Mona Lisa

A local place that my family has been going to for years and years. Everything on the menu is amazing and hasn't changed for good reason. The atmosphere is great and if you do have to wait they will send you on over to a local place for drinks while you do. Highly recommend the cheese bread that comes with salads and their specialty Mona Lisa pizza.

One of the cutest most memorable restaurants I've eaten at. We drew Mona Lisa's while waiting for the food. Our server was so sweet and funny! You could spend hours enjoying the extremely creative and cozy ambiance! The artichoke dip and meatballs were awesome!!!!!

food was okay. nothing to write home about. however, i was violently ill the next day and i suspect the alfredo may have contributed to it. server was super nice tho and the restaurant is cute. also there was a long wait.

Our server Lindsey was really friendly and the food is super tasty. Definitely recommend and we’ll be returning when we’re next in NOLA. The food came out slow but it’s so good that it’s worth the wait. I can only guess that the wait is because the food is being carefully and freshly prepared! The host was also really friendly, he advised us to visit the bar opposite while a table became available and even came across the road to get us when one was!

It is a very original restaurant with great food and amazing staff right in the French Quarter. I had craved spinach dip all day long, and theirs was so good. As we were leaving, there were two women looking through the windows. They happened to be locals and told us that the owner had passed away not a long time ago. Made us appreciate our experience even more.

Stopped here randomly while on vacation. I loved it! We all really liked the food. The atmosphere is wonderful. The females in our party did get leered at by a rando drunk dude, but it is New Orleans. I'm pretty sure I got leered at by some drunk dude at some point, and I'm an unattractive 50 year old man. Anyway, that has nothing to do with this restaurant. The place is fairly small but they have enough space that we got seated instantly and I didn't see anyone that had to wait very long to be seated. Our food did take a little while to come out, but no longer than I would expect for how packed they were. During our wait we got to look at all the wonderful art work on the walls and were not put out at all. My wife said the lasagna was very good. My alfredo was delicious. The kiddos said the pizza was very good. We got refills in a timely manner and everyone was friendly. We would stop here again if we are presented with the opportunity. How can you NOT enjoy your meal while looking at an amazing rendering of "Mona Lisa Rex"???

A small but very well run restaurant that serves fantastic Italian food. Possibly the meatiest red sauce I have ever had. The perfect seasoning to completement the dish. The prices are very reasonable, especially for the portion size. The wine prices are also very reasonable.

I like design and atmosphere! But I need to taste different pizzas couple more times. Nevertheless don't expect an Italian pizza here. It is completely different, you can even find a pizza with pineapple here.

Highly recommend the Mardi Gras pasta! The wait was worth it for Super Bowl weekend. Will be back tomorrow!

Great hidden gem here in New Orleans. Staff was extremely friendly, the decorations are unique and charming. Crayons on the table? So fun! Food was of course great, and a great value at that! We'd totally go back! :)

Was visiting NOLA from Boston and craving Italian. Mona Lisa gets great food reviews on Yelp and we were told by local residents how great it was. We waited in line about 40 minutes in anticipation. We were warned the host/owner could be salty, but I thought he was just a character dealing with crazy patrons, many of whom arrived intoxicated after the Saints game. #IYKYK. Anyhoo, the vibe is great--love the interior, though dimly lit (dark photos). The food is fresh and homemade. But Italian is regional and I wasn't a super fan of the style overall. It was good. The bruschetta was atypical: thin slices of toasted bread served with a cooked tomato compote of sorts. Very flavorful but unexpected from the fresh diced tomatoes I was hoping for. My friend had the chicken parm. She did not care for the chunky-style tomato sauce. I tasted the chicken which was spot-on. I had the Bolognese, which was more of spaghetti tossed in ground meat. I yearned for more red sauce. It was tasty, but needed a saucy coating. The star of the show was the panna cotta with delicious berry compote. The pizza looked good. Maybe I didn't order the right thing?

