About Nicholson's

We had a big group and they graciously accommodated us. Atmosphere is very good and Heather was great. - 9/25/2026 

Came here for restaurant week. The baked goat cheese appetizer was the best part of the meal for me. We also had the fish and shrimp, and lobster ravioli. The shrimp with the cocktail sauce were so plump and flavorful. Lemon marscapone cake was heavenly. The drink selection is EXTENSIVE. Definitely had a nice European vibe. We made a reservation, but there were plenty of open tables on a Monday night. Would return next time we're in Cincinnati craving a Magners cider! - 9/22/2026 

We stopped at Nicholson's for lunch before a show at the Aronoff, and the location couldn't be more convenient. Our server, Lainey, was wonderful--friendly, pleasant, and very attentive despite being incredibly busy with the pre-theater crowd. She kept checking on us, and our food arrived promptly. She was definitely the highlight of our visit. Unfortunately, the shepherd's pie was a real disappointment. In a Scottish restaurant surrounded by plaid, I expected something traditional. Instead, it contained green peppers and appeared to be meat filling topped with a single scoop of mashed potatoes rather than an actual baked shepherd's pie. The Caesar salad was mediocre, although the unexpected side salad was quite good. I would return for the convenient location and Lainey's excellent service, but definitely not for the shepherd's pie. This shepherds pie is different than other pics submitted in yelp reviews. 4 stars because of Lainey it it with have been less stars. - 9/20/2026 

First time in Cincy and this was my favorite restaurant. I had the shrimp and fish. We had a large party and they accommodated us well. Everyone liked their food. Shrimp was cooked beautifully - 9/18/2026 

Within minutes of ordering, I received a call. Our presence was required elsewhere. Our server (Tracy, I believe) and the chef took superb care of us! Our meals were carefully boxed up and we were sent on our way. The food, consumed later, at home, was delicious. And I will never forget the kindness and efficiency of the staff. Thank you, Nicholson's! - 9/15/2026 

The crab cake appitizer was excellent, the alolie cream sauce was exeellenrt.So was the service.I asked for a liitle more of the aolie cream sauce and they provided.5 stars., - 9/13/2026 

Cool restaurant. Excellent service. The food was okay. We would definitely visit again - 9/07/2026 

Food was amazing. Server kind and accommodating. - 9/07/2026 

Hadn't been here in over 20 years, so I was overdue for a great experience and this place didn't disappoint. We were here on a Friday nite with a group of 9. Ambiance was pretty cool. They have a great selection of beers. I started with a Bellhaven Scottish ale. I had crab cakes for an appetizer and a bowl of Kentucky burgoo. For the entree I had fish and chips with carrots substituted for fries. For dessert, creme brulee. Everything tasted terrific. We all enjoyed our food--no complaints from anyone. Our server was Jennifer who was friendly and attentive. Overall, an enjoyable experience and it makes me want to dine downtown more. Parking is basically on street (metered)--quarters or credit cards. A great place to meet friends for a memorable experience. - 8/31/2026 

What a unique restaurant for the downtown Cincinnati area! It's definitely fine dining, with mood lighting, unfailing hospitality, and sophisticated table settings on polished dark wooden tables. But it's also casual and hip, with a bar-like atmosphere, befitting of its location, in Cincinnati's theater district, and with reasonable prices. I've eaten at the front of the bar, and found it too crowded and noisy (especially when there's a show at the Aronoff across the street). This time, however, I was with a group of 9 people, and we were seated in a quiet private room -- the one that's free to the public (not the one in the way back, which is available for rent). Our waitress was exceptional - every time someone else arrived, she was there, taking drink orders and explaining the menu and specials, and brought the food out quickly. And the food, as usual, was excellent. The hits seemed to be the Buffalo chicken soup (the soup of the day), the goat cheese dip, the crab cakes, and the Kentucky burgoo (a flavorful beef stew). I loved the shrimp and grits -- well-made, with a complex taste. And as for my friends' entrees -- well, suffice to say they all looked amazing, and there were few doggie bags to take home. - 8/30/2026 

Great beer, pretzels & beer cheese, and fish and chips. All around really solid, cool Scottish pub. - 8/30/2026 

Really appreciate the selection of Scottish & Irish beers. Food & Service both great. - 8/29/2026 

GREATNIGHT OUT We dined there on 8/25 with a group of (26) - great room in the back - food was prompt and very good - loved our server (number 2 according to my receipt - didn't get her name) she was terrific (along with the others) Same group returning October 30th (then to the aronoff theater right across the street (how convenient) Thanks again to your entire staff for a wonderful night! - 8/28/2026 

