Deep within the aromatic enclave of Boston's "Italian Restaurant Row", our famed chef is prepping for tonight's performance. Spices are smashed together. Wine-fueled flames are teased up to the heavens. And locally-sourced produce is ushered in through the rear entrance - in a manner not unlike many of their nightly boldfaced guests.
In fact, that is exactly what many their obsessive followers declare when asked about their experience within the walls of the legendary haunt. Nico is an Italian Ristorante, Wine Bar and Lounge offering a standout menu of artfully sophisticated, yet approachable, surprises.
In fact, that is exactly what many their obsessive followers declare when asked about their experience within the walls of the legendary haunt. Nico is an Italian Ristorante, Wine Bar and Lounge offering a standout menu of artfully sophisticated, yet approachable, surprises.
Reviews (22)
Sean Desmarais
Jan 25, 2022
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The food at Nico is always delicious, and usually the service is, too. I’ve been here countless times, and only had rude service once; I think she was a new bartender. The regular bartender, B., is amazing, and one of my favorite servers ever. Some dishes I suggest: the meatball, the octopus, the scallops, the burrata, and the shrimp. Pretty much anything you get here is going to be divine.
Shalin P.
Jan 02, 2022
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We had a terrific dinner at this trendier spot in the North End. The caprese salad and free bread were nice appetizers (though they no longer do the free olives with the bread).
Both entrees were excellent. We had the gnocchi and the rigatoni with sausage and ricotta. Tons of flavor and a nice sized portion. Service was good also.
Prices are definitely higher than other popular North End spots. But it's a recommended restaurant if you want a nicer experience.
Both entrees were excellent. We had the gnocchi and the rigatoni with sausage and ricotta. Tons of flavor and a nice sized portion. Service was good also.
Prices are definitely higher than other popular North End spots. But it's a recommended restaurant if you want a nicer experience.
Saul O.
Dec 16, 2021
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I came here for my Daughter's Birthday celebration, I was able to get a reservation same day 40min before my arrival fantastic, we were seated right away, wasn't busy at all, they don't have a full bar menu very limited do to a liquor options, I gave it a 3 star because it took a very long time for our food to get to us, even though the place wasn't busy at all on a Saturday night,
I order a simple chicken Parm which was Cold by the time it got to me, the rest of the food is mediocre, not bad but not Great. The server was new, he was polite and friendly.
I order a simple chicken Parm which was Cold by the time it got to me, the rest of the food is mediocre, not bad but not Great. The server was new, he was polite and friendly.
Nick S.
Dec 06, 2021
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Sera Chowdhury
Nov 23, 2021
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My fiancé enjoyed an incredible dinner here last night along with incredible service. We sat at the bar and Brianna took great care of us.
Highly recommend the table side cacio Pepe and short ribs. We have tried most places in the North End and this one is our favorite, we will be back! Thanks for a great evening.
Highly recommend the table side cacio Pepe and short ribs. We have tried most places in the North End and this one is our favorite, we will be back! Thanks for a great evening.
Lynn P.
Oct 29, 2021
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Gnocchi was not Al dente but was good. The bread they give you for free was good. The meatball is huge and amazing! It's enough for two people. And you have to experience the cheese wheel at table side. Overall good and is worth the price. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because of the service. Nobody seems thrilled to be working. The female hostess offered no smile. The waiter cleared our table and we waited another 15 minutes for the bill while several of the waiters (at least 4) stood by the bar socializing. I would try it again because the food was that good.
Eugene Manzo Iii
Oct 20, 2021
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This is our second visit to Nico restaurant in the North End of Boston and we traveled from Maine on the train to north station just to walk around the North End and eat. Nico restaurant is a favorite their food is second to none. I came from an Italian heritage and you know what good Italian food is. We will be back for sure
David Hohrath
Oct 17, 2021
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Had a great date here with the wife. This place is at the end of the North End where is a little quieter on the street. They do not have outdoor seating like many of the other North End restaurants because of the fire station across the street. We ordered the Osso Buco and the lobster raviolis. Both were great, the osso buco meat fell off the bone it was so tender. The sauce it was in almost made it a tasty soup. The restaurant is busy on the inside with most of the space taken up with seating leading to a little bit of a cramped environment. You will need to book a reservation for this place if
Keith B.
