NICOLA RESTAURANT, Columbus - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations

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4.5

151 reviews

Excellent

103

Very good

25

Average

14

Poor

2

Terrible

7

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

thetravelroamad

Crestwood449 contributions

Wonderful Restaurant

Aug 2023 • friends

Visiting Columbus for the weekend, I was looking for something quaint with a nice outdoor patio. I’m so glad I came across this restaurant. The patio was lovely surrounded by gorgeous flowers and plants. We had great and attentive service, our water was always filled and our server came around plenty of times. We loved the drinks and food and everything was delicious! I would definitely dine here again and would recommend if you’re looking for great Italian food with a great atmosphere.

Written August 4, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dennis G

8 contributions

The food was good but the service was a big disappointment

Jul 2023 • family

This was our second visit to Nicola. Our first experience was outstanding. We were there again on July 14, 2023 for a second visit. What a shame that the excellent food and a perfect night to dine on their patio can be ruined by an uncaring server. The bearded you man that was our server took our order, delivered the main course and disappeared. No check on if the food was satisfactory, no refill of the water glass, no chance to ask for butter instead of a pesto for the bread. What a shame the chef can be so good and have the experience, which is not inexpensive, ruined by an uncaring served. I had to flag down another server to tell her that our guy was missing in action. At their prices, service should be as outstanding as the food

Written July 15, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dan Azzurri

9 contributions

AWESOME Mother's Day Dinner!!

May 2023 • none

Wow!! My mom and I had the greatest Mother's Day dinner ever! The patio at Nicola is more beautiful with every visit. The weather was perfect outside, and the service was flawless even though the restaurant was packed with hundreds of mother's day guests inside. We started with Caprese salads and cocktails. The chef's homemade Limoncello and an Italian Manhattan. Awesome. The tomatoes and mozzarella were fresh and wonderful. We had the chef's Arancini with a great white wine from Campania recommended by the owner, who kindly stopped by our table on an INSANELY busy evening. Then I went on to a spectacular Sea Bass entree while my mom chose a simple handmade pasta. See attached photo. A friend joined us, which was probably out of line on a holiday evening, but everyone at Nicola was very gracious and immediately attended to our friend. Dessert was a sprightly lemon cake. My mom paired it with Moscato while I moved on to Amaro and Caffe Caretto. This was an awesome Italian dinner. I would have been thrilled with the same in Tuscany... but we had only driven to Arlington!

Written May 14, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

carenb_MA

Westford112 contributions

Total Disappointment

May 2023 • family

Every bit of our experience was a disappointment It took 30 minutes from the time we were seated until someone took our order. This was a special graduation celebration we reserved weeks in advance and were never told the menu selections would be severely limited due to graduation weekend The food itself was flavorless and skimpy. The $40 scampi had 5 shrimp. The pasta swimming in oil. The parmigiana lacking in sauce. To top it all off the tip was already included at over 20%

Written May 6, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

appledude1221

Cleveland257 contributions

A delicious meal with family

Nov 2022 • family

Today we decided to visit Columbus for the day and this is where we had dinner at. The food was delicious. However just a tad overpriced. Overall an excellent experience, I highly recommend this place if you are in the area.

Written November 25, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

robertsC5934BT

8 contributions

Another delightful experience!

Nov 2022 • none

The Tuscan wine dinner was once again a splendid dining experience. The finest of dishes require careful crafting of the best, not necessarily the most exotic, ingredients. The polpette di pesce (fish balls) were an other-worldly experience. The thinnest of a crisp exterior and the most delicate filling. The pappardelle (my go-to dish when I cannot choose) is house made and Nicola's version with duck is perfection. The porchetta was a perfect blend of rich lean and just enough delicate fat to make you want more and more. And the venison, with its carefully crafted preparation, was served with an incredible wine sauce and even the small whole mushrooms were morsels of mmmmmmm. The only dark cloud is that at home I prepare both fish balls and porchetta, and mine do not compare to Nicola's version - not by a long shot. But now I know where to go to get perfect examples. At the dinner Nicola announced the Feast of Seven Fishes for December. Yes indeed, we'll be there!

Written November 11, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joan F

2 contributions

Outstanding

Sep 2022 • family

Visited Nicola Restaurant in Upper Arlington this week. It was an amazing evening. We sat on their lovely patio. Our food was so delicious. We had their chilled soup, piadina, risotto, duck and a caprese salad; served with wine from their outstanding wine list. It was served beautifully! The service was outstanding. At the end we topped off our meal with their very pleasing homemade limoncello. All in all, this was a very pleasing evening. I would recommend this highly.

Written September 9, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim S

10 contributions

Nice environment and good wait staff. Lasagna, disappointing.

Jun 2022 • none

Nice environment and pleasant wait staff. Calamari was tender and tasty. Lasagna was a disappointment. It seemed mushy like it had been previously frozen and re-heated. Too much like a frozen Stouffer's lasagna but at a rather high price.

Written August 3, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

07flyingbuckeye

Dublin98 contributions

Fabulous food

Aug 2021 • friends

Fabulous authentic Italian always spot on. Great owners and wait staff this is a hidden gem, a great change from other local restaurants

Written August 20, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CobaltConnection

Dublin6785 contributions

#1 for a reason...

Aug 2021 • business

Our team was in Columbus for a project bid and used Open Table for our restaurant selection and reservations. SO glad we chose Nicola . Fantastic service from Beth. Multiple table visits from the owner. Incredible food. Patio is full of flowers and fruit. Incredible dining experience.

Written August 4, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Beckyrut

Middletown11 contributions

Food was absolutely wonderful!

Jul 2021 • couples

Food was absolutely wonderful! Best ChileanSea Bass I’ve ever had. Meri was an awesome server. Such a nice evening for a birthday celebration!

Written July 10, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

StigJim

Alliance682 contributions

Exceeded Expectations

May 2021 • couples

Even though it was the Saturday of Mother’s Day with proms and everything else going on, Nicola was able to seat our group of 6. The wine list is extensive and the entrees were excellent. Several in our group raved about the Lasagna. I had a pasta dish with wild mushrooms that was flawless. The service was also top notch. Nicola exceeded my expectations!

Written May 8, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor M

Columbus4 contributions

Authentic & Atomosphere

Apr 2021 • couples

We are hooked! First time in and you have to go! It’s the cutest little spot with amazing food, to say the least. Very cozy & elegant, tentative hosts, delicious food, beautiful presentation, wide wine list and wonderful dessert. I got the Tuscan Nido & my husband got the Gnocchi. I recommend to everyone! We will be back again and again!

Written May 1, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Corey A

1 contribution

Fantastic Food & Family Owned

Apr 2021 • none

Our friends love this place and we were not disappointed when we visited! We met one owner as we waited for our food and she gave us recommendations on some fantastic wines. The food prepared by other owner/chef was unbelievable, and unlike any other Italian food that I have had in the Columbus area. If you are looking for a great meal in a family atmosphere this is the place to go.

Written April 29, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aubrey A

3 contributions

YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!!!!

Apr 2021 • family

Finding homemade, authentic Italian food in Columbus isn't easy and took me forever when I moved here. But I found it, & I LOVE IT. I was so impressed with Nicolas service and food. Everything is made to order with food they grow and make themselves! Truly worth every penny! They also have a beautiful patio to enjoy when it's warm outside. Go Check it out whenever you're in columbus!!!!

Written April 29, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NICOLA RESTAURANT, Columbus - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations - Tripadvisor