My book club went to The ROC last night after one of our members had raved about it. The restaurant is easy to miss because there's no signage on the outside of the building. Inside, it's a small space with a really nice atmosphere. That said, the music was a little loud, and with the small space and lots of conversations happening around us, it was difficult to hear at times. Our servers were friendly, but there were some extended periods when we weren't checked on. (My friend who recommended it said it was the worst experience she had there.) The food was good overall, although several people in our group commented that it felt pricey for the portion sizes. I had looked at the photos on Yelp and thought the pasta portions looked small, so I ordered a caprese sandwich, truffle fries and broccoli instead. I was happy with my meal and felt like I got a good amount of food. Overall, it was fine, but with so many great restaurants in town, I'm not sure The ROC would be at the top of my list for a return visit. read more

ROC Restaurant - Sandwich, fries, broccoli - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Went out for my partners birthday and had a decent night out. The restaurant is fairly small, which led to the volume getting pretty loud at times. Frankly, the food was adequate. The calamari breading had little flavor, the spaghetti sauce was very plain, and my partners swordfish was also very flat in flavor. Given the price point and the chefs history we expected way better. The interior was truly beautiful, and our drinks and server/bartender were phenomenal. This really made up for the lacking food. Overall, we made a good night of it, but if you're looking for a place for the food to be the star, I'd try somewhere else. read more

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The food is pretty decent. Especially for the price. But the service in general is absolutely trash. This is my second time giving this place a chance and the service is terrible. I ordered the pasta in the vodka sauce and asked to add chicken and the brought me a side of chicken versus in the pasta and the server never told me it would be brought that way. Also it took over twenty minutes for us to get our drinks. The over energy of the service was just not good. That was just two examples out of many. I'm done going here... read more

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Amazing! I can't wait to return! The starter was beef carpaccio with shaved truffles... there are no words to describe how delicious this was. The Cacio e pepe made table side was a showstopper and veal scallopini was phenomenal. The tiramisu was delicious. One of the best meals I have eaten. Best Italian restaurant in the city hands down!!! read more

My son is leaving for the Army in two weeks & I wanted to go somewhere special for dinner and what better choice than tableside Cacio e Pepe at ROC Restaurant in Louisville. ROC is located on Bardstown Rd (parallel parking is one of my nightmares!) the restaurant is chic & elegant, warm & inviting. Our reservations were @5 so we got great views of the interior. We did sit in a private room which was nice. ROC has a cast wine, spirits and "Roctails" as they call them. We chose calamari e zucchini fritti which was fried calamari & thin strips of zucchini served with spicy marinara which was lightly breaded and tasted amazing. Heidi wanted a side of sautéed broccoli with garlic and all four of us got the famous Cacio e Pepe. Cacio e Pepe pronounced "kaa-chee-ow ee pe-pay" is a classic Roman dish that translates to "cheese & pepper". ROC Restaurant turns it up a million notches by preparing it in a flaming sheet of cheese served tableside. Watching the pasta show was worth every penny. It's an experience that is truly amazing. I thought that it would be super rich; but, let me tell you it melts in your mouth. It wasn't a heavy dish. Perfect with the perfect amount of fresh ground pepper. We all loved it!!!! To end a perfect evening we ordered the Gelato e caffe which was Italian gelato covered in steaming strong Italian espresso making a lovely velvety, creamy end to an amazing dinner. Thank you ROC for making it so special. Tableside Cacio e Pepe is served only on Tuesdays from 5-9pm. Reservations are strongly recommended. By the time we walked out the place was almost packed. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as we did. read more

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We will absolutely be back to discover more of the menu. We made a reservation for our group as we wanted to go on a Tuesday for the cacio e pepe tableside special. We planned on having 8 but ended up with 6. Restaurant was more than accommodating. There seemed to be plenty of seating but not too squished together. We ended up sitting upstairs in a private room, which was amazing. I ordered the cacio e pepe along with a glass of wine. The wine was smooth and delicious. The cacio e pepe was a show itself. The owner came to the table with a giant wheel of parmesan cheese and made the dish right there. He was beyond fun and engaging. The pasta was creamy and every bite was full of flavor. Our server (I think Jessica) was great and had tremendous recommendations. She mentioned that she had only been there 2.5 months but we never would have known. We took her recs for dessert and ordered the torta as well as the tiramisu. Both were completely decadent and a perfect end to our meal. Perfect meal with a great group. I'd absolutely come back again. read more

