Never -- and I mean NEVER - had anything but excellent service (David) and fabulous food. Soft shell crab - if you are fortunate enough to go during the season -- is amazing. No such thing as an appetizer. I make mine a double and enjoy them for the main course. Cannot wait to have an opportunity to be in New Orleans. Irene's is first on the list. Enjoy! read more

This place was designed for slow, romantic dinners. The lighting is soft and warm, and everything about the atmosphere feels slightly intimate. There's also a quiet, old-world New Orleans elegance to it that never feels forced. It leans into rich, Italian-Creole comfort: braised meats, pastas, and sauces that feel slow and deliberate. Some popular dishes you'll often hear about include the following: -- Eggplant Pirogue - a signature stuffed eggplant, rich and deeply savory -- Veal Irene - tender veal in a signature sauce, one of the house classics - Crabmeat Au Gratin - creamy, indulgent, and very popular as a starter - Shrimp & Crabmeat Appetizers - classic Gulf flavors done simply and well - Pasta Primavera / House Pasta Specials - often changing but consistently well-executed - Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce - a frequent favorite for dessert Whatever you do, don't visit this place if you're in a hurry. It's meant to be savored. read more

Lovely Italian spot in the French Quarter. Highly recommend making a reservation because tables fill up fast. We got a table at 6:45pm and was seated immediately. The menu is extensive, and they always have daily specials. For dinner I got the Oysters for an app, the Almond Fish as an entree and the cheese cake for dessert. Service is top notch, like you're at a very fancy place. I wasn't a fan of the oyster and the fish entree was too sweet in my opinion. Overall, it's a nice place, but I don't think I ordered the right food. read more

Irene's - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Service was great. The interior is very attractive. The food is delicious! I had the lasagna, I think it was the best I've ever had! So awesome! My husband had spaghetti and meatballs. He thought it was very good as well. We will definitely go back! read more

Irene's in New Orleans is truly something special From the moment we walked in, everyone was so warm, welcoming, and kind it immediately set the tone for such a beautiful experience. The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning, and even though it's tucked away in New Orleans, stepping inside feels like being transported into something so elegant and exquisite. The ambience is everything, but the food matched it perfectly. You can tell they've really captured the theme they're going for in every dish felt thoughtful, flavorful, and perfectly done. The drinks were amazing, the food was excellent, and every bite was full of flavor. But honestly, sitting outside was the best part. The atmosphere out there just made the whole night feel even more special. Such a beautiful experience from start to finish definitely a place I'd come back to read more

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I spent some time researching restaurants prior to our trip to New Orleans. Numerous restaurants stood out, but a consistent name showed up in every top five list ... and that was Irene's. I decided to book my birthday dinner here, and I am so glad that I did. We had an absolutely fantastic time! The restaurant is beautiful and very romantic. Our host offered us different places to sit both inside and outside, so we chose to sit in the back patio because of the beautiful weather that night. Our server Michael quickly greeted us, and I have to say he was wonderful throughout the night, being very helpful with guiding us through the menu and offering suggestions. I would highly recommend Irene's, and I hope to visit again the next time I'm in New Orleans. If you want amazing food and excellent service in a classy and romantic setting ... check out Irene's! read more

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Wonderful dinner at Irene's. We started with a Siciliano, yummy, and the Parma Prosciutto & Grilled Asparagus, the flavors were outstanding as this allowed us to relax and enjoy. Many choices, and the San Francisco style Cioppino is our favorite. The shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and fish were perfect (not overcooked like other restaurants) in a spicy bouillabaisse. I think I could have it weekly it is so good. To complement dinner, we shared a almond gelatos with raspberry sauce drizzle... If you want the best of the best in NOLA, do not miss Irene's .... " It don't get no better" read more

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Wonderful experience. We showed up early for our reservation and were accommodated with a table right away despite the early arrival. Our server Demetrius was incredible. He made excellent menu recommendations, was very attentive, and engaged in genuine conversation. The food was very good. I had the duck. It was just a Demetrius described it, crispy skin and all. The ambiance was nice and elegant. This was affordable fine dining at it's best. read more

