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Uncle Nicky's

3.6 (58 reviews)
Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

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UNCLE NICKY'S ATMOSPHERE

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Happy hour specials
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Uncle Nicky's

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Reviews With Photos

Natalie F.

Their coffee was one of my favs. It tastes like a fusion of espresso and chocolate milk. Nicky's favorite is what I ordered and is Chocolate and hazelnut, oat milk, and cold brew. Also had a breakfast sandwich. Bonus: They offer aperitivo hour from 2-5 daily with app and drink specials.

Complimentary bread
Rachael L.

We had a gift card so we tried this place out. Nothing wrong with the food, but nothing that stands out either that would make us come back. We had the caesar salad, pesto pasta and the mambo sandwich. The sandwich was huge and could easily be split for 2. It's order at the counter. Ambiance was fine with the exception of quite a few annoying gnats.

Spaghetti & Pork Meatballs
Reuben M.

We came here for dinner on a Wednesday night. It was slow in the restaurant- little to no customers, no wait. The staff were friendly and polite. I ordered the lasagna. Wife ordered the chicken parmigiana sandwich. And our kid ordered the spaghetti and meatballs with an iced chi tea latte. We also ordered the garlic olive oil toast. The food was great and fresh. Since it may have been late in the day, the lasagna might have been sitting too long. It tasted freshly made, but the pasta was getting a little dried out.

Breakfast Italiano & Cappuccino
Joe Mitchell

Had the Breakfast Italiano and a cappuccino at Uncle Nicky's. Nothing bad, just basic. The sausage and focaccia were good, the sun-dried tomato was the best part. Just expected a little more overall.

Mambo
Jakob M.

Stopped by for a lasagna, sandwich and Caesar salad. I think the lasagna was frozen and heated up like Stouffers. All very bland, mambo sandwich was very dry. I think uncle Nicky with the glasses behind the counter was having a bad time. I hope everything gets better for him because he was a handsome fashionista with a cute septum piercing.

Rigatoni Della Casa
Kelsey D.

Was nervous to try Uncle Nicky's after reading mixed reviews, but really glad that we gave this place a shot. We dined here on a Saturday night and were met with very friendly service and no wait. Their ordering concept is counter service and you do not need a reservation. Our food came out super quick - we received our appetizer probably five minutes after sitting down. If I visit a place with homemade pasta I can't help but order it, so pasta it was. We ordered Uncle Nicky's meatballs, the rigatoni de la casa, and basil pesto. Everything had good flavor and came out at the perfect temperature. The texture of the pasta was perfectly al dente. I really enjoyed the almost red pepper flavor of the rigatoni sauce. The focaccia with the meatballs was soft yet crunchy and great for dipping in everything. We thought everything was fairly priced for the portion size and for being homemade. Overall, we had a great time. The employee at the counter even gave us an extra cannoli, which was crunchy and had a good level of sweetness. My friend ordered the Oaxacan Espresso martini which, first, fun how they had three different kinds of espresso martinis, and second, was tasty! We will definitely be back to this location, and look forward to trying Uncle Nicky's Happy Hour.

Pesto
Rachel T.

This was a cute little cafe that satisfied our pasta craving. We visited Uncle Nicky's on South Lamar for dinner and got a front row parking spot in their designated area. The inside is cute and small, but feels very Italian. We browsed the menu and got recommendations from the man working. I didn't realize how fast everything would come out. I started with a glass of montepulciano and it was served in a juice glass. Cute for nostalgia, but I would always prefer a stemmed glass. Within 5 minutes our food was brought out to the table, which has me thinking our dishes were not made fresh. I had the Basil Pesto: Spaghetti, Pine Nuts, Basil, Pecorino, Sun Dried Tomatoes and my fiance had the Baked Pepperoni Rigatoni: Pomodoro, Creamy Ricotta, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, Olives, Fresh Herbs. We also ordered a large caesar salad and focaccia because we thought it would take a while for our food to come. All of the plates came out at the same time which was inconvenient and also too much for our small table. Both pastas were good, but we didn't realize the baked pepperoni rigatoni would have so many red pepper flakes on it. It was so super spicy. Our first experience was kind of odd, but the pasta itself was good. We finished with a cannoli that was delicious. Loved it. There is a 3% health and wellness fee added to the check, and I have never seen that before. I didn't realize it was a place where you order at the bar and then the food comes out to you. We will go back for happy hour or take out, but maybe not for a full dine in dinner.

Cannoli
Marion W.

Let me start that I'm being nice giving it 2 stars. If I rated the cashier, they would get 0 stars. Horrible attitude. When I asked if the apperitivo I picked was good, her answer was " sure". Wow, I can't wait to try it. The app was indeed good though. The meatballs and spaghetti I honestly make better ones. The sandwich was good but not worth coming back, and the cannoli is missing chocolate chips. Like, seriously? My mule was good. I'll give them that. Last but not least, I have to pay a 3% wellness charge for this cashier to look so unhappy: nope. The ambiance is not good, it's very casual, too casual. I don't think I even want to come back for their happy hour, I've seen enough. Pro tip: for a good Italian sandwich you should go to Home slice pizza.