I've always had an amazing meal here. Always fast and friendly service. Tonight was no exception. The most delicious spinach lasagna I've ever had. Love this place so much!!!!!

Friendly service, romantic ambience, and a nice spot in the French Quarter marks this place as a great date night location. Food-wise, the spinach dip with bread was good. The Mona Lisa pizza did it's job as pizza, nothing more to it. However, the pasta bolognese felt a bit undersauced and a bit plain? I think I expected a bit more. Still, this place is cute, quirky, and romantic, with great service and good food to try out.

Visited this charming, family-run Italian restaurant with a group of five colleagues. It's a cozy, hole-in-the-wall spot that exudes a homey atmosphere. While the beer and wine options are limited, the selection was perfectly adequate for our group. I tried the lasagna and bruschetta, and both were outstanding--easily the best I've ever had. Although the service was a bit slow, it's understandable given the small, packed dining area and the intimate, family-oriented vibe. The portion sizes were generous, almost family-style, so I'd highly recommend opting for a shared meal if you're dining with a group. Overall, a wonderful experience that's perfect for a relaxed, communal dinner.

I loved this restaurant! My boyfriend and I were in NOLA to celebrate my birthday and, honestly, we didn't have many great food moments. We came to Mona Lisa based on the recommendation of a bartender at a local bar; so happy we did! The vibe is fantastic, service was superb (shout out to Raven!) and the food was delish. If I lived in NOLA, I'd for sure be a regular. 5/5 highly recommend.

First time visitors coming for a late night dinner Very busy place, expect a 45 min to hour wait Though everyone was friendly and upbeat! There is Mona Lisa decor everywhere whether it's mockery, something hand drawn, or history related. You are also able to draw on the table with crayons for amusement. Server was watching assisting multiple table but quite friendly and informative and checked up on us multiple times. Mainly Italian food but it was fresh, generous portions, reasonable pricing, and darn right tasty! I had the seafood pasta with extra garlic - so good and best part it did not leave you waddling like a penguin upon consumption. Flavorful, cooked perfectly, and not Overpowering. The calzone can easily be shared as an appetizer (well All dishes are very shareable!) Great spot for date night, friends outing, dine solo, and people walk watching galore!

Love love love Mona Lisa - only one minor complaint is that they are dinner service only. Everything else is perfect! Casual atmosphere yet a great place for a romantic/fun date night. We always start with a bottle of wine, great selection and not all too over the top expensive. We have worked our way down the menu and have enjoyed every dish. On our latest visit we each had a side salad and split a small pizza which was plenty for two. Side salads are simple but come with a yummy slice of cheese pizza. The pizza has a delicious crust and toppings, just enough cheese and great tasty sauce. If you order too much it reheats really well the next day which I can't say the same for all pizza. Stop by enjoy the atmosphere and delicious food, stay for dessert.

Such a great find. Small place but a great vibe. We tried several different items and everything was amazing. Our server was attentive and friendly. Definitely will be back next time we are in town.

Mama mia! This little mom and pop place is all that and then some! We were craving Italian food while visiting New Orleans and stumbled upon this hidden gem. The inside is quaint and quiet, it's like visiting your grandmas house at the holidays.. light chatter buzzing around you but nothing loud or intrusive. Our waitress was fantastic and took great care of us, we ended up ordering a pizza and pasta, both of which were absolutely fantastic and tasted home-cooked ! I love that they have the paper tablecloth on the table for you to draw on, it brings back nostalgic memories of being a kid for me and my husband and I had a fun time drawing and playing tic-tac-toe. Will absolutely return next time we're in NOLA! Ciao!

Loved this place. Great dinner spot. Was in line at 5PM ready to go. There was a long line when we left. I kinda like the no reservation policy. Food was delicious. Wine was great. Prices were very fair. Service and workers are very friendly. Split pasta, salads, garlic bread and pecan pie. Bottle of white. Recommend all of the above.

