Nicola's Ristorante

I cannot say enough about how great a birthday party I had for a close friend at Nicola's. Samantha, who handles larger groups assisted in the planning. She was wonderful, patient, helpful and very efficient. The food was amazing along with the outstanding service. Definitely a fantastic place to host an event, the added plus is its a BYOB.

This place is unreal! Real, authentic Italian food — the kind that instantly transports you back to Italy. The music sets the mood, the atmosphere feels like home, and the food is absolutely on point. This is the only place in the U.S. where I’ve had rabbit cooked exactly like it is in the motherland.

I felt compelled to write a review after countless visits to Nicola's. We've had birthday parties, New Years Eve and your standard night out dinners here and they've all been great. Last night I had my mom's 70th birthday party and it was awesome. Great food, great service and always accommodating. They have a fixed menu option for larger parties - price was good for the amount of food served. Everything came out hot and fresh. I would recommend for parties or date night.

Nicola's is a charming BYOB Italian restaurant that offers delicious food at incredibly reasonable prices. The atmosphere is elegant, the menu is impressively diverse, and every dish we tried was fresh and flavorful. The service was excellent, making for an all-around enjoyable dining experience. If you haven’t been yet, it’s definitely worth a visit.

This place was amazing! Came for a lovely dinner with family to celebrate some birthdays. The atmosphere is fancy but in a cozy and relaxed way. Service was great. Our waiter (i think his name was Brian, younger guy with dark hair and glasses) was very friendly. All the staff seem to be happy to be there, which is nice. At some restaurants it feels like you wait for ages after orderinf, but the food came out really surprisingly quick. And yet, they don’t rush you in the least. As for the food, really truly amazing. We all can’t stop talking about how good it was! I don’t live in the area anymore but I’d honestly make the hour drive just to order takeout from here. You know how sometimes you try a new restaurant and you’re like, eh it is what it is with the food. Maybe it’s not bad. But it’s nothing to get excited about. You didn’t have to cook or wash the dishes, so that’s cool. And we get used to being underwhelmed by restaurant food. But this place was truly so, so good. Nicola’s is a true gem. The pictures are of the orichette ragu, and the lemon infused pasta special- wow. I could go on. So if you’re looking for some really good italian food in a nice place with great service that won’t cost you your entire paycheck, this is where you want to be! Plainly and simply put, it was just a really enjoyable experience all around. Can’t wait to go back!

Surprisingly, great food, but I’ve said it once & I’ll say it again some of the best food in New Jersey comes out of a strip mall! Attended My beautiful cousins baby shower and the food was just delicious! Eggplant rollintini was my favorite. And the salmon, oregano, for dinner was absolutely scrumptious

The food is excellent, however it is somewhat loud regardless of where you are seated. Also we were a group of six and the table we were seated at did make me feel like we were in the center of everything. I would have preferred a table closers to one of the walls.

Nicolas Ristorante is an absolute gem! The food is delicious, with every dish full of flavor and clearly made with care. The portion sizes are perfect and very satisfying. The service is excellent, and the staff are friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, great for a date night or dinner with friends. Highly recommend and can’t wait to come back!

Our highest praise and gratitude go to Carly and Nick--and Sam and their Staff-- all of whom did a phenomenal job to ensure a beautiful Bridal Shower for our daughter at Nicola's Ristorante! From the time we called to reserve the date to the moment they helped bring gifts to our cars, we received their undivided care and attention! Carly and Sam were incredible as we planned our special event! They patiently answered our questions, offered excellent suggestions, and honored our specific requests. They took genuine interest in our vision for the day and did everything possible to bring it to life! Our 5-course meal was absolutely delicious, and the portions were beyond generous! The beautiful presentation and superior quality of the food impressed our guests. Many compliments were given for the Chicken Francaise and Salmon Oreganata! The Staff ensured an easy, measured flow for the afternoon so that our guests could appreciate each course--and the day's festivities--comfortably, without feeling rushed. Our daughter was so very happy, and our family and friends enjoyed an amazing time! Thank you so very much, Carly and Nick, and Sam and Staff!!! We look forward to hosting future celebrations at Nicola's!

Had another retirement party today and always everyone enjoyed the delicious food. If you're looking for a great place for a party this is the place to go. Want to thank everyone for their great hospitality. We'll be back in December for another great luncheon.

