Honestly some of the best food I've had in the city. Whatever they got going on here is the good stuff. My friend and I got cornbread as an appetizer and I got the fish as my entree. The cornbread was awesome - the butter that's on top makes the bread a bit soggy and sweet in the best way possible and the fish was really good. I also don't think that the portions were as small as many other boujee restaurants. With regards to service, we sat at the bar, and the bartender was really cool too. Definitely would come back! read more

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The food here is incredible and honestly some of the best in the city. The recently James Beard nominated chef really knows what he's doing and was a pleasure to meet. The cornbread is incredible, as was their coconut ice cream; some of the best I've ever had. If I had any criticism of Nolia it would simply be that some of the portion sizes are a little small for the prices that they charge and I don't love the layout of the space. I really think they could elevate things if they had a different, upscale dining layout. I would recommend coming if you've never been and I look forward to returning for the next seasonal menu. read more

I am at a complete loss on how to review this restaurant. It's almost upsetting to me. In my line of work, I try many of the downtown restaurants so that I can recommend places when needed. Here goes... The food is a 10 plus. Every bite you take makes you stop and go "yuuuummmmm." Scallops, yes please! Coconut balls of heaven, yes please! The atmosphere is a 10 plus. So small and quaint you feel like you're in a friend's home. Exposed brick walls. Kitchen in the middle of the restaurant. Cozy. Now the bad part. What is going on with the service?? The manager (woman) was lovely. So kind and welcoming. Our server was average. He was a low talker and stoic but I can get past that. He didn't smile, laugh, or seem remotely friendly, but whatever. I don't go to dinner with him so I can look past that. Now the worst part. What I can't look past. There was one individual - not sure of his role. Tall bald man. Why he would be at the front door as a first impression is beyond me. I greeted HIM when I entered and he just stared at me. As if I had offended him. No words. Just a stare. He had very unkind words to people when no one was around. Shockingly so. I have never been so uncomfortable and offended by a restaurant employee in my life. If we could have gotten up and left, we would have, but we had already ordered. We were on edge so we said nothing because we thought he was going to say more angry things to us. I won't be back, but I will always dream of that skillet cornbread... read more

This is a favorite of anyone who has ever eaten here. Hands-down some of the best food you'll eat in Cincinnati. The menu is always changing, but trust me it'll still be excellent. If you're like us, and tried to go in without a reservation and were somewhat rudely laughed at or turned away by the hostess, rest-assured if you just take a moment, hop on OpenTable, book whatever is available, you're experience will be completely different. It's worth checking if you are walking by, but just expect to be turned away so you aren't upset. read more

Nolia - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Where else are you going to get a unique and fun menu like this in Cincy?! Intimate setting with a limited number of tables, all of the staff from the owner/chef Jeff to our server were super friendly and made you feel like you were dining at one of their houses. I have an allergy and the kitchen was accommodating so that I could enjoy all the dishes while not taking anything away from the rest of our group. Owner is from New Orleans and brought that energy to Cincinnati. Delicious, fresh food and good times, what more could you ask for?? Jeff told us about some events coming up this spring/summer, I'm keeping my eye out! read more

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Nolia was such an amazing experience. The kitchen is open to the dining area so you can watch all the food being made. The food is delicious and the service is great! The skillet cornbread is to die for and I love how their menu changes, so there's always something new on the menu. The oysters were so fresh, I could eat a dozen myself. I definitely recommend getting yourself a drink while you're there, and they have wonderful option for cocktails ands even mocktails! They know how to make some good drinks. While I was there, they had a coconut espresso martini. I got it as a mocktail and had to get another for I ended the night. Please go try out Nolia, it is totally worth it! You won't regret it. I will definitely be coming back for some date nights with my boyfriend! read more

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Everything about this place was amazing. The location, the vibe, the food! The chef stops at each table to check on the guests and the ongoing experience, and it is a very appreciated gesture! His take on Southern food is brilliant and definitely worth trying and coming back. read more