Oct 11, 2021
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Food is excellent, the service has some challenges to overcome. We sat with dirty dishes in front of us after the appetizer course and had to flag down a bus person to clear the table. The downstairs seating area had sports on two televisions? I get that restaurants are still shell shocked from the pandemic, but come on, get with it finally.
Melissa Zimdars
Sep 15, 2021
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Nico was my favorite place on the North End. The food, service, and atmosphere were always fantastic. I finally made it back after avoiding indoor dining due to the pandemic and things have sure changed. The music was so loud I couldn’t hear people talking to me at the other end of the table, my lobster ravioli filling was dry (the lobster itself overcooked) and the food, overall, was lower in quality compared to my previous visits, and the service was disappointing. After being seated for our reservation I had to ask to order drinks after waiting for 20 minutes. The time between ordering drinks
Sonyah
Jul 28, 2021
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This was my family's 2nd time eating her but my first. I enjoyed my salmon and garlic mash potatoes and broccoli rob. It was delicious. We got takeout. My sister felt like here shrimp Linguini meal was good but it had too much lemons in it and it over powered the dish. Over all a decent dinner for me.
Savannah H.
Jun 09, 2021
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Such good food!!! Beautiful Italian spot that's more authentic than the touristy places in early Hanover st. Take it from a local and Italian, very good stuff. My friend got a chicken dish, I got the Cacio Pepe. And we both got the PYT cocktail
The pyt was SO refreshing! And watching the cheese wheel was really pretty fun! Waiters were attentive and so nice.
Some advice:you'll definitely need a reservation even if it isn't a Friday or Saturday!
The pyt was SO refreshing! And watching the cheese wheel was really pretty fun! Waiters were attentive and so nice.
Some advice:you'll definitely need a reservation even if it isn't a Friday or Saturday!
Nick S.
Jun 01, 2021
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Probably one of the best restaurants in the North end. I appreciated the fact that they were willing to accommodate our food allergies and modify the menu. They also did not enforce masks, which I appreciated. A free environment is important to me. Fantastic service and the Calcio Pepe cheese experience was a huge hit. Not sure what the dude who 1 starred on 5/24 is talking about, but I'd ignore it.
Brianlidawg
May 28, 2021
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Amazing date spot! The cacio e pepe is a great date food item because it's made in front of you, the rigatoni pasta is amazing, the calamari is delicious, the atmosphere is fantastic and quaint while also being modern. The prices are honestly not bad at all too. 10/10 would recommend for a great date spot or celebration place!
Keylla C.
May 28, 2021
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I was very disappointed that we basically finish a bottle of wine and the main course wouldn't come. Then when we got the food one of the dishes were cold! It looks like it was sitting there for a while.
The food is good but it looks like they need help in the kitchen. Even the people seating next to us said they felt bad about the delay on our food.
The food is good but it looks like they need help in the kitchen. Even the people seating next to us said they felt bad about the delay on our food.
Luis A.
May 27, 2021
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It was a good restaurant. Not too pricey. We were seated downstairs which was a little less hectic than upstairs. Upstairs was a more lively crowd with the bar and limited spacing. The best thing that night were the meatballs. The Cacio Pepe was a big miss. It lacked flavor big time. That was a big disappointment. The wine wasn’t too bad. The charcuterie board was delicious and paired well with the Barolo. Service was amazing and very attentive. Our waiter was the best Maximo I think his name was. All in all it was a good spot.
Jacqueline Portillo
May 21, 2021
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Me & my friends went here because we heard the cheese wheel was amazing! But, when we got our food the noodles were way over cooked, and not enough cheese from the cheese wheel... just tasted like ramen honestly.. I got the “I’m coming out” drink and the glass was super dirty.. not to mention the plates were as well. I really wanted to like this place, but my experience was sooo bad. I’ve had the cheese wheel in Aruba and this was not it.. sorry Nico!! But hopefully you were just having a bad night.
