Irene's

"This family-owned Creole Italian restaurant remains New Orleans’s 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." - Clair Lorell

"This family-owned Creole Italian restaurant remains the Quarter’s gold standard for homey, cheesy Italian goodness (a close call with Italian Barrel on the other side of the Quarter). Grab a martini at the piano bar before tucking into oysters Irene and crabmeat gratin." - Eater Staff

"Long ensconced on St. Phillip Street, Irene’s moved to Bienville a few years back, taking its garlicky goodness along for the ride. Namesake and proprietor Irene DiPietro, in business since 1993, sets a high bar with specialties like the Sicilian antipasti — big enough to share — and oysters Irene made with pancetta and pecorino Romano. Regulars were happy to see that the piano bar survived the move." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell

"This family-owned Creole Italian restaurant sets the standard for New Orleans-style Italian food, a unique, Sicilian-influenced cuisine that is homey and cheesy while remaining elegant. Open since 1992, Irene’s is much loved for its lasagne Bolognese, cioppino, and crispy duck St. Philip. Its newish location on Bienville Street is bustling and welcoming and begs for a pre-dinner martini in the piano bar before tucking into a satisfying feast." - Clair Lorell, Eater Staff

"This family-owned Creole Italian restaurant remains New Orleans’s 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." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell