Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey

Came on Christmas Eve and everyone was dressed up as elves. Super cute. Our server, Jeremy, was knowledgeable and had great recommendations. Came for my partners birthday. The pork belly was to die for! Got the local bourbon flight and it was pretty good. Food was delicious. The smoke and flower drink was pleasant but gave a medicine aftertaste, not bad but just a heads up.

Nicholson's Scottish Pub is one of our favorites. The food is made fresh from scratch (no pre-packaged anything), the service is excellent, the prices are affordable and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. They take reservations and we can count on getting in and out before an Aronoff Show. We visit Nicholson's at least five afternoons every week. It's always a favorite stop on the Riverside Food Tour Streetcar + Findlay Market tour. Guests love the bangers and mash; creamy homemade mashed potatoes, gravy and pork sausage. I's the best comfort food dish!

The restaurant itself is really cool, nicely decorated for the holidays, and clean. We ordered drinks, an appetizer, and a meal. Our drinks were good and the appetizer came out hot, but when we got our food you could definitely tell it had been sitting. It was room temp at best (grilled sandwiches+fries) and honestly it was surprisingly bland. Our waitress only brought our drinks. And 2 different people brought the food. Then it took forever for her to get and take our check.

Loved the atmosphere and live music (on a Thursday night). The decor and the bar are super cool and authentic! We only came for drinks and an appetizer, wish we had come here for dinner. We tried the roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and a dip, excellent! Reasonable prices, attentive service.

Best home-y food in Cincinnati. Have been here at least 6 times and always had a good experience. On this last one they ran out of ice cream, and so the manager literally ran in the cold to Kroger to get it. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for some good food. I could literally eat here every day.

Stopped in before a football game and despite the big crowd and short staffing we were able to get decent service. The beers were tasty and the food was good overall. Solid experience and would go back to if in town.

A really nice bar for certain. The food was not so good. Their version of the French dip sounds good on the menu but the execution wasn't good at all. The level of grease was excessive enough that you didn't want to pick up the buns. The prime rib was cooked so long it had char and the amount of cheese was way too much. All the ingredients were great, just no skill to cook them at the lunch hour.

A warm and welcoming spot in downtown Cincinnati. Excellent food and really friendly service. Music could be a bit less loud, but it is a bar, so I understand. Try the Kentucky Hot Brown. I will be back!

Wait time: 10 minutes with reservations on a Saturday before a show. Atmosphere: busy, crowded, seats close together hard to walk through Service: slow since they were busy Food: we just ordered apps Price: $$ Cleanliness: 8/10

The restaurant is right across from the Aronoff Center where there are Broadway shows. Nicholson's did a great job of serving all play patrons before a show. They had our waters and menus ready for us at the table. The waitress quickly took our order and kept our drinks filled until dinner came out. I had the Belhaven beer cheese and the Tavern house salad. The Bellhaven beer cheese was smooth, creamy and delicious. The Tavern house salad had a lot of blue cheese, more that enough for every bite. The Bee Pollen dressing was flavorful, but not overbearing. The restaurant had huge, awesome chairs at some tables that look like King's and Queen's chairs, so whimsical and fun. It is a true Scottish American Gastropub. I was not drinking that night, but they look like there was a variety of delicious drinks to try. Also, the bar looked like they had a wide selection of draft beers.

An authentic Scottish pub experience in Cincinnati. The place is big, rustic, and feels like you're stepping straight into Scotland. You can tell the owner put real thought into making it authentic. I ordered the bangers and mash and it was excellent. The sausage and potatoes were good, and the gravy tied it all together. Staff were friendly and the place was clean. Between the décor, the size of the space, and the quality of the food, Nicholson's is worth a visit. As they'd say in Scotland, the meal was "pure dead brilliant"...I have no idea what that is, but I looked up things they say in Scotland to add here.