Nolia - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Nolia will be hard to beat. A perfect spot for our date night from start to finish. A quaint, swanky spot on a side street of OTR with the ambiance just right. Our service was great, and our server was very knowledgeable about the kitchen. A small menu but enough to have a few choices. The scallops were cooked to perfection and everything looked photoshoot ready. True dedication to crafting nice food. Highly recommend! read more

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Had a great experience at Nolia, after a recommendation from one of the chef's (childhood friend). He gave us the run down of what to get! We got the fried squash donuts (amazing with the sauce) The crab bisque was perfect for a cold day. The lamb my wife stated she liked a lot, her first time having it like a steak. I can say the scallops were FANTASTIC!!! Perfectly cooked and flavorful. The dessert as corn bread and icecream to top it off. If you need a nice romantic cozy restaurant that has awards you'll find that here. read more

Nolia - Scallops & lamb - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We went to Nolia for Valentine's Day with my wife and were very impressed! It felt like the whole restaurant was interacting with us, from the host to the kitchen staff to the server. The open kitchen worked extremely well for the intimate setting -- the kitchen operation was very calm to the point of the chefs talking to us about the food and menu and giving us advice as they worked. The dishes were cohesive, cooked perfectly, and elevated yet unpretentious. It blended a bistro and fine dining atmosphere both in the ambiance and dishes, and resulted in just a really fun, joyful, and memorable dining experience. read more

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Nolia delivers the kind of dining experience that feels both deeply personal and quietly refined. The space is intimate and thoughtfully designed, creating an atmosphere that invites you to slow down and settle in. Service was warm, attentive and effortless. We were seated immediately and felt genuinely welcomed from the first moment. We began with the gnocchi and their celebrated cornbread, paired with the Oh Nana and Hotti Totti cocktails. Each dish arrived with intention and balance. The food reads like elevated comfort, rich yet composed, soulful yet precise. The cornbread was unforgettable, tender, flavorful and easily one of the best gluten free bites I have had anywhere. As someone who eats gluten free, the confidence of knowing the entire menu is safe transformed the experience from cautious to celebratory. Nolia is the rare place where technique meets heart. Every plate felt like comfort served with artistry, and every detail reflected care from kitchen to table. This is not just a restaurant to visit once. It is a place to return to again and again. read more

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What an incredible experience! We were a little bummed that the only reservations left were bar seats, but it ended up being more of an experience! We got to speak with the head chef/ owner throughout our dinner and hear his story, recommendations, and more. The tuna was the best tuna you could ever find in Ohio. And the pork? Phenomenal. I don't know how I could eat pork again after enjoying this. Overall, it was a great meal and wonderful experience. We will be back! read more

If you want a real dining experience visit Nolia. Tucked on E14th St. ...sits this tiny but mighty gem. I've been here only twice and the first time I brought a colleague from San Francisco trying to impress him with some Cincinnati flair, and it did not disappoint. Saturday I brought my boyfriend as a wrap up for birthday festivities for him. He travels extensively so he's not easily overwhelmed, yet again Nolia delivered in a big way! He had the beef Tongue and let me try a bite. It melted in my mouth! We also had the skillet cornbread ( essentially pre-meal dessert) and the pork belly ( mind blowing flavor) to start. I added a photo of the Carolina Chicken. It's enough for two! Nolia hands down is one of Cincinnati's top restaurants. Run... don't walk, but make a reservation first! There's limited seating. Oh! I forgot- the best server I've had in years! Lovely young woman. Madeline. read more

Nolia - Washington Park drink - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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What a wonderful date night. The food was absolutely delicious - from each small bite to large plate, we tried as many as we could. Each bite was so inventive and flavorful, the ingredients truly spoke for themselves. The service was amazing, it was even great to meet and speak with the chef and owner who does it all. We would recommend and will absolutely be going back soon, especially when the menu changes (which we heard was every 90 days) to try some new, unique bites! Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time. read more

