Nick's
Upper East Side-Yorkville, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Nick's is a practical Upper East Side choice when convenience, broad hours, and a low-pressure meal matter more than a destination dining experience. Book it for a casual return visit, solo meal, or neighborhood lunch; cross-shop Delizia 92, Sfoglia, Barking Dog NYC, Korali, or Tinos if the occasion needs a clearer point of view.
About Nick's
Nick's is a New York City dining option with casual dress and broad daily hours. It is open from late morning through the evening every day, with later closing times Thursday through Sunday.
The decision point is whether you need a fully documented destination meal or simply a casual New York City option that fits the schedule. Consider Nick's a direct choice for convenient timing rather than a trophy booking.
Go when convenience matters more than a big-deal room
The clearest signals are the casual dress code and the hours: Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Thursday and Friday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM. Confirm current details directly before planning around a particular meal.
For wider planning, compare it with other dining options. Delizia 92, Sfoglia, Barking Dog NYC, Korali, and Tinos are names to consider alongside Nick's when building a short list.
Use it as a practical option, not the centerpiece
The practical recommendation is simple: choose Nick's when a casual New York City meal and convenient hours are the priority. For a more researched special-occasion plan, cross-shop harder and confirm current details before committing. Readers mapping a bigger city shortlist should use Our full New York City restaurants guide, with separate planning help from Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City bars guide, Our full New York City wineries guide, and Our full New York City experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 1814 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- nicksnyc.com
- Phone
- +12129875700
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Nick’s reads like a true neighbourhood anchor on the Upper East Side: low-drama, durable and built around returning customers rather than destination-driven acclaim. The write-up stresses a consistent kitchen register and a front-of-house that knows familiar faces, so the room feels familiar and unpretentious. It’s the kind of Italian-American spot that values regularity over showmanship, absorbing a Tuesday dinner with the same ease as a Saturday night. Expect an unfussy, welcoming environment that prioritizes routine community dining rather than special-occasion theater.
Best For
This is a place best suited to local, everyday dining—weeknight dinners, casual family meals and repeat visits from neighbours who live within a few blocks. The profile explicitly contrasts Nick’s with tasting-menu destinations, positioning it instead for steady, reliable service and food that fits into the rhythm of neighbourhood life. If you’re looking for a fuss-free Italian dinner that doesn’t require a special occasion to justify the visit, Nick’s is built for that pattern of return business and comfortable weekday or weekend dining.
Ordering Tips
The description identifies Nick’s as a consistent neighbourhood restaurant with straightforward Italian cooking; the listed signature dishes are the Margherita Pizza and Meatballs. Those items are reasonable first choices to sample the kitchen’s steady register: the Margherita represents the classic, essential offering and the Meatballs demonstrate the homey, familiar side of the menu. The venue’s ethos favors dependable, unpretentious plates rather than tasting-menu experiments, so stick to classics that reflect the restaurant’s neighborhood-rooted approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Casual neighborhood atmosphere with contemporary Italian-American bistro feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Margherita Pizza
- Meatballs
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1814 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to book instead
If Nick's is not the right fit, try Sfoglia for a clearer Italian occasion or Barking Dog NYC for a more casual group meal. Delizia 92 is the other practical Italian cross-shop nearby.
Restaurant context
How Nick's compares on the Upper East Side
Nick's is the easiest recommendation when the priority is convenience and a familiar neighborhood meal. Delizia 92 and Sfoglia are stronger cross-shops when the group specifically wants Italian, with Sfoglia carrying the clearest cuisine signal among the listed peers.
Barking Dog NYC is the safer pick for casual groups that need broad appeal and low ceremony. Korali and Tinos are better alternatives when the group wants to leave the Nick's-style neighborhood fallback category and make a more specific cuisine choice.
For value, the practical split is occasion-driven: choose Nick's for an easy repeat meal, Delizia 92 or Sfoglia for Italian-focused plans, and Barking Dog NYC when group flexibility matters more than culinary specificity.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Nick's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Nick's
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick's | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Delizia 92 | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Barking Dog NYC | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Korali | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Tinos | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Sfoglia | New York City | Italian | 2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #678 |
How Nick's New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Nick's?
What should I wear to Nick's?
Keep it casual. The dress code for Nick's is casual, so there is no need to plan around formal attire.
What are alternatives to Nick's in New York City?
Other names to consider include Delizia 92, Barking Dog NYC, Korali, Tinos, and Sfoglia. Choose based on current availability, menu, and the kind of meal you want.
Is Nick's good for a special occasion?
Nick's is best framed as a casual New York City option. For a more occasion-driven plan, compare current details carefully with Korali, Tinos, or Sfoglia before choosing.
Is lunch or dinner better at Nick's?
Nick's is open from late morning through evening every day: 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 AM to 10 PM Thursday and Friday, and 11 AM to 10 PM Saturday and Sunday. Choose the time that fits your schedule, and confirm current hours before going.
Is Nick's good for solo dining?
Nick's may work for a solo visit if you want a casual New York City meal during its posted hours. Check directly if specific seating or service-format details matter to your visit.