Spaghetti and meatballs... The other two meatballs are nestled under the beautifully cooked pasta!
Daow W.

Super cute and cozy place. Met a friend for lunch. Had the spaghetti and meatballs. It was delicious but I have to say a little small for the price. However the sauce coated the perfectly cooked pasta beautifully and the meatballs well tasty and moist. Great flavors. My friend had the meatball sandwich which was huge. Staff super friendly and food came pretty quick. Great casual place to either treat yourself or meet up with friends. They have a nice selection of cocktails.... Next time! Looking forward to trying more of their menu especially the brunch menu. They do not take cash... Just a heads up. Definitely will be back and take more friends to try!

Mimosa and Garibaldi (frozen campari & orange juice)
Railey T.

This is one of the best and most under-rated brunches in Austin. Everything was phenomenal. The truffled eggs were divine!!! Perfectly fluffy & crunchy focaccia for dipping. The Eggs Nicky, a benedict with prosciutto and focaccia, was incredible. They nailed the hollandaise and the cook on the eggs. The breakfast sandwich wasn't out of this world, but I had no complaints. Especially at $7!!! I'm a bit of an espresso martini snob, and this one definitely ranks in my top 5 in Austin (so far...) We came early on a Monday (the day before the Jan 2025 snow day) and were the only people in the restaurant. I imagine on a warmer day the parking lot (shared with Loro) would fill up quickly though. The waitress was friendly, and I loved the decor. Would love to come back for lunch/happy hour on a pretty day and try out the patio.

Cross section of the Mambo
Justin P.

I'll probably still visit again, but I wasn't very impressed with Uncle Nicky's the first time around. I ordered the Mambo sandwich to take away, so I don't have much to say about the ambiance or service. They have a small outdoor space, but it borders South Lamar, so it isn't the most picturesque. Still, could be a pleasant spot to eat on a nice day. I ordered the Mambo because it looked like the classic Italian sandwich, always a good starting point when ordering a sandwich from a new spot. The size was good, but it was also pretty expensive, so I expected something filling. The first thing that stands out: way too much bread. And it wasn't good bread; it was sort of flavorless and crumbly. And there wasn't enough moisture to counteract the dryness. In fairness, I did order without mayo, but I expected something like oil/vinegar to balance that out. There was something in the way of sauce on it, but not nearly enough. This sandwich was composed of the classics: spicy capicola, genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, shredded lettuce, tomato, red onion. But it just fell flat. The meats just didn't have the flavor I've come to expect from a good Italian sandwich. Particularly the spicy capicola; really no spice at all. Like I mentioned, I'll probably come back once more to try to porchetta, but I don't think Uncle Nicky's warrants a visit based on the Mambo alone. Hopefully my next visit will change my mind!

Baked Pepperoni Rigatoni Pomodoro, Creamy Ricotta, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, Olives, Fresh Herbs
Stephanie A.

went here for the first time and was very pleased! shocking how empty it was for how good the food is here!!!! we got the meatballs to start (I LOVED them), got a chicken parm sandwich, and then the Baked Pepperoni (Rigatoni Pomodoro, Creamy Ricotta, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, Olives, Fresh Herbs)! Also got a few drinks. You walk up to the counter and order (but can also keep your tab open if you want to order more later on). The service was fast and the workers were so great with suggestions! I would definitely get the meatballs and pasta again! This place is right next to Loro on South Lamar but they do have their own parking spots in front of their side (where towing is enforced) so not a big worry with the large loro crowds! They have indoor and outdoor seating which is quant and tucked away in the front. I will definitely be back for a great yet quick and easy bite! :)

Menu
Stephanie W.

Came here with some Yelp friends for happy hour! They do a unique one where the drinks are regular priced but they put out a selection of "free" snacks, eg pasta and crackers and cheeses. The inside is inviting enough; it's not fancy by any means but it's clean and simple in design. They have some parking right to the side of the restaurant, just across from Loro. It's a busy area with a lot of construction recently so plan accordingly re: time to arrive if that's important but otherwise it's a nice place to meet for a drink!

