Ricotta cheese balls. That's all you need to know. Absolutely life-changing -- creamy, rich, and perfectly seasoned. I would come back just for those. As for the spaghetti and meatballs, the noodles and sauce were solid, but the meatballs themselves tasted a bit cheap or processed, which was a slight letdown. Still, the overall experience was good thanks to the star of the show: those unforgettable cheese balls. Highly recommend giving them a try -- they might just change your life too. read more

I have been coming here my whole life. My favorite is the chicken cacciatore! The san luci is a close second!

I love this place The history the look of the place and of course the food We will always come here when we crave Italian food and it never disappoints We love to eat at the bar and the bar is gorgeous and the service is always fantastic read more

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So I debated between three and four stars, but in the end four seems reasonable. More to come on that. The draw of the restaurant was that scenes from Rain Man were filmed here. Surprisingly, I see no reference of that inside the restaurant! Nevertheless I took pictures of the phone booth Tom Cruise used and the bar floor where the toothpicks fell, ha. There were no reservations available, so we (a party of 6) walked in around 6. Ended up with about a 20-minute wait, so not too bad. Once we were seated, the waiter was very friendly and efficient. We asked for recommendations and she mentioned a few dishes, including the Sampler. The Sampler came with lasagna, eggplant, meatball, sausage, and ravioli. I liked their lasagna and their eggplant. Their red sauce is good. I did not like the rest. Their meats are very grainy for some reason. The sausage, the meatball, the ravioli....all on the dry end and feels grainy in your mouth. I ended up eating all of the lasagna and the eggplant but left all of the rest. Many in my party had a drink of some sort, beer, wine, mixed drink, etc. Overall it was a good time. read more

This Italian restaurant has been around for years. And their sauce is by far the reason. The food and service are top notch. And the ambiance is like a tiny Itialian restaurant you would find in New York City. I recommend this business and will repeat my business 5-6 times a year. read more

Always great, friendly service and delicious, satisfying food. I've being going to Pompilio's since I was 4 or 5 years old and I'm 71. Faces have changed but the ambiance still exists! read more

Great classic Italian comfort food, awesome history. We have been here numerous times over the years and it is one of my favorite spots for classic Italian dishes. Lasagna and Manicotti are amazing but my personal favorite is the Braciole. Great service every time. read more

Currently they are running a 92 year anniversary special menu during the month of April with normal food items but special prices. The food is normally great, and was still good the other night but no where on the menu does it say that the portions are smaller than the portions on the regular menu. There was no disclaimer printed on the menu, the hostess did not state anything when we were seated, the waitress did not say anything when I ordered off the specific menu, nor was there a disclaimer on the original Facebook post made by Pompilios about the special. When asked and receiving my plate, how many pillows of ravioli come with the cheese ravioli the waitress said "4 come with the special and 6 come with the regular". This was very upsetting. It is also very sad on the Pompilios marketing/management team for not making this clear to the customer. I know how I felt and I can't imagine I would have felt if I would have ate a bigger portion normally and was hungrier. read more

My only complaint is that they could have better bread. That's it.,the place I s bomb..I love the olde fashion and several dishes...no matter how rich I get..I will always order plain butter noodles. It's that good!! Truly tho, get the Ronaldo! read more

Pompilios - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

D NOT EAT HERE!!!!!!! GROSS FOOD. Cold restaurant and cold food. Two day old left over food. Couldn't even warm it up. Lazy lazy lazy cooks. There are no chefs that work at this AWFUL RESTAURANT. Food was particularly bad. Food was cool hardly warm. Eggplant never saw a fryer. Lasagna was warm at top and cold in the middle. When we were younger 20 years ago someone cared. Food was better. NO ONE CARES!!!!!! read more

Ah, it smells delicious when you walk in. It's warm and inviting. Friendly staff for a busy restaurant. Great food and Gluten Free pasta is available. Ambiance is casual cozy. We have eaten here several times and our guests enjoy the food and experience. read more

Went out for my birthday dinner tonight. Our server (Kailee) was wonderful and came back often to check on us. The butter for the bread was delicious. We got the toasted cheese ravioli for an appetizer. I would have liked a little more crunch but it was good! Their minestrone soup is delicious. I got the San Luci and he got the Chicken Milanese, both of these dishes were so refreshing and cooked well. Huge portions and plenty to take home. We shared a slice of the Italian cream cake. Everything was delicious and honestly this has been the best meal we've had in a while. read more

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New Year Eve dinner The food and service was beyond great. Paityn was very attentive and always checking to see if we needed anything else. Will return read more

