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    Uncle Nicky's

    4.1 (246 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Cafes
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Uncle Nicky's Takeout or Delivery

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    UNCLE NICKY'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Uncle Nicky's

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    My wife's APEROL SPRITZ Classic cocktail.
    Paul F.

    This is a pretty cool place to go if you're looking for a feeling of being in a little cafe in the mountains or a little valley in Italy. It's a quaint little place with a very laid back atmosphere. It carries on the Italian's happy hour charm and tradition. Serving traditional Italian cocktails and offering free appetizers/finger food during happy hour. My wife and I went to check it out. I ordered a NEGRONI Classic. It reminded me a bit like an Old Fashioned with a little bitterness to it. It was different, but I liked it. I would order it again. My wife ordered the APEROL SPRITZ Classic. This is a really light and refreshing cocktail. My wife and I haven't had anything quite like it. We both liked it and would order it again. They offered a nice little appetizer bar that had a variety of finger foods and appetizers to choose from. We both tried a little bit of everything and some things we liked and some things we weren't too fond of. But hey, it was free. It's probably all good, just depends on your palate and taste preferences. We didn't order anything from the menu this go around, but will the next time we return. The employees/staff were nice and polite. They aren't very talkative. The girl took our drink orders and brought them to us in a timely manner. This would have been a fun place to go while the Olympics were on. They did have a TV inside. They also have a patio area if you prefer sitting outside.

    Bre M.

    Pretty good! Definitely depends on the dish. I got the basil pasta the first time I went. It was okay. Today I got the rigatoni de la casa and it had a nice creamy flavor. The meatballs were the best. They were served in this delicious sauce that I could drink. The tiramisu was ok. It had a nice flavor, but the texture was firm/creamy and I prefer a more wet tiramisu. Would go back again.

    Frozen Italian Marg and Aperol Spritz.
    Karla D.

    What's not to love? The food is incredible. The drinks are incredible. The service is incredible. It is very reminiscent of being at a small cafe located in an Italian village. I dig the little happy hour snack bar. When ordering, it is done at the counter (European-style) and the food/drinks are brought to your table. We sat inside but they have outdoor seating as well. I look forward to returning to this location.

    Rachel T.

    Stopped here on National Ice Cream day for discounted soft serve. I added chocolate espresso sauce and crushed cannoli shells, and it made it a very delicious treat! Great service and cute location that feels totally different from the South Lamar spot. We sat on their little enclosed patio on the side and enjoyed our ice cream. We'll be back!

    Happy hour
    Roshini T.

    Went to happy hour at uncle Nicky's and wasn't too satisfied. We went because there is supposed to be a complimentary snack bar for those who get a drink during HH. When we got there, the entire snack bar was empty and they only refilled it after we asked twice. The drink itself was good (espresso martini). Might return to try the food on their menu

    Nice lasagna portion that was delicious and hot
    Ari R.

    Came in here on a Monday night and was surprised by how empty it was. There were a couple of folks sitting in the little area in the front, but that was it. There was just one guy working behind the counter. No one else was there when I arrived. I waited a bit for a friend and still no one came through. We ended up sitting in their covered outside area since the weather was just right for it and it was incredibly warm inside, like definitely uncomfortable. Our food was brought out and Oh My GOODNESS the lasagna was delicious. There's no meat in it so it's a veggie safe option and it was so good. The portion size was substantial I couldn't eat my last two bites. My friend got the chicken alfredo and said her was good as well. She too didn't eat all of it and didn't think she had enough leftover to actually take back home with her. While we were eating more folks showed up and sat in the same area we did. It still wasn't the amount I would expect for such a solid restaurant. I'll definitely be back for sure.

    Uncle Nicky's covered patio
    Lori F.

