ABOUT
THE NICOLETT
The Nicolett is a fine dining destination for West Texas, from Chef Finn Walter, 2022 James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef: Texas.
With a focus on High Plains cuisine, our multi-course menu is rooted in showcasing ingredients that are natural to the region with techniques that reflect Walter’s experience in Paris, Austin, Napa Valley, and Santa Fe.
We offer a la carte dinner service Tuesday- Saturday, plus a Chef's Tasting Menu Tuesday-Thursday by reservation, and a casual Sunday Brunch.
Named after the first hotel in the area, The Nicolett is inspired by the history of the region, paying homage to West Texas culture and celebrating the revitalization of the area.
We are proud to be one of Bon Appetit's 50 Best New Restaurants in America for 2022.
CHEF FINN WALTER
Chef Finn Walter has worked in the highest echelons of fine dining in the U.S. and abroad during his 20-year career, but Texas has always been his touchstone. A native of Lubbock, Walter studied history at Bates College in Maine, then moved to Austin to begin training as a cook.
He has lived and worked in top culinary cities, including San Francisco, Paris, Napa Valley, Austin, Santa Fe, and New Orleans, cooking in tiny bistros and multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, including the Restaurant at Meadowood, uniquely serving in both savory and pastry capacities.
Walter’s goal was always to open a fine dining restaurant that honors his West Texas heritage. He returned home to Lubbock to do just that, opening The Nicolett in fall 2020 with ambitions to create a destination restaurant for Lubbock and West Texas.
In 2022, Walter was honored as a semifinalist for Best Chef: Texas by the James Beard Foundation and received the Rawls College of Business's Innovation Award. He also introduced an innovative non-alcoholic cocktail program, which has been featured in Forbes and Food & Wine, and continues to push the boundaries of drinking and dining in West Texas.