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The Italian Barrel, New Orleans, LA

The Italian Barrel

4.7 (3617)
$31 to $50
Italian
1240 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 9 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
Tucked at the quiet edge of the French Quarter — just steps from Frenchmen Street and directly across from the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s outdoor stages — The Italian Barrel is often called one of the most romantic and best Italian restaurants in New Orleans. Owned by longtime guests and restaurateurs Lori and Kevin Cates, the restaurant offers refined Northern Italian cuisine in a charming, intimate setting. Founding Chef Samantha Castagnetti continues to guide new menu creations, helping preserve the soul of this beloved local gem. Chandeliers, exposed brick, and white tablecloths set the stage for a leisurely lunch, afternoon aperitifs, or a candlelit dinner. Seasonal dishes are crafted with the finest imported ingredients, paired with a curated Italian wine list and heartfelt hospitality. Our innovative craft cocktails elevate the experience further. Indoor and heated outdoor seating available.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:30 pm Lunch & Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Samantha Castagnetti
  • Catering
    Catering: 504.982.6969
  • Private party facilities
    Private Events:504.982.6969
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    French Quarter
  • Cross street
    Decatur Street/Barracks
  • Parking details
    French Market parking lot located 1 block away on the river.
  • Public transit
    The Riverfront Streetcar stops just one block away
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wine

What 3,617 people are saying

The Italian Barrel reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New Orleans / Louisiana

    Italian

  • New Orleans

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Italian Barrel in New Orleans offers a charming, authentic Italian dining experience with "fantastic food" and "outstanding service." Guests appreciate the cozy ambiance and the attention to detail. While some dishes occasionally fall short, the restaurant is praised for its "exceptional" pasta and delightful cocktails. "Highly recommend" for a memorable meal.
3,617 Reviews
  1. Michael VIP

    New Orleans / Louisiana17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely awesome, as always. This is one of our favorite “Go To” best Italian restaurants in the entire city. Great Service, Great Atmosphere, and always incredible Italian. We just love it ! 
    The Italian BarrelResponded 2 days ago
    Hi Michael, “Absolutely awesome, as always” — we can’t thank you enough for that. It means everything to hear we're one of your favorite go-to Italian restaurants in the city. From the service to the atmosphere to the food itself, we’re so glad it all continues to impress. We can’t wait to welcome you back again soon! Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Owners The Italian Barrel

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  2. JESSICA VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area17 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We visited here in 2020 and it was AMAZING! We decided to come back while here again. Service was amazing but the food was pretty subpar. The table bread and house salad were really delicious, but the entrees were lacking in the flavor we remember. We were pretty bummed when we left. Not sure I would come back, unfortunately, but maybe it was an off day. I had the lobster ravioli special… I couldn’t tell there was any lobster at all.
    The Italian BarrelResponded 5 days ago
    Hi Jessica, Thank you for coming back to see us — and for sharing your honest feedback. We're truly sorry to hear that your meal didn’t live up to the experience you remembered. While we’re glad the service and starters still made a good impression, we understand how disappointing it is when a special entrée falls short — especially one as beloved as the lobster ravioli. Since taking ownership earlier this year, we’ve been working hard to preserve what guests have always loved here, while refining consistency across the board. We’ll absolutely look into your notes and hope you might consider giving us another try — we’d love the chance to make things right. Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Owners The Italian Barrel

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  3. michael

    South Carolina2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Friendly, professional staff. Food was fabulous. Lasagna and veal piccata both delicious.
    The Italian BarrelResponded 5 days ago
    Hi Michael, Thank you so much for the kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the lasagna and veal piccata — both are guest favorites, and it’s wonderful to know they hit the mark. We’ll also be sure to share your compliments with our team — friendly and professional is exactly what we aim for. We hope to welcome you back again very soon! Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Owners The Italian Barrel

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  4. Monique

    Dallas - Fort Worth6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dave and TJ were or servers and did an excellent job! The food is amazing and ambiance is pleasant. Highly recommend!
    The Italian BarrelResponded 4 days ago
    Hi Monique, Thank you so much for the kind words — we’re thrilled to hear you had such a wonderful experience! Dave and TJ will be so happy to know they helped make your evening special. We’re also glad you enjoyed the food and ambiance — that’s exactly the kind of romantic, welcoming experience we aim to deliver every night. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon. Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Owners The Italian Barrel

