Sotto Review

Hands down, one of the best restaurants in the city. A must try. The Amalfi cocktail is flawless. The pasta are breathtaking and house made. The aesthetic is unique and its downstairs location makes it feel like the city's best kept secret.

Phenominal pasta unlike anything else you ll have in Cincinnati. I went big and did their special for the night which was gnocchi in cream sauce with white truffles shaved on top. The dish was divine and the atmosphere so much fun. I absolutely plan on returning.

Super delicious food and very hospitable wait staff

The best Italian in Cincinnati and one of the best in the USA! It's a great place to go eat in Cincinnati if your visiting. You might need a reservation on the weekend. As a seasoned traveler to Italy it's the closest I've come to the flavors you get on the boot.

Incredible food! Great experience! I understand all the high ratings now.

Class A service. Delicious food. Hip vibe. Portion size is not overly generous so one person will eat an entire entree easily.

Cozy and intimate. We had a rather large work group for dinner and the staff was able to keep up with us.

Some of the best food I have ever had...And our server Maria was the best. Ten stars if I could. I had never had a fresh olive oil flight and I never want my olive oil any other way.

Great ambiance and cozy place! Came here to celebrate my wife s birthday and we ordered several dishes to share with our party. Everything was so good! The pastas are handmade and cooked to perfection! Although the service was prompt the waiter didn t follow with some of our requests. We had to remind him couple times. Overall we had a great evening!

This was our first visit. What a fabulous place! The decor and lighting were spot on. You feel like you're in a private club or something. William was our waiter and he took the time to explain the entire menu to us. I had read that the portions were small, but we certainly didn't think so. I would recommend the grilled octopus and the breaded pork loin. If you have room left over, the warm donut holes for dessert were perfect. And they make their own Limoncello! We'll be back!

two days ago was our first time we came to that restaurant. But It is definitely not the last. We had a good time with the excellent service, with the magnificent cooking and wine and with the comfortable payment. We will surely come back in a short time.

The atmosphere and the food
Everything about this place is wonderful.

Thank you to the team who really pampered us during our dinner. Sotto is lovely and superb

Great cozy and underground bar. The food, beer and service were excellent

I went here with my SO on my birthday and we absolutely loved everything about this place! The food was great, the service was phenomenal and the dessert was oh so good! The atmosphere was a little loud and the lighting was fairly dark but we adjusted quickly.

Best dinner I've had in a LONG time! From start to finish, every mouthful was exquisite!

This is the place to go in Cincinnati. I m from out of town and without fail Sotto is on my to-do list when in town. It s so good I even insisted when my parents were in town recently that we make the drive to Cincinnati so I can take them to Sotto. If that doesn t show that I think this place is good then I don t know what does.

The environment is super cool, perfectly fit out. The food is right on point, all cooked perfectly, always al dente, and the flavor is beautiful with a great depth to it. Only comment is that you ve got to bring one to Indianapolis!

If you manage to get a table here your lucky. I love this place and the energy of the staff.

First time at this restaurant and loved it!!! We all had delicious meal and yummy drinks. Will be coming back as soon as I come back to Cincinnati!

Food and service were fantastic. Only thing was... It was LOUD, conversation was difficult at times.

The food was absolutely amazing, the place is beautiful, and the service is top notch - a downtown Cincinnati gem!

Bistecca Fiorentina, with broccoli and Zucca. Amazing!! You will be full for a few hours, and make sure to share with at least one other person.

Delicious food, amazing service . I can't wait to go again

It was really good, priced fairly for lunch. Prosciutto tasting was delicious, and the pasta was tasty. I had the short rib cappellacci. I would recommend it for sure.

This is one of my favorite restaurants for special occasions. I ve eaten here for lunch and dinner. The lunch prices are reasonable ($14 for an entree) and the portion size is just right. If your going to eat dinner here, bring your wallet. It can be expensive depending on what you order but it s worth it. The food is delicious and the service is outstanding. I love the atmosphere. You feel like you are in an underground hideout. It s not handicapped accessible.

The desserts are amazing, without diminishing main courses and the entrees

Awesome place. Food atmosphere ambiance. Amazing. Must eat here. Strongly recommend making reservation.

