Italian restaurants here range from traditional cuisine to food with a New Orleans flair, and we love it all. Pizza, pasta, and other Italian treats are not hard to find in New Orleans—check out our picks for the best Italian restaurants below. 

Where Can I Find the Best Italian Food in New Orleans?

1

Radiatore alla vodka, seafood risotto, and lamb ragu are just a few of the menu highlights at Sofia. This Warehouse District restaurant has been making waves ever since it first opened in 2018. With an elevated interpretation on traditional Italian cuisine, Sofia has everything from handmade pastas to woodfired pizza, plus an option to make your own spritz. 

2

Located just down the way from Sofia is Gianna, another great Warehouse District Italian restaurant. Offering rustic Italian cuisine rooted in Louisiana tradition and technique, highlights of the menu include ricotta ravioli, shrimp scampi, roasted eggplant, and baked strozzapreti. Make sure to order a glass of wine or a cocktail off the aperitivi menu for the perfect complement to your meal. 

3

Right on the edge of the French Quarter, you’ll find this quaint, no-frills Italian joint. Opt for a classic chicken parmigiana or go all out for an Italian imported cheese or cold cuts platter. They’re got pesto, they’ve got spaghetti, they’ve got gnocchi—you can’t go wrong with the Italian Barrel. 

4

Third-generation Sicilian New Orleans-born chef Nick Lama serves classic family recipes with a modern twist at Avo. Using locally grown ingredients in his cooking, many menu items change with the season. Classics like meatballs, Caesar salad, and fried calamari meet regionally inspired dishes like crawfish ravioli and grilled Gulf fish piccata. Their lasagna is also truly excellent. Don’t forget the desserts—gelato, tiramisu, and cheesecake all make the cut. 

5

Irene’s is another great French Quarter Italian restaurant with all the classics: Sicilian antipasto, soups and salads, fish and seafood, duck and lamb. Enjoy Creole favorites like pan seared fish Meunière Amandine alongside Italian staples like lasagna Bolognese. Cozy up in this intimate spot with a glass of wine and good company. 

6

Located in the Bywater, Paladar 511 is a favorite amongst locals. Small plates beef tartare and squid ink spaghetti are the perfect appetizers for flat iron steak, slow roasted lamb shoulder or your selection of pizza. Stop in at brunch for lemon ricotta pancakes and farm egg pizza. 

7

Pizza, anyone? There’s handmade pasta, fresh salads and vegetables, plus seafood dishes to be found at Domenica, but their wood fired Napolitano-style pizza is a must-try. Choose from a variety of cheeses and salami for a scrumptious Italian meal. Feeling more casual? Swing by either of the Pizza Domenica locations for some excellent Neapolitan-style pies and a stellar happy hour. 

8

While it may be a bit of a trek outside of the city, Mosca's is legendary. Head across the Mississippi to find specialty dishes like Oysters Mosca, Chicken a La Grande, and truly addictive red gravy. Far warning, you may walk out smelling like garlic for a week straight, but it's absolutely worth it. 

9

Tucked away above The Apple Barrel music club downstairs, this postcard-sized Creole-Italian restaurant feels like an expertly kept local's secret. Due to size, the wait can be long, but the location on Frenchmen means you've got some solid live music options to check out while you work up an appetite. And once you're seated at the red-and-white-checked tabletops, you'll find dishes piled high with seafood-forward Louisiana takes on Italian classics. 

Best Italian Restaurants in New Orleans

Best Italian Restaurants in New Orleans