4. Restaurants

Irene’s Cuisine

539 Saint Philip St, New Orleans, LA, 70116
  • (504) 529-8811
  • Store is closed

Irene’s Cuisine Menu

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  • B. T.

    Not cheap and not as elegant as some places in NOLA and, as far as I know the chef is not a celebrity, but this place has some of the best food in this famous dining town, and some of the nicest staff--and it's a very comfortable, pleasant series of rooms. The menu is fairly short and much of it consists of the daily specials your server will recite. But by focusing on 5 or 6 items in each of the major categories (appetizer, soup/salad, fish, meat, desert), they can do what's available and fresh, and what the chef excels at. Anyway, I've eaten here 5 or 6 times and never had anything that wasn't eye-opening good. This time I had an appetizer of spinach/ricotta ravioli in a light tomato sauce, a salad of oven baked roma tomato slices, mozzarella, and pine nuts with pesto, veal marsala (with sides of sweet potatoes and asparagus) and cheesecake with espresso for desert. They had half bottles of a good (King Estate) Pinot Noir so I drank that with the meal. The tab came to $83 (the wine was $28)--and worth it IMHO for this quality of food. There are some local items on the menu (sweet potato soup with andouille, soft shell crab on a bed of pasta) but for the most part this is not uniquely New Orleanean food. It's just very, very good food. You can have the items elsewhere, and I have, but I doubt they'll be as good (I KNOW they won't be "at any place in the Bay Area" as one other reviewer argues) and if they are, they'll likely be more expensive (at least in the Bay Area or New York).

    (5)

  • Annette F.

    Love this place. Give the specials a good listen and sit back and enjoy fresh Italian cuisine.

    (5)

  • Robert H.

    Irene's is excellent. The food is superb. The wait staff is helpful. The atmosphere is quite pleasant. This is one of the best dinner restaurants in New Orleans.

    (5)

  • Amanda A.

    I was looking forward to this dinner. My boyfriend and I had tried twice before to go when they were closed and finally made it on our last trip to Nola. Perhaps it was built up in my mind, but it was not amazing. We had reservations but still had to wait 30 mintutes. The menu was so small and I did not think the selection was that great. The food was good but the portions were not that big. It was ok.

    (3)

  • Tim K.

    My gf and I were craving Italian food, and this place was highly rated so we thought we'd give it a shot. The wait to be seated was advertised as 1-1/2 hours and ended up being closer to 2. The waiting area was cramped and crowded and in the back of the establishment - it would have been nice to be given the option of a phonecall/text so we could have gone somewhere to sit and come back when our table was ready. As it was we were fighting other couples for the few seats that would open up. Normally if a place is this crowded, I'm expecting an amazing meal. I wish I had gotten that. The wait staff was friendly and helpful, so I can't fault them there. My date had the duck and liked that. I originally ordered the lasagna, but was informed they were out. Then I ordered the rosemary chicken, and the waiter kindly asked if I had a third option in case they were out of that too. Sadly, I've had better - the chicken was mostly bone and gristle. The desserts were delicious - she had the cheesecake, I the bread pudding which both came highly recommended and for good reason. The ambiance was nice and romantic. So if you're walking by the place and the wait is 30 minutes or less, it's a decent meal. But I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

    (2)

  • Cristy C.

    I've been here a handful of times... usually for Mother's Day or something and ALWAYS with my mom because it's her favorite restaurant. Since she owns a shop nearby, she's well known in the area and all the servers and employees there know her by name. One time we walked in when it was just the two of us and there was an hour and a half wait and since they knew her (and love her jewelry) they sat us down immediately. Their wine selection is extensive and their specialty is their filet mignon. I've always finished my meal because I can't get enough of it, yet it's just the right portion that fills you up. The lighting is a little dim and since the space is limited, it can get loud - especially when there's a lot of drinking going around. They are excellent when it comes to quality of food and service. Furthermore, to add to the New Orleans Jazz culture, there is usually a pianist there that takes requests. I'm a huge piano fan and really enjoy live music. I'll come here on a date or special occasion anytime!

    (5)

  • Caryn R.

    My husband and I decided to try Irene's after reviewing other reviews on Yelp. We called for reservations, but they told us they were full for reservations for the evening, but to just show up at 5:30 and they could get us in...so we did. They sat us in the front dining room and our waitress was incredible. She was very knowledgeable on the menu and very professional / well-spoken. We enjoyed the atmosphere because it was quaint, Italian, and reminded us of some of our European travels but we felt right at home in the French Quarter at the same time. The complimentary bruschetta was not the best I've had....not up to par in my opinion. However, that was the only thing that didn't seem up to par. We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer and the escargot. Both were very delicious. My husband ordered the drum fish special and I ordered the duck. Both were excellent. We were too full to even attempt dessert, but really wanted to.

    (4)

  • Richard B.

    Now my favorite restaurant in Nola. The wait staff is the most attentive in the city. I had a perfect rendition of turtle soup, followed by Osso Bucco that could easily have fed a family of four.

    (5)

  • Rod R.

    The food was delicious (I ordered the duck -- everybody at the table had a taste and loved it!). The service was excellent -- they were very attentive, friendly, professional and put up with our loud obnoxious table. The atmosphere was cozy. We tried every desert, they were all delicious! I loved the cheesecake the most.

    (5)

  • Rachael F.

    We were told to go here by our horse-drawn carriage driver. He said it was great, and it was! When we first arrived, we were taken to a dimly lit back room where we were sat a small candlelit table. We ordered some wine and enjoyed the live piano music. The ambiance was quaint and comfy. After waiting a bit, we were taken to our table and greeted by the wonderful server. I had the veal Marsala with sweet potato shoestrings and braised cabbage - delish! He had the ribeye with au gratin potatoes and spinach. Everything was cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and made us fat and happy. I wish we had room for dessert - maybe next time.

    (5)

  • Matt S.

    We had reservations at Irene's our first night in NOLA. It was recommended to us by a very good friend as well as the innkeeper at B&W Courtyards. Irene's did not disappoint. We walked in a few minutes early and they showed us to a room to wait for a table. As we strolled through the restaurant, we got to see 3 seperate rooms where people were eating. They came to back to us and sat us in a room that bordered on the street. My wife requested the middle room which seemed to be a little more romantic. There was a table available but it was in a section of the room that didn't work for us so we went back to our original table. Man, was I glad we did. Our waiter, Dan, was one of the best. He saw a disappointing look on my wife's face and proceeded to bring over a candlelabra for "more ambiance". That put a smile on my wife's face and the evening only got better from there. What we did find out about the room we were in was that the regulars ate there so we got to here quite a bit of local gossip. It was a lot of fun. And Dan really made the night special... Onto the food. I read some of the reviews from Yelp and decided to order the meatballs as an app as well as the the oysters Irene. Both were winners. The meatballs were awesome and they had a little spice kick to them. Very good. Our main meals were the Drum Fish Almondine with a crab topping and the lamb chops with garlic mashed and string beans. I can say the lamb chops were one of the best I ever had at a restaurant. The wine brown sauce was over the top and the garlic mashed were incredible. My wife's drum fish was delicious as well. We shared the praline bread pudding that came with a pecan sauce and whipped cream. My wife is not a big fan of bread pudding. You should have seen the look on her face as she took her first bite. Absolutely one of the best bread puddings we ever had for dessert. I must say that dining at Irene's on our first night in New Orleans could not have been better. What a way to start a vacation.

    (5)

  • Lina S.

    So amazingly good! Service was perfect, food is brilliant - escargot served on a mushroom- what's not to love?!

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    My girlfriend and I spent a long weekend in New Orleans and ended up at Irene's Cuisine on a Saturday night. It was very busy and we had to wait about an hour but it was worth it! There is cocktail service in the waiting lounge and great piano playing by Marc Adams. The food is also amazing. I had the cioppino and it was delicious! Go there, you will love it!

    (5)

  • Erin K.

    Irene's is great! I've been there a few times but most recently for a birthday party where we all got wasted on their extensive wine menu and then soaked up all the alcohol with the most delicious Italian food in the city! Our waiter, Seth, almost got me pregnant with his words. He is a beautiful man. The Brad Pitt of waiters. When he said he had a girlfriend everyone woman at the table died a little inside. Seth 4eva! I'd highly recommend just about everything on the menu but Irene's really knows what they're doing with fish. The only problem was even if you have a reservation you'll probably have to wait a bit for a table and it is SO loud in there! I could barely hear myself thinking about how cute Seth is and how much I love tomato based sauces. Ugh!

    (4)

  • Mark R.

    5 star experience ruined by lack of organization and unprofessional service! After hearing much hype about this place, we had to try it. My coworker and I headed to Irene's on a Wednesday night. I called ahead and made a reservation for 7:30pm. Upon being welcomed, I was told that the table would be ready in 1 minute... stood around for 25 min... asked the maitre d, James what was going on. He said oh sorry (rudely), we will seat you in a minute. Another 25 min... asked again, its almost 8:30pm, whats going on? James remarked rudely again, 1 minute sir, you are being impatient! excuse me? Didn't we have a 7:30pm reservation? Wow... (somebody get rid of this clown!) Finally get seated at 8:30pm, 1 hour late! Food was pretty damn good. I would rate the food as 4 stars. Very heavy courses! Fish was cooked to perfection. No good beer selection at all. Only basic bottles. Wine selection is C+ at best. Service was the most RUDE DINING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD! No joke! After finishing my first beer, I was asked 7 more times for another beer. I had to get mad and ask the waiter to stop bugging me. Trying to upsell is 1 thing, being over pressured is another. BEST PART: after finishing dinner, we were asked if we wanted dessert. "Ok, we will take a look at it" ... server brings out a piece of cheesecake and chocolate souffle and puts them in front of us.... Enjoy he says! Are you serious? Did we order these? "Oh, you didn't want them? I just figured"... wow, just the worst, most pressured service ever. Get a clue management! Would never go back!!!! Management needs to open their eyes!

    (2)

  • renje g.

    We stayed in NO for two days, this is an absolute must do. I know NO has NOLA, Antoine's, K Pac and the list goes on...but this restaurant has delicious meals without the fanfare. It was recommended by our hosts. I had the crispy duck, the mrs had the prawns. It was all great from the bread to the dessert. The only knock I have on it is that it's not necessary N'Awlins. It's Italian, but a dish or 2, or 3, may have an NO flare but not overall. I have to add, try to get there as close to 6 as possible. For a place that takes minimal reservations, this place fills up very quickly by the time 630/7 rolls around...from being almost empty when we got there at 6.

    (5)

  • Alison B.

    This was our last stop on our road trip and changes the bar for all of the other places we ate. The restaurant has high quality everything. The food is a good diversion from the typical heavy NOLA fare. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable, but not too casual. The meal begins with a wonderful house made bruschetta. The wine list is extensive, and we had a Joel Gott zin, which paired well with my delicious pan seared chicken. My friend had an excellent ribeye over spinach. Ricotta cheesecake for dessert. We were happy happy diners, and this is #1 on our list of Louisiana restaurants.

    (5)

  • Ariana G.

    The place is still great! Been several years since I had eaten here and was so happy to find the same wonderful food, attentive service and charming ambiance.

    (4)

  • Peter M.

    Ok...the food is excellent, but the reservation system is B.S......u make one for 8 pm and they seat u at 10....if the other couple that had the same problem hadn't split a 100 bottle of wine with us I probably would have walked next door to stella

    (3)

  • Kaci S.

    My experience last night at Irene's was truly mind blowing. Husband and I went to celebrate our anniversary... we were asked to wait in this quaint little room with a piano player and table service cocktails while we waited for our table. We probably waited 20 minutes (had a reservation for 7 and we were 10 minutes early) - definitely not bad so I strongly suggest you make a reservation as I've heard the wait can be rather long for those who come without one. For appetizers, Hubs had the turtle soup (Thursdays only) and I had the Oysters Irene (oysters pancetta parm... all around deliciousness). Entrees were the soft-shell crab pasta with a crawfish sauce, spinach and what seemed to be house made noodles and the other was veal shank and risotto. The shank was melt in your mouth tender. My soft shell crab was a tremendous portion, too amazing to leave much on the plate so the post dinner walk to the parade route was a slow and necessary one to help digest. Needless to say I couldn't handle dessert. It was all perfection. Decor is a homey take on fine dining. Cozy, close, dimly lit - very New Orleans, very romantic. Service was wonderful. Ron, I believe his name was, paired us with a great wine and was attentive without breathing down our necks during our special night. Wish my wallet and my waist line could afford to eat here once a week! It's as good as it gets y'all!

    (5)

  • Nick H.

    There are probably better Italian restaurants where I live, and maybe even elsewhere in New Orleans, but everything I read before my trip basically said that having a meal at Irene's is one of the best dining experiences that one could have - of course, I had to give it a shot. We walked into Irene's as two completely under-dressed tourists who didn't have reservations, but yet we were still treated as if we were royalty. We were seated immediately and told that our t-shirts and jeans were perfectly fine to wear. We ordered a couple of drinks and the meatball appetizer and enjoyed the haimish atmosphere, the dark and romantic dining room, and the opportunity to reflect on what a great time we were having in New Orleans. For our main courses, we ordered the soft shell crab and the fried eggplant - both were very good, but not as great as other reviewers say. Like I said, I feel like I've had better Italian food before, but something about Irene's just makes everything about the meal and dining experience feel perfect. It's upscale, but not pretentious; casual, but not disheveled; quirky, but not weird; mysterious, but not afraid to put itself out there. After all, this is New Orleans - most things here have their own set of rules and aberrations. With that being said, something about Irene's is just really kind of odd and it goes well beyond the actual food or decor. I'm not sure exactly what it is. It's like they know something that you don't know, like they know some kind of deep secret that they will never give up, like they are casting a spell on you as you're eating your meal, very carefully and secretly so it won't disrupt you as you eat. Maybe this place is haunted? Who knows...

    (4)

  • Gina Q.

    Ate a late dinner here one night. Our original intent was to have a glass of wine, share a cheese plate, and share a dessert. We ended up ordering entrees instead. What attracted us to the restaurant was the aroma of garlic wafting from the vents (plus we had heard while walking by on a different day what an awesome place this was from one of the many tour guides going by in a horse-drawn carriage). I went with an arugula salad with cajun tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella slices, drizzled with a white wine vinaigrette and olive oil, and sprinkled with pumpkin seeds. The flavors went very well together, and even though it didn't appear to be much on the plate, it was just enough to satisfy my hunger. My husband ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were actually an appetizer special that night but could also be served with the spaghetti. The meatballs consisted of beef, lamb, and veal. They were very tasty and you could even pick up a hint of mint. His ragu was flavorful as well, but not heavy. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked al dente. For dessert we ordered the Praline Pecan Bread Pudding. I was really looking forward to it. The bread pudding was nicely sweet with caramel, but I didn't pick up any of the pecan. I wished there had been a little more caramel sauce and was disappointed that it was lacking a hint of bourbon. Even the ice cream tasted more like ice milk. I had heard people near our table say how excellent it was, so I guess the hype had me expecting too much. It was a tasty dessert though. The ambience of the place is very romantic with candles lit at each table, dim lighting overhead, and jazz standards playing in the background. While waiting for a table you can be entertained by a piano player playing jazz music. This is an excellent date place or night on the town place with your significant other. I'm so glad we decided to stop in here. The exterior is very unassuming, but once you walk over the threshold, you are in for a wonderful evening of tasty and flavorful food.

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    This place is lucky to get one star. When you refuse service to people wearing Alabama gear who are very nice and excited to eat in your restaurant after hearing such great things you become lower than a rat infestation. Almost three hours waiting and nothing. While others were seated. What kind of crap is that? You are an infestation and that's "fanaticism" to the highest. It's football. Get over yourself. I will never eat here and I will take my wealthy friends and family visiting to a more hospitable place. You would have been given the hook up with tips too. I was once neutral on this game but now I want LSU to lose just so I can blame it on karma.

    (1)

  • Gwen J.

    We were oh so lucky that the Saint's were playing......we got in after a 10 minute wait...no reservations....thanks NOLA people for staying and watching the game. Those 10 minutes were amazing....a hug, a drink and music in the bar. Dinner was incredible right down to the last bite of bread pudding, creme brûlée, and chocolate flour less cake....there were three of us....really. Loved our waiter and his recommends for rib eye steak with crab and the lamb was right on the money. The only negative would be some of the food was lukewarm....the potato gratin would have been amazing had it been warmer. Would return and recommend this to anyone.

    (4)

  • Ben R.

    I have to admit I was pretty disappointed with Irene's. The food just was not very interesting, and the service seemed forced. The best thing we ate was their cheesecake, and it was delicious, but we came for a meal not just dessert. The complimentary starter was some bruschetta on a cold, hard crostini. Overall boring and not very tasty. For starters we got the escargot and crab ravioli (special). I thought the taste of the snail was completely overshadowed by the other components, and the ravioli was served is a beefy demi glaze which was cold, and didn't go with the pasta at all. We also got a sweet potato gumbo which failed to balance flavors. The main course was soft shell crab, which others on yelp had recommended - it was good and I have no complaints. When it was time for dessert our waiter gave us a really hard sell on cheesecake. I don't mind getting an opinion, but between this and the over priced wine he suggested it just came off as an attempt to pad my tab. The ambiance was nice, but over all the experience was not a good one. I think you can find better options in a city well know for its food.

    (2)

  • Debbie S.

    Food was good. Bread was weird, very hard. They served a Langnappe right when sat down. That was nice. The reason for three stars? The NOISE level! There were three tables with REALLY LOUD patrons. We could clearly hear every F-word that came out of their mouths every five seconds. We couldn't hear the waiter. My second complaint is the lighting is dark, the menu type is small and in script. Very hard to read!

    (3)

  • Robert L.

    Had dinner here with several friends during a work related event. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive. we had the Meatball appetizer while we waited for our entree. It was delicious. For our Entree, I had the Ossobuco, while a friend had the Duck which came highly recommended. Because several dishes were ordered, we sampled around the table from each others dish. Everything was amazing, and cooked perfectly. Although it is a little off the beaten path, we ended up here because we were told of its reputation. Simply put, it is worth the effort, and performed at the highest level in every category. Amazing!

    (5)

  • M J.

    We didn't have reservations and this place was busy, but we were still seated quickly. When our drink order came, we were surprised with a complimentary caprese salad. Thanks! I had the crevette and the buerre blanc is something that I will never forget. Even the next day, the leftovers were amazing! What a wonderful meal!

    (5)

  • Christina S.

    Sadly, we were not able to go here, but our local Friend's of the Cabildo tour guide Carol and local tour taker Patty highly recommended as the best restaurant in the French Quarter. They recommended getting here early as Irene's doesn't take reservations.

    (5)

  • Alexis C.

    One of my favorite overall dining experiences in NOLA. The food, ambiance, and service combined make Irene's the perfect NOLA dining experience. Food - excellent Italian/New Orleans fare. To start we had the escargot and a salad, along with the complimentary bruscetta. All was excellent. For main courses, I had the lamb chops and my husband the duck. Again, both were truly excellent and comforting. For dessert we had the cheesecake and chocolate flourless cake, also both very good. Ambiance - comfortable and upscale. Irene's ambiance is the perfect combination of a nice dining experience coupled with a laid back atmosphere. You get the white table cloths, but also the eclectic wall decorations. Service - attentive but not stiff/boring/snooty like many of NOLA's other upscale dining options. Our waitor was friendly and helpful and really tried to make the evening special for us after learning we were celebrating a birthday. Other tips - They don't really take reservations (they take a small amount), but you can put your name down and either go walk around the quarter for a bit or grab a drink in the comfortable waiting room. We waited an hour on a Monday night, so beware of the wait. It was well worth it though! As a local who does not venture to eat in the Quarter often, Irene's manages to incorporate the charm of the Quarter without the madness of Bourbon street. I highly recommend Irene's for locals and tourists alike.

    (5)

  • Jamie T.

    Perfection!!! Ask for Dan! Best waiter in the world! Eat the lamb

    (5)

  • N M.

    Italian recipes with chefs California inspiration infused. Service - outstanding, although there was a very long wait and poor drink service while we waited the actual service for our meal was outstanding. Food - meatballs and soft shell crab pasta were outstanding. Decor - three small rooms, very cozy feel ... One of the best meals I had on this trip. Funny given I normally stuff myself with Cajun food and Oysters when I am in town.

    (4)

  • Jennifer D.

    My favorite restaurant in New Orleans. Love our server, Dan. Love the mussels and the lamb. This is a find! Get a reservation or expect to wait. It's a local and tourist fav.

    (5)

  • Illinois C.

    The only reason I am giving this restaurant one star is because Yelp requires it. Minus the one star and it gets a Zero. We were recommended to go to Irene's by a very prominent NOLA citizen who absolutely raved and is a regular customer. Several websites said that they did not take reservations and jackets were not required for men. We arrived promptly when they opened at 5:30 and not only did they tell us that they did in fact take reservations, and it would be 1 1/2 hours till they could seat us (the restaurant was EMPTY) and there was no bar where we could go until our table was ready. The Maître d was a bit snooty and gave me a once over like he didn't approve of the way I was dressed (casual with a skirt, heels and pretty blouse). I'm sure if I had mentioned WHO had recommended this restaurant, it would have been a whole nother story, but that's not how I roll. We left and went to Cafe Amelie where we had an amazing French meal, a wonderful bottle of wine and to-die-for desserts. Take THAT, Irene.

    (1)

  • Kris A.

    I have been wanting to eat here for a while now. Ive always heard good things. The 3 small dining rooms make you feel like you are in a cozy house, with books on the shelves and everything. Irene herself looks like your sweet grandmother as she shakes your hand as you enter/ leave. The food we ordered were the meatballs, escargot, oysters. The escargot came 3 to a plate but generous portion of mushroom, etc. The meatballs and oyster app were both amazing and I would def order again. The entrees we chose were the pompano, crab cakes and crispy duck. Pompano and duck were a little over cooked. The server recommended the Crab cakes and they didn't disappoint, they were excellent. The wine list was way overpriced-not the usual 50 % markup more like quadruple the store price. Service was spot on and I cant wait to return! Oh and we were seated right away with our 6:00 reservation and it was very crowded for a tuesday night.

    (5)

  • Fred W.

    Always a great dinner and dinning experience!!

    (4)

  • Meagan C.

    While in New Orleans over this past weekend for a bachlorette party, our group of 12 or 13 had a great time over dinner at Irene's. Our waiter was funny and didn't skip a beat with our already "well served" group. But best yet, the food was amazing. The standouts for me were the meatball appetizers (a special), the parma prosciutto salad, and the cioppino. While the ambiance is perfect for a romantic dinner, it also served us well for a little girls night out. We did make our reservations months in advance... which by reading other reviews seems a good choice by us. This will definitely be a repeat the next time I am in New Orleans.

    (4)

  • Arnold N.

    I have been wanting to give this place a try for the last few years, but have never seemed to make it. This year, we took my wife's sister and her husband here for their 50th anniversary dinner. We made reservations for 5:30, when they open, because we had heard so many complaints about their reservation system. We were seated almost immediately upon arrival. The service was top notch. The food was even better. It is a small place, so it is a little tight, but for the food, it is not a problem. The 4 of us all got different menu items, and all loved what they got. I will give a little warning here about the specials. Don't assume that the specials will be reasonably priced. Make sure to ask the price of the specials before ordering. My wife got the veal special, which would up being twice the cost of my meal. Don't miss out on this little jewel. The food is as good as any that I have had anywhere.

    (5)

  • JK H.

    This restaurant is a breath of fresh air in the FQ, if you are tired of the Cajun/Creole/fried oyster routine of most restaurants. It is an excellent Italian restaurant with attentive service, and wonderful entrees. It gets crowded, so be patient or eat early. This place does not disappoint, nice sized portions, wonderful breads and respectable prices for the quality of the food. This place does not disappoint.

    (5)

  • Molly E.

    This was hands down the best meal we had in New Orleans (and possibly ever). My husband and I heard about this place and tried to make reservations, but they only take so many to keep tables open for walk-ins. We went around 7:00 on a Wednesdays night, and waited probably 45-60 minutes. It was well worth the wait! We started with the meatballs. They were amazing - nothing fancy but perfect texture, flavor and the red sauce was the best I've ever had. For our meals, I had the entree portion of the spinach and cheese ravioli and my husband had the papardelle with shrimp (it normally comes with soft shell crab but they were not in season). The ravioli were obviously homemade, the pasta was perfect and I would have licked the sauce off the plate. My husbands pasta was also amazing, it had tomatoes, spinach and pieces of crawfish, topped with 5 giant shrimp. For dessert we shared the bread pudding. I'm a purist when it comes to bread pudding, I don't want nuts or raisins or anything else in it. This was beautiful, dense, perfectly sweet bread pudding. We left with full and happy bellies and our bill (including drinks and tip) was under $100. If we ever visit New Orleans again, this will be the first place we go!

    (5)

  • Angela R.

    This restaurant was amazing. I came here with a group of people. The ambiance is wonderful and a nice setting for couples. We all ordered something that was off the specials they were having that night (which was over two weeks ago so I can't remember what we each ate). A few had the steak special. I have to say my only disappointment was the wine list. It was VERY expensive and they were charging over $100 for a bottle of wine that you could purchase in a grocery store for less than $15.

    (4)

  • Kella C.

    This was our second visit to Irene's and it did not disappoint. We knew there was usually a line for Walk ins and it was NYE, but it worth a shot. We were seated and immediately reminded of why we love Irene's. The old world charm in the decor and the attentive staff is matched only by the incredible food. My husband had the crispy duck and I had the special which was the bone in veal chop with blue cheese polenta cake. It was divine. Pure heaven. Our server Jaron (sp?) was friendly and attentive, and the whole staff really embody that New Orleans flavor.

    (5)

  • Victoria W.

    When I told my husband that I had made a reservation at an Italian restaurant during our vacation he said, "We have great Italian food in Chicago, so why are we going here?" Then he ate his dinner and said, "thank you for making a reservation here!" As you can probably tell, Irene's is no ordinary Italian restaurant. It's a fantastic restaurant. Period. Just Go! But make your reservation in advance so you don't have to wait until 9:00 to eat.

    (5)

  • Shannon S.

    Mmmm this is some very tasty food. This is a classic New Orleans Italian Creole restaurant that does some great NOLA seafood along with the usual Italian delicacies. The location is great BUT generally do expect to wait awhile to get to your table and eat (fortunately there is a well stocked bar to keep you entertained). This is a great place to go out on a date or with a group. I've always had outstanding service and always had a really great time with some great food!

    (4)

  • Ronnie R.

    Irene's has been on my list of places to go for a long time now. I had always heard good things and was finally able to go for my birthday dinner and I could not have been happier with my choice. We were able to get a reservation for a group of four for 6pm on a Wednesday. Irene's wowed this local from moment I walked through the door. The staff was super friendly and made you feel right at home. The space is small and formal, but not stuffy like Commanders or Antoine's. The walls are covered with pictures of various patrons as well as local and national celebrities. There are 2 main dining rooms and a 3rd room in the back with a piano player. The food is Creole/Italian. It all starts with the complimentary Bruschetta, which was not great but was still pretty decent and tasted fresh. Next we shared 2 appetizers: the meatballs and the soft shell crab amandine. The meatballs were outstanding and, as if a soft shell crab isn't good enough, let's put some Creole meuniere sauce on top! Wow. Our four entrees were the Duck St. Phillip, Paned Chicken with crawfish, Filet Mignon and the Cannelloni. The duck was the best I have ever had. It was a half of a duck served on a bed of fresh spinach with a sweet potato mash. The meat was incredibly tender and had no wild game taste. The chicken was perfect as well. It was thin sliced, lightly battered and fried, and served on a bed of fresh spinach. On top of that were crawfish tails, artichokes, baby tomatoes and some amazing sauce. My girl is lactose intolerant, so when going out to a nice restaurant she usually has to fall back on a steak dish. She said the Filet was one of the best she has ever had. It was cooked perfectly and came with a full roasted Portobello mushroom cap and some killer gravy. The Cannelloni was equally awesome as well. Every plate we had was completely cleaned! For desert we had Tiramisu, Bread Pudding, and Cheesecake. All 3 were very well done, and just what you would expect from a high end New Orleans restaurant. The only bad thing I can mention about Irene's is the bread that is served with dinner. It was hard and almost stale, but even that is not enough to even take away 1 star. I was impressed and will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Baking M.

    Upon entering Irene's, a French Quarter based Italian restaurant, three or four well dressed servers greeted us. We felt very welcome and at ease. Irene DiPietro herself was walking through each dining room. Irene's is only open for dinner so we showed up for an early dinner because we didn't want to wait in a line. Upon our exit there were 10 people (locals and tourists) waiting outside the restaurant. If you do not have to wait more than 30 minutes, Irene's is worth the trip. Irene's has multiple dining rooms. The tables are packed quite tightly together and I could hear our neighbor's conversations. My dining companion asked for her seat to be adjusted because it was wobbling and another tables server seemed a bit sassy, but was willing to help. The striped wall paper, books, gold framed paintings and lighting was cozy. Complimentary mozzarella, tomato and basil bruschetta I started my meal with a caprese salad with well seasoned tomatoes, mozzarella, arugula, pumpkin seeds and onions $5.50. My friend had the ricotta and spinach raviolis with red sauce and seemed quite pleased with her choice $7.50. I had a soft shell crab meuniere appetizer special as my main. It was lightly fried, the crab meat was juicy and served with slivered almonds, brown butter and lemon. We shared the Bananas Foster Bread pudding, suggested by our enthusiastic, New Orleans born and raised waitress, it was unbelievable. The bread pudding was served with warmed bananas and rum caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

    (5)

  • Kathryn G.

    Deeeeelish. Meatball app. We actually got that AND an appetizer combo platter. A-mazing. Friends had ossobuco and duck, respectively. Fantastic. I had softshell crab in some amazing sauce over pasta. Incredible. It's impossible to even use any superlatives because everything was incredibly delicious. Creme brulee for dessert. Yes!! Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Kate N.

