Pepino's was one of my last meals out before the pandemic shutdown in early 2020. We had an amazing birthday dinner for Spouse and were excited for a repeat visit. Little did we know our next dinner at Pepino's would again be Spouse's birthday, but in 2023. So glad we made it back and that Pepino's is still thriving. There are changes to the menu (I definitely don't remember Detroit style pizza), but the food and ambiance are still spot on. We went with a pizza and the Lobster spaghetti special, both fantastic and enormous. The pasta was cooked perfectly in a buttery tomato sauce with a touch of cognac. A generous portion of whole lobster meat sat atop the spaghetti. The "Big Pauly" double pepperoni pizza had great cheese, tangy sauce, a crust that held up and pepperoni "cups." We drank Chinotto and sparkling water. There was no room for dessert, and we had plenty of leftovers to enjoy again. The staff are relaxed yet attentive, lending to the great vibe of this nouveau old school place. Nothing about the decor feels contrived, but it hits all the retro notes. Pepino's is cozy, if not a bit loud, but it's hard to mind when you are exchange pleasantries with the table next to about the gargantuan meatballs. read more

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First thing. Make a reservation. They're full. However, the service definitely makes you feel like you're their only table. Our server was Sakai (I am sorry if I am spelling your name wrong) he was 10/10. We will definitely be asking to be in his section for our future visits. It was Mother's Day so you know it's busy with family and some children. He was spot on. I love their style of service, very attentive. Never an empty glass and they came over several times to clear and wipe down the table. Everyone staff member we spoke to was wonderful. The restaurant is dimly lit and feel like an old Italian restaurant. It's perfect for a family dinner or a romantic evening. The food was "chefs kiss" we started with the cheese sticks and the mozzarella pill was insane (see photos). We ordered the Pauly Pizza, Spaghetti and Meatballs and the Gnocchi with Mushrooms. Every single bite was perfection. The pasta was perfectly cooked, pizza was hot, fresh out of the oven and the gnocchi were perfect pillows in a masala sauce. My only small complaint was the red wine by the glass selection was slim, only three options and they were all pretty meh, however, it did not effect our meal or service. Pepinos will definitely be our new place. We can't wait to go back and enjoy another meal. read more

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It was ok. Nothing special for Italian food. Service was slow. Food came at the usual pace.

Okay, this is a blunt review probably because of the hype this place has. We came one wintery night during COVID. There was a line up out the door, with everyone waiting for their reservation times. Our table wasn't ready yet. Nor were a bunch of other groups. I was pretty shocked at how many people they were cramming in there during COVID times and have to admit it felt like more than was safe. We got a $50 bottle of wine to split with 4 of us. I mean you gotta do it when you're eating pasta, no? It was good. We got some appies to start including the Humboldt Squid 'Alla Diavola', Capers, Lemon which was soft squid and not deep fried. It was tender and good but nothing to write home about. We also shared a caesar salad. It was a good salad! I was hoping to have this avocado salad everyone writes about but it wasn't on the menu.. whomp whomp. So I got the Porcetta ravioli in Bolognese sauce and it was great! The portion felt a little small compared to my boyfriend's spaghetti and meatballs but it was delicious. But here's where the review gets some of the additional docking to the points - If spaghetti and meatballs is supposed to be a staple of an Italian restaurant, you'd feel like it would be a super star meal, no? I'm sorry, Pepino's. Your Spaghetti and Meatballs fell flat. It literally tasted like spaghetti and meatballs anyone can make. What's the secret for yours because I can't find it? It was really disappointing and even though I was hungry still after my ravioli, I didn't even want to finish my boyfriend's meal. The prices are also pretty steep. I get that for a "fancy Italian restaurant" these prices are pretty standard across the city, but I honestly felt underwhelmed amongst all the hype. I won't be back anytime soon. Overall the meal though was OK. The bill once split was $100 before tip for both my boyfriend and I and it wasn't anything to write home about... but rather write on Yelp that this place didn't live up to the hype + conditions of COVID made me feel a little weird in such a small space with so many people. read more

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This is one of those "if you know you know" places. Inside: cozy and definitely very loud. The food: MWUAH :* chef's kiss. You already know the food is fire. Vodka pasta: yes. Shrimp: yes. The CHICKEN. a THOUSAND percent yes. I wasn't convinced when my bf wanted to order it but thank GOD he did cause it was TOOO good. And of course, my first time having tiramisu and I'm glad it was from here cause u all know why ;) iykyk read more

