Absolutely astounding experience again at Pulcinella! Greeted warmly by the host & seated for our reservation in a cozy private corner we started with delicious well balanced cocktails. We started with the famous meatball & bread service, upscaled with the artisanal Tuscan olive oil. All I can say is WOW! I have never experienced olive oil like this before, I'll never skip it when it's available now! Our party dined on the seafood cannelloni & stuffed shells for mains. Everything was served promptly, hot & rich with flavor. Everything was fresh, great portions, truly perfection. OH and of course the unmatched hospitality from Bella & Andy is the glitter sprinkled on top. They seem to have thought of it all & we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Also don't miss the opportunity to catch a show at the Original Nite Cap upstairs! We were lucky enough to snag tickets to the Blue Velvet Review and OH MY GODDESS what a fantastic show! This dinner & show combo is a date nite MUST! read more

See all

Warm Southern Italian gem--great vibes, service, menu, and outstanding wines. Charming Southern Italian spot with great vibes, stellar service, and superb wines. read more

Pulcinella! - Meatball with side of anger hair - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

10 out of 10 stars!! We went for Burlesque brunch for my birthday and everything was spectacular! The food, the ambience, the burlesque! We all got different dishes and we all loved it. You HAVE to have the meatball! Make your reservation today and you won't be disappointed!!! read more

See all

Most of the tables were full, so we decided to sit at the bar. It's a cozy place. The bar service was wonderful. The bartender was engaging and hospitable. She helped us navigate the wine menu and offered champagne because we were having a celebration dinner. She made great food recommendations as well and informed us about weekly specials and events in the lounge upstairs. The food was lovely. We had a charcuterie board, and I order the stuffed shells with braised short rib ragu.There was an interesting lemony flavor to them, but I liked it. The short rib was tender. I'd like to go back to try dessert. The bartender also gave us a card and said if we collect a certain amount of cards, we can get free items. read more

See all

Oh my goodness! If I could give 10 stars I would!! We made early reservations at 530 and got there a little after 5 so we went upstairs to the Nightcap for cocktails to start. It was happy hour, service was fast and friendly, it's a nice place to hang if you arrive early. We went downstairs right at 530 and we were sat immediately. They do have a few reasonable priced wines so we settled on Malbec that went nicely with dinner. We ordered the highly recommended Meatball and let me tell you it's was so delicious it's was some sort of a religious experience to eat, we didn't talk we just kept eating the Meatball and dipping the house made bread into to sauce - yum!!! Then we split the shells which probably would not have been my first choice but also highly recommended, Wow! That cheese had a bit of a lemon zest that was perfect with the sauce. For dessert we had the Fruit Panna Cotta with scoop of ice cream, it was the perfect light ending to an excellent meal. I can't wait to go back and try more dishes, but will always order that Meatball. read more

See all

I've had this place bookmarked for a while and my only regret is not trying it sooner. When we walked in we were greeted immediately and seated at the bar. It was a Saturday night and The restaurant was full but I never felt neglected my the staff. They were very attentive. I got wine and my dining guest got a boulevardier. The wine was good and the boulevardier was really well made. For an appetizer we got the meatballs. So good!! The meatballs were juicy and flavorful and the sauce was so good. And omg the bread that comes with it was toasty and sooo good! We also got the bread service. The bread was obviously made in house and it was sooo good. It came with a good olive oil for dipping. I do wish there were options for a different dipping sauce for the bread. An olive oil with herbs, salt and pepper flakes would have been phenomenal with the bread. For entrees we got the chicken cutlet and the stuffed shells. I think the portion sizes were perfect for us. The chicken cutlet was fried and topped with a cream sauce and mushrooms. It had a side of angel hair pasta with it. The meat was juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The mushrooms were so good. This dish was amazing! It exceeded expectations. The stuffed shells included a braised short rib ragu and few different cheeses. This was also amazing! The meat was tender and the sauce was flavorful. This was a 10/10 experience. I'll be back. read more