Nolia - Swordfish, tamales, street corn - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Have been a fan of Nolia for years. Love that Chef Harris and his team recreate their menu every three months. Unfortunately, that sometimes means Ill miss some special dishes, relegated only to my memory. The current menu includes two such dishes. The corn crab bisque is one of those. It felt like a nice warm Cajun hug, the corn fully blended into the broth with just enough spice to remind you of its roots. I wanted seconds! I love scallops and these were amazing, nicely cooked with a proper browning on the outside. The scallion grits were hearty and flavorful. Will definitely be looking for another reservation before this menu goes on to live in my memory. read more

I was absolutely blown away with how amazing the food here was! The cornbread is an absolute MUST. I will dream about it until we can get it again. We got the scallops and grits which is just absolutely perfect. The flavors are elevated and just... Perfect. Goat gnocchi was also fabulous. The jerked goat and the tad sweet gnocchi was the most magical take on goat I've had. We also got the beef skewers and the grill was PERFECT as the inside was still juicy! The crudo was also a huge twist with the sauce which I could drink. read more

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Don't think you are just walking in here to eat ! You better make an reservation for this intimate place serving up flavor . It's a fast space open kitchen with big ideas and a small menu. The cocktails took thought , and the menu has intent on showing homage to one of thebest places to eat ! (New Orleans ) . This is for sure James beard award worthy !( iykyk) . The caviar was good , the sea bass was cooked perfect . They lacked nothing ! read more

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Saturday night out with a great food, excellent service and cozy atmosphere, great combination for a family dinner . Very recommended. read more

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Food was delicious. The chef checked on me and made sure that I had a wonderful experience. read more

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One of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. we ordered almost everything on the menu. The food was amazing, but so was the service. Everybody was very attentive in the chef even came up and talked with us a little bit sharing a story of how he got into this business of cooking. Looking forward to going back.. read more

I came here for a work event on a Saturday evening. Our reservation was for 8 of us, which I was impressed they fit as the restaurant is so small. They seated us in the front area, meaning we got to watch the chefs at the plating table at work, which was cool. All of us started with a beverage. I had a glass of red wine, the red blend chateau virgile on the menu. It was pleasant and easy to drink. Another person from my party ordered a coffee and was given the French press to press it themselves. The drinks kept us occupied while they prepared our first courses, which did take awhile given the size of our party and how busy the place was. For my first course, I had the corn and crab bisque. It was amazing. Perfectly creamy, a tad spicy, and the crab was great. I also got to sample the squash donuts, which were also great! That would've been another great choice for a first course. For my main dish, I had the scallops. Again, they were mind blowing! They melted in your mouth and had the best buttery flavor. The grits below the scallops was also so savory and filling. I was sad when my meal ended so soon. I also tried the lamb that evening, as someone else in my group ordered it. It found it way too gamey, making me very thankful that I did not order it. It would have probably ruined my meal. I also split potatoes and caviar with another member from my group. The caviar went great on my scallops, but they give you so much that I could not use it all! The potatoes were also so so good. So good in fact, that someone ordered them for dessert when they saw everyone enjoying them so much. For dessert, I had the rum cake. While the cake was drier than I am used to with a rum cake, the icing it made up for it and its flavor was perfect. It came topped with candied pecans, which might have been my favorite part of the dessert. Our server was great, albeit a bit nervous. He tripped up a few times describing the menu and specials to us, confusing some members of the table who are not used to this style of dining, but nothing that was detrimental to the experience. All of this amazing food was worth the price, and the price was definitely high. This is a fine dining experience meant for special occasions, and it will for sure be an experience you will remember! read more

During my quick trip to Cincinnati, I was able to try out Nolia. The ambiance of the restaurant was immaculate. I always appreciate small restaurants with an attention to detail of the design and decor. I also loved being able to watch the chefs in their element as the finished plating dishes. Our waiter was very kind and helpful with going through the menu. I had a lemonade to drink and honestly that set the tone for me. It was perfectly sweet and refreshing. I had the chicken gizzards and spinach, which were both pretty good. The gizzards were a bit tough for me but still tasty. I tried some West Coast oysters which tasted very fresh. Also got to try the Mama Wanda, a take on shrimp and grits. It was very delicious. My favorite entree was the Lamb Neck. It was so tender and flavorful. The pepper purée paired very well with it! I wish they would keep this one in the menu, but I think they rotate it every 90 days. I can't wait to return and see the new menu! read more