Located in Downtown Cincinnati, came here in a Saturday Night with friends and really loved the vibe here. It was packed but there was still seating available for our party of 7. They have an amazing Single Malt Scottish Whiskey Bar and the service is gritty but cool, dependable, fun and too notch. They offer a lot of interesting UK dishes and they deliver! Had: 1. Scotch Egg (4/5) perfect yokes consistency. Not a big fan of Scotch Eggs otherwise I'd give this a 5/5; 2. Goat cheese with pita (5/5) was stellar! 3. Shepherds Pie (3.5/5) while pretty good it was more like a deconstructed shepherds pie and seems of the meat, potatoes and peas had been cooked separately. 4. Some kind of soup that was like a vegetable soup that even had a sort of gumbo like flavor: was very good. Because the vibe and service were too notch and the Guiness hit the spot, going to call this a top notch experience. Be warned in advance: come here hungry.

This restaurant wins on service and ambiance as it looks perfect in the little 'touristy' spot downtown Cincinnati. The decor is fun and the place is large with tons of room to move around, which is nice (and abnormal) for a restaurant downtown. The server team was very attentive and kept the meal moving quickly which gives them huge kudos for many people running to see a show across the street. All of that known, the food was fine - nothing spectacular, but felt fine for the space, place, and time. If I were to go back, I would skip the pot roast, it was very salty, heavy, and greasy. All things I wasn't particularly expecting when it was ordered. Although, the portion size was very large, enough for more than one, for sure. The sprouts were also quite salty, but weren't as bad as the entree. The best thing, of course, was the crumble and ice cream - but it's hardly a meal.

Solid gastropub with a wide-ranging whiskey selection. Stopped in for a dinner with some friends last week. Easy to get a table, and they had live music that night. Plenty of beers on draft and my burger was delicious. Jesse our server was friendly and attentive. Really cool inside too, looks like an English pub. Easily would come back.

Loved the atmosphere and live music. The decor and the bar are super cool and authentic! We only came for drinks and an appetizer, wish we had come here for dinner. We tried the roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and a dip, excellent! Reasonable prices, attentive service.

Been here a couple of times and I'm always getting good food. Everything from their appetizers to their entrees to whatever special they have on hand is always top notch! Aiden was our server this last time and he made sure we were taking care of. There was lots of room in the restaurant on a Wednesday after work but usually when there's a show going on across the street, it can be pretty full. I highly recommend the Scotch egg appetizer. Delicious! The fish and chips is also usually pretty good as well as any of the specials that they have on file. Everything from their breadboards to their burgers just always really good. Enjoy it!

Stopped in Nicholson's for a nightcap and snack. Gorgeous entrance, the interior had a beautiful bar with lots of woodwork, some old world throne looking furniture and an authentic pub look. On tap they have mostly traditional British beers with some local craft. I haven't seen Kilkenny (A red ale in the Guinness family) in forever. Nitrogenated and creamy, it was a simple and delicious ale with a soft/creamy mouthfeel. We ordered Goat Cheese Dip - topped with smokey bacon jam and naan bread $15 and the Belhaven Beer Cheese - warm soft pretzels, celery, carrots $14. Both were delicious and great for a sharable snack. The whiskey list is crazy long. Scotch (Lowland, Reserves, Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Speyside), Whiskey, Bourbon ..... We were in the twilight of our night and wanted to indulge, but it was not to be. I will say if you want to try a local Bourbon you can find New Riff, Boone County and Northside served here. Our server was great, I loved their kilts. Stop in, look around and enjoy the awesome pub views. I highly recommend a stop in Nicholson's. If I had more time in Cincy I'd have definitely returned to explore their pub menu. Thanks guys!

We booked in for lunch on May 2nd, to celebrate our grandson's graduation. We had been here before and had such a wonderful experience and could hardly wait to celebrate here again. We arrived early and ordered adult drinks. We waited and waited for the drinks and decided to order appetizers. We got the delicious Scotch eggs and crab cakes, but no drinks. We ordered our meal. It came, no drinks. After inquiring about the drinks, the waitress came back and said they were out of the drink my son and grandson ordered, but they could have any other whisky on the menu at no cost. The restaurant was not busy. Finally we got our drinks. I wish I knew the exact time we waited, but it was over an hour. The Ambiance is fabulous with the Scottish theme going on. The fish and chips were awesome. I had the shepherds pie. It was too salty for my taste. We shared the Sticky Toffee Pudding which my husband loved and had not had since last we were in Ireland.

This place was great. The food was flavorful & delicious. Drinks came out quickly and appetizer was delivered in an ample time from our entrees. Our waitress was very sweet. Super good playlist was playing and it is a definite Irish pub feel of course. Neat decor and great vibe. Would visit again!!

Nicholson's is such a cool place. Love the interior and the food. For an appetizer we got the Scotch Egg. So good. We decided to get the Shepherd Pie and Tavern Salad for our main and it was so so good. Service was super and the food was awesome. Sticky Toffee Pudding was I believe the best dessert I have ever eaten. I would go out of my way to get that again. Definitely 5 stars in my opinion.

Nicholson tavern. across from the Aronoff. Great traditional Scottish tavern. They have a fine selection of spirits on hand . What would you expect from such a place. Service was very good. I enjoyed a Tenants Lager and lime. Think of a Corona but with this Scottish lager. Parking in nearby lots or on the street...$2.75/hr until 9.

First the atmosphere. This is what I would picture a Scottish pub would look like. Everyone is friendly and the staff is very attentive. Now I could see it getting noisy as the evening wears on. But for an early dinner it was quite pleasant. Now the food. Started with their take on an egg roll. But it is filled with pot roast! They were creamy, tasty and just down right delicious. Then I had the surf and turf. It was outstanding! Steak cooked perfectly, shrimp, same garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. Yum, yum and yum! Our server, Josh, was awesome and we had a great meal experience.

My first time dining here! The food and service were absolutely incredible. To begin, the salad was so fresh and crispy. The bread seems freshly baked and toasted. The marvelous plate included a portion of delectable salmon. The chicken breast was so tender with the most amazing sage gravy. The Brussels spouts were delectable. Service was impeccable, especially those smiling faces!

Nicholson's has been a amazing experience every time I have went . I recently went with my youngest brother to show him a good time that night and first spot we went was here for dinner - he never been here so both of us were in for a treat - his reaction to a good experience and i love the food and experience so couldn't pass this place up. Fish & shrimp for the both of us , seasoned potatoes, corn bread, vegetable medley, and cole slaw came out AFTER we got the beer cheese and pretzels . They even forgot to swap out the shrimp first so we got extra fish too . In other words, we got plenty of food and took plenty home. Amazing all around . Service, this place was very attentive - i will say it wasnt crazy busy like after a aronoff show but still . My only weirded out moment was we had our waitress clock out middle of it so we had like 3 people cover our table ? Ambiance, this place is a irish gastropub and has a very welcoming and cozy feel (especially if you get a private party room in the back) and i highly recommend this place - my brother and I as well as rest of our family will be back !

Best fish and chips on the Ohio River. Fresh, crispy, and perfectly cooked. Had the accompanying salad w gorgonzola. Fresh, perfect and the dressing wasn't overdone. Seriously, this is a must visit in Cincy.

I had low expectations for Nicholson's but they proved me wrong in every way that mattered. The restaurant was very clean while maintaining an authentic pub vibe. The service was fast. The servers were fun and polite! The food was delicious! We asked the staff for recommendations and they did not disappoint. We had: Appetizers 1. Flash Fried Brussels 2. Pretzels and (Belhaven) Beer Cheese 3. Scotch Egg Main Dishes 1. Fish and Chips (4.5) 2. Chicken Schnitzel 3. Bangers and Mash 4. Pot Roast Dessert 1. Sticky Toffee Pudding Overall, it was a wonderful experience! I would definitely recommend eating here.

Food was okay, service was not good. Super slow, forgot a lot of things, and brought out a dish marked as gluten free with gluten... very dangerous as one of the people in my party had a severe gluten allergy. They remade it for us. Cool place and good vibes inside, would've been a lot better if food and service were good too.

We stumbled upon this place while we were wondering around town. We went to the beautiful authentic Scottish bar to grab a beer, looked at the menu then decided to eat lunch. I had the fish & chips, which was hands down the best I've ever had in a restaurant. My husband said his Reuben was very good, but could've used a bit more sauce. Of course the beer was nice and cold:) The bartender told me her name, but I forgot it. She was so nice and personable, like she was happy to be working. She also knew the menu, along with the history of the restaurant, sharing that the bar actually sits on Scottish soil from Scotland! I love that! She also knew Cincinnati and directed us to some interesting sights. We will definitely come back here when we return to Cincinnati.

Came back to Nicholsons and got to try the brunch menu this time- it did not disappoint! We got seated in the back room with the fireplace going and it made the experience cozy! The chicken and waffles and goetta hash were delicious! Will definitely come back for brunch again!

Right next to the hotel we stayed. And the ambiance, it's like you stepped into a pub in Aberdeen. The staff were beyond fantastic, really. They were absolutely the highlight of the visit. I started with a Belhaven and my wife had a cider drink. My wife had the steak and enjoyed it. The sauce was good. I had the fish and chips, and as much as I wanted to like them, I was a bit disappointed. I'm not a fan of panko and they were just a bit over cooked. But that did not ruin our night. We then stayed at the bar and patio afterwards and had a great evening.

Overall a good experience but did have some flaws. After arriving at 7pm to the restaurant we didn't end up with our cocktails on the table until 7:38. Though the waitress did kindly bring our waters out before then. We waited again until 8:13 for our meals to come out from the kitchen. We only had two appetizers that were long gone before then in case of curiosity. The bread board appetizer was very good. I enjoyed the mix of flavors and the goat cheese especially. Though the honey butter had no honey flavor. When the food arrived there were some issues with the temperature. The mashed potatoes were lukewarm at best as were the French fries. These issues and time issues were a little frustrating as the restaurant was practically empty until 2 small tables arrived later on in the night. But the restaurant ambiance was great the lighting was perfect and the live music was the perfect volume to hear throughout the restaurant while not impacting the conversation.

Great Scottish-themed pub with remarkably reasonable prices for a place right downtown across from the Aronoff Center. Parking in that neighborhood is a pain, particularly when there's an event at the Aronoff and parking prices are hiked, but this place has Valet Parking. Sadly, we only found this out after paying $20 for "special event" parking around the block. I don't know what the Valet parking costs, but it's probably less than $20, even with tip. The food is pub grub, but with some Scottish-inspired items. I had Cock-a-Leeky soup, a small house salad, and flash fried Brussels sprouts side. The daughter had the Salmon, and the spouse had the Shepherd's Pie. Spouse and daughter split a large salad, and the house served them as two small salads in separate dishes, no upcharge. Everyone greatly enjoyed their food! There were a couple of mistakes in our orders: I initially got the mashed potatoes instead of the Brussels Sprouts, and the ladies' salads did not have the dressing on the side, as requested (my daughter hates salad dressing). The staff made those mistakes right immediately. We didn't order drinks, but this place has over 100 Scottish Whiskies, including some curated flights. I do enjoy a Single Malt Whisky now and again, and I can say they have a very impressive selection.

Walked in and was seated immediately, but we were surrounded by empty tables filled with dirty dishes. Our server was super nice and attentive! The food was okay- I got a salad and added chicken. I felt the chicken was bland but it was hot when it came out. My friend got the pot roast and said it was good! The espresso martini has an interesting flavor, maybe raspberry?

In town for the weekend and overwhelmed by restaurant options we decided just to walk the streets and see where we found. We walked by this place and the decor grabbed our attention and luckily they had a menu posted outside. When we walked in we were asked if we had reservations and if not we could sit at these side booths newr the bar. This worked great and since it was busy and loud, it made for better conversation. The decor is like an old pub, the staff wear kilts and filled with stories. The menu has old English favorites fish & chips, scotch eggs, bangers and mash. We ordered beer cheese with pretzels which was very good. My husband got chicken schnitzel with bourbon glazed carrots and mash and I had to try the fish & chips (they come in 2 sizes and the small was plenty) l. My husband also tried a smoked old fashioned and he is very particular about these and said Soooo Good!

So disappointing! The service was atrocious. I asked for a whiskey menu. She brought it over then just walked away. When she eventually came back she whined about having too many tables. NP. We order quickly and wait and wait. Our food finally arrives and it was not hot or even warm. I think the food had potential fresh and hot. I will never know. I wanted so much to fall in love with this place. There are so many things on the menu I wanted to try. I am so disappointed.

Full disclosure: I need to order more food here before I give this place five stars. I wasn't blown away by the fish and chips, but... The servers here are fun and attentive, and the scotch selection is unmatched. Made me miss Edinburgh. Also: don't pass up Burns Night. It is a total hoot.

