Nicola’s

Very nice atmosphere and meal. The cheese tortellini had a nice cream sauce and had great flavor. The only complaint I would have is that the salad dressing could use a bit more flavor. Maybe a touch of mustard or lemon?

We came here for a business meeting and while the service was great, we were a little disappointed because Nicola’s seemed to be out of a lot of items, like listed wines, desserts, etc. Ambience is very rustic. The appetizers were good … Antipasto, prosciutto with melon, bruschetta. Our little salads were good with a nice balsamic dressing. I wasn’t that crazy about my shrimp scampi ravioli which didn’t taste very shrimpy or scampi and the sauce was too creamy for me.

My husband and I ate dinner here on a Sunday night. I called around 5:45 and was able to get a 6:30 reservation, which probably was not necessary on a Sunday (but would be on a Friday or Saturday night). The restaurant is fairly small, with only about a dozen tables. It has the cozy, historic charm that a lot of the buildings in this area have. The service was excellent and our waitress was very friendly and made very helpful recommendations.
I ordered the Ravioli al Aragosta (Lobster Ravioli — $ 18.95) which came with a side salad, and my husband ordered the Polpette di Pizza (Meatball Pizza — $ 13.95) with a cup of the Italian Wedding soup ($ 3.95). I actually preferred my husband’s entire meal to my own. The salad was fresh and I enjoyed the house dressing. The ravioli was good, but not great. It didn’t have much of a lobster flavor, which was disappointing, although the sauce (a light marinara) was very good. It was served with two pieces of their Bruschetta, which I really enjoyed. The Italian Wedding soup was excellent though, and the pizza was very good as well. I would come here again, but I would probably order something else next time.

My wife and I randomly went here on a Sunday night and got a seated right away! This place was small and so inviting and I absolutely loved everything about the way it was set up. The wait staff was very friendly and food was even better. I can’t wait to go again. This is one of my favorite places I’ve been in a long time.

I really want to love Nicola’s. I’m probably one of the minority folks that don’t LOVE it. We went recently for my mother’s birthday. Called in advance for a table of 8 reservations. When we arrived our table was ready for us. Although not everyone had arrived, (we were 10 minutes early), our server Adam whisked by and dropped menus and ice water and said he’d be back for drinks. The few of us that were there waved him back saying we actually would like some wine while waiting. Adam seemed as if he was very busy, although on this particular Wednesday night it was not over busy. He did deliver our wine immediately, but really made me feel as if we were putting him out.
The remainder of the party arrived shortly after we received our wine and Adam took the remaining drink orders. After ordering we immediately were served our salads. Myself and a couple of others at my table commented that they either did not have salad dressing on their salad, or hardly any. I didn’t bother to eat mine, mostly because I didn’t want to fill up on it, but partly because it had no taste. I actually gave it to my nephew because he had eaten all his, and he said my salad had even less salad dressing than his… if any at all.
I have tried a few things at Nicolas. I like the mushroom stuffed ravioli, and the lasagna is good although not my type of lasagna. Not saying anything is wrong with that because most love Nicola’s lasagna. Mostly I stick with the Penne al Ragu when I come. It is basic and had a good flavor and I usually order it with a #3 level for spicy/​heat. It comes with meatballs and a side of bruschetta. Meatballs were good; however I am just not a fan of the bruschetta. The menu says it comes with buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, parmesan, etc. However to me it truly just tastes like a piece of toast with a tomato on it. I just don’t taste any flavor. Take a look at the pictures of it on Unilocal.Plenty of them and truly basically bread, tomato and a spice or two.
Most at our table seemed to enjoy their meal, but I just kept getting the feeling that Adam wasn’t much into working that night. I couldn’t quite place my finger on why I felt something was off until my sister leaned over and asked me if she was the only one that felt Adam did not want to be serving our table. I’ve never been a waitress/​waiter, but I have heard it is very hard work. I don’t doubt that; however I think it also takes an individual who is friendly and helpful. Maybe Adam had a bad night, but it would have been nice to see him smile even just once, or a welcome of some sort rather than the rushed service and constant watching over us waiting to clear dishes.

Stopped in tonight when I was staying right next door. Great decision. Besides the food being delicious (Lasagne), the staff was super friendly and great to interact with. Very happy with my decision tonight. I’ll definitely be back!

I bumped into this place last time I was in Omaha and swore to come back. I’m here again and everything is fantastic! Food, service, cleanliness, and a great atmosphere. This is definitely one of my favourite Italian restaurants in North America.

12÷12÷15
Reservations are necessary but when you make them they make you feel like a low life if they misplaced them. Even when they find them they still look down there nose at you​.MR. Ponytail waiter is very forgetful, forgets to get whatever you request. Then forgets to bring back the $ 16 change when you pay the check. Could have made alot better tip if he did not bag the change. No tiramisu for desert and never was told the specials so if you go for the challenge of going here, dont let him wait on you
food was not hot and salads were small and dry. Disappointed…disliked it because of the waiter They need better help.$ 100.00
Review from prior visit
Food was very tasty…
Waitress was slow and absent most of the time and there were alot of empty tables.
The tiramisu was horrible.

