Italian Restaurants in Cincinnati (2025)
Sotto
Italian restaurant · Cincinnati
David Falk’s subterranean trattoria pairs handmade pastas and wood‑grilled seafood with a brick‑lined glow. Frequently crowned by CityBeat and praised by Cincinnati Magazine for unwavering excellence, it’s a defining downtown experience.
Pepp & Dolores
Restaurant · Over-the-rhine
OTR’s pasta magnet channels Sunday‑supper warmth with housemade noodles, sprightly sauces, and a lively room. Voted Best Italian by CityBeat readers in 2025 and a regular on critics’ shortlists.
Forno Osteria+Bar
Italian restaurant · Mount Lookout
Chef Cristian Pietoso’s neighborhood osteria leans into wood‑fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and a savvy Italian wine list. Cincinnati Magazine highlighted its convivial energy and refined cooking.
Alfio's Buon Cibo
Fine dining restaurant · Faxon Hills
An Argentine‑Italian mashup from chef‑owner Alfio Gulisano, celebrated for empanadas, pastas, and tasting menus. Recognized on OpenTable’s Top 100 in 2024 and praised by local critics for special‑occasion service.
Primavista
Fine dining restaurant · Cincinnati
A Price Hill stalwart with skyline views and veal‑forward Northern Italian staples. Featured by local food media and still going strong with dinner Wednesday–Sunday.
Ferrari's Little Italy and Bakery
Italian restaurant · Madeira
Family‑run enclave with on‑site bakery and Italian market serving generous red‑sauce classics. Included in CityBeat’s 2025 roundup of top Italian spots; a suburban standby with real neighborhood roots.
Sorrento's Italian Joint
Italian restaurant · Pleasant Ridge
Norwood institution dating to 1956, refreshed with a bocce court and party rooms. Known for brick‑oven pies and hearty pasta; highlighted in community food events and local coverage.
Biagio's Bistro
Italian restaurant · Clifton
Chef Biagio Lamassa cooks in view of the dining room, turning out affordable, from‑scratch plates for the Clifton crowd. Praised by CityBeat for homestyle charm and indulgent desserts.
Rosie's Italian
Italian restaurant · Cincinnati
From Crown Restaurant Group, a downtown ode to Italian‑American comfort with scratch pastas, parmigiana, and Trenton‑style pies. Covered by CityBeat when the concept relaunched; still a reliable crowd‑pleaser.
Giovanni's Family Italian Restaurant
Italian restaurant · Westwood
West Side favorite for housemade pasta, stromboli, and brick‑oven pizza in a family‑run setting. Consistently ranked by CityBeat readers among Greater Cincinnati’s best Italian restaurants.
Scotti's Italian Restaurant
Italian restaurant · Cincinnati
An Old World time capsule since 1912, famed for candle‑glow ambiance and classic veal and pasta dishes. Operating with limited lunch and dinner hours; call ahead.