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I think I made a terrible mistake. I ordered a steak. Maybe it was the collard greens that ushered in the choice. Maybe it was the delicious mussels I had as an appetizer that made me think the seafood minimum had been met. Maybe it was the shrimp and sausage that came with the steak as an add on. Maybe it was the feel of the last night in this food Mecca. Whatever it may have been, the steak was great, but fell a bit short of amazing. But the service, the wine, and the meatballs in the Italian wedding soup made this a five star experience. Don't worry if you don't have reservations or you're in jeans and a hoodie. Relaxed and epic bar. Trivia: while tables in this restaurant are visible from the street, one must walk down what to reach their front door? read more

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While I have dined at Irene's several times in the past this was my first visit to their new location. I made a reservation a few days earlier and was looking forward to this visit. Irene's was a very popular FQ restaurant and I found out it still is. The sign out front says walk ins are welcomed just like the old space but I wouldn't want to depend on that. The new restaurant is beautiful on the inside. Classy, upscale and larger. More so than the old location. It has a full bar and there was a piano player on last Tuesday night. I ordered the Caesar salad to start and then to be followed by the shrimp and crawfish fettuccine. First to arrive was a complimentary plate of bruschetta. The tomatoes and cheese on warm toast was appreciated and tasted very good. The salad was fresh with parmesan cheese and a sliced of toasted french bread on top. The entree was next with a parmesan cheese cream sauce with shrimp, crawfish tails, spinach and cherry tomatoes along with the pasta. I enjoyed this meal. The waitstaff was professional during the meal. This meal was a 4 score taste wise however I am deducting a star for two reasons. First is that a few of the crawfish tails still had shells on them. It's not expected at a nice restaurant as this to have to remove shells from one's mouth while eating. Second the itemized bill had a charge at the end that said dual price. I asked the waiter what it meant and after checking told me that it was for paying with a credit card. I don't understand why a restaurant at this price point charges extra for credit card use. Do they expect diners to pay these prices with cash? Who carries that much around with them? Management, if you must, just raise your food and drink prices a couple of percent. Who comes here and pays cash? Don't nickel and dime us with charges that shouldn't be there. This disappointed me. read more

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Best restaurant experience I've ever had! David gave us top notch service, food was incredible, and the atmosphere set the whole mood. Definitely recommend for your next date night or business dinner! read more

Had such a great experience at Irene's in New Orleans. The food was absolutely delicious, full of flavor, and everything felt fresh and well made. The atmosphere was warm, charming, and had that perfect classic New Orleans feel. Service was also wonderful and made the whole dinner even more enjoyable. Definitely a spot I would come back to and highly recommend if you're looking for a really good Italian dinner in New Orleans. read more

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Tucked away in the French Quarter, Irene's is quaint and has the Nola vibe. Just a week out from the holidays - it was festive and what I enjoyed most were the patrons of all ages, dressed in true Nola fashion, ready for an enjoyable dinner. We started with an amuse bouche - kinda like a toasted bruschetta (tomatoes, cheese on a crostini) and a glass of Pinot Grigio. Between the three of us, we were able to sample a good majority of the menu. - Italian wedding soup - heartwarming - and they split a bowl between two of us without us asking - Antipasto - thoroughly enjoyed the pickled veggies and the eggplant - Beet salad - the arugula brought freshness - Caesar salad - Shrimp and crawfish fettuccine - delicious - Duck with grapes. Never had it served this way, but a bit of the duck with the sweet potato mash and a fresh grape - interesting bite didn't have room for dessert - but overall enjoyed the meal and the service at Irene's. read more

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First of all, the ambiance was welcoming and friendly. The bar made me want to find my own stool and claim ownership. Our table was tucked in a corner, which was perfect for our group of 5. Our server had obviously worked there a long time and was knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. The covered fried green tomatoes were great, and I am not a fan of them normally. Definitely a good, although filling appetizer. Everyone, except me had the Caesar salad, which looked nice. I ordered the Watermelon Salad, which was a special, and it was divine. I got the Cioppino which was out of this world! Chockedfull of seafood with a spicy, extremely flavorful broth. Two of the group split the shrimp scampi and loved it. I will go back everytime I visit NOLA. Worth the price! read more

