Pepp & Dolores opened on Vine Street with brother-owners Joe and John Lanni bringing their Italian-Canadian grandparents’ legacy to life through handmade pastas and Sunday supper hospitality.
The restaurant embodies what some call “grandma-core dining,” where Grandma Dolores’ cherished recipes create the kind of warm, comforting meals that transport you straight to Sunday dinner at nonna’s house.
Located at 1501 Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine, this spot became famous for its traditional Sunday sauce and soft-serve gelato, each dish serving as a tribute to grandparents Pepp and Dolores.
What Makes Pepp & Dolores Special
The restaurant delivers handmade pastas with nonna-inspired hospitality that recreates the feeling Grandma Dolores created when family gathered around her table.
The Limone Pasta arrives with handmade spaghetti, Meyer lemon, chili flakes, Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic breadcrumbs, and ricotta, creating a light, delicious bestseller that’s earned must-order status.
Walk downstairs and you’ll find 197 framed family photos lining the walls alongside mismatched dinnerware that accompany every meal, honoring the grandparents who inspired it all.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Pepp & Dolores launched when brothers Joe and John Lanni decided to honor their Italian-Canadian grandparents by recreating the Sunday supper tradition they grew up with.
Grandma Dolores’ slow-simmered tomato-based Sunday sauce—served over spaghetti with veal-pork meatball and braised pork shoulder—built the restaurant’s reputation through traditional family recipes.
The brothers take customer requests seriously, which is how dessert made it onto the menu, proving they deliver that warm “driveway-crying feeling” Grandma Dolores was known for (minus the actual tears).
Cincinnati’s Favorite Menu Items
Food Highlights
- Limone Pasta: Handmade spaghetti tossed with Meyer lemon, chili flakes, Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic breadcrumbs, and ricotta creates the light, delicious bestseller. The bright citrus combination delivers a must-order dish throughout the nonna-inspired menu. 🍋
- Spicy Vodka Pasta: Creamy tomato sauce with just the right amount of heat creates a must-order among handmade pasta preparations. The balanced spice showcases traditional Italian-American comfort food at its finest. 🍝
- Sunday Sauce Pasta: Grandma Dolores’ slow-simmered tomato sauce served over spaghetti with veal-pork meatball and braised pork shoulder brings traditional family recipes to life. The authentic preparation delivers that Sunday supper feeling in every bite. 🍝
- Fried Artichokes: Crispy preparation creates a popular start among vegetable appetizers. The golden texture showcases Italian technique in these shareable starters. 🌿
- Housemade Ricotta: Fresh cheese served with sourdough bread creates a creamy beginning built on simple, quality preparations. The whipped texture delivers excellence in Italian staples. 🧀
- Soft-Serve Gelato: Two flavors—hazelnut-chocolate or vanilla mascarpone—can be dressed with olive oil, sea salt, pistachios, or Amaretti cookies. This Italian ice cream was added by customer request, delivering the perfect sweet finish. 🍦
Atmosphere
The restaurant sits at 1501 Vine Street, where an intimate, romantic interior creates moderate noise levels perfect for conversation in Over-the-Rhine.
Inside, you’ll discover 197 framed family photos (actually gathered from cousins, aunts, and uncles) displayed alongside an upstairs bar and that signature mismatched dinnerware that creates the nonna hospitality environment.
The always-hopping setting requires reservations, with a street-view kitchen adding to the comforting destination that recreates that Sunday supper feeling.
Bottom Line
Visit Pepp & Dolores for handmade pastas featuring Limone Pasta and Spicy Vodka alongside Grandma Dolores’ Sunday sauce, all served with genuine nonna-inspired hospitality.
You’ll discover fried artichokes, housemade ricotta, and soft-serve gelato with olive oil through brother-owners Joe and John Lanni’s tribute to their Italian-Canadian grandparents.
The 197 family photos, warm feeling that makes you want to cry in the driveway (in a good way), and customer-requested dessert menu prove this grandma-core dining experience has earned its place as a Cincinnati institution. 🌟
Address: Pepp & Dolores
1501 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
📞 (513) 419-1820
🕐 Mon-Thu: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sun: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Reservations required | Handmade pastas | 197 family photos | Soft-serve gelato | Nonna-inspired hospitality