    We finally decided to stop by for dinner after work on a Tuesday night. I must say that from the moment we walked in to the moment we walked out we were bombarded with such pleasant attitudes and smiles. We were immediately seated in the middle dining area. The restaurant is nice and quaint. I love the home style feeling of the decor. Our waiter greeted us with a huge smile and lit a tall candle at our table. Overall impression of the food: good quality comfort food. Complimentary Tomato Bruschetta which came out nicely toasted and warm. Appetizer: Escargot nicely prepared and tender Entrees: Pompano & Duck The flavors infused in the pompano were delicious but the fish was pretty overcooked to my liking Duck: nice crust on the skin but a bit overdone Dessert: Always end with a cup of coffee ; can't complain The dessert was the best part: Creole Cream Cheese Cake..Phenomenal! The rich and soft textured literally just melted my palate. I just love creole cream cheese. Overall rating is a 3..It's good. Super friendly staff and good food.

    (3)

  • Ben F.

    Not a big fan. It's been a few years since I've been, but I wasn't impressed.

    (1)

  • Leeanna L.

    I feel bad writing this post because the waitstaff were wonderful. My experience might have been covered by the long wait. I did not make reservations and it was Saturday. I got the baked crab and Brie- it was good. I followed that with the Pompano amandine- it was good but not as good as some of the other restaurants for the $$ I'd go to Borgne at the Hyatt. It was amazing.

    (3)

  • Sandy N.

    I ate here 10 years ago and could not forget it ever since. I ordered the same exact things from last time, the soft shell crab with cajun sauce and crawfish on a bed of linguine, and the veal marsala. The crab dish wasn't as tasty as I remembered. It had a kick before, and this time it was bland. But the veal marsala was as good as I remembered. So flavorful and delicious. They are always super busy so expect to wait at least 30 minutes! And they do take reservations which I know they didn't do that before. The waiter was super friendly and recommended great places where the locals go to eat awesome food and listen to jazz. Thanks Mr. Waiter!

    (4)

  • Vannessa C.

    I just loved this place! We decided to try this place for dinner because it was our last night in New Orleans and apparently people say this place is the best for Italian food. While I did not order anything Italian, I ordered filet mignon... soo good! It was perfect and cooked better than I thought it would be. My boyfriend got some kind of seafood platter, I believe. I got wine while we waited to get our table, which was nice because there was a great piano player entertaining us. The service was excellent, very proper and polite. We were sitting next to a very loud group of people who were definitely a little too casual-looking, but it didn't matter since this is New Orleans and that's expected. We enjoyed this place.

    (5)

  • Emily M.

    Enjoyed a lovely evening at Irene's last Thursday where myself and 4 others went to celebrate a friend's birthday. Though this review is spotty, I've eaten here before hence the high rating. Our parties' numbers kept changing throughout the reservation process but we had solidified that it would only be 5 of us prior to arrival. We waited in the host/piano area for the others to show. Many of the waiters seemed to be confused about the number in our party because at one point we were offered to be sat after the cocktail waitress had brought drink menus. Once she saw we were standing, she assumed as much as I would that we were going to our table. Then, they found out it was 5 people, not 3 so we were asked to wait 10 more minutes. The cocktail server had already cleared the beverage napkins because again-she thought we were moving to our table. Finally we decided we would just order drinks so we placed our orders, only to be sat immediately after that. Felt bad for that cocktail server chasing us all over the restaurant. We were sat in a room I've never had the pleasure of dining in. Great atmosphere, but good Lord is that place cramped in there! Pretty much every time one of us had to use the bathroom or go out for a smoke break, all of us would have to move. We ordered appetizers while waiting for our last guest and served a lagniappe of mozzarella, tomato and basil bruschetta. Delicious! Our appetizers were served just as our last guest arrived. We tried just about every appetizer available, ravioli, escargot, paneed oysters, meatballs and a softshell crab. Next we ordered entrees at which point a few of us requested additional drinks. All of the drinks except for mine were served. I waited patiently until seeing our server where I hinted at the fact that my drink was not delivered. It arrived promptly after that. For entrees we ordered the Osso Bucco which was on special for the day. It was served with the cocktail fork so as to remove the succulent marrow from the veal bone, but the birthday girl who had ordered this entree was not provided a dinner fork. My entree, the airline duck breast with pomegranate demi glace never made it to the table. I told everyone else to start as I figured it was probably sitting in the window and would arrive soon. Our waiter stopped by after the girls began eating to ask "what am I missing?" We told him we were missing the duck and he rushed off. These things happen in a restaurant, things fall through the cracks--and when they do it's always to the same person. That's how restaurant Murphy's law works. The chef served my dish in person saying that they wanted to get it just perfect for me. However, the grapes and apples they used as a garnish were flaming hot meaning it was slowly cooking under the heat lamp. Also the edges of the plate had not been wiped clean making it look rushed--and a little dirty. Despite this, the duck was savory and tender and the sweet potato mash that accompanied was delish. Following entrees all of us were far too stuffed to even think about dessert, but being that our server was a regular customer of our birthday girl, he served a complimentary banana foster bread pudding with vanilla ice cream with a candle and the whole dining room sang to her! She normally doesn't go for that kind of thing, but the fact that the whole dining room sung it's heart out made it that much worthwhile. Had a few problems with the bill, some of the complimentary items were not removed from the bill at presentation, but were fixed promptly. This restaurant really is a must--the food is outstanding and like many places sometimes they hit, and sometimes they miss--no hard feelings with Irene's, we're all human.

    (4)

  • Andrew W.

    The waiters in tuxes, linen cloths, quaint atmosphere were all fine and good, but the food was incredible! As an artist in the French Quarter, I freely advise tourists on worthy experiences in New Orleans. I always recommend Irene Cuisine. Fine food, a great atmosphere, and excellent service make it a gem in the French Quarter.

    (5)

  • Karyn M.

    This is by far my favorite restaurant in New Orleans. The daily featured oyster appetizer is always delicious. I love the duck, although I'm not as fond with the change in sides that was recently made. The duck dish is so wonderful. Be prepared to wait a long time if you do not have reservations and if you have drinks while you wait, they are fairly expensive. The staff is incredible and the ambiance is very romantic. This is the one restaurant that I always visit when vacationing in New Orleans.

    (5)

  • Joseph D.

    My 5 Star rating of Irene's should speak for it's self . The staff is beyond friendly, they go as far as immersing you in the experience of Irene's, by taking their time to explain the culture and the history behind the establishment. The Food, excellent.

    (5)

  • ryan w.

    Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! We called the day of and were able to get a reservation at 8:30pm but were warned that it could take a while once we arrived. It did take a while and Mike worked to get us in ASAP. We ordered drinks in the bar and took them out front for some very interesting people watching. We refilled our drinks a couple of times and were seated at 9:30 which was just fine as we anticipated a wait. Once at the table, our server was a lot of fun and knew his stuff (young dark hired guy, wish I could remember his name, i would request him again). We started with the oysters Irene and ravioli which were both amazing. We then split the caprisi salad and proscuitto salads and ther were good. on to dinner - I had the lamb which was really good (I was torn between that and the duck, we will be back and I will try the duck then). My wife had the filet special medium rare that was excellent, Dad had the cannelloni which I thought "boring" until I tried it and it was awesome, my mom had the shrimp bisque which was also great. For dessert, we split the cheesecake, Bananas Foster, and the Chocolate flowerless cake, I loved the bananas foster, my mom loved the cheesecake and my wife loved the tort. Great service, neat place, wonderful food! We will be back

    (5)

  • Mark H.

    I discovered Irene's while in New Orleans on business. I took a party of 8 here for dinner and it was absolutely fantastic! The Oysters Rockefeller Bisque was incredible as were the fried oysters. As an entree, u had a rib eye special. The lamb was also phenomenal. Deserts were exceptional too. This, capped by excellent service will make this a regular stop every time I visit New Orleans. Price per person including drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desert is about $100. Great experience!

    (4)

  • Lorraine F.

    I was a bit disappointed. Gw finn was much better. Meal was good but not stellar. No bread puffing so very disappointed that it was not on menu.

    (3)

  • Oleg D.

    Had to wait for about 3 hours to get seated (need to get reservations next time) but didn`t regret it a bit! The food is extremely delicious,the service is perfect with waiters being there just when you need them.Great atmosphere of a family restaurant! We had also met Irene herself and had a pleasant chat with her. Great experience,will definitely be back again and again when in New Orleans.

    (5)

  • Crystal C.

    Yum! One of my favorite restaurants in the French Quarter! The service is impeccable, and the food... Lets just say you won't be doing a whole lot of talking! For desert you MUST HAVE the bread pudding with an espresso martini!!!! Can't wait to see you again Irene!!!!

    (5)

  • Whitney J.

    This place is too amazing for words! Every single thing that I tasted was AMAZING! It was heaven in my mouth. It is my favorite new place. I comment about the wait, but it was well worth it.

    (5)

  • Maggie H.

    When my hubby and I were in NOLA a year ago we tried to go into Irene's because we heard how great it was. Regrettably, they were closed at the time, however someone was nice enough to direct us to Coops (which we loved). I didn't forget about Irene's, and this year I returned. Irene's did not disappoint. After eating lots of oysters, jambalaya, and gumbo (which I love, don't get me wrong) I was ready for some hearty Italian food. From the moment I smelled fresh bread to my tiramisu desert, I had a big smile on my face. Our waiter was awesome and I think I could have chatted it up with him for hours. The group of waiters even had tables interacting with each other, which I have rarely seen at a restaurant. All the food we had from appetizer to desert was amazing. My friend and I were in Italian heaven. Overall, Irene's is a nice change of pace from cajun/Creole food, which everyone needs sometimes. The food combined with the service places Irene's on my "must list".

    (5)

  • Christopher K.

    Went there for a business dinner, it was nice. We've done high-end Italian before and this was a good dinner. I enjoyed the sweet potato soup, the lamb was pretty good and my partner tells me that the duck was great. The small-cozy-Southern-thing was new for an Italian restaurant. It was a good dinner, but not a particularly stunning experience. The wait staff was wonderful. $90 for two, without drinks thanks to another member of the party buying the wine.

    (3)

  • Roddster V.

    I have eaten here twice. The first time we had reservations and it was my friends birthday. This place was awesome. The service was superior and the food, awesome. We were seated right away on our first visit. This place gets quite busy so make a reservation or arrive early... Like before 6:30. Our second visit recently was over Labor Day weekend. Mind you we had to deal with T.S. Lee, but that didn't stop us. Around 8:30 pm we walked right in off the street and were sat down. Our food came right away and it was absolutely scrumptious. Everything from the food to the service was spot on. I love this place. The wait staff are extremely professional and well dressed and the ambience of the place is quaint and a homey feeling. To sum it up: Top notch service, spot-on food, just a great Creole Italian fare. And, a must visit in one of America's greatest cities.

    (5)

  • Michael F.

    The kitchen and the floor seemed to be at war. First, the good part: the food. Everything, from the steaks to the bananas in the dessert was carefully chosen, handled, and prepared. Four to five stars on the food Then there was the service... We had reservations and still ended up waiting almost an hour after reservation time. The maitre d' did not even seem to look for our reservations. Do they keep two books? Then there was the table service. On the plus side: once things started coming, all was right. But, the ordering was rough. The waiter was uninformed. He sped off after the food order so we had to flag him down to order the wine... I could go on. If this had been at home, we would have left even before being seated, never to return. One star on the service

    (2)

  • Cyndy R.

    My husband and I decided to vacation in New Orleans and looked forward to dining at Irene's. When we arrived a few minutes early for our 7:00PM reservation, the maitre' d informed us that the wait would10- 30 minutes. The lounge, where we were to wait, was packed with unhappy patrons who were also waiting for a table they had reserved. The scowls on their faces were the first clue that Irene's was overbooked. Since every seat was occupied, we stood shoulder to shoulder with the other customers. When one gentleman, waiting for his son to come out of the restroom, told us that he and his party of 10 were seated on time. He proceeded to tell us that one did need a reservation and that he called a week earlier for his reservation, which obviously had been accommodated at our expense. Now I was angry that my reservation, made a month in advance, was relinquished to a local patron who booked a table for 10. This time the maitre'd admitted that there were 8 other reservations ahead of ours and that we would have to wait until the "first seating" was finished, probably in one to one and a half hours. There was no apology offered or any other attempt to ameliorate the situation. At that point, we called Muriel's Bistro on Jackson Square, Muriel's offered us a table in the inner courtyard since Muriel's, unlike Irene's, honors its customers reservations and held tables in the dining rooms for people who were expected. It will be a long time before we visit New Orleans again.

    (1)

  • Hatti H.

    We ate here in November on the recommendation of a friend from Austin. The wait wasn't bad, the service was amazing, and the food was phenomenal. There were three of us, all women, there for a fun weekend. On the waiters (Dan Brown) recommendation we tried the lamb chops and the steak. Both were perfection! The creme brulee was to die for... but the very best part of the entire meal was...... wait for it...... the bread. Their "bread" before the meal was a take on bruschetta but better. Nicely toasted, with a generous slab of tomato, basil, topped with a nice heap of mozzarella and then grilled. I would go back for the bread alone.... If you have a chance to go, go early, try whatever the servers recommend, and don't watch your watch. Just relish it. Item to note... they're closed on Sunday! :( We missed out on a second run before heading home.

    (5)

  • Val A.

    Irene's was suggested by a colleague of mine when I told him my girlfriend and I would be visiting NOLA. The food was phenomenal! We spent almost a week in NOLA and this by far was the best food we had while we were there. Our waiter was very nice and very sociable as well. The total cost of our meal was roughly $100 but to be honest, I would have paid double that. The only downside to Irene's is the wait. I was completely clueless on how this all works so I will give anyone out there who plans on going to Irene's a heads up on how they work. First of all, I was told that Irene's only fills their night with up to 30% of reservations. So if you want a reservation, call ahead of time. The couple we sat next to the night we were there said the last time they went they had made a reservation 2 months before they visited. Also, just because you have a reservation does not mean you will get a table at that time. The couple that sat next to us said when they had previously made a reservation they still had to wait an hour to get a table. Irene's opens at 5:30 and people usually start lining up to go in at 5pm. If you were unable to make a reservation then it is a good idea to get in line at 5pm even if you do not want to dine when they open at 5:30. In my opinion though after my experience, I should have just ate at 5:30. Why you ask? Well when I you line up with the early dinner crowd, you can go in and put your name down for a certain time. So for example, you can put your name down for 7pm and go walk around the French Quarter and go back to Irene's at 7. This does not mean you will have a table waiting for you at 7, but you will have your place in line and I was told the wait is generally another 30 minutes after you go back to the restaurant. This is the one complain I had about Irene's is that the wait was not 30 minutes but it was more like 2 and a half hours. This was still better than other people who walk in to get a table after they have opened and started dinner service because they are the last people to get called to be seated. The couple that sat next to us had to wait over 3 hours to get a table. Was the food worth it? Yes. Would I do it again or will I do it again? Yes. Haha Next time I will just eat at 5:30 when they open. If there was not a miscommunication about the wait time and etc I would have given them 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Rommel H.

    Quite possibly the best food I've ever had. Can get on the expensive side with some wine and appeteezers, but it's friggin' worth every penny. Orlando was our MC and he totally killed it. Everything he suggested, from the turtle soup (amazing), to the pork chops (amazing) to the wine (SWEET BERRY WINE!!!) was superb. My friends had the catch of the day (the exact kind escapes me) and the special which were both unreal. You're welcome for helping you pick what you're gonna eat next time because that last sentence contained about as much information as a fourtune cookie. Just when we couldn't eat anymore, we ordered the creme brule which dominated. A perfect start to the last night in NoLa. If you're looking for an amazing upscale restaurant, this is the place where everyone, locals and tourists alike, will be ready to come back for more.

    (5)

  • Diana S.

    Amazing Food! The Servers Were ok. I also wish I would have known to make a reservation because we waited about an hour on the plus side they had a nice sitting area where my friends and I enjoyed pre dinner cocktails. The escargot was a nice treat as well as the lobster bisque!

    (4)

  • Marie M.

    Great ambiance, our table for 8 was set up in approximately 10 minutes at a peak dinner time. Delicious wine, the sweet potato soup was delicious, and David, our server (cute bald guy with glasses) provided superb service. Highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Nick W.

    Oh Irene how I enjoy visiting your house...er.. I mean restaurant. Right?!? it's one of the most wonderful group of rooms all squished together to create a remarkable Italian restaurant... Most enjoyable Make sure you go a little early or on a busy weekend evening so you can grab a drink and chill by the piano while waiting for your table. Fun times.

    (4)

  • Tara P.

    We walked in without reservations on Saturday night around 7p. So, I was not surprised by the one hour wait in a narrow corridor. I had one very dry gin martini and we were whisked in to a very busy dining room. Our server promptly addressed us. Got our glasses of wine, which were too hot. He exchanged them for a Cabernet with no fuss. My issue begins here. The dining room feels less convivial and boisterous than a tourist den on a busy night. Also, our waiter kept walking away (twice) before we could give him our order. We had to reassure him because he was obviously frustrated at having to wait all of 20 seconds to give him our order of meatballs and lasagna. Maybe he was upset at having to waste his time on such a small bill. Re: the food, both were tasty but unexceptional, traditional red table cloth Italian. Problem is they were priced like real Italian cuisine. We didn't stay for dessert. I imagine they would have pulled out frozen prepared tiramisu or chocolate blackout cake. Not my cup of tea. Save your Italian cravings for NJ and NY.

    (3)

  • Denver M.

    Great place for a romantic dinner. Great atmosphere and cuisine in the French Quarter that still has a local feel. While crowded on most nights, and often there is a line, you can wait in the bar area. Service was excellen

    (5)

  • Todd B.

    While Mona Lisa is a bit more quaint and easier to access, Irene's is my standard place for Italian when I'm in New Orleans. It's an attractive and fun space, the food is excellent and generous in portion, and the service is great. Overall a very nice experience in the Quarter that is always busy but mostly with those in the know, and those who know, know Irene's is where it's at.

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    I've lived in New Orleans for several years and finally got the chance to visit the legendary Irene's and, I must say, they did not disappoint! Escargot aux champignons to start was the highlight of the meal. I appreciated that the dish was not overly sauced or buttered, as is usually the case with escargot dishes, and I enjoyed the toast point on which it was served, which added a nice contrast to the escargot and mushrooms. We also had the Oyster's Irene appetizer, which was cooked perfectly (oysters grilled and warm, still plump and juicy) letting the flavor of the oyster shine through, once again without over grilling or over saucing the seafood. My boyfriend and I had the lamb and duck entrees, and both were phenomenal. Service was great and the atmosphere was intimate without being crowded by nearby tables or at all stuffy or pretentious. This will likely be our choice for a romantic dinner date from here on out!

    (5)

  • Craig C.

    Went to Irene's last night and had an absolutely fantastic meal. Started with Caprese salad, had cioppino that was heavenly, and ended with bananas foster bread pudding that we devoured. Our waiter Drew was great...amusing and friendly, while also efficient. The Caprese had wonderfully ripe tomatoes. The broth of the cioppino was infused with fennel. Everything was just so well done. When in New Orleans, go there!

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    I'm still not sure with the fuss is about over Irene's. Yeah, it's probably the best Italian in New Orleans (that I've tried) but it's definitely not the best Italian food. Based on the non-seafood pasta (because I'm allergic to shellfish), it's nothing to write home about. I had the veal lasagna which was pretty standard, if a little too fennel-y and very salty for my tastes. The bruschetta that came out before that was good, but I think it's in poor taste to let your guests see the unmelted and probably straight out of the package shredded mozzarella cheese melt on top of this. You could tell that it was probably your run of the mill Rouse's Sorrento. The salad that I had was by far the best segment of the meal- tender asparagus with thinly cut prosciutto and perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs. The cheesecake was good but I think that my taste buds were so overwhelmed by the salty lasagna that I thought the cheesecake needed more salt to balance the sweet. Like this second visit, I won't come back here unless my relatives choose it and pick up the bill.

    (2)

  • Ed B.

    This is an intimate restaurant with attentive servers. Food was spot on! The mussels were delicious and generous portion. Lasagna is cheesy goodness. I also had duck that was out of this world. We enjoyed the piano bar while we waited for a table to open. This place is an excellent value as well!

    (5)

  • Steven S.

    "Many loyalists declare Irene's Cuisine a well-kept secret, though you'd never know it given the often tremendous wait for a table. All parties are seated first-come, first-served. On a particularly crowded night, you might start off the wait in the garage, which is set with a few candlelit tables. Music is piped in from the restaurant, and a waiter serves drinks. Don't be put off, though. Soon you'll be moved into the roomy and inviting bar, where the pianist usually succeeds in entertaining to distraction. Finally, you'll make it into the dining room, where the ceilings are high and the walls are dark wood and lined with bottles of wine." "Locals consider Irene's to be the best Italian restaurant in the city, though the cuisine is infused with a bit of French country and, of course, laced with a New Orleans spice. Italian-influenced specialties like Veal Sorrentina (medallions of veal served on top of fried eggplant and topped with mozzarella and a tomato sauce) and Pollo di Parma share the menu with Lamb a Provence and New Orleans soft-shell crabs served on a crawfish fettuccine. The limited menu is abundant with fresh, carefully prepared, locally grown vegetables and pristine seafood, augmented by seasonal specials. All dishes are rich and tasty -- if a little salty -- and the service is professional, yet warm and accommodating." My comments: Don't go if in a hurry. This is leisure dining. Plan for engaging conversation over a drink before dinner. "The garage" is a bit weird but the food is worth the wait. Wine list is good. Very highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Brad P.

    First, the positives. The atmosphere and service is excellent. This is the perfect place for a quiet dinner. We were treated well, our waiter was attentive, and it's reasonably priced for how nice it is. However, the food doesn't live up to the Yelp reviews. We had the mussels and duck, which were decent but nothing great. However, after being promised the best lasagna I have ever eaten, I'm sad to say that I was disappointed. It was mostly tasteless and cold. Heat it up and spice it up! With so many decent restaurants in the area, I wouldn't go back.

    (3)

  • A B.

    We had such a lovely experience at Irene's ! My boyfriend and I were so beat after a long day of walking around New Orleans. We heard about Irene's and that its a bit pricy but very much recommended. So we decided to treat ourselves. First of all-- it is not THAT pricy for a good restaurant . Second, the food and service (thanks to our lovely waitress Stacy) were amazing !! We're both vegetarians so NOLA has been a bit tough in terms of going to a restaurant and not getting publicly shamed for asking about vegetarian dishes. Out waitress Stacy was lovely and recommended the Ravioli and a couple of Salads. They were all made to perfection! We literally collected every remaining drop of the marinara sauce with the amazing challah buns that we received. Did I mention that as soon as we sat down we were served bruschetta on the house? Also, the setting of the restaurant is so charming. Old school Italian-- with famous people's pictures on the walls-- combined with just the right amount of posh. VERY VERY VERY much recommended when in NOLA!

    (5)

  • Lisa N.

    Love this place - outstanding service and food! I have a shellfish allergy so had the Veal Marsala and it was great.

    (5)

  • Genevieve B.

    We didn't have reservations and were absolutely beat from a long day but the staff made room for us with a limited wait. We ordered a bit of everything and it was all amazing. Staff was great!

    (4)

  • Dynamo F.

    What a little gem in the French Quarter. It was wonderful to see so many locals in this quaint restaurant. The food is fantastic. The servers were very friendly and the food was just the right amount. If you are in the Quarter, do yourself a favor and stop by because you will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Jamie C.

    Wow. Very good quality of food. Small, quaint little place with a few tables that are very close together but the food and service were top notch. The crab dip appetizer was very tasty. I had the white fish cuvette for dinner and it was very good as well. The others at my table both had the filet special and raved about how good it was. We tried the cheesecake, tiramisu, and bread pudding for dessert. All were good but as a bread pudding connoisseur I was disappointed. It was very dry and lacked any real sweetness. An unfortunate way to end an otherwise very solid dinner.

    (4)

  • CV M.

    Wow what a disappointment! The food was ok-nothing special. I ordered the trout almandine and the soft shell crab as an appetizer. The crab was great albeit very greasy since it was fried but still very good but again anything is good fried. The trout was not very good, I was disappointed but the dessert was amazing. We ordered 4 different ones and each one was excellent. The dessert And the place itself was the highlight. Can't see myself going back unless it's just for appetizer and dessert.

    (2)

  • Liz O.

    We had looked up many restaurants to go to in New Orleans and Irene's was on the top of the recommendation list from friends. We waited for 30 minutes to sit down, but were in no rush. They have small tables in the back for people to wait with a drink before dinner, and there was live piano music to serenade you while you wait. Not too bad. I started with the mussels, which were bathed in a great tomato sauce. Very flavorful. I ordered the pappardelle, which normally come with crab but they substituted it with shrimp. Really delicious. My friend is a vegetarian and they were very accommodating. She got spaghetti with tomato sauce and eggplant. Most places with give you something vegetarian, but here they really made a good meal given the restrictions of no meat. For desert, we got the cheesecake and the tiramisu. The cheesecake is definitely the way to go for desert. The waiters were very attentive and chatty, but not too chatty. It was a really cool interior design and a great experience to have had in New Orleans. I highly recommend trying it!

    (5)

  • Glen L.

    This place is horribly over rated. It's fine mind you, but that's it. Don't expect to be amazed.

    (3)

  • Travel B.

    Everyone else gives it a 4 or 5 star review and I know why. Because they earn it! A tad hard to find in the FQ but once you do find it you will be very happy you did. I'm not going to repeat all the accolades already here but just to say they are all true.

    (5)

  • Dina D.

    The staff at Irene's Cuisine really go out of their way to make you feel special. Heck, it's even on the back of their business card..."Tonight is all about you." They deliver on that promise. The service was the best thing about our trip to Irene's Cuisine. After going in their only door to find myself gently directed down a single hallway past whirling waiters and through two oddly oriented dining rooms before getting to the host stand, I figured I had to eat here just to see how this all worked. This place is popular, no doubt about that. It seems to be a mix of locals and tourists, also a good sign. But to our tastes, the food fell short of spectacular. There are so many unique and outstanding (and cheaper ) dining options within a 5 block radius of this place, I don't see a reason to go back. One of the best things about our meal was the free appetizer that came out...a beautifully flavored tomato positioned bruschetta-style on a small piece of bread. The food is a kind of country Italian style. We tried their Potato & Leek daily special soup...it was on the sour side and wasn't special enough to recommend. My husband had the fish crevette, which had a beautiful presentation but didn't live up to its looks. It was on the bland side of flavorful. We routinely make better flavored fish at home. I had the lamb, which was the best dish of the bunch. It was nicely seasoned, and they impressed me by taking my "medium well" request and executing it perfectly. But I've had some pretty good lamb dishes in my day (including other chops as well as some kick-butt $2 lamb tacos) and this lamb, while good, just didn't hit that "oh-my-god-i-must-eat-this-every-week" mark. Irene's Cuisine gets 4 stars from me because the service and execution are well above average (3 stars). But of all our dishes, none of them were enough to bring us back. If superb service is what you are looking for, Irene's Cuisine is a solid choice. If you're looking for a nice meal in New Orleans that you will remember more for the food than for the service and weird layout, try something different.

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    Irene's is a good restaurant, and ultimately it's A-OK just not quite my style and I don't see myself going back so I'm going to go with 3 stars. The setup is a bit strange having to walk through 2 rooms of people dining in order to get to a back room where they placed the host station. As for the 3 rooms of dining (or possibly more that I didn't see), they're small, kitschy, and sometimes too tight for my preference. But typical for a "charming" Italian restaurant, and we were seated promptly for our 7:30 PM reservation on a Thursday evening. In terms of the food, it was generally good if not always exciting. The homemade ravioli appetizer was good but the sauce was a simple, thin tomato sauce that didn't add much and the dish didn't have any wow factor other than being clearly homemade. My table also had escargot which included a huge mushroom with every snail so you got more mushroom than anything - fine but certainly nothing spectacular. Same with the crabmeat gratin - it was nice crab in a cheesy mixture but just didn't knock my socks off - and we didn't have any bread left to eat it with so I can't say I would order it again despite having a good amount of crab for the price. My favorite appetizer was the Oysters Irene which were nice - not the best baked oyster I've eaten but very good. Entrees were a bit hit or miss - one thing I can say is that if you go to Irene's you must get the lamb chops because they were the absolute star of the meal. Lasagna Bolognese was just okay, and they were out of soft shell crab so the papardelle noodles for this dish instead had fried shrimp on top and it was good but nothing special. But the lamb was outstanding. AND the Creole Cream Cheese Cake for dessert was one of the best I've ever had. Wow. Overall, that's 8 dishes I tried and 2 were awesome plus I liked the oysters. You're not going to be terribly unhappy at Irene's, but if you're truly into food you won't get the wow factor that a 4.5 star overall rating on Yelp would typically suggest. There are much better options in this town, though Irene's is an okay choice with fairly reasonable pricing for what appears to be scratch cooking.

    (3)

  • Kenneth H.

    Back again and better than ever. I always have their Duck St. Philip and it was fantastic. I started c 2 meatballs marinara covered in cheese and we shared the cauliflower crab soup - both over the top. You never hear much talk about this place but it must be that locals love it - jammed on Monday night. Will be back every trip to NOLA.

    (5)

  • Gary B.

    Hands down the best restaurant in the quarter. The service is always friendly and knowledgable. You never wait with an empty glass or on any request. The atmosphere is small and intimate and somewhat noisy. It's a great little restaurant. The food? Not a bad thing on the menu. Everything has been exceptional and you absolutely MUST try their cheesecake. I've had duck, lamb, caprese and most of their Italian dishes. Haven't found a flaw yet. Very reasonably priced for the quality you get. Highly recommend getting dinner there soon. They don't take reservations unless you're local, but the waiting room has a piano and they'll be happy to get you some wine while you wait.

    (5)

  • Dania V.

    Only 5 because I can't give it 6 stars. I ordered the pappardelle with soft shell crab & my husband the filet. Let me just say this... yuuuuuumy. It was so delicious. Staff was very welcoming & the restaurant quaint & charming. If you're visiting for a few days or for the 1st time, do not pass this restaurant up.

    (5)

  • Stretch S.

    Watch it! This place is small, and very popular. We had a reservation for two, so only had to wait a few minutes...... BUT...... then were given the worst table for two in the house, by far. Right in a high traffic corridor, tiny table. Highlights included a drunk tourist loudly congratulating us for getting 'the honeymoon nook', and waiter and his helper unloading all the dirty dishes from a table of 8 right next to my head (waiter was scraping and stacking while helper was holding the stack). We also got the pleasure of a waiter apparently in training. He was attentive but merrily decided to pour the dregs of one glass of wine into the new one. Luckily they were the same wine...... Unfortunately the food (although good) was not enough to overcome the events above.