See all

Great food! Great service! Adorable atmosphere! Didn't make it upstairs yet but definitely on the list when we come back because we'll definitely be back! Get the meatball, get the artichoke soup, get the pork chop and finish with the cheesecake!! The bar drinks were the only weak part of the night for me. Though there was also the sweetest gentleman there that patiently went over wines with my wife and she loved every minute of it. I didn't take pictures of the food but it literally looked just as good as it does in all their pictures already online. read more

What a great venue! The restaurant was delicious and the service was impeccable. That cheesecake is ridiculous. The show was incredibly entertaining, and your live band was top-notch. Thank you for an amazing evening out for me and my guests! read more

Pulcinella! - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Love this place!!! The Italian game in New Orleans has really been stepping up. This place is no exception. I went in alone one night and I can't wait to get back! I didn't get to try all of the things I wanted because I got so full so quickly lol. But a reason to return for sure. I had the meatballs and Ceasar salad and neither disappointed. I def want to go back so I can try the oyster artichoke soup amongst other things. Near my house which is great. Bartender was great who served me. Nice vibe on the inside. They even have a bar upstairs to try out. read more

See all

Definitely a hidden gem. The ambience was very nice. Server was kind and highly attentive. The cheeseboard was fun, the meatball was truly delicious and cooked well. We had an array of entrees, including the grilled steak tagliata, stuffed shells, seafood cannelloni, and the bucatini alla amatriciana. The bucatini was my absolute favorite, the Nduja gravy was amazing. read more

See all

Pulcinella was an absolute delight from start to finish. The food was amazing, especially the Eggplant Parmesan, which was perfectly layered, rich without being heavy, and full of authentic flavor. You can really tell that care and quality ingredients go into every dish. The drinks were just as impressive. Our waitress recommended a couple of options for us, and she absolutely nailed it. Each one paired beautifully with our meal and elevated the entire experience. The ambiance made the night even better. Cozy, warm, and inviting, Pulcinella strikes the perfect balance where you feel comfortable and relaxed, and best of all, you can actually have a conversation without shouting over noise. It is the kind of place that makes you want to linger a little longer and plan your next visit before you even leave. read more

See all

I LOVE that this restaurant is below a burlesque studio and their cocktails and food menu is inspired! The service is a bit slow, so maybe they're still getting their footing but it was frustrating because we missed a lot of the show upstairs when our food wouldn't come. It's one of few home style Italian places in New Orleans so I definitely appreciate it being here. read more

The service was impeccable, the ambience was adorable, and the food was divine! My highlights were the gulf fish crudo appetizer, grilled market fish entree, and panna cotta dessert. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in the area and also stay for one of the shows! read more

Let me just say: WOW. I came for the Grilled Steak Tagliata, and I may never recover (in the best way possible). The steak? Tender and perfectly grilled -- charred just right with a kiss of crispy and so much flavor. The crispy smashed potatoes? Golden, crunchy on the outside, soft inside. And then they go over creamy, dreamy hollandaise and a herb butter that ties it all together in one magical, mind-blowing bite. It's like brunch and steakhouse elegance had a delicious love child. This dish alone is worth a visit, but honestly? Try the whole menu. Every plate coming out of the kitchen looked like a work of art and smelled like a dream. Pucinella's is absolutely raising the bar in the neighborhood. Run, don't walk. And bring a big appetite. #LocalGem #NOLAeats #SteakHeaven read more

See all

This is a beautiful restaurant with a fun vibe. Service was mostly attentive- Bella touched every table multiple times, but our server seemed strained by other tables. We started with the focaccia bread service ($2 per person) and I have to agree with another reviewer that the bread that arrived did not have the appearance of focaccia. We had the market salad which was excellent, and the pasta dishes were a good portion and delicious. A member of our party got the pork steak and did not enjoy it at all. Recommend sticking to the salads and pasta dishes. read more

See all

Fantastic flavors! Delicious fresh yummy food. The chicken cutlet amazing! The spicy red sauce pasta. Sooo good Love the atmosphere and service was on point for our group of crazies! Went to Burlesque upstairs after dinner. Fun night! read more

The focaccia bread wasn't the best, and save your $9 on the specialty spicy olive oil because it tastes just like the regular one. Also, it's more of a small bites, nibble and share, type of place. The food was really good though, so I would go back and recommend to others. The service was okay. I'm not sure if it's just her personality that's pretty blah or what. read more

