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  • Nicola Restaurant and Bar

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Nicola Restaurant and Bar
Nicola Restaurant and Bar

Nicola Restaurant and Bar Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.nicolacolumbus.com
  • Email: nicolacolumbus@gmail.com
  • Phone: (614) 459-7000
  • Hours of Operation:


    Dinner:

    Monday - Thursday: 4:30pm - 9:00pm

    Friday-Saturday:4:30-10:00pm


    Closed Sundays
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Nicola
  • Dress Code: Smart Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Farm to Table, Fireplace, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Catering: Full sevice catering is avaible. Call the restauranrt for details.
  • Private Party Facilities: Private dining area seates up to 90 and can be used as two beautiful private rooms that seats from 20-50 each
  • Private Party Contact: Speranza (614) 459-7000

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Henderson
  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Parking Details: Parking is available in front and behind the building
A word from Nicola Restaurant and Bar
Nicola Restaurant is dynamic, cultural, and fun with open doors for all who want a true taste of Italian authenticity. To say the least, the food will be a treasure for your senses. Nicola restaurant is for any person hungry for not just food and drink, but for the unique presence of beauty, joy,… and family which exists in every Italian family's home.

With chef Nicola's ability to bring together simple ingredients to create delicious dishes in a welcoming atmosphere, you are sure to have an enjoyable experience. Join us and taste Nicola's vision that greets the senses with the aroma, taste, and feel of a small town in Toscany.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
  • Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies
  • Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem
Diner Reviews
  • "My wife and I went there for a nice date. The breads and pastas are all made in house. We had a nice salad and a side of calamari which were refreshingly not greasy. However we ordered the plain mushroom pasta and were disappointed that it mostly tasted like noodles tossed in olive oil. Their was a pool of it at the bottom of the bowl. I believe well go back, but well stick to the classics and try the fresh homemade Bolognese."
    Dined on 2/25/2014
  • "Born in the Italian Slow Food Movement, the infused herbs and spices make this restaurant's offerings wonderful. Their veal is hard to pass up, but their hand made pasta ravioli's are better than grandma's! Give it a try!"
    Dined on 2/20/2014
  • "Not many Italian restaurants are as authentic, most, any more are 'chain' restaurants trying to be so... It is apparent that the Chef here is the real deal- the food was fabulous! As an after dinner TREAT- order the creamy home made Lemoncello- Superb!"
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "This was definitely a find. The veal was excellent and the calamari appetizer perfectly prepared."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "My normal go-to restaurant disappointed for the second time. One diner had an allergy and asked to have the red pepper taken off his entre. It was, but his fist was still swimming in a red pepper sauce and the entree was cold. This is unusual for this restaurant. I hope that everyone was just busy and that this is not a sign of things to come."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Can't say enough about the staff at Nicola's, we called to say we would be late due to an accident on 270. And they said your table will be waiting! Everyone was wonderfully attentive and the food was delicious. Plan to return and recommend to friends! Thanks!"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Taste of Tuscany~ Slow food without the effort! Stop by and enjoy their daily specials, home made in traditional styles...portion warning....you'll most likely be eating some of your dinner for lunch the next day! Yum!"
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "I have never been disappointed at Nicola. The food is excellent and the wine list is perfect. I highly recommend!"
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "Excellent food .. tables a bit close .. good service .. will return."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "A wonderful place to go with out-of-town visitors."
    Dined on 1/30/2014
  • "We went because my wife had heard positive things about it and it sounded good on a cold night. The waiter was very attentive and went above and beyond even though we weren't there for anything special. Salads nice & not too heavy, I had veal Nicola and the wife had ravioli; both good. The ravioli was clearly hand-made with fresh pasta. Since it was Friday night they had a solo guitarist strumming light jazz in the background. Wine list was not huge, but solid. We both went for the base Chianti which I don't think was a Classico but was fine. We polished off the night with lemoncello, very common in Italy. Nicola is out of our neighborhood, but I'm certain we'll be back - I'm glad to find a good non-chain Italian restaurant to support."
