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About
Uncle Nicky's
Welcome to Uncle Nicky's, a delightful Italian café tucked away at 4222 Duval St, Austin, TX. This hidden gem is rapidly becoming a favorite among locals and visitors alike, known for its vibrant atmosphere and a menu that reflects the heart of Italian culinary tradition.
As you step inside, you are greeted by a sense of warmth and relaxation, with casual yet trendy decor that invites diners to unwind. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between laid-back vibes and a romantic dining experience, making it an ideal spot for anniversaries, quick lunches, or brunch with friends.
Uncle Nicky's doesn't just serve food; it offers a culinary adventure. The menu boasts a variety of options catering to different dietary preferences, including pescatarian, vegan, and limited vegetarian options. Customers rave about the three cheese fonduta, which is rich, creamy, and an absolute must-try. If you're in the mood for pasta, the rigatoni will not disappoint, bringing diners back for another bite. For those looking for lighter fare, the Kale e Tartufo salad offers a refreshing contrast to the heartier dishes. Fans of Italian classics will particularly enjoy their lasagna, which is described by patrons as the best they’ve had in years, overflowing with mozzarella and rich sauces.
The drinks at Uncle Nicky's also deserve recognition. Their house spritzers are a delightful addition to the meal, and the café even hosts happy hour specials featuring complimentary mezes with cocktails. It's the perfect pairing to elevate your dining experience.
For dessert lovers, don't miss the cannoli and custard; the sweet finishes have been praised, though, as many customers noted, there's room for improvement in some items like the caprese salad, ensuring that Uncle Nicky's is always striving for culinary excellence.
Beyond food and drinks, Uncle Nicky's sets itself apart with its welcoming service and clean facilities, features that can often be hit or miss in eateries today. With indoor and outdoor seating, wheelchair access, and free Wi-Fi, it's well-equipped for both casual diners and those looking for a cozy gathering spot. Plus, it's dog-friendly, making it a great choice for everyone.
In summary, Uncle Nicky's is not just a café; it’s a gathering place where food, community, and culture intersect. As one customer put it, “you can hear the rigatoni calling my name from miles away.” With its inviting atmosphere, diverse menu, and attentive service, it's easy to see why Uncle Nicky's is becoming a cherished culinary destination in Austin.
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“ 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... ”
“ I have been Jonesing for a good simple Italian restaurant forever. I just happened to notice this place driving by today so I popped in. Best move. I've made in a long time! Of course I had to order the lasagna with a side of focaccia bread. I also ordered one of the house spritzers . This is definitely the best lasagna I have had in many years. It ticked off every box; overflowing with delicious mozzarella cheese, packed with succulent Italian sauce, and smooth, creamy ricotta cheese, it really doesn't get better than this! Also, during happy hour they have a free Meze collection to enjoy with your cocktail, this takes me back to the good old days in Greece. Definitely an excellent five star restaurant experience, I will definitely be coming back. ”
“ Very good food with delightful counter service and indoor/outdoor seating. The Kale e Tartufo salad is fresh & simple, an easy pairing with heartier Italian dishes (note to kitchen - would recommend massaging in a touch more dressing for flavor & improved texture). A Classico Pane Tostata has spongy housemade focaccia topped with fresh ricotta and the best Prosciutto San Daniele then dressed with spicy/sweet honey and garden-fresh herbs. Loving it for a lighter lunch or alternative to pizza dinner. Uncle Nicky's Meatballs are incredibly rich in a white Masala sauce (a little heavy on the salt when I visited), but springy and moist with lots of toasted focaccia for dipping. Cute neighborhood hang spot for dining in or quick carry out! ”
“ 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! ”
“ Great quick and casual lunch spot with great drinks and food. Love that you can order at the counter and there is a cute patio! The meatballs, pasta and salad all were tasty. ”
“ Love everything the serve make or cook You gotta get the Uncle Nicky's Meatballs Pork Meatballs smothered in Creamy Marsala Sauce topped with Pecorino Romano and served with Toasted Focaccia - over the meatball Sammy that comes with marinara which omg is earth shattering- I need to try the brunch I always just get the Meatballs, kale salad and the all day breakfast Sammy- that roll is to die for !!!! I would also suggest getting a spritz of you are a drinker of not just get a sparkling water and bitters ”
“ 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. ”
“ My friends and I came to Uncle Nicky's for lunch this week. First, I was surprised to find Uncle Nicky's wasn't terribly big, but it was a super cute spot. I loved the bright, natural light. Next, the service for our meal was great. Suzy took our order and got everything right. She was very friendly and helpful as we made our decisions as well. Now, on to the food/drinks. I got the Sunset Spritz cocktail which I highly recommend. The three of us pretty much split the food. We had the Fonduta, Cesar Salad, Chicken Alfredo, Mambo sandwich, and a cannoli. The Fonduta we really tasty. It's like the Italian version of queso fundido with red chili paste, pesto, and a raw egg. It went great with the foccacia. The Cesar and Alfredo complemented each other nicely. I didn't feel either the salad or the pasta was over dressed. While I didn't get a bite of the Mambo sandwich, it sure did look good. Finally, the cannoli was great. The shell was nice and crunchy and was perfectly filled with cream. I look forward to coming back to try more items on the menu. ”