01/23/25 Came here with my BIL and SIL for dinner. Been a few times and it's always been very good. We started sharing the mussels and stuffed shrimp (with crab) both great entrees. My wife and SIL had the seafood broil, my BIL had the pappardelle with short ribs which he enjoyed very much. I had the fettuccine lobster, which also was very tasty, although very 'heavy'... later sittin' kinda like a fettuccini alfredo would. I'd probably order this again, although I think I'd take half of it home. Service as always was very good and since we also appreciate the BYOB advantage... I'm sure we'll be back again.

From Carly, the hostess , to our awesome waiter Cole, our experience was so enjoyable! It was packed but you wouldn't know it from all the attention we got! We started with the "sweetest oysters" that we wished we had dozens more. We split a salad that was so fresh. I had the seafood Rivera which was cooked to perfection! My friend had the veal Rossini so flavorful. Of course we left room for the Italian ricotta cheesecake ! They just get better and better every time I go there! We were very very happy!

Nicola's is your standing NJ Italian American restaurant. I came here for a baby shower on a rainy Saturday. The restaurant was easy to find and had ample parking. The service outshined the food and deserves more than 3 stars. The waitstaff was tremendously attentive and even asked if they needed to change the temperature in the restaurant to accommodate the guests. It felt like we were at a family event with that level of hospitality. The food was good. What I expected. Portions were perfectly appropriate for lunch. The restaurant was also prepared to make adjustments for those of us who have allergies and sensitivities. If you're looking for a venue for a bridal, birthday, or baby brunch this spot checks all of the boxes!

Solid Italian experience. Great service and food, everyone in our party enjoyed their meals from appetizers to entrees. BYOB so that is nice as well. I ll be back

My niece had a small wedding party sit down dinner during the week. There was so much food and the food was excellent. The wait staff was on top of everything. I would certainly be going back.

Food was delicious and full of flavor. Serving size was huge and waiters were super attentive. Restaurant was beautiful and super accommodating with my 18mo old when he started to get fussy. Will definitely be back

We started out with the calamari and it was delicious and for our dinner we had mixed mushrooms with truffles pappdelli

Excellent service. Nice atmosphere. Food was standard Italian fare. It's BYOB. Prices are reasonable.

This place was awesome loved the food and the service. Food: I had the Fettucine Portofino - shrimp, scallops, and shiitake mushrooms in a marechiara sauce. OMG the plate was lovely super tasty definitely a lot of food. The wild mushroom ravioli was also great because of the sauce was perfect. Wild Mushroom Ravioli topped with shiitake mushroom and asparagus in a light vodka sauce. The only this about this place is that you need to BYOB which I didn't although they have a wine bar next door it's a bit overpriced.

$26 for a portion of Chicken Parm that wouldn't fill my 6 year old. 1.5 pieces of thin small chicken. 3 tiny potato's and 2 pieces of the saddest asparagus I've ever seen. I've never seen asparagus so skinny and short. There are much better Italian places in the area.

This restaurant is been going down the hill. Food is just average for the price they charge. Very noisy and unable to hold a conversation with the person next to you. For what you pay, you can do better. Will not ever go back.

What can i say about the best restaurant in Nj ! The fish is by far the best in the area . We eat here probably once a week ! The ambiance has been updated and the service is the best! The entire menu is great! There are alot of restaurants in this area but hands down nothing compares to here. The quality is top notch and its also a byob . I highly recommend!