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Hands down, this restaurant is a 10/10!!! From its authentic and carefully designed cuisines, to the amazing staff AND owner/chef- loved the entire experience and ambiance of this charming restaurant. Was told that the menu changes every 3 months, so if you find something that you like on the menu, make it worth your while! I had the Jerk Goat w/ Gnocchi. The owner recommended it; at first I was like "eehhh", even though I do enjoy some goat meat...but OMG!!! I'm so glad that I went with his suggestion! Will definitely be back within the next week or so! read more

Always an amazing menu. Looking forward to the winter menu next time I am in town. Servers are always knowledgeable of the menu and ingredients. Chef always checks in and makes sure you are enjoying your meal. read more

Nolia - Crudo - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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between the drinks, food, ambience and amazing staff Nolia is an absolute 10/10. Chef and owner Jeff was there cooking along with the other amazing chefs. We were seated at the kitchen bar so it was very fun to see everything going on and interact with the people putting the love into the food. They change their menu often so you're always getting the best seasonal ingredients. I am still dreaming of the wagyu Suya from the first pic. The vibe is amazing in there from the playlist to the decor. Nolia is 10000% in my top fave Cincy restaurants now and I cannot wait to go back!! read more

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My boss and I went to Nolia when she was in town for some in-person training. I had been wanting to try Nolia for some time and it seemed like the perfect occasion. We were both blown away by everything. The interior of the restaurant is absolutely beautiful and so tastefully decorated. We ordered gazpacho, pickles, crab boulettes, and cheesecake to go. Everything was *chef's kiss*. In fact, the chef himself came out to check on us. Service doesn't get much better than that! I am excited to go back and try even more culinary masterpieces from Nolia. read more

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This place is really hit or miss for me. Their prices keep going up but their portions are getting smaller. Service is always great. The energy is good too with limited seating. I just wish they had more memorable/knockout starters and sides besides the cornbread. I'm also just worried about how much they are charging. It makes the place less appealing to the regular crowds. read more

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What a fantastic experience. Excellent food, service & ambiance. We shared the cornbread & shrimp skewers (banana guac). All 3 of us ordered the scallops and grits and we shared the green beans with snap peas with our entrees. Shared the donuts and homemade ginger ice cream with chocolate chips. I've never heard of or had ginger ice cream but it was the perfect palate cleanser after a delicious meal. We'll be back. read more

Couldn't have asked for a better anniversary dinner experience than the amazing meal my husband and I shared at Nolia this week. Big thanks to my kids for the gift cards that prompted us to go. Expert and personable server Cole guided us through the menu and helped us make great choices, which included oysters, groundnut soup, skillet corn bread and pork belly to start followed by the lamb neck and veggies main dish to share. As if we weren't already there, we definitively tipped over into the serious greed category with the ooey gooey cake to wrap things up but hey, it was our anniversary. Nolia is a cozy, intimate spot where chef Jeff Harris serves up some serious eats that are as delicious as they are unique. I was not surprised to see that Harris and Nolia made James Beard's list of finalists for the national Best New Restaurant category in 2023. You do pay for the quality but it's worth saving your money to come here and enjoy an absolutely memorable meal. read more

