Looking for a tasty Italian meal near you?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Italian restaurants around New Orleans, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fill the bill.
1. Irene's
Topping the list is Irene's. Located at 529 Bienville St. in the French Quarter, the spot is the highest rated Italian restaurant in New Orleans, boasting 4.5 stars out of 689 reviews on Yelp.
Irene's, which recently relocated to this location, specializes in traditional dishes like lasagna bolognese, shrimp and crab pappardelle, and San Francisco-style cioppino, with shrimp, scallops, fish, crabmeat, clams, mussels, and a saffron-scented tomato and fennel broth.
2. Domenica
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.
3. Vincent's Italian Cuisine
East Carollton's Vincent's Italian Cuisine, located at 7839 St. Charles Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the traditional Italian spot 4.5 stars out of 308 reviews.
"I've been coming to Vincent's for years, and as a local Italian, I can vouch for the quality and flavor of the food. It's stellar," Yelper Patricia R. said. "It's a small, intimate, darkish, cool place. The staff is not just friendly, it's more than that. It's a true Italian family thing. You can feel it, and know that they truly want you to enjoy your meal. I wish I could telepathically convey the experience to everyone, because it might lead to world peace."
4. Marcello's Restaurant & Wine Bar
Marcello's Restaurant & Wine Bar, a wine market and Italian spot in the Central Business District, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 300 reviews. Head over to 715 St. Charles Ave. to see for yourself.
With alternate locations in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, this establishment offers specialties like braised marsala pork cheeks with mushrooms, veal demi-glace and Parmesan polenta; spaghetti bolognese with slow-cooked meat sauce and meatballs; Mario's lasagna; and veal, chicken, or eggplant Parmigiana with linguine, mozzarella and marinara fresca.
5. CIBO
And finally — over in Leonidas — check out CIBO, which has earned five stars out of 89 reviews on Yelp. You can find the establishment at 1114 S. Carrolton Ave.
This classic Italian deli and eatery features New York-inspired fare like an assortment of bagels with a selection of toppings; sandwiches like the "Broadway," made with a breaded chicken cutlet, prosciutto and roasted red peppers; and dinner items like spaghetti and meatballs; three cheese ravioli; and spaghetti carbonara with Parmesan, bacon, garlic butter and peas.
