Italian immigrants started landing in the New Orleans area just
as early as other settlers. Tonti Street is named after Henri de Tonti, who was
born in Italy and joined Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville in the new French colony he
created in Louisiana. Large numbers of immigrants from Italy and Sicily arrived
throughout the late 1800s and beyond, and their legacy is present in many
aspects of New Orleans culture, including its food.
These Italian restaurants carry on the culinary traditions that
have been passed down through families and restaurants for generations. Take a bite
of history and savor every second of it.
The Best Italian Food In New Orleans
1. Domenica
123 Baronne St., (504) 648-6020
domenicarestaurant.com
With a name meaning "Sunday" in Italian, there's sure to be a leisurely vibe at this still upscale Italian restaurant. But no matter the day, Domenica offers a refined and relaxed experience perfect for friends and family. Whether it be in a group setting or one-on-one dinner, Domenica will have you covered with its dynamic array of Italian dishes.
While the the pizzas offered there are divine, the "primi" and "secondi" entrees are also too good to pass up. For instance, the Chicken al Mattone, featuring a truffle farrotto, spring peas, and wild ramp salmoriglio, is a stand out. Make sure to try the Tagliatelle, featuring slow cooked rabbit and porcini mushrooms.
2. Vincent's Italian Cuisine
Multiple Locations
vincentsitaliancuisine.com
Vincent's Italian Cuisine is well known for presenting guests with its cool, old school, and authentic Italian comfort food and intimate dining space. Go for lunch or dinner at one of their locations in Uptown (7839 St. Charles Ave) or Metairie (4411 Chastant St.). Start with a nice appetizer like the Oysters Rockefeller: fried oysters with sambuca braised spinach, baked with parmesan cheese and lemon cream sauce.
You might have some difficulties choosing your main dish. Among the pasta, seafood, chicken, and veal entrées, you're sure to find more than one irresistible option. You can't miss with many of the options including the Stuffed Chicken Breast, which includes chicken stuffed with provolone cheese, prosciutto, and artichoke hearts, and then breaded, baked, and topped with their marsala sauce.
3. Sofia
516 Julia St., (504) 322-3216
sofianola.com
Featuring classics including Short Rib Ragu, Cacio E Pepe, Risotto, Meatballs, and Pasta All Vodka, Sofia's presents its dining experience as contemporary without overpowering the "comfort" side of Italian comfort food. As soon as you see those big plates of handmade pasta, you know you're in good hands.
While perfect for more intimate, one-on-one engagements, Sofia's also offers a perfect setting for group engagements, as well as offers a variety of dishes. Besides the aforementioned pasta dishes, Sofia's offers delicious pizza, chicken, seafood, and steak options.
4. Pascal's Manale
1838 Napoleon Ave., (504) 895-4877
pascalsmanalerestaurant.com
This popular Uptown restaurant is a must if you're craving Barbecue Shrimp. Pascal's Manale's house specialty is perfectly cooked and swimming in a plate of tangy sauce. If seafood isn't your thing, there are plenty of turf-forward options to choose from like the Eggplant Dryades appetizer (fried eggplant topped with shrimp in tomato basil vodka sauce) to start.
Other popular entrees include the Combination Pan Roast (oysters, shrimp, and crabmeat chopped in a blend of shallots and parsley, then breaded and roasted) and the Shrimp Fra Diavolo (mushrooms, garlic, green onions, and three peppers flamed in brandy with tomatoes).
5. Venezia
Multiple Locations
venezianeworleans.com
Venezia is one of the oldest pizza joints in New Orleans. It's been making pies since the 1950s and has recently expanded into Gretna. That longevity is due to the authentic style of making the pizzas, as well as having a huge menu of pastas, steaks, and seafood at excellent prices. This is truly a neighborhood eatery that caters to the palette of New Orleans natives, but everyone is welcome to make Venezia their new favorite.
