our menus
Our Culinary ApproaCh
Nic + Junior’s is a River North restaurant blending Brazilian spirit with Italian soul. Located just off the Chicago Riverwalk, we offer chef-driven lunch, dinner, and a seasonal tasting menu in a stylish, welcoming space.
Our tasting menu is our cornerstone, offering a multi-course experience that highlights the season’s best ingredients. Designed by our culinary team, it will take you on a journey through Chef Junior Borges’ culinary inspiration.
Whether you’re joining us for lunch with colleagues or dinner that turns into dessert and drinks, we aim to make every meal feel personal, unexpected, and just a little indulgent.
À la Carte & Tasting Menus
We serve food all day. From quick bites to curated multi-course meals, there’s something for every appetite. Scroll down to view our current offerings.
Planning something more private? Explore our group dining options.
TASTING MENU
$185 per person
Sample menu – offerings may change based on seasonality and inspiration.
*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
*Smoked Scallop coconut, radish, dende
*Branzino linguiça calabresa, prawn cannelloni
Garganelli Spanish octopus, leek, biquinho pepperonata
Spaghetti alla Chitarra jonah crab, meyer lemon $20
*Rohan Duck yuca pavé, mustard greens, tucupi
*A5 Wagyu Picanha hearts of palm, black garlic bordelaise $25
Olive Oil Cake coconut diplomat, candied green papaya
Brigadeiro dark chocolate, caramelized milk, candied orange zest
Romeo & Juliet “mini cone” Catupiry cheese ice cream & goiabada
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness
Lunch Menu
Lunch Features
Chopped Italian Salad bitter greens, romaine, mozzarella, artichokes, kalamatas, oregano, red wine vinaigrette 16
+ Chicken, Grilled or Crispy 10
+ Rock Shrimp 12
Hot Mortadella Sandwich scamorza, pickles, dijonaise, toasted milk roll, fries 19
*Tuna Tartine focaccia, tomato mostarda, thai basil, preserved lemon, arugula, fries 19
Grilled Chicken Sandwich heirloom tomato, 24 month prosciutto, arugula, fontina, calabrian chili aioli, fries 19
Antipasti
1/2 Dozen Oysters barolo mignonette, bergamot 21
*Hamachi Crudo finger lime, kalamata olive, basil 17
Sourdough Focaccia olive oil, saba, oregano, calabrian chili 9
Heirloom Tomato Salad heirloom tomato, strawberry, lardo, saba, requijão 14
Kohlrabi Caesar fried egg caesar dressing, toasted breadcrumbs, mint, pecorino 14
Arancini mozzarella, roasted garlic, pomodoro, saffron 11
Tapioca + Brazilian Cheese Fritter mortadella, giardiniera, our smoked hot sauce 14
Handmade Pastas
Spaghetti Moqueca red shrimp, coconut shellfish sauce, red palm oil, herbs 26
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, crispy garlic, basil 21
Tagliatelle pork ragu, chili flakes, parmesan, marjoram 26
Orecchiette duck linguiça calabresa, pepperonata, rapini 23
Ravioli artichoke filling, prosciutto di parma, crispy sage 23
Mains
Braised Green Garbanzo grilled escarole, pepperoncini, focaccia croutons 22
*8 oz Wagyu Bavette ramp salsa verde, fries 43
Chicken Piri Piri Parmigiano malagueta chili, mozzeralla, cured tomato 28
*Whole Branzino deboned, rapini, calabrian chili, preserved lemon 47
*Salmon fregola, spinach, confit heirloom tomato, dill beurre blanc 33
*Double Burger fontina, beer mustard, caramelized onions, pickles, toasted milk roll, fries 19
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Dinner Menu
Snacks
2 pieces
Wagyu Beef Tartare black truffle XO, toasted rice, shiso 11
Snow Crab Claws pepperoni chili crunch 16
Crispy Potato & Caviar Requeijão, sturgeon caviar 26
Yuca Croquetta smoked capicola, calabrian chili aioli 9
Antipasti
1/2 Dozen Oysters barolo mignonette, bergamot 21
*Hamachi Crudo finger lime, kalamata olive, basil 17
Sourdough Focaccia olive oil, saba, oregano, calabrian chili 9
Heirloom Tomato Salad heirloom tomato, strawberry, lardo, saba, requijão 14
Kohlrabi Caesar fried egg caesar dressing, toasted breadcrumbs, mint, pecorino 14
Italian Chicories bitter lettuces, crispy garlic, white balsamic, herbs 12
Arancini mozzarella, roasted garlic, pomodoro, saffron 11
Tapioca + Brazilian Cheese Fritter mortadella, giardiniera, our smoked hot sauce 14
Handmade Pastas
Spaghetti Moqueca red shrimp, coconut shellfish sauce, red palm oil, herbs 26
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, crispy garlic, basil 21
Tagliatelle pork ragu, chili flakes, parmesan, marjoram 26