Na gin and tonic

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Here Nor There - The code has to be entered

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Last night we rounded out our evening with reservations at Here Nor There…read more If I told you the location of this speakeasy then...lol. It's been around since 2018 so most folks know where it is by now. Heads up, you no longer have to use their app to make a reservation. Simply do so through Open Table and that's when you'll get the entry code. So glad it's no longer a members-only spot as well. The basement location gives anything but a basement vibe. When you enter, you'll see the infamous black paint on white walls mural but then you're transformed into something more. An elegant and elevated high-end speakeasy that transports you to what life in speakeasy settings must have felt like in the days of olde. Who doesn't love being greeted by a tasteful, giant, fake bear with welcome cocktails? The low-lit space brings a feeling of warmth, secrecy, romance, and mystery. You absolutely get the feeling you're in a special and secret hideaway space. From the refined wallpaper to hand blown glass lighting fixtures to the lush and velvety sofa seating, you are truly immersed in the vibe. It brings a feeling of noir and romance with even sexier drinks. Being seated in one of the nooks is my favorite and just really adds to the overall experience. If you follow my reviews then you know I often refer to excellent cocktails as liquid works of art. And, in this case, it's like the most exclusive, high-end art gallery of liquid masterpieces. Cocktails with branded cubes, top tier alcohol and other ingredients from around the globe make for a worthy piece of drinkable art. It doesn't end with cocktails! The mocktails are equally as beautiful and delicious. I highly recommend the cocktails and mocktails. Service is exactly what you would expect and want it to be in this environment. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than average but you're paying for art, atmosphere, and experience that is beyond wonderful.

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The vibes are great, but I'm not sure they are worth the wait. There are two lines: one for…read morewalk-ins and one for those with reservations. We waited maybe 15 minutes at the walk-in line as others progressively started to pile on behind us. Then again, even people in the reservation line were waiting. This is definitely the kind of place that wants you to wait. The kind of place that wants to build a line outdoors to intrigue onlookers. We were treated nicely, but we definitely could have gotten in right away. By the time we walked in, the place was probably at 60% capacity. It was standing room only at the bar, but not overcrowded by any means. There is a dress code, but it's not entirely clear what it is. Some guy dressed to the 9s got turned away for not having sleeves whereas I got in with sneakers and a t-shirt. They ask for your cellphones upon entering and give you a key in exchange, but there doesn't seem to be any security to enforce it if you don't want to give them up. I have no problem with their policy, but I bet a lot of customers do. Interestingly, their little social experiment seemed to have a positive effect, where we ended up talking to strangers and vice versa. The Powder Room may be making America social again.

The Roosevelt Room

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Fortune Teller - Bar

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Marlow - Mocktail (Grow a Pear)

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I discovered Marlow through a Yelp Elite event and knew I had to come back. We stopped by on a…read moreSaturday night around 9:30/10pm and had a great time! Great house music from the DJ, friendly staff, and an easygoing atmosphere that's perfect for hanging out. I was having a sober night and tried a few drinks from their Dry January Specials menu. Wow, they did not disappoint. The Alrighty Aphrodite was delicious, and the So Fresh, So Clean was exactly that, super refreshing with a great pineapple flavor. My husband had the Dusty Trail (strong and perfect for bourbon lovers) and a Coquito that was creamy and smooth with a hint of cinnamon. Parking is limited, but we found street parking nearby. Overall, great drinks, great music, and a spot I'll definitely keep coming back to.

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Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

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I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

Equipment Room - Mocktail.

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(120 reviews)

78704 (South Austin)

