Nicoletta Playa Del Carmen — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

Overpriced, overhyped, and a complete letdown

If you're considering dining at Nicoletta, do yourself a favor -- sort reviews by "lowest" and read the real experiences instead of falling for the curated illusion of a “luxury” restaurant.

The 4.8-star rating across thousands of reviews? Deceptive.

We walked in expecting a high-end experience. What we got was a bill that felt like daylight robbery and food that was barely mediocre. Let’s break it down:

The Cost vs. Reality

For nearly 3,000 MEX here’s what we got:

2 glasses of white wine – (standard Albariño, nothing special) 1 starter of Alcachofas – (6/10, decent but forgettable) 1 starter of Parmesan spheres – (6/10, good but not outstanding) 1 main of Provenzal chicken – (4/10, dry and uninspiring) 1 main of Shrimp Risotto – (3/10, plain yellow rice with 3 shrimp on top)

The risotto was 520 MEX yet we had a vastly superior seafood risotto elsewhere for 250 MEX -- twice the quality at half the price.

The chicken? Dry, bland, and not worth ordering unless you want proof of poor execution.

And let’s talk about the pricing absurdity -- water is nearly 10 USD a bottle, and wine? 15 USD per small glass of something they probably buy for 10 USD a bottle.

The atmosphere – Chaotic and uncomfortable

Luxury isn’t just about décor -- it’s about service, organization, and experience. And here’s where Nicoletta fails miserably: The floor was packed with as many as 20 waiters, yet it felt disorganized and excessive.

Groups of 5-6 waiters chatting and doing nothing while others hovered around tables aimlessly.

Guests arriving? Each one is surrounded by a full squad of waiters, turning a simple seating process into an awkward spectacle. Constant movement around the tables -- distracting and frustrating rather than professional.

The "optional" 15% service charge

While the 15% service charge is technically optional, they make sure you don’t miss the message. It’s highlighted on the bill, subtly pressuring you into paying on top of an already inflated price.

Final Verdict

Nicoletta is not worth the hype, the price, or the frustration. A 4.8-star rating should mean excellence, not overpriced mediocrity. It’s clear they focus more on aesthetics than delivering a dining experience that matches the cost. I’d generously rate it 3.0 at best. It’s visually appealing, but that’s just the bait to trap tourists.

One odd thing? The waiters themselves were polite but visibly uncomfortable, as if they were forced into an unnatural, over-the-top service style. It was awkward to witness and awkward to experience.

To almost conclude, when we asked for the bill, we were swiftly handed chocolates and a bracelet as a “reminder” of Nicoletta -- followed immediately by a request for a positive review. The waitress stood there, watching intently as my fiancée searched for the restaurant online, creating an uncomfortable pressure to leave feedback on the spot. We chose to hold off, as we prefer to write thorough, honest reviews. Frankly, it was a pathetic display, reinforcing the suspicion that many of their glowing reviews are essentially bought.

If you’re okay with paying premium prices for subpar food and chaotic service, go ahead. Otherwise, save yourself the regret. Attaching the bill as proof of having dined...

I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience at Nicoletta in Playa del Carmen was deeply disappointing — especially considering the high prices and the restaurant’s branding as a fine Italian dining experience.

We ordered a variety of dishes to give the menu a fair chance: lasagna, pizza, cacio e pepe, and carbonara. Unfortunately, each one fell short in both taste and execution.

The lasagna was especially underwhelming. The pasta sheets were undercooked and chewy, and the overall flavor was reminiscent of canned ravioli — lacking the depth, freshness, and richness you’d expect from a traditional Italian dish. The cacio e pepe and carbonara were equally disappointing. Both were bland and had none of the authentic textures or balance that define these classic recipes. The cacio e pepe was more like plain pasta with a sprinkle of pepper, and the carbonara was missing the creamy, silky quality. It was clear these dishes were not made with the care or authenticity one would expect from a restaurant charging premium prices.

To make matters worse, the pizza offered nothing memorable — bland sauce, rubbery cheese, and a crust that lacked both crispness and flavor.

We were shocked by how expensive everything was, especially considering the low quality of the food. For a restaurant that markets itself as upscale Italian, this was frankly unacceptable. In all honesty, chain restaurants like Olive Garden deliver significantly better food at a fraction of the price. It pains me to say this, but Nicoletta felt like a commercialized imitation of Italian cuisine.

The only redeeming factor of the entire evening was the service. The staff was friendly, attentive, and professional — and they genuinely tried to ensure we had a good experience. It’s unfortunate that their excellent hospitality was not matched by the kitchen’s performance.

In summary, Nicoletta is a beautifully marketed restaurant with great service, but the food does not live up to the promise. If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine in Playa del Carmen, I strongly suggest looking elsewhere.

Please like my review if it...

Nicoletta delivers across-the-board excellence - food, service, and ambiance. Most good restaurants hit two of these, but it's rare to find all three at such a grand level. I had the fungi pizza, which was extraordinary. The dough was among the best I've ever eaten, charred and crispy at the edges but light and flaky inside. The tomato sauce is made in-house and has a perfect balance of tartness, sweetness, and fresh Italian seasonings. The cocktails were top-notch. I tried their signature negroni and a mojito. Both were masterly crafted, but the mojito was my favorite. The ambiance is elegant and uniquely ecclectic. The entire building is thoughtfully designed and intricately detailed both inside and out. See my photos for a look.

The most impressive experiential attribute is the exceptional service rederered by the entire staff at Nicoletta's. So many restaurants consider themselves "fine dining" because they have a great chef, linen table cloths, and a well curated wine list. When it comes to points of service, however, frighteningly few meet muster. Here are a few things I noticed that most restaurants miss.

1. The ladies are served first at every course.
2. Items are delivered to the right person with precision. No auctioning off, "Who got the caesar?"
3. Server checks back within two minutes of delivering each item to ensure that it meets expectations.
4. When I asked where the restroom was, I was escorted there instead of getting directions.
5. A manager visited during the table during our main course to ensure that we were happy. He visited again at the end of our dessert course.

Everything, from beginning to end, was a pure delight. I give Nicoletta my strongest endorsement and highly recommend that you visit when you come to PDC. You...