If you're not craving Venezia's famous pizza, look further down the menu at the seafood dishes, pasta, steak, and house specialties. Get a classic Italian dish like Spaghetti with Italian Sausage, Shrimp Scampi, 14 oz. New York Strip Steak, or Shrimp Marinara.
6. Avo
5908 Magazine St., (504) 509-6550
restaurantavo.com
Avo is helmed by Chef Nick Lama, who is a native New Orleanian. He is also a third-generation Sicilian and he puts his rich heritage into every bite of the food at Avo, which is inspired by his family's recipes. Chef Lama strives to utilize as much locally-sourced ingredients as possible, so the menu is subject to change based on availability.
The main dishes include Italian favorites like
Chicken Piccata with mashed potatoes and green beans; Rigatone with pesto
Genovese, English peas, and ricotta salata; and Lasagna with red wine-tomato-braised
beef, San Marzano tomato sugo, and bechamel sauce.
7. Mosca's
4137 US-90 West, Westwego, (504) 436-8950
moscasrestaurant.com
There's a little white building in Westwego that looks humble from the outside, but inside is a whole 'nother story. This little Westbank restaurant has been serving Italian favorites since 1946. Mosca's has survived countless hurricanes, the rise of the celebrity chef, and even the pandemic. It will probably be around for generations to come.
The secret to Mosca's longevity is
definitely the food. The small menu consists of specialties like the Oysters
Mosca: fresh whole oysters with Mosca's special Italian seasoning, which are topped with
breadcrumbs and baked. You can even get some Angelo Brocato's Italian Ice Cream
or Cannoli for dessert!
8. The Italian Barrel
1240 Decatur St., (504) 569-0198
theitalianbarrel.com
The Italian Barrel sits in the more residential corner of the French Quarter, which means that it feels more like a neighborhood restaurant than a bustling downtown restaurant. Here you'll find high-end, yet approachable fare that incorporates Creole flavors into Italian culinary traditions. The Jumbo Lump Crab Martini salad has mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, crab, and emulsified herb vinaigrette.
For pasta-lovers, try the Porcini & Truffle Ravioli with a creamy white wine sauce or the Chef Samantha's Fusilli Pasta in a white cream sauce with peas, shallots, and Italian prosciutto. Meat-lovers will want the Center Cut Filet Mignon topped with either green peppercorn or dolce gorgonzola sauce.
9. Irene's
529 Bienville St., (504) 529-8811
irenesnola.com
Irene's is a beautiful place to get a meal in the French Quarter. The tall ceilings allow for towering walls with big windows and lots of space to hang photos of family members, as well as art. Irene's wants to make you feel like you're eating with your extended family. The menu is small, but it is fantastic and fit for a king.
Start off with the Sicilian Antipasto platter that includes parma prosciutto, salami, imported cheeses, arancini, marmellata, and toasted ciabatta bread. Then enjoy the Meatballs Marinara appetizer with veal, pork, and beef meatballs smothered in marinara and mozzarella. For your main course, you must try Chicken Rosemarino: chicken roasted in white wine, olive oil, and garlic jus with herb-roasted potatoes.
10. Tana
2919 Metairie Rd., Metairie, (504) 533-8262
tanaitalian.com
An upscale Italian restaurant aiming to be an instant classic in New Orleans, Tana was created and based off of Chef Michael Gulotta's New Orleans and Sicilian upbringing. Trained in Liguria, Italy, Chef Gulotta wishes to bring an authentic and soulful experience surrounding food, while also ensuring its exciting and complex.
Try some of their Roast Chicken alla Tana, Cajun Caviar, Glazed Octopus, Braised Meatballs, or their various pastas including Potato Gnocchi and Gulf Shrimp Paccheri.
Where To Get Italian Food In NOLA
The history of Italian and Sicilian people in New Orleans is
so present at these restaurants. You can taste the care that the chefs put into
their meals as they pay homage to the past and incorporate exciting things
to make something totally new. If you haven't enjoyed at least one of these
restaurants by now, you've got a lot to look forward to when you start visiting
them.
What's your favorite Italian place in New Orleans? Let us
know what you like to eat.
