Service was very good, very attentive, but the décor is very, eh, ‘Italian’, and by that I mean eclectic and somewhat tasteless. But the food is the most important thing, so how was that? Well, ok, but nothing I or many of my friends could accomplish in our own homes. I had the cannelloni, which was somewhat indistinguishable from the lasagne and tasted much the same. For starters we had the aubergine which was, well, an aubergine, and the garlic prawns which were garlic prawns. Everything is carried out with the minimum of panache or anything to distinguish it from what your mate would make, but is nevertheless not ‘rustic home style’ either. Wine list is expensive and I could name-check a number of wines which were 30% cheaper elsewhere. Uninspiring overall.

Second time here and was just as good as first time....

Stopped by for a bite after 9 pm. Read many good reviews in Menupages, but the food didn’t live up to my expectation. Attentive service (not annoying), lovely atmosphere from live piano music, some could argue it’s a bit formal. As we wanted something light for late evening, my friend had seafood spaghetti and I had veal as the menu had 6-7 veal options. Spaghetti was nice, nothing spectacular. Veal was only okay as well, portion is not generous. With 2 mains, one side dish, a bottle of house red and 2 coffees, the bill was 72 euro excl. tip. Good to see a restaurant that keeps traditional feel, but wouldn’t rush back.

Went with my girlfriend. We are both in our 20s and noticed that most of the customers there seemed to be regulars of 50+. The food was excellent. The atmosphere was very pleasant with the piano played live in the background. Overall I would recommend it and will return.

My first visit to Nicos was for a family dinner recently. Recommended by my partners father. Food was nice, service was good, price was ok. Nothing about the place blew me away, therefore probably won't go back, but i do stress all was good at the resturant and very authentic, just not my cup of tea.

Enjoyable food which is very simple and tasty. Scampi are delicious and steaks are a good size and enjoyable. Very traditional.

Went to Nico's for the first time with my boyfriend after a recommendation. The minute we stepped through the door it was like being transported back to an old Italian 1980's dining room - absolutely fantastic! There was a pianist playing soft romantic music in the back ground and although we didnt' have a reservation we were brought to a table straight away. Both our waiters were Italian and extremely helpful and friendly - we ordered a gorgeous bottle of Pouilly Fumé (which was a little expensive but totally worth it). For starters I had the ravioli pasta served in a consumé followed by the Nico's pasta special (cream, mushrooms, peas, garlic and serrano ham) - both were absolutely delish! It was a fantastic night full of atmosphere and great food - will definately return!

This is an old favourite. I hadn't been here for a while when I returned recently, but it was as good as ever. The food is great, the staff know their stuff, and the atmosphere is warm, comfortable and friendly. I love it! Looking forward to the next time.

Best Italian food in Dublin. Great quality and decent portions. Always a warm welcome here too. Staff know their business extremely well. Lovely athmosphere too. Will always return time and time again.

Had lunch with my wife and 2 children in this restaurant. The lunch special deals were excellent. A main course with garlic bread on the side for €8.95. This was a feast for the price of a snack. My children had pizzas which were rustic in presentation with the toppings piled high. They loved them. My wife and I had chicken and pasta dishes which were huge portions and very tasty. Service was excellent. Looking forward to going again, perhaps in the evening to try the 'early bird' menu which also seemed very well priced.

had a great evening. we had booked a table for four but when we arrived with a party of five it was no problem. The restaurant manages to have a pleasing bustle while still feeling intimate. The food was generally pretty good. The pate was lovely and generous. The steaks tender and perfectly cooked. Our favourite was the aubergine starter. We stay on chatting till late with no pressure to move on once the bill had been settled. An old fashioned delight.

This restaurant has a lovely central location in Dublin city center. My wife and I dined here on a Saturday evening. My first impression as I walked through the door was that this is lovely place and it did turn out to be a very comfortable, the atmosphere and décor in this restaurant is very nice. I’m afraid that’s where the good news for our experience in Nico’s ends. My wife ordered the aubergine starter, I decided not to have a starter and just enjoy some wine while looking forward to my main meal. My wife’s starter turned out to be a plate of mushy overcooked aubergine smothered in a fairly plain tomato sauce. Btw the menu listed here on the website appears to be in need of updating to reflect what is currently on offer and also updated with current pricing. For our mains my wife had the Ravioli filled with beef in a heavy cream sauce it was overcooked pasta filled with zero taste meat in a tasteless cream sauce, she ate about half & the portion was not big. My main was veal fillets in tomato sauce, when the plate was placed in front of me I just thought….where’s the meat? it was there alright drowning in a sea of tomato sauce, strangely similar to the sauce that came with the aubergine starter, I ate all the meat that I could find, it didn’t take long it was the thinnest slice of veal ever, definitely disappointing for the money being charged. We also ordered a side of sautéed potatoes these were the best part of the food although I’m fairly sure they were deep fried, not sautéed. We each had a glass of the house wine I had a white and my wife had a red and it was quite enjoyable. We decided not to have deserts or coffe. So one starter two mains one side and two glasses of wine came to €68 [there was a €6.20 service charge added and not much service provided]. Please feel free to try for yourselves but my advice is that you keep your money and go have a meal in a restaurant where the person cooking for you actually cares about what they’re making for you and not just about getting their hands on your hard earned. W

My boyfriend took me here for new years eve as his parents had recommended it to us and I was looking forward to a nice meal. He had the parma ham and melon to start which was fine but you can't really go wrong with that. I had the prawn cocktail which for the price I was paying was extremely disappointing. The portion size was small and the prawns were inedible, I don't eat meat so I usually have fish dishes. I had never tasted prawns like this, they were gritty and almost soggy. For our main courses my boyfriend had the prawns in the garlic and white wine sauce and for €22.95 the presenatation left alot to be desired. I had scampi which was presented in the same manner. Again the prawns and the scampi were inedible and we had to send them back. The vegetables, which were extras, were the only thing I deemed worthy to be served in a restaurant. However the staff were extremely friendly and we were offered antoher meal. We declined and our two main courses were taken off the final bill, the price of the wine on the otherhand was increased by €12!!! We may have simply ordered the wrong thing as the couple beside us looked to have lovely meals. I would not recommend ordering any prawn dishes. I left Nico's hungry and unimpressed.

Had our christmas party on sat night with 18 going.... great night, music, food, ambiance staff were great.... entertained us all night from dancing to singing.... everyone had a great night. Well done.

This is a great place. The staff are very efficient and very friendly. We always feel very welcome when we come here, and never feel like we have to hurry. The food is very good. I had the ravioli, while others had various fish and veal dishes. I tasted the Sole Duffin which was prawns wrapped in sole with a very nice creamy sauce. I recommend this place to anybody and I am already looking forward to going back again. Since this place got done up, the toilets are pretty good, so I dont have a thing to complain about!

Hard to believe it's been two years since my last visit. Everything was as good as I remembered. Four of us sat down to a very good meal. Starters included, Minestrone, pate and Nicos salad - all appreciated. Three of us went for the Penne Arrabiatta as a main course and ice cream was the favoured dessert. Service was attentive and the live music from the pianist was a very pleasant touch. Food, wine, coffees and service came in at €45 each

Quite simply, one of the best restaurants in Dublin. Have been to Nicos so many times (since having been introduced by my Dad) and have never been disappointed. It's an old-school Dublin institution (the same chef for 30+ years!) and is one of the few places in the capital to which I will gladly bring any friends passing through the city. The grub is truly excellent and the service and ambience exemplary. Try the ravioli in brodo and the veal. Highly recommended...

Came across this place with my boyfriend after a show in the Oylimpia theatre and have to say I was completely impressed! Staff were helpful and friendly and the piano music was such a nice touch! It looks very classy inside but it's very mixed with some people very dressed up and others casual, and everything was reasonably priced. The food was beautiful - I had the soup with raviolli to start and then pasta carbonara which was devine! Portions were perfectly sized - managed to finish them without being uncomfortably full! The wine was lovely too and very reasonable at €21 for house red. I will definately be back!

I have been going to Nicos for years and everything the food is great and the service cannot be faulted. The food is quite simple and you also get what you order. The best dish is their fillet steak with home made pepper sauce.

Went to this very very old haunt of ours last Thursday night and we were really pleasantly surprised. We booked for 7.30pm and due to late arrival of our French Guest it was 8.30pm when we arrived (We had notified them) My guest and I had two different soups to start at 5.00 euro each which were excellent and the third person in the party opted just to have a main course. The main courses were two veal dishes (different) and one pasta dish, The only really irritating thing was that all veg was extra so one could not order a mixed veg and at 3.50 per portion we thought this was expensive. However, The house wine was very well priced at 21.50 for an Italian red which was very drinkable. The service throughout was really very attentive and could not be faulted. The piano playing at the front of the restaurant added greatly to the atmosphere but a little loud at times. We left feeling very satisfied and we will not hesitate to go back on another occasion. Malcolmg

Great value! i was in Nicos last Friday, my friend and i ordered penne arrabiata and cannelloni, a bottle of wine and two irish coffes and tiramisu (real tiramisu, like in Massa), everythig was delicious and the sevice supreme. The atmosphere isn't loud at all, that i loved it! i'll be back soon to try the fillet steak!!! and more tiramisu!!