All I can say is... Spectacular! I have heard for over 20 years about this legendary location famous for not only the food but also the service and ambiance. I finally decided to make a reservation, and let me tell you what...I am so glad I did! We were greeted by the entire staff as we walked in at our reservation time which started off dinner service which was an added touch of class. I would definitely recommend the patio seating, (ask for patio 6, and you will be in the corner with an amazing view) It was a quaint corner table with a great view of the courtyard & a nice breeze blowing, foliage covered pergola, and amazing ambiance. The food was second to none. Regulars have told me that EVERYTHING on the menu is amazing so I went with our server Sway's guidance for which I was grateful. I started with the Crabmeat Gratin with Jumbo Lump crabmeat, baked casserole of swiss & brie. Our entrees were both the Duck St. Philip: Rousted crispy, pecan, raspberry pancetta glaze, sweet potato mash, fresh spinach & the San Francisco style Cioppino: Shrimp, scallops, fish, crabmeat, clams, mussels simmered in a spicy, saffron scented tomato fennel broth and finished up with the Bananas Foster Bread Pudding & coffee. Make sure you either call ahead for reservation or use the online app to secure your table or you may not get in because it is ALWAYS PACKED! read more

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This was a great way to end my trip. The service, food, and ambiance, were great. We didn't have a reservation but there was room at the bar which turned out to be the best seat in the house. Our bartender HUNTER 5 stars . He made our night. He deserves his flowers he entertained us from the moment we sat down. If his boss could see this he deserves recognition from jokes, to food recommendations, to singing by the piano and singing happy birthday to my friend he did his big one! The food. We were given complimentary bruschetta and it was delicious. I would have purchased it myself. My pasta which had shrimp and crawfish was flavorful and light. I tasted my friend's lasagna and it was delicious as well. My side car was okay but then I asked Hunter to make me something different and the Sazarac (not sure of the spelling) was great the aroma of the drink along was so pleasant. The cheesecake was good as well. I do not have anything negative to say. I would love to come back. read more

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Came here for our anniversary dinner. Had heard really good things, so expectations were high. My favorite part was probably the atmosphere of the restaurant! It was romantic and traditional new orleans with lots of history and character. The service was outstanding. Our waiter was very attentive without making us feel rushed, and he gave us excellent recommendations. As far as food, everything we got was delicious. They gave us bruschetta to start with which was really good. We ordered the crabmeat gratin for an appetizer, and that was probably my favorite part of the meal, SO good. I had the lasagna for my entree and my husband had the duck st. philip, both of which were amazing. For dessert we went classic italian and got the tiramisu, which was also outstanding. Overall loved our experience, cannot wait to go back and try more of the menu in the future! read more

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The food is a stand out. The ambience is definitely old world Italian, and the service is one of the best in New Orleans. There's no parking and no valet so you either need to go in a cab or Uber but definitely worth the ride read more

Honestly probably my favorite dinner in New Orleans ever. The service, the ambiance, the food, all 10000/10. Make sure to make a reservation!!! We arrived a little early for our reservation, and they told us they could actually seat us at a nicer table since we were ready. When we sat, we ordered cocktails, but we also brought a bottle of wine and just paid the $20 fee. Our waitress was so sweet about this, and throughout the whole night just provided the best, most attentive service. They start you with complementary bruschetta. We also got the asparagus salad and the crab au gratin. Literally all three of these things were so good that I forgot we had even ordered entrees. We got the shrimp pasta and the lamb chops. Probably the best lamb chops we have ever had. Ended the night with the bananas foster bread pudding. Did I say it was incredible?? Go!! read more

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Food was amazing. Staff were very friendly from the moment we walked in the door. When you are seated, they light a new candle. They take their time to explain the menu and offer suggestions. I highly recommend. read more

Have nothing but great things to say about Irene's. The service by their staff is impeccable; you will leave feeling like their most important pateon. The food is so consistently top notch. Love their soups, dips, pastas, seafood.. I can go on its all flavorful and fresh. I also find them to be very affordable for the level of dinning and ambiance. Make a reservation or sit at the bar! read more

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This was our first time at Irene's after numerous attempts to get a reservation and dine here...and it was so worth it. The restaurant itself is warm, inviting and rich with history. Candle lit tables, dim lighting and piano playing in the background really sets the mood for an amazing meal. From the moment we walked in, the service was impeccable and you could truly feel the staff was proud to be a part of a place like Irene's. It's special. The food was amazing. We started with the spinach ravioli and meatball appetizers. Both were delicious and well prepared. The entrees were Bolognese Pasta and the Duck St. Philip...holy moly, that duck is INSANE. Crispy skin, perfect temperature throughout and the glaze was perfection. The bolognese was meaty and rich, and you could taste the freshness in the dish. Fantastic. We were so full, we did not do dessert this time, however we will be back to try everything that Irene's has to offer. 5/5 stars for an amazing experience. We can't wait to go back. read more