    (3)

  • Miss Lady S.

    Either come when they open at 5:30 or make a reservation or u will literally b waiting an hour. Yup it's that good..way better than Irene's ex husband Tommy's across town.. Everything on the menu is amazing..

    (5)

  • Robert H.

    Again, everything prepared fine, service was good, did not have reservations and was seated in 15 minutes. Can't complain there, the lamb was a little dry, the steak was nothing special, the seafood was a hit with the wives though. Price point was a little high for food that was just ok...

    (3)

  • Adam J.

    We were expecting to be blown away by this place after seeing all the amazing reviews. This place is just average, not great. Definitely will never go back on our next trip to nola.

    (3)

  • Kathy J.

    We were told about Irenes 15 years ago by locals, we always return. This time we tried New Years Eve with no reservations, we got dinner finally at 11:15pm. By then the service was not so good. The food was ok, our fault for picking a busy night. I will return! I had the fish medley with pasta, there was no pasta in it. They most likely ran out and hubby had the canneloni, he loved it. The brushcetta was good even though it was cold. Never got any bread, I think they ran out.

    (3)

  • Paula S.

    I lived in New Orleans for 18 years. For the last 5, DH, my best friend and i were regulars at Irene's. My DH has been there 3 times in the past 2 years and says it's still wonderful. Irene's pompano en papillote is on the menu of my 'last meal.' And or the duckling with ginger/peach sauce. *drool* LOL I love Irene's decor too. Irene's isn't great for tourists. It never was. If you're not Italian or European, you probably don't even know the protocol to get into such a restaurant without making a reservation. I'm not going to tell you. Figure it out. ;)

    (5)

  • Andrew D.

    The rating is for the food and not the experience or quality of service. Irene still works the crowd and I think she created a great menu that brings people back. The atmosphere is eclectic and crowded. Some talk about it being romantic but that was lost on my wife and I. We had 8pm reservations and we were seated at 915pm (and only because I hovered around the maitre'd). One group had a 615pm reservation and weren't seated until 830pm. And this seemed to be the norm. What really annoyed me was how the maitre'd kept telling everyone that they would be seated in 10 to 15 minutes which was so untrue. Some people talked about leaving, but on a Monday night in NOLA most places are either closed or close at 10pm. So even if you have one of the above experiences stick it out. Or slip the maitre'd $20 bucks (like we saw 3 times) and you'll be seated sooner than later. One customer was talking about how this was no way to run a business and I had to laugh to myself. I wasn't tickled pink about the wait either, but lets face it - the place was jammed and it's jammed all the time. It's been around for years and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Hell, Irene's doesn't even have a website and she doesn't want one. She doesn't even advertise. As a business owner it's a dream business. Even the customer's are mostly tourists. The fact that locals understand how the Big Easy works, and still eat here should be more evidence of how great this place is. As for the "5" stars and the food. We had the special - meatballs with cheese - very nice - strange as just an appetizer however. We had the crab and cheese dish which was great. Used it as a bread spread and it was better. Would have been really great if they had served it with toast points. We had the Escargot in Mushrooms which my wife thought was the bee's knees. We had the oysters which are very unique. A guy one table over from us shared one of his oysters with us when he saw we hadn't ordered one for ourselves. My wife was so happy that she was able to try it and regrets not getting a whole plate for herself. We had the Veal Marsala which was truly great, by any standards. We had the cannelloni wrapped in eggplant which my wife enjoyed. But the upshot is this ... it's worth the wait, it's worth the rushed service as the food was tasty and memorable (at least for me).

    (5)

  • DV N.

    I love coming to Irene's when I am back home in New Orleans. The key is to come right at 5:30PM, pay for half an hour of parking, and get in the door early! There are no reservations and the business crowd hits Irene's really hard for early dining. So come early or come late. The food was delicious.. The lamb chops and drum fish entrees were spot on. Great date spot with a romantic ambiance. We recommend you come again and again! And a note on the service -- we had Daniel as our server and he was really great. He has been here for a long time and made dinner a wonderful experience.

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    Worth the wait...then again, with live music and excellent bartenders can you really call it "waiting"? Try Oysters Irene for a taste of NO Italian style.

    (5)

  • Allen Y.

    One word: fantastic. Everyone kept telling us about the wait. But we walked right in with only 5 minutes to set up a table. The place smells fantastic as soon as you walk in and I was starving. The oysters irene was out of this world. It had bacon and cheese and tomatos on it. It was great. My friend had a salad and loved it, said it was fresh and the dressing was seasoned perfectly. I had the veal marsala, wish sweet potato crisps. It was sweet and savory and the veal was perfectly cooked. I've had alot of marsala sauces in New York but this is one of the best. The tiramisu was rich and the marscapone was creamy. It was room temperature, which only made it better (I hate restaurants that keep it in the refrigerator until served, kills the coffee flavor). I had an italian espresso to go along with it. The wine list was very extensive and the service was fantastic. Just attentive enough without being overbearing. All in all, a complete 10 dining experience!

    (5)

  • marlenee e.

    I was very fortunate to have been treated to a meal at Irene's. My dinning companions swore by it and when we were lucky enough to get a table last minute, we ran across the French Quarter to get our highly valued table. The service was great. It had a formal atmosphere but it wasn't pretentious. For example, we were tourist coming in last minute from a long day of horse carriage rides and sunburns, travel bags and tired looking clothes. I teased my friend about her half full coke bottle on the table, but the waiter was whatever about it. He offered us a wine list and his helpful opinion. My high expectations were not disappointed. It's the perfect place for an anniversary or just a nice meal in a pleasant setting. The owner was at the door saying thank to every person who left. Naturally she got an ear full of compliments from each customer, including me.

    (5)

  • Derek R.

    Mama Mia! We are big fan of Irene's! Been there quite a few times. Always good, always crowded, so get reservations!! One of the best in the city for Italian food! Salute!

    (5)

  • Adriana L.

    I'm a certified foodie. Food (not just Italian food) does not get better than this. We waited an hour and a half to be seated although we arrived at 9:30 but would do it again. The tomato sauce equals what you would find in Italy. The dishes are NoT over done..which is why we loved it so much. Simple, fresh, unadulterated. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • david h.

    Really, really good food! This place is like a mystery woman. You wonder where she's been all your life! Appetizers are out of this world. The lobster bisque was phenomenal. The entrees were a little over (veal chop) and under (filet) done. The quail was one of a kind. The service was energetic, fun and engaging. The decor was dark, romantic and French quarter-y. No Bud Light? No domestic beer of any kind? That's a little bit of a bummer. Good news is, if you need a beer, just excuse yourself, walk down the street, get you one and bring it back, It's the Big Easy, baby! I would like to try this place on a less busy night. We went on New Years Eve. If they can get everything just right, this place would be erotic! Smiley face and a star.

    (5)

  • Jana B.

    OMG, what a great place, I had the ribeye special and it melted in my mouth! Friend had reddish special and it was equally amazing! Rather long wait and no reaervations but well worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    Irene's Cuisine is the complete package! It's not only the food that is exceptional. The service that we have received there is unlike anywhere else. This weekend our server, Dan, welcomed us back like we were old friends. The only other time we have had the good fortune to be there was a year before. Food musts: the muscles, the rib-eye and the lamb. Our party of 4 fully enjoyed everything we ordered... those are just the stand-outs from this trip. You have to make a reservation or be prepared to wait, but it's well worth it. We cannot wait to go back!!!

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    Great service and great food! One place in New Orleans where the staff isn't "stuffy". Our server was excellent and accommodating with a sense of humor. The food was prepared perfectly!

    (5)

  • Angela C.

    No reservation and dressed in shorts, tank tops and flip flops, we were welcomed and seated immediately upon our arrival at 5:45pm. Sure, it was in the heat of the summer, but it was a pleasant surprise to be seated so promptly by Miss Irene herself and then treated like royalty despite our less than stellar garb. The complimentary bruschetta was good, the bread was hard and difficult to eat with any sense of manners - crumbs everywhere. These are my only complaints! I had the veal Marsala and my companion had the rosemary chicken. Both dishes were absolutely luscious and perfectly prepared. Our waiter was extremely attentive and again, I must note, that he treated us as graciously as he did the couple dressed to the nines at the next table. The creme brule was delightful and perfectly torched. Warning - closed on Sundays so plan accordingly.

    (5)

  • Terri V.

    Wouldn't take reservations. 2 Hour wait...we walked down the street to the Martini Bar to bide our time. Quaint, warm, ambient lighting with white table clothes. Piano bar with a lively crowd. Friendly and attentive service. We shared the Parma Prosciutto with Hearts of Artichoke Salad and Trout Meuniere, both fabulous! The Bread Pudding dessert was just ok...but then I'm a little biased, nobody can make a homemade southern bread pudding like I can. :) Frankly, I'm pretty certain we could have found an equivalent restaurant experience nearby and omitted the wait.

    (4)

  • Chris F.

    It definitely on the dressy side. We got there at about 7pm on a Wednesday for my wife's birthday (just the two of us), were told it would be a bout half an hour but it ended up being over 2 hours. Luckily the piano player was pretty nice and while there wasn't a bar, someone will get you a drink. I got pretty annoyed when several couples who came in after us got seated first. The food was really good but I wasn't as blown away as I hoped to be. I'm not normally that disappointed, but I was with this visit and probably won't be back.

    (3)

  • Katrina G.

    I have no idea how this place has such good reviews. My experience was horrible from start to finish. The service was horrible. After waiting an hour past our reservation we were seated in a room that felt like a basement with low ceilings. The room was loud with clanking dishes--not good ambience to enjoy your dinner. We were put in a space that was too small, my friend and I were constantly being bumped and hit by servers. We waited nearly 40 minutes before our order was taken after we were seated. We had to actually run down the bread woman so we wouldn't starve (no one offered us bread). The server never took drink orders, so no cocktails to help dull the pain of the terrible service. I was hoping the food would help overcome the bad service, but it was barely mediocre. My fish was overcooked, swimming in butter (not in a good way), and bland. Do yourself a favor and skip this spot. All and all it felt like a bad chain restaurant.

    (1)

  • Ruthie V.

    We met some locals while dining in New Orleans who told us that Irene's was a great place where you could get plentiful meals and wear your jeans if you want. So before walking over from Royal Street where we were staying, I called for a reservation but they were so busy that an answering machine came on. So I called again but the guy could hardly hear me. He said to come in because they don't take reservations. So we get there and are told there would be a 30 minute wait. Fine, we thought we'd have a drink meanwhile but it took 15 minutes just to get the drink ordered while we waited in a back room with a bunch of other people. After an hour, we were finallys seated. The elderly lady who set our silverward was extremely unfriendy. I asked her if she was Irene and she blatantly ingnored me and looked as if she didn't want anyone talking to her. Okay, fine, so the service sucked. I ordered the lamb chops and Dale had the special, chicken with sauce and veggies. The food was one step above medicore. My chops were grisly but the potatoes were good. Dale didn't like his dish. We learned later that we just ordered the wrong things. I figured as much but was in the mood for lamb chops.

    (3)

  • Lauren E.

    GREAT SERVICE, GREAT FOOD!!! Loved the people here. Loved the atmosphere. Loved the food. Delicious items we ate: oysters appetizer, broccoli and crab soup, shrimp and mussels pasta, chapino, and creme brulee. They even brought us some free bruschetta! GREAT food for a GREAT price!

    (5)

  • Rico I.

    Service? - Probably one of the best staff i have ever encountered. Food? I have had MUCH better. I had the seafood pasta, and the meatball for app. Honestly, Raos or Cafe Martorano has this place beat hands down vis a vis quality of food. Find someplace else (GW Fins) if you are in NOLA for a few days.

    (2)

  • ralph a.

    I hate doing this......great food and great service....but as a local i want to keep this place off the radar and not have it become another "must visit" on every other tourists list. With that being said...a personal note to all the tourists: since you have already discovered our formerly hidden secret, do all of us a favor and please don't go to Irene's in your tacky shorts, silly t shirts, flip flops, loud obnoxious parties, or already liquored up from your bar stops along the way. This is a classy place and please act and dress classy when you do go!

    (5)

  • Angel E.

    I had done some research before we went to Irene's and every review said that they don't take reservations; guess what -- they've just started taking reservations!!! And there's a sign posted on their door advertising it. So our concierge called in our dinner reservation about 3 hours ahead; we showed up on time and our table was ready for us (whereas some poor folks who showed up right before us had one hour wait). The place is truly Italian -- a large room separated into 3 "intimate" dining rooms (12 tables or so in each room); a little chaotic and loud; the waiting room has a piano in it and one can get a drink/ glass of wine while waiting but it gets pretty crowded in there fast, so reservations are a must. Now, about our dinner. The wine list is impressive and they give you numerous choices (anywhere from $27 to $200+). Appetizers --- the baked oysters were ok and only ok (they were topped with bacon and bacon does kill any flavor) - I did expect a more sophisticated dish from Irene's and that's where they lost points with me. The spinach&ricotta ravioli were excellent -- fresh pasta and tomato sauce, great flavors! The main dish --- couldn't help but order the soft shell crab with linguine. The crab was huge and meaty; lightly breaded and perfectly fried; the pasta was silky and obviously home- made -- great texture and flavor; the dish had subtle garlicky flavor and was served with spinach -- nothing overpowering, every flavor just right. The sauce had some crawfish tails in it which looked like they tried to give the dish a New Orleans flair, there was no other reason for it. Some of the desserts looked very enticing (Tiramisu and creme brulee in particular) but there was no room left after the entree. Maybe next time. Irene came out and said hello to us while we were waiting on our meal and snacking on the bruchetta they serve before appetizers; she also met us at the door, asked about out meal and gave my friend a hug. And while we were eating, she was helping her staff clean up a table after a party of 14. I have a lot of respect for her level of involvement in business! I liked the fact that the menu is versatile enough for any taste (definitely not vegetarian though) -- they have a few seafood dishes, veal and duck, a steak; at the same time they do not overextend themselves. Two things I would like to see happen (and if they do, I'd give them 5 stars) --- 1) a more imaginative and classy oyster appetizer (no bacon on it, please); 2) better service --- the service was kind and attentive but not attentive enough --- when I order an expensive bottle of wine, I shouldn't be the one keeping the glasses full; Anyhow, we tipped our waiter 15% whereas we tipped the guys at Stella! 20+% ---- huge difference when you look at the final bill! All in all, lots of potential. I'll definitely go back and try other things on the menu before I come to the final conclusion!

    (4)

  • Marcus K.

    Note to self: next time you go make reservation, make reservation, make reservation Even at 8:30 pm the wait was an hour The three of us grabbed a bottle of wine and sat in the waiting area and had a good time. Finally got seated and this place is hands down the best restaurant I've been in for the last two weeks - and Ive been eating out every day. Mussel appetizer was amazing. Cioppino delicious. Tiramisu delightful. We closed the place down around midnight. Yum

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was very good. We had the salmon which perfect, the steak was a little more than medium as I had asked for it, but overall everything was delicious.

    (4)

  • Leslie H.

    On a weekend get away with my husband and we were staying at the Hotel Provincial and the first night there aw we were walking back to our hotel the wonderful aroma's coming form Irene's Cuisine convinced us that we had to eat there the next night. The restaurant was less than a block from our hotel so we were waiting when they opened at 5:30. We were seated immediately, no wait! The food was fabulous!! Best meal we had In New Orleans! Wait staff was excellent, out waiter was very well spoken and was able to discuss the menu and make excellent suggestions. We enjoyed the atmosphere. The building is an old paper wharehouse so the rooms are small and irregular, it is the French Quarter, every building is old. We are already planning our next trip.

    (5)

  • Caroline W.

    This is my second visit here and it was as good as the first. Took someone who was visiting from Belgium and they loved it. The food is just as described on the menu and te wait staff are very knowledgable about the food. Be advised that this is a popular place for locals and visitors so booking of a table well ahead of time is advised.

    (4)

  • CORINA C.

    Get there early! The place opens at 5:30. We probably strolled in at 5:35 and the front dining room was already 75% filled. After ten more minutes, people were shown to the bar to wait. The evening starts with bruschetta compliments of the house, which -- while not spectacular -- is certainly fresh and a step above a simple basket of bread (which you get later). As an appetizer, try the Oysters Irene. The oysters were cooked exactly to my liking, and the toppings were fresh and bright. I had cioppino, which reminded me of my childhood, and my husband had the lamb chops. The lamb was surprising mild and a bit underseasoned, but the sauce and sides were delicious. We finished off with the creole creamcheese cake. This was delicious too, but the crust was a tad soggy. Fresh strawberries on top added a nice contrast to the sweetness of the filling. This is a tall, very fluffy -- almost like a mouse -- cheesecake. Not traditional, but very tasty. The wine list is decent, but if I remember correctly there is only one bottle under thirty dollars. Also, the front dining room is a bit crowded; it's one of those places where you may have to move the table to get out.

    (4)

  • Howie G.

    A top 5 in NOLA. Truly a gem. This is the only place that did not raise prices after Katrina. Never varies. I promise you will love Irene's.

    (5)

  • Evelyn G.

    Oh my goodness! Does it get better? We felt like we were welcomed as though we were family. Everyone was so kind and unassuming. The gumbo was so tasty that we almost licked the bowl. The drum fish was incredibly moist. The establishment also comped our incredible pecan bread pudding since it was my husband's and my 38th wedding anniversary. My only complaint was that I don't have more stomachs so I try more food. I considered only eating at Irene's while we were here but that wouldn't give me the opportunity to try other restaurants. I will probably regret that decision.

    (5)

  • Rick T.

    Some of the best Italian food I have had. Was there celebrating the birthday of a friend. Excellent service. I even got a chance to meet Irene!

    (5)

  • Adrian B.

    Irene's - trading on reputation Irene's restaurant was recommended highly and is purportedly a favourite with locals. It's hard to see why. We phoned to make a booking at 8.30 but the person taking the booking suggested 9pm, which we agreed to. When we arrived, at 9pm, we were ushered to a room packed with people called "The Garage". We were told by the maitre d' that it would be a 15-20 minute wait (despite the fact that we had a booking). We had a more than 50 minute standing wait in The Garage. While the staff were apologetic, it was hardly acceptable. Especially as it turned out that they don't really take bookings - essentially we were on a wait list. Had the food been as outstanding as the recommendations suggested, we might have gotten over having to wait so long. Unfortunately, nothing improved once we sat down. The drinks we ordered as starting drinks arrived after the appetizers. The wine that was ordered for the meal arrived before the food. The entrees arrived before the appetizers had been finished. And unfortunately the food was mediocre at best. The crab gratin was made up of a tiny portion of crab (not properly peeled - bits of shell were still present) swimming in cheese. The duck was poorly cooked with the fat not being properly cooked off. The sauce covering the spinach and ricotta ravioli was over-peppered. The saving grace was the tiramisu. If you want an excellent dinner, avoid Irene's - go to Nola's instead.

    (2)

  • Peter H.

    We came in with no reservations and were told the wait would be about an hour. Although it was more like 2 hours, we definitely did not regret waiting. Irene's offers delicious food and great service - Italian cuisine with a Cajun/Creole flair that coalesces beautifully. The mussels marinara were great (as was the delicious sauce they were served in), and the fish dish - I forget the name, but it is the second or middle preparation on the menu - was outstanding. Covered in roasted sliced almonds - really good stuff. The soft-shell crab dish was very, VERY buttery and rich - almost too rich for one not expecting it - so be prepared. And a note on the service -- we had Daniel as our server and he was really great. Engaged, attending, fun, and good-natured, he made our first dinner in New Orleans a memorable one.

    (5)

  • Jane L.

    Our first year anniversary was coming up and we decided to take a trip to New Orleans, right away I asked my travel guru (brother in-law) what was his favorite restaurant in NO, he said hands down Irene's. Right away I goggled and looked up travel advisor, yeap nothing but great reviews. We got to Irene's 15 minutes before our reservation, the place is simple, even alittle run down looking but it kind of adds to the ambience. It is really dark in there also. While waiting a waiter took our drink order and we sat in the waiting room with a piano, a man there played while we enjoyed our drinks. We were seated at a tiny table, pretty romantic, the waiter brought out bruschetta - it was delicious. My husband ordered a Shrimp and potato soup, roasted chicken I got the César salad and shrimp scampi. Everything was perfect. To top off the night our waiter brought out cheesecake and desert wine compliments of Irene to celebrate our anniversary. (our waiter was probably one of the nicest waiters we have ever had- I want to say his name is Sunny). I cannot imagine going to New Orleans and not having dinner at Irene's.

    (5)

  • Corey H.

    When doing the French Quarter, it's easy to get distracted by the hoopla and hubbub, after all, you're more than likely a tourist. Now, be that as it may, even when I'm a tourist, I hate to be treated like I one, don't know anything, and two, am there at the expense of the locals. Even if both are true... I don't want to be treated that way... certainly if both are true! The best way to not feel taken advantage of when in a new city and on the hunt is to try and find the places that have regulars, not just the tourist traps that the locals go to, but the spots that the regulars die for and will brave the crowds, lines, and annoying interlopers from out of town. Irene's is such a place. I found this gem by recommendation of a nightclub manager when I was in town to perform, and I scurried over. Immediately charmed by the storefront, I knew I was going to be in for a good experience. Once inside, the piano was playing, and the front room was packed with people waiting for a table in the also small dining room. I took a seat, enjoyed some Crown rocks and got a table about forty minutes later. I was still charmed, and spent the time I had to wait slowly dipping into a whiskey dream, people watching, and eavesdropping. Now... on to dinner. What a charming place! I just can't get over the decor, the professional, seasoned, well aged staff, and did I mention it yet? the CHARM! Okay, I had the softshell crab linguini with crawfish sauce and was blown away. Portions here run large, and I ate the entire dish. I also had a bottle of incredible wine and not at an exorbitant price. My tab? Not too cheap! Remember, I had forty minutes of Crown Royal rocks, then a bottle of wine... so I splurged. Spent two of days of my per diem food expenses on the one meal... and I would do it again! I can't wait to revisit Irene's, as it's always on the top of the list. Tip: if you're staying at a swanky hotel, see if the concierge can call you in a table while you walk over. Their no reservations policy is like most restaurants with such a policy, um, flexible.

    (5)

  • Todd S.

    Having a hard time finding any faults here. Went with a party of 10 during the BCS weekend - was packed! Yet the service was impeccable and the food was hot and delectable. A couple of bottles of Valpocella were divine. We started with prosciutto artichoke and arugula and it was a hit. The oysters Irene was to DIE FOR. Special filet mignon with flash fried mushrooms a Cabernet Demi-glacé and a bleu potato cake. Wow. Good service, good food, good wine; hard to get better than this.

    (5)

  • Cue C.

    All was good except for the fact that they allowed my bodyguard, Spencer Kent, to dine there! In other words, they let anyone in!

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    Absolutely delicious! Everything! The dinner, the waitstaff, the dessert, the wine. Everything-even my left overs.

    (5)

  • Jim C.

    This is an extremely hard review for me to write. We were so looking forward to Irene's having gotten several recommendations from family and friends in New Orleans + having read the very favorable reviews here on Yelp. The good - we had reservations and were warmly greeted by Michael, our host. A very professional gentleman. We were immediately seated in the bar (I do believe that everyone gets their 15 minutes in the bar to order a drink.) Our server in the bar was great and made our drinks expertly to order. The bartender must be very experienced as you would expect in New Orleans. The piano played and we really enjoyed the bar. The facility itself is great and very cozy. We love the facility itself. After our short wait, we were escorted to our table. Michael remembered our names and made us feel very comfortable. Again, excellent service up to this point. Let me stop here and just say that it's a shame to come to a place like Irene's with such high expectations and have the unfortunate circumstance of getting a poor, unprofessional server. It can screw up the evening for both us and Irene's. After we were seated, we were greeted by our waiter: "Joseph." If you go to Irene's and your waiter is "Joseph" ask for a new table. The bad - you need to keep in mind that Irene's is extremely busy, so I do believe that the waiters feel the need to turn the tables. But that's not why I'm spending my $$ coming here. I expect excellent service accompanied by flawless dishes. I must sadly report that this was not our case. The food - my wife started with paneed oysters and grilled shrimp, a New Orleans/Italian favorite and she reported that they were the best she'd ever had. Unfortunately for us, this is where the good part of our evening ended. Let me back up a minute. When we were first seated, "Joseph" presented us with some of "Miss Irene's" "famous" bruschetta. OMG!! I should have known at this point things were, at some point, going to go down hill. The "bruschetta" served was what appeared to be 3 slices of maybe Italian bread with some raw tomatoes arranged on top and sprinkled with mystery cheese. Apart from the fact that it was extremely dry, there was not even the hint of any olive oil nor had it be "cooked" as one would expect. Awful. Don't even eat it if offered. Anyway, on to the main course. I ordered pompano amandine, and my wife opted for the soft shell crab. Both of these dishes are well known in New Orleans and should have proven to be no problem. The pompano amandine appeared and tasted like a fillet of white fish (not pompano,) pan fried in crisco and sprinkled with sliced almonds. Ugh. No flavor, and totally unacceptable. The soft shell crab was one of the largest I'd ever seen. My wife reported that it was extremely greasy to the point she couldn't eat it. We both fought our way through about 1/3 of the meal, then gave up. All this time we had never seen or heard from "Joseph." Amazing, no? You would think that in an establishment of this caliber, the server would be checking on you continuously. Not here. When I finally flagged down "Joseph" and asked for the check, he did not ask how we enjoyed our meal, etc. He was too busy clearing the table for his next "guests." Oh, he did ask if we wanted to box up our uneaten meal, and when we said, "absolutely not," he shrugged and cleared the table - not a care in the world. Altogether, a forgettable evening. We did report our experience to my wife's family who live in New Orleans and they encouraged us to give Irene's another try. They did say to stick to the Italian dishes only. This we will do, but I have to say that if our first experience is any indication, our second visit may well be our last. There are just too many excellent restaurants in New Orleans to waste time and money on such a forgettable evening. My two stars are only for my wife's family; if I weren't going back again, it would be 1-start or less.

    (2)

  • Anthony A.

    Top 3 meals I've ever had. Can't recommend enough, Oysters Irene and the duck. Atmosphere, service, EVERYTHING, other worldly! Will defiantly be back.

    (5)

  • Ian B.

    I wish I could have liked this place. But somehow with an order of escargot and a steak, they managed to poison me pretty severely. I have a pretty pronounced allergy to fish, the kind that can very easily kill me. We told this to our server up front, asking very specifically that no fish come in any contact with my food. And yet, after the escargot, I was sick as can be. 5 trips to the bathroom to vomit, and not even so much as an apology from Irene's. When asked how things were, we informed them that I had been poisoned. Yet, according to our server, this was "impossible, its just garlic and snails." Yet there I was, throwing up, in extreme pain (8 out of 10) and having a hard time breathing. Our first night in New Orleans was ruined. Best of all, no offer to refund any of the meal. Full price charge, and then a mile run to the nearest open shop with Benadryl. If you have allergies, don't do Irene's.

    (2)

  • Eleni F.

    Went here last night with my fiance to celebrate my birthday and had a wonderful time! First time eating there but I have always wanted to try it. We had a reservation and they knew that I was there for a birthday so both the host and our server made a point of making sure I felt special on my special day. We were seated in a room that was done all in cherry wood paneling, with wall wine racks that went all the way up to the ceiling. There were candles on the table and it was a romantic atmosphere. Our waiter brought out a little garlic toast with fresh tomato and cheese when we sat down to get us started. I ordered a glass of very nice Chianti to go with. Then chose the mernier which is a pan fried fish topped with jumbo lump crab and slivered almonds in a brown butter sauce with a side of green beans and mashed sweet potatoes. It was delicious. The sweet potatoes were so sweet they could have qualified as desert. My fiance got the fillet mignion which was one of the specials. It was grilled and served with garlic potatoes, fried mushrooms, goat cheese and a red wine reduction sauce. He said the steak was the part he liked least of his dish, and that it was tender but not very juicy or flavorful. For desert we ordered the tirimisu to split. They brought it to the table with a candle in it. We were pleasantly surprised when we found out that the tirimisu was a birthday gift from Irene's. This place is romantic, cozy and great for a special occasion.

    (4)

  • John S.

    You won't find traditional Italian American selections on the menu (no lasagna; nor spaghetti). And the establishment is cozy, but loud. Cozy is code for dark and cramped. However, the food tastes great.

    (4)

  • Chris F.

    The whole staff was extremely welcoming and inviting. I walked in around 6:30pm without a reservation and was seated within 30 minutes (party of 2) which was a stroke of luck. If you are planning on going here call ahead and make a reservation unless you mind spending an hour at the bar. In my book this shouldn't hold a place back these days. You have been informed so don't complain. Call ahead to get a table or be prepared to wait! We had the veal special which was cooked perfectly and absolutely exquisite. We also had the cannelloni which was also well done but not as good as the veal. I would defiantly listen to the waiter for the specials and order one as talking to Irene (yes the old lady is the owner and works everyday) she says that the head cook generally chooses something that is fresh and inspires them. So get the special whatever it is and I am sure that you will not be disappointed. This is real Italian food in an unlikely place perhaps but EXTREMELY well done.

    (5)

  • Sarah H.

    Great appetizers and desserts. Oysters were amazing. Could have skipped on the pompano entree but still delish.

    (4)

  • chris j.

    Best restaurant I experienced in new orleeans. Hands down. Had the ribeye with mushrooms and blue cheese potatoes. Zucchini soup. For dessert we had cheese cake. We were able to meet Irene. She was delightful. We had our picture made together. What a treat. Restaurant is beautiful. Drinks are perfectly made. Do not miss this dining experience. Worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Chuck T.

    GOOD food - not GREAT food. Menu is small & not exactly what you think of when you think Italian. Plenty of good food elsewhere in the Quarter with little wait. Not worth the 2 hour wait that I'll never get back. My expectations were too high based on the reviews read prior to dropping in. Service was very good.

    (2)

  • Anthony K.

    Ive had steaks at "world class" chains and local steakhouses and was surprised to have the best filet mignon in my life at Irenes. Most tender i have ever had. Probably could have cut it with my fork. I also tried the ribeye which was also good. Dessert was vanilla ice cream and pecan bread pudding which was fantastic.

    (5)

  • Whitney H.