We were in town for the football game between the Bengals & Ravens. We used the Yelp app to choose this restaurant. The menu appeared to satisfy our appetites. The hostess was not very friendly, but eventually located us a table in a restaurant that wasn't very busy. Our best experience was with the busser that greeted us very warmly and quickly provided us with drinks. She also stopped by to ask how we were doing. Our server was Josh. He on the other hand he had an attitude that was not very friendly. He did manage to take our orders without too much problem. He delivered our food routinely. The burgers were ok, and I ordered shrimp and grits. My dish was very oily looking, but the taste was ok. Overall our experience was so-so. I know that there are better choices for a meal in downtown Cincinnati.

Loved this place. Went a couple of times. They have my all time favorite beer, Old Speckled Hen, and the food was very good. I sat at the bar both times and found the staff both engaging and attentive. Plan accordingly with a theatre across the street. Later plans are better after everyone leaves for the opening of the theatre doors. Next time I'm downtown I'm heading right back here again.

Nothing is more satisfying than spending time in a true Irish bar. While traveling through Cincinnati on my way to other destinations, I happened to be staying at a hotel in town and my son just, by chance, was in town for a business meeting tomorrow. He had been to Nicholsons before and suggested we go. As a fan of Guinness, we definitely started out with a draft. With an appetizer of Scottish eggs and some bangers and mash, it became a memorable night. Almost felt like we were in downtown Dublin.

Good service and drinks. We only had appetizers, but plan on coming back to try the dinner menu. I recommend this place.

Usually so good but haven't had in a while. Do not order to go! Everything was cold, not good and didn't include sauce on sandwiches or any requested modifications. However customer service was great. I understand on a weekend they will be busy but for the price take out should be held to the same standard as dine in. Will not be ordering out from here again but I will return for happy hour.

We wanted to really like the place it is a great interior. Somehow it felt like a cheese cake factory. Over all solid service and a nice selection of beers and whiskey but it fell kind of flat. Maybe it was just my mood I will try again, but I'm not in a hurry. We had dinner here a couple of years ago and left feeling the same way

Hell yeahs I recommend. Authentic atmosphere.friendly .tasty. the flatbread pizza with pesto and balsamic is fantastic.i like the veg selections.cabbage and the mashed potatoes are a personal fave.plus men in kilts! What's not to love?!

Made reservations weeks in advance. We were seated in the emergency exit "hallway" where it was just a high top table for 2 by itself. It was really COLD that night 01/18/25 and that table right next to the door was just a bad idea. To top it off, the barstool was broken and there was nothing to rest your feet on. Was told there was no other stool for that table. We had charcuterie and it was fine but there was no way to enjoy a meal in a cold, tiny space sitting on a broken stool. We made plans for this and the attitude that there was nothing they could do. I really wanted fish & chips but you need to be comfortable to truly enjoy a meal.

We stumbled upon a fantastic experience at Nicholson's when visiting Cincinnati for a concert with friends. Coming from a sports city (Pittsburgh) it was our guess that there were no games the Saturday that we stopped in because there was no wait for seats at the bar or for a table -- in fact the entire city was pretty much empty during our stay. The bar is beautiful -- if you enjoy interesting woodwork, classic lines, and dark finishes this is one you definitely want to visit. The hostess, bartender, and server were friendly, and they seemed genuinely interested in sharing their knowledge of the food and drink. Drink selections were good -- especially for the scotches, whiskeys, bourbon, and beer. Our party enjoyed some imported beer, wine, and their signature old fashioned. The food is definitely the star here though. I finally got my first SCOTCH EGG, and it was incredible. We also tried the Kentucky Burgoo. Our ultimate food compliment is when we decide we need to "replicate this at home", and we've been reading up on how to make the best Burgoo for the last two weeks! The bangers and mash were tasty -- and the slightly spicy cabbage was a perfect compliment. The fish and chips were ok, but I would probably pass it up in favor of trying something else from the menu. For a totally unplanned meal this was a great choice, and I would definitely return next time we're in town!

Always love it here but love even more to find out they do theme drinks for the theater across the street. This will get me here every show! Otherwise I enjoy an afternoon or early evening at the bar, with a few drinks and a cheese tray. Love cutting the cheese with friends. Saw a tiny lady get the largest sandwich I ever saw. Turns out she shared it, but it was big enough for a family of four! She didn't even finish her half. Huge portions are a turn off for me.