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Irene's never disappoints. The food, service, and ambiance. 10/10 Reservations highly suggested read more

Irene's - Red fish with crispy potatoes topped with chimichurri - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I was in town for a conference and was looking for a break from the delicious creole we had been eating for a couple of days. We found Irene's and had an amazing dinner right next to the live piano music. Service was elegant and not hurried, and all of our food was delicious. While most restaurants nearby were pretty quiet on a Wednesday night, we were lucky to snag a table without a reservation. Highly recommend! read more

Irene's - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Date of visit: December 20, 2024 Definitely the best meal we had in NOLA, and we ate at a lot of fabulous places. You hear plenty about restaurants such as Commander's Palace, but there are plenty of places that are just as good--if not better--and Irene's should be on the top of that list. We didn't need as much time to check out Bourbon Street as I thought we would, so we ended up at the restaurant early. I did not think we could get in, but checked anyway. The host (whose gorgeousness was equaled by his friendly and helpful demeanor) indicated that they were running right on schedule and to come back at our reservation time. We did and I added truthful to his list of attributes! The decor is giving very old school ristorante italiano; my friend was sure this place is or was "mobbed up." Regardless, I loved how charming it was, from the cute vestibule area to the coziness of the dining room, even featuring a semi-private room off to the side. Hunter took amazing care of us! From the fabulous bruschetta to his recommendations for those of us that were undecided, we wanted for nothing the entire meal. Speaking of the meal, none of us went away hungry. I tried both the Italian Wedding soup and the Soup of the Day and both were fantastic. My Duck St. Philip truly could apply for sainthood, it was that good! read more

Irene's - Duck St. Philip. Saintly, indeed! - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We spent 12 weeks in NOLA last year and 10 weeks this year ... this is our "go-to" place when we have visitors. Love the ambiance, the food ... and Bananas Foster Bread pudding! Cioppino was also a highlight for the two at our table who ordered it (my husband orders it each visit!) Oysters Irene not a table favorite ... very bacon heavy. read more

I had no idea about Irene's, but my sister picked it for her birthday dinner. It's tucked away in the French Quarter, so be prepared for a parking challenge. That aside, the food was great from start to finish. We started with the antipasto, Italian sausage, and crab au gratin dip, and everything was full of flavor. For my entrée, I went with the ribeye special served over a bed of spinach with a side of potato au gratin. For dessert, we shared the flourless chocolate cake, tiramisu, cheesecake, and their bread pudding. Every single one was rich and satisfying. Our waiter was fantastic friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. Overall, it was a great experience and a perfect spot for a celebration. read more

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Terrific Italian with beautiful ambience, great food and superb service. It's quiet and softly lit ( hard to find in New Orleans : ). Food,especially soft shell crab, is amazing. The staff was the most polite service we had the entire trip read more

Amazing the most amazing service and food was delicious thank you for having us The night was perfect read more

The ambiece of the place is amazing, you can tell it's a classic Nola restaurant. The service was also amazing, they were right on point with everything. Food was super fresh and delicious, would recommend 10/10. read more

Irene's - Crawfish & Shrimp Fettuccine. - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Intimate dining experience surrounding by couples - missing my dear Lisa E., who recommended Irene's based on Yelp reviews. Service par excellence. Well made Sazerac. Tonight's special beet salad, goat cheese purée, arugula perfectly dressed. Duck was crispy, moist and rich, paired well with the recommended Montepulciano. Sipping the remainder if my Sazerac, content and too full for dessert. On to a nearby Jazz hall! read more