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "Nicola's did a fantastic job with a larger group. The service was fantastic, the wine list was comprehensive, & the food was absolutely divine. We loved all of it (especially the sinful chocolate cake!)"
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "It is hard to find good cioppino in Columbus and Nicola's is excellent. Like the atmoshere in the main dining room. The side room seems more of an afterthought but good for big groups."
    Dined on 1/24/2014
  • "The waiter was not attentive and had limited knowledge of menu and wine list. The wine was corked and the bartender needed to concur. My portobella appetizer was dry and had no flavor. The veal picatta was tender and had a nice lemon flavor, the alfredo served with it was dry and flavorless. All four in attendance all agreed we would not go back."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "Very good experience, very good food, great service. Recommended."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "A marvelous meal with excellent service. My mother had the special, Beef Wellington which melted in your mouth. The wines were unusual and delicious. My only complaint is that when individuals exited and entered the restaurant you could feel a blast of cold air in the front of the dining room where we were seated. I plan on returning."
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "I enjoyed the veal scallopine it was divine. I have enjoyed the wine list at this location for many years."
    Dined on 11/19/2013
  • "Pleasantly surprised by the warm and welcoming atmosphere on a cold winter evening. Tried an Italian wine we hadn't heard of and it was excellent, as were the veal and trout entrees. Quiet, with just the right amount of light. Plan to go back soon."
    Dined on 1/15/2014
  • "Come here about once a month. Food is great esp scallops and shrimp. Server was nice and personable. Had great recommendations for the people who had never been before. Owner always stops by and says hi and makes sure food and service is good."
    Dined on 1/10/2014
  • "First let me say that I'm aware NYE may not reflect the usual experience at this restaurant. However, my experience began negatively, and in a way I can't attribute to NYE. When we were seated, I told the server that I was too cold at the table, and asked to move. He told me that all the tables were reserved and left it at that. There were other tables with 5:30 reservations, where the patrons had not yet arrived, and I think we could have been moved to one of those. He could at least checked with the manager, or expressed some concern that I was uncomfortable. (In fact, I had to wear my coat the whole time.) The food was not the heavenly experience that others had led us to expect. I'm not eager to go back."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "The menu was limited. ( it was New Years Eve) I brought 3 couples who had not been to this restaurant and our choices were very limited. The only Italian meal was a ravioli; we were disappointed. Also meals were pretty expensive. I think 5 raviolis for 20.00. Our friend left hungry."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "We went new Years Eve and there was a limited menu. Items we looked forward too were not on menu (no normal dishes). Food was average and presentation was awful, and overpriced. ...Very disappointed. We had eaten there twice before and enjoyed it, but this was bad experience. Even the dessert chocolate cake was average at best."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "In spite of all the hustle & bustle of groups arriving for New Year's Eve dinner, Nicola managed to give us a lovely table and provide charming service and a perfect meal for our celebratory evening. Wonderful menu options makes us want to go back to try other selections that looked enticing. We look forward to the patio seating when the weather finally warms up in the spring!"
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "The ambiance, the service and the food was absolutely wonderful."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "On the outside and inside it appears to be a nice, romantic restaurant but the service and food was mediocre at best. At one point the servers didn't know they were responsible for our table. The food came out cold and over price for the quality. Would not recommend this place."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "It was a lovely experience. Great food, great service, great martinis! We picked a quiet night (Friday after Christmas), so not packed. Planning to take a group back for a luncheon!"
    Dined on 12/26/2013
  • "Girlfriend and I enjoyed a very nice Christmas eve dinner at Nicolas. Entree and wine selections were great Will definitely return."
    Dined on 12/24/2013