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SO CLOSE TO A 5 but a sad, measly portion of broccolini and overly crusty bread led to a 4 for this old school pasta house. We got their take out for 4 deal which was more than enough food for four people and their ability to work magic with desserts was an unexpected surprise. Cesar salad and brussel sprouts were both tasty sides but the garlic toast with cheese was extremely crusty, had very little cheese and overall, was not that good...the size of the broccolini was kind of sad with maybe 7-8 stalks compared to the pictures that I have seen. On the other hand, their pastas, alfredo and lasagna, were both amazing. With an alfredo that isn't TOO heavy but still heavenly, this dish didn't look like much but we were wrong. The lasagna I cannot stop thinking about with hand rolled pasta sheets, perfectly layered and so tasty. The chicken was also succulent, juicy and not overly brined making it a delicious protein option. The pork chop was similar being thick cut but remaining moist, covered in panko, fried and then topped with cheese. Really heavy but just what you want from an italian dinner. Last, the desserts were some of the best we have had. The tiramisu brought a smile to everyone's face and their cheesecake is creamy, sweet and exactly what you need to satisfy any craving. Overall, we loved our meal but I expect more from their sides and starters. read more

Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Food: 4.5/5 Overall: 5/5 I'm a huge fan of this spot! I've been here twice now - once sitting in and just recently as a takeout order during the pandemic. Being a pasta lover, my friend was shocked that I hadn't tried this place out yet, and so was I once I finally went. From the outside, I never would have guessed that this was as great of a spot as it is, because it's quite discreet. Once you walk in, it almost reminds me of an Old Spaghetti type decor - nothing fancy but it somehow works! I also think that the adorable bibs they give go perfectly with the vibe of the place. The service was also nice! During the takeout pickup, I called inside during my time slot and they brought it out right away - no waiting around which is nice as some places have been swamped with orders. The food is really the winner here - so SO very good! The first time I went I got a single pasta dish but the second time my boyfriend and I decided to do the 2 x $35 deal and we were really impressed! You get an appy, a pasta, a main, a side, and dessert all for $35 for two people! It was all so delicious. My only two tiny drawbacks was the size of the dishes weren't super big during this deal (my a la carte pasta had so much more in the plate) and there are no veg-friendly mains which is a bit of a bummer. That being said, I love this spot! I'll definitely be coming back for takeout and dine in as well! read more

Pepino's - Pepinos takeout! - Rigatoni alla vodka, garlic toast, roasted potatoes, meatballs, pork chop - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Ciao! Pepino's located close to Hastings on Commercial Drive or simply - The Drive - is a kinda welcome spot before progressing onwards up into the heart of - Vancouvers aptly named - Little Italy. Pepino's opened in 2018 taking over the exact spot once occupied by the iconic Nick's Spaghetti House, which ran for 62 years!!! There is a rustic classic feel to this joint right from the entrance door (feels like your entering someones house) to the complete interior - dark furniture, wood tables & old paintings on the walls. It truly feels like a step back in time - did Godfathers ("I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.") ever meet here for dinner back in the day!?! LOL. Mangiare! We had - Chicken Piccata (a 1/2 chicken on its own in a wicked caramalised sauce), Lobster Gnoochi - special (to die for absolutely delightful!), Crimini Mushrooms & a hearty amazing Tiramisu (made in house). Our waitress was friendly & helpful. A small restaurant with tables close together however, with much heart - come ready to relax with everyone else & yes even families with small children - all chowing down on their spaghetti - happy as can be. As we were leaving a man we chatted with, told us he'd been here several times & just loves it! Open at 5pm everyday - make a reservation now! Arrivederci! read more

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The most authentic Italian Food Experience this side of Italy. Make a reservation well in advance because Pepinos is so popular. So worth it!! Food is Excellent ! Staff professional knowledgeable and Friendly ! You gotta try the Meatballs. Don't skip Desert the Tiramisu is incredible!! Enjoy !! read more

Family style Italian restaurant - what a mood ! Loved the atmosphere, a little more cramped than I would like, but they do use dividers (if you're covid sensitive like me) Food: - spicy rigatoni vodka & clam linguine : perfect if you're looking for a worthwhile carb cheat day, perfectly al dente pasta, well seasoned and oiled up -brussel sprouts (yum!) - big nick pizza : probably would not order again, it's definitely a large portion and worth it if you're into a Detroit style crust (doughy, thick and fluffy) - TIRAMISU: oh so delicious, I'm craving this right now.. read more

