Uncle Nicky's Set To Open 2nd Italian Cafe In East Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Italian cafe Uncle Nicky’s is opening a second location in the city's East End District next week, officials announced.

The new location on the ground floor of Hotel Eleven at 1123 E. 11th St. is slated to open on Monday with soft opening hours starting on Saturday. On Saturday and Sunday, the cafe will be open from 10 a.m. until evening and on Monday the cafe will operate during normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, officials said in an advisory.

The team behind the concept is Chef Nicholas Yanes (owner and executive chef of Juniper, partner and executive chef at Verbena, owner of Excelsior Management), and partners Brandon Hunt and Zane Hunt, brothers behind Via 313 and Nickel City, along with Nickel City partner Travis Tober.

Inspired by Yanes’ culinary training and travels through Italy, the concept behind Uncle Nicky’s was born from the desire to create a simple, classic Northern Italian cafe in Austin, officials described. Opened in February 2019, officials added, the Hyde Park location of Uncle Nicky’s has adapted during the pandemic to serve to-go offers and has ample outdoor seating. The Hyde Park location has become a staple for the neighborhood and with this expansion, officials noted, and the Uncle Nicky’s team hopes to serve more of the city's diners.

“Expanding to East Austin and neighboring our friends at Nickel City has been a goal and we’re excited to open in the neighborhood,” Chef Nicholas Yanes said in a prepared statement.

Restaurant officials said the second location will offer the same menu as the Hyde Park location.

The soft-boiled eggs at Uncle Nicky's with prosciutto cotto, calabrian chili oil and chives. Photo courtesy of Consumable Content / @consumablecontent.

To celebrate the opening, Uncle Nicky’s is offering a special dessert for guests by giving away a free sweet treat with purchase of drip coffee or cold beer (while supplies last), along with the drink special of a complimentary Montenegro with a purchase of a specialty cocktail or beer.