This place is wicked awesome. The first time I ate their meatballs, had s flashback to a earlier time in my life of complete bliss, basically like the food critic from the movie Ratatouille. The entrée was amazing, I tried their lasagna, which is their signature dish. Best Italian food ever! The staff was friendly as well.

We are 160 miles from home. Stopped in for lunch with our daughter who had surgery and had not had real food for 2 weeks. The food was amazing. Her Alfredo was so creamy. The penne was delish I picked the 3 for spice level was perfect for me. My husband had the spaghetti special level 4 spicy. It was great
The salad had a sweet dressing… very good. The lemon cake was to die for!

Everything tasted freshly made. They keep the place a bit chilly. If you’re skinny ask for a place in back.

Meals are a little slow but so so good!!!
Had the lasagna and husband had lobster ravioli and we both were more than pleased! So good!

I’m not much on Italian food but this place rocks. I had lobster ravioli that hit my tastebuds slap-​dad in the middle! The flavored of the ragu was fantastic! You can’t go wrong.

Great little restaurant hidden right behind the Hyatt. Most of the restaurants in Old Market as busy and noisey but this one was a bit quieter — mostly due to its small size. We ate outside on the patio while it was raining but the trees above us served as an umbrella. The food was great, as was the selection of liquors and beers. Definitely will come back if I am ever in Omaha again.

Cleanliness 4
Service 3
Food 5
Likelihood 4
1 – 5 (5 Best!) 4.0
Late lunch for two please. We choose the patio, the temperature inside was unbearable. Service was off to a slow start, and we DID end on a good note. This was my first try. I think that Malara’s is the best piece of lasagna in this area, and have thought so for ten years.
I will say that THIS piece of lasagna is now my 2^nd favorite. It was a great sauce! It is not a sweet sauce, it is flavorful and full. A nice portion, and just perfect. Not too much of anything.
VERY well done, thank you.
I loved my fresh salad that was NOT iceberg lettuce. THANK YOU, again.
We were offered a piece of lemon cake and we gladly accepted, it was INCREDIBLE. I would have the same thing again.
THIS is one of the places that I would drive even an hour for. GOOD stuff!!!
Must return again soon.

Great spot to have some wine and sit on the patio in the good months. Not my favorite when I have to sit inside, but that is just me. You can get a great gift basket and the food always looks good. I, however, just get wine. Give them a shot and you won’t be saddened by it

I enjoyed my dinner here at Nicola. The foods were great. The reason why I gave this place a four star is because of the parkings. They don’t have their own parkings so you have to park on the street and it can be a hassle especially over the weekend. They also don’t give you all you can eat breads. Each entrée comes with two tiny bruschetta unlike any other Italian restaurant. Their chiclet fettuccine Alfredo was delicious and I highly recommend it!

Mama Mia let’s MANGA (Italian for EAT). This may be the closest real Italian I have had anywhere in the US. My husband and I split a Portabella Mushroom Ravioli and the lemon cake. The entrée came with salad and bruschetta. It was plenty for two. The staff was fantastic and you could tell by their warmth to most guests that there are a TON of regulars. My biggest suggestion, book a reservation and come hungry.
Fantastico!

Here it is folks… first 5 in Omaha! a few friends and I were deciding on what to have for lunch this weekend, and Nicola’s was on the list. Unfortunately we decided we would meet elsewhere, so I took it upon myself to walk the 2.5 blocks from my hotel to Nicola’s for dinner tonight! Boy, was I pleased! Nichola’s has a warm, inviting atmosphere and is extremely cozy and charming. I sat at the bar and was immediately served. I ordered the spaghetti bolognese and it came with two slices of bruschetta and a house salad. The house salad caught me off guard with the subtle sweet taste in the dressing. It tasted fresh, and of course the server couldn’t give me the recipe, which I can appreciate. The pasta was cooked perfect! Slightly al dente, just the way I like it… and the bolognese was some of the best I have ever tasted. It was buttery, packed with tomato flavor, and the perfect creaminess. The server warned me about the portion size… go hungry! At the beginning of the meal, she also enlightened me by telling me about dessert… so I knew to save room. I ordered the italian lemon cake. It was so light and fresh. There was a vanilla bean crumble on top of the decadent frosting. making every bite perfect.
I fully intend on becoming a regular at this tiny italian restaurant…

I came for lunch with some coworkers the other day and we all really enjoyed it. Tucked away from the Old Market, Nicola’s is located on a corner, and has a patio that spreads out along Jackson Street. While the inside is pretty tight and can maybe only hold 15 people. The outside is much larger, so try and visit here during nice weather.
The food was good — very authentic tasting. One of my coworkers actually went to college with Nicola and while I didn’t actually meet the owner, my coworker had nice things to say about her.
Moderately priced and conveniently located, this is a great hidden gem. It’s not crawling with lots of people, like other restaurants in the Old Market, but it’s just as good, if not better.