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So .. was in town for a show Not only did the nice young lady squeeze me in .... But hooked me up during prime time. The seats were close to the door with a view of the outside. Perfect. Now how bout the Best Veal Parmigiana I've ever had !!!!!!! EVER ! The portion was Ginormous. So took half home along with the garlic cheese bread. Thanks for a Great Meal and part of a bigger night. the band. Bridge City Sinners the venue The WISE HALL great show !!!!!!! read more

SO YUMMY!! MUST get the vodka rigatoni and vongole and the cheesy bread to start! Everything is "family style" here so be prepared for large portions and sharing. Also, don't forget to save some stomach space for their delicious tiramisu. Reservations highly recommended read more

Pepino's - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Had a good assortment of dishes a la familia style. We started off with a couple of Avocado Salads. Don't be deceit by the name, this salad comes with pickled beets (so good), kale, cabbage and goat feta on the side. The dressing was so refreshing and amazing. Then, the spinach ricotta cannelloni will have many of us going back for more. It was so fulfilling: the sauce, the stuffing and the slightly burnt yet crispy cheese. Yum! The Fettuccini Alfredo was also another winner that night. Unlike most places, the sauce on this pasta was satisfying without being too heavy. The mushroom was a great addition. Pork Chop on Spaghetti - tender chop. We were really pleased! Meatball Spaghetti - I didn't try it but the group also gave it their thumbs up. read more

Pepino's - Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Price/quality (4/4): Quality was pretty good. This restaurant is great for homestyle pastas. It's also clear that quantity is a major selling point as well, in addition to quality. Portions here tend to be big enough to really fill you up. Their tiramisu was served in a tall glass, which isn't commonly seen in Vancouver but it was tasty nonetheless. Service (1/1): Service was surprisingly efficient, even though the restaurant was quite crowded. Would I come here again: Yes read more

Pepino's - Shrimp scampi - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

We wanted to get some casual Italian food and ended up at Pepino's. Despite it being a weekday evening (Thursday) at 8pm, it was actually quite busy and I highly recommend making reservations on OpenTable. I ended up getting the gnocchi and the Mr got the daily special which was the baby back ribs. I was a big fan of the gnocchi as they had a lot of flavour and the cheese was especially filling. They also had a bit of crunch too then which added to the texture. The baby back ribs as the special was a steal as they had so much flavour. I did wish that the potatoes that were served with the ribs had a bit less salty, but overall an amazing place for comfort Italian food! read more

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A casual family style Italian restaurant with some of the best FRESH pasta I've tried in Vancouver. *MUST TRY* - Papardelle Bolognese (5/5) - $27 Taste: Extremely al dente and thinly made, this was a family favourite! Papardelle is a long, thin, flat noodle and chewy to the taste covered in a delicious bolognese sauce full of cheese / ground beef. While typical pappardelle is either made too thick or too hard, this place does it perfectly. Portion Size: Good to share for 2 Lobster Spaghetti (4/5) - $40 Taste: Served with sizeable chunks of lobster, this was delicious as well, with just the right amount of flavour. The sauce did not overpower the texture of the spaghetti noodles and the creaminess of the sauce was perfect. Portion Size: Good to share for 2 Rigatoni Alla Vodka (3/5) - $23 Taste: Rigatoni is the short pasta with the hollow cylinder shape. The alla vodka sauce is great, but this dish felt a bit bland without much seasoning or complimentary textures - perhaps it was because we chose the lactose version and asked for no cheese in the dish... Portion Size: Good to share for 2 Brussel Sprouts (5/5) - $10 Taste: You can never go wrong with brussel sprouts - roasted and sprinkled with parmesan and some lemon zest. Delicious! A great side dish for sharing. Portion Size: Good to share for 2 Cioppino (4/5) - $33 Taste: I loved the tomato soup base that this seafood dish was cooked in - with a bit of a spicy kick as well. It came with a variety of seafood including prawns, squid, and mussels. I would say it wasn't the freshest seafood, but the flavour of this dish was superb. Portion Size: Good for one. [Value for Money] I was delightfully pleased with this restaurant that I had picked out for my family of 5 for my birthday dinner. While it's situated in an older building and the ambiance isn't as modern, the quality of the food is AMAZING and portion sizes are suitable for larger groups. read more

