a New Standard
Dining in River North done differently
River North dining begins at Nic + Junior’s—where Brazilian and Italian flavors meet chef-driven creativity in a lively, stylish setting just off the Chicago Riverwalk.
Our all-day menu features handmade pastas, wagyu beef tartare, duck linguiça rigatoni, crispy potatoes with requeijão and sturgeon caviar, and indulgent desserts like brigadeiro tiramisu. Whether you’re here for a power lunch or cocktails with friends, every dish is designed to surprise, satisfy, and spark conversation.
Come hungry. Stay curious. Always leave a little room for soft serve.




Our Unique Experience
Welcome to nic + junior’s
From the first forkful at lunch to the last pour before 11PM, Nic + Junior’s redefines River North dining with warmth, flavor, and flair.
Join us daily beginning at 11AM for a lunch menu that’s anything but expected—featuring bold, seasonal plates designed for both lingering conversations and quick escapes. Whether you’re a local or exploring the neighborhood, we offer a midday experience worth seeking out.
Weekdays from 4–6PM, our happy hour brings elevated ease to the River North scene with discounted cocktails, curated wines, and craveable small plates that showcase our culinary point of view.
As the day transitions into evening, stay for à la carte dinner in our bar and lounge, where the mood shifts and flavors deepen. Or reserve a seat in our intimate dining room for our signature tasting menu, a multi-course journey through Brazilian heritage and Italian technique—each dish thoughtfully composed, each detail intentionally served.


Menu Spotlights
Tasting Menu
*Wagyu Beef Tartare black truffle XO, toasted rice, shiso
*Dadinho tapioca fritter, iberico lardo, aged balsamic, fennel pollen
Pizzelle foie gras, rhubarb mostarda
Snow Crab Claw pepperoni chili crunch, coriander
Crispy Potato requeijão, sturgeon caviar
Lunch + Dinner
Sourdough Focaccia olive oil, saba, oregano, calabrian chili 9
1/2 Dozen Oysters barolo mignonette, bergamot 21
*Hamachi Crudo finger lime, kalamata olive, basil 17
Arancini mozzarella, roasted garlic, pomodoro 11
Tapioca + Brazilian Cheese Fritter shaved mortadella, giardiniera, our hot sauce
Drinks
Sake Southside sake, yuzu, shiso, ume
N+J’s Espresso Martini coffee vodka, white crème de cacao, caramel, salt
Strawberry Negroni gin, strawberry campari, barolo chinato, amontillado sherry
Passionfruit Old Fashioned jamaican rum, passionfruit, bitters
N+J’s Martini gin, N+J’s vermouth blend, garnish salad
Mixed Blessings tequila, singani, honey, grapefruit, lemon
Guilty Pleasure cachaça, aperol, lime, sugar


dine with us