I liked it a lot. It's a very nice restaurant; my feelings are tinged with sadness because the corporate entity that runs this closed down my favorite restaurant recently and this one reminds me too much of it. But as to the actuals of this, the food was very nice. I had the schnitzel and the mashed potatoes with the turnips (Not sure either is particularly Scottish??) and it was delicious and we had the boneless chicken wings as the happy hour appetizer. They have Old Speckled Hen beer on tap, and who could ask for more than that? Prices are a little higher than you might pay in Norwood or in some of the other suburbs but this is downtown and I suppose they pay premiums for space and insurance and things like that. They do have flights of scotch but when it comes to that I don't like paying restaurant prices. The only real drawback is parking, but if you're going to a restaurant in the middle of downtown Cincinnati, you must already be aware of the issues associated with that. We parked at Fountain Square which unfortunately was under construction in August of 2026 and it was a mess but that's not the restaurant's fault in any way. If it were not downtown and if it didn't remind me so much of the former Pub in Rookwood, I might go there every week forever. - 8/27/2026 

Fish and chips was great. Next time give me more chips! They're cheap. There's always a heap of chips. Our server was amazing. Also. Old Speckled hen omg - 8/25/2026 

Great food, amazing ambiance, quiet at noon on Saturday for a leisurely lunch. It very much feels like a pub in Glasgow and the drink selection is lovely. A highlight of our weekend getaway to Cincinnati. - 8/24/2026 

Delicious food and d service food and fry fish Delicious - 8/24/2026 

Nicholson's is becoming our regular stop before concerts at the Taft Theatre - 8/23/2026 

Fish, Shrimp and Chips also Red Pepper soup. So tasty. - 8/20/2026 

Great bourbon, meat stew and vegetable sides. Friendly staff. - 8/17/2026 

Excellent Service & Food We made a booking as it can get very busy. We sat in a booth at the rear of this establishment. They had a singer on this Thursday night, who was very good. Our servers, a new trainee & Fifi were fantastic. Very helpful and very nice. We ordered a couple of cocktails - a Truly Grand Slam and a Margarita. Both perfect. Meals we had the Walnut Sirloin which came with a sauce on the side and potatoes which were crunchy on the outside & light and fluffy on the inside. I had the Pasta Alla Whiskey. It came with blackened chicken cut into strips and the sauce of my pasta was so beautiful. Both meals were beautiful and service excellent - 8/15/2026 

Yum! First of all thank you Lainey for being a wonderful server. Prompt service with everything we needed throughout the entire meal. It wasn’t too busy for a Wednesday night, but great price on the Jameson ($6/oz). Food was decently priced as well. Taste was top notch. Everything came out hot and delicious. Pot roast, Pasta alla Whiskey, scotch egg, chili! 10/10 - 8/13/2026 

When I worked downtown my coworker's and I ate here once a week. I just wish they would bring the scottish spring rolls back. - 8/11/2026 

Food was great service was excellent, my sugar was a little low asked for some slices of orange to get sugar back up brought me 3 slices immediately. We were their around 5pm on a Sunday so early for the dinner crowed, was quite and a good atmosphere. - 8/10/2026 

Fefe is a great waitress!!!! Food is amazing lovely - 8/08/2026 

Food was really good. Service was excellent. Ambiance was very chill. My husband and I enjoyed this place very much. Definitely will be back. - 8/02/2026 

Great service, excellent food and atmosphere. Guinness spring rolls are a must! - 8/02/2026 

Stayed at the 21C Hotel (right next door) again for work recently, and met a colleague for dinner here. I had a great experience the last time I visited and had another great one this time. This visit happened to be during World Cup season, so it was super festive inside! They also had a special menu for the occasion. What I tried: +Brussels sprouts (again, very good) +Guinness spring rolls; 7/10 +Pasta alla whiskey; 8/10 (pretty spicy) Will be back! - 7/31/2026 

Highly recommend for both food and atmosphere Restaurant is in a great location. We walked there after a Reds game. The atmosphere is really fun. The wait staff were phenomenal. As was the food. Everyone in our group ordered the fish and chips. It was really yummy. We also ordered the pretzel appetizer. The beer cheese was really good. The pretzel came cut into smaller pieces which I thought was brilliant! And for some reason it came with a couple of small sticks or carrots and celery. I thought that was really kind of good idea however there wasn’t enough of it to make it a good idea. Most of our group had beer. I had an outstanding old fashioned. - 7/29/2026 

We had a group of 20. Got there when they opened. It was a recommendation from an older couple we met on the street. Out of 20, 1 person had a complaint because they don't like Belgium waffles, but it still taste good. We had a wide range of food from breakfast, fish and chips, shrimp and grits, sandwiches. I can't name all 20 meals, but we all left satisfied. We felt bad for the waitress Deja because she was our only waitress and she did phenomenal! I'm sure they were not ready for a group of 20 at opening, but they made it work and we all left out happy. - 7/28/2026