You simply must Love Jersey as you can eat like kings in these great BYOB places and not get killed on liquor up charges. It really allows you to spread yourself out across the menu and try so many different things. I have never been here before, but it is highly recommended by multiple people. 8 of us tonight head in and our table is reserved, and we are seated on time. The place is huge with lots of space, nooks, crannies etc. and the service is bustling. We are immediately presented with complimentary 'Bruschetta" and Eggplant dip along with hot fresh bread as our wines are opened and our orders of bottled water are brought. The menu is diverse but standard for these parts. We decided simply to order A LOT and eat family style, so I'll break it down as we go. The place is packed, and it seems most of North Jersey is here as we know about 25% of the patrons LOL. Appetizers: Fried Calamari was a different take on your standard presentation with some spice and soy sauce. Not really my cup of tea but everyone seemed to enjoy it. Clams Oreganato were delicious. The mozzarella in carozza was very good as well with some nice marinara to dip. Kale salad was ok but then gain I hate Kale. Prosciutto di Parma and mozzarella were top shelf quality. The 2nd course was pasta which was a house specialty and they made up a little dish for each of us. Hands down best thing on the table all night. Homemade Orecchiette Ragumini meatballs, short ribs, and pork braciola in a red sauce. Entrée: Veal Parm was standard but High-quality veal cooked properly made this a winner. Shrimp & Chicken in brandy cream sauce perfect balance with jumbo shrimp big fresh and clean. Halibut oreganato was clean fresh fish same sauce the clams were in so another winner. Chicken Scarpello they forget the hot cherry peppers, but the sausage and sauce was delish. At this point we couldn't move but we still went for a few deserts. The Cheesecake was killer as was the carrot cake, and I know they buy their gelato, but the pistachio was so good. Service was fantastic with food moving quickly, water and bread refilled, and on top of any of our needs all night. Price points were beyond INEXPENSIVE for quality of food served and amount. All and all just a great evening with good friends at a place I will absolutely do again.

My husband and I really enjoyed this place when the original owners were here , since they retired it's nothing but downhill. We've been disappointed on 2 consecutive visits . The blonde hostess needs to improve her customer relations. RUDE !! We've also noticed lots of the waiters have changed . Seems like they left too . Not a great sign . Our apps were down right cold . How can you serve cold cooked clams ? Salads were good . Our entrees were not the same as we always had. Smaller portions and different flavors. The kitchen needs to go back as it was years ago . This place won't be around for long. There are so many great places byob in the area that's worth visiting before you decide to try it here .

Yes, this experience could have been alot better. We walked into a lively atmosphere and expected a jovial evening. It was anything but. For starters, the service was abominable. We had to wait for an eternity to have our wine bottle opened....and when I asked the hostess to send someone, she acted like I was asking her to cut her right arm off. The server was even worse. As soon as our wine was poured she snapped at us for our order. We ordered salads which she tried to take from us before we even finished. Three of our entrees arrived together and again we had to wait for the fourth for a very long time. When we asked about it, no one was aware that there was a plate missing. .....so more wait time. I ordered a capuccino and never received it, but surely it was on the check. The food was mediocre. I understand that the restaurant is under new ownership, which may explain the difference between some of the previous reviews and what we experienced. I certainly will never head back.

BELLISSIMO!!! As a native of Italy, the food at Nicolas has ALWAYS been and STILL is completely authentic and homemade. Nicola Jr. and his staff are committed and you will ALWAYS go home full and happy . Love it here !!

We came here on a Sunday to celebrate my mom's birthday. We were a party of 6 and made reservations in advance, just to be safe. This place has a large parking lot, so parking is not an issue. Upon being seated, we were served bread and butter; and waters were poured for all of us. We brought our own wine bottles too, and the servers assisted in pouring the wine for us as well, which was nice. We stared out ordering some appetizers. We went with the calamari and hot antipasto for two. Both of these dishes were excellent choices. The calamari was my favorite of the two. For my main dish. I went with the seabass. I love a good cooked fish, and this seabass was outstanding. It was the perfect dinner choice. My girlfriend went with the vela rossini, and she loved it as well. I tired a bit of it and really enjoyed the taste. Everything here was just so delicious. It was an excellent Italian restaurant this place was. Highly recommended!

" Miss the owners " The warm greetings from the original owners are missed . The food is no longer the same as it was. We had average appetizers, but my husband had to send back his dish twice . Once it was the wrong order , then when it came out it was extremely spicy!! He doesn't eat spicy foods. So this was obviously someone else's dish . My husband travels a lot for work and we always looked forward to coming here when he was home . Unfortunately this was a horrible experience on a Friday night. I truly hope this isn't going to be what the future holds for this once great restaurant.

Our food was cold !!! My boyfriend ordered steak that was as inedible. We spoke to our waiter who sent to us a woman who says she was the owner. We didn't expect this to occur . Very young lady who was not understanding or interested. In other words no one else complained about the food tonight!!!! She offered us dessert complimentary. We expressed to her that we can't have dessert due to medical conditions.Very very rude! We heard from others around us the original owners were nice people. But the young lady now seems she won't be in business much longer. I myself am In wholesale business and deal with customers daily . She definitely can use some tips on customer service skills . Stay away!!