Excellent across the board. Possibly the best restaurant we've ever been to.

I celebrated my birthday at Sotto and it did not disappoint. The ambiance was the first thing that stood out to me. It's underground so it is dark but the low lighting set such a great atmosphere like you're a part of a secret society. The food were amazing. I'm addicted to their Gianduja Budino, a layer of savory chocolate Budino, and airy Gianduja mouse, topped with candied hazelnut. I sometimes stop by the bar just to have it during the week. Their short rib Cappella was very delicious as well.

My favorite restaurant in Cincinnati, hands down. Delicious soul satisfying food. The chefs knows how to bring out the flavors of the dishes in just the right way. The ambiance makes you feel like your in NYC, and the staff is friendly.

This place is truly an experience. You feel like you are in another world. Great food, great cocktails, great donuts.

This is a very popular restaurant with locals. It is downstairs and ceilings are low so noise factor is high. That being said the food and service are excellent. Unless you reserve many days in advance don't expect to get a reservation before 9 PM. Our reservation was at 9:15 and the place was still packed and we had to wait for a table, but it was worth it. I recommend you try it!

The food was amazing. The level of attention and timing of the service was perfect. There s a reason I ve heard multiple locals call this place their favorite restaurant in Cincinnati

Great food, excellent service and atmosphere is very romantic and sexy.

The food is good. I enjoyed the drinks. I did not think any of the food was Amazing but I would advise to get a table(you will need to call ahead). The place is loud. And avoid taking old people with bad eyes. Low light.

My favorite restaurant in the city. The short rib pasta in butter sauce is incredible.

Amazing Italian food and drinks! Service was fantasic. The atmosphere is amazing...so cozy and intimate! We went there after a very special occasion ~ White Coat Ceremony for UC Medical school. I highly recommend.

If you are looking for a place with a unique vibe, fresh food, good prices, and great flavor, look no further! Conscious kitchen has all of the above. They are known for their carrot pie-- with good reason. It's delicious! Tastes very similar to sweet potato pie.

My family and I celebrate many occasions here we absolutely love the atmosphere and the food.

This an awful restaurant. Food is overpriced and overrated. Plus the owner is a scum bag.

Great atmosphere, excellent food. Can't wait to go back.

Easily one of the best meals of my life. Service was fantastic, and the food and wine were amazing. Our server made great recommendations for wine pairings, and all the support staff was great. I'd like to eat the cacio e pepe every day until I die.

The best restaurant in Cincinnati. And for the price it s also hands down the best bang for your buck fine dining establishment in town. The vibe, food, and service all work together to make this an experience that always measures up to the hype.

The short rib ravioli is a staple piece on the menu and something that should not be missed. The cheese and meats boards are a fun date night experience.

Also, make sure to visit for lunch where the prices are slashed considerably for the same dishes and dining experience.

Probably the most amazing setting for dinner in Cincinnati, with great food to match it.

The only good things about this place is the structure itself and the doughnuts (if i went back it would be for these). Food is average. Small portions that are overpriced. Stay away from the gnocchi that is covered in bacon bits and fairly disgusting. Bolognese tasted like it was out of a jar. The cappellacci was decent but still nothing to write home about. If you want much better Italian and don t want to wait 3 months to get in the place, head to Via Vite, Nicolas or Forno

Delicious food, great service and unique atmosphere. We really enjoyed our experience.

The tops in Cincinnati. Do not pass up the ricotta donuts for dessert!

Great food courses and the steak was perfect...staff was tentative and nice

This is our go-to place for any special occasion or just when we want a fantastic meal. I usually get the short rib cappellaci and it is superb every time. All of the dishes are creative takes on classic Italian cuisine. Some are from peasant dishes and others are fancier. All are delicious!

This place sure knows how to treat their customers. Regularly with a very welcoming approach. The food is reasonably priced, regularly flavorful and neat.

EXCELLENT! Fantastic food, great ambiance & terrific waitstaff!

I tried this place once with my friend and I am hooked ever since. I like the fantastic atmosphere and delicious food and beverages. Fantastic work.