Pepino's - Top to bottom: Cioppino, Brussel Sprouts - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I LOVE Pepinos, and here's why! It is a true authentic pasta house! I just went here for my very first time last week. I've been wanting to go pretty much all year after seeing pictures of pasta blowing up my Instagram feed. And boy did they deliver. My boyfriend and I made a reso (make a reso as it gets busy!) and had a quaint two seater real close to another couple but I didn't care. There are cute little lamps on each of the tables that makes you feel like you're in a scene from The Sopranos. On top of that our waiter was Italian and awesome. I don't know how people are saying portions are small because thats just false. Portions are big so come with an appetite. We started with the calamari, which isn't your ordinary small fried pieces of squid, this calamari is a great portion and the squid is huge and seasoned perfectly! Comes with a great dipping sauce also! For our mains we went for the vodka sauce rigatoni and the mushroom fettuccine. Holy Effin shiz! The rigatoni was AMAZING. Noodles had great el dente chew to them and the sauce was so simple yet so flavourful. They put a great amount of cracked chilies on it too which I love. My fettuccine was also delish!!! The noodles were so fresh and the sauce was creamy, all the flavours were tremendous! On top of that they serve fresh bread to go with your pasta! We also ordered a negroni and Aperol Spritz and really you can't go wrong, both were awesome drinks! I can't wait to dine here again and try every single item on their menu! The perfect meal on a cold night. Hot tip: great date spot!! read more

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This used to be Nick's a long time ago and haven't been here since it changed ownership. It has the same classic decor, very intimate and cozy but casual. The staff is attentive and friendly! I had the steak with gnocchi and the flavours were great, the gnocchi was softer than I had anticipated but the steak was a bit tough and a bit rare in the center. My hubby had the spaghetti with meatballs. Not just any meatballs, these were two baseball sized ones and tender! Perfectly cooked pasta and tomato sauce. This would be good to share unless you have a very large appetite! For dessert, you must try the Budino! Salted caramel gooeyness with whip cream. Yum!! Good comfort Italian food, generous portions and reasonably priced. Servers are wearing masks at this time of Covid but it's still a busy popular spot! read more

The Americanized version of Italian food is the best way to describe this place. Overall, it tastes quite westernized and I wasn't a big fan of it. I got their famous pepino spaghetti and meatball - the flavors were nice and the meatball was good, but everything was just ok... it kind of reminded me of fancy pasta that I made during my university days. Was a bit disappointed and would definitely recommend the other two sister restaurants - La tana right next door or savio volpe read more

Pepino's - a plate of spaghetti with meat and sauce - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Surprisingly my first time here and it lived up to the hype ! I enjoyed the vodka pasta a lot and I'm not much of a pasta person. Chill vibes and great food is always a good combo. read more

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So much carbs. We had a reservation right at 5pm, their dinner opening service and a line had already formed outside. Me and one of my best girlfriends tend to try a new Italian restaurant every time we hangout. Always on a quest to find the tastiest pasta and pizza! Todays venture didn't disappoint. For our starter we ordered the pepino's platter from their happy hour menu and it came with olive wrapped meatballs, mozzarella sticks and extra cheesy, cheesy bread. We stopped ourselves from finishing off the appie because we knew it would make us too full to have our pasta mains and pizza. For my main, I got the Gnocchi, Marsala Sauce with Wild Mushrooms which was probably my favourite dish of the evening. The Marsala sauce with mushrooms was soooo good, I could have licked it off the plate. We finished off that pasta pretty quick, that I forgot to take a photo (sad face). My friend ordered the Rigatoni alla Vodka, which was also good but not as good as the Gnocchi. We asked for extra chilli flakes and parmesan cheese to add a bit more flavour to the Vodka sauce. The rigatoni pasta was cooked perfectly al dente I have to say. For our pizza we ordered the Big Nick which came with an Alfredo sauce, Fennel Sausage, Mushrooms, Peperoncini and Olives. If I had known how big the pizza was going to be I would have suggested we ordered only one pasta or forgone without the appie. Let's just say there were a lot of left overs after our meal, but nothing makes me happier than seeing an exorbitant amount of food in front of me! Haha. From the outside the restaurant looks unassuming but once you go inside, it's quite big and feels like a true family style restaurant straight out of Italy. The service here is amazing! Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted warmly by what seemed like everyone! Our waiter was very attentive and continuously asked if we needed anything . Upon leaving, almost all the staff thanked us for coming. Definitely don't get that kind of reception and service everywhere now a days. Will definitely be back to try more on their menu! read more

