Nicola Restaurant and Bar

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1. BJ

   BobJen

   Columbus

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   It was our first time at Nicola's, really just a lucky reservation. We hope to go back often as the service and food were top notch.

   Report
2. PS

   PattiS

   Columbus

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall4food3service5ambience5

   Party of 5. I got chef special with a$39 chicken dish and fettuccine. Thought price was was too high for a Chicken but waitress raved about it. It was awful. My noodles were cold and the chicken was tough and has such a slim piece of meat and cheese in it that I couldn’t taste it. I’ve had better fried chicken at Canes. I didn’t want to complain because I don’t want waitress to think I wanted a free Meal but it was terrible. My husband loved his seafood spaghetti tho. Said his drink was wimpy for $13.

   Report
3. DT

   DougT

   Columbus

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on March 20, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great food and service. Everyone was knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. I will certainly go back.

   Report
4. b

   bc73

   Columbus

   16 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   16 reviews

   Dined on March 18, 2023

   overall4food4service3ambience3

   The server was very friendly and the food is fantastic. I did, however, feel very rushed. Several times, workers tried to take plates from the table before we were done.

   Report
5. NB

   NanB

   Columbus

   55 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   55 reviews

   Dined on March 14, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   Wine Night with “the girls”. Service was good. Food was not hot. Prices are approaching excessive. Have always loved this place, but feel it was not as good as in the past. Menu is not as diverse as it once was.

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6. BK

   BobK

   San Francisco

   10 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on March 13, 2023

   overall2food2service3ambience5

   Honestly we were very disappointed with our experience this time. We’ve had great meals many times in the past but the food this time was sub par. Caeser salads were hardly dressed, lots of white lettuce, and pretty bland. The lasagna has been excellent in the past but not this time. Tasted more like Stouffers than a high end Italian restaurant. The special that night was Bracoile - it was tough, overcooked and not very flavorful. I was also disappointed that a hefty service charge was automatically added to our bill - seemed inappropriate given we had a party of 6 with one check for 4 and mine for 2 guests. For the price - not really worth it. Sorry

   Report
7. TH

   ToHo

   Columbus

   89 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   89 reviews

   Dined on March 13, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Chef Nicola, Esperanza, and their staff make for a lovely, delicious meal in a relaxed, family atmosphere. Such a difference from the typical restaurant these days. We enjoy trying different things from the menu and the specials as everything is always so good. Highly recommended!

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8. s

   stevec

   Columbus

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on March 12, 2023

   overall2food1service3ambience4

   Food was cold when it came to our table. Very disappointed

   Report
9. GP

   GeorgeP

   Columbus

   105 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   105 reviews

   Dined on March 11, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The shrimp cocktail was excellent, especially the cocktail sauce, which was zesty without being overly "hot." And I loved the yellowing tuna steak. Carolyn, my server, made me feel like royalty.

   Report
10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very enjoyable. Waitress was amazing and the owner checked with us. A nice touch!

    Report
11. TH

    TomH

    Toledo

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food and service

    Report
12. J

    Josephlovesfood

    Columbus

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a wonderful meal can be expected at Nicola. The service was wonderful, as always, and the octopus special appetizer was absolutely delicious!. If they have it again, I would recommend ordering it. We were lucky to get the last one, and it was so tender and full of flavor! We also had their calamari, a must if you love squid, and the seafood pasta, which I can't say enough about how flavorful the sauce was. I just wanted to stop up the extra sauce on the plate with bread. I can't wait to return.

    Report
13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Birthday. Excellent food

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14. JH

    JulieH

    Columbus

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wow! Nicola's exceeded expectations. This is now our favorite Italian restaurant in Columbus. Everything we ordered was delicious. The calamari was lightly breaded so you could actually taste the calamari itself - not just the breading. The seafood was incredibly fresh and flavorful. And the lemon cake...out of this world. We will definitely be back soon!

    Report
15. L

    Larry

    Columbus

    59 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    59 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Wonderful food! Great service

    Report
16. TS

    TaszaneaS

    Columbus

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Really enjoyed myself with my husband!! It was so peaceful and the food was absolutely amazing!!

    Report
17. k

    karenm

    Columbus

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a great experience at Nicola’s! Can’t beat the food, the wine and the service! Thank you!

    Report
18. LM

    LuanM

    Columbus

    22 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We arrived early for our reservation, and were seated immediately. The server was attentive and checked on us often. The food was delicious. I would recommend this restaurant for good Italian food.