It's a rainy night in Austin. My girlfriend is in town because my cousin and her fiancé are getting…read moremarried in Austin. It's also the weekend of our one year anniversary. An hour ago it wasn't raining, but now it's pouring. A few months ago, I heard of a newer bar and experience called Equipment Room just right off of South Congress. Music means everything to me. Nothing can express emotions and instill a feeling in 3 minutes like a song can. I live for that. Equipment Room is inherently Japanese in concept. Existing in Japan for over 50 years, listening bars combine high fidelity audio equipment with impressively crafted cocktails and alcohol combining the passion of music in a space to gather with comfortable chairs and a beautiful atmosphere. The concept has expanded westward as all cool things inevitably do, but I would never think a spot would be successful in Austin like it would be in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and so on. As I back my car into a parking spot on South Congress, I grab the umbrella out of my trunk and walk my girlfriend and me to the entrance trying to not get ourselves soaked in the process. This is not the first time we have tried to go to Equipment Room. We tried to get a walk-in table just to see out of morbid curiosity and that was a failure. I booked her and me a table for this night and I was madly looking forward to it. As we got to the small entrance, we were introduced to the hostess who brought us from the stairs into the main underground space and to our seats on the couch in a large wraparound sofa with other parties sitting near us. The music is faint from the entrance, but once you walk through the main walkway, a wave of sound hits your eardrums. You're immediately engrossed into the music like walking into a concert hall or putting a fresh pair of headphones on for the first time. As we sat down, selections from Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik were playing through the speakers. Our hostess introduced us to their "User Manual" (their menu) where it contained all the snacks and drinks you could get your grubby hands on. There's more than just drinks and food on the menu. The first page introduces the concept and gives a few house rules. The second page shows all the equipment this so-called room has, from the premium Klipsch speakers, their preamps and amplifiers as well as their turntables and mixers. It's a dream page for music nerds. I want a $15k speaker in my apartment, but those noise complaints would never end. Our waitress came by shortly to give us water and take our order. Their menu is quite expansive, but the main pages we were told to check out were their A-side drinks or the classics and their B-side drinks, which are more experimental. We had to go with experimental for starters because who knows when you'll get to try something similar again. I started with a Goca Dünya while my girlfriend ordered a Deceptacon. The Goca Dünya was a vodka based floral drink with pistachio foam and Amaro Nonino, an Italian herbal liqueur. The Deceptacon was a rum-based cacao drink with a touch of lime and mint. It took a little time for our drinks to come out, clearly, as they are quite intricate. I loved my drink, bluntly. The pistachio foam was a great balance to the herbal flavors at the bottom. My girlfriend and I continued to enjoy each other's company as the music continued. The space we were in was decorated with posters and memorabilia from legendary artists coming through Austin and some general music decor like that purple album from that Prince guy. The DJ-curator that night was on a tear playing incredible soul music holding the bar hostage with a taste of funk. Jimmy Smith came next before transitioning to a few tracks from Bobbie Gentry. The last albums he pulled out were Steely Dan's Aja (a stone cold classic) and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life (a top 10 album of all time). Not only was he playing classics like Isn't She Lovely, but he threw down some deeper cuts like Black Man and Contusion. Incredible. We both got another drink with my girlfriend getting their A-Side Espresso Martini while I got the Brown Sugar from their B-Sides. It was a seaweed and mushroom infused whiskey with a few more bells and whistles and it was super unique. Quite a bit of their menu is Japanese-inspired in homage to the originators of listening bars. This includes Japanese beer, sake, and Japanese-inspired food and beverages on their menu. Very cool. The worst part of the night came when our hour and 45 minute reservation came to a close. I could've stayed there for another 3 hours and never grown tired, but with how popular this space has become, they gotta kick you out at some point. This is an experience you have to have. It's worth it. I'll be strolling back in soon enough because there is nothing like this in Austin and it's truly a special space. RIYL: Actively listening to music.

Loved this place so much..!!! If you want to go somewhere to just lounge with low lighting and have…read moresome delicious drinks with great music in the background , this is place is it! They play no digital music and their speakers are installed throughout the whole building. The sound is great! The menu was so cute and on theme. The furniture and decor is mid century modern. I went here for my birthday and they gave my table a round of Sake shots, which was nice! My table ordered drinks: the Brown Sugar, Goca Dünya, Suffer No Fool (non alcoholic), Vitamin C. They were all delicious and they did not skimp on the alcohol! It was well balanced! I seriously recommend the Goca Dünya--that pistachio foam was addictive! For food, we got the Cheese board to have something to pick on and we demolished it, haha. It came with marmalade and crackers. The cheeses were great, along with the dried fruits and nuts. The cheese selections seem to rotate every other season, which is cool.

Midnight Cowboy - Drinks LOOKED delicious

Midnight Cowboy

(580 reviews)

$$

Downtown

5-star speakeasy...if you like cool, secretive, unusual speakeasy cocktail bars - this is the place…read morefor you! Located on 6th street in downtown Austin (near the Driskill hotel), in what looks like from the street an apartment complex. You buzz the "secret" button and if you have a reservation, they let you in and escort you to your beautiful, sexy table. Their menu is creative and their every cocktail delicious! The theme we experienced was tarot cards and we loved the presentation and creativity of cocktails. Service is excellent and all drinks are around $20. Worth a visit for sure - great 5-star speakeasy and so fun for a date or with a group.

I was unable to check out the quality or ambiance of this establishment as there were a number of…read moreissues with my reservation. Basically, I had a large group reserved for a celebration, and I didn't get a confirmation email and when I noticed this I scrambled to find another reservation. The reservation link I was sent to kept erroring out when I tried to process it. Apparently the incorrect date was selected and I did not notice I was charged an exorbitant amount of money because it was a larger party, but we had every intention of going and we would have spent quite a bit of money. After being charged a $120 no show fee I tried to contact them to see if they could at least squeeze us in or take the no show fee off but they said their policy was clearly stated and they don't respond to my last email. Also, there is no phone number which is incredibly frustrating as I would have called to confirm my 5:30pm reservation issue, but instead just assumed it didn't go through While part of this was undoubtedly user error, the process of reserving and confirming reservations was not easy. Furthermore, the establishment was not overly understanding Some tips: Go to a different bar. There are so many great bars, lounges, and speakeasy's in the area, and I wouldn't risk the potential hassle. We pivoted to the Roosevelt room last minute and we had a great time Cheers!

Uncle Nicky's - italian - Updated May 2026

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