Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties’ menu features Italian dishes often reserved for sit-down, date night restaurants, with items such as pork bolognese, chilled poached shrimp and carpaccio—a raw beef dish made with Wagyu steak.

But the Hyde Park restaurant, opened in 2019, serves its wares in an approachable, cafe-style location, which features espresso drinks, pastries and cocktails focused on Italian bitters, such as Negronis, alongside pasta dishes.

"We wanted something that was neighborhood friendly, a little bit more accessible to this community,” co-owner Nic Yanes said.

Yanes added that the Hyde Park neighborhood’s walkability and bikeability was an inspiration behind the concept.

“This definitely is a neighborhood that has a lot of character,” Yanes said.


Yanes also co-owns Juniper, an upscale restaurant in East Austin, a second Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties location at 1123 E. 11th St., Austin, and owns or manages a handful of other eateries throughout the city.

Yanes said the inspiration for the menu is northern Italian flavors combined with a more American interpretation of the dishes.

He said the restaurant serves as a place for residents to have coffee or a cocktail while they work or pick up food with their families. He said several customers walk over for coffee in the morning and a Negroni in the afternoon.

“It’s really just a nice, casual spot to be able to come into and hang out with friends or grab a quick bite to eat or study or read or have a drink with friends,” Yanes said.


Uncle Nicky's

Hyde Park

4222 Duval St., Austin

512-318-2877


www.unclenickys.com

Hours: Daily 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

East

1123 E. 11th St., Austin


512-309-8960

www.unclenickys.com

Hours: Daily 8 a.m.-11 p.m.