    My friend and I decided to try Irene's on a Thursday afternoon. So, after cooling our heels in a nearby bar waiting for the place to open, we walked over. As I opened the door, I was greeted by a kind hostess who said she would take care of us. It was pretty early, about 6:30, and we got seated right away at a table by the window, not in the darker back area. The room was really charming and homey. The waiter was really nice and explained everything. My friend ended up ordering the filet mignon special. I wanted something light and opted for the trout amandine, which was excellent. The whipped sweet potatoes were great too. There was a slight slip up in the service - they brought my friend the wrong dish - but it was quickly taken care of. Also, she really enjoyed her Ramos Gin Fizz (her first). A good time was had by all.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    First dinner during my inaugural trip to New Orleans and Irene's didn't disappoint. Food: Mussels marinara sauce to start. First time I tried the baby (P&J) mussels which I think are particular to the South. Delicious. Great sauce and truly delicious french bread to soak it all up. The girl friend ordered Cannelloni (similar to Manicotti but stuffed with ground veal in addition to ricotta and mozzarella cheese) and I opted for the San Francisco-style Cioppino, setting myself up for failure since I had amazing Cioppino IN San Francisco when I lived there. Cannelloni was mouth-watering delicious (not sure how it compares to Cannelloni at other restaurants, as it was the first time I had the dish) and the Cioppino was full of seafood (shrimps, scallops, mussels, clams, red fish, etc.) but was kind of bland and definitely not spicy. Creole Cream Cheesecake and Pecan Bread Pudding for dessert ... both were excellent endings to a wonderful dining experience and helped to get the bland taste out of my mouth from the Cioppino. The cheesecake was served with strawberries while the pecan bread pudding was served alongside bananas and gelato. Service: Our waiter Orlando was fantastic, if a tad too excited about every dish we asked about ("Amazing!" "My favorite!" etc.) The finishing touch however was Irene herself presiding over the meal and shaking my hand (and kissing my girl friend on the cheek!) after we had paid the check. That's Southern Hospitality ... Atmosphere: Very classy, small, antiquated library-type setting with a second room. Didn't feel too cramped though and the outside looked like a quaint cottage. It IS the French Quarter ... Value: Fairly good (especially in comparison to similar establishments in New York City), less so in New Orleans I believe, where EVERY great restaurant seems to be a good deal. Still, for the quality, service and atmosphere, you won't feel bad at all with spending a little extra for that romantic occasion at Irene's.

    (4)

  • Allyson P.

    We tried just wandering in here on a Friday night, but decided we didn't want to wait the 90 plus minutes they were estimating for a table. It smelled delicious enough though, that we made reservations for the following Monday, and I'm so glad we did. Ambiance was cute and relaxing, and I loved the live piano music. I started with an arugula salad from the specials menu, and after almost a week of heavy, greasy food, this really hit the spot. I had the fish amandine for my entree. The fish changes depending on the season, but it's always topped with fresh crab, toasted almonds, and brown butter lemon sauce, served over sweet potato puree with a side of green beans. As every single word in that description sounded amazing to me, I knew I would like the dish, and it was in fact as good as it sounds, satisfying and homey, without tasting too heavy. My husband went with the cannelloni, which very good as well. As much as I love traditional southern food, it was nice to take a break from it for one meal, and Irene's was the perfect place to do that.

    (4)

  • D P.

    Great restaurant and excellent service. My wife has the homemade lasagna and I had the duck. Both were fantastic. We finished up with the house cheesecake. Outstanding as well. The downsides? They are very minor ones, but worth pointing out. First are the reservations. Even if you make reservations, you will most likely still wait to be seated (the restaurant is popular after all). Two, the place is fairly noisy and the tables are pretty close together so it isn't the most intimate of settings. And lastly the prices should be $$$ not $$. Dinner for two with one glass of wine (2 salads, 2 dinners, 1 dessert) was $72 (not including tip). There is just no way to stay under $30/person if you get a salad, dinner, dessert and a single drink.

    (5)

  • Sasha M.

    Food AMAZING! Wait staff even better. Went there 2 nights on the trip. Would recommend to anyone looking for a great, warm ambiance and entertaining servers! Food is top notch! Duck, lamb and deserts are all amazing!!

    (5)

  • Todd R.

    Great food, atmosphere and service. Irene's was worth the one hour wait. All the courses exceeded our expectations. Seeing that this French Quarter restaurant was visited by more locals than tourists just confirmed the value of this find. My only fear is that more demand will make the wait longer....So, I almost did not write this review...but they deserve to be celebrated!

    (5)

  • Vinele G.

    this place was so great. the food was wonderful but the staff is exceptional! they were so amazing during the crazy hecticness of the new year. i wanted to go here for nye but they were out of reservations. the maitre'd told me on the phone that i could come by at 5:30 and put my name in for a later time that night, so that's what we did. we went to the restaurant at 5:30, put our name in for 8:30 and were seated by 9pm. they were so accommodating. the meatballs and bread were good. the cioppino was fantastic and the cannelloni had eggplant in it and the boy ate it all up. it must have been good! i tried the creole cheesecake for dessert and he had the chocolate fantasticness. everything was so great, we couldn't have asked for a better night. mike our waiter was so lovely and the maitre'd kept checking in on us. would definitely come back again when i'm in new orleans.

    (5)

  • Kim N.

    What was supposed to be a quick stop for dessert turned out to be a dinner encore. The wait staff are incredibly friendly. The restaurant is very quaint and has great ambient lighting/ambiance. The soup special tonight was turtle soup and I just had to order it, as did my brother. It was a nice portion, with great flavor. I wish it had more sherry to add more spice and kick, but overall it was delicious. And finally, we had dessert. The bread pudding was fantastic. The accompanying sauce was on point. Thank goodness it wasn't too rich, otherwise, I would have burst!!

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    I've eaten at Irene's a couple of times and the food is excellent however, my last experience was less than pleasant... I called Irene's and asked if they take reservations and was told, "No" so the policy hasn't changed... when my husband and I arrived we put our name on the list and was told it would be about 45 minutes before we were seated. Fair enough we had a couple of drinks and waited... Here's what was so disappointing... while we waited several tables came in and were seated because they "had reservations..." We asked the rude host and he told us they do "limited reservations"... we were like WTF! Long story short, we walked out after waiting for 2 hours. My husband has never eaten at Irene's and never will after that experience. We'll head to Tommy's.

    (1)

  • Jenae C.

    My favorite restaurant in the French Quarter! Laced with good 'ole fashion hospitality service, fine wine and some of your favorite tunes played on the piano, Irene's is a must eat for anyone who takes food and service seriously. Reservations are not usually accepted for visitors, but locals who frequent the place do manage to land a reservation. A dining experience that puts added meaning into missing New Orleans.

    (5)

  • Laura F.

    We always dine at Irene's when in New Orleans ... usually a couple of times. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait for about an hour at least. If you go early when they open, you won't have to wait. They do have an indoor area where you can have drinks, listen to the jazz piano while you wait, and watch the hustle of the restaurant while you wait for your table. This trip we went twice. The first meal was mixed: - The complimentary bruschetta on warm bread and a mixture of creole tomatoes, basil and olive oil - Oyster's Irene were just okay - Cesear salad was watery (don't think they dried the lettuce enough so the dressing didn't adhere) - Cannelloni was just okay and way too small - Trout meuniere was delicious - Bread pudding had the right denseness and moisture ... much better than the Palace Cafe's white bread pudding The second meal was wonderful: - The complimentary bruschetta, always delicious - Meatballs in marinara sauce (think old Italian grandmother making these in the kitchen) - Soft shell crab pasta was delicious and a huge serving. The table next to us got the same thing after they saw me eating it - Trout meuniere again ... why mess with something when it is perfect The food, atmosphere, and service is a great combination. Each of the three rooms has a slightly different decor but each room is full of life and warmth. The waiters provide great service but are "wiseguys" who crack jokes. We love Irene's and will continue to come back again and again.

    (5)

  • Linda M.

    Recommeded to us by a local and we loved it! Great food.

    (5)

  • Doug D.

    This place is awesome! All of the locals recommend it and it was fabulous!!!

    (5)

  • Kevin A.

    The best meal that we had during our stay in New Orleans, and possibly in our entire lives. Make reservations before you go, but don't hold them to that. Get a drink and relax while you wait for an amazing dining experience. We want to come back to NOLA just for this place!

    (5)

  • Havsa H.

    So here's a tip about Irene's, if you want to get in, get a RESERVATION. Cause even with a reservation you'll have to wait an hour before being seated. This place is extremely popular with the locals and people who live in the subarbs of New Orleans. This could very well be called a local attraction with only a few tourists. We got their at 7pm and the place was packed, so I opted to make reservation for 9pm and afte walking around in the French Quarter went back only to wait for another hour to be seated at 10pm for our 9o'clock reservation. The place closes at 10pm but if you're inside waiting or have reservations, they will seat you and serve you, well into midnight. Some folks end up waiting for several hours. The ambience is of the inside of a historic home in a historic district with dim lighting and live piano music in the waiting area. The food left much to be desired, it was good, but not worth the wait. The menu is a mix of creole/italian traditions, we ordered the Lamb Provencal, which was beautifully presented and Veal cannelloni, both dishes were well presented and after hours of walking seemed like the perfect treat for a meat deprived party of two. I would give it 5 stars for local color/flavor, cause while in Nola you have to eat a little indulgent than otherwise :)

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    I traveled to NOLA with my friend to celebrate our 40th birthdays. Both of us are very picky eaters for different reasons. We decided to go to Irene's for our last dinner which, was this evening. This place is outstanding. From the moment you walk through the door, you are treated like you're the only customer there. We did have a wit but, it was under 40 minutes. While we were waiting, we were entertained with the piano player. We were offered a drink from Michael, the Maitre D. Not only did he constantly refill our water but carried on a conversation with us. We both had the ravioli and, they were the best I've ever had! I also had an arugula salad that was delish. For dessert we shared a pecan bread pudding bananas foster. Yes, they managed to take two desserts and produce a dessert that is so good it should e illegal. Irene's is small but very homey. Our waitress was Nancy and she couldn't o enough for us. She checked on us at every turn and was happy to make substitutions with a smile! Throughout our inner, Michael stopped by a few times and even told Nancy why we were there. I can't say enough good things about Irene's. This is one place you don't want to miss when in NOLA!!!

    (5)

  • Alberto S.

    this is a nice little place that has a good atmosphere and good food. They also have one of the better Tiramisus I have tasted. I would definitely recommend this to visitors. The service was good and prompt and the menu had a good variety.

    (4)

  • Tommie G.

    5 sisters out for a special celebration of 2 birthdays. We chose Irene's. Each of us got something different and each of us raved. As for me, it was the BEST fish I've ever eaten. The chocolate hazelnut dessert was so, so good! Staff is wonderfully charming. Reservations are recommended!

    (5)

  • Angel D.

    Wow. We ate in a bunch of different restaurants throughout New Orleans; by far this was the best. Will you wait....Yes. Is it worth the wait? Definitely!!! We could not make a reservation, so my fiancée and I showed up to the restaurant at 5:35. The place was already packed. We put our name on the list, ordered a bottle of wine and sat in the little waiting area. Does not sound like fun, but it was awesome. Between listening to the piano and just enjoying the ambiance, the time flew by. The wait was about an hour and a half. Not bad at all considering the quality of food. Would make the wait again in a heartbeat. I had the rack of lamb.....incredible. My fiancée had the filet mignon....also top notch. Highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Lindsay J.

    Irene's is everything I wanted my experience in New Orleans to be. We called ahead and made reservations for 8:00pm, and arrived on time, but friends had told us to expect a wait, anyway. The hostess directed us to a narrow waiting room/cocktail lounge with banquet tables and a pianist banging out old standards. We grabbed a spot and ordered a bottle of pinot. Halfway through our second bottle (we, ahem, like wine quite a bit), our table was ready. Our lovely spot in the corner of the main room was surrounded by walls covered in photographs of regulars and our table had fresh cut flowers and a votive candle. Mussels in marina (amazing), giant shrimp in linguine (delightful), soft shell crab with spinach (perfect), and crusty bread made our evening something to remember. Our server was just as charming as the restaurant itself, and he didn't even flinch when we asked him to take our picture like big ole tourists. We had been eating in 5-star restaurants all week, and this unassuming, hidden gem trumped most of them. Go to Irene's, they'll take good care of you.

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    What a dining gem in the French Quarter! The whole experience from start to finish was just absolutely fabulous! Walking into Irene's my girlfriend gets a hug from a woman who is....guess...Irene! We had a little bit of a wait but we were able to make up that time sipping on some fabulous dirty martinis. Decor and ambiance brought you back to decades past (60's - 70's) . Walls were surrounded by neatly framed photos of celebrities that have stopped by for a meal. The place really made you feel like you were at home. Food was top notch! For starters we went with the oysters Irene which were decent but thought they were a little over hyped. Now on to the main event, the entree. I decided to go with the soft shell crab and she goes with the almandine. Both entrees were excellent and with good portions but to be honest I personally prefer the soft shell crab. So rich and crispy! Service here is top notch! My current playground is Chicago and our waiter here clearly was in the top 5 in regards to service. He was attentive to our needs and never let the water glass go empty but he had that charisma where you felt that he was delighted to serve you and wanted to ensure that you had a great night. Being only my girlfriend and I at dinner he was kind enough to bring a dinner candle out to the table completing a perfectly romantic night. I'm sold on Irene's and will always make a stop (or two) there when I am in the neighborhood but would definitely recommend this place to anybody who is in New Orleans to visit. I cant wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Frances H.

    Very mediocre. Maybe other yelpers rated highly because it's a noncreole option in a sea of fried goodness, gumbo and jambalaya ? But five stars? Youve got to be kidding. The duck dish came with a side of sweet mash potato squirted on with a pastry bag. You know, what you would expect alongside your rubber chicken at a wedding. Oh yeah, did i mention the grapes? A cluster of grapes was the other side accompanying the duck. Maybe a nice break from the local fare but don't set your expectations too high.

    (3)

  • Adam K.

    I just had one of the best meals at my life at Irene's. I went with a party of 3. We had reservations, and had no problem getting seated on time. I tried 8 different dishes. (3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 2 desserts.) All 8 were spectacular. The beef short ribs over bleu cheese polenta was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. The duck is amazing, and I don't even like duck. The crab cakes were at least 80% crab with no filler. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection and served with a delicious gravy. (I think it was a roasted red pepper gravy?) The creole cheesecake? Spectacular. The crust was just right, and the cheesecake the perfect texture. The bread pudding with bananas foster was amazing as well, not too sweet, just the right amount of each flavor. The atmosphere is romantic, dim, and clean. If you require that everything be perfect and look like Frank Lloyd Wright designed it (someone was complaining about visible A/C ducts?! There was no air conditioning for over 100 years after the building was constructed!) then you'll find something to complain about, but I thought it was great. The service is perfect, attentive but not hovering. Someone with an attitude problem that doesn't like interacting with waiters and expects them to kiss the ground they walk on may get put-off. The waiters were funny and very pleasant. At a table next to ours someone asked for more bread and the waiter quipped "Don't be filling up on bread now!" (and then brought them some more.) If an interaction like that would make you upset, then maybe you shouldn't go here. I'd recommend not going to New Orleans at all - the residents love to talk back, not in an antagonistic way, but in an honest, warm way. If this bothers you, there's something wrong with you, not them. Anyway, enough ranting. Tremendous food. Great service. Perfectly reasonable prices. (Entrees are $20-30)

    (5)

  • rongrong z.

    The service and environment are excellent .

    (4)

  • Erudito C.

    To me this is the best place in New Orleans ,music ,food ,wine ,drinks ,and the service!!!!!!!!!!The pictures in the wall so special! will go back for sure !

    (5)

  • Sarah D.

    Absolutely incredible. Every dish myself, my husband or friends had was amazing. Some things to not miss include the oyster app, sweet potato soup, Cioppino or lamb chops. Impeccable service as well.

    (5)

  • Mike Y.

    This place is pure awesome deliciousness. There's almost always a very long line but as they say, good things come to those who wait. While I love good Italian food, truly great Italian restaurants are few and far between. This one though fits the mold. The service is great and everything I've had here screams 'old Italian grandma toiling in the kitchen all day.'

    (5)

  • Brian A.

    Came here in October of '08 during my first and only visit to New Orleans. My friend and I love cajun food, but since we had eaten jambalaya and red beans and rice pretty much every day, we decided we would do something different. I'm a huge fan of Italian food so I was in the mood for it at the time. We stumbled upon this "hole in the wall" as people like to call places such as this. We were immediately welcomed in. This was during lunch hours on a week day and the place was absolutely dead empty. The only people who were there were the servers and the owners, note: this is a family business and just about everyone who worked there are related and pure Italian. I've always believed that Italian people are some of the nicest people in the world and these people just proved me right. I ordered some kind of sandwich (it's been a while so i cant quite remember which one) and my friend ordered chicken alfredo, both were great and delectable. A couple of members from the staff came down to sit with us and we had a great conversation about where they came from, traveling, and such. The waitress was phenomenal and extremely personable. When we thought things couldnt get any better, the owners wife brought out her tiramisu recipe and made it right in front of us (thats how slow it was) She was incredibly sweet, and after it was finished, she already had a pre-made tiramisu in the back and gave us complimentary slices as a "thank you" for coming into their restaurant and for being such great customers, oh and it was the best tiramisu i've ever had to this day. I highly recommend this place, and i hope the same people are still there. Now whenever I think of a great Italian restaurant, I think of Irene's Cuisine. A+, bravo. :)

    (5)

  • Anita C.

    We had 6:00 reservations and got right in. Orlando was a fantastic waiter! We had the meatballs and they were wonderful. I had the lamb which was amazing and so were the garlic mashed potatoes ! My husband had the veal that was truly falling off the bone. After talking to Orlando and he found out we were visiting for our anniversary he brought us surprise deserts!! Which were fantastic too.

    (5)

  • blake d.

    Irene's is top-notch. We would have missed out on this locals' hotspot except our taxi driver was more than informative. He suggested we make reservations, and we did- it was a tuesday night mind you. The restaurant was full, and there were two groups waiting on tables in the back bar area, but after only half a glass of wine we were seated before the other two groups- Jerome Seinfeld would be a happy camper. We started off with the crab and cheese appetizer, a tourist tempter, but hey, it was great. Creamy and rich with lots of good crab chunks. We then had the duck dish (on the standard menu) and the frutti di mare (standard menu item as well) style dish. The duck was very good, but the frutti di mare was perfect. Dinner for two $100 (plus tip): 4 glasses of wine 1 appetizer 2 entrees

    (5)

  • Jussara G.

    I waited over an hour to eat, however it was worth the wait. The food was delicious and the Bread Pudding dessert was phenomenal!!!

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    I went here on the recommendation of a friend. The food was fantastic. The wait staff was extraordinarily friendly. I ordered the lamb chops after over hearing someone talk about how good it was at our hotel. He was not kidding. The Oysters Irene are incredible. Bread Pudding was epic. Go here. It stands out.

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    Cannelloni was awesome. Small table, low ceiling, crowded and loud. Reservations a must after 6. Good piano player in the waiting area, but no bar, waiter must fetch drinks. Food was very good but pricey. I'd go back.

    (5)

  • Debbie M.

    Fantastic and a nice break from crazy Bourbon Street. The food was wonderful and the service was superb.

    (5)

  • Kimberly Q.

    We heard fabulous things about Irene's, so we called tonight to see if they could possibly accommodate our party tomorrow evening. We didn't really even get a chance because we were put on hold twice for 10 minutes each time. After that, a guy told us to come by tomorrow night and put our names on a list and "we'll try to get you in." There are a lot of other places with excellent client service that we will frequent instead.

    (1)

  • Christy H.

    Everything was so delicious that I even wanted to eat the plate. Daniel was a great server and the food was impeccable. A must try in New Orleans. Can't wait to go back

    (5)

  • Clarissa J.

    I'm feeling a little sentimental.... If you'd like to get away from Bourbon Street and have a quiet, cozy time with a little bit of fancy, Irene's is a great place to be. The restaurant is hard to pass by without having to take a peek. It's a pretty little place in a more residential section of the Quarter whose aromas must be purposefully wafted outside by an industrial fan. Those aromas are so tempting that even if you're a tiny bit hungry, beware! Like in those old cartoons, you'll be lifted off of your feet and carried right through the door, with your nose leading the way. Inside is like being in a sweet grandma's house, decorated in an adorable, kitschy way, but everything is just so. If there is a wait for seating, there is a lounge where you can sip wine or drink of choice and enjoy the piano man's rendition of Beatles tunes and other favorites. Even the restrooms are quite pretty and comfortable (unlike some of the scary bar restrooms on Bourbon -- yikes!). I don't know about everyone else's food, but the duck was fan-f'cking-tastic. Can I say that here? Fantastic. Yum, yum, yum. The service was excellent -- very professional and efficient, but laid back enough to give John a little hell for ordering a Caesar salad and nothing else. Our server, as he sets down John's plate: "MY, that Caesar salad smells good!" Ah, such entertainment for Mike and me at John's expense. ;) Although, I HEARD the Caesar salad WAS very good. :)

    (5)

  • Susan A.

    Our group of 5 didn't have reservations and we were seated in an hour, as promised. Although there is a large bar area, no eating is allowed there, and a few appetizers would have been nice for the wait. The atmosphere in the dining room is fabulous, dark and romantic. Our server was very gregarious, assisting us in choosing our wine and appetizers for the table. We never felt rushed and everyone was extremely pleased with their'dinner choices. Although this was my 3rd trip to New Orleans, I had never heard of Irene's. We made the decision to go based on a recommendation from a server at Lafitte's Bar. Glad we went and I look forward to going again on my next trip.

    (4)

  • Amanda G.

    My husband and I feel that Irene's is a gem tucked away in the French Quarter that more people need to experience! The atmosphere is very unique. Multiple, small, uniquely decorated dining rooms. Great service. Great seafood dishes. This is one of our favs and a place that we enjoy going to time and time again when we get to go out. Nice wine selection. We accidentally ordered the baked alaskan dessert when I was pregnant and realized that it has a very strong alcohol taste... Needless to say, I did not finish it. Overall, Irene's is a must visit if you are in or near NOLA!

    (4)

  • Amanda W.

    WONDERFUL. My parents were in town visiting me, so obviously I had to take them to a fancy restaurant. We called early in the day to make a reservation and arrived early, around 5:30. There was already a line of people behind us. Many will say that they don't take reservations, but they will do favors for locals and usually take reservations if you call them early enough (ie, before they open). We were seated immediately and greeted warmly by the waitstaff. Our waiter was kind and actually had, gasp, a personality! He was attentive but not overbearing at all. Every dish we had was fabulous, fresh, and never boring. Definitely a local favorite, and won't be kept a secret for long. ps, the cannoli we had for dessert was awesome, too!

    (5)

  • Jesse Z.

    Great food, great atmosphere, and the people who work there act like they really care that you enjoy your meal. One major tip--make your reservation at least 1 week in advance. Even with a reservation for Monday night, it was so busy that we had to wait for 30 minutes to get seated. However, it was well worth it.

    (5)

  • Bobby F.

    Fantastic, old-school atmosphere. Lamb is tremendous and the cioppino excellent. The front room is a bit loud, but otherwise, the service proved to be very attentive and friendly. Can't wait to go back in October!

    (4)

  • Alice G.

    Great food!! The mussels appetizer was fantastic; the mussels were so fresh and the sauce was delicious. The sauces were delicious, the ingredients fresh, and the flavors complex but highly complimentary. We made a reservation and were seated immediately. The service was a little slow but the waiter was helpful. I highly recommend it!

    (5)

  • Benster G.

    After spending a week in new Orleans and eating out for every meal (I know not the most economical option) I must say this was the best restaurant I had eaten at all week. The food and wine is excellent but the service is exceptional. Prices are better than most other restaurants with this sort of service and food. Reservations are recommended as it was very crowded even during a weeknight. 5 stars all the way.

    (5)

  • Pete Z.

    Great place! Typical tight quarters on dark side street. Great appetizers and tremendous food but could have been more of it for the cost. Wide selection of wines too! Top notch service for sure. All the staff greets you while walking to your table.

    (4)

  • Jessica B.

    Irene's is what I like to refer to as my "white whale" of NOLA. I have been denied my visit here on numerous occasions and we planned to head over right at 5:30 after watching some music at the Louisiana Music Factory. It was even better than I imagined... We walked in and were greeted by the sweetest older lady, whom I could only imagine must be Irene. We were sat at a table in the front room and our server, Orlando, helped us make our selections. Orlando was great- he was fun and offered wonderful suggestions while not being too pushy with his upsell. For the first course I ordered the paneed oysters and shrimp with spinach salad. There were so many things going on with this dish and each one of them were wonderful!! The oysters were wonderful, fried but not greasy or gummy. They were served with the shrimp on a burre blanc sauce with a salad on the side with raspberry vinagrette, apple slices, and sugared grapes. Wow. Hubby got the pomodoro salad with Maytag blue cheese, bacon, and grilled onions. Also amazing. Dinner was the lamb chops for him, at Orlandos suggestion. He loved them! I tried the cioppino, which was delicious. The fish and seafood were cooked perfectly and the broth was delightful! I was so excited to finally try Irenes and it didn't disappoint!!! I had only one minor (miiiiinor) complaint about this place which was that he didn't mention a veal special we had overheard at another table without my prompting, or a meatball appetizer that our friends had raved about from the night before and we assumed it wasn't on the menu for the evening. We then saw the people next to us get it and were a little bummed that we didn't get to try them. That being said, I was more than happy with my meal!!!!! I'll just have to ask for meatballs next time.

    (5)

  • Padre C.

    Reservation for 8:30. Called asked if ok if I got there a few minutes late. Told would hold the reservation until 8:45 and then would release it. Hustled over arrived at 8:35 and was seated at 9:30. Once seated the food was great, waitperson very competent, wine reasonably priced. Since we were the last table rotation to be seated we were not pushed. Love the restaurant but the reservation situation is a mess.

    (4)

  • Lauren B.

    Truly one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Impeccable service and a wonderfully intimate feel. Irene's is in the heart of things but totally removed from the chaos of the quarters. Go on pay day, get a bottle of good wine and stay for dessert. Make a night of it.

    (5)

  • Andrew G.

    How is it that when your group made a reservation TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE, your stuffy Maitre d' says "I'm sorry, I'm trying to help out this couple who don't even HAVE a reservation, you're table is still not ready [30 minutes later]"! WHAT!? Apparently it is *our* fault for planning ahead on New Years eve. No problem, we'll take our tourist dollahs elsewhere next year. The duck I had was tasty, I think. I unfortunately was drunk because we had to order so many rounds of drinks to simmer our anger over the reservation drama. Thanks to the pianist who humored my $5 tip with a few renditions of Rhapsody in Blue. I love rubbing it into my AA/Northwest flyer friends.

    (2)

  • Khai H.

    This was, by far, the best restaurant I ate at during my trip to New Orleans. You can try making a reservation, but I really doubt it would matter. It would probably help more to call in advance and ask for an estimate on the wait time before coming (my party of two still had to wait 30 minutes despite making a reservation). The service was awesome, food was great, and we even got a hug from Irene herself on the way out. For the main entrees, we had the cioppino and the lamb chops. They were excellent but what really blew our mind was the cheesecake. It had a house-made graham cracker crust and was truly delicious and simply too good to describe in words.

    (5)

  • Patrick B.

    We ate at Irenes Saturday night to celebrate a friends birthday. The dinner was absolutely incredible. We started with Oysters Irene and the fried soft shell crab appetizer. Amazing! The entrees were equally as good. I had the fish special but nothing beats the rosemary chicken. Robb was our server and was one of the best I have ever experienced. All in all, Irenes remains one of my favorite restaurants due to excellent service, 5 star food and intimate atmosphere. What a great experience.

    (5)

  • Berrius B.

    Great food, great service, nice atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Katy B.

    The food here was good to great, but what put them over the top in my book was the service. Our waitress was so genuinely friendly and helpful. Everything she did seemed effortless, including holding the young baby of the couple I was dining with, while they ate! Vegetarians be warned, there is nothing vegetarian on the menu. However, they were more than happy to accommodate me when I asked. I had a fantastic eggplant Parmesan. Vegans may have a harder time, unless they're willing to settle for pasta with marinara sauce. We were worried about crowds, but had no issues at 5:30 on a Thursday. By the time we left, roughly an hour later, there were still a few available tables and no wait. From what I hear, this may have been an anomaly, though. I heard multiple times that my visit to NOLA was during a slow time between festivals. So, veg*ans - here's an option for a nicer dinner or if you tire of subsisting on Verti Marte and Angeli on Decatur while in the French Quarter.

    (5)

  • Brad B.

    You can tell if you don't come here all the time they treat you like it. This is not a place you want to go if you want to be treated as if they care. To many good places to go in New Orleans. I won't be back,

    (2)

  • Dick G.

    Great food, excellent service. I had the meat ball appetizer which was incredible. Next time that with a plate of pasta and I will never leave! Sole almandine was done perfectly, a hard dish to do. Veal marsala was delicious. Then the finale - bread pudding to die for! Excellent experience, we highly recommend it. They take few reservations so expect to stand in line and be rewarded with excellent food.

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    Irene's is another one of those time-warp restaurants, tucked away in a quiet(er) part of the French Quarter, on the corner of St. Philip and Chartres. Walking in during a pouring rainstorm, we were greeted by Irene herself, "Here, hun, let me take your umbrella . . . " and told that "the maitre d' was the thrid door on the left." Walking through two dining rooms, we come to the thrid room, and to the left is a(cheesy? quaint? cozy?) room that has a podium at the doorway, a little lounge/waiting area behind it, and some guy playing piano that looks reminiscent of Mack Rebennack . . . We order our drinks, get seated, and eventually the cocktail waitress finds us . . . back in the first dinning room. The decor is the way Italian restaurants in San Francisco's North Beach (or maybe New Jersey) in the mid-1950s through about 1967 or 1968. Packed with pictures, and bric-a-brac on the walls, with a couple of wise guys in the orner, simultaneously stuffing their faces and making book on their cell phones . . . Quiet, cozy, and oh-so-delicious . . . the chicken Rose Marino was outstanding, as was the soft-shell crab. Post-K, Irene's DOES take reservations . . .