  • "Always great for authentic Italian cuisine!! The wine list is solid and the engaged owners ever present. Simple sophistacated interior, a guitarist playing in the background contribute to a casual upscale experience. Everything on the menu is very good. My favorite is the Paella."
    Dined on 12/20/2013
  • "We went with 3 other couples and everyone loved what they ordered! It was our Christmas Get Together and we decided Nicola's s where we wanted to go! No disappointment there!! Turned out my son who lives in Gahanna was there with friends also! He loves it as much as we do! Wonderful gracious owners!!"
    Dined on 12/19/2013
  • "Can't recommend this restaurant enough. Food is tremendous and the atmosphere is great for both group dining or a date night out."
    Dined on 12/5/2013
  • "Our group of six meets once a month for dinner. On the suggestion of a friend, we went to Nicola's for our December get-together. We came in at the start of dinner service, at 5:00, and stayed until almost 8:00. We received quick service when we arrived, and the food was absolutely wonderful; most of us had different entrees, and each person was thrilled with hers. The Caprese salad was exceptional -- ice cold, fresh, with a wonderful drizzle of dressing. The bread was warm, delicious and plentiful, and drinks were replenished regularly. Because of the holiday, we all had gifts to exchange, but we were never rushed by the staff. Our wonderful server, Ellen, held our separate checks until the end of our festivities. It was a perfect evening."
    Dined on 12/10/2013
  • "My wife and I enjoy finding local restaurants with great food. Nicola definately fits the bill. My Spaghetti Amaratricana and my wife's Veal Ravioli were wonderful and full of rich flavor. Our waiter appeared to be new to the profession. He was pleasant and attentive but a bit inexperienced (i.e., forgot the bread, offered to bring it with the meal, then forgot again). However, all in all, we had a very good experience and will return in the future."
    Dined on 12/6/2013
  • "The food was amazing - incredible authentic Italian food. Everything on the menu sounded good. My only complaint was that the happy hour specials were only available at the bar or the community table. I would absolutely go back again and again."
    Dined on 12/4/2013
  • "The wedding soup made with dry boneless chicken Breasts and in a tasteless broth"
    Dined on 11/29/2013
  • "Nice place to meet after the game. Quiet enough to carry on conversation. Menu is has enough variety for our picky group and everything delivered timely."
    Dined on 11/23/2013
  • "Nicola's is one of my favorite places and is a real Neighborhood Gem. Great food, great service and great for any occasion. Ambiance makes it romantic for special occasions. Patio is great for warm weather. Thanks Nicolas"
    Dined on 11/23/2013
  • "Seriously, if you have not been to Nicola Restaurant and Bar, you have to go. We have been there 4 times in the past several months, and every time the food is outstanding. Everyone we take with us raves about the place. I almost hate writing great reviews because it is going to become harder to get a table. Great restaurant. Go you will not be disappointed."
    Dined on 11/22/2013
  • "We had a good experience but found the service to be a little slow. We had a reservation but had to wait at the door for several minutes until someone came to seat us, and then we were seated in the bar area because there was no table in the restaurant seating area (despite having a reservation). Then we waited quite a while until a server came to the table and then again for quite a while just to receive our drink order. After that the service was good. The food was good but not great - heavy on the tomato sauce."
    Dined on 11/16/2013
  • "I did not have a good evening. I ordered the grouper in puttanesca sause, one of the two specials. After 20 minutes, I was told they were out of it. Nothing else on the menu was similar to puttanesca so I settled for something else. I was disappointed especially since we had a relatively early sitting (7:00 pm) and, when we left, the grouper was still on the specials board. For dessert, I ordered the pistachio gelato and they were out of it too. The kitchen was backed up and the server apologized to us several times for the delay. For this, I paid almost $150. The food I had was not especially terrific; good, but not terrific. I won't be going back."
    Dined on 11/16/2013
  • "$29 for orange lobster risotta. Some pieces of claw. No soup or salad. Husband had lasagna. Divine! Food is overpriced. Antipasto was minimal. No cheese! 4 meat samples, a few olives, and two small crusty bread slices. Highlight of our meal was the free bread and lasagna. Unlikely we will go back due to many good Italian restaurants and prices. Waitress was nice but service was a bit slow."
    Dined on 11/16/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Columbus Winners
  • Italian
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Columbus Winners
  • Italian
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Neighborhood Gem
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