Hospitality with Heart, Flavors with Soul
a love letter to food, culture, + connection in river north
Nic + Junior’s started with a simple idea: bring together two chefs who genuinely love taking care of people, and give them a space to do it their way.
The result: Nic + Junior’s, a restaurant that can be your casual Tuesday night spot or your most memorable celebration of the year. It’s a little bit of buzz, a little bit of hush, and a space where every dish is created with you in mind.
Meet Nic + Junior
Our restaurant is the shared vision of acclaimed restaurateur Nic Yanes and James Beard semifinalist Chef Junior Borges.
Nic and Junior have been friends, colleagues, and co-conspirators in the kitchen for over a decade. They’ve cooked in celebrated restaurants, led award-winning teams, and honed their skills in kitchens from Chicago to Austin.
What sets them apart is not just their talent – it’s their shared belief that hospitality matters as much as the food itself.
For Nic, that means making every guest feel like part of the family.
For Junior, it means sharing the flavors of his Brazilian roots in a way that sparks curiosity and joy.
Together, they’ve built a restaurant where both their styles and stories shine
the food
Our tasting menu is the cornerstone of Nic + Junior’s – an ever-evolving, multi-course journey that showcases peak-season ingredients and global inspiration in River North.
Junior’s Brazilian heritage is woven throughout – from playful nods to street food to refined takes on brigadeiro and fermented spice blends.
Meanwhile, our à la carte menu delivers vibrant flavors perfect for lunch meetings, casual dinners, or drinks that turn into dessert.
the ATMOSPHERE
Nic + Junior’s partnered with award-winning Canales & Co. to craft a space where Brazilian heritage and Italian grandeur meet along Michigan Avenue. With stunning Chicago River views, guests can enjoy the breeze through signature accordion-style windows that blur the line between indoors and out.
Every detail, from buttery woven leather seating to marble-clad surfaces, reflects Canales & Co.’s thoughtful design approach. Their hands-on process shaped everything from the logo to custom wallpaper and ceramics, creating more than just a restaurant – an immersive, refined dining experience.
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