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    Absolute must while you're in New Orleans! After reading reviews and talking to locals we knew that Irene's was one of those restaurants we had to try. The menu and quality of food alone was enough to make this our favorite restaurant in a town of great food, but what really seperates Irene's from any restaurant we've been to is the positive energy that turns a busy/crowded restaurant into a form of entertainment that can only be described as "impressive". The staff here is by far the friendliest and most professional that we've experienced and they work so seamlessly together and with such positive attitudes that you feel like they're all serving you and having a great time doing it. Irene is there too, and although she is working as hard as her staff she never misses an opportunity to greet you with a smile and make sure everyone is happy (she must have known half the guests on a first name basis!). There are plenty of reviews that will suggest great dishes but good luck choosing once you get there, everything on the menu sounds delicious. Try to save room for the bread pudding (or come back later for it like we did), they serve it with bananas foster and ice cream and is just too good to pass up. They open at 5:30pm and that's the best time to get there, we were sat right away and watched every table fill up by 6pm. Dan was our server and couldn't have done a better job, as fast paced and busy as it was he was absolutely on top of everything and seemed to enjoy himself as much as the guests. Can't think of a better way to say it... Make it a point to visite Irene's. We will look forward to it on our next trip to NOLA

    (5)

  • Russ F.

    Wonderful ambiance - dark rooms, romantic music (not live). Waitstaff second to none - perfectly attentive. Food to die for - leak shrimp soup, sea bass, veal, crab cakes, bread pudding. Only problem - fish could have been hotter. Make reservations! We did and still had a 30-min wait. Without reservations would have been 2 hours (on a Monday evening)

    (4)

  • Allan H.

    I love the staff here. The last time we were in, the waitress [Helene] was amazing. She had the best sense of humor, was polished and professional and really made the evening. The waitress at the bar [don't remember her name] was also a hoot. and as always, the woman greeting at the door and saying goodbye was a very nice touch. Alas, the food was not all that. My dining partner ordered a tomato and blue cheese salad [I did give a warning about tomatoes being out of season] that was mealy and bland. My soft shell crab was greasy, with an odd spinach side and sort of overpriced. My dining partner had fish that, to me, seemed both bland and fishy. The decor is homey but nothing to write home about. Our wait was minimal [15 min....but it was a Monday night at 9:30]. Overall, I love the experience but was pretty disappointed with the food. Food 2 Decor 3 Service 5 Other being seated in a nicer restaurant in NOLA in shorts and a t-shirt 5

    (3)

  • Wakako U.

    Wanting to eat oysters cooked in every way possible, ate at Irene's to have the paneed oysters. I like paneed oysters better then baked, but less then fresh. All the local raved about Irene's baked oysters, but I prefer eating them at the rowdy Acme Oyster House.

    (4)

  • Sunny D.

    I went here on a yelp recommendation and was a bit disappointed. This place was very crowded and it is far away from much of the french quarter. It was nice and quaint in a granny type of way. The tables were very close together. The wait for a table was very long (over 30 min.) but maybe we were there on a busy night. They allowed us to wait in the bar but got our drinks wrong. The waitressing staff seemed overwhelmed and service was a bit rushed. Its not a place I would bother to revisit, but was not awful.d

    (3)

  • Bonita S.

    We dined at Irene's on our 30th anniversary. Walking in we both wondered about the very crowded dining area, concerned that we would not be able to fully enjoy the meal. Our worries were quickly dispelled. From the amazing service provided by our server, Dan to the incredible meal we were beyond pleased. There was no push for us to eat and run. Dan's suggestions for our wine pairing was excellent. Our only complaint? We were so full that when we left we neglected to remember our doggie bag! The Osso Bucco was the best we have ever had any where. The Lamb was tender and cooked to perfection. We will absolutely be back again for our 31st this year! While it is a bit pricey we found it worth every cent. We were glad we had opted to dress in a comfortably dressy fashion, although we could have gotten away with fully casual attire. It's odd to say a crowded place was romantic may seem odd, however between the incredible service and food we found ourselves enjoying the ambience tremendously. The back ground noise quickly faded allowing our conversation and that of our Waiter, Dan's to be fully enjoyed. What an amazing place to celebrate a life together!

    (5)

  • Anna A.

    The wait seems to always be ridiculous so be prepared. The staff is very friendly and helpful. There is much nothing for vegetarians to eat but they can make plates off the menu. I wanted to love this place but its too crowded to be cozy , too many tourists and such. I am a little torn as I am sure the food is excellent but as we did end up ordering off the menu I think it wasn't quite at par with the regular menu. I would try and get a reservation if possible.

    (3)

  • Marisa M.

    I was initially a little bummed when my sister told me that she had made a reservation at an Italian restaurant for our first night in New Orleans. However, Irene's won me over from the first bite and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone visiting New Orleans. We started our dinner with bruschetta rounds on the house which were amazing. (So amazing in fact, that multiple people in our group admitted to wanting to eat the one that we had dropped on the floor. Thankfully, no one did.) For appetizers, my fiance and I split the Caesar salad and the escargot. The salad was excellent, but the escargot was heavenly- think mushrooms stuffed with escargot that sat on bread brushed with olive oil and grilled. For our entree, we split the soft shell crab pasta dish. This was also an excellent choice and very easily split. The plate came with 2 deep fried soft shell crabs, a crawfish cream sauce, and thick homemade pasta noodles. At the end of our meal, I was incredibly tempted to try their bread pudding, but I had no room left and future plans to enjoy some cocktails on Bourbon Street. Irene's is fantastic and I hope to visit again sometime soon.

    (5)

  • Taylor H.

    Amazing restaurant. Don't expect to get the true NoLA Cajun style experience, but you will get absoultely amazing italian food, some with a NoLA twist. Great staff, amazing wine, and good portions (not too big, not too small).

    (4)

  • PJ S.

    I just got back from Irene's and had to get back to my hotel room to regroup. It was really real. Greeted at the door by Grandma Irene, amazing old world decor, and piano playing... come on. The food was outta this world. I went with a group of people so I can say with confidence... order anything off the menu. We all enjoyed each other's meals equally. Go! P.S. - Six beers, 1 app, 3 entrees and dessert = under $100!

    (5)

  • Betsy L.

    Soft shell crab entree was some of the best I have had...truly ever. Soup with stuffed crawfish was yummy. Service was friendly but not outstanding. Cheesecake was very good...tasted fresh and homemade. Options are limited for vegetarians...they made the ravioli appetizer into a dinner for my hubby but that was about it. If you enjoy meat and fish you will love it!

    (4)

  • Dianne M.

    Best restaurant this trip. We arrived after 9pm, but the service was friendly and impeccable. We had a leisurely dinner including appetizers and dessert with no pressure to wrap it up. My dinner was superb and it is definitely a place I would recommend and return if in the area. I had the black cauldron fish which I had never heard of, new fav. It was mild, buttery and melt in your mouth delish. It came with corn, I believe it was a Maque Choux, a local dish, which takes ordinary corn and bumps it up a few notches. My hubby had the filet which was also scrumptious. We finished dinner with the bread pudding even though all four of us were stuffed, we had to fit in a couple of bites. My newest obsession is trying different bread puddings. This was the winner of the trip.

    (5)

  • John L.

    Irene's is a little stuffy for what it is. I'd say it's kind of cafe-esque with 3 rooms, all pretty small. We had to wait awhile, maybe a half hour. I tried a bite of the duck (highly recommended), which was perfectly glazed and crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. The service is great, very polite, but they will razz you if you only order a Caeser salad. Newsflash: I WASN'T FUCKING HUNGRY! I accompanied two friends who get into fine dining type atmospheres, something I'm just not into. And I'm not really into waiting for food, especially when I'm hungry, but I wasn't this night, so it was all good. We were there so long that afterwards I WAS eventually hungry, so I stuffed my face with a shrimp po'boy from Verti Marte after we left. Yum!!!

    (3)

  • Debba D.

    A friend was raving about Irene's, so last minute we decided to walk. Of course it was at the furtherest point from where we were. But we ventured thru the Quarter to find Irene's. Arriving after 9p and without a reservation and starving - not a good combination. Had at least a 40 minute wait in the "holding room" in the far back corner of the resturant. The "Host" fella seemed a little grumpy, or was just ready to get off but once we got to our table everything was fine. We reiterated to our humorously sarcastic waiter how hungry we were and we wanted to order immediately, but in his rush to wait on all his other tables, he so kindly snuck us a plate of brushette to tie us over. All that mattered after that was I had the duck - which I'd never had in my life and it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Amazing food, fabulous service, great atmosphere! Loved Irene's & will definitely go back next time I go home to New Orleans. Dishes we tried & loved: crabmeat au gratin, escargot, bread pudding, lamb chops, trout almondine. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Kelly F.

    Irene's got a shout out on the new HBO show "Treme"! Eat there! You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Jenna R.

    Great restaurant, great food, great service. Definitely worth going to in New Orleans. My only comment would be that it felt a bit rushed, which I think was due to the huge crowd of people waiting to be seated. Irene's does take reservations but from the reviews not everyone seems to know that. This was the only restaurant that we were seated, ordered, ate and out in one hour, so they definitely keep it moving. Still worth going to!

    (4)

  • Geronimo G.

    Cozy atmosphere, slightly stuffy service, lots of photos of famous people on the wall, old exposed ventilation ducts. Very tasty food with simple but delicate flavors. Frommer's lists the place as Italian, but I just had some classic New Orleans Creole Meuniere Amandine, a nice fish platet hat somehow provides intense butter flavor without too much richness. Older crowd. Rickety little chairs. $20 entrees. I would come back and recommend it to a friend, and I recommend it to you.

    (4)

  • Albert Y.

    Thanks to Marita! She directed us newbies to Irene's for supper last Friday night. We made one of those lovely, exciting, spur-of-the-moment trips to someplace and ended up in New Orleans! We were drawn to Johny White's hole in the wall like a magnet and luckily met Marita (of Vampyre boutique fame) who directed us to Irene's. She said, "get there early and you won't wait too long." We arrived just at 5:30 and waited a total of 30 seconds to be seated in the back room. At first, I thought our obvious newbiness was stinking up the place - so we were relegated to the "back room." In actuality, any place you can get a table at Irene's is super. The place was mobbed within minutes of our having ordered appetizers. I will not soon forget the odd looks from those obvious locals who must have thought of us as something the damned cat dragged in again. We had been rather enjoying our first visit to the French Quarter, after all. Our aptly named server, Sunny, treated us to several recommendations, including the Osso Bucco (wife ordered and loved) and baked Oysters; really, really good. I am one who will slurp the creamy goodness out a shank bone and this dish did not fail to satisfy! The Risotto side was awesomely prepared; perfect texture and balanced nutty/creamy/cheesy flavors, YummEEE! I had the Ribeye steak, served with a very nice sauce and the most delicious, light and cheesy potatoes! The steak was of excellent quality and preparation. The sauce was the star; sorry I don't remember what it was called, but I think this dish is on the regular menu . . . Enjoyed with a nice Sonoma Ridge Zinfandel! We also enjoyed the Filet Mignon special. Again, excellent, excellent beef with a perfect sauce you just had to clean your plate by rubbing it all over that savory sauce with the delicious, hot, chewy bread! My sister-in-law was the smart one. She ordered a salad and then just had a few bites of everyone else's entrees. That's a VERY smart idea!!! Of course, with the Bruchetta AND the baked Oysters Irene, we were all pleasantly stuffed before we left! Dessert was off the charts. Bread Pudding served "Bananas Foster-style." How good was that? I'll tell you: The pudding itself was dense but not pasty; sweet and NOT cloying or too over-spicy with cinnamon or nutmeg; something your Grandma would probably make if she made the world's best bread pudding. The sauce was brandy/caramel and the briefly flamed bananas were just too good. This delicious dessert goes on my top-ten list (enjoyed with a doppio and a snort of Warre's Six Grapes.) All-in-all, the ambiance (I now think I know where Bucca de Beppo got it cues from) excellent pricing and friendly attentive service made our visit to New Orleans a perfect memory for us! Thank you Irene, Sunny and of course, Marita!

    (4)

  • Bill C.

    Terrific food, service, and vibe. Great spot. We got there early on a weekday so there was no wait, so no idea about the reservation/no reservation issues addressed in other reviews.

    (5)

  • Fancypants J.

    Another great restaurant I sampled while in New Orleans a few years ago. I got some dining advice from a local doctor who told me about Irene's as well as Restaurant August. I had a fish dish with tabasco that was extremely tasty. We also tried a crab and cheese fondue and it had generous hunks of crab meat. The dining area is cozy, like you're inside someone's house. There's even a fireplace, although when we went it was August and about 1000 percent humidity, but even so, it was a nice touch. I wouldn't hesitate to return to Irene's if I ever make it back.

    (5)

  • Timothy D.

    I've been fortunate in my life to have experienced a lot of travel. Honestly, there's no better education one can receive than what you get from travel. It broadens one's horizon like nothing else. That said, the one major American city that I had never been in was NOLA. After Katrina, I vowed to be part of supporting the city. My gf & I went for a week to help rehab,, and later that year I got to go back just to be a tourist. Even tho it was summer, and too hot, it was still a great experience. Now fast forward to my 4th visit, this in conjunction with the Saints going to the Super Bowl. The Sunday they beat Favre to go to Miami, we booked plane & hotel to go to NO. We figured if they won, it would be historic. How prescient we turned out to be. Saturday night b4 Super Bowl Sunday, we had a dinner reservation at Irene's. My buddy had eaten here previously when he was in NO to see Jazz Fest. Wow, good call, dude. This place was absolutely fabulous. Everything about it is excellent. Food, service, ambience. On this night, the joy de vivre in the house was contagious. Tables of excited locals broke into the Saints fight song. The table next to ours bought us drinks simply because we were from Philadelphia & we had come to NO basically to celebrate the Saints (more so the city, but hey until the Eagles win one, I'm making no apologies). Our waiter was top shelf professional w/out being one iota of stuffy (seriously, diners, the BEST kind of waiter) and proffered great suggestions. We bought our own wine with us from our respective collections, something pretty much all restaurants allow in NO for those not in the know. Anyway, I had a rolled stuffed eggplant special that killed, and had a veal chop for an entree. Simply amazing, all of it, to the point that this is the kind of place that will restore your faith in restaurant's ability to elevate dining to the level you wish you could get 75-100% of the time instead of the 25-50% of the time my personal experiences seem to pan out to. I place Irene's in the highest echelon of dining. It would be my first choice of restaurants in NOLA the next time I go back!

    (5)

  • Tuna D.

    Yum, how about dem oysters huh? Oyster Rockefeller and the come early because it gets busy, i just dont come on the weekend because the line gets long. Located in the French Quarter, parking is wherever you can find on the streets or if you are worried about your car park in one of the lots available for $5 or more. It's tiny and dark, but the service is good and it seems like it's mostly all men. If you want to go somewhere romantic, this is the place. Please expect a wait, make sure you get there early if you do not have reservations. Cash, credit and debit are accepted.

    (3)

  • Jeff S.

    Went to Irene's while in New Orleans at the Microsoft Partner Conference. Recommended by a friend who had family living in NO. What a great dinner! I had drum, a friend lasagna, another a filet. All dishes were absolutely perfect. Services was on-the-mark. Comfortable, environment. Would highly recommend Irene's

    (4)

  • Maria L.

    We went here on the advice of the guy who helped run the B&B we stayed at and it was spot on. The crab gratin was divine, without being too heavy and with a nice, fresh, sweet crab finish. The paneed oysters were lovely. I hate raw oysters and these were cooked enough to appeal to me while maintaining a lovely creaminess to complement the light, crisp crust. They had a special of a tomato, basil and mozzarella salad with marinated onions that was super fresh and tasty. My husband had a filet with a wine reduction and gratin potatoes that he pronounced the best meal he's had in years. Irene herself graciously met us at the door and I hugged her on the way out. Lovely lady! And even though he wasn't our server, Dallas entertained us on our 50-minute wait, made beautiful suggestions from the menu, checked on us during our meal, gave us tips on how to avoid the wait and gave us his card when we left, saying he's take care of us when we came back. We should have returned the next night instead of eating at Galatoire's, but that is another review... Irene's was fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!! And for dinner with two drinks, two appetizers, a salad and an entree was less than $90. A bargain...

    (5)

  • Dennis D.

    Everytime i go to new orleans , Irene's is a must. It is a bit of a wait for a table but very much worth it. I had the mussels for an app and they were superb. Had the lamb chops which were done to perfection. And the bruschetta they serve on the house is the best i have ever had. I highly recommend this restaurant if you don't mind the wait.

    (5)

  • Isa B.

    I give it the most stars although there were only 2 plates I could eat (not a vegetarian city), but the rest of the crowd loved it, and the service and ambiance are impeccable...Wish I had the money to go there when I was in college in NOLA... It's really a treat.

    (5)

  • sarah C.

    Nice atmosphere, my filet was good, but we were served some bad oysters :(

    (3)

  • Daniel v.

    Great little Italian dining in the middle of busy French Quarter New Orleans. The service was 1 of 4 places with good customer service while we stayed in New Orleans for 5 days. My girlfriend ordered the chicken which was very good, and a nice sized portion. The lamb shanks that I had were slightly over cooked, but not much, and no big deal as they were still flavorful and the sauce was delicious. A little pricey, but they took us in a sat us even though they seemed to be trying to close up shop, and the meal from there was great!

    (4)

  • Sabrina O.

    Irene's was really good. There wasn't too much of a wait, but it was a week night. I had the chicken, and creme brulee for dessert. It's not cheap, but it's not as pricey as some of the well-known restaurants in NOLA. It was recommended to me by a local.

    (4)

  • Jay A.

    Absolutely delicious meal. Terrific service, we loved it. A bit pricey. Dinner for two with drinks & tip $130.00.

    (5)

  • Donna C.

    Irene's. Top notch for food and service as usual. We return again and again always on Thursdays as this is when Irene makes her veal Osco Buco and my hubby must have it! I had the chicken ros Marino, wonderful as usual. For dessert, we split her wonderful Creole cream cheese cake. UPDATE: BACK IN APRIL: My in-laws felt this was the best meal of the whole trip. Everything was exceptional for everyone, veal marsala, pompano with menuinere sauce, filet with gruyere and blue cheese, and chicken rosemarino. I don't remember everyone's appetizers except my hubby got the oyster soup special which was heavenly. We all got the Creole cheesecake. Best cheesecake around as far as I am concerned. Service was a bit off as the boys had the night off to go to some play. We go to Irene's every trip to NO and have never had a problem with service except for this time.

    (5)

  • phortitude u.

    Every time I come back to NOLA, I have to eat at Irene's. This is quite possibly the best restaurant in my mind. After eating here multiple times over a span of years, the quality has never wavered nor has the service. Decidedly unpretentious yet unfailingly classy, nothing I have ever eaten here has made me question my choices. How good is Irene's? It's the only place that made me want to vomit afterwards just so I could go back and eat more! Go early and often, as they do not take reservations. I normally wouldn't further advertise this place, but I feel that I should have something in my reviews to demonstrate my absolute benchmark for dining experiences.

    (5)

  • Jerry C.

    I LOVE Irene's! The food is outstanding, and the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable. I have been to NOLA 3 times, and on one trip, I ate at Irene's twice! The only downside is a long line for a table, but at least they have expanded the waiting area and made it more comfortable. The waiting doesn't bother me, because the meal is SO worth it.

    (5)

  • Laura L.

    One of the best restaurants I have ever been to and I've eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world. Dave, my waiter was great and recommended the perfect wine for the pompano almandine I had. The chef personally serves your plate. Wow! I'll be eating here every time I come to NO!

    (5)

  • Suzanne O.

    Irene's gets two stars for the service alone. i arrived shortly after the 5:30PM opening time famished after a day of traveling from the West Coast and not having eaten since breakfast. I was seated at a table appropriately reserved for a single diner ~~ some might fuss, but I liked the location as it gave me a bird's eye view of the wait staff and other diners. i started with the soft shell crab appetizer which was just OK; it seemed dry. My main course of the local drum fish crevette (not familiar with this fish before) was much better, and the shrimp topping the fish was outstanding. The sauce was flavorful, if a little heavy on the butter ~~ but I have to remember I'm in the South now. The hostess and server were both warm and attentive, despite the hostess not speaking one word. It was perhaps not exactly the dining experience I'd anticipated upon my first night in NOLA, but it was comforting after a day of travel.

    (3)

  • Todd S.

    WOW! WOW! WOW! I dont even know where to begin. Unreal.

    (5)

  • rebekah b.

    Irene's gets four stars even though the evening started out on a disastrous foot. My party of two had tickets to see Rogue Wave at 9:00 pm, and we stopped by Irene's (without a reservation, I should add) to inquire about the wait for dinner. Surprisingly, we were told twenty minutes so we ordered drinks in the waiting area, expecting to be called for our table soon. An hour and a half later, still no table. Realizing we were going to miss the show, I told the waiter to bring us our bar tab because we had to leave, explaining the situation. I wasn't mad really; we just couldn't wait any longer. Well, this is the part where the restaurant gets the extra star because they were so upset about our situation. We found out that another group of people had said they were "Bradford party of two" and stole out table. That is just not right. Anyway, we were seated right away, and the rest of the evening, the service was very attentive, the food wonderful, and the missed concert not so missed. Plus, Irene stands at the door, greeting every single person who comes inside, and the whole staff is extremely nice and welcoming. Just make sure nobody steals your table.

    (4)

  • Patty S.

    My husband and I just spent a week in New Orleans and this was my favorite dinner spot and our first visit to Irene's. Though we had a reservation, we arrived a little early and were ushered to a room where other people were waiting, listening to a piano player and having drinks. We barely heard the hostess call our name, so if you go, keep your ears and eyes open while waiting. There were three dimly lit, crowded dining rooms, we were taken to the front room, which had windows. Though a bit cramped, everyone was in good spirits and the ambience was very comfortable. We ordered the meatball, it was fabulous, and I had the tomato caprese and ravioli apps rather than an entree. My husband had the lamb. Midway through our dinner, our busy but attentive waiter, Dan, brought a candle to our table. Most of the tables had lighted candles, it was a nice and romantic evening. We will certainly return to Irene's on subsequent visits to N'awlins.

    (4)

  • Sean G.

    damned if i don't hear about that place all the time~ it's a palace of italian. food can't get any better. my waiters, sonny and dan brown, were so good that the service was almost "transparent". i recommend it highly. i really liked the wine list. someone did a heck of a job putting it together. get there right when they open. they're always busy!

    (5)

  • Kathlen J.

    My hubby and I had a marvelous evening. We were shuffled into the "waiting room" upon arrival for our 7:00 reservation. It was stuffed with people and no place to sit. At this point we questioned our choice, but about that time a lady passed us and said "it's definitely worth the wait". We stayed and a small table in this "waiting room" opened and a very nice waiter took our drink order. We each had a martini while we waited. Soon our drink waiter (after about a total 40 minute wait) came to say he would show us an available table and see if we liked it. It was in the corner by the wine rack, but we decided to give it a try. Then the menu came. Wonderful choices. We ordered a bottle of good red wine, but I couldn't decide between the soft-shell crab and the lamb. The waiter suggested the lamb. My hubby got the ribeye. Both were fantastic. The service was excellent once we were seated. Bottom line, as long as you can deal with the wait, even with a reservation, it's wonderful.

    (5)

  • Brett W.

    locals say this is the spot. and they're right. tasty, top notch food here. the paneed oysters are a sublime counterpoint to the brash bbq'ed ones at acme. irene cooks up southern italian treats with a decidedly southern flair. just don't expect to walk in off of bourbon street in shorts and flip-flops-- this is one classy joint.

    (4)

  • Amanda H.

    absolutely wonderful!! The best braised lamb I've ever eaten, and I love to order lamb when dining out. The service was very attentive without being intrusive, and we will definitely eat here next time we are in NOLA. Try Irene's- you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • jillian t.

    very nice place. the piano player mark adams is amazing and there's a mirror above the piano so you can see his hands as he plays!

    (5)

  • Kay Z.

    The Very Finest Of The Fine I had a magical experience eating here, though it didn't start well. We walked by the restaurant, happy to have found it. We should have gone in and put our names down, as they'll save your spot (so if you aren't there when they call you, when you are there they'll serve you first). Otherwise you may have to wait a while in a cramped little waiting area (luckily you can still order drinks and they had a live piano player when we were waiting). After the wait, the meal began. The free bruschetta was amazing. The bread was okay. The crab casserole appetizer was divine. I had the duck and my friend had the trout almondine. Our server was excellent and friendly. We also had a nice bottle of wine with the meal. It was expensive but totally worth it. If I could eat here again, I would immediately, no questions asked. The food, oh my, the food was impeccable. Their timing was excellent. The duck was served while it was still hot on the inside, but not so much that it would burn. It was crispy and cooler on the outside/skin, but not dry or fatty, it was just really really professional. It felt like the meal was made just for me, and it was perfect. I've never been somewhere where I've loved the food to death but didn't have to slow myself down. I couldn't wolf it down because it was just too good, I had to take my time, not because of any physiological issue, but because I was enjoying it too much. The food never made me feel full, but I was full after I finished eating. I almost cried when I realized that each bite was just as good as the last, and that it wouldn't last forever. I can't recommend this place highly enough, just make sure you won't be waiting. Get on the list, go for a walk around the French market, see the water, stroll around until you find yourself back at this fabulous establishment. Oh yea, and don't forget to try the cheesecake. FAB!!!

    (5)

  • Joyce L.

    Delicious, quaint Italian restaurant hidden in the French Quarter. Go early as they do not take reservations (and the wait can be hours)--I think they open at 5pm. Per Zagat.com , Irene's has re-opened post-Katrina...that's good to hear. Escargot was yummy, and I always get the pasta with prawns. Oh, and the free bruschetta is wonderful--gave me a new appreciation for what you might think is just toasted bread and tomato.

    (5)

  • Hal B.

    Great atmosphere, nice wait staff and fantastic food. This is a great place for a meal. I would not suggest large groups though. It is a little tight.

    (4)

  • Brandon H.

    I've eaten at Irene's on a few occassions and each time is as good as the last! Their service is second to none. Everyone from the maitre d' to the servers are top notch professionals. The food has always been phenomenal and the prices are not over the top. Everytime I've gone, I've gotten whatever specials they were offering. The appetizers are great! I cannot put into words how great this restaurant is! The lower reviews actually baffle me. My tip for Irene's: GO!

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    Knocked 1 star for price and knocked another star for not living up to the hype on drinks or food. Knocked a third star because I was charged twice as much as my receipt shows (yes over $100), and no one answers the phone to assist in this horrendous error. Kept 1 star for dessert and 1 star for ambiance. Overall, completely overrated in a Quarter full of amazing, destination eats. Worst part: it's definitely over priced. Best part: dessert Ambiance: nice; they have beautiful antiques and the rooms are small so that you feel like you're in someone's parlor at a dinner party Food: above average, but not worth the price for taste/portion/limited menu offerings Drinks: worst part about the meal period; order wine and save yourself the trouble Come to think of it, just show up for the ambiance and order an espresso and dessert.

    (2)

  • Julia J.

    Whoomp Whoomp. Pretty overrated in my humble opinion. Irene's was recommended to us by 3 different people while we were asking for recommendations for a good dinner. It did not live up to our expectations. Our server was a bit strange- he had this thing where he wouldn't really look at us- he would look past us at the wall while describing the menu and specials as if he were recalling a long lost love that he pined over. He's a nice guy but it was a little uncomfortable for me. Drinks were just ok. I ordered a moscow mule to cool down when we got there and I can't say it was one of the best drinks I've had. I had a better one at my hotel made by a new bar maid who shared that she was excited that she could make her first cocktail ever with my order. That's saying something. Apps were ok. We tried to go with the Oysters Irene, but they were out, so we ordered the escargot which was good. It was my husband's first time eating escargot and he would eat them again, so there's that. I have to say, my soft shell crab pasta was pretty terrible. I don't know if we were a little outside of the season (though I saw soft shell crab on pretty much every menu I saw in New Orleans) but this did not taste fresh. Also, the pasta, which was supposedly homemade, was terrible. Maybe it's because I come from a large Italian family and we eat homemade pasta frequently, but this pasta was slimy, gummy and thick. It should have been light airy. It was pretty bad. My husband had some totally forgettable meal that he can't even remember. We skipped dessert and got out of there. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. I was so jealous hearing about where everyone else went to dinner for their Saturday night out. If you're a local, maybe give it a try, but don't waste your time if you're in New Orleans for a limited time. There's too many other wonderful things to eat.

    (2)

  • Kelly S.

    After so many raves, I hate to poo poo this place. It's really adorable -- cozy, intimate, dark enough to have trouble reading the menu without a flashlight. It's surprising to go to an Italian restaurant in such a cajun heavy city but that's what we did to celebrate our first night in NoLa. We had the oysters irene and the soft shell crab, he had the osso bucco and I had the ravioli. All on point and quite tasty. But the service. Ohhhhh the service. I've been a server -- I get it man. But it was really beyond. Huge lulls in between items arriving -- I got up multiple times to get things for us. Another fork. Napkins. More water. Our original drink glasses sat empty until the end of the meal when we would have happily ordered another martini. We were at a tiny table for two, jostled by nearly everyone who had to go to the bathroom or make a call, and when all four food items arrived at the same time, we had to strategize about what to eat first to make room. After the food was dropped, we saw our server once -- when he came to give us the check. Anyway, it was sad and I'm sad about it. We attempted to be responsible citizens and speak to the server about it but he was quite defensive about the kitchen being overwhelmed and having big parties. Based on other reviews, my experience was the exception but I thought it worth noting. I feel like if you expect something like that then you can get past it and enjoy the delicious food.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth R.

    1. Stacie. AMAZING server! Wow! 2. Make a reservation. A local recommended we do it and thank gosh! We called at 1pm and the only time left was 8:15pm. 3. You will not be sat on time, however you will not notice it. When you walk in, walk straight to the back room. Check-in with the desk and then find a seat. A server will take your drink order and then have them put on the table. Leave him a few dollars, because I am not sure how tips work here. 4. There is a piano player who can and will play anything! Modern pop? Old school lounge songs? Yes! Just for fun, he played Piano Man while standing backwards. 5. The menu, the specials, the EVERYTHING is fantastic. I had the lasagna bolognese. It was nearly 9, and they only had two left. They are not kidding when they say each night they only make limited quantities. We ordered the Creole Cheesecake which was some of the creamiest cheesecake I have ever had. It is clearly homemade. They serve it with strawberries soaked in Grand Marnier. The experience and the food is second to none.

