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The Little Village - Downtown

3.5 (289 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Little Village - Downtown Photos

Business Info

THE LITTLE VILLAGE - DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Little Village - Downtown

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Italian Brownie Cake
Elise B.

I have only had catering from The Little Village, but wanted to take my daughter out to celebrate so we decided to go try it out. When we walked in, it was very elegant. Soft lighting and subdued music gave it an intimate feel. We decided to do an assortment of appetizers and desserts so we could try more things. We opted for 4 appetizers, the famous bread, a cup of a soup and two desserts with cappuccinos to complete our meal. You do have to pay for bread here, but trust me, you're going to want to. We got some red sauce to go with it, but we both personally preferred the bread without it. Next we got a cup of lobster bisque. The flavor was good , and there was a surprising heat to it, which honestly made me want to keep eating it. For appetizers, we ordered the seared ahi tuna, the eggplant stacks, the toasted ravioli and the beef manicotti. However, they were out of the manicotti so Joel suggested the seafood stuffed mushrooms, and I'm glad he did! I'm not a big mushroom fan, but I gladly ate these and would order them again. My complaint is that there are only three ... and I was sharing them. For dessert, we got the crème brûlée and the Italian brownie cake. The crème brûlée was perfection and the brownie cake was deliciously rich and satisfying. There are so many dishes that we want to try that we can't wait to go back!

It's all about the bread! Amazing!
Keith H.

The Little Village is a cornerstone of the Downtown Baton Rouge restaurant scene! It's located on the corner of North Third Street and Main, in a historic building. It's interesting in that it's classy as well as casual. It would not be unusual to see people dressed up and people in shorts sitting in the dining area. The service is top notch and the waitstaff is always prompt and attentive. Of course the menu should be discussed, and it's primarily Italian. However, they also have a strong steak and seafood section. All of these are of great quality! I've never been disappointed in anything I've ordered there. The prices are on the upper side of moderate, but given the class of the establishment and the quality of the food, this is not unwarranted. One of the most popular things to order are the appetizers! The toasted garlic bread is AMAZING! One can get a half or whole loaf, with a roasted head of garlic, and/or marinara. An interesting appetizer I recently tried are the fried deviled eggs. These suckers are breaded then deep fried to a golden brown before they are stuffed. Deliciously different! I find all of their pasta and seafood dishes to be excellent. I often just go with the spaghetti and meatballs, because it is just so good. One way to save money while enjoying their cuisine is to go for lunch! They have a weekday lunch special menu that is priced very nicely.

Brennan S.

If you want a nice date out, this is the place. The servers were wonderful and it was so classy and cute inside. Highly recommend! The Village (drink) - very nice flavor! But does pack a punch to your throat. So definitely sip on it Skyy peach vodka, grapefruit & pineapple juices, splash grenadine Village bread - if you get nothing else get this. Light and fluffy, buttery and cheesy! Village Jumbo Fried Shrimp - 6 jumbo shrimp. Great presentation! But maybe was hoping for a little more since it was $30 Creole remoulade Chicken Piccatta - very buttery! The chicken was cooked great and the flavors were perfect Fresh capers, lemon butter, angel hair Potato of the day - garlic mashed potatoes The flavor was great but it was a little dry

Lyle S.

Lawd this place is great. A hidden gem of downtown. A somewhat fine dining atmosphere but don't let it fool you. Come how you are. Friendly staff will see to your needs while you try their menu of Italian and Creole dishes. We had nothing but appetizers and will surely be back.

Back room at Little Village
Scott F.

We went with a sizable party and had the absolute best service! Our server was a sweetheart and funny. The food was incredible! I had the veal piccata and we shared a delicious tiramisu for dessert. The bread, simply cannot be beat! And be sure and treat yourself with an espresso martini! This is the place to go for a romantic dinner or to celebrate an occasion, just like we celebrated our buddies retirement. Cheers Little Village, Downtown Baton Rouge! We love you and we will be back!

Renee Z.