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A few years ago (January 2020), my wife and I met this local couple and after enjoying music drinks and dancing with them, we excused ourselves because we were hungry... they inquired where we planned to eat but also recommended a couple places and we opted to take their suggestion of IRENE'S. It was late but Irene's was still busy and had no free tables but the hostess said she noticed there was hi-top table in the bar area... we took it. We enjoyed our food (shared a CESAR SALAD and then LASAGNA for me and SHRIMP FETTUCCINE for the wife plus CHEESECAKE for dessert)... And an hour and a half later, we were leaving full of delicious food and discussions of returning next year on our yearly New Orleans visit. And the manager comped the Cheesecake and even brought us some Prosecco to enjoy an anniversary toast. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Our yearly trips to NOLA were delayed because of COVID... but we are finally back and of course we came to Irene's. We arrived at the restaurant (with a reservation / highly recommended), and when asked if it were a special occasion we told them our wedding anniversary. They offered us a table in the bar area instead of the dining room table they had reserved because we would be right by the live piano player and it's not too loud either. We accepted the location change AND GLAD WE DID. My wife and I loved our server and the performer was very entertaining (talking and singing along with playing the piano). We especially loved our food... We shared an order of MUSSELS MARINARA (excellent dish and the toast that comes with it is so good it doesn't even need the mussels marinara / it's that good). I had their LASAGNA BOLOGNESE and my wife had their SAN FRANCISCO STYLE CIOPPINO... both were excellent. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A couple days later, another couple came to New Orleans to celebrate with us and we loved our last dinner so much that we made another reservation.... SAME TABLE ! We repeated the MUSSELS MARINARA, which everyone loved... and we also had an order of ESCARGOT, which was also very good. My wife decided to give their WHOLE FISH DAILY SPECIAL a try and she was happy happy happy. I went with their LAMB PROVENCE (and loved it). Our friends enjoyed their main dishes, DUCK ST PHILIP and MEUNIÈRE AMANDINE. I tried his Duck..... and I can say for sure, I loved my dinner but this was my favorite dish on the table. AND once again, the manager comped us dessert for our anniversary. This time we shared a CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I can easily say we are big fans.... and look forward to returning soon. read more

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Went here for the first time with a friend of mine after hearing people rave about this place for months, saying that this is the best Italian place in the city! I was very excited to try it, and it did not disappoint! First of all, Michael Knowles was our server and he did an incredible job! He was very helpful, attentive, kind, and knowledgeable about the menu. For food, I got a walnut bib, lettuce salad that they had as a special that day, which was pretty tasty. If I'm remembering correctly, it had ricotta cheese, walnuts, and radishes. For entrée, I had them make me a pasta Primavera, since I don't eat meat. It was very tasty! For desserts, my friend and I got the chocolate truffle and the cheesecake. The chocolate truffle dish was very smooth, Rich, and creamy! The cheesecake was delicious! It came with some strawberries on it and some type of citrus/floral tasting sauce, which was very sweet and added a tanginess to it. The crust was delicious, it tasted like a sugar cookie! The interior of the restaurant was very gorgeous and had an old Timey type of vibe. They were also playing live music. Can't wait to come back! read more

Irene's - Cheesecake and chocolate truffle pie - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Food was delicious. Atmosphere was nice and romantic. It was our favorite dinner spot from our trip. Highly recommend. read more

Irene's - Lamb chops - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Dinner at Irene's is an ALWAYS for New Orleans! Soft shell crab is five star! And Always Excellent! read more

I did not have a great experience here. Not very vegetarian friendly. Was visiting from CO, very excited to go to an italian restaurant and ended up with an off-menu zucchini pasta dish because the only other vegetarian option on the menu was 86 (informed after notifying of dietary restrictions and then later trying to order). Took 4 bites before handing off to someone else. Server seemed inexperienced and inattentive. read more

Irene's - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The best meal we had in New Orleans hands down. The service was over the top friendly and helpful. Dining in the courtyard is a must and creates a whole different and better atmosphere. We had several appetizers and all were phenomenal. We sampled several of the pastas: the bolognese and all a vodka were outstanding. The desserts were perfect. The blueberry galette I would fly back to the city for. read more

Nice restaurant with great ambiance! Sat on back patio and it was comfortable. Had the lamb which was good but crab meat au gratin stole the show! read more

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Really delicious food. Great classic Italian. A nice break from Creole and Cajun. Recommend this place. Good service too

Great restaurant! Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu. Not picture is the spinach ricotta ravioli and it is to die for! Everything we got was amazing! Would come here 1000 times over if I lived here. Couldn't recommend it more! read more

Irene's - Lamb A' La Provence Alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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