    Report
19. R

    Roger

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a great experience and can't wait to go back

    Report
20. WB

    WildBill

    Columbus

    63 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We have eaten at Nicola’s several times but this was our first Valentine’s Day dinner there. As always, the food and service were excellent. Nicola’s is our favorite Italian restaurant in Central Ohio.

    Report
21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best Italian spot in Columbus but I’d rather you not know about it

    Report
22. AB

    AndreaB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Everyone was great. I unfortunately had to leave early because I wasn't feeling well. Everyone was so understanding and packed up our food to take home. We'll be back again soon!

    Report
23. AR

    AlexisR

    Columbus

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Valentines Day dinner with husband, was very relaxing with Great service and food outstanding as always!

    Report
24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My husband and I LOVE Nicola! The owner is so nice and always around to greet the table and ask how everything is going. The food is incredible, you can really tell they take their time with their home made dishes SO GOOD! It is a very homey atmosphere which is why they get a lot of regulars coming in. Thank you for always giving us a great experience.

    Report
25. LN

    LeNanH

    Columbus

    26 reviews

    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    I love this restaurant. The food is always great; the service is always wonderful; the menu is always chock full of interesting options. I look forward to coming every chance I get. It is a wonderful and consistent and delicious restaurant.

    Report
26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Love their homemade pasta. Great dining experience

    Report
27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The food was incredible. First time going and we absolutely loved it. The only negative was that the wines were expensive. Typically we see them twice as expensive as retail, but these were three times as expensive.

    Report
28. EP

    ErikaP

    Columbus

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This remains our favorite Italian restaurant!!! The food is top notch - as is the service- and my god- the wine list!!! Reasonable priced wines from our favorite Italian regions. What could be better?

    Report
29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Went first a birthday dinner, and we had an amazing time. Will definitely be returning to dine there again.

    Report
30. SN

    StokesNC

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The only negative might be that due to its somewhat smaller size, the ambiance is a bit lacking with small 2 person tables. With that being said, there’s still plenty of ambiance and every meal and dessert we try, seem to be better than the next. So much so, that we regularly reflect on how good the food is and the value it presents versus far more expensive Columbus restaurants. My wife had the ravioli (and I’ll leave the surprise for your mouth to discover) which is now a staple for one of us when dining there. I had the risotto Toscano and it was delicious. We finished with the lemon cake which was lite and moist, that literally melted in our mouth.

    Report
31. C

    Critic

    Columbus

    13 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience2

    Food was average. Our waitress couldn’t have been any nicer. Beware…we were charged $6.00 for a few slices of bread. When we said something to the owner, she said “we have to make a living.” Wishing them all the best…we will never be back. There are much better Italian restaurants in Columbus.

    Report
32. LA

    LisaAnn

    Columbus

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    How have I not visited Nicola before?? It was wonderful. Service and food were exceptional. Had the pappardelle the sauce reminded me of my grandmothers. Can't wait to go back.

    Report
33. a

    awesome

    Columbus

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Nicola’s food is fantastic and best Italian in Columbus. The staff are very professional and a wonderful environment. Cannot say enough about this restaurant! I had veal and done to profection. The lemon cake is to die for!

    Report
34. K

    Kirk

    Columbus

    35 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on February 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Dining at Nicola is always a pleasure. Friendly, efficient service and superb food. It's tempting to go with Italian standards; the lasagna is quite good, for example. But Nicola generally offers at least a couple of creative specials that are worth investigating. My wife had shrimp stuffed with crab meat, and it was divine. I had lightly breaded chicken stuffed with fontina and mortadella, also a winner. The wine selection is broad and very good.

    Report
35. KE

    KathrynE

    Columbus

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was delicious.

    Report
36. GS

    GSpanner

    Columbus

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It’s always a special occasion when we got to go to Nicola! The food is fantastic and the cocktails are always perfect. The staff is super friendly and we love the atmosphere!

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37. DP

    DavidP

    Columbus

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was delicious. We arrived early and we were seated immediately. It was an early reservation so we were able to free a table at their peak time. Found our selections were both good.

    Report
38. DI

    DavidInOhio

    Columbus

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My parents have dined at Nicola before and recommended it, but this was my first time. Our waitress was amazing, and the food was perfect. Great ambience. Definitely recommend!

    Report
39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    A warm, welcoming experience. The hostess and roving staff were especially gracious. Good wine guidance and menu explanations. Delicious! Our only negative was the loudness. We are older and prefer a quieter room.

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Cousins get together where oldest cousin was in town from Marin County, California

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