Cantina Nicola — Restaurant in Nelson

Way below average food, service and staff attitude. Spend your money at any other Nelson bar/restaurant because at least those establishments are owned and run by locals who genuinely love what they do, love sharing their talent/passion and really embrace welcoming people into that passion. Nicola's Cantina delivers the exact opposite!

Was part of a big group celebrating a birthday, which should be a happy time. However, the wait staff and owner overshadowed the celebration with their bad attitudes, blaming their mistakes and miscommunications on our group.

Tried to bill us for things we didn't order. Gas lit us by telling us we'd ordered food and drinks we didn't and then got shirty with us when we said we wouldn't pay for it. Spoke to us abruptly and made us feel rushed all eve. And then sprung on us just after we'd sung Happy Birthday and blew out the candles that we had to exit the table in 15mins despite being told we'd have it all night!!

Bad attitudes aside, the menu seems bountiful at a glance, but the flavours are bland, the quality of the ingredients don't match the price expectation, and it's a bit of a stretch calling the cuisine Mexican.

But to end on a positive note/constructive criticism, the decor is the only good thing going about Nicola's Cantina in Nelson until they learn to love what they do, bring that passion to their guests and provide a hospitable service where you feel valued rather...

Upon entry there was a nice ambiance. Candles lit etc. Our table was reserved (not a walk in) and we were lead to the table. Nice subtle music was playing and i was under the impression that there was a bar seating option as a lady was seated at the leaner/bar talking to people ( will get to this). A lovely waitress asked if we wanted some drinks and we ordered the jug of sangria (2 party so advantageous). Menus were also offered, no specials. After a short while a (different) waiter arrived to ask what we wanted to order, and we had decided on some starters. We were then told we had to order the entire order, and actually made quite a stance about it.....not used to this. we refused. Our starter was the guacamole, and it was fantastic. After that we ordered tacos, tamales, and burritos. All was fantastic....especially the fish taco!! I went to the bar to enquire on the tequila menu (being a Mexican restaurant), which there is none. We were spot pointed and told the different type of tequilas on offer which could have easily been summarized in a menu. The patron sitting at the bar drinking actually worked there and advised us on the best options.....interesting.....anyway, had 1 each of the best, paid our fare (which was fair) and went on...

So, this is not the first time I went to this restaurant. I love the food. BUT, today I took my husband for a date night. Waited 45 minutes for someone to actually come to our table and take our order. No one really looked interested in taking our order. So, we had to goto the counter to give our order. Asked them to serve us drinks first. So they can take their time to prepare mains. Waited 15 minutes for our drinks. Had to go back to the counter to ask them to give us our drinks. My husband stood there for 10 minutes for the drinks. Meanwhile 2 lovely ladies sitting next to us experiencing the same thing literally left without getting any drinks or food to their table. Had another group of 10 people leaving the table after drinking some beer because no one cared to take their order. It was ridiculous. This is the first time ever I felt this way in Nelson. Being the only Mexican restaurant people love to visit this place. But today we saw people leaving even without ordering anything as there wasn’t enough staff to take order. Just one girl taking orders and even managing the POS at counter. This was by far the worst experience ever. Train your staff so they know what to do in...