During our kitchen remodel we ordered out a lot, including orders from Nicholson's. Later that year during my 'big' birthday we stayed a week downtown and ate inside Nicholson's once. All dining experiences were very good. The food delivered via DoorDash was delicious. I'll admit I don't remember it super specifically, but I am pretty sure we ordered from Nicholson's more than once. Delivery can be spotty, but from Nicholson's it was always good. Since we were basically staying next door to Nicholson's for a week, it was inevitable we'd stop in once. This was not my first meal at Nicholson's, but it was my first with Mark. Everything was very good, including the Three Cheese Macaroni (TCM). Pretty sure we had fish and chips over and over again... and it was always good. And the TCM was delicious both delivered to our home and delivered to our table. Nicholson's is consistently delicious. The decor is kinda all encompassing. It's easy to forget where you are when you're inside. Not to mention they have a magical mirror!

Great place to stop in for a bite and a drink before or after a show or other downtown event! Delicious food -- the pretzels and beer cheese appetizer is one of my go-tos, and others I've gone with really like the fish and chips. Wine selection could be better, but there are plenty of beer and whiskey options if that's your jam. Service speeds vary depending on how busy they are, but they're usually good. Atmosphere is casual and truly embraces the pub vibes. They also have a happy hour during the week with discounted drinks and small bites. They sometimes do themed menus to match the show currently at the Aronoff, which is fun.

This was good. Had a dinner with coworkers. I didn't feel like it was too expensive. My coworkers liked the fish and chips and commented on the large portion. The roast was good. My chicken schnitzel didn't have enough flavor for me. Cheesey grits were the best part. The scotch egg appetizer was good and the pretzels were slightly dry.

Only popped in for a few drinks. What a beautifully decorative bar. Our server explained it was brought over from Scotland and assembled here, stunning. Great staff.

We stopped at Nicholson's for dinner before enjoying Blink. This isn't the first time we tried the restaurant, and it won't be the last. Of course, I had to start with a scotch (McCallan's 12-year). I ordered the salmon, and my wife had the pot roast. Both dishes were delicious. After the meal, my wife commented on how reasonably priced the menu was. Cheap, terrible food is never a bargain. But Nicholson's offers outstanding food at a fair price. Plus, they had live music. This is a winning combination. If you're visiting downtown Cincinnati, don't hesitate to try Nicholson's for a meal. And order a McCallan's on the rocks.

Nicholson's was delightful. The restaurant was warm and welcoming, with live music playing in the front. We sat in a smaller room farther from the band in front of a fireplace. It was perfect for a cool evening. Our service was excellent. We started with the Bellhaven Beer Cheese with Pretzels and we both loved it. I had the chicken schnitzel. It didn't seem to fit with the menu but we learned Cincinnati had many German immigrants so it made sense. It was excellent. My husband had the Kentucky Hot Brown, which was so good he wants to make it at home. The spirits list was extensive though we had wine and beer.

Neat restaurant/bar in Cincy. We came here for a relatively early lunch on a weekday and it was empty so can't speak to much about what it's like when it's packed out but they have plenty of space and the decor is very neat. I really enjoyed my meal and they had plenty of options.

Everyone in our group of five loved their food and drinks. The waiter fun, quick, and knowledgeable. I had the lamb chops and risotto with cremini mushrooms. The chops had a great crust on the outside and super tender inside. The risotto was creamy and paired great with the chops. We had the blueberry crumble for dessert which was a great sweet ending to a meal. The place is an Irish pub and the decor exudes Irish pub so it was spot on.

On a quest for a hot brown in Cincinnati. Gone for many years is the old faithful Watertower in Mt Airy. And Kennings in Bridgetown, but this place may be the last to have it on the menu. It did not disappoint. Also had the scotch egg and pretzel beer cheese appetizers. These were good portions, excellently presented and delicious. This place gets it right. This place has great service, good energy and good music playing in the background. A great place to bring kids while the adults have a draft or a glass of wine.

Looking for a place to grab a bite and a drink before the game, this place hit the spot. Had a nice whiskey selection. The service was great and the fish n chips was excellent. It has a nice ambiance. It's pretty big too.

Started with a Scotch egg - yum! Then had the beer cheese pretzel followed by shepherds pie. Great meal and service in a very nice atmosphere.