Orecchiette duck linguiça calabresa, pepperonata, rapini 23
Ravioli artichoke filling, prosciutto di parma, crispy sage 23
Mains
Braised Green Garbanzo grilled escarole, pepperoncini, focaccia croutons 22
*8 oz. Wagyu Bavette ramp salsa verde, fries 43
Chicken Piri Piri Parmigiano malagueta chili, mozzeralla, cured tomato 28
*Whole Branzino deboned, served with rapini, calabrian chili, preserved lemon 47
*Salmon fregola, spinach, confit heirloom tomato, dill beurre blanc 33
*Double Burger fontina, beer mustard, caramelized onions, pickles, toasted milk roll, fries 19
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Drinks
Classics
Southside gin, lemon juice, sugar, mint
Espresso Martini vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew
Negroni gin, campari, sweet vermouth
Old Fashioned bourbon, bitters, sugar
50/50 Martini gin, vermouth, bitters, lemon twist
Tommy’s Margarita: 100% agave tequila, agave, lime
Caipirinha cachaça, lime, sugar
Modern Classics
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
Wine by the Glass
NV Champagne, Canard-Duchene 24
Rose, ‘Le Croix’, Peyressol 15
NV Prosecco, Caposaldo 12
2023 Grüner Veltliner, Stadt Krems 14
2023 Sancerre, Chateau Sancerre 19
2018 Cotes du Rhone, Saint Cosme 12
2021 Nebbiolo, Bava 18
2019 Tempranillo, Emilio Moro 20
2022 Red Blend, ‘D2’, Delille Cellars 20
Beer
Draft
Kolsch, Dovetail Brewery 7
Anti-Hero IPA, Revolution Brewery 7
Zombie Dust, 3 Floyds Brewing Co. 7
Bottles/Cans
Miller High Life Pony 5
Miller Lite 6
Modelo Especial 7
Spirit Free
Heineken 0.0 7
Upside Dawn, Athletic Brewing Company 6
Guinness Zero 8
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Sweets
Rhubarb Sorbet lime zest 9
Catupiry Soft Serve lemon oil, sea salt 9
Brigadeiro Tiramisu requeijão, hazelnuts, cachaca, sprinkles 14
Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies + Milk 9
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Happy Hour
Cocktails
Espresso Martini vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew 7
Old Fashioned bourbon, bitters, sugar 7
Boulevardier bourbon, campari, sweet vermouth 7
Manhattan bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters 7
N+J’s Martini gin, N+J’s vermouth blend, garnish salad 9
Tommy’s Margarita 100% agave tequila, agave, lime 9
Negroni gin, campari, sweet vermouth 9
Wines by the Glass $9
NV Prosecco, Caposaldo
2018 Cotes du Rhone, Saint Cosme
2023 Grüner Veltliner, Stadt Krems
Beer $5
Kolsch Draft
Anti-Hero IPA Draft
Zombie Dust Draft
Miller Lite
Modelo Especial
Bites
Arancini mozzarella, roasted garlic, pomodoro 7
Tapioca + Brazilian Cheese Fritter shaved mortadella, giardiniera, our hot sauce 7
Kohlrabi Caesar fried egg caesar dressing, toasted breadcrumbs, mint, pecorino 7
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, crispy garlic, basil 15
*Double Cheeseburger gruyere cheese, beer mustard, caramelized onions, pickles, french fries 15
Dine with Us
A Curated Take on River North Dining
Nic + Junior’s offers a layered approach to River North dining, where each menu is crafted to reflect our Brazilian roots, Italian elegance, and a modern sense of hospitality. Whether you’re joining us for a quick weekday lunch or settling in for a full tasting experience, our menus are designed to inspire.
We begin daily at 11AM with our lunch menu, offering vibrant dishes that balance flavor, freshness, and finesse. From pão de queijo to seasonal entrées, our midday options are ideal for business lunches, casual meetups, or spontaneous solo visits. Monday through Friday from 4–6PM, we invite you to enjoy happy hour in the bar and lounge. Discover discounted cocktails, select wines, and shareable small plates—perfect for unwinding after work or easing into the evening. As night falls, explore our à la carte dinner menu, available in the main bar and lounge. These dishes are bold yet balanced, designed for flexibility and full of global influence—from handmade pastas to standout seafood and grilled meats. For a more immersive experience, reserve our tasting menu—a multi-course expression of Chef Junior Borges’ culinary perspective. Served in our intimate dining room, it’s a true celebration of the Nic + Junior’s philosophy: elegant, grounded, and deeply flavorful. At every time of day, Nic + Junior’s brings something distinct to the River North dining scene. We invite you to explore each offering below and find the experience that fits your mood, your appetite, or the moment.