soon as you can and enjoy some amazing Italian dishes today!

“This restaurant was a pleasant surprise. The food was excellent  and well presented.  We would definitely return.” - Yelp Review 

Buy a gift card for Gabby’s Cafe

Cincinnati is full of delicious Italian restaurants serving new dishes filled with creative flavor combinations, along with classic Italian food that everybody loves. Did yours make the list?