My wife and I met up with friends last night to cheer a recent moment and to catch up on family and former coworkers. Pompilios is a place that does not change much and that is a comfort as it has a long history for my wife and I. Anyhow, we had a 6:00 pm reservation and we were prompt. Our table was soon ready and we were seated in the back room. Our middle of the room table was a 'wobbler' and our server, Paul, quickly worked his magic and put that issue to rest. We opened the evening with a bottle of Chianti Classico as we awaited the arrival of our friend's husband who had been called in to work. As it became clear that he would not be able to join us we ordered dinner. Curiously, we all ended up ordering the same dish with variations, the Shrimp Ronaldo, one with the cracked red pepper, one without the cracked pepper and one subbed chicken for the shrimp. My wife, to my surprise, remembered that this dish was the favorite of our friends. Our house salads were cold and fresh with the vinaigrette dressings on the side. The dish did not disappoint with its mix of bold flavors and generous amounts of Feta Cheese, Sun Dried Tomatoes, garlic and of course the proteins. I will add that the shrimp was cooked perfectly. My only negative commentary would be that my dish, and my wife's, could have been hotter when it was delivered to the table. I ended our evening with the Tiramisu, a generous portion for the price, and with little help from the ladies I ate most of this delicious offering by myself. Our friend's husband was never able to join us as work kept him away the whole evening. We thank Paul E. for his great service and patience with us as we celebrated our reunion at Newport's notable dining establishment. read more

Update form my last post - DON'T GO TO POMPILLIOS! We were really looking forward to dinner here, but our experience was disappointing from start to finish. First, the bread they served was stale. We asked for another basket, hoping it was just a bad batch, but that bread was stale too. While eating, I overheard the manager telling a nearby table that their gift card wouldn't work because it had to be registered. This made me concerned, since we also had a gift card. My husband checked ours, and it clearly stated it should be run like a credit card--no registration required. When it came time to pay, the manager came to our table and said their Wi-Fi was down and they couldn't accept our gift card (why weren't we told upon arrival?). She then asked, "Do you not have any other way to pay the bill?" I told her no, because it wasn't our fault their Wi-Fi was out. The whole situation felt degrading and insulting. She then said she "guessed" she could run it later when the Wi-Fi came back, but followed that by asking if we were willing to pay the full $100 on our gift card, leaving the rest to the server. We were put on the spot and said yes. We just wanted out of there! My question is, if their Wi-Fi was truly down, how were they able to run a credit card or any "alternative payment"? Do they not have a hotspot or backup system like most restaurants? Are they going out of business and trying not to honor gift cards? read more

We'll be back as much as we can. This place was recommended by multiple people upon moving here so we tried it and we were not disappointed. Great spot with plenty of seating and friendly staff. The food is absolutely excellent- some of the best sauce I've ever had. Good spot to celebrate something but not too-too fancy. They have special drinks for certain holidays too- we were there around Mother's Day and the specialty drink was excellent! It seems to be more difficult to get into on the weekends so definitely make sure to make a reservation. read more

Pompilios - Cannelloni - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

At 20 bucks a plate, this is BAD. The food tasted bad, and I'm pretty convinced the table bread is the great value white loaf from Walmart. The croutons were FRIED and in oil that tasted old. And I'm pretty sure the "Caesar" dressing was mayonnaise. I think the kitchen hasn't been stocked with salt or other seasonings in months. I will say, our server did bring my friend out the last of the tiramisu on the house because she was upset it was sold out, which was very kind. But that was basically the only redeeming moment of the meal. Please do not waste your money. read more

Good food friendly service that is good. A fun place to spend part of your day there

Great food. Great ambiance. Great service. I think this place is historic or there is something to do with " Rain Man" the movie. Maybe a certain scene was filmed here read more

Food was AMAZING! The service was ok, but the waiter looked very busy but met our needs. The restaurant was extremely busy & you could tell they were doing their best to keep the look of the restaurant exceptional and clean. read more

Pompilios - Homemade Manicotti Marinara - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

After waiting 45 minutes for entrees for a party of 10, all the food came out cold! All we got is "I'm sorry" We watched other people that came in after our party, they had steam coming off their plates they ate and packed up food while we waited! read more

Pompilio's is always a great place to stop for a good Italian dinner. Their food is consistently delicious and the place and people are great! One of the best places in Newport, Ky! read more

Pompilios - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

Complete disappointment. This place used to be really good. I actually worked here back in the early 90s. Very plain, bland, dry, and at times, just bad. Every time we come here, I do so out of love for the nostalgia, but I leave disappointed. read more

Old school. Cool interior. I could picture mafiosos dining there. Good ood. Nice neighborhood atmosphere. You can play Bachi there too.