Wow wow wow where do i even start ! This place is a true hidden gem . The food was 10/10 amazing fresh flavourful the service world class ! The host was so sweet and accommodating ! This was my first time here and ill be back many many times you my friends have a customer for life now ! Seafood pasta was amazing , steak cooked perfectly , pasta was home made and fresh ! Stuffed artichoke was amazing !

We were traveling to the area and asked the hotel for recommendations for an Italian restaurant. The clerk recommended Nicola's and below is our unsolicited review. We were able to visit Nicola's on a Friday and were the first couple seated for the dinner seating. We were wonderfully greeted by all staff and was given an excellent review of the evening's specials. Our main waiter, Jalil, was knowledgeable not only with the specials but with the entire menu. His people skills were outstanding and genuine. During the evening, we were served by most staff and never wanted or waited on anything. The food was authentic, delicious, and exceeded our expectations. We can't recommend this restaurant and dining experience enough and can't wait to return to the area so we can relive the experience.

Nicola's has been our favorite go-to Italian restaurant for yearsssss when we want a pleasant meal/evening all-around - and they never disappoint. But tonight's meal was EXTRAORDINARY and incited my need to write yet another review. From the moment we walk in and greeted by the super friendly, professional Carly and Sam, we relax... and as soon as we sit at the table, the very attentive staff has our water, wine glasses, bread and Eggplant/Bruschetta samples ready. Our appetizer has been the Spock Shrimp because we love the garlic sauce and can order it NO SALT, NO SPICE to help with my diet (i save the extra sauce and pour on my dishes) My friend ordered my FAVORITE pasta dish ever, the Mushroom Ravioli, with a sauce that is out of this world and i cant wait to take home leftovers and use with vegetables and other things thrown in. The Veal Chop i ordered is usually Milanese but again, for diet purposes, i asked for it to be grilled and Nick made it soooooo juicy and tasty, i sometimes thought i was eating my favorite steak. We always finish the meal with a Macchiato of which they make the BEST anywhere. I shall sleep well once again tonight with my stomach so satisfied!!

Nicola's has never disappointed us!! I'm still getting texts from my family raving about the food and service. 8/3 Celebrating my husband's birthday with family - total about 18 of us. I originally wanted the reservation for 5pm. I was told that they had two other parties and asked me to please push it to 6:30pm. Yeah - sure - because we just love this place and their food!!!! No worries- I sent a quick text to the family and no problem. I arranged for the pre-fix menu so that we could all get our apps, salad and entrees at the same time. We had plenty of wine - wait staff made sure to keep the bottles uncorked and on ice. Nicola's is always lively. A little noisy but you can tell the patrons are enjoying themselves. We sure did. Water for the table immediately Drinks - soda orders Apps start coming out within 20 minutes of us getting there Waiter comes around to take salad orders and entree orders It was seamless - the night just flowed and so did the wine. My family enjoyed the food and couldn't believe how much food kept coming out. Everyone enjoyed their entree selection. We bought our own pastries and a small cheesecake - they were kind enough to unbox them and place on serving platers. Fresh fruit platers were included with the package - by this time we couldnt eat another bite. So I took that home. They also gave us all the leftover apps. Big shout out to Brian T our waiter - he went above and beyond: he was pleasant, accommodating, helpful, attentive and approachable. As I said in the beginning of my review : NICOLA'S HAS NEVER DISAPPOINTED US! My husband and I met at Nicola's when they were in Hawthorne in 2007. They will always have a place in our hearts. See you again soon!

We came here for a last-minute date night dinner on a Saturday night, and surprisingly they had a table available. The food was delicious, and the service was on point. Pictures are from our first visit. BYOB is a plus! I originally started writing this review well over a year ago. We returned a few times since, most recently this past summer, and everything was great!

Had been here many years ago, and decided to make it a go again. If I could do a 2.5 I would have rated it as such. The place was clean, location was great, the staff was quick to help and serve us.... But the food was blah. The Caesar Salad was blah, the bread was okay and then came the entrees. One of the specials was pumpkin ravioli... blah and the cream sauce was too thick! The short rib ravioli was tastier than the special. Wanted it to be so much better. The cappuccinos and amoretti cake were actually tasty and nice way to end a blah dinner. Wanted this place to be better.