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We had reservations at 7:45 on a Thursday night and were seated right away. Our server Chris was attentive and lovely all night. We started with a Digby Park, and I chose to add caviar, and a LaFreniere Park cocktails. They were both good drinks but adding the caviar to the Digby Park was not worth the additional cost. Before I mention the food, I just have to say how cool it was to have Chef Jeff Harris serve most of our dishes. I don't know of any other restaurant in Cincinnati where the chef is so involved with their patrons. We asked him about the seasoning on the pork shank and he told us exactly how he did it. After each dish we were able to tell him what we thought. Refreshing! We ordered 6 east coast oysters and they were great. The crudo was kampachi (a variation of yellowtail) and it was a very unique and a delicious presentation. We have never had a crudo with a creamy sauce. We also had the cornbread, which was good, and everybody raves about it, but tasted like an extremely buttery pancake you would have on a Sunday morning. The pork shank was cooked beautifully and so, so tender. The spices were authentic to the Chef's roots. Cardamon, Garam Masala, and a lot of other warm spices and a delectable glaze. Our favorite dish of the night was the cauliflower....yes, cauliflower. Three types, perfectly seasoned. We can't wait to go back to taste the spring menu, which starts on April 2nd! read more

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Nolia was an interesting experience! The Mt. Storm Park was a great drink. The alligator andouille came with a nice dipping sauce. The redfish was cooked perfectly. The sous vide beef tongue was, as promised, a revelation and a treasure. A buttery cornbread made a good if scant starch. The kitchen is in front and open, and the bar is in back (which we found out about later). The décor is industrial eclectic. Because of the small space the tables are close so be ready for possible loud patrons. The chef came by to chat with us which we always appreciate. (One final thing: several hours after our 6 pm meal I got hungry again, which is not usual for me!) read more

Nolia - sous vide beef tongue with chow chow - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Came for the first time on a Friday night for dinner as a friend of mine and I wanted to try out a new place we've never been to. I have heard about Nolia and seen IG posts so thought it was a nice day to try it out. We were seated at the bar in the back for our reservation. The place is very small and tightly spaced (maybe room for 8 in the back and about 10-12 in the front). The staff was friendly and the owner (or manager) checked in on us when we got our food. Service for the bar/server was a bit slow so you have to try and make sure you have enough time planned and may have to just get their attention. I ordered the Central Parkway drink as it said smoked coconut milk which sounded amazing and the drink met all expectations. It's a very creamy and rich drink but I love that. The smokiness added a wonderful flavor. For food we got the chicken gizzards with chimichuri, and the Mama Wanda which had shrimp, grits and scallop. We were not starving so wanted to share. We also decided to get the curried potatoes which was the winter special side. The chicken gizzards were wonderful. So tasty and the hot sauces and chimichuri they have added so much flavor. I have never tried gizzards but glad my first time was here. The Mama Wanda was a bit underwhelming. I didn't realize it would be one large shrimp we have to cut into and there were no scallops at all, unless it was inside the grits or tiny pieces in the garnish on top. For a $45 dish I didn't think this was worth it. (Forgot to take a picture). Not very much food at all or much unique flavor. We were still hungry by the end and that's why we ordered the potatoes. The potatoes were also expensive for what you get. They have curried slices and an aioli type sauce with edible flowers to garnish on top. However, not worth $14 for that. Also, all the sauce is on the bottom so just make sure you realize that before eating all the potatoes. I do think the presentation of the food was lovely with all the edible flowers. The vibes are also intimate and welcoming. Overall, this place is on the expensive side for value so not sure I'd dine here often. The gizzards and chimichuri were amazing though so willing to try it out for any new specials they bring. The drinks are also expensive as the cocktails were $16 so I feel I would come for a happy hour or just drinks with the girls but not stay too long and maybe grab 1 drink to start or end the night. Glad I tried something new out and thanks for the experience, Nolia. read more

Went for our anniversary and had a delicious meal with excellent service! We ordered the tuna starter, cornbread, chicken, and the sea bass. The tuna, cornbread, and Bbq chicken were mouth watering good. Would reorder all the 3! The sea bass was good, but when we go back - I would probably reorder the chicken or try one of the other entrees. It was cooked perfectly but the flavors were a little bland in comparison to the other dishes we ordered. My only complaint was the vegan strawberry shortcake. The vegan biscuit was so hard I couldn't even bite through it without hurting my teeth. Next time, I'll order the cornbread for dessert if I can't find a way to order it with the main meal because it was SO good and I need to have it incorporated in some part of my meal . One last thing - make sure you order the house made hot sauce. It is insane (to the point i bought some to take home with us!). read more

