Top Best Italian Restaurants in New Orleans

"Come to Paladar for the pizza (where the lamb sausage and tzatziki pie will bowl you over), but the menu offers many Italian delights if you’re willing to share some of the small plates. Try the lovely fried arancini or the fantastic chicken liver mousse, before moving on to other pleasures. Super bonus points, too, for Paladar’s wallet-friendly prices -- $11 for the house-made raviolo with egg yolk, ricotta, maitake mushrooms, porcini cream, and truffle pecorino?"

"MarignyChic neighborhood spot for pizza, pasta, and seafoodWhile the main dining room is a bustling hodgepodge of families, groups of friends, and servers navigating it all, the more intimate balcony above is the best place to be seated before digging into lemonfish crudo or squid ink spaghetti. Order a pizza to share, and spend some time inspecting the cocktail menu. After your meal, head toward the river to find the entrance to Crescent Park for a sunset stroll."

"The chefs at Paladar 511 bring a modern Californian charm to New Orleans, and while the starter list has Italian favorites like homemade ravioli, beef Carpaccio, and arancini with short rib rags, you'll also find a zesty Yellowfin tuna crudo with orange and avocado that whisks you west. It’s a similar story with the pizzas. A basic cheese and tomato pie is delightful, but you can also try homemade lamb sausage or buttered leeks."

"Originally opened in a tiny section of a warehouse on an out-of-the-way French Quarter street, this ode to “civilized decadence” is the lifework of namesake Irene DiPietro, a Sicilian immigrant raised in the French Quarter in a family of restaurateurs. The little restaurant that could, Irene's opened in 1992, is a hybrid of colloquial hospitality and sophisticated cuisines from around the Italian peninsula and indigenous New Orleans cultures with dishes like Oysters Irene—baked with pancetta, pimento and Pecorino Romana—a San Francisco-style Cioppino, and crispy Duck St. Philip glazed in a pecan/raspberry demi. All are now served within the new, slightly roomier location within the Quarter that has maintained the bawdy ambiance among the elegant environs."

"Once the French Quarter’s underground secret, Irene’s Cuisine has become one of the area’s most sought-after dining spots. Located in the FQ, you can’t miss the crowds lining the street for tables, and the garlic and rosemary scent wafting out onto the street. Seriously, this might end up being your favorite fancy foodie spot in the FQ."

"529 Bienville St French Quarter, New Orleans, LA 70130-2206ItalianDinner, Late NightReservations, Private Dining, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music[email protected]+1 504-529-8811http://irenesnola.com"

"Opened in 2016 in the grand, Art Deco auspices of the Ace Hotel in the trendy Warehouse District, Josephine Estelle might be the epitome of New Italian in New Orleans. The osteria from James Beard Award-nominated chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman mingles the Southern upbringing of the chefs with their Italian backgrounds. The result consists of modern interpretations of classic recipes featuring seasonal, local ingredients, and homemade pastas, including a ravioli with crab meat, green garlic, basil, and ricotta or a pork porterhouse with pistachio, brown butter, coriander and vignole."

"Josephine Estelle is located inside the Ace Hotel, which has quickly become one of the coolest hangouts in town. And, let’s just say that the kids who hang out here are just as hip as the adults. The hotel’s chic, art deco restaurant is always full of both locals and visitors alike, just starting the night off before moving the festivities to the lobby bar or a nearby music venue."

"Ace Hotel stands in the Warehouse District, where you can check out Alto, the hotel’s rooftop garden. Get a mix of seasonal cocktails, wines, craft beers, frozen drinks and rotating on-tap specials at Alto’s bar. Poolside dining includes a selection of Italian-inspired small plates for any growing appetites."

"Next up is the Central Business District's Domenica, situated at 123 Baronne St. With four stars out of 1,479 reviews on Yelp, the Italian spot, which offers pizza and more, has proven to be a local favorite. Get ready for antipasto plates like roasted cauliflower with sea salt and whipped feta; smoked beets with honey-whipped ricotta and pickled shallots; meatballs with creamy polenta; and arancini with corn and fontina. Main courses include a selection of pizzas and entrées like slow-cooked rabbit with porcini mushrooms; lasagna with pasta verde and béchamel sauce; and squid ink tagliolini with blue crab and herbs."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. The perfect Domenica trifecta: Lasagne, Calabrese, & Squid Ink Tagliolini. Remember, we have happy hour until 5pm and dinner is served until 9pm!"