    (5)

  • Greg M.

    Irene's is the quintessential French Quarter Italian eatery. Ambiance, service and outstanding cuisine. From the moment you enter the historic building, you know you're in for a memorable dining experience.

    (4)

  • Jed B.

    From the mussels to the bread pudding I can find no fault with Irene's. The lamb was cooked to perfection and the service superb. They made my granddaughter welcome and gave her a dish of vanilla gelato. My favorite meal this trip.

    (5)

  • Ravi S.

    My girlfriend and I met one of my friends for dinner at Irene's last Monday. It is one of his favorite restaurants so we were really excited to try it. We arrived at around 8:15. Our reservations were for 8:30, so my girlfriend and I sat at a table in the waiting area and listened to the house pianist. We were given a wine menu. We intended to have some wine, but upon reading the wine list, we could not help but laugh. We are from Bay Area, California and quite a few wines were from California and they were actually really common wines that can be found at Safeway for $8-15 per bottle. Irene's had these wines listed at prices between $35-60 per bottle, so we decided to abstain. I never realized the mark-up for wines at restaurants was so high. Our friend showed up at 8:30, and we were seated at our table. As we were walking to our table, my friend got a phone call from his internet company. Major telecom companies are notorious for calling at the worst time. My friend needed to answer the call though (his internet was not working), so he took the call and then finished the call right when we were seated. He apologized for taking the call, but our server didn't seem pleased about this apology, and he seemed to be kind of short with us for the rest of the night. Maybe this was just his personality though. For appetizers we ordered the crab gratin, the ricotta and spinach ravioli, and the caprese salad. All of the dishes were superb but the crab gratin was particularly good. The crab was fresh and tender, and the creamy gratin tasted great on a piece of bread. For our main course, my girlfriend and I shared the chicken rosemarino and the lasagna bolognese. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the rosemary and garlic added a great flavor to the dish. I would definitely recommend ordering the chicken. The lasagna tasted fine, but it was nothing that you couldn't get in any decent Italian restaurant. Dessert was absolutely the highlight of the meal. We shared the creole cheesecake and the bread pudding. The cheesecake was so light and airy while not sacrificing any of the rich cheesecake taste. The bread pudding was outstanding too. The interior of the restaurant was cozy and intimate. However, my girlfriend wanted me to mention in this review that the women's restroom was disgusting. She said that there was some liquid on the toilet seat and on the floor. A nice restaurant shouldn't have issues like that. Overall, we enjoyed our dining experience at Irene's and we would probably come back.

    (4)

  • Kari T.

    If you're having dinner alone, don't even walk in there. Save yourself the hassle of being ignored. I had received several recommendations for this place and was really looking forward to trying it. Just didn't realize I needed to bring an entourage with me.

    (1)

  • Thom D.

    The meal was great. The service was phenominal. The only reason I dropped the rating to 4 stars was the crab cakes had a lot of "shells" in them. I understand that the crab cakes have some crayfish tails as a part of the recipe. Unfortunately there was a lot of shells from the crayfish that ended up in the finished crab cake. Still I would go back and I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (4)

  • Gail S.

    For our last night in New Orleans, my friends and I decided to go to Irene's for dinner. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome. We had about a 30 minute wait, but had a lovely time listening to live piano music and having drinks. After being seated, we were immediately brought bruschetta, which tasted wonderful. Two of us chose the Crevette, which was a Drum fish with shrimp on top. It was the best meal we had in New Orleans. One of us had Cioppino, and said it was the best meal she'd had in years. The the last of us had the chicken, which she said was fabulous. The Caesar salad and asparagus/prosciutto salads were excellent. The only negative was that we had a loud group next to us, so it was difficult to talk. All in all, the service was outstanding and the food was superb.

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    Irene's has garnered quite a bit of attention over the span of it's existence. This place is notoriously difficult to get into on short notice, so do your self a favor and make reservations well in advance if you are looking for prime time hours. Service/experience - NOTHING was bad. Attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly staff make this place. The main dining area is about the size of a small shotgun house, but somehow feels very homey and warm. The walls and ceiling are intricately decorated with about as many intriguing pieces as a Hard Rock Cafe. Candle light is the main source of lighting - more of a romantic ambiance. Food - Very Italian (large) portions are provided and, again, nothing was bad. Personally, I highly recommend the mussels as an appetizer and the duck entree. My party a four top (all family), so there was lots of taste-testing. Again, you WILL be happy with everything, but these two dishes stood out among everyone. Overall - Pricey, as high-end restaurants go, but provides outstanding value and quality for the money spent. One of my new favorites. MUST TRY! Service: 30/30 Food: 28/30 Decor: 25/30 Full bar; Modest but focused wine list (~2x markup).

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    Went here on Friday night. The place was packed. We had a great server. We ordered a Cesar salad which was good and split the lasagna. It was just okay. Nothing to write home about.

    (2)

  • marlene d.

    Absolutely wonderful. We are foodies from Northern California and I would say one of the two best places we ate in NO.

    (5)

  • Abi B.

    Great service from Matt! The tomato salad (caprese) app was excellent - mozzerela was creamy, tomatoes fresh and flavorful, light basalmic and red onions - simple and yummy. The mussels app was also excellent - you can't beat the light, garlicky tomato broth. For dinner, we had the lamb chops (best my husband has ever had) and the soft shell crab pasta. The crab was perfect, and the garlic butter sauce, spinach, tomatoes, and what seemed like hand made pasta was delicious. Dessert was a warm, yummy bread pudding. The rum sauce isn't too rummy - just right. Matt also recommended a lemon basil martini - awesome! Perfect drink on a summer night. We made a reservation and sat pretty quickly on a packed Saturday.

    (5)

  • Tracey D.

    Yum, yum, yum! Always a must stop when we are in New Orleans. Well worth it! The Chicken dish is to-die for the soup special was delicious!

    (5)

  • Hans H.

    Nothing less than excellent. We were walkin customers and they brought us drinks as we waited. Sonny, the host, went out of his way to make us feel comfortable. Our meal was some of the best food we've had in the French Quarter. The appetizer, salad, entrée, and desert were all exactly as we ordered and the steak was cooked to perfection. Without question this was the best bread pudding I've ever had, and I've had bread pudding all over the south. We will make this a regular on our visits to New Orleans. Thanks to Matt our server for a job well done.

    (5)

  • Ralph W.

    This place was HIGHLY recommended to me by a local. I called a little after noon looking for a 7pm reservation for two people. They said 7:30 was the best they could do, so I agreed. About 7:15 another couple who at the last minute decided to join us came in and let them know we would be four people. This is an old restaurant, and rather small, but very busy on a Thursday night. We were seated after 8pm. The waiter was arrogant and NOT accommodating, but somewhat "professional". Two of us were quite pleased with the food (I had the veal marsala), but none of the four of us would be willing to try the place again because of the "service" and attitude. Very disappointing.

    (3)

  • Steve T.

    Irene's is absolutely the best! From the wonderful cauliflower soup to the duck it was so enjoyable!

    (5)

  • Tara P.

    I cannot say enough wonderful things about this lovely restaurant! I always insist on taking friends to Irene's if they have never experienced it before. I especially want to thank Damien and Orlando for their superb service on May 16th. It was a busy night, and despite our long wait, our experience - my three friends being there for the first time - was outstanding and Irene's won new fans yet again. These men went above and beyond to make our dining experience the best it could be on top of the exceptional food that can stand on its own. This place is a must for anyone visiting New Orleans who is willing to tread off the beaten (Bourbon) path just a little. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

    (5)

  • Felicia H.

    Irene's lived up to all the hype and rave reviews. We didn't have reservations but showed up 10 minutes after opening and were fortunately immediately seated. It's a little cramped and definitely noisy but it's also charming, romantic and very New Orleans in decor and atmosphere (my fiance showed up late in scrubs and no one batted an eye - I love when upscale cuisine isn't pretentious). Service was on point and our waiter had a great sense of humor ("Why did the hipster burn his mouth eating pizza? He ate it before it was cool" *ba dum tss*). We loved and devoured every dish we ordered: ravioli and meatballs as apps, main courses of lamb chops, crevette and cioppino and finished with the cheesecake. The lamb chops, hands down, was the best dish! I'd order it again and again and again. The cheesecake was perfection; light and airy, easy to eat, a great balance between sweet and tart. I cannot stop telling people about the amazing dinner I had here. The portions were generous so it's a good layer in belly before a long night of drinking at White Linen. So happy I finally got a chance to dine here and it fulfilled all of my expectations.

    (5)

  • Kim B.

    I'm still not sure how Irene's is considered Creole-Italian cuisine but the food does not disappoint. My meal here was arguably the best Italian food I've had anywhere and the service was great as well. You know a restaurant is good if they are able to make simple dishes taste delicious. Case in point: the caprese salad which is basically tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil and olive oil. Sounds simple enough but it was a big hit at our table. The soup of the day was also a group favorite. My dining partners and I each ordered a different entree (duck, lasagna, pasta, and chicken) and everyone was very satisfied with their choice which does not usually happen. Apart from the food, our server was extremely friendly and pleasant. I also love how all the staff greet you when you walk through the restaurant. New Orleans is full of great restaurants and Irene's should definitely be included on your to-do list if you're in town.

    (4)

  • PJ J.

    Irene's was absolutely fantastic! We had a very large group which they handled with ease. They made sure we were all taken care of and enjoyed ourselves. The appetizer was positvely delicisious, the soft shell crab was beyond good (although a bit intimidating) and the cheesecake was absolutely out of this world! I would definitely eat there again although, it is much better suited for a date night than any other occasion.

    (5)

  • John A.

    Outstanding food, service, and wine selection. One of the best places to go in the city for nice evening without the children. Reservations are a must as it is very busy restaurant

    (5)

  • Sheila F.

    There are few meals that are memoriable but this is one of them. The best steak of my life. If your in new orleans this place is a must. Thanks Irene's for starting our trip off right.

    (5)

  • Dana D.

    Food and service here are definitely on higher level. The kitchen shows master techniques and use of herbs, oils and vinegar to bring you dishes that sing with flavor. From the garlic spiked escargot with a dreamy butter sauce to hands down the best textured and flavored meatball I found found on this planet. Dish after dish doesn't disappoint. Service is in a league all it's own. Professional, smartly dressed waiters skillfully guide you through a dining experience in a den that radiates old world charm.

    (5)

  • Marcelena S.

    Amazing everything here, no complaints! The service is impeccable and the food as well. All and all a great experience and I would highly recommend them!

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    This was our best dining experience in New Orleans, narrowly beating out Commander's Palace. First and foremost get a reservation. It is by no means huge, and is very popular. The wine: awesome list with a few harder to find bottles. We had a couple of great Barolos. The food: you seriously can't go wrong with anything, though as many people have pointed out the soft shell crab, when in season, is outstanding. We had a group of about ten and no one had any complaints about anything they ordered. Creole Italian: at Irene's it's as good as it sounds. 211/365

    (5)

  • Ken W.

    Even better than last time. We were here last year and liked everything but noticed this year the crisp European service is softened with a little southern charm and there is a wider choice of menu items. This is one of those places where the celebs go to enjoy a meal without being bothered; very discrete, except their photos are hung solid on the walls up to the ceiling. I had a beef steak and basil salad, filet mignon with roast shrimp topping, and a Wild Turkey on the rocks. My wife had oysters Irene in the shell with tomatoes, sausage, bacon and cheese, white mushroom soup, grilled asparagus, Mississippi Drum fish with shrimp and a house Pinot Grigio. We shared a big , thick piece of cheese cake with blueberry and strawberry garish in a Grand Marnier sauce. I ordered another Turkey but decided not to finish it or else I would not be able to finish this review coherently. you be the judge. We had a great time, had wonderful food and great service. This gets my Best in Breed award for New Orleans fine dining.

    (5)

  • jen m.

    The moment we decided (on a walking by whim) to finally eat here (on the rec of several locals) was one of the top dining decisions of my life. The maitre d was so wonderful. Ordered a bottle of wine (cab) while waiting in the piano bar for our table. Table was ready before we knew it. Stacey (Stacie?), our waitress, was great! We ordered the Caesar salad, the filet mignon (one of the specials) and the lasagna and the cheesecake for dessert. All of it was great. Seriously THE BEST date night we have had our entire time in NOLA. Place is popular with locals and tourists, don't bank on getting in quickly like we did. Make reservations and enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Richard S.

    I wrote a review of this place in May of this year. Why was it removed?? And if yelp it's going to remove a review they should have the decency to tell us why. Morons! Anyway our carriage driver told us about this place and we actually ran in to her while dining there. I mentioned her by name in my previous review and when I went to look in my review for her name, the review was gone. A holes. The Osso buco was amazing and the marrow was in tact with a little fork for digging. Made my night. The service, presentation, food quality, and overall experience made the price palatable. It was expensive but worth it. There are so many places we haven't tried but if I'm ever in on business and looking for a place to dine solo, I will return for the osso buco.

    (5)

  • Andrea P.

    Great ambience! They knew about gluten free and I had a delicious shrimp dish. My dad got lasagna and it wasn't really his cup of tea. However I loved it and the service was fabulous.

    (4)

  • Mike E.

    We went on Saturday and later about 8:45 but it was busy and waits to 90 minutes or so. It was good and had chicken Marsala with sweet potatoes excellent, my son had soft shell crab and loved it, good salad to boot and we splurged for a chocolate molten cake thing that was not so real sweet which we liked and it was perfect. During wait they tried to be accommodating with ice water or bought drinks from bar as well. I suggest you go but it's popular and I'm not sure they do reservations, so be prepared but again worth it!

    (4)

  • Pete D.

    Irene's Cuisine is a must if you are in New Orleans for a few days! Skip the run of the mill steak houses and treat yourself to a bit of Italian with a Creole twist. Price versus food is definitely worth it! The menu is simple yet has a dish everyone will enjoy. My wife and I had a great evening and dinner consisting of: - Crabmeat Gratin: A great appetizer served with bread containing a decent amount of crabmeat. I would say this was the low of our dinner and hindsight, my wife and I wished we ordered another appetizer like the Oysters Irene. - Filet Mignon special: My wife had this and it was absolutely amazing (I only got one bite)! A great portion and the filet was a nice cut and cooked to perfection! - Lamb a'la Provence: I asked the waiter what he recommended and this was it. I am usually a skeptic about lamb chops because usually the portions are skimpy for the money you spend. Contrary to that belief, Irene's is generous with their portion giving you four chops of quality lamb. The garlic mashed are excellent and the green bean cooked to perfection (crispy but not soggy). The glazed made the dish adding a bit of a Creole twist. We topped our dinner off with the bread pudding which was amazing and the mousse which was also amazing! To cap it off, our waiter Orlando made the night special putting a candle on our table. He did not realize that we were actually celebrating ten years married and once he did, made the night extra special. In closing, if you are looking for a decent meal in a non-tourist restaurant then make a stop at Irene's. The food versus the value is on par costing ~$200 for two people including desert and drinks is not bad. The food is solid and the service is great! Add this to your list and be sure to make a reservation.

    (5)

  • Nataushe S.

    Big props to Jonathan, one of the planet's best waiters in one of New Orleans' best gems! My cousin made a reservation for 5 at 8:30 on a Thursday night. I foolishly decided to drive my car when I should have walked from my hotel or taken a cab. While waiting for us, the rest of our party enjoyed some social time in the waiting area in back. So, you can't go wrong here! We purposely ordered different things so we could try each other's dishes, all of which were amazing! Starters: Escargot, Oysters Irene, Crab au gratin Entrees: Duck, Chicken Rosmarino, Crevette, filet mignon, veal Dessert: bread pudding, and cheesecake All of these were awesome, but my top 3 were the Escargot, the Chicken Rosmarino, and the cheesecake (that cheesecake will change your life). They also had a fantastic wine selection. I highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Sagar N.

    Good but really not at the next level. Irene's has a old school Italian vibe with some solid food and service to boot. However, having been here twice now, I just haven't left that impressed to merit the high marks it gets. I get what they are going for and it's a good experience, but it's one that is replicated multiple times over in many cities. Unfortunately nothing really elevated my experience here to that next level. All that being said, Irene's definitely has a place. It's safe, high quality, clean, charming, and has something for everyone. If you have guests that aren't all that adventurous eaters or perhaps a little older - this will be a winner. Plus, it's a huge step up over a lot of the ultra touristy and poor quality joints on Decatur/iberville/bourbon/royal/etc... For the money though, I'd hit up Italian barrel.

    (3)

  • Edward G.

    This place won me over! Decided that on a cold evening, a warm italian dish was in order. The ambiance was incredible! We strolled in without resi's on a Thursday evening. We were sat in a waiting room in the rear of the restaraunt and had an amazing time. They had a piano player who was entertaining us with show tunes. Dimly lit and accented with red lights the mood was set. We sat in the "wine room" which was quaint and quiet. I had the caprise salad which was very good, the roasted roma tomatoes were cooked perfectly. My entre was the San Francisco Cioppino was jaw dropping. The lovely mixture of drum, shrimp, mussels, and scallops was a welcomed relief from the cold outside. My date and I split a creme brule' for dessert which was good,not great. I had a great time and would highly recommend this gem on St.Phillip.

    (4)

  • Momo B.

    NO BIG SECRET, SO DON'T ACT SURPRISED Reading other reviews most everyone makes mention about having to wait even though they had a confirmed reservation. We had a 7:30 pm reservation and before the third song concluded from the piano bar, we were seated. Sweet Jesus we are lucky! In season Soft Shell Crab lightly battered tenderly deep fried, tossed mixed with fresh basil, Romano tomatoes touching on a blanket of Regganio crawfish sauce coating a bed of made to order Papparedelle... is as natural a decision as breathing. No one dares not include ordering the Oysters Irene. Lastly, Bread Pudding mounted on top by a generous scoop of vanilla bean gelato and bedded with seeping cognac sauce puts an explanation mark on the whole Irene DiPietro dining experience. Diners have been waiting with reservations from the very first day Irene DiPietro opened Irene's Cuisine for business some fifteen plus years ago. Like they say: "Don't fix it if ain't broke." I will speakeasy; it's Creole Italian second to none.

    (5)

  • Chris T.

    The first time we experienced Irene's was several years ago when we were walking down the street and smelled simething incredible. They are a must do on our list for New Orleans now! Make a reservation because they do get busy. The food is incredible! I personally prefer their lamb and duck. The service is always phenominal!

    (5)

  • Adam O.

    Was in the Big Easy this week and ate at several different locations. Best dinner of the week with Co Workers was Irene's Cuisine Thursday Night. Called ahead and confirmed a 6:45pm reservation to avoid the wait. Walked through the door and were welcomed like family and quickly seated. We started with Cocktails and Apps... Chose the Meatballs and Crabmeat Gratin along with crisp bread which is not the normal offering so request it from your waiter, excellent to dip in the gratin... Don't forget about the complimentary Bruschetta which is amazing! The table ordered 3 different dishes (Lasagna, Veal Marsala and I order the Osso Buco Special not listed on the Menu). Make sure you listen to the nightly specials off the menu as they always have great offerings. The Osso Buco was amazing and always has been my favorite when visiting. Served with a small fork to get the Marrow out of the bone in the middle which has a great taste... Make sure you save room for some of the best desserts served in the Cresent City...

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    After I got a recommendation from the bed and breakfast place I was staying at(Lanaux Mansion) I decided to check it out. It was a small place but quiet and clean. The wait staff look and act very professional. They had a bunch of regulars dining in and you could tell that they had built a relationship with their guest. Our server was Antoine and he was a quiet old Frenchman. We ordered wine , the Duck , and the Lamb chops. All were delicious. We also had cappuccinos with baileys and the bread pudding. The owner Irene even came out and said hello to us which was amazing. She was sincere and has a passion for food. You can tell she makes the food from her heart. Anyways the food was great and so was the service . It is not a tourist trap place or a cliche . It is where the natives eat. I will be back !

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    Where to begin. First, the ambiance is romantic and cozy. Piano playing softly in the background, candle-light, waiters in black tie and aprons, linen table cloths. The food. We had escargot, charbroiled oysters, cioppino and lasagna. Everything was delicious. They even start off the meal with complimentary bruschetta. The bread pudding was one of the best I've ever had, complete with fresh cream and vanilla ice cream. Oh, and the bloody Mary's are good too. Now, the best part, our waiter, David, was excellent. He helped us navigate the menu, and provided us with just the right amount of attention, not too much, not too little. He talked to us about the city and must-see live music destinations, like Smug House. Really a great meal, beginning to end. Try it, and ask for David!!

    (5)

  • Rebecca N.

    Wonderful atmosphere!!! Food is 5 star!!! Almost as good as Cafe Giovanni!!! So good!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

    (5)

  • Lou F.

    A bit of a long wait to get seated, made bearable by the Abita beer & the wait staff, worth the wait!! Service was attentive, but not rushed, food was excellent...presentation was great, food was "as good as it gets". We'll go back!

    (5)

  • Felicia L.

    We were desperate to find a fine dining place for our Christmas Eve dinner. Most of the sought after place are fully booked. We managed to walk in to Irene's and were told that we could have a table after 730pm. The service was excellent, nice friendly folks and a good break away from typical New Orleans cuisine. Our appetizer of eggplant garlic soup served with tomato and cheese bread was yummy! My duck with the sauce and crispy skin was perfect. Hub ate up his veal with the blue cheese. Some restaurants you could name the entree but miss the appetizer. At Irene's everything was good including the wine. Very nice cosy ambience. The food took some time to serve which I accrue to detail cooking and the busy crowd for Christmas. We were very lucky that they can accommodate us as it looks from other reviews the wait is usually long. Must try!

    (5)

  • Kristin G.

    This place was recommend by an old colleague of mine who frequently dines here. I wanted a romantic, wonderful spot to have my birthday dinner. So we read the reviews and asked her to make the reservations. She said to sit in "Dan's section. He is great!" Hmmm ok. When we got there. I was a little concern bc most of the reviews said you still had to wait a bit even if you have a reservation. But honestly, we got there right at 8pm and we wait 5 mins for the host to get back to his stand, and then next thing you know, we're being seated. I don't know if perhaps bc it was the middle of the week or what, but we didn't have to wait at all. Score! So we sit down and immediately the waiter for this section comes out from the kitchen and goes straight to the table next to us. I immediately knew that was Dan because of how personable he was with the other patrons. He had quite the sense of humor, and went above and beyond with all the guests. (so now I understand why my colleague mentioned him. Lol) he was awesome! Very attentive and made the experience that much better. We got a complimentary bruschetta for our table. Very tasty. We order the Ricotta Spinach ravioli for an appetizer and it was fantastic. Dan had suggested the lamb, which my husband ordered, and I ordered the lasagna. Both were extremely good!! Portions were just right. For dessert we had the Creme Brûlée (I can never resist Creme Brûlée) and the Strawberry Cheesecake. Both amazing!!! By the time we got the bill, We were stunned how cheap the dinner was!! If we lived in NOLA, we would definitely come back on a regular basis!

    (4)

  • A K.

    Love this place! Favorite New Orleans Restaurant! Great french Italian nawlins cuisine with friendly long time servers and located past the square in the Quarter in an old style romantic building. Love the soft shell crab appetizer, pecan crusted red fish and gumbo. Worth the wait if you haven't a reservation!

    (5)

  • Ricky A.

    Irene's is hands down one of my most favorite dining experiences ever. I ate there with a large group and didn't experience any of the dining pitfalls that usually accompany a large group reservation. Everything we ordered was fantastic. My favorite was the Duck St. Philip. The appetizers, entrees and deserts were all pretty great. The wine was spectacular. There was seven of us and we all tried every single dish and had nothing bad to say about a single one. We ate at Irene's at the end of a long week in New Orleans and it was the perfect way to wrap up an epic trip. Tips: Make reservations WAY in advance, Try the crabmeat gratin, Duck St. Phillip and bread pudding.

    (5)

  • Alaina K.

    Took friends of ours to Irene's for their last dinner before departing back to boston. The food was amazing. Looked like we all licked our plates. My favorite place for dinner & did not disappoint. So much so, after friends left, hubby and I returned the very next night. We met Irene, who was delightful. She sent over a dessert, which was not on the menu and I think it was the best I have ever had. Can't wait to return!! Class act place with a stellar staff.

    (5)

  • Shannon L.

    My favorite place to eat in New Orleans. The food, ambiance and service were stellar! Do make a reservation as walking wait times can be long.

    (5)

  • Tyler B.

    Yeup they pretty much nail it here. The entire experience - atmosphere - food taste - the entire package is complete. A restaurant and experience I will never forget. We had the Veal & Lasagna ....both mind-blowers. Night night.

    (5)

  • Jacky L.

    One of the best lamb I had in s while hands down! Must eat! The escargot was awesome as well! I d pass on the veal but not bad either. Make sure you make reservations otherwise expect a 1.5-2hr wait. It's nice that they have a piano area where the pianist play some great music while you wait.

    (5)

  • Rebecca T.

    I've stepped in at Irene's before and the wait was longer than an hour so didn't stay. But Saturday night at 6pm the wait was only 45 minutes so we settled in for drinks and struck up conversation. All staff at Irene's were nice. (But no women wait staff? really?) It has multiple dining areas and we loved our dining room, close tables but not too close. The Oysters Irene was good but the special appetizer of fried softshell crab was crisp, juicy, flavorful. Our waiter recommended the lamb dish and OMG it was so good and tender. I enjoyed the Crevette. Fresh flavors, maybe the macque choux (corn) had a little too much thyme. I would go back here anytime. For a date, a celebration or just a great meal. The entree's are reasonably priced for the experience and quality. A lovely, unrushed meal and experience overall.

    (5)

  • Dan M.

    This place is worth seeking out, but do make a reservation as it gets crowded in its smallish space. Besides some good italian food, they normally have some steak specials. We shared two of the specials (a) Heirloom tomatoes, arugula and moz - was quite good, (b) Special filet was excellent with flavorful peppery seasoning. NOTE: Their "medium" is on the rare/bloody side - happened on both my filet and my friend's rib eye. Speaking of the rib eye, my friend didn't like his as well as the filet as it was kinda bland and not really seasoned. The encore of the night was the wonderful bread pudding with praline topping and topped with vanilla gelato.... very good and very shareable large. The wait staff (Stacie) were super friendly and helpful. They let you swap out the sides if you wish too. I will come back when visiting NOLA.

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Great dining experience! The Oysters Irene were delicious! The mussels were so good I could and will dream about them !!! The soft shell crab was delicious too . The bread pudding with banana foster and praline sauce was very very good !!! I had the pleasure of speaking with Irene!! Delightful and sweet lady! I love dining here!

    (5)

  • Darrin B.

    Fantastic! Cocktails in the bar is a must before dinner. Meatballs to start. Crevette fish awesome. DO NOT pass on the cheese cake. Unbelievable! Our waiter Drew was great

    (5)

  • Antoinette P.

    This place is amazing. It's romantic so it has been our anniversary dinner for 4 years straight! Everything I have ordered here has been amazing. Definitely a spot to impress your date/significant other. The staff members are charming and do what ever to please you.

    (5)

  • Brenda P.

    It is NOT OK to have a reservation and still have to wait 40 minutes. We made time pass fast because we had a large party of 8 and we were having fun talking and drinking but, not cool. This place is crazy busy. It is not that it's small but more so that there are about 2-3 tables too many in each room making it crowded. The ceilings are low and that also does not help the claustrophobic nature of dining here. It is also VERY loud. Decor is borderline kitschy. If you want quaint and romantic, this is NOT it. We sat in a table in the back room against the mantle. Our reservation was for 9 and ended up being 8. Good thing because there was no physical way possible a 9th would have fit there. We were close enough to everyone to reach and take bread from the table next to us. Got the menus and drink orders in. They brought over the house bruschetta which was OK. We ordered the meatballs which ended up being one of the highlights of the night. Someone else got the escargot and the crab au gratin. All were very good. Most of us got the rib-eye which was good. Not the best one by far that I have ever had but good. Desserts were also very good. The creole cream cheese cheesecake was great and the bread pudding was dreamy. I wish I could have finished it. Service was good and consistent all night. I gave it 4 stars because it ultimately delivered but I would probably not come back if in town. Why go be sandwiched in amongst tables and wait so long with so many other spectacular dining locations in NOLA? Thanks but no thanks.

    (4)

  • Steve I.

    One of the best overall restaurants in NOLA. A restaurant that is elegant with wonderful service and exquisite food. Oh the food. The food here is amazing!! So many great dishes.....the ravioli, oysters irene, osso bucco, creme brulee, the cheesecake is the one of the best cheesecakes i've ever tasted, cioppino (my personal fave dish), and the duck. Irene's is a little noisy. There is almost always a wait even with reservations but this is a true authentic Sicilian restaurant! Irene's is the real deal.

    (5)

  • Julia C.

    Irene's was excellent. The lamb was exceptional, and the cioppino was amazing. We had the escargot, which was good but not fantastic. Definitely save room for the decadent chocolate cake. I don't have a sweet tooth, but I loved it. They don't skimp on the drinks, which is great because without a reservation you might end up waiting there about an hour and a half. Also, the service is great. The person at the front desk was nice enough, although obviously frustrated with the crowd. The servers were excellent and their recommendations were spot on. Was very happy I came here. Even with the long wait, it was definitely worth it!!

    (4)

  • George T.

    We came here on the recommendation of two different people and we were pleased we took their advice. Appetizers of Qysters Irene, and roasted Asparagus w/ prosciutto were shared. First bites were followed by a chorus of OMGs. All four people in our party agreed that their food was excellent. Entrées included Crevette (Black Drum fish and Shrimp in a wonderful sauce) , Duck, Lasagna and Veal Marsala. Plates were wiped clean! Desserts shared were Bread Pudding, a dark chocolate Truffle and Cheesecake. I recommend you try all three. Equally important, as the food, was our server Mike M, who was pleasant, professional, friendly, extremely helpful and just generally enhanced our dining experience. It would be lucky to have him as your server.

    (4)

  • Evan J.

    Came here 10 years ago and remembered it being the best meal I had ever had. How time can change things...the meal was solid but not amazing. Our server disappeared early on in the evening for about 15 minutes before taking our order and our bread came out after our app. I guess we'll always have memories of the first time but probably won't come back.

    (3)

  • Scott F.