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  5. Michael VIP

    New York City37 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an amazing little restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we felt like we were home. The staff is incredibly welcoming and attentive. The food was delishous and plentiful. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
    The Italian BarrelResponded 5 days ago
    Hi Michael, Thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt review. “Felt like we were home” is exactly the feeling we hope to create, and it means the world to hear that our team — and the food — made such a lasting impression. We truly appreciate the recommendation and can’t wait to welcome you back again soon. Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Owners The Italian Barrel

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  6. Brian

    Baltimore / Maryland1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service were wonderful, the atmosphere pleasant, the noise level increased over time as the restaurant filled. It was somewhat difficult to hear in conversation for someone with hearing aids. I was very disappointed in the cocktails. They were expensive and very small.
    The Italian BarrelResponded on June 23, 2025
    Hi Brian, Thank you so much for the kind words and thoughtful feedback. We’re the new owners of The Italian Barrel — but longtime guests ourselves — and we’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the food, service, and overall atmosphere. You’re right that it can get a bit noisy as the room fills, and we’re actively working on it. We’ve ordered floor-to-ceiling lined curtains for all the French doors, which we hope will make a real difference in the acoustics. We also appreciate your honesty about the cocktails — we’re in the process of refining that part of the experience and truly value insights like yours. We hope to welcome you back again soon — and next time, we hope it’s even better. Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Proprietors

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  7. Noelle VIP

    New Orleans / Louisiana84 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food is very good. Cheese board usually has imported cheeses. Not this time. But it was very good. Seabass is always perfect. Lobster ravioli special was delicious.
    The Italian BarrelResponded on June 22, 2025
    Hi Noelle, Thank you so much for being a returning guest — and for your kind words about the lobster ravioli and seabass. We’re so glad to hear they delivered. I also wanted to gently clarify that our meat and cheese board still features only imported cheeses, meats, and crackers — that hasn’t changed. My husband Kevin and I recently became the new owners, and while the name on the paperwork is different, the kitchen team, the menu, and everything that makes The Barrel special are staying exactly the same. We love this restaurant deeply and feel honored to be part of its next chapter. We truly hope to welcome you back again soon. — Lori & Kevin Cates Proprietors, The Italian Barrel

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  8. Sean

    Atlanta1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely one of the best Italian restaurants we have ever been to! From the moment we walked in we were treated like family. The service was absolutely top notch and the food was fantastic.
    The Italian BarrelResponded on June 17, 2025
    Hi Sean, Thank you so much for the incredible review — we're honored to be called one of the best Italian restaurants you’ve ever experienced! That means the world to us. We're especially glad to hear JT took such great care of you — he truly embodies the kind of heartfelt service we aim to offer every guest. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to him. It was a pleasure having you for dinner, and we hope to welcome you back again very soon for another special night. Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Proprietors The Italian Barrel

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  9. Daniel, R VIP

    New Orleans / Louisiana2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional service and the food … THE FOOD! 10/10 would recommend
    The Italian BarrelResponded on June 16, 2025
    Hi Daniel, Thank you for the fantastic review — and the enthusiasm! We’re so glad the service and THE FOOD left such a great impression. Hearing “10/10 would recommend” absolutely makes our day. We’d love to welcome you back again soon for another unforgettable meal. Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Proprietors The Italian Barrel

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  10. Michael VIP

    New Orleans / Louisiana18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best Italian food and atmosphere in the city, by far. 
    The Italian BarrelResponded on June 13, 2025
    Hi Michael, Thank you for the incredible compliment — “best Italian food and atmosphere in the city” means so much to us. We’re honored to be your favorite, and we’re so glad you enjoyed your evening here. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another unforgettable experience. Warmly, Lori & Kevin Cates Owners The Italian Barrel

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FAQs

The Italian Barrel offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (504) 569-0198.

The Italian Barrel is rated 4.7 stars by 3617 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New Orleans / Louisiana
  4. New Orleans
  5. French Quarter

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Google Map for The Italian Barrel

1240 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Decatur Street/Barracks
  • Neighborhood
    French Quarter
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:30 pm Lunch & Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    French Market parking lot located 1 block away on the river.
  • Public transit
    The Riverfront Streetcar stops just one block away
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Samantha Castagnetti
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
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