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Am usually not the kind of person who visits restaurants during their Grand Opening since it's such a hit or miss in terms of execution but agreed to come here with a fellow foodie friend as they've been a big fan Savio Volpe, who are the team behind this second restaurant. It was great to know that online reservations were available. There weren't too many options by the time we got the reso but we did end up getting a 6:30pm slot for last Saturday which was Day 2 of their grand opening. Our waiter was kind enough to give some of his recommendations but we ultimately ended up getting the Ravioli, Pork Chop Parm, Crispy Potatoes, Broccoli and Lemon and finishing off the meal with a Tiramisu. The ravioli was a little disappointing. The pasta was pretty hard on the edges but the meat sauce that came with this one was amazing. Made with a very big variety of meats, we even used it as a dipping sauce for our complimentary dipping bread. The pork chop was definitely the star of the night. Eat it while it's hot otherwise the crust does separate. The meat was nicely cooked and juicy with the right amount of fat. The tiramisu was definitely the star of the night for me. I don't generally order tiramisu; chocolate desserts aren't really my thing but the cup of tiramisu was the perfect sharing dessert to end the night. The cake is nice and moist with hints of crunchy cocoa nibs throughout the whole cup. I read an article saying that they kept the paintings from the previous owners from Nick's Spaghetti House in the restaurant and you can definitely feel it's "old-school" vibes throughout the place with it's dimly lit lighting and private tables. We ordered just the right amount of food to share between the two of us but the tables here are rather small that the dishes did not come out all at once (Our waiter had asked if it was ok for it to come out in two courses due to table space). Overall, would definitely be back to try the spaghetti that's on the menu as that was what everyone else had ordered (OF COURSE....it's a SPAGHETTI HOUSE for a reason) and would definitely not mind coming back for the tiramisu! read more

Pepino's - Pork chop parm - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Pepino'a has been on my list of places to try for quite some time (pre-COVID) and I finally was able to go last night with my boyfriend and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I love the atmosphere- parts of it have an Old Spaghetti Factory feel but it's more more elevated/classy. The restaurant is on the smaller side which makes for a more intimate feel. As for the food... When the waitress didn't immediately tell us about the special, I asked and was told they sold out! I would have loved to try the prawn linguine but didn't have the option which was very disappointing- it was 8pm so I feel like this is kind of unacceptable- it's not like we were there right before closing or anything. My boyfriend had the spaghetti and meatballs. It was delicious! The meatballs are huge and are cooked and seasoned to perfection. I ordered the Ravioi and oh.em.gee! The bolognese sauce is tasty but it's the meat inside the ravioli noodles that sets it apart from other ravioli. Rather than your typical almost ball formed meat inside, this was more of a shredded texture and absolutely to die for. The waitress recommended tiramisu for dessert- it's different from tiramisu I usually have that's almost like a cake- this version was more of a custard but it was soooo creamy and good. Service was good. The waitress checked in regularly and had good suggestions for us when it came to a wine pairing and dessert. I will definitely return to try the other things on the menu! read more

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It's cramped, is noisy, but that just makes it more charming. Brought my young family here to celebrate a special occasion. My boys who are going on six were a little bit overwhelmed with the noise level at first, but they quickly settled in. We snuck in just before 6PM and we're able to take advantage of a couple dishes off of the food happy menu. We started with a Caesar salad and had the deep dish pizza followed by the pasta special: lobster pasta in a rosé sauce. The deep dish coming out on a platter at eye level is a thing of dreams for pizza loving children (and grown-ups alike.) The lobster pasta special was excellent. After all that we raced to finish our tiramisu's before rushing home to bed. It was a very satisfying family evening out. Thanks Pepino's read more

I love family style restaurants and so glad to finally try Pepinos! We got a reservation a week before and so glad we did since the new restrictions came out, the restaurant was full capacity so it was really busy. The inside of the restaurant was really cozy, we sat beside a big group's birthday party so it was a bit loud but we did not mind. Since it was Thursday, they had a special where the cherry cola ribs + fried potatoes were $20, additional $3 if you want to sub for a different side which we did for the sauteed wild mushrooms and we also got the linguine with clams ($29). Both dishes came out fairly fast and for the price, the portion was huge and perfect for sharing. The linguine with clams had an amazing garlic sauce and I loved how it wasn't heavy, my boyfriend said he loved how fresh the clams were too. The cherry cola ribs were really flavorful and had a bit of a tomato flavor as well, my boyfriend said it reminded him of how his nonna used to make ribs. For how much it was, we were spoiled as the portion was really big and there were tons of ribs to munch on. The ribs and pasta paired together really well but to us, the star of the show were the sauteed wild mushrooms, it was some of the best mushrooms we've ever had and we both said that if we could eat it everyday, we would LOL! The wild mushrooms had tons of variety such as oyster, enoki, wood ear, cremini, etc and was sauteed in a simple butter sauce yet so flavourful. All in all, Pepino's is a great place to go with friends or family, definitely will be returning in the future. read more