    There will be a wait (make a reservation a week in advanced). It will be crowded. It will be loud. It will be one of the best dining experiences you'll have in NOLA. From the low ceilings to the piano player to the small, elbow to elbow dining room the atmosphere is excellent. The service is top notch and the food is spectacular. The filet is fantastic, the veal is ultra-tender, and the everything is consistent and high quality.

    (5)

  • H G.

    My phone service wasn't good so unfortunately I was not able to post the pics of the food and restaurant. The wait was over a hour without reservations but when everyone says it's worth it they are so right! I had the dinner special filet mignon with mushroom risotto. Omg to die for my husband got spaghetti and meatballs he said it was delicious. This place is top of the line AMAZING and the service is EXCEPTIONAL!!!!! Must eat her if you want Italian food in the French Quarter New Orleans!!!!

    (5)

  • EddieAlexandra S.

    We chose to go to Irene's based on two personal recommendations and its great yelp review. Let's just say it lived up to the expectations, and surpassed it! Our waiter, Demitrius, was excellent. So friendly, such good explanations of the food and answers to our questions. And he gave us an excellent game plan for an afternoon walking tour of the garden district for the next day. He was just awesome! And the food....sooooo good! We ate every last ounce of all our food, just amazing! I got the San Francisco style seafood medley (I forgot what the exact name) and my husband got the crevette, and we had the meatballs for an appetizer- I can't overstate how great it all was. We were stuffed and would normally not order dessert because we were so full, but we knew it'd be amazing too so we went for the chocolate truffle cake. To die for.

    (5)

  • Jackie M.

    I don't have the words to describe how wonderful Irene's was for dinner. It is small and cozy and the walls are filled with old photos. Our waitress, Stacie, was absolutely amazing! She made perfect recommendations. We started with the tomato salad and the Irene's Oysters. I am not a huge oyster fan, but these were baked to perfection. The soup of the day was a corn and shrimp bisque, which was delicious. For the entree i had the cioppino, everything was fantastic.

    (5)

  • Rick F.

    Tiens, I, who wait in line for no-one, finally made it to the iconic "Irene's Cuisine" on Chartres in the F.Q. for our zillionteenth anniversary last night. The food which we sampled was steak (filet), fried softshells on crawfish pasta, escargots en champignons, a sorta hot "Vicchysoise" with tiny shrimp, and some kind of tomato & cheese appetizer. We had Champagne's "comp'd" for anniversary! All were first-rate and our waiter was great. Really great ! Prices were in-line with the area. Various yuppie beers weren't cold. Verdict: Irene's is really good. Now on our "once-in-a-while" list. But, it is really, really hard to drive past Muriel's to go there ! I have a slight advantage at Irene's because some friends own the hotel almost next-door, so I can park w/o hassle. If I can go w/o waiting in line, I'll be back. . . . . . to Irene's. Rick p.s. They really do take reservations; just depends.

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    We dined here New Years Eve after reading incredible reviews and my husbands past experiences . We are four young professionals looking forward to an amazing meal . Unfortunately, our meal was ruined by the condescending attitude of our server. We regularly eat $200+ meals in fine establishments and expect courteous service . Our waiter acted like we were bums off the street . NEVER again! I will not be returning . As for the food, just OK . Nothing special, but palatable .

    (1)

  • Reza S.

    It's a pleasantly light Italian menu with a creole twist. The turtle soup was delicious and the crispy duck was spot on. The highlight was the banana foster bread pudding. Wow.

    (4)

  • Christoffer C.

    After an hours wait we got to order and I went with the soft-shelled crab parpardelle. Now I like seafood, I like rich sauces and I like the taste of butter. But I can't help but feel that the deep fried crab was retaining a little to much oil, which gave the sauce an oily aftertaste. Now I didn't try any desserts, though I should. Now upon visiting a loud quartet was sitting a few tables from us and even though they where clearly drunk out of there minds and a number of tables had complained about them the vaitors kept bringing them more booze. Now I would have wanted them to shove a sock in it, but they did nothing. That and the crab is why there will be no 5-stars from me. Would I visit again? Not sure

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    Totally disappointing. We had a reservation and still waited over 30 minutes, although that wasn't too bad because they had a live piano player. The unfortunate part was that the food was just okay and our server was terrible. My husband asked him about a particular wine, and he's like uh, I don't know anything about wine. Not a, "hey let me ask someone," or even, "I don't know about that one but this one is good..." Something! He also disappeared for huge chunks of time. Every other place we ate in NOLA was worth writing home about - this place was completely forgettable.

    (2)

  • Kathleen F.

    Good but I wouldn't say anything special! I had the veal Marsala and I found that the pairing of the sweet potato and the meat didn't go together. The sweet potato completely overpowered the taste of the veal. I also found that the food here isn't very big, if you're looking for a light meal this is perfect but if you're looking for a real filling meal you probably won't get it here.

    (4)

  • Josie C.

    Loved Irene's!!! Recommended to us by a friend and absolutely did not disappoint!!! The food, beautiful wine & amazing atmosphere - with great service from Stacie. Visit Irene's - you won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    One of my most favorite meals of this trip. My sister's rehearsal dinner was here. Although there were a lot of us packed in one small room (and, dude, I know you're not with us and you're at a table close to us, but if the father of the bride is giving a speech, maybe don't talk so loud. For like 2 seconds. Please? Thanks). The hosts ordered several types of appetizers for each table. And they were all delicious: Oysters Irene (yes!), softshell crab (we were lucky enough to be there just as the season started) and a few other things which were just so tasty (that of course I can't remember now). I had filet mignon for my entree. Wowee, it was good. Like melt in your mouth delicious. And some sort of blue cheese potato thing that was just perfect with it. I got to try a few bites of other meals and as good as they were, I think I won with the filet. Several desserts were ordered and they were all delicious. There were several tables all cramped together and still the service was great. And the waiters never once forgot about serving us more wine. The service really was wonderful. I will definitely put Irene's on my list of places I have to go back to.

    (5)

  • Jordan L.

    Lately I've been a big fan of fish dishes with a light sauce so the Drum Crevette was perfect! Great piece of fish with a light white wine, butter, lemon sauce served with a side of wilted spinach and corn -- all great and on the relatively healthy side! Love the ambiance here - classic New Orleans. Split the oyster appetizer with my mother and enjoyed those as well - very different from an oyster app I've ever had. Tried the soft shell crab entree over pasta - loved it. Tried the soft shell crab appetizer special as well - always a fan of soft shell crab! Tried the Drum Amandine as well - same fish, different preparation and sauce. Ready to go back!

    (4)

  • Julia F.

    Horrible food and not sure what he deal is with this place? It's supposed to be great but it's very bland and our food was served cold. The filet had zero flavor.

    (1)

  • Rachel F.

    We ate there last night a table of five ladies. He was fantastic. Food was fabulous the ambiance is great! Go there for a great time I love you!

    (5)

  • Robert M.

    As a local, I typically avoid the French Quarter whenever possible. But when someone says "Irene's?", I reply "Certainly!". It is THE place for Creole Italian, New Orleans style. Try to arrive at or before 6 PM. Yes I know that seems way too early, but it can get uncomfortably crowded. Still, it is so very tasty!

    (4)

  • Kellye N.

    I can see why this place is a big hit among NOLA locals. If you're a tourist wanting to eat authentic NOLA food, this place may not be what you're looking for; nonetheless, the food and service were exquisite. My boyfriend and I waited in their dark lobby and sipped on some Pimm's Cups while being entertained by their pianist. When we were finally seated, we started with turtle soup (hey, we were in New Orleans). It was buttery and pretty good, but just tried it to be adventurous. Probably wouldn't order it again. For main courses, I had the duck and my boyfriend had the osso bucco with the bone marrow. I definitely liked the osso bucco much better. All in all, this place was great and I loved the intimate atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Ed S.

    Use to go here prior to Katrina. Haven't been back since, but the food and service was phenomenal. Does Frenchie still play the piano in the back? I hope they are open on Monday nights. I would like to return.

    (5)

  • Valerie M.

    Delicious food, extremely long wait. Even people who made reservations were having to wait awhile. I suggest going early.

    (5)

  • Patricia B.

    This was recommended by our hotel....wow, were they right. My friend and I both had the special, which was osobuco. It was amazing. And we found the service to be wonderful. A great way to start our visit to New Orleans.

    (5)

  • John K.

    Best restaurant and dining experience I have ever had. The food, ambience and service is all wonderful. Seriously... just do yourself a favour and go try it if you can. Reviews can only tell you so much and your opinions will be your own so just go try it already! ;-)

    (5)

  • Damian G.

    Amazing rack of lamb. Great service. My friends all had filets and soft shelled crabs that they said were perfect. Highly recommend this restaurant

    (5)

  • Cest L.

    I love Irenes! It has that old New Orleans feel! We have eaten here quite a few times and we are never disappointed! Started with the soft shell crab appetizer which was fried perfectly with just the right amount of breading, and the crabmeat au gratin which also had a lovely white sauce that allowed the crab taste to come through. The melon and prosciutto salad was a wonderful combination of salty and sweet. My companion had the duck, which I was lucky enough to sample; it had the most amazing crispy skin topping the tender and flavorful meat. I had the lasagna which had the right amount of everything, meat, sauce, pasta, and cheese done just right! If after that wonderful meal you still have room for dessert, you must try the creole cheese cake! It is worth every calorie! Make sure to make reservations since they are always busy and the wait can be quite long without then!

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    Don't waste your time. Told 45 minutes to wait. Left after an hour and a half. Go to to Tommie's. Great food, better service and not the wait.

    (1)

  • Michelle P.

    I was so looking forward to a wonderful dining experience, but unfortunately, I did not have this experience at Irene's. It was highly recommended by many, but my experience was poor service and food quality. Considering there are roughly four entree choices on the menu, who would imagine that it wouldn't be a stellar food experience. The next day, I returned for a po-boy at NOLA Po-Boy and was again delighted with the quality of the food.

    (2)

  • Jay R.

    Very good food, intimate/cozy atmosphere, excellent service. Please do yourself a favor and make and reservation!!!

    (5)

  • Stu S.

    Fine dining, Italian cuisine. Hailing from NYC/NJ, where we have great Italian restaurants, I have high standards. Irene's is the only legitimate fine Italian restaurant in New Orleans. (Yes I know there are other high priced white linen Italian restaurants in New Orleans, but I've yet to find one that measures up.) Irene's knows how to do the traditional things; their Caesar salad, for instance, is just perfect. But they also know how to creatively weave New Orleans ingredients into Italian cuisine in a manner that enhances both. And the service is excellent. Irene's isn't cheap, but it's not overpriced consdering the food, the ambience and the service. I highly recommend it.

    (4)

  • Timothy L.

    On our server Matt's suggestion I had the lamb and it was incredible! We also had the cheesecake which was incredibly light texture and the best cheesecake I've ever had. The service was very attentive and Matt was friendly offering recommendations for breakfast or lunch before we left town the next day. We were unable to book reservations on Friday or Saturday and tried walking in each night. On Friday we got in line 10 minutes before they opened and were unable to be seated. On Saturday we arrived 30 minutes early and were the first in line. Having eaten in a number of restaurants this week I can say Irene's was my best experience, but everywhere in NOLA has made my mouth happy.

    (5)

  • Emily P.

    We had a reservation for 4 on a Friday night and had to wait for about 45 minutes, without a great way to order drinks or apps while waiting. Service was good. Food was good (and could see why its a NOLA staple). Seems like it would be a lot better with a thorough inside cleaning and better management.

    (2)

  • Bianca U.

    Coming from San Francisco, I was hoping I was in for a treat. Though the food wasn't bad by any means, I could have had the same meal in North Beach or really any place in the Bay Area. Nothing really wowed me. The menu is small and they only had one poultry item when I was there. Luckily, they made me an item that wasn't on the menu. I don't eat beef or pork, so my options were limited. I wanted to really like this place. First off, it's a very small restaurant and the tables are almost on top of one another. Getting in and out was a hassle, seating wise. The staff were all very friendly and one waiter in particular was making eyes at me (which in this instance I didn't mind because it wasn't vulgar). All of the desserts I sampled were so-so. The coffee was awful.

    (3)

  • Paul S.

    My wife and I had dinner on Tuesday night (June 17) around 6:30pm. We were seated immediately. Our server, Orlando, was great. His wine recommendations were both spot-on, and our meals (my wife had the filet mignon and I had the catch of the day) were both excellent. As we had read, some may find the tables/seating a bit cramped, but we thought the overall ambiance was quite nice. In a town with so many good places to dine, we'll definitely keep Irene's on our list for our next visit to New Orleans.

    (4)

  • Jen A.

    Delicioso! I was hesitant to eat Italian food while in Nola, but I am so glad that we did! Great food and service. AND I found a pearl in my oyster!

    (5)

  • Rita C.

    After going on the Creole Bike Tour, we were speaking with the tour guide who highly recommended going to Irene's for dinner. He warned that there would "probably be a wait" and to let him know if we were able to get reservations. I called into Irene's and pretty much got laughed at when I asked if there were any open reservations for later that night - apparently they had been booked for weeks. We didn't let this deter us from our mission! Headed over to Irene's around 8:30 pm and it was PACKED, I mean PACKED. This could only mean that we were in for a treat once we finally got seated (and that the tour guide from earlier had lead us in the right direction of good eats). We put in our names and told it was about an hour and a half wait, so we headed elsewhere to get some drinks and apps to hold us over until 10. We headed back to Irene's at about 9:45 to see that it was still packed and took a seat in the waiting room while Mr. Piano Man serenaded us with some classics. Very nice! I also thought it was a great idea to have a waiter taking drink orders in the waiting area, since everyone knew at this point that it was going to be a while if you didn't have reservations. Finally, we were seated around 10:45...I have to be honest that my aggravation level was pretty high, but I didn't blame the restaurant, it was just that busy. Service here is excellent! We had two waiters that were taking care of us and they were both awesome - they knew the menu front and back, were very knowledgeable about the wine listing and pairing, and were extremely courteous. Other restaurants should take note! Okay on to the food: First we were served bruschetta, which was not like any I've tried before. It was okay, not great. For entrees, my boyfriend ordered the filet special and I got the San Francisco style Cioppino. We were both so hungry and the food was so good that I'm pretty sure we didn't say a word to each other the entire meal. Once plates were licked clean, we both agreed that Irene's was delicious, but not entirely worth the all-night wait. The dessert listing looked really good, but we were both too full and falling asleep at the table (by then it was around 11:30 pm). My overall opinion is that Irene's is very good, but would have been much more enjoyable if I felt that I hadn't wasted the whole night waiting for a table (again, not the restaurant's fault!). If you're going to go here, definitely make a reservation WELL in advance! I'd definitely check it out again!

    (4)

  • Whitney E.

    Amazing food and great service! Romantic Nola spot. Chef is a total hottie! Best creole Italian in the city.

    (5)

  • Lisa F.

    When I was researching where to eat before my big trip to the French Quarter, I came across Irene's. Yet, when I saw "Italian" listed as the type of cuisine they serve, I thought, nope, can't do it because this Italian can only eat her father's Italian. But when I was in the French Quarter and walked by this restaurant and saw the menu items were almost all fish and meat, I had to go in! My fish was yummy, yummy, yummy! Would definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Kristen W.

    Worst dining experience I have had in 20'years! Sonny was pompous! Our party of three arrived and was told an hour wait! We checked in at the 45 mark and it was clear he had failed to put my name on the list! We continued to check in about every 15 minutes and he would offer little information flipping his reservation paper from side to side! I would have to show him where we were on his sheet! When finally seated at the back table of the back room an hour and 40'minutes into the ordeal, our waiter was equally as disinterested. We ordered immediately ! 30'minutes later our waiter apologized and said that a big group had come in and they were plating their food first. Really? The food was mediocre at 10:15 pm! After confronting Sonny on my way to the restroom he was equally as pompous! After calmly letting him know that this was the worst dining experience I have ever had, he offered another round of drinks and a free dessert! We only accepted because we were starving and thirsty! Will never return! And this it was recommended by a prominent local that I respect!

    (1)

  • Rory H.

    I'm giving it a one star because Yelp makes you give at least one. We waited 45 minutes after a reservation we made. Party who came in after us was seated before. Anyone can take a reservation. The most important part is keeping the reservation. Jerry Seinfeld was right. Bad business. Food might be good but didn't get the chance. Give me a break... Go to the redfish grille. Filet mignon is fantastic!

    (1)

  • Diana P.

    Awesome, awesome, awesome! I was a bit skeptical of this place because it looked very old school dining. However, decided to give it a try because of the great YELP reviews and also it was recommended to us by a tour guide. Genuine delicious New Orleans food! We had the seafood dishes and both were incredibly fresh, delicious and not over salty like some other seafood meals we have had during our trip. The fish melted in our mouths and the sweet potato (mashed) were amazing!!! Did I use amazing too much in this review? Our waiter was a true professional, and deserves an award, if these even is such a thing for that. Bread pudding for dessert hit the spot and ended our meal with big smiles on our faces. DEF make reservations because the line was out the door when we left around 8pm. ENJOY Y'ALL.

    (5)

  • Sylvia S.

    We were a party of 7 ladies our reservations were for 7:30 we we're there on time they immediately showed to our table no wait time the staff the retaurant the food was magnificent ! We all had did different entrees the oyster rockefella soup was excellent the bruschetta so was excellent the service was excellent will go back everytime I am in New Orleans . Loved it!

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    Dear Irene's, I miss you, I hope to see you soon. Whenever I think of you, I close my eyes and smile remembering our good times together. Dear Yelp, I hope one day you install a "B!%ch" button or something like that to go along with "Funny", "Cool", "Useful" because anyone saying anything less than the best about Irene's needs it! But I guess some people revel in being displeased. They'll miss a great thing every time. xoxo-J

    (5)

  • John L.

    The cheese cake is truly the best I've ever had anywhere - the fish and ribeye were outstanding as we're the sides. Great, competent service as well. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Eat S.

    After hearing so very much from a variety of sources, I went, alone. ( bad idea) And Waited, Waited, and finally after 1 hour was seated. Great friendly service, less than stellar food at way too high pricing. Drink up and arrive with a group - its the only way to get through the evening of mediocre Italian 'styled' food. I actually couldn't cut through the osso bucco. Really bad prep for a braised meat which if prepared correctly need not any knife. The restaurant tries to present an elegant intimate experience, but it really is more of a belly up to the bar expense account evening. If that's the ride you want, then they will happily accept your $$$$. There are certainly better ways to enjoy food in NOLA.

    (1)

  • Coral E.

    This kind of service and level of food and I can dress casually??? I was sold! We immensely enjoyed our first time at Irene's last night. It's a small restaurant with not much space, but when you walk in, you feel like you're walking into your grandma's house. The waiters all greeted us as we came in and escorted us to the piano/bar waiting area where we were greeted by a maitre d' that I wish I remembered his name because he was phenomenal! You sit, listen to some great piano music and sip a cocktail - because there is always going to be a little bit of a wait at this popular restaurant. Our half hour wait went by fast and we were seated at a cozy table and was served by Mike M who was an amazing waiter who knew the menu backwards and forwards and was quick to recommend his favorites. We ordered the crabmeat gratin and escargot appetizers that were delicious. For dinner we had the soft shell crab pasta and lamb chops - both were unbelievably good. You must go!

    (5)

  • Mike P.

    Definitely not the Irenes i went to 10-15 years ago. The last time i went the marinara sauce was orgasmic. This time barely good. The Service was very good and the ambiance is ok. Probably wont be returning for a while. Too many other places to try

    (3)

  • Colin A.

    Great restaurant in the Quarter. Can feel a little cramped inside, but I've had great service.

    (5)

  • Diane J.

    Read Steven S. review. No need to say more. He has nailed it on the head. You will never go wrong with Irene's. We go everytime we are in town.

    (5)

  • Anthony P.

    " Simply one of the Best Meals that I have had in my life" The Soft Shell Crab, melts in your mouth. The entire meal from start to finish was spectacular as was the Service. There is a reason why there is a line out the door half hour before this place opens and I would wait again on my next visit.

    (5)

  • Alexandria N.

    Phenomenal!! The concierge suggested this restaurant and I'm so happy he did. We got there at 5:00 pm and waited till it opened. We were first in line and once 5:30 came around there were about 15 ppl behind us. Very authentic and professional. The food looks like it came out of a magazine. Probably the most I've ever spent on a meal though. Worth every bite. The waiters were outstanding!!!

    (5)

  • Archie G.

    Why is the line so long for Irene's? Is there free cocaine at the end? No. At the end of line you will find a beautiful restaurant, excellent service, and world class food. Just like the perfect girl, this place is worth the wait. THE DESIRE: I tried to beat the dinner rush and place a reservation. But it was booked full. This place is so amazing you need to make one a week in advance. A week? A whole freakin' week? The only time I wait a week for anything is sex when it's that time of the month. THE SMOOTH TALKING INTRO: Luckily, the lady on the other line sensed my desperation. I sweet talked a little (or in others words, beg and groveled). She said that if I brought my party of eight and came right at 5:05, she would be able to accommodate us. When a woman tells me to come; without fail, I usually do. Sensing an opportunity to impress my boss, coworkers, and important clients; I jumped at the chance to have dinner at Irene's. I was not disappointed. This is the best restaurant I have ever had the privilege of dining in. And I am not exaggerating (like the majority of other Yelpers). Just look at how few 5 star ratings I give out. Men lie. Women lie. But numbers never do. THE FIRST ROUND: When it comes to fine dining, it's about food and the experience. From start to finish, my experience here was perfect. We were greeted with a genuine southern smile, promptly seated at table near a fireplace, and offered drinks by our amazing server, Sunny. I ordered round of Abita beer, a local brew for the tired crew, and we settled into our chairs. THE FLIRTING: Irene's has a very cozy interior that's perfect for any occasion whether it's a business dinner, family gathering, or a romantic date. But it's not a generic ambiance. There is something special about this place. It's sort of like you when you are at a fancy party and you see a pretty girl in a sea of pretty girls. All of them are dressed perfectly, but for whatever reasons she stands out. She's alluring and exotic; but somehow, feels like home. Get it? Don't worry if you don't. My words will never do this place justice. As for the food, the best way to describe Irene's Cuisine is French, Italian, and American food with a New Orleans style twist. Their menu is not found online, as it changes constantly. Even though I tried bites of other people's dishes (and they were all great), I will focus on my own experience. THE FOREPLAY: For starters, I had stuffed mushrooms (awesome), oysters (delicious), and escargot (amazing). Yes, I ate some sautéed snails and they were delicious. I also ordered the soup of the day, which was butternut squash soup with spicy andouille sausage. The soup was smooth and slightly sweet. And the little spicy sausage chunks really stood out. It was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. I guess I like my soup how I like my women. THE BIG DEED: For my main course, I had the Louisiana drum dish topped with crab meat and hollandaise sauce, with a side of string beans. Wow. Every bite was perfect. It was so good, I wanted to call my mama and tell her about it. THE BIG FINISH: For dessert, I had the bread pudding with vanilla bean gelato and cognac sauce. Oh. My. God. I think I just wet my pants thinking about it. THE OBLIGATORY CUDDLE: The best part of the meal was that we all loved it and my boss paid all of us. But truth be told, compared to California, the prices here are surprisingly low considering the high quality food, service, and experience that is offered at Irene's. It comes out to about $30 to $50 per person (not including gratuity), depending on your appetite and dipsomania. When - not if - I return to New Orleans, I will get in line and gladly pay for my own unique experience at Irene's. And I know that just like the perfect girl, it will be worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Seth B.

    This is a great cozy spot nestled in the French Quarter not too far from Decatur street. This is classic NEW ORLEANS Italian with many of the classic dishes infused with Louisiana seafood and love. When you first go in they typically make you have an obligatory drink in the back room but that's ok because a friendly staff will get you that deserved drink right before your seating. I recommend a reservation and lots of things on the menu.

    (4)

  • Muriel L.

    I'm writing this review from memory since it's been a couple of months since we were there. Our driver recommended the place the day we came in but we figured we're from New York where we have so many awesome Italian restaurants there was really no point in going there. We kept passing it every night though and everyone came out raving so we decided we'd try going there our last night. We tried to get a reservation but as my fellow Yelper pointed out their reservation system is total B.S. On our last night we decided to drop by sans reservation and the hostess told us if we didn't mind waiting a bit they could fit us in. She took us to the back where they have people who are waiting to be accommodated and took our drink order. There were quite a few people waiting but lucky for us it was big groups so we didn't have long to wait. She asked if we didn't mind sitting at a little table in the corner out front (we didn't) and we were seated within 10 minutes. We went for the Meatballs as a starter which were okay... I wasn't in love with them. My boyfriend had the Cannelloni al Forno which was quite tasty but my entrée was fantastic! I went with the Crevette which was simply sublime... I nearly licked the plate clean! We were so satisfied with our meal that we even skipped dessert. The mood is romantic yet homey, the staff was precise and friendly and prices were relatively cheap. I was surprised to hear people found them expensive, then again I'm from New York where price is relative.

    (4)

  • Lyle T.

    My first visit to Irene's was such a great success! Our waiter Daniel had a good show. The lamb was amazing. One of the girls at our table had some "special" cocktail that Daniel claimed "this is the only place in the world to make this drink". She loved it. They sang happy birthday to our friend, even knowing that we were kidding about it being her b-day. Kept the energy going and we all had a blast. Closed the place down. Conclusion: Atmosphere-5/5 Service-5/5 Food-5/5 Drink5/5

    (5)

  • Shane D.

    We had 6 in our group for dinner. Atmosphere was great, service was fantastic. Food was out of this world. I had the ribeye (not on menu), and sampled the lamp chops, veal, and chicken from others at the table. All was absolutely perfect. The desserts were just as good, but I preferred the creole cheesecake over the others we ordered. If you eat dinner in the Quarter, you must try this place. Not a tourist trap nor is it a chain restaurant.

    (5)

  • Russell W.

    Irene's is a great experience. I have never had a reservation, but rather shown up when they open at 5:30. As soon as the doors open, the place becomes full. The service is outstanding and not overbearing. On my last trip the Soft Shell Crab was out of season, so I got the filet, which was perfect. The appetizers are also very good. The Oysters Irene taste very fresh with tomatoes and the oysters are not over cooked and covered in stuff. We finished it off with bread pudding, that was great. A great place in the middle of the quarter.

    (4)

  • Molli D.

    The food is delicious. Make reservations far in advance. My only criticism is that it is pretty loud in the dining room and we were packed in like sardines.

    (4)

  • Matthew H.

    Sent there on a tip from a former local. Decor was fun, a bit of a cluttered mish mosh but it worked. Wine list was amazing- from $30 to $1500. Service was good, food was quite good. We were pushed into a corner on a busy holiday weekend, so I think I would have a different impression if I had felt more comfortable. Not that the staff did anything to make us feel rushed or anything, but a busy restaurant isn't always conducive to a relaxing evening. I would go back, and the price seemed in line with the quality.

    (4)

  • Emily T.

    **3.5 Stars** My friend and I spent 6 great days in NOLA earlier this month, and after hearing about Irene's from a carriage driver, we were lucky enough to be walking past a few nights later, at about 5:15pm, just as people were queing up for the first wave of dinner. Perhaps I have been fortunate to eat many, many, many amazing Italian meals. I've been to Italy, My mama is Italian, and I live in Chicago, which is a culinary hub. So perhaps my expectations were a bit too high after hearing everyone proclaim their obsession with Irene's. I mean, even the table next to us was dumbfounded that we had heard of it, and gotten in! Our meal was good, but far from life-changing. And I certainly don't normally eat dinner so early in the evening, so maybe that had something to do with it. In fact, I can't really even remember what I had. We started with oysters and my friend had some fish and veggies, which she liked a lot. Its a very small menu, and I remember that they were out of the softshell crab, which made it even smaller. Still, good, solid food, a funny (and cute!) waiter, and gorgeous Christmas decorations in an intimate setting made this a really nice meal. But if NOLA residents think this is mind-blowing cuisine, they need to come to Chicago!

    (3)

  • Craig H.

    I give 5 stars very rarely. However, this restaurant has it all. From the moment you walk in, you know it's special. The waitstaff are dressed impeccably and are attentive without being annoying. Our server, Seth, was one of the most professional waiters we've ever had. He was knowledgeable, engaging and his food suggestions were perfect. Although the appetizer and entrees were amazing I want to focus on the dessert. It was hands down the best bread pudding I've ever had. Dense but smooth texture, topped with candied pecans, whipped cream on the side, a scoop of vanilla bean gelato on top, with bananas foster surrounding it. The best!

    (5)

  • Alex D.

    This place was amazing! Had the lamb chops and my girl had the lasagne - both excellent!

    (5)

  • Jamie W.

    Everything they say about Irene's is pretty much true. Show up really early or really late to avoid some of the wait, you'll be able to smell the restaurant from a block away and lastly, the food is completely worth it. We've been wanting to visit for years but the thought of waiting in a line for longer than 30 minutes was intimidating. Finally, we decided to brave it. We waited about 45 minutes. The time went a bit faster when they started bringing us alcohol. It was a Thursday night on a non Holiday weekend and the place was still packed! We shared an arugula, artichoke and parma ham salad as well as the house special meatball to start. Amazing. For entrees we shared the osso bucco (the special of the night) and the lasagna. Everything was incredibly delicious. The restaurant itself is cozy. Small but welcoming. You'll feel like you're walking into the back door when you arrive. Don't be intimidated, that's the correct way to go. The staff will make you feel welcome. I've heard about locals being treated better than tourists but either we managed to fool the folks at Irene's or it just isn't true (I think it's the latter). It's not fancy and you can get away with not wearing your best dress. Just don't wear Nike track pants like this one woman we saw. That just saddens me. Bottom line? Completely worth the wait. I'm honestly surprised by some of the less than stellar reviews. We had a great time, the food was the best Italian I've had in a while and we'll definitely be back on our next trip to NOLA.

    (5)

  • Douglas A.

    This was my fifth or sixth time at Irene's. My first time back since Katrina. I was surprised, and pleased, that they now take reservations. I was also pleased that the quality of the food hasn't suffered over the years. I was with a group of five and every dish we ordered was fresh and delicious. The service was good and efficient and the restaurant was very lively. The only problem we had was with one bottle of wine. Our server told us that one of the bottles we had ordered wasn't available and suggested another. He said it was the same varietal at a comparable price. We should have looked at the wine list again and not taken his word for it. When I got the bill the bottle he suggested was $30 more than the bottle we had ordered. The one we asked for was $57, this was $87. That's NOT comparable. It was more than 50% more expensive than the other and we should have been told about the price difference. Other than the one "hiccup" dinner was fantastic.

