A few days ago, a new restaurant, Nio, opened its doors in the Dancing Towers at Hamburg’s Reeperbahn 1. About 20 floors up, you can dine at the same address at Clouds (my report on it here). The Nio does not meet my definition of a typical osteria, although it sometimes calls itself that. It is rather the reference project of a new brand obviously designed for expansion, franchising and system gastronomy under the direction of Sebastian Heinemann, long-time director of the Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg, chef Thomas Wilken as well as Daniel Frigoni, both also from the Hotel Atlantic. 
The ambience is coherent and follows a clever and very airy distribution over the very large area with 160 seats after all (plus up to 160 seats in the two outdoor areas). Almost all tables offer a good view of the hustle and bustle along the Reeperbahn at night. However, you won’t find any culinary surprises, but that’s not the intention of the Nio concept. Pasta and pizza dominate the menu, the former can also be served in a large cast-iron pot for groups of four or more.
The concept will certainly work out better than with the Reba, the predecessor in these rooms. The combination of uncomplicated Italian classics with craft beer (Ratsherren) and the exposed location makes sense, especially of course for the numerous tourists and musical visitors who stroll along the Reeperbahn in the evening.
Nio
Reeperbahn 1
20359 Hamburg
Phone +49(0)40-75 60 19 16