The food here is fabulous. It is all Italian. Must try!!

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch here on vacation. The lunch menu had some great lighter meals, which was perfect for a hot day. Not to mention the food was amazing. We were there around opening time so it was still quite but filled up nicely around the time we were leaving. The staff was very attentive and friendly.

Cozy romantic setting for handmade pasta and other Italian dishes. Be sure to head to the beach towards the restrooms for a chance to see their handmade pasta being made in a section of their kitchen that has a glass wall for viewing.

Great food in a unique, quaint atmosphere. Excellent service. The quail was delicious. Everything you could want from an authentic Italian restaurant.

The food was delicious, loved the rustic atmosphere, and great cocktails!

This hidden gem is worth discovering when in downtown for the evening. Excellent service. Amazing atmosphere and the food is unbelievable. Don't miss this place.

Service was amazing, thanks Mike! Food is simple, yet delicious and elegant. Order the Bruschetta with goat cheese and honey, and get the pickled scallions on the side to add to it, your mind will be blown. I had the ravioli with braised short rib, that was delicious.

Stopped into this restaurant on my drive down to Kentucky. I read stellar reviews so I went in with high expectations. They did not disappoint! This place blew my expectations out of the water! The food was freakin phenomenal. Haven t had Italian this good since I was in Italy!

No wonder the weekend reservation is out months in advance. This is top class authentic Italian with innovative choices. The wines are all Itatiano. My photos weren't so good due to the ambience but our experience was all smiles.

One of those places that makes a city great. I didn't expect such a great repurpose of an old basement. The ambience is romantic, perfectly candle lit and just that right amount of old funky that one could hope. The food was awesome and quite unique. I enjoyed it from the moment I walked in the door. Bring a date or sit at the bar like I did, it's a friendly place.

Good food -- limited menu options. Very friendly staff. Donut balls are fantastic.

Wonderful fine dining experience! Even during the pandemic. Waiter was great and knowledgeable about the menu and the whole establishment was extraordinarily accommodating to my friend who is vegan.

Quick walk from fountain square. Consistently great service. Unique interior and atmosphere. We have to get the goat cheese and hazelnut honey bruschetta. All the pasta entres have been incredible. Ricotta doughnuts for dessert will keep us coming back. Love this place. One of our favorites.

What an absolutely amazing dining experience! My boyfriend and I went at 5 when they opened and had a line out the door. While we didn't have reservations, we were seated immediately and the service was fantastic! The food and drinks were perfection and if I could go back right now, I would. Pictured: cocktails, goat cheese and hazelnut honey bread, black kale caesar salad, cappellacci, and dessert. I must return!

Hip Italian restaurant with low lighting, loud ambiance, and good food.

Always terrific. Very knowledgeable staff regarding both food and wine.

Amazing hidden gem of Cincinnati. Food was amazing, perfectly prepared and well portioned.

This is seriously the best restaurant in town. I have never had a bad (or even mediocre) experience with any aspect of dining here. Every dish is a masterpiece, every drink an experience. The food is amazing. The staff look like models, act like friends, and they know more about food than you do, but they're excited to share, and not condescending. I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. It is absolutely my favorite restaurant in town.

The ONLY bad thing about this place is how hard it is to get a table - I generally have to book a reservation 2+ weeks in advance, but I can hardly fault the restaurant for that.

We have had a series of great experiences here, from wife's 60th birthday party to celebrations of new birth of our kids kids. Excellent food, romantic feel, personal attention. We had a few gluten free (allergy) issues and had great guidance, great gluten free pasta and dessert. We love this place!

This was our second visit at the restaurant. It was great the first time we visited, but mediocre this time. It felt like their success (takes two weeks to get a reservation) has resulted in complacency - both in food and service. Also - we found the the ricotta doughnuts to be overrated - they have better desserts to choose from.

If you don t love this place then it s on you. The pasta is amazing and the ambience is perfect.

If you're in Cincinnati, this is a MUST go. The food was beyond words. The service was spot on. You weren't rushed, I will go back next time I'm in Cincinnati!

The food was delicious everything is Italian but our service was just wonderful staff very helpful!!