Love this restaurant. Have eaten here a couple of times and the food has been out standing on each occasion. Particularly good fillet steaks. The atmosphere is lovely too, nice touch with the piano playing. Perfect restaurant for a romantic meal out.

Went to Nicos for lunch when staying in Dublin for a few days. Set menu very good value for excellent authentic Italian food. Very few people there which meant the atmospgere wasnt great

We went to Nico's for a birthday party. The atmosphere is "ok" if you fancy spending your dinner in a restaurant that look like the Soprano's one. Even though the interiors did not match my tastes, this does not mean that they are bad. they are just a bit "heavy". the service was sufficiently professional. The food surprisingly good. I reccomend to take the fresh hand mande pasta. It was very good. Portions are abudandant. The wine list is sufficient. Toilette were clean, new and spacious. The dinner was a bit pricey. taking everything into account I would go back and I would reccomend it exspecially for lunches. If you work close a nice pasta for lunch will give you the right energy for the day

Went here for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, Ive always passed it and wanted to try. Piano touch is lovely and nice atmosphere. A bit small though and pasta did not come with the main course? Weird for an italian? Basically just had pieces of chicken with no pasta, i would have ordered it extra if i had known!

We went here for a friend of mine's birthday, you can't fault the atmosphere, its cosy, if not a little squashed, with a musician playing the piano, which creates a lovely scene, the service was a lot less than desired, we practically had to jump up and down to order some wine, then they mixed up the foof, my friend ordered a well done steak and it came out rare, she sent it back and by the time it came back everyone else had finished their meal so she this completely spoilt her meal, the steak was taken off the bill but overall I had expected a lot more from this restaurant!

Nicos was one of those restaurants that stood still in time, with a varied and good value for money menu, great staff and atmosphere. Having said that I returned there last night for the first time within a year and was greatly disappointed by the drastic changes that have been made. Menu prices have shot up and the decor has been updated for a more modern look which is not suited to the restaurant. On a plus side it was a welcome to have new toilets which are now clean and usable. Will not return, overall bad value for money and atmosphere in the restaurant is gone.

Called in by accident as starving and taxi dropped us outside. Really impressed. Good atmosphere for a Tuesday night at 10:30. Enjoyed the piano music, very nice touch. Food was real italian tasty and simple food. Staff attentive but not overly, thank god. Will definitely call back for romantic meal soon.

Five of us ate here last night, the table was originally booked for three but when we turned up they were more than happy to accommodate us. Its looks like the place has just undergone a complete refurb, it’s very very nice. The table was laid beautifully and the staff were very nice. We opted for a bottle of house red, a bottle of frascati, two beers and a sparkling water. We ordered four ravioli’s and one penne arrabiata with two sides. All were divine. We also had five desserts and when we asked for something that wasn’t on the menu they were more than happy to make this for us. The bill was about €180 for 5 I think that’s great value. Would definitely recommend!

Once again my meal was superb! My partner and I arrived about 9.30 and were seated immediatley. We hardly needed a menu because we always have the same. Two fillets of Beef with spinach & fries.(Loose the naff tomato wedge garnish guys! - Not necessary) Always delicious and washed down with a lovely Brunello we were well satisfied! I love the fact that the room reminds me of a certain Torquay Hotel restaurant! It's charming! The waiters are lovely. Service very attentive and the pianist was churning it out. The only gripe I have is the toilets are a disgrace. Sort them out PLEASE!

We went there last night and Nicos was actually recommended by the couple we went with. All i can say is in the most elegant way possible..."What a dump!". I do respect the idea of "old world Charm"..however dirty toilets, toilet doors without locks have nothing to do with this. My partner had a Mushroom Soup which she actually returned. After tasting it myself i came to the conclusion that Campbells would have done a better job. My antipasti plate was ok, also three slices of salami, two slices of ham and a bit of mortadella & Parmesan garnished with 5 black cheap olives and three head of marinated baby mushroom did not exactly set the world on fire. Veal for main course. For € 21.95 my veal was dry and just about edible, garnished with a wedge of lemon, tomato and shredded lettuce it did not necessary looked like a piece of art either. And the same applied for my wife. A portion of fresh spinach (three mouthful) at €3.95 added to the insult. BUT. The homemade Tiramisu was indeed excellent. All in all its a mystery why patrons put up with this "old world charm" where all i can see is a stingy owner who fails to invest into the future.

