Top Best Italian Restaurants in Jefferson

"Over in Marigny, this acclaimed neighborhood joint established in 2015 was the kind of newbie that eclectic and open-minded eaters from the area and journalists throughout the city welcomed immediately. The California-inspired cuisine of husband-and-wife team Jack Murphy and Susan Dunn, who've partnered on Paladar 511 with Susan’s brother, Chef Ed Dunn, delights within the light-filled, lofted industrial space. There’s an emphasis on inventive pizzas, such as a lamb merguez topped pie with garlic confit, roasted peppers, pine nuts and tzatziki; small plate gems like steelhead trout crudo or beef carpaccio with fried oysters, remoulade and chervil; and a new American take on classic Italian cuisine, with a nod to NOLA, in big plates or small, such as an arancini with a short rib rage, lemon, parmesan and parsley or a blue crab agnolotti with mascarpone, lemon and English peas."

"While the Marigny restaurant is offering a limited version of its usual menu, you’d do best to call ahead by 2pm daily for the family meal special. You’ll get a “Garfield-sized” lasagna, plus their insalata tre colori, a garlic herb focaccia for dipping, and a pint of ice cream for $60. All you’ll have to do is heat up the lasagna, and, eventually, will yourself off the couch.Cost: $60 for the family-style lasagna meal; pre-orders requested."

"A pizza is topped with collard greens, Gruyere cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and a farm egg. Reservations accepted. Dinner Wed.-Mon., brunch Sat.-Sun."

"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."

"One bite of the complimentary bruschetta at Irene's on Beinville and you'll know you're in Italian heaven. Chef/owner Irene DiPietro immigrated from Sicily to NOLA and opened her beloved eatery in 1992 in a tiny spot on St. Philip Street that grew and grew as the crowds formed. Nowadays, this still family-run place (her son Nicholas Scalco is the current chef de cuisine) occupies a larger space while dishing out the same recipes."

"Irene’s may be in newish digs on Bienville Street but this family-owned Creole Italian restaurant remains the gold standard for homey, cheesy Italian goodness. Open since 1992, Irene’s is much loved for its lasagne Bolognese and crispy duck St. Philip. Although it now accepts reservations, cutting down on the wait for a table, it’s still fun to have a martini in the piano bar before tucking into a feast."

"You know an Ace Hotel isn’t going to mess around when it comes to dining, and that’s surely the case with Josephine Estelle’s entry into the NOLA dining scene. The pasta list alone is something of a marvel, with entries ranging from a killer bucatini amatriciana and short rib fusilli with mushroom and taleggio cheese, to gemelli with duck confit. The simple canestri cacio e pepe will make you weep for your gluten-free friends."

"Ace Hotel stands in the Warehouse District, where you can check out Alto, the hotel’s rooftop garden. Get a mix of seasonal cocktails, wines, craft beers, frozen drinks and rotating on-tap specials at Alto’s bar. Poolside dining includes a selection of Italian-inspired small plates for any growing appetites."

"Pastry chef Breanne Kostyk, formerly of Northshore eatery Oxlot 9, turns out incredible seasonal desserts from fruity tarts to crostatas, with a slew of inspired cheese platings and an affogato to boot at this chic Warehouse District osteria."

"A traditional Neopolitan-style Italian eatery located in the heart of New Orlean’s Central Business District (CBD), Domenica has become a favorite among both locals and critics sin..."

"The Roosevelt New Orleans, 123 Baronne St., (504) 648-6020; www.domenicarestaurant.com. Tortellini is served with wild mushrooms, asparagus and robiola cheese. Reservations accepted."

"Go for oysters shucked at a bar dating to 1913 and stick around for barbecue shrimp. Bibs go around the necks of diners who order the house signature, a Creole-Italian classic featuring whole shrimp in a hot bath of butter and pepper. Crusty French bread makes an excellent mop for any remains."

"Pascal's Manale of uptown New Orleans is famous for creating barbecued shrimp. Pascal's is located at 1838 Napoleon Avenue. MoreCallReserveStart Your ReservationWebsite"

"741 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-8593; www.giorlandos.com. Mama G’s battered and fried eggplant medallions are served atop angel hair pasta with shrimp au gratin sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"That’s Rizzuto’s Ristorate & Chop House, making new memories in the former home of Tony Angello’s Ristorante in Lakeview. MoreCallReserveStart Your ReservationWebsite"

"724 Martin Behrman Ave., Metairie, (504) 834-5646; www.furysrestaurant.com. Trout Carrie comes with sauteed lump crabmeat, salad, vegetables and potatoes or spaghetti."

"This Sicilian family-run Chalmette icon is about a 20 drive from downtown, but well worth the trip with a cafeteria style operation where huge portions of macaroni and cheese, red gravy, stuffed peppers, and perfectly fried soft shell crabs are doled out on the daily."

"On a recent visit for $23, two of us had a meal that was packed home to easily feed six. There is a 20-minute wait for a four-piece order of perfectly executed fried chicken. It is worth the wait and comes with a side of whatever “vegetable” you choose."

"Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 79A, Metairie, (504) 833-7906; www.smashburger.com. A barbecue, bacon and cheddar burger is topped with fried onions on an egg bun."

"Enjoy a host of classic Vietnamese dishes in a sleek and trendy setting at Mint Modern. In addition to a number of classic Southeast Asian staples like banh mi, pho and vermicelli bowls, you can also try a number surprisingly satisfying menu items such as Pandan Chicken + Green Waffles, Pork Belly Tacos and Shrimp + Avocado Rolls."

"The fish of the day is a pan-seared fillet served with rainbow fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, citrus-ponzu glaze, vegetables, edible flowers and house-pickled red onion. Reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.-Sat., late-night Fri.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun."

"Bayou Beer Garden is a large space where most people find themselves outside on two large decks, with multiple seating options for large and small groups. During crawfish season, plates of potatoes, crawfish and corn are given out, and the area can get rather packed. Menu items include both small bites and heftily portioned choices to fill you up."

"Burger Benedict features a potato latke, a house-ground burger patty, poached eggs, hollandaise, crumbled bacon and green onions. Reservations recommended. Brunch and lunch Wed.-Sun."

"NOLA Distillery is the place to go for some of the best alcoholic beverages you can find in New Orleans. Featuring wonderfully handcrafted alcoholic spirits such as vodka, bourbon, rum, gin, whiskey and tequila; this distillery offers informative and tasteful tours, letting you learn about the process that goes behind the creation of your favourite drinks. Tasting opportunities are offered here as well."

"This award-winning distillery specializes in handcrafted spirits perfect for cocktails. Producing vodka, rye, and whiskey, NOLA Distillery draws inspiration from the history of New Orleans. The newly remodeled tasting room and distillery host various events and daily tours that start at $15 and operate from noon-6 p.m."