Similar to other non-5 star reviews, we so wanted this to be amazing. Especially with all of Dolly's publicity. The olives were so disappointing. They advertise an olive bowl featuring marinated olives. We only received kalamatta olives, seemingly straight from the container. No oil or herbs. I have those in the fridge at home. 😅 Fettuccine was as to be expected. No complaints. It did the job. The atmosphere is great and so is the service. As best as it could be with how busy the place was. We both tried the house salad. To be honest, the lettuce was very bitter and some parts were brown. It was the end of the evening so I won't judge that too much. Just not as satiating as I had hoped. Maybe my mistake was not pairing things with wine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Trudy Osborne
Honestly the best tasting marinara and meatballs I’ve tasted outside of Italy. Super selection of great European wines and very reasonably priced. On top of that, the owners of this cute little operation are the nicest people. What’s not to like ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs, Beet Salad
Julia Pitner
An amazing spot and such a lovely couple! Dolly created such a wonderful, delicious, and inspiring restaurant! A must visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hannah Miller
This is such a great restaurant! My husband and I just moved from Colorado and have been looking for some good restaurants for date night. Dolly's is absolutely amazing. From the people to the food, we felt so welcome and are so excited to visit again! If you have a chance, please visit. This is the the best food we have had in the Bay area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lucy Greco
This little gem of a restaurant should not be in El cerrito. It should be in one of the finest cities in the world, but it's there and it's absolutely fantastic. Signature dish is the fettuccine in a cheese wheel and she has perfected the dish. The noodles are tender and delicious and the cheese is real and stands out. You must have this dish when you go and they're wine. Selection is amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deb L
Oh my! What a find! Amazing wine list, abbreviated but delicious menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Navigate51474205108
Special restaurant in an unassuming strip mall in El Cerrito. Well worth the trip. Food was delicious. We’ve been three times, and last two we were served by Dolly’s husband, a truly hospitable and knowledgeable restaurateur. Dolly is the chef and equally delightful. The cheese wheel pasta is fantastic. I’ve tried a few other menu items, and have never been disappointed.
Naomi Loveall
We were a little nervous when we first drove up due to the size of the restaurant and oh my gosh were we wrong. That was the best Alfredo! It was perfectly creamy and cheesy and flavorful. The meatballs were tender and seasoned perfectly. The tomato sauce was light and clean tasting and perfectly balanced the richness of the Alfredo and the meatballs. Dolly’s is now a definite stop every time we come to visit California.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt and Jenna Mihm
So happy we tried this restaurant! Dolly was lovely and the pasta in the cheese wheel surprised all of us—it was delicious and we all hate “regular” Alfredo sauce. It was so so worth it. Dolly shared a lot about the food, the process, and the impact of tariffs on her small business. Don’t sleep on this place. It was delightful!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julie Northern
My friend and I came here last night and were not disappointed. We shared the pasta in the cheese wheel, the meatballs, the tiramisu, and wine of course. It was absolutely delicious. No leftovers to take home. Might have to get extra togo. I am still thinking about it lol. The cozy environment and the staff was welcoming and friendly all a top tier experience for 100% will come back.
Home made style Alfredo. One of the best I ever had😻
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leonard Gilbert
My friend and I had a great charcuterie plate here and a couple of us nice glasses of wines. The owner, Shenal made good recommendations and the food was great!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
AJ Dunbar
My wife and I had a fantastic dinner at Dolly’s in El Cerrito, a cozy, locally-owned restaurant perfect for date nights.
Owners Dolly and Shanel were incredibly warm and welcoming with great service. The cheese wheel pasta, meatballs, and beet salad were delicious. We also loved the Dolly Brand wine and left with a bottle of their Sauvignon Blanc. Can’t wait to pop it open.
The wine selection overall is excellent, with several local options. If you’re looking for a cozy wine bar, and memorable Italian dinner at a small business restaurant in El Cerrito/Albany area Dolly’s is a hidden gem. We’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gustavo Ruiz
Speechless, best little place to hang out and socialize while having a sip of the best wine or beer and some very unique and tasty food! Thank you Dolly and family! 🙏❤️
Similar to other non-5 star reviews, we so wanted this to be amazing. Especially with all of Dolly's publicity. The olives were so disappointing. They advertise an olive bowl featuring marinated olives. We only received kalamatta olives, seemingly straight from the container. No oil or herbs. I have those in the fridge at home. 😅 Fettuccine was as to be expected. No complaints. It did the job. The atmosphere is great and so is the service. As best as it could be with how busy the place was. We both tried the house salad. To be honest, the lettuce was very bitter and some parts were brown. It was the end of the evening so I won't judge that too much. Just not as satiating as I had hoped. Maybe my mistake was not pairing things with wine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Honestly the best tasting marinara and meatballs I’ve tasted outside of Italy.
Super selection of great European wines and very reasonably priced. On top of that, the owners of this cute little operation are the nicest people. What’s not to like ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs, Beet Salad
An amazing spot and such a lovely couple! Dolly created such a wonderful, delicious, and inspiring restaurant! A must visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is such a great restaurant! My husband and I just moved from Colorado and have been looking for some good restaurants for date night. Dolly's is absolutely amazing. From the people to the food, we felt so welcome and are so excited to visit again! If you have a chance, please visit. This is the the best food we have had in the Bay area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This little gem of a restaurant should not be in El cerrito. It should be in one of the finest cities in the world, but it's there and it's absolutely fantastic. Signature dish is the fettuccine in a cheese wheel and she has perfected the dish. The noodles are tender and delicious and the cheese is real and stands out. You must have this dish when you go and they're wine. Selection is amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oh my! What a find! Amazing wine list, abbreviated but delicious menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Special restaurant in an unassuming strip mall in El Cerrito. Well worth the trip. Food was delicious. We’ve been three times, and last two we were served by Dolly’s husband, a truly hospitable and knowledgeable restaurateur. Dolly is the chef and equally delightful. The cheese wheel pasta is fantastic. I’ve tried a few other menu items, and have never been disappointed.
We were a little nervous when we first drove up due to the size of the restaurant and oh my gosh were we wrong. That was the best Alfredo! It was perfectly creamy and cheesy and flavorful. The meatballs were tender and seasoned perfectly. The tomato sauce was light and clean tasting and perfectly balanced the richness of the Alfredo and the meatballs. Dolly’s is now a definite stop every time we come to visit California.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So happy we tried this restaurant! Dolly was lovely and the pasta in the cheese wheel surprised all of us—it was delicious and we all hate “regular” Alfredo sauce. It was so so worth it. Dolly shared a lot about the food, the process, and the impact of tariffs on her small business. Don’t sleep on this place. It was delightful!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friend and I came here last night and were not disappointed. We shared the pasta in the cheese wheel, the meatballs, the tiramisu, and wine of course. It was absolutely delicious. No leftovers to take home. Might have to get extra togo. I am still thinking about it lol. The cozy environment and the staff was welcoming and friendly all a top tier experience for 100% will come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Home made style Alfredo. One of the best I ever had😻
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friend and I had a great charcuterie plate here and a couple of us nice glasses of wines. The owner, Shenal made good recommendations and the food was great!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I had a fantastic dinner at Dolly’s in El Cerrito, a cozy, locally-owned restaurant perfect for date nights.
Owners Dolly and Shanel were incredibly warm and welcoming with great service. The cheese wheel pasta, meatballs, and beet salad were delicious. We also loved the Dolly Brand wine and left with a bottle of their Sauvignon Blanc. Can’t wait to pop it open.
The wine selection overall is excellent, with several local options. If you’re looking for a cozy wine bar, and memorable Italian dinner at a small business restaurant in El Cerrito/Albany area Dolly’s is a hidden gem. We’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Speechless, best little place to hang out and socialize while having a sip of the best wine or beer and some very unique and tasty food! Thank you Dolly and family! 🙏❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs, Smoked Salmon Shrimp Salad
Loved it, great food, people, want to bring my family and friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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