Uncle Nicky’s Italian Restaurant Has Opened In Austin And I’m Pumped!

Hi babes! I went to check out a new restaurant last week, and I snapped a bunch of pics to share with you. I’m very excited about this place because it’s unlike anything else in Austin right now.

Uncle Nicky’s is the brainchild of the team behind Juniper, Via 313, and Nickel City (three awesome places in Austin!), so I had high  hopes from the beginning. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect in this casual Italian restaurant that took over the Hyde Park corner location of shuttered cafe Dolce Vita, but I had a good feeling about it.

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

I walked in to the restaurant and was shocked that it was A) quite small, and B) mostly standing room. But after just a few minutes of getting used to the space, I started to fall head over heals in love with it, and here’s why: it feels like you’re at a cafe in Italy! It’s small (like European cafes), it has a long table right in the middle (made for perching while you enjoy a quick bite + cocktail), and it has a very casual Italian feel (unlike the formal Italian dining rooms that are already all over Austin.)

Being there reminded me of being in Milan for my bachelorette trip; it’s the type of cafe where my sisters and I would stop in for a quick espresso + pastry in the morning, or a cocktail + panino con salame at 5 pm.

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Quick Facts About Uncle Nicky’s

  • It’s a casual northern Italian cafe and bar in Hyde Park.
  • Open 7 days a week from 7 am – midnight.
  • From chef Nicholas Yanes from Juniper, brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt from Via 313 and Nickel City, and Travis Tober, also from Nickel City.
  • The idea is for this to be a simple, easy cafe that mimics the cafe culture in Italy.
  • Indoor and outdoor seating.

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

^ One of the things I greatly appreciate about this place (and I think you will, too!) is that there are plenty of cocktails for less than $10. Easy.

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

^ The “Kale e Tartufo” salad is so yummy. I don’t often use that word with salads, but this one is just yummy! It’s made with dino kale, pine nuts, pecorino, and truffle honey. I was eating with my friend Shruthi, and she said “I don’t really eat salads” (LOL) so I demolished the entire thing!

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

^ These little pane tostato are $5 or $6 per plate. It’s Italian bread topped with Italian ingredients, perfect for enjoying as an afternoon snack with an aperol spritz, or as an appetizer for lunch or dinner. This one is the “Grazie a Cicero,” topped with garbanzo beans and roasted garlic dip.

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

^ And this pane tostato, the “PB&J,” has a dessert-like quality to it! Just as tasty as it is gorgeous, it’s topped with golden raisin and fig jam, mascarpone, and pine nuts. If only every PB&J I eat could taste this decadent..

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

^ The little sandwiches are about $6 and served on your choice of a roll or foccocia. I tried the spicy capicola and scamorza and loved it!

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

^ Good thing I don’t live in the Hyde Park neighborhood, or I’d be stopping by every morning for an espresso and a cruller. This baby is so airy and soft…it’s almost like putting cotton candy in your mouth.

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas

Uncle Nicky's Austin Texas


Uncle Nicky’s Italian

WEBSITE | 4222 Duval St

Open 7 am – midnight


Also see: Intero Italian restaurant launches a weekend brunch


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