Nina is a stylish, high-demand contemporary Italian restaurant with excellent focaccia, desserts, several standout pastas and lively hospitality, but rushed pacing, loud music and uneven mains can make the hype feel expensive.
Nina delivers strong food quality anchored by standout dishes like focaccia, arancini, and chicken Milanese, but uneven execution across pastas and mains prevents a higher grade. Warm hospitality and striking design appeal are offset by inconsistent pacing and service timing, while the Marylebone location offers convenient appeal without commanding destination status.
Nina is a stylish basement restaurant on Thayer Street where the lighting, music and polished interiors do much of the scene-setting before the first plate arrives. Reviews describe a room that feels both large and intimate, with a lively, almost New York-style pulse; one recurring takeaway is that the atmosphere can be as memorable as the food. The catch is volume: several diners found the music too loud for easy conversation. The cooking is contemporary Italian rather than strictly traditional, pairing familiar pasta, focaccia and Milanese with bottarga, crudo, Italian ponzu, jalapeño and other modern flourishes. Focaccia, arancini, selected pastas and desserts are the dependable crowd-pleasers, while fish, chicken and lamb can be more divisive. Service is often warm, knowledgeable and celebration-minded, though repeated reports of rushed courses and table-time pressure mean the experience is not always as leisurely as the setting suggests. Families can manage here, especially with current-menu choices such as vegan spaghetti, gnocchetti, fries, potatoes, chicken Milanese and generous desserts, and one recent family review praised staff for helping a picky child. Still, there is no dedicated children’s menu in the supplied menu, the music can be loud, and the adventurous crudo and fusion dishes will not suit every young diner. For children who prefer familiar food, order simple pasta or Milanese and confirm dietary needs in advance.
Area vibe: Upscale, genteel West End district with boutique shops, cafés and medical/offices.
Safety: Generally safe with good lighting and steady evening footfall, though quieter on side streets late at night.
What's nearby: Close to Marylebone High Street, Baker Street, boutiques, cafés, transport links and small hotel scene.