Went on a Sunday as hours online indicate availability. Tried to call ahead to no avail, and arrived to find the place totally locked up in the middle of their posted business hours. Waste of time

Nicola's is a favorite of my family's. The food and service are always on-point, and it's BYO which is an added plus. I recently came in for dinner with my mom and we started with the zucchini flowers from the specials menu, which were stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto. They were lightly fried and served with a red sauce... so good! For entrees we got the squid ink pasta with seafood special and the gnocchi. Both were delicious. The squid ink pasta was a bit too al dente for me, but I overall really enjoyed the dish. The gnocchi was tossed in creamy, fresh pesto sauce with shrimp. As always, the service was friendly and attentive. I wish they accepted reservations for smaller parties, but otherwise I love everything about this place. Nicola's is a great spot for delicious food with a wonderful ambiance.

Always a great experience from the professional staff to the incredible food, Nicola's never disappoints. We have been going for years and the food is consistently delicious. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the owners are very welcoming. I have recommended Nicola's to my friends and coworkers and they all have been blown away. They too are now regular customers.

Food and service were very good. Ambience was very loud and crowded. Not the best for a date night. Better for a group night out.

Consistently one of the best Italian restaurants in North Jersey. Quality ingredients and a friendly staff and owners for over 15 years now. They never disappoint!

We made a last-minute reservation and it was pleasant and the food was great. I was there before but because it's the opposite direction from where I frequently travel, I forget about this place. I should remember it more often.

Came with a group of friends and everyone was thrilled with their meal. I ordered the Seabass Nicola served over sautéed escarole with cannellini beans and it was phenomenal!!! One of the best fish dishes I had in a long time. The server was friendly and patient with all of our questions. Will definitely be coming back.

The food was ok to good, the service very good, the ambience was good. In whole a medium type place. The annoying thing to me was that they charge 3%, for use of a credit card and automatically add a gratuity of 22% fora party of 6. L

Had few bad experiences here in the past . It used to be great but it was getting worse on each visit. Today I tried to take my 72 year old Mom there on our way back from the shore . It was 2:45 and on Yelp it says they were open until ten. I guess he doesn't need the business because the guy there bascially chased us out and said they were closed until 4. That was not listed anywhere. It worked out for us though because we went to Se7te pizza down the road and had an amazing meal with great service for half the price

I will begin that I dined here on a busy Saturday evening so I will be conscious of the limitations of the situation. First off, the staff are amazing. They were prompt and attentive in this way over crowed restaurant. I mean truly amazing. So like I said way over crowed and very loud. I was at a round table of 5 people and literally was screaming to the person across from me due to just how loud the ambiance of this restaurant was on this night. The food was expensive and I'm sorry, just not worth the cost. My short ribs with wide noodles had no taste but of the noodles starchy water. My artichoke was not fully cooked. So maybe I might give it another chance on a weekday but never again on a Saturday.

Staff was very friendly, chef even came out to greet tables ! It was pretty busy when we went but were able to walk in and get a seat. First time but certainly not our last. Only thing we didn't like was the calamari. We'll cooked but very bland. Added a ton of salt, pepper, and butter and that helped. Also it's BYOB

The good: reservation made and when we all got to the restaurant, our table was ready. Service was excellent, the staff is very efficient. Now, the not so good: Generally the food. This used to be a very good place to dine. Cesar salad was good, nothing great, but at least the lettuce was cold. The dressing was not the worst but there was no burst of flavor. Arugula salad I was told was not so good. Chicken and shrimp entre was devoid of flavor. What was supposed to be a cream- brandy sauce. It was just a weird bright pinkish sauce that if it wasn't for the strange color, it would not be missed. The shrimp cut in half and seemed to be just steamed and then put in the dish. The chicken was not dry, but there was no seasoning on it either. . Shrimp Francaise was awful. The sauce had not even a hint of wine, butter, or lemon, Just seemed to be some kind of flour and water. Halibut was OK but my friend said there is no reason to return. We all were adding salt and pepper over and over to get some flavor off of the plate. Sunday dinner was very good. Desert: lava cake I was told was delicious. Tartufo was great but it comes from Nastos in Newark. I ordered that because the food cooked in the kitchen was below par. Coffee was good. I am very saddened to write this review because the food in the past was really good. Does anyone in the Yelp community know if there is a new owner? If so, he/she needs to watch the food channel, or buy several books by Ina Garten.