    Ever since I saw a segment during the Milan Olympics about Italian Aperitivo Hour, I have wondered if there were an authentic Italian restaurants in Austin that have complimentary Italian snacks with purchase of a Aperitivo drink. I found that perfect place at Uncle Nicky's in Hyde Park. It's a quaint neighborhood eatery with both covered and uncovered outdoor seating. They have Aperitivo hour every day from 2-5pm. My husband and I decided to try something new and opted for typical Italian options. I had an Aperol Spritz and my husband ordered the Classic Negroni. We both enjoyed our cocktails and I found a tasty new, light drink for summer. The complimentary snacks included marinated artichoke hearts, olives, chickpeas and mozzarella as well as pasta salad and mortadella finger sandwiches with mayo. They were all flavorful and appetizing. Several other guests were ordering meals and all of the food we saw going by looked amazing. We didn't have time to stay for dinner, but definitely plan to visit Uncle Nicky's for a full meal soon. And I look forward to trying their other location on S. Lamar.

    Tina M.

    My husband and I decided on Uncle Nicky's for our anniversary lunch after much deliberation. We're both foodies so we tend to weigh the pros and cons of each restaurant option outing before reaching a final decision. Uncle Nicky's was a gamble, but I'm happy to report that it paid off. We were both very happy with the outcome. We had the three cheese fonduta and the caprese as appetizers, and shared a rigatoni as the main meal. We also ordered two coffees (one was on the house, offered by the barista when she learned it was our anniversary, nice!) and he had a negroni. I ordered the custard for dessert and he had the cannoli. Everything was very tasty and exceeded our expectations. The fonduta and the rigatoni especially were each a nice surprise, something we'd order again in a heartbeat. The caprese was fine, although I've had better and possibly even fresher mozzarella before - this one was a bit too firm, I think. The coffee was good and the custard was delish! My husband liked his drink but did mention that Mandola's cannolis are superior. You can't win them all... But overall this was a success, a very good meal. The ambiance is very laid back (my style) and the staff was beaming. That's always a plus! The bathrooms were clean (I remember when this very same location used to be the Italian coffee shop Dolce Vita a few years back... clean / working bathrooms were not guaranteed due to failing plumbing) and so was the restaurant, both the outdoor patio and the interior section. I think we'll be back, we had a good time, plus that rigatoni is calling my name, I can hear it miles away...

    Felecia I.

    If you're looking for a relaxed spot for good coffee in Hyde Park, consider Uncle Nicky's. The light filled space was clean and inviting. Both indoor and outdoor seating were available. We enjoyed our coffee on the outdoor patio as it had air conditioning -- sooo nice as summer-like temps continue to stick around. A friendly server behind the counter made our hot bevs. Their coffee cake looked tasty so we had that, too. Lovely afternoon break!

    Pane tostata
    Erika Z.

    Since I ordered takeout I won't be able to comment about the in-restaurant service, but the two servers behind the counter were very friendly! I ordered the pane tostata and the rigatoni. The tostata was super good - the meat, cheese, and honey were such a good combination of sweet and salty. The rigatoni was good as well. I added some black pepper and chili flakes on my own which added a nice little kick. The only part I didn't like about the pasta were the artichokes. They were a little sour(?) and I'm not sure I've had artichokes before so I'm not sure if that's how they're supposed to taste or if they were just a little old. Overall, though, both dishes were solid. I didn't get the best look but the restaurant looked a little small inside, but there is an enclosed outdoor dining area too. There are a few parking spots in front and a parking lot in the back, but the lot does have signs instructing you to pay.

    Aperol Spritz
    Lana K.

    Cute place that has indoor and patio seating. We opted to sit at the counter, which was not an ideal location. Since you order at the counter and there is a single point of sale contact, the line tends to get long. Once you order, a number is given to you and you grab a seat anywhere. We chose this restaurant due to previous reviews, but apparently older information. They no longer have a happy hour option. Instead, there is an "Apertivo Hour" on the menu, but that wasn't valid either when we went. Instead it was an ice cream special, but I didn't see that anywhere. Regardless, we ordered an Aperol Spritz, which is the reason we went in the first place. The bubbly was flat, which didn't make the cocktail enjoyable. We also ordered meatballs and Clasico Pane Tostata. The meatballs were the highlight... and the bread dipped in the sauce was delicious. I would order that again. However, I don't know if I would go back again just for that as it got so busy and having to get up each time to order something was not ideal. It was a bit chaotic for us. It may be a better spot geared towards families with kids to grab a bite to eat and some ice cream. Not a relaxing cocktail vibe. Just a thought. The restaurant is small enough that table service might be a better option rather than counter ordering, especially if someone wants to keep their tab open... and if gratuity is involved.