I went here a few months ago for dinner and I was disappointed with the food. The place is in need of complete refurbishment and look very dated inside and whilst there was nothing wrong with food. It was nothing special and I certainly would not be overly enthusiastic about returning to it.

I ate here for my birthday this year, and last time I visited was 5 years ago. The place had not changed a bit, and the food and atmosphere was just as lovely as I remembered. We were very well looked after, and our wine glasses and water were constantly topped up. Complimentary digestifs at the end of our meal also.

I went here with some friends and loved the old decor. From start to finish the experience was great. I couldn't fault anything. It is the best Italian restaurant I've been to outside Italy. Cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough.

This restaurant is an absolute gem. Decor is classy and a live piano creates a really warm and seductive ambiance. Service is friendly and prompt with some fine native Italian men. Fettuccine al Nicos is divine and a good price too, they also have a wide variety of Italian wines to suit any pallet. Definitely worth a visit!

Went there on a Saturday night, at the start I wasn't impressed as it took them about 5 mins to seat us. The ambiance of this restaurant is very classy, you gotta love the way it's secluded from the outside world, and the gorgeous red elegant curtains. Service was quite good too. I also thoroughly enjoyed the meal, I could easily say it was one of the nicest meals I had in an Italian restaurant in a long time. I'd deffo go back there again, perfect place for a romantic evening.

We ate here before a show in the Olympia. I thought it was a disaster. We ordered carbonara pasta, which had frozen peas in it that were still frozen. I ordered a glass of the house white, which was similar to vinegar. The service was quite poor and there was absolutely no atmosphere. I have read the previous reviews so maybe they were having a very, very bad day when we were there.

My first experience of Nicos last Friday night. Cannot believe I have not eaten in this gem before. Not the most modern of decors but who cares, food, wine and especially service was excellent. Already looking forward to my return.

Set in a most elegant dining room the Nico's Restaurant is matched only by the care and effort that goes into satisfying even the most discerning palate...probably one of Dublin's busiest restaurants combining great food, service and atmosphere...

I ate here a few weeks back and I have to say it was one of the best Italian meals I have eaten in Dublin. I was there as part of a group of 5 and every plate was cleaned, which I think is always a good sign. The place is great, in that it isn't modern, and the piano playing was a great addition to the evening and not an infringement on the evening as the music can be in some restaurants. Definitely recommend it.

I’ve started going here more and more when I’m in the mood for Italian food. Great service, and the quality of the food are consistently high. It’s not cheap but you get what you pay for. The atmosphere is particularly good at the weekends.

Excellent Quality for food and service and a well priced meal.

Absolutely delicious, there was no-one in our group disappointed, the steaks were mouth watering as was the sole duffin and we had cauliflower au gratin as one the sides, which was also delicious. We all loved the old world decor and the pianist playing made it really atmospheric. It makes for a lovely evening.

I adore this restaurant so much - food is of great quality and is always good - I have never had a bad experience here - book a table though as they get very busy - definitely recommend it.

I have been going to Nico’s for over years and the place is as good as ever. There are new staff on board who are very helpful. Food was excellent especially all the prawn dishes. It is worth booking in advance as it is a small place and worth every euro that you will pay at the end of the night.

I have had the pleasure of dining at Nico's three times and it has been first class all the way each visit. From friendly, efficient service to excellent food and wine...what more can I say? Can't wait to go back at the end of April!

Love it, Love it, Love it. This little gem has not changed in the 16 years I've eaten there. Great food, Great service, cosy atmosphere and you just have to love the lush red curtains and the piano in the corner.

Great restaurant and well worth a visit. Great food, great atmosphere and the bill wasn't too hefty at all considering the quality and service. I will definitely be going back for more.

This was a wonderful dining experience. The restaurant is small and cosy and the waiting staff are veteran professionals! The food was delicious. It’s pricey but it’s worth it!

One of my favourite restaurants very good Italian food in the old style. I am a regular for many years and have yet to be disappointed. Piano player most evenings and fresh fried scampi to die for. Definitely worth a visit everything first class, service, food and cosy atmosphere décor is a bit like stepping back in time but quirky.

Really old Italian restaurant has been on the go for as long as I can remember, the decor is old and dated flock wallpaper was still there on my last visit but the food is good and wholesome

Nico’s has a lovely cosy atmosphere with friendly staff. The food is really very good (except the French fries). Prawns in garlic and white wine definitely recommended. Well worth a visit.

A very discreet little Italian place found on Dame Street opposite the Mercantile pub. Pricey menu, but offers a wide range of food, not just Italian dishes. Has an elderly man playing the piano most evenings I've been there. Staff are very good and it's a very family run business. The restaurant has character oozing from it. Well worth a night out.