Food was bland literally flavorless which is hard to accomplish with veal piccata and server was inexperienced which is fine but wasn't sure about menu items and forgot to put in appetizer.

Their famous bread with a club soda and cranberry
Maurice W.

Our server Drew was great. Even though he was fairly new (a couple of weeks on the job), he was pretty knowledgeable on the menu and any item he wasn't sure about, he went to ask to make sure he gave us the right answer. He was even kind enough to get a hot cup of water, lemon, and honey for some tea. The ambiance was your typical restaurant, not too loud, you could hear the conversations from other tables, but not to the point of being distracting. For a Friday night without a reservation, the wait wasn't long at all. The food was good, there were highs and lows. The Village Bread was fresh and not bad. We didn't order any of the add-ons and maybe those would've elevated the bread, but without them, it was just oil, parmesan cheese, and bread. If the oil was seasoned, the bread would've been so much better. Guess that's why roasted garlic is one of the add-on options. The Eggplant Seafood Napoleon was decent. The chef prepared it as requested with no issues, with the lobster cream sauce on the side. This allowed the amount to be controlled as it was a decent amount of sauce. The eggplant was fried well, the pasta was cooked well and the sauce was flavorful. The chicken was the best part of the Fettuccine Alfredo. It was seasoned well and delicious. I would've been disappointed if I would've gotten the fettuccine without the chicken as the Alfredo sauce needed some flavor. The addition of garlic, and onion would've gone a long way to up the flavor. I typically don't add salt to my sauces at restaurants, but I had to add salt to the fettuccine to help with the flavor when it wasn't eaten with a bite of chicken. By far, the best part of the meal (aside from the service), was the after dinner digestif. The Dean Martin Scandal is a coffee based after dinner/dessert cafe served warm. It had a good flavor and was a great nightcap. The roasted coffee beans on top of the whipped cream were a nice touch, just know they're not meant to be eaten. You could look at them and tell them weren't candied or roasted to be edible, purely for garnish. But the drink was enjoyable and a good balance of coffee and liquor. Overall, it was a good experience.

Seafood Gumbo
Staci J.

While in Baton Rouge for the Southeastern Rodeo we grabbed a bite to eat at Little Village. We did not have a reservation but luckily there was high top table seating in the bar area. It worked great for us because we were able to take advantage of the happy hour drink specials. I opted to order the Flirtini made with Tito's vodka, pineapple juice and a few other ingredients. Nice drink! We ordered calamari as an appetizer and shared the Louisiana seafood medley pasta. I also ordered a cup of gumbo. I really enjoyed the gumbo (seafood gumbo). Nice flavor and the rue was the perfect consistency. The calamari was good. The Louisiana seafood medley was okay plenty of shrimp and crab meat but the price point is a little high.

Raegan D.

This experience was really disappointing. The food was extremely bland, I wasn't able to eat more than a few bites even after adding salt and pepper. The calamari was decent, it wasn't spongy like it is at other restaurants, which i liked. The service was horribly slow, we waited over two hours to get our food. I wish this meal was better. I am sad

It was my birthday and this mouse was beyond perfection!!!!

Omg!!! The food...servers...drinks...deserts...managers...ambience...and the BREAD!!!!!! No words are good enough to describe all of these!!! We'll DEFINITELY BE BACK and...with friends!!!

Veal Osso Bucco
Mr. Wali A.

If you follow me then you know without a shadow of a doubt that my wife and I absolutely LOVE Italian cuisine. This place did not disappoint at all. Food was delicious and service was amazing. 10 of 10 would recommend.

Kim S.

One star because I woke up at 3:30am after having dinner here at 7pm with the worst stomach pain in my entire life. I believe it was food poisoning. I had chills, vomiting, and of course the frequent visit to the bathroom. We ordered the bread, fettuccine, and lasagna. Fettuccine had no flavor, tasted like you were drinking milk from the carton. Lasagna had no flavor. Order the bread and leave. I have not been here since December 2022, I have dined at this establishment twice now. All times were great and food was great. I am not sure if they changed owners or what happened since then but I would not wish my experience on my worst enemy. The service was good. The food was really bland. Please be cautious next time you dine here. I also saw another review 6 months ago and he/she also had food poisoning.