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This place was really yummy! Had some expectations coming into Pepino's and I would say the expectations were adequately met for the most part! Came for the vodka rigatoni but STAYED for the brown butter caper chicken steak, holy that thing was good. Definitely try that chicken, or maybe any of their chicken... rigatoni was okay! A popular dish, but I think it's overhyped :) Tiramisu is also a must... don't know how they make the creamy bit, but its to die for. read more

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Had a great experience at Pepinos! The style here is family style. The environment of the restaurant is also very familial. Including the staff who weee all really kind and helpful. The appetizers were great, we had the garlic bread and mozzarella sticks. For pasta we had spaghetti and meatballs and the spicy rigatoni vodka. I loved the rigatoni so much I got it for takeout a few weeks later. Can't wait for my next trip to Pepinos! read more

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My dad went here one time with his friends and wouldn't stop talking about this place. I also heard from other people how good this place was and as a pastafanatic as myself I knew I had to go one day. Warning ( my photos are kinda shit because it is pretty dark in there lol) I'm so glad I was able to try this place. The decor is outdated but, it just looks so cool in there it just reminds me of all those old mafia movies when they go out to eat dinner somewhere with the little table light lamps on each table and all then other decor. I just felt like I was in good fellas or Something Lol.. We just like to try a little bit of everything when we go out so we ordered.... It was the 3 of us ladies so we ordered -Mozzarella Sticks, Marinara Sauce -Caesar Salad, Parsley, Parmesan Croutons -Potato Gnocchi, Wild Mushroom Alfredo, Marsala -Pappardelle Bolognese -Fried Chicken Piccata, Brown Butter, Capers, Parsley, Carrots -the big nick Alfredo Sauce, Fennel Sausage, Mushroom & Green Olive -Garlic Cheese Bread And of course dessert Caramel Budino The waitress warned us we were ordering a lot. Of food and said maybe we shouldn't get the pizza but, we wanted to try it! I did find it odd that I asked if they could do olives just on half the pizza because I just don't like olives but, my friends do and I was willing to offer them my olives Lol but she asked the kitchen and they said it wasn't possible. Thought that was strange lol. Them olives must of been cooked into the bread or something lol Anyway this review is becoming super long! The food was delicious the cheese bread was soooo good. The crust was really hard though lol hard to chew but, the flavour was just so good. Caesar salad was really good the croutons were super soft it like melted in your mouth. Potato gnocchi was super creamy and delicious I wish I had it all to myself. Everything Came out except the pizza and the chicken piccata we were kinda sitting around for probably 15 mins waiting on it unfortunately making our stomachs more full by the time the pizza and chicken came out we were super full. The bolognese noodles were soYummy but, sauce was a little bit salty. The waitress did mention she gave us some time to digest a bit. Honestly it was too long Lol. Anyways its unfortunate because they were both so good!! The chicken piccata was so dam crispy. It was so hard to eat it but, we got bunch of leftovers to take home which was good too. The dessert Caramel Budino Wow what a dessert seriously good. I'm definitely coming back here soon!!! read more

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Having seen many pictures of Pepino's and read all the reviews I was expecting some 5 star lasagna and an amaaaaaaazing banana split. Since it's a pasta house I expected the salad to be passable but not great. Well I was wrong on every count. The avocado salad was absolutely delicious I would order that again and again. Dressing was perfect flavours were well balanced. The best salad I've had in a long time. Last minute I chickened out and ordered the meat Ravioli and my partner ordered the lasagna instead. The ravioli was super original with a pulled kind of meat inside and a different kind of meat sauce on top. So very different and I especially enjoyed the contrast in textures between the sauce and the stuffing. I would definitely order this meal again for its confidence and originality. Luckily my partner was willing to share his lasagna but... from his obvious frown at first bite he suggested I not ruin my experience by adding the lasagna to my palate. I didn't listen to him and tried his lasagna. So disappointed! I thought maybe it was a fluke lasagna. However the table next to us also ordered the lasagna. They were very vocal about their unhappiness about the lasagna I assumed they were being mellow dramatic. Long story short it was cold in the middle and hot on the edges and the flavours were lacking. My ravioli tasted so fresh and this lasagna was so bland with no personality. It was neither a classic lasagna or a new take on a classic. It was just very frozen dinner tasting. So DO NOT ORDER THE LASAGNA!!!!! The banana split which is usually the safest dessert to order was confusing. Only the cherry ice cream was good! All the other ice cream flavours tasted bland and bad (it's really hard to mess up ice cream). The sauce on top was great and the bananas were great too. So DO NOT ORDER THE BANANA SPLIT. Unless you can just get cherry ice cream :P In conclusion AVOCADO SALAD IS A MUST and Meat Ravioli in meat sauce is delectable. It's also worth mentioning the waiter was very polite and humorous. He took note of allergies and was very patient with all my questions. He definitely added to the experience. read more