Kielsey A.
May 10, 2021
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We made a reservation for 4 on a Thursday night at 8pm. We arrived 10 minutes early and I'm standing there awkwardly for about 10 minutes until an exasperated girl comes up to me and ends up being the host.
We wait outside for a while and as we are outside we notice that servers are jetting down the block and so we peer over and see that they actually have a patio but it's about 300 feet away from the front of the restaurant. When making the reservation, there was no question about being seated outside or any kind of preference. This is one of those places that has the windows floor
We wait outside for a while and as we are outside we notice that servers are jetting down the block and so we peer over and see that they actually have a patio but it's about 300 feet away from the front of the restaurant. When making the reservation, there was no question about being seated outside or any kind of preference. This is one of those places that has the windows floor
Saurav B.
May 03, 2021
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Really disappointed with the level of service..
Had high hopes coming into this restaurant but was very disappointed.
We had a reservation and we arrived 5 minutes prior and they were able to sit us fairly quickly, once we sat a server came and got us water! Another good thing!
Another server came with the bread and olive oil, we placed an order for our drinks and also knew what we wanted and placed the order for our food too.
15 minutes or so goes by and I see our drinks on the bar table just sitting there and the ice melting. Another 10 minutes or so, they finally bring us our drinks...
Had high hopes coming into this restaurant but was very disappointed.
We had a reservation and we arrived 5 minutes prior and they were able to sit us fairly quickly, once we sat a server came and got us water! Another good thing!
Another server came with the bread and olive oil, we placed an order for our drinks and also knew what we wanted and placed the order for our food too.
15 minutes or so goes by and I see our drinks on the bar table just sitting there and the ice melting. Another 10 minutes or so, they finally bring us our drinks...
Paul Mikhnevich
Apr 10, 2021
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Nico Ristorante, where do I start... We’ve booked a table for 7:00 with my wife, we’ve arrived at 7.11 - and our table was gone. We’ve been told to join a line outside where everybody appeared to have reservations.
It appears that they simply sit as many people as they physically can fit inside their small restaurant (what a joke) thus making reservations some kind of ‘priority waiting list’
Take a good look at the photo, this is the view you gonna be looking at for an hour before getting the table you’ve reserved. What a shame.
It appears that they simply sit as many people as they physically can fit inside their small restaurant (what a joke) thus making reservations some kind of ‘priority waiting list’
Take a good look at the photo, this is the view you gonna be looking at for an hour before getting the table you’ve reserved. What a shame.
Emma T.
Apr 09, 2021
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I went for the table side Cacio e Pepe and was really disappointed. The presentation was cool. They kept the noodles on the cart and 2 other people got served before me, so by the time the noddles got to me they were room temperature. Also didn't seem too sanitary that the exposed noodles went to two tables before me. Anyways It didn't taste great, in my opinion. My friend tried it and said it was mediocre. He had a dish with clams and really liked it. The bread before the meal was amazing and my martini was amazing also. The tiramisu wasn't super fresh, but it was still flavorful
Evelyn T.
Dec 22, 2019
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This place was phenomenal. It was such a relief, because I had brought my mom to a restaurant that wasn't great right before, and to find a restaurant that was truly amazing right afterwards made our trip to Boston.
We ordered:
App:
- Calamari: Cooked to perfection, with perfect amount of sauce. My mom noted that she could already tell this restaurant was a great choice by the way this was cooked.
- Insalata Nico: My brother cleaned the plate, so I assume it was great
- Arancini: We very much enjoyed this, it was superb. Would highly recommend this dish to anyone.
Entree:
- Seafood Stew
We ordered:
App:
- Calamari: Cooked to perfection, with perfect amount of sauce. My mom noted that she could already tell this restaurant was a great choice by the way this was cooked.
- Insalata Nico: My brother cleaned the plate, so I assume it was great
- Arancini: We very much enjoyed this, it was superb. Would highly recommend this dish to anyone.
Entree:
- Seafood Stew