Service and atmosphere was nice however we found the food mediocre. I hate to post a review that is negative but a little below par for Italian. However prices were reasonable. And enjoyed the Peach Bellini. read more

Had some of their food at taste of Cincinnati and liked it. So after the zoo today we Decided to try to find this for Dinner. We got the risotto balls as an appetizer and we shared the manicotti because I'm not much of a meat eater got the marinara with marinara sauce. Service was good places really cute inside . Pasta was cooked to perfection not overcooked. My. My only complaint is that driving in Cincinnati and Newport there's so many one way streets I find it confusing . Plus I wish they had more parking finding parking can be tricky. But overall great place and I like it read more

Pompilios - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

Great evening at Pompilios! You can enter from the back which is their main entrance or from the tavern they are connected to in front. Parking is also in back but if it's full, the street around you should have room. Enjoyed great service from Andrea tonight. She was stellar in making sure we were taken care of. I had the pasta sampler, which I would give a 3/5 itself. The Alfredo was stellar in the sampler! Some of the best I've ever had. It comes with three other pastas with red sauces and one of them was just bleh... I can't tell you which one as I wasn't able to ascertain it but it definitely did not get taken home. However that iffy experience was surpassed by the others as well as the great dessert! I had the Cookies and Cream cannoli, which is only a seasonal thing. It was stellar and so flavorful. A friend of mine got two desserts, saying she was going to take home one of them but she ended up finishing them both off. I really enjoyed that they were enforcing masks if you weren't sitting at a table and being very safe. Definitely would return! read more

Pompilios - Pasta sampler - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

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Pompilio's food never disappoints! The service was very attentive and friendly. The restaurant's ambiance is not flashy or showy. but that is part of its charm! read more

The food was amazing! We loved everything we had, Italian sampler, shrimp Alfredo, and seafood ravioli. The sauce on everything had so much flavor! Service was attentive and ready to help or get whatever was needed. We really enjoyed our dinner there! read more

We hadn't been to Pompilio's for quite a few years and were excited to try it again. We went in on a Sunday afternoon and were seated promptly and greeted by our very nice server. She brought the bread basket and we enjoyed the garlic butter and soft bread. Unfortunately we were put frustrated by the limited menu . They were serving lunch, understandable if it was a weekday but a limited menu on a Sunday seems ridiculous. I was wanting to have a nice pasta and Chicken Parmesan meal but it wasn't available. Bummer! We settled on the Chicken Ronaldo and the Italian Sampler. The portion of angel hair pasta in the Chicken Ronaldo was huge! I do like mine more Al Dente, but it was cooked okay. It was flavorful but nothing special. I tried my husbands sampler and we both agreed that the sauce was very sweet. We didn't really enjoy the dish. Another thing I found funny was the glass bottle of dry Parmesan cheese like Kraft on the table. I would prefer fresh Parmesan to be brought and grated at the table. All in all, I won't go out of my way to go back. It was okay, but didn't impress me. read more

Pompilios - Dry Parmesan cheese - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

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I'm on a business trip in NKY and was looking for a restaurant within walking distance of my hotel. I enjoyed sitting at the bar here two separate nights! Great vibe...not too loud and personable bartenders and fellow patrons. I decided to order the bolognese with parpadella pasta since it is one of my favorite sauces. While it was tasty, it was not a true bolognese as it had mushrooms and LOTS of cream in it. Not what I was expecting, but I still enjoyed it! A nice touch suggestion would be freshly grated cheese or cracked pepper offered. I was also impressed with the (small) wine list and enjoyed my Montepulciano! TLDR; good food, nice environment, and I'll come back when I travel here again. read more

Pompilios - Bolognese with parpadella, Meatball, and a glass of barbera - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

The food is always good! I had the the house made beef ravioli w/ vodka cream sauce . My wife really enjoyed her Spaghetti alla puttanesca. Service was really good especially since it was a Saturday evening and the restaurant staff did not seem overwhelmed in any way. They are a Newport staple for a reason!! read more

Pompilios - Our son having cannoli after an antipasti platter, Shrimp Alfredo and 2 baskets of bread. - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

Great pasta, service and atmosphere. Love this place! Ronaldo is a fantastic vegetarian option (or add chicken or shrimp if you'd like!). read more

Pompilios - Ronaldo - Italian Near Me - Newport, Kentucky

Stay away from the "Eggplant Parmigiana". Slices are supposed to be about 1/4 inch however I had 3 sliced approx. 2 inches wide. Cold on the inside and tough to chew. After eating about half of the first slice I removed the slices to my bread plate and had a server remove same. The pasta was okay but the sauce was bland. Took the pasta home and once spiced up with salt/pepper/oregano it was edible. We had a small family group to celebrate a bridal shower. We also had "Bellini's" served in small stems that were okay but @ $9 per glass not the best. Service was good. read more

Nice neighborhood spot for some yummy Italian food. We had great service and great food. The interior felt dated, like an old school Italian joint. I loved the cocktail list and definitely would come back just for that!! read more

Pompilios fell short on authenticity, with burnt, saucy dishes, and lackluster flavors. Disappointing first visit. My recent experience at Pompilios, an Italian restaurant, left me with mixed feelings. The old-fashioned decor gave the place charm, but unfortunately, the dining experience fell short of my expectations for authentic Italian cuisine. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a friendly waitress, although her lack of knowledge and recommendations for the menu was noticeable. Our meal began with a basket of sliced cold bread and garlic butter, a disappointing start considering the absence of the traditional olive oil and Italian seasoning for dipping or any soup or antipasto suggestions. We ordered a variety of appetizers, including meatball casserole, cheese-laden garlic bread, and calamari. Unfortunately, the quality resembled that of a cheap fast food sub lacking the savory richness expected from an Italian restaurant. The sauce bitter and overcooked. **I'm going to say this, the use of multiple sauces with varying flavors overwhelmed the dishes, masking any potential authentic taste**. The calamari served atop a bed of chunky stewed tomatoes and olives, which paired well complementing the fried pita bread. Regrettably, the cheesy garlic bread was over-toasted and burnt, detracting from the experience. For our main courses, we ordered the chicken Parmigiano and the cheese tortellini three cheese. The chicken Parmigiano was heavy-handed with sauce. The pasta was unevenly cooked, resulting in a doughy texture, and the crust was disappointingly burnt and soggy, not the usual crispy golden brown crust with a delicate layer of sauce. The cheese tortellini three cheese suffered from an abundance of mushrooms, overpowering the intended cheese and vegetable flavors. The pasta appeared to be store-bought and frozen, with a mystery filling. The uneven cooking made it chewy, and even the addition of grilled chicken failed to elevate the dish, causing me to send it back. I'm afraid to say that this was my first and last visit to Pompilios, and my dining companion shares my sentiment. I believe I could prepare a better meal for my friend at home than what we experienced at the restaurant. To conclude, as a food enthusiast who appreciates quality cuisine, I was deeply disappointed by Pompilios' lack of authentic Italian elements. This restaurant missed the mark by serving subpar ingredients and overbearing sauces. For a true taste of Italy, I would recommend seeking out establishments that adhere to the rich tradition of Italian culinary excellence, where every dish is a masterpiece crafted with care and genuine passion. read more

You know when you are driving to the restaurant for the first time, you got your windows down and your looking for your turn? This was us and then suddenly I smelled Italian and knew we were close. It smelled delicious and I immediately spotted the sign. We pulled in and parked and I nearly ran to the door, it smelled great and I was excited! Before entering the restaurant, I noticed to the right they had fresh basil growing and that gave me confidence, that this was about to be the best pasta I've ever had. Boy oh boy was I correct. This restaurant reminded me of a ma and pa place, the original building and that comfy cozy atmosphere. The menu had so many delicious options that I felt overwhelmed and I just wanted to order the whole thing. How was I to decide on one thing when it all looked great? We looked up at our waiter, he asked if we wanted an appetizer? So we asked what he recommended. He told us we had to try the artichoke spinach dip, I was hesitate but trusted his judgement. If I could add a drum roll to this review, I would! This spinach dip was the best dip I have had in my life. It was fresh, it was the perfect temperature and the pita bread was by far the best I have ever had. It was airy, crispy, warm and covered in parmesan and garlic, it was just the best combination ever. After that eccellente appetizer, I was even more thrilled for the entrees to arrive. I ordered the homemade manicotti and he ordered the beef ravioli with alfredo sauce. The food came wicked fast and I was still licking my fingers from the dip, trying to move things around to make room for this steamy pasta dish that had just arrived! I've had a lot of pasta in my life and this was spettacolare! I closed my eyes almost after each bite and felt like I was in Italy for a moment, I even joked about it while we were there. It was the best Italian food I have ever had and I literally cannot wait until we go back. read more

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A very authentic family oriented Italian restaurant. The recipes they cook are from Italian family traditions. We love their menu. We've never had anything we did not enjoy. read more

The bread is stale - somebody mentioned Walmart bread - we agree with them. The veal and eggplant parmigiana were soggy not worth $29 per portion. My husband is of Italian heritage and he wanted to treat me to Italian meal and we were very disappointed I understand that the restaurant is located in a historic building but the meals are really not worth visiting that place. read more

Stopped here for some drinks and appetizers while in Newport on Saturday. Very cool historical building that it is located in. Lots of space, large bar, good selection of bourbon on hand as well as 4-5 craft beers from local breweries. We tried the old fashioned. It was not one of the best I've had, but it was decent. For appetizers we ordered the spinach artichoke dip and the meatball dip. The meatball dip was excellent. Delicious. The artichoke and spinach dip was run-of-the-mill. Everything was decent but the service was a little slow. We probably waited 25 minutes to 30 minutes for appetizers to come out and the restaurant was about half full. We will definitely try this again when in town. Likely to have a main course dinner next time. read more