Alfio's Buon Cibo

Book Alfio’s Buon Cibo in Cincinnati when the goal is Italian-Argentinian cooking built around handmade pastas and bold flavors. At about $75 per person, it is best framed as a planned dinner rather than a casual pasta stop.

The details point to a menu centered on rich pasta, empanadas, braised dishes. A first visit can focus on the signature dishes: Empanadas Quatro, including a Korean BBQ empanada; Veal Short Rib Ravioli; Angus and 5 Cheese ravioli; Braised Short Ribs over house-made gnocchi in truffle spinach cream sauce; and Cacio e pepe in a flamed parmesan wheel.

Italian-Argentinian cooking led by handmade pasta

The main reason to book is the Italian-Argentinian lane: handmade pastas, empanadas, braised dishes with a bolder profile than a standard Italian dinner. The order can start with Empanadas Quatro if the table wants the clearest read on the Argentine side, then move into one of the ravioli dishes or the Braised Short Ribs over house-made gnocchi. The Cacio e pepe in a flamed parmesan wheel is the more theatrical pasta choice.

For a first visit, build the meal around dishes that show the restaurant’s specific identity rather than treating it as a generic Italian stop. The strongest signatures are the short rib gnocchi, ravioli options, empanadas, flamed-parmesan-wheel cacio e pepe.

Alfio’s Buon Cibo has also earned Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recognition for 2026. That recognition supports treating the restaurant as a more considered dinner booking.

Who should book, when to go

This is a strong fit for diners who want Italian-Argentinian cooking in Cincinnati, especially handmade pasta with richer, bolder flavors. The dress code is smart casual, so neat dinner wear is the safest choice without needing formal clothing.

Hours are dinner-focused: Monday through Thursday from 4:30–8:30 PM, Friday and Saturday from 4:30–9:30 PM, Sunday closed. Weekend planners should choose Friday or Saturday rather than leaving the decision for Sunday.

The value case is clearest if the table orders across the signature dishes rather than treating it as a single-entrée Italian dinner. Start with empanadas, share pasta, consider one of the braised or ravioli dishes if the group is hungry. That structure lets the Italian-Argentinian angle actually show up.

Use it as a Cincinnati Italian-Argentinian dinner pick

The better way to think about this booking is as a Cincinnati dinner choice for handmade pasta, empanadas, bold Italian-Argentinian flavors. Nearby planning can be built through Pearl’s Cincinnati restaurants guide, or broadened with the Cincinnati hotels guide, Cincinnati bars guide, Cincinnati wineries guide, Cincinnati experiences guide.