    Chicken Alfredo soo good ask for extra sauce
    Philip C.

    Dear God How could I miss this Gem! Perhaps my reluctance to not rehash the fact that Dulce Vita has closed has kept me away from this late night eatery nestled in the heart of Hyde Park. First and foremost the Ambiance is humble and quaint, reminds me of this lovely Restaurant/Cafe called Cafe Matisse in Dobie Mall 15 years ago. This simple Italian cafe is local, chill, and filled with amazing food and drinks. While the chairs and tabare basic, it's all it needs to be honest. Let's review The Must Haves! 1.) The Chicken Parmesan Sandwich! Perfectly toasted bread, balanced sauce, and tender chicken cutlet. 2.) The Mambo- I hereby nominate this sandwich as the best Italian Sandwich in Austin! 3.) The Spaghetti and Meatballs- Sauce has no meat, and the meatballs have a nice kick. It's fairly good given the price and the time you can get it. My only real criticism is that mine came with a sprig of rosemary in it. Please don't do that lol. But good either way. 4.) The chicken Alfredo. Very good! It's more like a carbonara with fried chicken. Ask for extra sauce it's good 5.) The cortado- honestly I sucked one of these down while waiting, very pleasant So is the Italian food gourmet and 5 star Michelin? Absolutely not. Is it yummy, filling, and delicious addition to any late night? Yeah it is. The staff was super lovely and the crowd was just a chill group of people. I recommend this place for any late night eats. Also they have a full bar!

    Purple rain
    Desiree A.

    I met my cousin here for lunch since he loves Italian and we like trying new spots. It's in a great part of town next to Quack bakery and Antonelli cheese shop. I ordered the piadina which was cheesy and meaty with marinara dipping sauce. My cuz ordered the della casa which he thought sounded interesting but tasted delicious. He also got a salad. All of our food was fresh and scrumptious. We also ordered drinks which were amazing! I ordered the purple rain and I can't remember what he got but it looked fantastic. It's a pretty chill spot with Italian cafe vibes. The staff was nice and accommodating.

    Classico Pane Tostata, Kale salad, and Uncle Nicky's Meatballs

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Love Uncle Nicky's! Just a cool neighborhood vibe with great food and super cool staff.

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    Page 2 of 7

    Ask the Community - Uncle Nicky's

    Is there a happy hour?

    Yes! They just added a happy hour- $1 Peroni Drafts, $6 specialty cocktails and I believe a selection of apps.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Good coffee but bad customer service. Baristas were not…read morefriendly at all. Although I would consider trying another location as they have a few. Nice environment, good to work or study and great location.

    I used to frequent this location, but now I come maybe four or five times a year. The staff has…read morejust become increasingly more unwelcoming. I get customer service jobs are difficult but all you have to do is smile and pretend that you enjoy your job and enjoy the guest-this is particularly important if you are the employee who is dealing with the customer head on. I had an experience here girl made me feel really uncomfortable for not promptly understanding how their credit card swiper works (my card has money on it, i just didn't see you had to pick the tip option first before moving forward with the transaction). She blatantly and painfully expressed her annoyance at my slowness. I choose to pay cash as opposed to using my card (it was easier in the moment). She dropped the change back in my hand like my hand was diseased. She did not say thank you or "have a good day", the normal, simple, easy yet soothing platitudes one shares in their position. I'm not sure if she is perpetually moody, miffed I did not tip, or just irritated by my incompetence. But either, this is disheartening, disappointing and unprofessional. This situation has permanently deterred me from a continued customer.

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    A wonderful Italian cook…read more Who has to work with the same not wonderful ingredients that all of us Americans have to put up with. Italian cooking is ingredient dependent - Even if the cook is a combination of Escoffier, Paul Bocuse and James Beard, An American tomato is an American tomato. To see what the amazing chef of Artipasta can do if he can get the materials worthy of his talents, Try his Pasta and Sardines. There is nothing wrong with American sardines. That dish will fly you to the moon. Other more tomato-dependent items on the menu are pleasant enough. It is sad to see this enormously talented individual being as underutilized as he is. But nothing here is bad. If you think like a cook yourself, You will find other items of glory on the menu.

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