Pepino's - Delicious avocado salad (ordered without goat cheese) - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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OH MY GOSH YOU MUST TRY THIS PLACE!!!! Literally a place that needs to be at the TOP of your dining list while visiting Vancouver or if you live in Vancouver - ugh I just can't even - stop what you're doing and go NOW! This was my second time dining at Pepinos, and both experiences were amazing. From the bread, to the appys to the mains, pasta and dessert!! Uuughhh the flavours are SENSATIONAL! Buffalo Mozza & Tomato Salad: Every single thing on the plate was handled with care and just so so beautiful (visually and tastefully.) Short Rib Parpadelle: House made pasta perfectly cooked with delicious flavours. Chicken Piccata: OMFG I want this in my life every damn dayyyyy You MUST have this. It's so exquisite I actually have tears in my eyes I'm so excited about it (I may have a problem.. but just saying lol.) I just kept saying to my date "I'm just so happy rn" LoL. Tiramisu: You haven't had tiramisu unless you've had it at Peppinos. They make it in house and like OH - MY - GOD! .. that good. K. And on top of the incredible culinary experience, the service was absolutely IMPECCABLE!! Had the pleasure of having the same server both times, and I couldn't be happier! Our server Paula was so knowledgeable about the food and wine menu and really romanced the dishes SO well and paired our wine perfectly with what we ate. We felt so well taken care of, even though it was really busy (both times.) I really appreciated every moment at Pepinos and, both times, we left SO impressed. I cannot wait to return. M.M. read more

Pepino's - Buffalo Mozza & Tomato Salad - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I went to this place with my girlfriend and a friend just because every time we walk pass to it, it is full of people. I just can say that the service is excellent! they were really kind with us, finding us very quickly a place to sit and making us feel welcomed all the time. The food is delicious!!! we ask for two different plates of spaghetti and a plate of gnocchis. My girlfriend mentioned that the gnocchis have been the best one's she had tried ever!!! we really recommend them!!! We give a 10 out of 10 to this restaurant, keep the great cuisine coming !!! read more

The atmosphere, food, and service were impeccable! My husband and I participated in a local brewery tour earlier in the day and were referred by the tour guide when we asked for dinner recommendations. He told us to get the ribs and rigatoni alla vodka and that is precisely what we did. Needless to say, we left dinner completely stuffed and with a fair amount to take home for the next day. The portions are perfect to share (true Italian family style) and the wine selection is perfect. Our server even suggested what wine to pair with our food and it was spot on!! We cannot say enough good things about this restaurant other than it is an absolute MUST when in Vancouver!! read more

It's our 19 year anniversary and I did a lot of research before landing on this place to try. The biggest reason we decided to try Pepino's is because I love, love, love Savio Volpe's, the same pasta making chefs opened this place on Commercial Drive. If you've never been to Savio Volpe's I recommend you try there first! Read my review to get more detail. So Pepino's....first impressions, it smelled old and looked old. And I get it, it's a really old pasta place from back in the day and has that old Italian charm. But at first glance, wasn't so impressed. The food however....that's a different story. Especially the pasta! So they recommend if you've never been, to try the couples dinner. A shared appy, pasta, entree, side and dessert. We chose the calamari with garlic sauce to start, mushroom fettuccini Alfredo, steak and zucchini parm and Tirimisu. Just repeating it all I'm full! The stand outs were the calamari and pasta. The calamari was huge, soft golden fried bites with a delicious garlic dip. The pasta! Oh the fresh pasta! Thin, wide egg noodles that you can immediately tell has just been made next door, probably by a little nonna in the back. The mushroom flavour with cream Alfredo sauce was perfection. The steak was very small, but cooked well and came with a little balsamic salad. And the zucchini parm was probably the biggest disappointment. It was soft and the breading somewhat soggy by the time we got it. I thought it could've been better. To finish we had a really creamy Tirimisu. A lot of people would say that it's too creamy, but I prefer that over too thick. You could taste the super coffee soaked biscuits and the creamy whipped mascarpone, a perfect way to end a delicious meal. Happy 19 years to us! But all in all, we will definitely come back when we feel like a delicious homemade plate of pasta carbs in a flavourful sauce. On a side note, my husband felt the portions for him were on the small side, whereas I felt like they were just perfect to share. read more