Talk about a memorable experience while visiting New Orleans! This is our second visit and just a few days to the Mona Lisa, why, because the food is amazing! In fact, I don't know if it's the food, the atmosphere, or the incredible kindness you feel the moment you step in? I highly recommend, that you come here often, so that you can test more of this menu, I have a funny feeling you might love the baked ziti as well!

Mona Lisa has been around for 20+ years and is loved by locals. There is not a lot of seating, so be prepared to wait, and when you are seated you might be squished in to a small table. But all this is well worth it as they have the best chicken Parmesan And their shrimp Alfredo is absolutely divine. As an added bonus, you also have an eclectic selection of Mons Lisa inspired art all over the walls for your enjoyment.

A great and, unusually, a very interesting restaurant. Great because it's great Italian food at distinctly moderate prices. Interesting because, beyond the fun decor (all Mona Lisa), the vibe was quite singular: totally unhurried, calm service yet nevertheless is prompt and efficient. It was wonderfully relaxing and made me realize how frenzied most popular restaurants are. I suspect a key source of this calm is the iron discipline of the much-criticized maitre'd (see other reviews) in only seating as many customers as could be served well. Yes he is a piece of work but get over it. As he would probably say. He did a great job and we had a great time. As did the staff from what I could tell. It goes with saying, but I must, that the food was great too.

Awesome experience. Intimate and not pretentious spot where you can expect quality food and service. Prices are not inflated due to area. The person we presumed to be the owner was pleasant and engaging. My linguine clams with red sauce were excellent. Husband said his lasagna was exceptionally tasty but a tad cool near middle. Highly recommend.

Overall, a friendly place to get good Italian food. The lasagna is hearty - deceiving on how much is in there, but you get a nice blend of beef, cheeses, pasta and flavorful sauce. We had both side salads, which were good to help balance everything out. Garlic bread was essentially just bread - good to get if you want more to dip in the sauces, but not worth ordering otherwise. Just know that it is kind of tight quarters in there, and as other reviewers mention there is an older guy (the owner? manager?) who was always seemingly wandering around and pretty much oblivious to everything else around him beyond what was exactly in front of him. That was the only annoyance (and not overly bothersome) thing in our whole visit while in town. Arrive at Mona Lisa between 5-5:30, or after 8 to avoid longer wait times. Fun place for a meal.

Found this spot driving the street of French quarters. Decided to give it a go...guess what? Delicious...started off with some refreshing tea, which good tea is hard to come by if you ask me but ahh! Next, Cesar salad along with some cheesy bread. A bit too much dressing on Cesar for my taste but tasty nonetheless. Main meal... 14" pepperoni pizza with a Spaghetti and meatballs. Delish!!! I personally like the slightly burned peps on the pizza so that was a hit for me. Meatballs were right size and flavor along with sauce. Don't pass it by.. Cute and cozy indoors. Will visit again soon

We just happened upon this gem, and glad we did. The food was delicious and the service friendly. Not the usual NOLA touristy spot.

A cute place with pictures of Mona Lisa everywhere. Fresh Italian cuisine. Every thing was tasty and came out pretty quick. Yummy desserts as well. Staff was so friendly. Would totally go back.

Probably the best dining experience in Nola Food was fantastic- Prices were great and the staff was wonderful Chicken Parm was delicious!

A really charming spot with a cozy Italian vibe. The pasta was homemade and packed with flavor. Service was friendly, and it's a great place for a relaxed, comforting meal. Definitely recommend for Italian food fans!

Stopped here with a friend to have dinner and I had a wonderful lasagna with salad. The lasagna was large with a great red sauce. I remember the original Mona Lisa on Rampart and I have to admit the food is great if you are looking for non gourmet Italian that wont break the bank in the quarter.

The owner is a hoot. He thinks Memphis BBQ is superb to KC. Other than that his Italian food is fantastic. Great service and fun atmosphere. Highly recommend.