Great food. Great service. Great ambiance. Excellent in every facet. Their bolognese is wonderful and 2 of our party had the dish where they bring out a roll of cheese. Set it on fire then coat the pasta in the melted cheese. They only do it on Tuesdays. read more

ROC is one of the best Italian restaurants in Louisville! The service is always superb and feels very upscale. We went on a Tuesday, so I ordered the Cacio e Pepe special which the cooked table side which was fun to see. The pasta is always fresh and flavorful and you can tell they use the best ingredients. They also have a great selection of cocktails that pair well with their food. Love this place! read more

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After years of hearing about ROC, I was finally able to try it out! We called day of and ended up getting a reservation at 7pm on a Saturday. The restaurant itself is in a cute house along Bardstown Road. There is a porch with seating out front as well. We sat inside and it was quite noisy. The service was good. Our meals did take a while to come out and I heard someone getting yelled at in the kitchen. That was a bit awkward. Some tables got bread brought to them but we were not offered any despite ordering appetizers. The food was good not great. I got a basil pasta special which was tasty but extremely oily. Everyone who ordered pasta commented on the amount of oil in the sauce. Overall, I'd go back but it would not be on my list of places I must try again. read more

Our most recent experience was interesting. Started out terrible, as the restaurant gave away our reserved table in the bar area because another party came in with more people than their reservation was prepared for, 15 minutes before ours. It wasnt even crowded. We were moved upstairs to an isolated 'closet' and decided we would rather breath so went to Patio. A little cold but at least is was more lively and engaging. I will leave you a few food details, but given our poor service and experience was the main theme - will leave this short. The fresh mozz appetizer, and truffle fries were good - again not something i would remember or come back to. Entrees we tried Gnocci and the Scottish Salmon. Again good but nothing special. Party of eight was overwelmed with attitudes and just hungry. Really felt like ROC wanted to be "The Place to be" - but couldnt close the deal. I may try it again with a date night or double date, but not with a group. Will likely look elsewhere when we visit 2-3 times per year. read more

ROC Restaurant - Good Selection of Bourbons - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I made reservations a month in advance for my partners birthday. I knew this place was popular in the community and could not wait to try it. Roc has cute curb appeal and is small bust restaurant with traditional Italian cuisine. We went on voting day at 6:30 pm, so there was not much of a crowd this day. The service was good, slow but good. Our server was kind to us, able to remember the specials, and did not keep us waiting for anything. I appreciate service that does not feel drawn out, so this server has amazing tempo for our night. Now we got extremely lucky because on Tuesdays they have the Cacio e Pepe, which I ordered. This was a creamy cheesy dish that I will be having again soon. The cracked pepper on top really elevates the flavor and creates a good sensation while eating it. The table side service was fun, I appreciate that it did not mess up when my partners food came out. When my food was ready, hers came out of the kitchen as well. If you are looking for a date night Italian restaurant, I recommend Roc for all taste buds. read more

ROC Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We were in town for a volleyball tournament..literally stumbled upon this charming authentic Italian restaurant-probably one of the BEST restaurants I've ever dined at!! Staff was top notch (definitely outside of the norm these days) had the Truffle with linguine HOMEMADE and truly al'Dante . We started with grilled Octopus again I've never had such a delicious dish ( we're big seafood/ fish lovers). Perfect portions!! Water glasses were kept full and loved the ambience- Some how we'll be back!! 12 out of 10 stars!! read more

Food is always amazing as is the service. A go to for us to bring out of town guests from bigger city's. They have impressed all of our guests, a gem for Louisville. read more

ROC rocks! The staff are amazing and the food is the best Italian dining in Louisville. Atmosphere is appropriately buzzy, feels very European read more

ROC is undoubtedly one of Louisville's top 3 Italian dining spots. The food? Impeccable. From their specials to regular menu items, the flavors were incredible, and the pasta was homemade delicious. The atmosphere? Italian warm and inviting. We couldn't resist the Tuesday special, Cacio e Pepe prepared tableside. The presentation was top-notch, and the dish was creamy and perfectly seasoned. MY short video, the making of ROC's Tuesday special, Cacio e Pepe prepared tableside could not be uploaded. Not a problem, much better if you personally enjoy and share it fresh at ROC with friends. Service was fun and excellent throughout, and the desserts and cocktails didn't disappoint, with many options, including both extensive wine and bourbon menus. Thank you Rocco Cadolini for for an exceptional warm delicious dining experience. This was our first visit. It won't be our last. We can't wait to go back. read more

ROC Restaurant - The only available Tuesday nights special, Cacio e Pepe prepared tableside. - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I wish I could give 0 stars! we had a 6 person reservation for 6pm. we were sat downstairs at a table, then we got moved upstairs, in a small COLD ROOM dimly lit, no heat at all. 30minutes in we got our waters and cokes. NO BAR DRINKS. another hour later we got our food and my wife didnt get her PANINI at all!!! its a hot pressed sandwich. half hour later she gets it, WORST SERVICE AND BASIC ITALIAN FOOD. I only dealt with this because my wife ask me to stay calm, she is also in the food industry. ALL OF US WONT BE BACK. worst experience in a restaurant in my entire adult life. read more

Love this place. Very cozy. Calming ambiance. Can get a little loud if it's crowded. Beautiful bar. Nice bourbon and wine selection. Had this amazing pasta dish that is apparently only served on Tuesday. Table-side cheese wheel gets lit on fire and pasta is rolled around in it. Probably not recommended if you are on a diet. It was deliciously cheesy! Excellent service throughout the night. Clean bathrooms (although gender specific so had to wait a little while to access; would have preferred gender neutral). Had a fun night out with my high school friends. They also have outdoor seating. Decent vegetarian options for the non-meat eating folks like me. Pricey, but worth it for a splurge night. read more

ROC Restaurant - Chef and the cheese wheel by our table. - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

One of the best restaurants in Louisville! Great atmosphere- hard to park... Service was top notch- Chef/owner walks the room- very personable and the food is next level. Best Bolegnese in Kentucky- great sausage and peppers and refreshing watermelon and feta salad. Great selection of meats- highly recommend ROC read more

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Have been wanting to come in for while and finally did! Most of us got the Tuesday Special, cacio e Pepe made table side (by the owner). Delicious, as were the other dishes we got. Service was also fantastic, prompt and friendly. The place is also very chic without being pretentious. Will defiantly come here again. read more

I highly recommend ROC! I believe it wins the Restaurant Trifecta: Food, Service & Ambiance. The owner is from Italy, had a successful restaurant in New York City for several years. Then relocated to Louisville several years ago. Ciao! read more

Wow!! What a pleasant surprise! And what AMAZING staff!! We got out for a parents only dinner and luckily they were able to get us a table. This place is super cute. Our server was so helpful when it came to ordering. Like SO helpful! When I went to order a pasta dish without the pancetta, she let me know that the sauce actually has beef stock. For apps we had: Seared Octopus with potatoes. Unique combo but was so tender and delish! Salad Dinner we had: Gluten Free spaghetti bolognaise (They make fresh gluten free pasta) Pumpkin Ravioli Spaghetti pomodoro another creamy pasta dish They were all delicious! We also took home a tiramisu for dessert which was yummy! I really like that they were able to accommodate all of our dietary needs. read more

Have been wanting to come here for a while...did. it disappoint on Father's Day. Service staff the food impeccable on every level it was an absolute pleasure to dine ar ROC. I look forward to coming back soone we than later! read more

I was visiting from out of town, and my aunt suggested that we try out ROC. The location and ambience is nice, but the dinner was disappointing. Our server described the specials for the night and I thought that the ribeye steak sounded good. However, I was quite disappointed to see the presentation: the fatty steak was sliced into several long strips and smothered with gravy and mushrooms. It honestly resembled middle school lunch room food. More disappointing than the presentation and taste was the price: $88. I know that restaurants often don't mention the price when listing the specials, and I didn't want to ask, as that is sometimes tacky. However, I feel it is unconscionable to serve such a uninspired dish at such a high price. Well, we live and learn. I will not be returning to our recommending ROC to my friends. read more

ROC is my ultimate favourite restaurant in town. I would dine there everyday if I could lol. The one & only true Italian restaurant that would easily fit into major cities around the world. I still remember my first visit 2 years back literally crying over a dish of beef carpaccio with truffles as I missed genuine authentic amazing food since I have moved here from Tokyo & London. I had the Cacio e Pepe which are offered only on Tuesdays last night. They make the pasta right in front of you with a real pecorino romano cheese wheel. The aroma, the texture was perfection. Oh, the Italian gentleman who made it for us was absolutely charming:)) My friend had the daily special fish dish steamed to perfection with vegetables. Every bite was the perfect bite! Presentation was with great flourish. I love everything about this restaurant. The ambiance transports me back to my multiple trips to Milano Roma Firenze Venice Siena Pisa ... Our server Alexandra was the best with her warm smile, professionalism and efficiency. Do not ever underestimate a server because the good ones are highly intelligent. I so appreciate her and I look forward to seeing her friendly smile again. The bar area is fun and you do want to make sure you have the bartender Lisa make you some yummy cocktails. She is just simply awesome! When we had our night cap, the music was on people dancing around with so much joy. Now, this is truly THE ITALIAN WAY! Thank you so much for a lovely fun evening! I hope to be back soon;)) read more

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How do you say OMG in Italian? Because the service is phenomenal! The food is phenomenal! The owner and his wife and the manager and all the servers are phenomenal! I can't believe it's been open for so many years and I had no idea. How do you say SMH in Italian? It doesn't seem to pop up on Yelp when searching for Italian foods. I don't know why that is. The carpaccio is the best we've ever had. My husband is in love with the Italian sausage and peppers. Am I jealous? No! Because I am in love with the focaccia. It comes out on a plate with other little pieces of bread - do not pass it up! You will ask for more! The smell and the flavor of that tomato sauce on that bread is amazing. It might have made me cry a little. I've had the gnocchi and the kale pasta both were incredible! We can't wait to go back on a Tuesday! Look them up on insta, you'll find out why. read more

ROC is very good. When I dine out for Italian, I expect very good at the least; ideally I would prefer perfection. Understanding that perfection is difficult to achieve, however, I will accept ROC as a very appropriate Italian option. The atmosphere is comfortable and classy, and everyone was welcoming and pleasant. We fortuitously happened in on a Tuesday, which is (surprise!) cacio e pepe night. Cacio e pepe night at ROC, we learned, is an event. The chef emerges from the kitchen to prepare this creamy, cheesy, peppery dish tableside, flambéed in a GIANT wheel of pecorino romano, adding additional flourishes of cream, parmesan, and magic as appropriate. One of our party had the good sense to order this, and the experience was truly memorable (also, she said it was delicious and did NOT offer to share). Diners receive an amuse bouche prior to the meal (focaccia and a very nice sourdough). The drinks are on the pricier side but quite strong. Pasta is handmade (requirement) and cooked al dente so it has a very nice chew. Pricing for meals is... higher than I would prefer. My spaghetti al pomodoro was tasty, but I'm not sure I would pay $18 again for it. The cacio e pepe was $30. Overall, I am satisfied with ROC for a very nice Italian meal. Perfection is elusive, but it's clear this is on their radar. read more

ROC Restaurant - Breads - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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What a nice spot for a good meal. When thinking of places for a nice evening out, I don't know why Roc never comes to mind. That definitely won't be the case after eating there recently. It's nestled in an old home and hard to spot from Bardstown. The ambiance is dark and cozy, but it can get pretty noisy if crowded. It's a mix of classic old home features and funky decor. The porch area is well lit and good for a semi-private group. There was a bday party with a few kids, so it seems appropriate for a range of ages. The extensive menu puts a unique spin on Italian fare. The burrata app was yummy. The calimari was more zucchini and less calimari, but tasty nonetheless. Pasta was a highlight for me - we shared the kale tagliatelle with mushrooms. Delicious. The rigatoni with sausage and butternut squash was awesome. We rounded it out with tiramisu, a chocolate cake, and good cocktails. The price was good for four people and many courses. The service was also very good. read more

Met friends for dinner on Tuesday service very slow, not attentive and food not very warm - disappointing as I had really talked this place up after our initial visit. We were seated in a small room upstairs and it was difficult to hear our server and each other. For the price point of this place , I expected better read more

Service was poor..had to ask another waiter about our order...very big and loud table behind us..need another space for 6 or more...no bread...basic sauce was tart..not very good and server did not understand what I ordered so I didn't get it..2nd time there..neither good but this time was worse read more

Black truffle pasta- delicious! Service is always excellent and the atmosphere is great. One of my favorite spots! read more

ROC Restaurant - Black truffle pasta - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

A true Italian restaurant. Loved that the owner Rocco speaks to his staff in Italian. Excellent service, attentive but not pushy. The main restaurant could get noisy if it was full but we were there early so it was lovely. Choices are a plenty from antipasta to entrees to a desert cart. All round excellent date night out! read more

ROC Restaurant - Kale pasta with mushrooms and prosciutto - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I like the ambiance of the place. Very laid back and a dark candle lite dining experience. the service was welcoming and pleasant until an older gentleman with glasses and grey hair started yelling at one of the kids with his hair pulled back for simply standing where he was standing even thought the elder had plenty of space to move around. it blew my mind. He began to degrade the man in Italian like no one could hear him. I was appalled. I lost my appetite and had the lady box it up. I would never want my son to work in such a chaotic environment with a senile senior he's a good 75+ might be time to retire and enjoy life with folks you'd never think of such disgusting remarks. I pray he don't kiss his wife with that mouth. Any who food was okay after it was reheated. read more

The ambiance was great, quaint place with dimmed lights and low volume. Great for date night. The service was also about a 3 star quality, some things were wrong with the order taking, questions could hardly be answered or accommodated. The food was subpar, the only thing we really enjoyed was the Pappardelle con Gamberi e Salsa al Pistachio and the desserts. read more

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Placed an order for carry out. sent my brother to go get it. The gay dude who works the front thought my order was a joke and didn't place the order . My brother had to re place the order in person and wait 30 extra minutes for the food . Food was gas tho! can't lie . Service was booty cheeks. Food always carry's . Easy 5 stars if service was good read more

Decent spot for Italian in the Highlands neighborhood. Service was great. Knowledge waiter. Enjoyed our appetizers and wine. Entree pastas were good. Prices are pretty expensive. Don't do anything to celebrate birthdays. read more

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Had a lovely evening dining outside. The food was delicious. Probably the best Calamari and Gnocchi I've ever had. I highly recommend giving it a try. I know I'll go there again. read more

Fan-tas-tic spot! Let's get the most important part out there. Go on a Tuesday evening, order the Cacio e Pepe (and be seated inside so you get it made table side) and a nice glass of wine, and pay this advice forward by passing that along to someone else so they may share the joy. There's the Food Network show Best Thing I Ever Ate--this belongs on it. And the prep is a nice bonus! Besides the Cacio, there's a solid menu to choose from. Everything I've had is very good, but the handmade pastas are the way to go. Well, those and the razor-thin carpaccio with shaved truffles...or the burrata...or the amazingly tender and flavorful grilled octopus.... Just do some sampling! Well-made cocktails as well. Service is second-to-none. I felt like a regular the first time I visited...the second time I felt like I was greeted like a dear old friend...by the third time I might as well have been family. True class! It's not a large space, so reservations aren't a bad idea. Nice patio area, the main dining area is an overall intimate space (great bar seating if you're like me and don't mind rolling solo), and while I haven't been up there, I understand there is a second floor that's great for large groups. read more

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ROC Restaurant hit all the high points during our dinner last night - outside covered seating, friendly and thoughtful table service, delicious food and well made cocktails. During this season of Covid they were obviously attentive to heath precautions *and* a fine dining experience. We were waiting on one of our dinner party and slow sipped an Old Fashioned while we waited. I tend to think I can make my own at home that stand up to most restaurants but they added detail that would be difficult for me to pull off. Even still, the Aviation (gin) cocktail later in the evening may have been my favorite, friendly tip to try it! We chose the Burrata which is a cow's milk cheese that ends up looking like a mozzarella ball with an oozy creamy center and it was delicious I could honestly eat that again and again. At our server's recommendation I got the Pappardelle (Pistachio Shrimp Pasta) from the menu and it was absolutely delicious - savory balanced flavors with fresh pasta. My dinner dates chose the limited time menu Lasagna and Truffled Pasta respectively and I was equally impressed with those dishes. You may want to head over there this weekend if these are some of your favorites before they are back in the vault! Looking back I do wish we had had more bread provided so I could scoop up the leftover sauces, I'm sure they would have accommodated had I asked. Based on this first dinner, I can't imagine a mediocre dish coming out of this kitchen. I am looking forward to intimate meals and celebration dinner parties here. When you can count on the food to be excellent and good service that's meal memories in the making. read more

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We celebrated our nephew's birthday at ROC which turned out to be one of the most delicious Italian dinners I have experienced. In total we ordered the Antipasto All'Italiano (salami was amazing), Insalata de Pera, Nico E Gorgonzola, Stacy Salad, Veal Scaloppini, Branzino, Lombata di Mailae ala Parmigiana, & Parmesan Pomodoro & ROC Tiramisu (the best Tiramisu ever). Service was excellent and the ambiance was a little noisy but the food is worth any annoyance you might have from the people talking while enjoying their dinner. read more

Superb Italian cuisine in a family owned operation. Pricey - but worth it!! Book a reservation today.