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3 months ago

Lovely restaurant and good service near several hotels, making it a great option when arrived in town from a long drive.

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8 months ago

The food was wonderful. Service as average. Ambiance was very nice. Would definitely go back.

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Ask the Community - The Little Village - Downtown

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Went in for a date night with my wife and was completely amazed by this charming restaurant…read more The restaurant itself was dimly lit with live music, covering Dean Martin, Tom Jones, really classic old Italian/Vegas style if that resonates with you. Service was friendly and offered several great suggestions along the way. It was not a rushed dinner and you could tell they really wanted you to be there and enjoy their experience. We opted for the $30 mystery bottle of wine which was such a fun treat. For an appetizer we opted for the seasonal seafood wontons. My wife orders the tour of Italy to get a sampling of everything, I order the filet with crab hollandaise. For dessert he turtle cheesecake, though our waiter really suggested the lemon raspberry cake, we will check that out next time. The filet was honestly, hands down, the best filet I've had in Baton Rouge, and in my top three of all time. The crab hollandaise was piled high with so much lump crab meat I couldn't believe it, and the steak was cooked perfectly to temperature. Highly recommend.

This place is one of my favorite happy hour spots! Their food is not my favorite for Italian other…read morethan their bone-in Pork Osso Bucco. It's super tender and flavorful plus the mashed potatoes! 10/10. I've also had the cheese sticks and I typically order the tour of Italy which is a sample of their lasagna, Alfredo, and chicken parm but the level of flavor and seasoning I prefer in my food just isn't there. Their happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM and Wine Wednesdays are also nice with half off glasses and bottles. Their cocktails are 10/10! Every one I've tried from the lavender French 75, margarita, bourbon sangria, holiday punch, and more! I try not to go weekly

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What an absolutely incredible dining experience! The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely…read morepassionate about both the food and the service. Everyone was so helpful and enthusiastic, and it was clear they truly care about creating a memorable experience for their guests. I visited during Restaurant Week, and the menu was outstanding. I ordered the arancini, steak medallions, and chocolate torte, and every course was spectacular. Nino's truly knows how to deliver exceptional Italian cuisine. I would honestly rank it as my favorite Italian restaurant in Baton Rouge. Shannon, one of the owners, was especially knowledgeable, welcoming, and helpful, making the experience even more enjoyable. My only hope is that they continue to grow and expand so they can keep serving the Baton Rouge community for years to come. I can't wait to come back!

Beyond five stars. My family has been Nino's patrons for over 20 years, but there was a long lull…read morein between visits. Since Shannon and her husband purchased Nino's, there has been a definite revival of the establishment. The food has improved with each visit - it's such a personal experience for the pallet. There is no possible way to pick a favorite dish, but from the regular menu, the Bolognese, Chicken Scallopini, Ribeye, and Lombardia are my favorite. There are seasonal soups and other specials. All of the desserts are wonderful - the cookies are perfectly done, and they are chosen most of our visits. Their cocktails are outstanding and they can help pair with your dish if you ask. The wines....oh the wines.... there are some gems on the bottle list, and their by the glass are also great. Reservations are strongly recommended, and when you make them, let them know if you are celebrating an event. You will also likely be visited by the owners while you dine. The pride they take in their restaurant is obvious, and there are exciting updates to come!

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La Divina has become one of my favorite places in Baton Rouge. I usually stop in for a dry…read morecappuccino, and it's consistently excellent. What keeps bringing me back, though, is the atmosphere. In the mornings, it's quiet, warm, and inviting--the perfect place to read, think, or prepare for the day. It's also become one of my favorite spots to meet with colleagues, entrepreneurs, and investors because it's comfortable enough for conversation without feeling noisy or rushed. I also want to recognize Bethany, who makes a genuine difference in the experience. She greets everyone with a warm, full smile that immediately makes you feel welcome. She's attentive, thoughtful, and truly cares about making things right if something isn't quite as expected. That kind of hospitality is rare, and it shows. If you're looking for more than just a good cup of coffee--a place where you can slow down, think, read, or have a meaningful conversation--La Divina is well worth a visit.

