Nica is a very small Italian restaurant with maybe 10 tables. It is tight in there but it is a neighborhood gem that is well known for their delicious food and friendly service so reservations are needed. We have been there a few times and will continue to go back. We have enjoyed everything we have ordered like the fig and prosciutto and stuffed artichoke appetizers, lasagna, pasta with lamb meat sauce and the risotto to name a few.
Aa Bb
I recently dined at Nika Trattoria, and it was an outstanding experience! The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, tender. Thank you for great service !!!
Atmosphere: 5
Tim
Amazing, amazing!!! The owner is a unique treasure, that only enhanced our dining experience. When in NY, we always make a point of visiting!
Stephen
Nica is reminiscent of family run trattoria's throughout Italy. Small intimate with the head of the house a family member overseeing the patrons and the kitchen. Food level is very good but one should expect a bit better. Don't even attempt to ask for a substitution on your mains accompaniment. If he says broccoli and you request another vegetable a look of wounded consternation will come over your hosts expressive face. Having said all that my fish plate was very well prepared and delicious. My companion insisted my puttanesca was better though. bring cash. they accept no cards.
Hanna Obradovich
From the moment I stepped in, I knew I was in for something special. The atmosphere was warm, charming, and full of life — it felt like a little slice of Italy! The food? Absolutely divine. Every bite was bursting with authentic flavor, from the rich sauces to the perfectly cooked pasta.
But what truly made the night magical was the host — not only welcoming and kind, but he sang! His voice filled the room with joy and added such a personal, unforgettable touch to the evening. It felt like dinner and a show rolled into one beautiful experience.
I had the most beautiful time here. I left with a full heart and an even fuller belly. Can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ahmed Magdy - Egypt
I would give the place 7 out of ten. The past was 8 out of ten however some of the recommendations were not on point was not very happy with the artichoke.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Sarah Tracy
I always love Nica Trattoria, been coming for years, small family vibes, great food, always love the caponata and gnocchi and the environment
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kailey
Best Gnocchi have ever had. 10/10 experience. Service was amazing. Best authentic Italian food I've had.
Frank Coloccia
Wow, absolutely one of the best carbonara I have ever had. Also burrata, asparagus, penne vodka, and rigatoni amatriciana were amazing! You MUST try this place if you haven't been. Bravo Giuseppe!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauren Asnis
People in the neighborhood need to run to this authentic Italian restaurant. They use the best ingredients and the food is absolutely delicious and made to order. We had the asparagus and the burrata to start and the pastas were A+: carbonara, amatriciana and vodka. Each better than the other. The final touch was the homemade panna cotta. We will be back very soon. Thank you so much to Giuseppe.
This place is a must go. You feel as if you’re in a small cozy family own restaurant in Italy. Best gnocchi I’ve ever had. Also ordered ragú pasta with lamb and eggplant stuffed with goat cheese and drenched in tomato sauce. All terrific. The owner has a personality! Makes you feel as if you’re a guest in his home. I plan to come back and take the rest of my family. Out of all of the Italian restaurants I’ve been in the city, definitely one of the most authentic experiences.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sébastien Aurillon
The food was decent, but overpriced for what it was. The noise level was overwhelmingly loud.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Alejandro Solis
You can tell fish is frozen, they won’t make tuna or salmon rare, also the owner keeps the tips that’s why he always ask for 20% tip and prefers cash! I do not support business that steal money from their employees
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jeff
Best most authentic italian food/experience in NYC. Totally transporting experience to a small authentic sicilian restaurant. Our favorite Italian in NYC!
Fern Pasternak
This spot is truly a gem in the upper east side. Authentically good food with great staff and so many options to choose from. The wait staff was so attentive and the owner was so charismatic and funny. Made us feel so welcome and happy to be there! The gnocchi was incredible and we will definitely be back to try more of the delicious apps. Not sure what these negative reviews are talking about, it was everything we were hoping it to be.
Nica is a very small Italian restaurant with maybe 10 tables. It is tight in there but it is a neighborhood gem that is well known for their delicious food and friendly service so reservations are needed. We have been there a few times and will continue to go back. We have enjoyed everything we have ordered like the fig and prosciutto and stuffed artichoke appetizers, lasagna, pasta with lamb meat sauce and the risotto to name a few.
I recently dined at Nika Trattoria, and it was an outstanding experience! The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, tender.
Thank you for great service !!!
Atmosphere: 5
Amazing, amazing!!! The owner is a unique treasure, that only enhanced our dining experience. When in NY, we always make a point of visiting!
Nica is reminiscent of family run trattoria's throughout Italy. Small intimate with the head of the house a family member overseeing the patrons and the kitchen. Food level is very good but one should expect a bit better. Don't even attempt to ask for a substitution on your mains accompaniment. If he says broccoli and you request another vegetable a look of wounded consternation will come over your hosts expressive face. Having said all that my fish plate was very well prepared and delicious. My companion insisted my puttanesca was better though. bring cash. they accept no cards.
From the moment I stepped in, I knew I was in for something special. The atmosphere was warm, charming, and full of life — it felt like a little slice of Italy! The food? Absolutely divine. Every bite was bursting with authentic flavor, from the rich sauces to the perfectly cooked pasta.
But what truly made the night magical was the host — not only welcoming and kind, but he sang! His voice filled the room with joy and added such a personal, unforgettable touch to the evening. It felt like dinner and a show rolled into one beautiful experience.
I had the most beautiful time here. I left with a full heart and an even fuller belly. Can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I would give the place 7 out of ten. The past was 8 out of ten however some of the recommendations were not on point was not very happy with the artichoke.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
I always love Nica Trattoria, been coming for years, small family vibes, great food, always love the caponata and gnocchi and the environment
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Gnocchi have ever had. 10/10 experience. Service was amazing. Best authentic Italian food I've had.
Wow, absolutely one of the best carbonara I have ever had. Also burrata, asparagus, penne vodka, and rigatoni amatriciana were amazing! You MUST try this place if you haven't been. Bravo Giuseppe!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
People in the neighborhood need to run to this authentic Italian restaurant. They use the best ingredients and the food is absolutely delicious and made to order. We had the asparagus and the burrata to start and the pastas were A+: carbonara, amatriciana and vodka. Each better than the other. The final touch was the homemade panna cotta. We will be back very soon. Thank you so much to Giuseppe.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is a must go. You feel as if you’re in a small cozy family own restaurant in Italy. Best gnocchi I’ve ever had. Also ordered ragú pasta with lamb and eggplant stuffed with goat cheese and drenched in tomato sauce. All terrific. The owner has a personality! Makes you feel as if you’re a guest in his home. I plan to come back and take the rest of my family. Out of all of the Italian restaurants I’ve been in the city, definitely one of the most authentic experiences.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was decent, but overpriced for what it was. The noise level was overwhelmingly loud.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
You can tell fish is frozen, they won’t make tuna or salmon rare, also the owner keeps the tips that’s why he always ask for 20% tip and prefers cash! I do not support business that steal money from their employees
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Best most authentic italian food/experience in NYC. Totally transporting experience to a small authentic sicilian restaurant. Our favorite Italian in NYC!
This spot is truly a gem in the upper east side. Authentically good food with great staff and so many options to choose from. The wait staff was so attentive and the owner was so charismatic and funny. Made us feel so welcome and happy to be there! The gnocchi was incredible and we will definitely be back to try more of the delicious apps. Not sure what these negative reviews are talking about, it was everything we were hoping it to be.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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