Nolia was on my list for a while. The decor and ambience of the restaurant are super cute. Our waiter Scott was very nice and attentive. I was very disappointed with the food. We ordered the carrots, the cornbread, the chicken, and the beans with ham. 1- carrots: they assembled them in advance, put them in the fridge and just give them to you. The menu did say these carrots were roasted but they were so COLD!!! I paid $12+ for 6 small carrots that looked like my 11 year old plated. 2. The cornbread was premade. They had then all in a line so they just warm them up and scoop butter and put it on top. 3- The chicken was super dry, and the seasoning did not have me licking my fingers. It was actually hard to eat. 4. The beans and ham were flavorful and warm BUT worth the $14 for a cup? Absolutely not. My husband asked if I wanted to get dessert but I looked over and it looked like pie you Could get at cotsco. I am so disappointed because I was expecting so much more. I left wanting more. This Place will probably close in less than a year. I just Don't see people wanting to come back for some cold carrots or pay $32 for dry roasted chicken. read more

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Went back to Nolia on Saturday night and guess what... it's still incredible. The menu is changing on Wednesday and I can't wait to try the new stuff. For the first time we had the crawfish remoulade, oysters, and the turnips. All were bomb. The mignonette for the oysters was crazy good. Perfectly acidic and vinegary. The crawfish remoulade was shockingly light and refreshing. The blue oven bread puts it over the top. The turnips are a surprise to the senses. Seared like a scallop. The peas that come with it are crazy. Service is top knotch. Max made the night awesome. The restaurant is perfect. Would eat there every night if I could. It's clean and the vibes are immaculate. Please go and keep this place busy! read more

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I heard so many amazing things about this place and I really wanted to love it but I think we just came at the wrong menu rotation. We started with strawberry gazpacho which to me tasted like strawberry yogurt with tomatoes and I really didn't like it, it was off-putting. Cornbread was good, albeit there was way too much butter on top that we removed. Our entrees were the rockfish au poivre with shoestring fries and iberico secreto with fried rice, both of which I thought were very bland in both taste and color. However, we were absolutely delighted with roasted carrots and carrot top pesto. read more

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As a former resident of Nawlins I was pleasantly surprised that this spot is a love letter to the wards. Small, quaint and personable the place and service were exquisite. I saw the small expertly curated menu and was happy to explore. Grabbed a glass of Chaos Theory and my partner shared several dishes like the Crudo Yellowtail with Jalapeño , Caviar Waffle, Skillet Cornbread that can also be a dessert , Entree Fish and rounded out with Bread Pudding. We left full, happy and missing my second home of Nawlins. See pic of menu for prices! read more

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I usually don't think a lot of restaurants are good here, but this place was really good. We tried the corn bread, pork belly, chicken, and vegetable (maitake). Pork belly was cooked to perfection. It's hard to cook it well since it looked like it was grilled. I also liked that they mixed the Japanese vegetable with an African cuisine based sauce. Somehow they all blended well. Service was amazing and the restaurant has a cute cozy vibe. Definitely coming back for new items :) read more

Superb in every respect. We had the tuna, Carolina chicken, tongue, and Huckleberry drop cakes. Everything was delicious, but the beef tongue was an absolute stand out. The restaurant is small and intimate, with an open kitchen. All of the staff were welcoming and friendly, while turning out amazing food. We found the price point to be much lower than expected for a restaurant of this caliber. read more

Decided on Nolia Kitchen for a 70th birthday celebration and couldn't have made a better choice. The food and service was a solid 5-star experience and the ambiance/vibe was as good as anything in the city. We order practically every dish on the menu and one was better than the next right down to the inventive twist on the classic chocolate chip ice cream. We will be back! read more