Nicolao - GUBBIO

We are a cycling group who frequently stay at the Park Hotel Ai Cappuccini for vacation and have the pleasure of dining at Nicolao Ristorante. Adriano and his team present a very warm and welcoming atmosphere; entertaining the group with their service. We usually have 4 courses and as the cycling guide, I have had the opportunity to try a variety of each course. To highlight my favourites, Eggplant “ Parmigiana” with mozzarella and tomato sauce, Risotto with fresh asparagus and cherry tomato, Veal fillet with Gubbio black truffle sauce and Pistachios Semifreddo with hazelnut strawberries sauce. All these incredible dishes combine excellent flavours of the fresh local produce and are wonderfully presented to you. I am not experienced in wine, but the choices are delightful and the bar also offers a selection of artisanal craft beers, traditional drinks and light snacks for aperitivo. The decor hosts a collection of art pieces and blends well with the relaxed, but refined atmosphere. It is simply exquisite and always a pleasure.

We loved it. Top quality food, with perfect preparation, in a classy, artsy and relaxed environment with perfect service. I cannot ask for more...

This beautiful restaurant is absolutely first class. We started with prosciutto and melon, which was superb. Then we enjoyed a salad bar, followed by rigatoni with sausage and peppers. After that we proceeded to have a crusted rack of lamb, which was the best I have ever had. Service of course was also first class. Perhaps the best meal we had in Italy.

I had a very pleasant dinner at Nicolao as a member of a well known, long established North American based leisure travel tour group. My tour group stayed two nights at the Park Hotel in Gubbio where Nicolao is based. I am NOT, as the hotel 's responder implied, ANY sort of hotel industry colleague. Having said all that, I found along with my 20+ fellow tour group members that Nicolao presents a well balanced menu of grilled meat and hand made pasta dishes. My lamb was very well executed and the service highly professional. I would heartily recommend this restaurant to anyone who happens upon it though NOT the hotel in which it resides.

Nicolao Ristorante was a unexpected treat during a recent whirlwind visit to Gubbio. Tucked away within the Ai Cappuccini Hotel, it is worth the detour. You can't go wrong staying with their classic Umbrian specialties (some revisited, some just the way the always were prepared, but presented in the contemporary setting of this modern restaurant), but make sure to come hungry. Liked my antipasto, and loved my two primi, sorry, no space for a secondo, but the pear poached in saffron from Gubbio with homemade ice cream was not to be missed. Excellent service, perfect wine pairing (even just by the glass) and I loved being surrounded by other Italians. Would definitely come back!