I have eaten here several times over the last 3 years and have always had great food and service. It's been about a year since I was last there and went back recently. I was very disappointed. Ordered 4 apps: Baked clams - all breading and dry Stuffed artichoke - tough and bland Zucchini flowers - over battered and bland Spoc shrimp - tasty but shrimp needs more texture. Maybe grill or sear the shrimp or pat in flour and brown in butter. Entrees: Fettuccine w/chunks of lobster in a pink brandy cream sauce - so salty! Chilean sea bass - bland Short rib ravioli - so salty! Our waiter asked how everything was during our appetizers and I told him the baked clams were all breading and dry and that the actual clam was the size of a dime. He made a face at me and walked away. Never said, I'm so sorry. I will let the chef know. Do you want something else. I will take them off the bill. I was shocked! I will not be going back anytime soon.

An above average Italian restaurant which used to be better. It's hit or miss and increasingly overpriced with a credit card fee.

This spot is fast becoming one of my go to spots for great Italian food. And, although I've been here before I'm basing this review on my last two visits. The first visit was on business with a sales rep, the other an evening out with great friends. Located in a strip mall this restaurant has a sophisticated indoor ambience with great traditional Italian service. A special shout out to Brian, just one of the great servers here. Like Brian, everyone here seems very knowledgeable about the food and are both friendly and attentive. I'll start by mentioning the amazing menu here, filled with old school Italian options along with some great specialty dishes. There are so many great choices, you'll definitely have a hard time making a selection. I'm going to mention just some, but every single one was on point. I'll start with the Veal San Remo, topped with mozzarella, prosciutto and asparagus. The veal was pounded thin and so tender, very delicious. The classic Chicken Scarpiello, sausage and mushrooms sautéed in garlic and white wine. This next one, Veal Milanese Pomodoro with a veal chop pounded thin, I switched from a mixed greens to broccoli rabe. This was amazing. Gorgonzola Stuffed Figs special, Grilled Octopus, Chilean Sea Bass served over escarole and cannellini beans and an amazing Hot Antipasto. Also don't forget to try their homemade Ricotta Cheesecake, light and delicious. All in all, a great spot and I highly recommend.

Great food- nice atmosphere, friendly owners. The food is always great. Their specials are always fantastic. Oysters are fresh and tasty. We go here @ least once every time I'm home. Love it!

Great meal here last night! Food was very good and great portion sizes as well. Staff was extremely accommodating and attentive throughout the meal. Added bonus, it's a BYO! Looking forward to getting back here soon!

We've been there many times over the years and have always had great meals with great service. Everything is made to order and served flaming hot. Bring your own wine and save $15 a glass. If you forget there is a store two doors down.

My family has been going to Nicola's since it was in Hawthorne. This place never disappoints. The menu is huge and you can always find Italian classics done impeccably well, as well as specials that will blow your mind! The wait staff makes you feel right at home, and the place is place is a BYOB. You can't go wrong!

I went to Nicola's with 2 other people. First we were told that we had to pick something that was fast to make because the kitchen was closing soon. (it was 7:45pm) So, obligingly, we all ordered salad. I had the cold seafood salad, and my guests has Caesar salads. Then they wanted chicken on the Caesar salads. No problem but no extra price listed. Seafood was $20.00 and Caesar was $10.00 each. When we finished and got the bill, they charged $16.00 EXTRA for each chicken addition. This is the most ridicules amount I ever paid for chicken Caesar. $26.00each. NEVER AGAIN!!

Byob! Great Italian food. Always buzzy. Upscale food and dress. Make reservations.

What used to be a great place to go seems like it's given up. Food was the worst I've had in years of going to this place. The specials were the worst. Must have been specials because it was old food. Octopus looked and tasted like rubber, ravioli was tough, scallops had more oil than meat, couldnt eat the pork chops as they were way over cooked. Then we were rushed out because the staff wanted to leave. We left dinner to go get dinner elsewhere. This place has become such a disappointment and I nor anyone in my group will EVER go here again. It was fun while it lasted but it's Just terrible now.