"Local celebrity-chef John Besh and executive chef Alon Shaya continue to wow diners here with rustic Italian cooking, a rarity in New Orleans...Read More"

"About BBQ Shrimp: Pascal’s Manale s known for its amazing take-out BBQ since 1913 and is home to New Orleans’ original BBQ Shrimp. With Cajun spices and fresh shrimp, you’ll truly feel like you are in the South. Pascal Manale Hours: Monday-Saturday 11:30am-10pm."

"This birthplace of New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp, Pascal’s Manale opened in 1913. Today, you'll still find great service, and killer oyster bar with friendly shuckers, and a laid back attitude at this Uptown legend."

"1650 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, (504) 361-0058; www.ditalis.com. A Greek pizza is topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach, black olives, red onions and mozzarella and feta cheeses."

"1995 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, (504) 348-2008; 5145 Gen. De Gaulle Drive, (504) 393-1107; www.olivebranchcafe.com. Breaded ravioli are served with crawfish sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"When I walked into Café Luna, the biggest struggle I faced was determining where to sit amongst their many options. This quiet café has a porch full of outdoor tables, a cozy area with couches, and a bright orange room full of tables with art hanging all over the walls. When I settled into the back room, I was surrounded by a lot of other people working on laptops, and the room was basically silent."

"Mid-CityThe art museum that bears the name of the city is a grand one indeed (dating back to 1911), and its permanent collection of over 40,000 objects is definitely worth your time and money. Exhibitions range from classical to contemporary art, from traditional to avant garde, with of course an emphasis on local artists. If you’re a starving artist (and one who happens to be a Louisiana resident), you’ll be happy to know that you can visit NOMA for free every Wednesday."

"In the south part of City Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art, one of the finest of its kind in the South. The museum features an excellent collection of French and American art, as well as African and Japanese pieces. On site and another of the institutions highlights is the outdoor Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, with more than 60 sculptures, as well as walking paths, lagoons, and mature live oak trees."

"When the NOMA opened in 1911, it only held nine pieces of art. Today, its permanent collection is composed of more than 40,000 objects, with a particularly strong representation of American and French art. Highlights include works by Matisse, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Pollock, O’Keeffe and Degas, who lived in New Orleans from 1871 to 1872."

"Warehouse DistrictFounded in 1976 with a mission focused on the cutting edge of art and performance, operated by artists and performers, the CAC has become an important institution in the New Orleans art world, with a focus not just on visual and performing arts, but also on arts education as well. Basically, it’s pretty great. And, if you happen to have a Louisiana state ID, you can check it all out on Sundays for no charge."

"Right next door to The National WWII Museum is the Contemporary Arts Center, known to locals as the CAC. This artistic hub hosts a variety of exciting contemporary art exhibits and events. To open the 2018 season, the CAC is presenting “Constructing the Break,” their annual open call exhibition of 29 regional artists."

"Take in cutting-edge exhibits, featuring both local artists and the work of national and international talent, at this cornerstone of…"

"A post shared by New Orleans Public Service (@neworleanspublicservice) on Aug 30, 2018 at 10:22am PDT. This elegant and sophisticated restaurant is located in the Central Business District. The restaurant is designed respecting the spirit of the New Orleans Public Service Inc."

"NOPSI Hotel, 311 Baronne St., (504) 962-6527; www.publicservicenola.com. Slow-braised beef short rib glazed with ancho barbecue sauce is served with grilled vegetables, red pepper tortilla hash and queso fresco. Reservations accepted."

"Public Service is a sophisticated space inside the NOPSI Hotel in the CBD . Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, bar bites and happy hour menus alike present southern-inspired farm-to..."

"The Roosevelt New Orleans, 130 Roosevelt Way, (504) 648-5486; www.therooseveltneworleans.com. A Rossini burger includes a Snake River wagyu beef patty, onion jam, seared fois gras and black truffle mayonnaise. Reservations accepted."