    (4)

  • Paul B.

    Best lasagna I have ever had. Stellar negronis. I also recommend the soft shell crab and oysters. Tucked away in the back of the quarter, the restaurant had a cool speakeasyish vibe, and a few different cozy dining rooms for you to choose. Reservations are a good idea.

    (5)

  • J C.

    Wow. Holy wow. This is some great Italian food. Small place but adds to atmosphere. They only have 10-15 things on the menu and they have mastered them all. Soup, salads and entrees were all great. They even gave us complimentary bruschetta which was delicious. Staff was awesome. Eat here if you are in New Orleans and if you like good food.

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    First of all, Irene's cooked the best filet mignon I have ever had. If you like steak, get it. You will not regret it. The service is great, the atmosphere is amazing, and their employees are fun. It is small, so get a reservation if possible to avoid a long wait.

    (5)

  • Carla A.

    I loved this place. The wait staff was wonderful. Our waiter was Sonny and he took great care of us. I had the chicken rosemarino and it was absolutely delicious! It melted in my mouth! For drinks, I ordered a margarita and was disappointed they only had Patron tequila. That's why I gave the 4 stars. I recommend this place and ask for Sonny!

    (4)

  • Dan P.

    If I could give 6 stars, I would. Best restaurant in New Orleans, possibly in America. The four of us who ate there all agreed that it was the best restaurant we went to out of the ~12 we ate at during this trip to New Orleans. I had Chicken and Roast Potatoes, a dish as simple as they come. However, this simple dish was as perfect as something so simple can possibly be. Even the roasted potatoes were divine in a way I never thought possible. The service was wonderful too. And the dessert was also amazing. We had the Creme Brulee and Bread Pudding, two New Orleans Standards. The Bread Pudding is the best I've ever had. If you don't go to Irene's when you go to New Orleans, you're missing out on the city's most overlooked gem.

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    Incredible Italian food. Limited reservations and a hot spot for tourists and locals. Best times to go are right at opening or after 7. We got there at 515 to wait for them to open and there was already quite a few people waiting. Got seated right away. Attire is dressy casual, but if you are wearing casual clothes from sight seeing all day they will not turn you away. The lasagna was one of my favorite entrees. The sauce is so fresh. The filet mignon melts in your mouth. The chicken has excellent flavor. The crab cake special came highly recommended, but was not a personal favorite for me. The flour less chocolate cake, bread pudding, and creole cream cheese cheesecake are all delicious, but the cheesecake would be my favorite. Definitely a must stop in New Orleans.

    (5)

  • Melissa D.

    We came in without reservations, and waited about forty minutes in the front room. Fun atmosphere there, with a piano player and drinks served. Unfortunately, the smell of bleach was fairly overpowering. I can think of worse things for a restaurant to smell like, but it didn't exactly encourage my appetite. If I hadn't trusted Yelp reviews so much, I might have left. That was the low point of the evening. The food was indeed quite delicious, and the service was warm and friendly, as well as speedy, considering the crowd. We enjoyed the tasty bread and bruschetta, then the lobster ravioli appetizer, which was flavorful, light, and ample to share for two. Then I had the cioppino (based on Yelp recommendations) and enjoyed it thoroughly. Tons of seafood (I couldn't finish it) and a memorably tasty broth. My husband had a black drum amandine that he liked. This is the kind of Italian I like best -- lots of fresh tomatoes and other ingredients, and not so much garlic that you can't taste anything. Interesting atmosphere. Felt a bit like stepping backward in time about a hundred and twenty years.

    (4)

  • Kate V.

    Add me to the list of people singing the praises of Irene's Cuisine. Reservation - I made a res for a Friday night at 8:00. There was no wait time, but it was also a pre-season Saints game night, so that may have had something to do with it. (An aside to all the people complaining about the wait time here-- you all need better dinner companions to keep you occupied.) We were seated right away. Pros - Our entrees were SUPERB. Absolute perfection. I had a special, the veal chop. Vegetables were expertly cooked. Polenta was both fluffy and firm, also expertly cooked. The veal chop was divine. The doneness-- pink on the inside-- could not have been better. My date had the duck, which came highly recommended by our server. It was possibly the best duck I've ever sampled. Everything else on the plate looked fantastic as well. Cons - The freebie appetizer is kind of baffling. Our server alleged that it was bruschetta, but it was like... Melba toast with a smattering of tomato and cheese. I'm not even going to take away from my overall score on this, though, because the entrees were that good. Also, hey, guys. A proper espresso is served with a bit of lemon zest. You're Italian. Get on that. Worth mentioning - It's loud in here. I was glad we weren't seated next to the live reincarnation of Scott Joplin behind the piano, because that would have been unbearable. Also, the food presentation of the entrees is hilariously regal. My veal chop was served bone-in, and a very long sprig of rosemary was tucked in alongside the bone, making the whole thing look like a roasted pheasant. My date's duck plate was served with a lot of fruit, including a clump of still-on-the-vine grapes. Our dishes looked a little like a Renaissance painting. A+ on the taste, so the presentation was probably overkill... It brought a good laugh, though, so I'm still calling this one a 5-star dining experience.

    (5)

  • Kalen H.

    Best lasagna my wife and I have ever eaten. The service was amazing and the food was delicious and full of flavor. Next time I'm in New Orleans I am definitely coming back!

    (5)

  • Richard Y.

    I had heard how great this restaurant was from a New Orleans native, so we decided to celebrate valentines with a romantic dinner for two at Irene's. We were sadly disappointed. First vibe... Fun, casual, intimate. But....After being sat by a party of 5- our waiter must have thought it was a-ok and fun to continue adding people to this party into a very small space meant for a 4 top until we could not move or even hear ourselves talk. This group got so big (11) and loud, it was like being squeezed into the crowds outside in the parade craziness. Could their ever growing group be moved to a larger area? Several two tops hurriedly ate and removed themselves from the loud chaos. Any initial charm was washed away. I blame the waiter and management, in order to retain the intimate vibe for the rest of us, for not moving this growing group into a larger area. Our service was terrible because of the squeeze. To top it off my dinner marginal. Do not waste your time on the hype of this restaurant. There are many great ones with impeccable service and food right around the corner.

    (1)

  • Johanna C.

    The boyfriend took me here for my first time (his second) as a birthday present. Neither of us is well-to-do, nor do we come from extra-fine upbringings, so it's important to note that while we both enjoy a classy dive, we like it to also not feel like it's something to live up to. On the whole, Irene's provides just that -- class in the comfort of knowing that you're not being watched by anyone other than your very attentive waiter in an atmosphere and decor that is singularly New Orleanian. Among the appetizers we tried, the Oysters Irene are a must, even if you're not a huge oyster enthusiast. Preferring my pasta al dente, the Spinach Ricotta Ravioli is a can-pass, though its flavor (brought out with nutmeg) is wonderful. Likewise, I enjoyed my Crevette considerably more than my date did his Crab Papperdelle, a dish only for hardcore crab eaters, in my opinion. It didn't appeal to me either. But by that time, we had sat through a waiting cocktail in Irene's receiving area, serenaded by a jazz pianist who could have easily been Tom Waits' cousin, and then drunk most of our bottle of champagne while watching our tapered candle taper. Just walk straight back to the back room when you go in. That's where you give them your name, whether you've got a reservation or not. We went on a Wednesday night in the off-season and had a pleasurable wait of 15 minutes. On a Friday or Saturday night between Halloween and Jazz Fest, you might not be so lucky. If you go, go for the ambience first and then the food. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Jim C.

    This was our favorite restaurant in NOLA. It's on an attractive side street in the French Quarter. You walk into the hustle and bustle of one of NO's favorite restaurants. We had a reservation so we had a brief wait in an attractive bar area with an unbelievable jazz pianist playing. Everything was delicious. The spinach and cheese ravioli was so yummy and light with a delectable marinara sauce. The soft shell crab was to die for. I had the ribeye steak with spinach which was tender and cooked to perfection. We finished everything off with tiramisu which was some of the best we have ever had. It's fun, old world, New Orleans-esque. If we were in NOLA for a week, I think we would come here at least twice. Keep in mind that it isn't Italian in the style from Italy. It's definitely a New Orleans version of Italian food but everything is so tasty, light and prepared with some talent and finesse.

    (5)

  • Robert T.

    A great night with Sonny the waiter and everyone else helping out. What a great place with wonderful service. I like when a place has waiters that help each other and the staff make you feel like they like you. The food was amazing... Tomato and Moz salad... Wow Filet mignon was perfect Creme brûlée stunning My wife and I had an almost perfect night. This is a special place

    (5)

  • Jeremy S.

    As I suspected, the more I go to Irene's, the better we are treated. The waiter said it best when he said "...so you know we emotional abuse you with the wait first and then we feed you a meal that makes you forgive us, right?". That was the perfect sentiment. Not only does our waiter tell us what's good, but he remembers what we've had before and will tell us if it isn't the same. There is no bait & switch like you might see elsewhere, and if no other reason than that, i'll tell you that you should suffer the wait and you will be thankful that you did.

    (5)

  • Cyd B.

    We were wandering through the French Quarter in search of something really great and as we were looking at the posted menu outside Irene's, we happen to run into some local regulars, who highly recommended the place. They said that NOLA is not famous for Italian, but that this place gets it right. We were in - except - there was a 90 minute wait. Well, we had a little shopping to finish up so no big deal, we put our name on the list. They do take reservations, and I would HIGHLY recommend making them. We returned a little before the 90 minute mark and ended up waiting another hour. That was the only downfall, the lengthy wait, but we didn't have reservations and they were jam-packed. Even the bar was beyond capacity. When we were finally seated for dinner, the entire experience changed. We were waiting on promptly and personally by our waiter who was very friendly and attentive and checked on us often. He provided us with her personal recommendations which were fantastic. We shared the caesar salad as a starter, then had the roast duck dinner - I have not had duck before, but it was prepared to perfection. Large on bone portions of almost steak-like meat with a raspberry/walnut glaze served over a bed of fresh spinach leaves. For dessert we shared the cheesecake, which was a very welcomed light version served with Grand Marnier drizzled over the top and fresh strawberries sliced over it. The only caution I have about this restaurant - the wait - that's it, make reservations if you can. Everything else is a fantastic experience. They don't do the most amazing caesar salads, but we have not been finding great salads anywhere in NOLA ... yet ... This was the best dining experience in NOLA this trip and would definitely go there again.

    (5)

  • Raffi M.

    It's hard to rate this old school, homey, italian restaurant in New Orleans. On one hand, I was there with someone known to the house. This resulted in over-the-top service, little extras from the kitchen (olives stuffed with veal, FTW) and extra special wine. The dining room, and especially the convivial room with our special table, was a beautiful expression of New Orleans atmosphere. But looking through the jaundiced eye of the average diner, I can't help but observe that Irene's really is a red sauce italian place of fairly pedestrian merit that charges a lot for New Orleans. Don't get me wrong - the food is tasty. I really enjoyed my fried soft shell crab balanced atop some hand made tagliatelle, and the tiramisu was of the kind of that reminds one why that dessert is popular. My friend's cheesecake, though perhaps not "better than anything in New York" as promised, was distinctive and delicious, ricotta undertones and citrus playing off against each other to great effect. But in the end, there are plenty of such restaurants in any big city with an italian population. You go here for the distinctive atmosphere, especially if you're with a regular. The food? Well, it's not really the point.

    (3)

  • Madi F.

    One of the best meals we have ever had! The food was exceptional. The shrimp bisque, crab, fish and pasta all amazing. The cheesecake dessert was unreal. I had to close my eyes to savor the moment...not kidding! So romantic with the candlelight, exceptional service, making being a waiter a profession. I could go on forever. Don't leave nola without eating here.

    (5)

  • Adam T.

    Best Italian place in the city.

    (5)

  • A. B.

    Great atmosphere. Food was incredible. Best lasagne I've ever tasted. Wife had soft shelled crabs and was quite impressed. Good food for the price. Got a little crowded toward the end of our dinner, but that is to be expected at the dinner hour. Still, not so loud you couldn't have a conversation. I'd go back again, without hesitation.

    (5)

  • Cozette O.

    Irene was wonderful and welcoming! The food was amazing .. It was a busy night but well worth the wait for our table !!!! We will be back !

    (5)

  • Sonia R.

    Nice, romantic place. Service was awesome. Food was great. Make reservations!

    (5)

  • A B.

    The rumors about your greatness have been totally TRUE!!!! I had the best Italian food, dessert, and atmosphere. Our waiter was attentive and even recommended a few other choice restaurants in town. Guess what we went to those too and he was right on the money. When next I'm in town me and le boyfriend will be here more than once.

    (5)

  • Pete S.

    The only restaurant I have ever given five stars. My wife and I agree -- the best all around dining experience we have ever had. Food was outstanding and the service was fantastic. OK, so the wait was 90 minutes past our reservation time -- but you are in the quarter, so check in, go outside and grab a hurricane and wander around for an hour and check back in -- it is worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Regina T.

    Delicious, in all ways. The AMBIENCE: Simply lovely, aglow with warm colors, soft light and quaint decor. The tables were small, and spaces narrow, but somehow it didn't seem cramped. It felt like an Italian bistro, where even when conversation drifted over from another table, it was part of the lovely lull of the restaurant. The FOOD: So I was a complete vegetarian at this time, and was concerned when I didn't see anything on the menu. The waiter assured me that he can go talk to the chef, and after a few moments, returned and asked if eggplant Parmesan would be acceptable. Of course, I said yes, seeing that I love me some eggplant. So, I've had my fair share of Eggplant Parm in my days...I don't say it lightly when I declare that this was the BEST Eggplant Parm I've had in my life. Simply the best. The sauce, the cheese, the portions (they were HUGE), the sides, everything was perfect. And they did it off the menu. My partner had a seafood dish (unfortunately, I can't remember what fish it was exactly, but he said that it was very well seasoned and cooked the perfect amount. The STAFF: Attentive, not pushy, helpful, courteous and knowledgeable, even when the restaurant was busy and experiencing a wait. The PRICES: Completely reasonable and affordable, especially for the high quality of food and the portions. I tend to remember and rate only restaurants that I love or hate. I loved, loved, loved this place. I would fly back to NOLA just for that eggplant parm. :(

    (5)

  • Liliane L.

    The service is phenomenal. The friendliness is unmatched. The bartender bought me a couple of drinks and told me the wait would be worth it. Despite reservations, waiting over an hour is not my idea of a good night out. the food was unimpressive. Don't come here hungry!

    (2)

  • Raquel N.

    Went on the recommendation of my sister and could not have been happier. Our group of 12 was well taken care of by Matt, our server, and all of the restaurant's staff. Everyone was focused on make sure our experience was enjoyed by all. The food was scrumptious. The location was ideal, and the decor was quirky and inviting.

    (5)

  • Denise J.

    That's amore! Although Irene's Cuisine has one of the longest wait times anywhere, it is worth it, especially if with great company that one can whittle away your cares with in the piano waiting area. From the moment you are greeted, until you leave, you know their main mission is to please. I so appreciate Southern verified politeness. Grazie for that! There are three separate rooms, all boisterous. It is an almost Northern style Italian menu, heavy for carnivores, but there are not a lot of choices for non-carnivores. The only red sauce dish was an appetizer of Spinach Ricotta Ravioli, three large filled pockets, topped by a quick and tasty tomato, basil sauce topped with a fresh grating of nutmeg and shaved parmigiana. The Fish Meunieire, topped with crab, toasted almond slivers. and browned butter was artfully arranged with a sweet mash, and tiny green beans geometrically framing the potatoes. The Roasted Chicken, on the bone was succulent, with plenty of garlic cloves, kalamata olives, and chunks of potatoes. These classic dishes were sublime. For dessert, we shared "The Mother" of desserts as described by our entertaining serve. It was a flourless chocolate truffle round dressed with fresh whip cream, and sliced strawberries shaped like tiny hearts floating in the creme anglaise sauce encircling the cake. The waiter even encouraged hand holding. It was a romantic evening, as the fast dripping towering taper candle lit up our table and faces with delight. There were even kisses in Italian. Baci, Irene!

    (4)

  • Cathy C.

    Irene's does no advertising since they are so busy with the local residents. We waited for over an hour in their waiting area AKA their garage. The wait was worth every minute! If I had to have one meal before I died, I would definitely go to Irene's

    (5)

  • Amanda S.

    Love this place. Great atmosphere, service and food. You also never know just who you might see. The hubby and I come here every time we visit New Orleans.

    (5)

  • Jullie C.

    Irene's is our new favorite place to eat! We went there just for oysters but we ended having the san francisco pasta, the lamb and 2desserts the truffle and bread pudding. Everything was amazing, service was good and... Everything was perfect! Definitely gonna go back there! It was really really good!

    (5)

  • Jen L.

    I LOVED everything about this restaurant. The food was impeccable, the wait staff was caring (and downright hilarious - looking at you Orlando), and the menu had a lot of variety. Another place I'd lick the plate clean if I was in the comfort of my own home. I'm here for a couple more days and plan to go back at least once! It was a little chilly though so bring something to put over your shoulders.

    (5)

  • Eddie C.

    Now we went to Irene's only because the restaurant I had looked forward to going to the whole time I was at NOLA, Elizabeth's, was closed on Mondays. In addition, I had spent a small fortune for mediocre food at my hotel's dining room the night before because we got in late and I was too tired to go out. Now I walked into Irene's with a chip on my shoulder... Wow was I pleasantly surprised! Irene's is located in a little corner of the French Quarter that is as un-touristy as the French Quarter can be. The decor is traditional French Quarter leaning toward romantic. Irene's didn't take reservations but we were early for dinner and they had a room piano bar where we waited for just about 10 minutes. Now one of the dishes that I love most in NOLA is their charbroiled Oysters. We had them in a number of restaurants in NOLA and I gotta say Irene's was by far the best - the cheese melted and browned just right with sprinkles of crispy bacon. Ok, I'll admit it, I couldn't decided so I also ordered the escargot. Irene's served the escargot sans the shell and with plenty of buttery garlicky sauce - delish. For the main course we had the Cioppino and a local white fish topped with prawns (forgot what the name of the dish was). Both were fantanstic. One thing I hate is over cooked seafood, even just a bit. Many places that served Cioppino over cooks their shrimps and fish - yuck - not Irene's. The shrimps were tender and just right and the fish was soft and flakey. As an added bonus, Irene's is closed to the Spotted Cat - a funky jazz dive and after this great meal, a short walk and good music was just what I needed.

    (5)

  • Annie T.

    1st sit down dinner meal in NOLA. Image this foodie's excitement! Another rec from our fabulous AirBnB hosts. The atmosphere felt very intimate but unpretentious. No dressy outfits required. Our waiter took great care of us. We practically chose our meals based on his recommendation, best sign of a good place (No need to fret looking up on yelp). Reservations are essential. We came a little after the doors open and the place was already packed. We were seated in a separate dimly lit room in the back where we got a glance at a little Gothic chapel behind a curtain. For apps, we shared the mozzarella, cheese and tomato salad.Simple, good and its lightness made room for the entrees. I had the catch of the day which came in a delicious creole sauce. My fiance loved his crispy duck. Decided on the pecan bread for dessert. The food met our expectations and beyond. Sauces were not heavy, flavors were complimentary. Italian done in a creole fashion. Although apprehensive at first, I'm infinitely glad we chose this spot.

    (5)

  • Megan M.

    I ordered the meunière amandine- perfectly prepared, white flaky fish, sautéed in a butter sauce and served with sweet potatoes. It was absolutely killer. The fish tasted like lobster, the sweet potatoes had a perfect creamy texture. Best fish I've ever had. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Steve C.

    Checked out Irene's while celebrating two friend's birthdays in New Orleans. It was HIGHLY recommended by a local who grew up in the area so we knew we had to go. The atmosphere was very intimate (ie: close quarters) and it was hot as heck but we still loved it! Your first impression as you walk in is "do these people know me?". The staff is so friendly. Everyone goes out of their way to welcome you in a very authentic way. Our waiter (Heath, I think) was awesome and very helpful as our group of 6 out-of-townies tried to figure out what to order. We started with a Soft Shell Crab appetizer and Bruschetta. All anyone at the table could say was "wow!" Our dinner orders ranged from the Soft Shell Crab entree to Veal Marsala to a Snapper dish that was one of the evening specials. There was not a single scrap of food on anyone's plate when we were done. All the food was incredible! If I went back and had to order something I did not have this evening, it would be the soft shell crab which is lightly battered and served over a bed of home made pasta with a red Crawfish sauce of some kind. It was the one dish I would have traded mine for!! The evening was wrapped up by an amazing Creme Brulee and some birthday entertainment from a couple of the waiters. It wasn't the typical sing-a-long crap either...very funny but can't share it here. You just had to be there. All in all, it was a magical meal and amazing experience. Be sure to take the popular advice and make a reservation. Even then, you should be prepared to wait a little when you arrive. That may annoy some people but it is worth it so just go with it!

    (5)

  • Billy M.

    Service- Amazing! Food - high quality. Multi level sophistication. Delicious! Setting- varies depending on the room you are in- quaint to romantic. I have been to this restaurant 5 times and I have had a great time every time. Dont let the italian tag fool you, it's authentic New Orleans. I think this trip its a must if in New Orleans!

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Great experience, 20+yr local resident w/ 1st time dining here . 1st class treatment by waitstaff. Made us feel comfortable in a formal environment but courteous & professional to locals & tourists in a wide range of attire. My dining partner, an old neighborhood friend, from our hometown Concord in N Calif, & I enjoyed wines by the glass, Sauv Blanc, French Rose' & Chianti from a compact but well crafted wine list. My meal - soft shell crab appetizer & San Francisco style cioppino - superb. His meal - turtle soup & osso buco - he was raving about it right down to the great tasting marrow in the veal shank bone. Eat early like we did @6pm as it gets crowded quickly even in late Aug. Assuredly, I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Dr. D.

    Great place with lots of NOLA character! Food very good not great.

    (4)

  • Paul S.

    Exceptional food. This was one of the most outstanding meals I have ever had. The duck with andouille sausage was to die for, as was the tomato and mozarrela salad. Did I mention the fish? Wow. If I ever get back to New Orleans, this will be on the top of my list.

    (5)

  • Hernan T.

    Went to Irene's last night and had to wait from 620 to 930 to get seated. What got me was that there were not many people waiting in the bar but people who came after us were seated before. We were always third to get a table. The food was good, but not for that long a wait. They say they have reservations, but I've never been able to get any. This was not our first time at Irene's. But this is the way it is if one is not there when they open at 530. As I said the food is good, but there are others restaurants just as good without the hassle.

    (2)

  • Terry M.

    We got lucky eating here on our first night in New Orleans. We just walked in without reservations on a very cold Thursday evening. We had to wait about an hour before getting seated, It was a very enjoyable with a piano player playing great music the whole time. There are 3 dining areas, the one we were in was had a classic french style dinning room which was a lot of fun. While not the most vegetarian friendly menu, but they did have a least have a fantastic fresh made spinach ricotta ravioli that had a nice spicy kick to it. Also the daily special caprese salad with oven roasted tomatoes, pesto, and toasted pine nuts was a delight. The local drum fish was prepared with a amaretto almond sauce with local yam mash was succulent and devine. Then we ended up having two deserts, a hazel nut truffle and cream cheese cake. Oh my goodness were they good, so rich and incredibly yummy. We over indulged a but it was worth it. Overall a phenomenal meal and first impression for New Orleans.

    (5)

  • Debi S.

    We had dinner with my best friend's husband and his new wife last night. No worries, my friend has an unbelievable relationship with her ex AND she loves his new wife! So, we went to Irene's Cuisine and enjoyed the rag time piano player in the bar while we waited for our friends. The waiter seated us at the "second best table in the house" and we asked "where is the best table?" He pointed across the aisle to a charming lady named Ruth who has been dining here every night for 19 years and she has a plaque on the wall to reserve the table until 6pm. Our waiter, Dan was very funny and entertaining! He told us about the specials and said the best thing on the menu was lamb chops. I said I don't really like lamb chops and he asked "Why not? If you haven't had the lamb chops here then you've never had perfect lamb chops!" So I said "Sold!" and he promised to exchange them for anything on the menu if I took one bite and didn't like it. I started with the bruschetta then followed by a Caprese salad with arugula and pumpkin seeds. It was delish! The lamb chops were excellent as promised with a rich creamy au jus, garlic mashed potatos and haricot verts. I didn't have room for dessert but I couldn't resist the creole cream cheesecake so I asked for one to go. I don't know what took me so long to go to Irene's since I've always heard rave reviews except possibly the idea of waiting for a table and difficult to get reservations. The piano player makes the wait enjoyable and we did get reservations for 6:45 at the last minute on a Monday night. This is one of my new favs in the French Quarter!

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    I'd been to Irene's when I lived here in 1996 and it was excellent then as it is now and maybe even more so now. Friendly attentive service, a little dressy without being too formal. Great date atmosphere. Shared a bottle of the Angeline Pinot Noir, some Escargot and the Oysters Irene's with my dining companions to all our mutual delight. With the complimentary bruscetta we had a good start on dinner. I ordered the special of the evening and super upscale panee'd chicken, a red wine reduction red sauce with porcini mushrooms over al dente pasta. Belissimo! My dining companions savored the Duck St. Philip and the Softshell Crab (Shrimp since the crab was not yet in season) pasta. After our entrees we enjoyed the cheesecake and the chocolate truffle with a glass of the 10 year tawny port. All in all the meal was beyond excellent and reaonably priced with our total bill before tip $190 for the three of us. I will come back again and again!

    (5)

  • E K.

    The service was great, and my entree was worth 5 stars (the duck st phillip). However, my two dinner companions were less than pleased with theirs. The crabmeat au gratin appetizer was overly fishy and practically inedible to all 3 of us. The cannelloni was good, but not mind blowing. The fish special my other guest ordered (can't recall the name) was not what the waiter had described (server failed to mention the presence of crawfish and artichokes!) and thus disappointing. Clearly, I was the only one out of the 3 of us who did my yelp homework to ensure I had ordered well!

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    We always try to get into Irenes when in town,but last few times either lines/wait time were too long,or it was not convenient. This trip (after 3 attempts) to call for a reservation someone actually answered the phone and accepted a 7PM reservation for Friday night.I know how the game is usually played,with an hour wait in the crowed "lounge",but we were seated immediately. I ordered the special Veal Chop-unbelieveably good! Thought about a return visit Saturday! Good experience,great service,and reasonable prices.Not too touristy! Don't tell anyone!

    (4)

  • Dora V.

    Irene's warm, eclectic, lived-in atmosphere dazzles the senses with flickering candlelight and the striking scent of tomatoes and cream. The serious, heart-felt recommendations by locals and the consistently high reviews on Yelp instantly make sense. You are SO ready to get comfortable. You are comfortable already. Irene's is barely off the beaten path, tucked on a quaint street just a few blocks from Bourbon. You will never be sorry you went. Make a reservation. We had one, and were very pleased to forgo the surprisingly large, full waiting room next to the hostess stand. The wait staff all seemed to have fun personalities, and were as welcoming as the rest of New Orleans - ridiculously welcoming. It's easy to get used to. Special shout out to our server Paul, whose hilarious sense of humor had us reeling. We started with the special soup, which was turtle soup. It turned out not to have any turtle in it, and was delicious, if less of an adventure than I expected. We also enjoyed the soft shell crab appetizer, which was flash-fried to perfection, and served simply with butter and lemon. We split an entree from the menu called Cioppino which is like a bouillabaisse, many versions of which are standards of Creole cuisine. It was served over a handmade noodle, wide and thin, with just the perfect amount of bite, the likes of which I have never encountered outside of Asian cuisine. They reminded me of the wide rice noodles used in Thai cuisine for Pad Kee Mao, etc., and I loved them. The tomato-saffron based sauce and combination of seafood that topped those noodles really brought them home. Everything we ate was wonderful. What a meal! I wasn't kidding about the candlelight. Irene's was by far the most romantic atmosphere of any impressive restaurant we tried in New Orleans, and we will never visit the city without stopping there again. Thank you, Irene and family, for an experience worth daydreaming about, and Yelpers! grab your bootstraps and head on over there!

    (5)

  • Dave T.

    Solid 4.5. Excellent food and service. Just go over to the east side of the Quarter and eat here. You will thank me.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    Hello Gorgeous!!! I teach in the French Quarter and have walked by Irene's Cuisine for 4 years. During those walks down St. Philip I have seen the staff clean the exterior daily, I mean scrub the sidewalk folks!! I have been lured by the smell of garlic and other delicious aromas that do not normally waft up one's nose in the FQ. It's what I want my heaven to smell like. I decided that for my birthday I would invite some friends to celebrate it here with me. Upon entering the lounge/waiting area I was a little concerned because there was a rambunctious group of ladies that were so loud I thought my eardrums were going to rupture. I had my fingers crossed under the table hoping that we wouldn't have too long to wait for our reserved table. We ordered a bottle of delicious Proseco and waited 20 minutes for our table. We were seated in the best dining room of the three available, the tables are very close together, I would say the use of space is optimal. The ambiance is romantic and warm. Once seated we ordered the Oysters Irene (superb..order them), the soft shell crab appetizer (fried to perfection), some sort of fall roasted tomato, fresh basil, basil salad deliciousness, Cesar salad, and mussels (perfect) to begin with. Glasses empty, so we ordered two bottles of Pinot Grigio (I believe it's the only one on the menu and very good to great), For our entrees, we ordered the black drum with the almonds and crab meat (wowiezowwie), a pasta dish (very good if you like pasta), and the !!!!!LAMB CHOPS!!!!!!!!. Best little lamb chops I have had in FOREVER. ORDER THEM. For dessert we ordered the bread pudding (slap your mama wonderful), the chocolate cake (my mouth was doing back flips), tiramisu (least favorite but still wonderful), and the cheesecake (holy hell, best damn cheesecake ever). The service was impeccable, not stuffy, extremely sexy, humble, and lovely. The staff addressed me by name the entire night and sang me a beautiful version of Happy Birthday. I had an incredible night. Thank you Irene's. It was worth the four year wait.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Romantic, Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Irene’s Cuisine

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