We were excited to eat here based on reviews and were somewhat underwhelmed unfortunately. The service was good as was the ambience. The fish dish was cooked well but all dishes were heavily salted. The pork chop was not cooked all the way through and was too pink to feel comfortable eating. Perhaps an off night. read more

The food and ambience are wonderful. We've had most of the menu at this point and you can't go wrong in the food. Service is a little hit or miss. Some servers are grumpier than others is a kind way to put it. That being said go for the food and the service won't hurt you read more

A hidden New Orleans gem. There should be a line down the block for this place. The Caesar salad is in my top three of all time but that seems silly to lead with. Every dish was thoughtful and balanced. The wine list is carefully curated with value in mind. The owner, Andrew, led us through stellar selections. Dishes were balanced and generous! Polenta! Yes! Focaccia! Yes! (With lovely olive oil that it almost didn't need it was already that good) Final meal of my visit, memorable. Will definitely return. Thanks! to the attentive staff. Wonderful experience. read more

Incredible charm with terrific food and service. Staffers all seem cheerful and fast. The owner even came by to check on us TWICE! The ambience is quaint and romantic. Food was also stellar: try their meatball appetizer and their gazpacho read more

I accidentally went here thinking the menu was different, there was a glitch in the website linked to Apple Maps. It was a wonderful mistake and I have told everyone about this place since. Best meatball dish I've ever had and the high quality olive oil and ciabatta was to die for, I could drink it. Had the fried oyster soup and shared the tenderloins. The service was fantastic and a very cute, romantic, and hip atmosphere. read more

Pulcinella! - Meatballs steak bread olive oil and soup - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

We ate here while visiting New Orleans. The ambience was superb as was the staff. Keely was our server and she did a fantastic job. There were 5 of us and our food came out at the same time. Even though we were only in New Orleans 3 nights, we even considered going back the next night! Highly recommend if you're visiting the area! read more

I celebrated my 67th birthday at Pulcinella's on Saint Bernard Avenue and was thoroughly impressed. The food, ambiance, and service were outstanding, and we will certainly return. Laura was a wonderful server and very pleasant. read more

See all

Had this on my list to try for a while and finally made my way over. I was not disappointed. This is such a charming, little restaurant. I was warmly greeted and quickly seated. The service was great complete with good suggestions, which I always love. The food was delicious! We started off with the market salad & it was a great start. So light and tasty - loved the cantaloupe and the lemon chili vinaigrette! For my entree, I got the grilled market fish. I believe it was maybe a red drum that day (don't quote me). Whatever it was it was delicious and had me cleaning the plate. The legume succotash that came with it was maybe my favorite part, which surprised me. And that tarragon pesto? My goodness it was good. I don't remember which cocktail I had but it was good too. I found the prices to be very reasonable. I will definitely be making a return visit! I actually made myself crave that fish again by typing this lol. read more

See all

We visited with two other couples and really enjoyed the slightly funky decor, the inventive and delicious cocktails, and the food.

Pulcinella in New Orleans? Oh, it's like the Italian nonna you never had but always needed. The pasta? You'll be twirling it like you're in a rom-com, praying it never ends. The vibe's chill, the wine's flowing, and the garlic bread's like a warm hug. If you haven't been yet, it's time to stop pretending you're not hungry for the best. 10/10, would eat again--immediately. read more

See all

I had to try the newest italian restaurant in the city! The atmosphere is nice and welcoming. Food is tasty. Service is classy and polite. I am not a fan of lemon zest in my pasta sauce so that is the reason for the 4 out of 5 stars. I was hoping it may just be in the meatball appetizer sauce. Btw excellent appetizer. That is a must try. Great spices packed into one massive meatball. Unfortunately, the lasagna had the same sauce and it was just pretty over powering with lemon. I think its just because I'm not a big citrus fan. It was a nice evening with good food and friends. read more

Pulcinella! - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Pucinella is a cute little restaurant in a neighborhood I like, but unfortunately I can't recommend it. We started off with the "focaccia service" wherein they charge you to bring a slice of bread and some olive oil. This is something that any good restaurant provides for free, but we paid anyway because the focaccia was supposed to be good. What arrived were four thin slices of ordinary bread to share between three people. And it was bread, not focaccia. Focaccia is low-rise, dimpled, soft, and made with olive oil. What they brought out was nothing like that. The Cesar salad was ok, but had a light dressing that was not very cesar-ish. Bucantini alla amatriciana were fine, though a somewhat small portion. This was the best thing they served to me. The grilled steak tagliata was another small portion. Smashed potatoes were fine, though not at all Italian, and I liked the samoriglio butter, but wished there were more of it. For dessert I ordered the tiramisu. Unfortunately what arrived wasn't that and I'm not sure what it was. Tiramisu is made with ladyfinger cookies and a lot of mascarpone and is topped with chocolate shavings. What they brought out had a lot of some kind of dry chocolate cake, just a tiny bit of mascarpone, and was topped with something salty that tasted like it belonged, if it belonged anywhere, on a porkchop. All of the above would have begged for a three star rating, but the service was unfriendly and nearly unpleasant. So we must remove another star and that leaves them with two. read more

Pulcinella! never disappoints! You MUST get the meatball!!! It is soooo good. It melts in your mouth and the you can drink the red gravy. The pastas are fresh and delicious. The smoked fish dip is great, too. The servers are kind and attentive and the bartender makes an amazing drink! read more

See all

Delicious food in a little Italian restaurant. I had the seafood cannellini which was excellent although it had me wanting more. The owner is super friendly and scooped up our 19 month old grandson for a tour of her new burlesque bar upstairs from the restaurant. No burlesque show at the time, but I'm sure my 19 month old grandson would've enjoyed it. Back to food. Everyone had rave reviews of their food and the service was great. read more

Pulcinella! - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The food here is exceptional. It will definitely be on my list of places to return on my next trip to NOLA. We had a party of three and every dish was perfection. Focaccia with olive oil Eggplant Parmesan Pasta and Meatballs Stuffed Shells You won't be disappointed. read more

Another amazing meal, taking me son for his birthday outing! Amazing Seafood Cannelloni and Eggplant Parmigiana read more

See all

This place rocks. The regional Italian menu doesn't have a weak listing. The meatballs in a tomato ragu are just plain delicious. The oyster and artichoke soup is reason enough to make a trip here. We've been a couple of times and have enjoyed everything. The service is impeccable and the ambience is neighborhood friendly. This has become our go to spot for amazing Italian food. One word to all, "Go". read more

What an exceptional experience!!! The food was delicious. The environment and ambience was magical, and the service was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better evening. read more

Pulcinella! - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This place is amazing!! Best meatball I have ever had! Artichoke soup, stuffed shells, and eggplant parm were all perfection. The service was so friendly and impeccable. the owners were very interactive. there is traditional Nola hospitality and then there is this staff that does even more. Went upstairs to the bar and lounge after dinner and realized there is basically a show or something each evening to entertain you. Will return many times!! read more

Pulcinella! - Stuffed shells - Italian Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

See all

Really loved this spot. A elaborate wine list and great signature cocktails. The primi meatball was divine! We went on lasagna night and it was some of the best we've had. read more

Very good food. Got like stuffed shells I think. Incredible. Atmosphere was also very calm and nice plus our server was great.

Ambiance - such a vibe. Dimly lit, quaint spot. Service - very good. Our waitress was very attentive to our requests and needs. Food - 7/10. The meatball app & eggplant parm dish were great, def recommend. However, the grilled steak tagliata came out cold and a bit rubbery. The couple seated next to us sent their same steak dish back to the kitchen due to it being cold as well. read more

We were graciously greeted by J.D. and taken to our table by Keeley. She is an incredible server, a delight to chat with, attentive and kind and you are lucky to have her on your crew, she just made us feel like we were at home. Every dish our group had was amazing down to the homemade focaccia bread service. The MEATBALL....unbelievable. So good that I had to order one to go to bring back to my husband in FL the following day. Our group ranged from 21 to 75 years of age, some local, some not and some previous locals. Do yourself a favor and check out this gem And get an extra meatball to go, you will not be disappointed! UPDATE: The meatball traveled well to FL and was just as yummy!! So get TWO! read more