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Delicious! The Negroni was was fantastic8, the ceased salad perfect, the rigatoni alla vodka was so tasty. The sauce is just terrific! We made reservations, which is a must and we were taken in right away. Our waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. We would definitely go back the next time we visit Vancouver! read more

Pepino's - Rigatoni alla vodka - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Sunday night Italian family dinners are tradition in my family. With my family out of town my friend and I decided to try Pepino's this past Sunday. Opening right at 5:00 they and seated us right away. Walking in the décor reminded me of my Italian Zia's (aunts) house, I loved the authenticity of it! To start we ordered a bottle of red wine and calamari. The calamari was one of the best I have tried. I do like salt so if you're a salt fan then definitely order this for your appetizer! Following that we shared the gnocchi stuffed with ricotta in a marinara sauce and the fettuccine alfredo with mushrooms. I never order a tomato sauce at a restaurant since often I find them disappointing but the sauce on the gnocchi was delicious and fresh. The gnocchi itself was very light seeing that it was stuffed with ricotta. My favorite of the two was the fettuccine. Cream sauce can be very heavy so the light sauce was a pleasant surprise and with the flavorful mushrooms a perfect combination. Throughout our dining the service was very pleasant and professional. I look forward to going back to try the other options at this classic Italian style restaurant! read more

Pepino's - Fettuccine with mushrooms, and what is left of the gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

OMG. I went here tonight and it was amazing. I had the Rigatoni alla Vodka and added prawns...it was incredible. Also, I had some warm focaccia that melted in my mouth. The service was excellent and our very new server was too sweet. Overall excellent experience and I can't wait to go back. read more

Great little spot for amazing pasta! The food is all so delicious and the staff are incredible! Definitely would recommend checking this spot out. read more

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This a great, old fashioned Italian joint. You'll either love it or hate it. Big portions. Value wine.

Had a blast for my family birthday dinner last night. We have the meal for 2, but for 4 (so X2) we got avocado salad, ceasar salad, calamari , lobster special pasta (surcharge) , spaghetti with meatballs and we tried all three desserts. Loved the salads Avocado is creamy and delicious Ceasar salad was fresh and crisp, could have used a little more salt in the dressing Calamari, best in the city and the aioli is devine Lobster special pasta was rich and delicious, pasta could have been cooked a tad less, but it was worth the splurge. Spaghetti and meatballs, can't go wrong with that All the deserts were great To drink we had some lovely wine, negronis , and some pick me ups with dessert Thank you so much to our very attentive and sweet server Ariel, you made our visit awesome! It was my parents first time. My husband and my second visit and we will all definitely be back. Keep in mind, it's extremely loud there and my step mother wears hearing aids , kept picking up the people's convos beside and behind us but that's okay. read more

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3.5 stars. The atmosphere is better than the quality of the food at that price point. This neat little restaurant transports you to another decade with an old school Italian vibe in NYC - very intimate and fun atmosphere! Service felt rushed even though we dined in the early dinner seatings on a weekday. The bread basket was a nice touch but I could definitely use some olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette for dipping. The bread itself did not stand out to me. Spaghetti and meatballs: Yes, the meatballs were massive and looks great for Instagram, but the spaghetti was not worth $26!! It did not taste freshly made nor was it al dante. For a premium price point, I'd expect freshly made pasta. Essentially, you are paying for gigantic meatballs instead. The sauce didn't stand out to me either. Gnocchi: Very pillowy and soft gnocchi! The portion was definitely smaller than the spaghetti and meatball dish. But flavour profile wise, this dish wins!!! The texture of the gnocchi was perfect!!! The olive oil based sauce gives it a very light and airy profile. Would definitely order this dish again. Overall, even though the setting and atmosphere of this restaurant is one of my favourite vibes. The food fairs just average only. read more

Pepino's - Gnocchi - spaghetti and meatballs - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia