DOPO Pizza & Pasta
Riverwalk District, Reno
Bar in Reno, United States
Why go
DOPO Pizza & Pasta on S Center St is a sit-down Italian option in downtown Reno that punches above the casino-buffet tier without demanding fine-dining prices. Best for parties of two wanting proper pizza and pasta in a compact, walkable location. Easy to book, no reservations usually required on weeknights.
About DOPO Pizza & Pasta
Is DOPO Pizza & Pasta Worth It in Reno?
If you're weighing up where to eat pizza and pasta in downtown Reno, DOPO Pizza & Pasta at 190 S Center St puts itself in a useful position: a sit-down Italian spot in the heart of the city, within walking distance of most downtown hotels and the casino corridor. The real question isn't whether pizza is a good idea — it's whether DOPO executes it well enough to beat the alternatives in its price range.
The space on S Center St is compact and urban rather than sprawling. Downtown Reno venues of this type tend to run counter-seating and close-set tables rather than roomy booth arrangements, which makes DOPO a reasonable pick for two, but potentially tight for a group of four or more. If you want breathing room, arrive early or plan to eat before the evening rush.
On food quality — which is what really determines whether a pizza-and-pasta spot is worth a return visit, DOPO sits in a different register to a late-night casino buffet or a fast-casual slice window. The Italian-format menu signals intent toward proper technique rather than volume throughput. That said, without current pricing data confirmed, it's worth verifying what you're spending before you commit: downtown Reno Italian can range from $15 to $35 per head depending on whether you're ordering pasta only or rounding out with drinks.
For value-seekers specifically: DOPO makes the most sense as a dinner choice when you want a sit-down meal with some kitchen ambition, but don't want to stretch to the higher price points of Reno's more formal dining rooms. It competes on quality-of-ingredients and preparation rather than on price alone, so if you're looking for the cheapest possible meal downtown, there are faster options. If you want food that's actually cooked well for a reasonable spend, DOPO deserves consideration.
Booking is easy, walk-ins are the norm for venues of this type in downtown Reno, but calling ahead for weekend evenings is sensible given the compact room size.
Quick reference: 190 S Center St, Reno, NV 89501. Walk-in friendly. Downtown Reno location. Leading for parties of 2–3.
For more options in the city, see our full Reno restaurants guide, our full Reno bars guide, our full Reno hotels guide, our full Reno wineries guide, and our full Reno experiences guide. If you're curious about strong cocktail programs worth traveling for, Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, and Julep in Houston set the benchmark. Closer to home, Antojitos Colibrí and Arario Midtown round out Reno's more interesting dining options.
The take
The Take
The Vibe
DOPO reads like a classic neighborhood Italian anchor that prioritizes consistency over reinvention. The room is approachable and unpretentious — priced accessibly and built to accommodate solo diners at the bar as easily as groups at a table. At the same time, the restaurant is attentive to Reno’s raising bar for beverage programs, so the mood combines everyday comfort with a quietly serious drinks sensibility. It feels like a local mainstay that welcomes regulars and visitors looking for reliable pizza, pasta and a well-maintained back bar.
Best For
DOPO is best when you want an unforced, social dinner — a spot for solo bar meals, after-work drinks, or casual group nights. The layout explicitly supports solo dining at the bar and larger parties at tables, so it works for both quick drinks and full meals. Given the emphasis on a credible back bar and wine list, it’s also a natural choice when you want a place that treats beverages as part of the meal rather than an afterthought.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the venue’s strengths: classic pizza and pasta preparations and a drinks program that aims to reward curiosity. The profile stresses a thoughtful back bar and wine list, so consider exploring beyond the obvious house pours and ask the staff about interesting bottles or cocktails. Expect straightforward, reliably executed dishes rather than experimental reinventions — ordering around staples is a safe way to experience what the restaurant does consistently well.
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kuma Sushi, Notable alternative
- Arario Midtown, Notable alternative
- Beaujolais Bistro, Notable alternative
- Centro Bar & Kitchen, Notable alternative
- DEATH & TAXES, Notable alternative
Bar context
Against downtown Reno's broader dining field, DOPO fills a specific gap: it's an Italian kitchen with sit-down intent, sitting between the fast-casual end of the market and the more formal rooms. Beaujolais Bistro is the clear step up if you want a more considered dining experience with French-influenced cooking and a stronger wine list, expect to spend more, but the trade-off in atmosphere and food depth is real. If budget is the primary concern, DOPO holds its own at the mid-range.
Centro Bar & Kitchen is the better call if you want a venue where the drinks program is as important as the food, Centro leans into the bar side of its identity in a way DOPO doesn't. Arario Midtown operates in a different register entirely, with Asian-influenced cooking that suits a different occasion. Neither directly competes with DOPO's Italian format, which gives DOPO a clear lane for anyone specifically craving pasta or pizza downtown.
Kuma Sushi and DEATH & TAXES serve different cuisine categories and are not direct substitutes. The practical verdict: book DOPO when you want Italian in central Reno without a formal reservation or a high spend. Book Beaujolais Bistro when you want a more considered meal and are willing to pay for it.
Explore Reno
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full DOPO Pizza & Pasta guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare DOPO Pizza & Pasta
| Venue | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|
| DOPO Pizza & Pasta | Easy |
| Kuma Sushi | Unknown |
| Arario Midtown | Unknown |
| Beaujolais Bistro | Unknown |
| Centro Bar & Kitchen | Unknown |
| DEATH & TAXES | Unknown |
Comparing your options in Reno for this tier.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the signature drink at DOPO Pizza & Pasta?
Specific cocktail or drink menu details for DOPO aren't confirmed in available data. For a downtown Reno Italian spot at 190 S Center St, expect wine and beer pairings standard to the format. Ask staff directly what they're pouring — that's your fastest route to a good call.
Does DOPO Pizza & Pasta have happy hour deals?
Happy hour specifics for DOPO haven't been confirmed. Given its downtown Reno location on S Center St, it's worth calling or checking in person before your visit if timing a deal matters. Centro Bar & Kitchen nearby is a more reliably documented option if happy hour is your primary driver.
Is the food good at DOPO Pizza & Pasta?
DOPO positions itself as a straightforward pizza and pasta destination in downtown Reno — a format that lives or dies on execution of fundamentals. It draws repeat local traffic, which is a practical signal in a market like Reno where dining options are competitive. Don't arrive expecting elaborate technique; arrive expecting honest Italian-style cooking done consistently.
What's the crowd like at DOPO Pizza & Pasta?
Expect a downtown Reno mix: locals, hotel guests from the nearby casino corridor, after-work diners. The 190 S Center St address puts it in a walkable, accessible part of the city. It skews casual rather than scene-y, which suits groups who want food over atmosphere.
Is DOPO Pizza & Pasta good for a date?
It works for a low-stakes first date or a casual second outing — the Italian format keeps conversation easy and the downtown location means you can extend the evening nearby. If you want something more considered for a date night, Beaujolais Bistro gives you more atmosphere and a stronger wine list in the same city.
Does DOPO Pizza & Pasta have outdoor seating?
Outdoor seating details for DOPO aren't confirmed in the available data. The S Center St address is a standard downtown block, so a small patio is plausible but not guaranteed. Confirm directly before planning a warm-weather meal outside.
Do I need a reservation at DOPO Pizza & Pasta?
Reservation policy specifics aren't on record for DOPO, but for a downtown Reno pizza and pasta spot, walk-ins are generally viable on weeknights. Friday and Saturday evenings in the S Center St area get busier, so calling ahead for groups of four or more is the safer move. Solo diners and pairs should be fine without booking most nights.