I was very disappointed with the panini sandwiches at La Divina Cafe. I ordered the roast beef…read morepanini, and to my surprise, it contained only a single, paper-thin slice of roast beef. For a sandwich advertised as roast beef, I expected a reasonable portion of meat, not something that was barely noticeable. The portion was extremely disappointing and made the sandwich feel like a poor value. If you're going to serve a roast beef panini, the roast beef should actually be a substantial part of the sandwich. Unfortunately, based on my experience, I would have a hard time recommending their paninis.

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Italian Cream Cake, Vanilla ice-cream with chocolate sauce and extinguished ice cubes that were light instead of candle.

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Carrabba's Italian Grill - The Johhny Trio

Carrabba's Italian Grill

3.3(151 reviews)
4.6 mi
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We went with a group of 20 for lunch we had reservations. When we arrived everything as prepared…read more We had one long table with 10 on one side and the other. Soon came 2 waitresses one for one aide and one for the other. They took our drink orders they came very fast. We ordered lunch the same way. It was very good. Lunch was the drink, soup or salad and the meal for a very good price. The was tasty and filling. I had the lentil soup because I often cook It at home. Well, I have to say it tasted as good as mine ... not better (not going to down my own cooking ) hahahaha it was very good We decided we would go there again

I'm somewhat torn on this location. The food is usually pretty decent. The service seems to be hit…read moreor miss. The salads are always fresh, the bread is always warm, and the entrees are normally good. I will add that the shrimp scampi is also good but a tad spicy, which is surprising. The Chicken Piccata is disappointing, although it tasted a tad better than it looked. Which I'm thankful for. The Alfredo is probably one of the better dishes, and the 3 chicken meal is usually a good option. The location itself is clean and orderly. But again, the Service I have found to be a bit slow, and Servers aren't always friendly. So, I'll leave it to you to judge if it's worth trying. Food- good, Service- Hit or Miss.

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New York Pizza & Pasta - Stuffed meat pizza cheese pull

New York Pizza & Pasta

4.4(184 reviews)
10.7 mi

We stopped at this place for family dinner, we've passed plenty and never stopped until today. I'm…read moreso sad we didn't stop sooner. We were greeted as soon as we walked in nice and warmly. We browsed the menu and made our order at the counter and sat down. Within 20 minutes or so she was bringing our food. I had chicken Parmesan with a side Caesar salad and an unsweetened tea. When she sat my plate down it was piping hot and I was amazed at the size of the chicken. The chicken was cooked perfectly and had great seasoning! The pasta and sauce were also well seasoned and in overwhelming portions. I would've preferred penne or fettuccine noodles but the spaghetti noodles were perfect. The Caesar salad was plentiful and arrived before the food. Fiancé had manicotti with a side Mediterranean salad and a diet DP. Her plate was also steaming hot and well seasoned. She had a generous portion. It had a good creamy cheese texture and was well seasoned. Her salad was really good also. The kids had a 10" pepperoni pizza. My 4 year old devoured it. I was able to get one slice and instantly went back to being a kid and eating at my favorite pizza place. Needless to say this has become my new favorite pizza place. Fiancé raves on the fountain Diet Coke she had. Needless to say we will be back. Our total bill was around $90. It was real quiet considering we were the only people dining in, had a couple of Togo orders. Waitstaff was super friendly. They also have ready made pizza they sell by the slice in a warming box in the front.

So my friend got a pizza to go and an order of meatballs…read more The pizza tastes like New York, in a way that I haven't had here in Baton Rouge before! SOOOOOO YUMMY. The crust is crunchy and the sauce is perfection. The meatballs are huge. We split them and there was plenty. Very juicy and cooked well!

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The Little Village - Downtown - italian - Updated November 2026

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