A New Orleans staple for Italian-American cuisine located in the beautiful and quiet Lower French Quarter. Being only a block from historic Bourbon Street, Mona Lisa has served as a neighborhood staple for more than 35 years. Like many others in the french quarter, this building has had many uses in the past. It has once served as a cigar shop and machine-works building, the current incarnation still retains many of the features of its colorful past. This restaurant screams Italy the second you walk in! From the red and white checkered tablecloths to the red cafe curtains in the front windows, the decor definitely brings me back to past dining experiences throughout Italy. An impressive food menu paired with an extensive wine menu, equals a perfect dinner. Starting with the unique appetizer menu, the traditional garlic cheesy bread served with the their rich house marinara was a great start. After all who, besides a vampire, doesn't LOVE a combination of garlic and cheese?? So many entrees and so little time! Naturally I had to experience their freshly prepared lasagna, which comes smothered in just the right amount of that wonderful house marinara sauce. Naturally they add a few slices of fresh bread to ensure none of that house marinara goes to waste. Clearly an excellent choice! The rich saucy red goodness, combined with the fresh cheeses and seasoned meat really satisfies the palate. This is a place where you take advantage of those staples of Italian cuisine when you spot them, if only I had more time for one of their cannoli's.... Oh well, maybe next time. Cheers!

The food was amazing. It was the best lasagna I have ever eaten. We ordered a side of garlic bread. It was okay. We waited 45 minutes for a table and probably another 40 minutes for the lasagna and garlic bread. So, if you come give yourself lots of time to enjoy the food. Everyone in line said it was worth the wait and we agree!

Great pizza. Great pasta. Great service. Great art. Great humor. No calamari .

From the entrance is just a good spot. The owner is just too much of his from his attitude to just being a my boyfriend tried to get me a table for my birthday today of all days and try this spot for spaghetti. Waited for over an hour for this old rat owner tell me to CHILL or i will not get a table. THE OWNER IS A REAL A$&HOLE. He also said to CALL ME afterward PERV and still didn't tried it. Too bad, just try A different spot!!

This place is so unique, such a vibe. Can't believe I haven't visited before now. The prices are great, and the quality of food is great. We had the spinach dip, bruschetta, pep pizza for the table amongst our entrees. I must say the way the bruschetta is displayed was so different and it was so freaking delicious. Sweet with that balsamic glaze hint. The seafood pasta was great as well.

A busy fun small Italian restaurant! We put our name on a list and waited 45 minutes for a table. During our wait we had a drink at the R bar down the street! It was well worth the wait! This place has a lot of character with Mona Lisa the star! We bought the bottle of Pinot Grigio for a steal and ordered the Pasta with meat sauce! It doesn't come with bread but that was fine, more room for dessert which was the cheesecake with caramel. Our waitress was sweet and funny!

Humble little Italian joint near some sights we wanted to see in NOLA. The service was friendly and fast. Food was basic Italian, which you really cannot go wrong. We enjoyed all the Mona Lisa Art.

What an amazing restaurant! Food is superb and the ambiance is so wonderful and unique. Super friendly too! Highly recommend if you are craving some yummy Italian food while in New Orleans!

Cozy Italian Restaurant, delicious menu and friendly staff situated on Royal St in the French Quarter.

Ahhhh, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa..... So glad I stopped in for their eggplant Parm! I kept passing this place and saw them in 2019 but never stopped in. I had a great meal! The eggplant was really good! Better than average! The vibe inside was great too! Super good for single person, friends, date night and family time! And for the French Quarter, the prices were really good! The service was also great! Fun Tip: Make sure you walk by the restaurant during the day time to see what funny saying or quote they have posted! Cleverly done and part of what drew me in to eat there. I will def be back again when I go back down!

Wow! This was already reputed by Yelpers to be good, but even with my heightened expectations, it was great! The male Empress of a certain age who greeted us at the door had an air of Southern gentility combined with judginess that we eluded because we had our Covid vaccination cards and masks, thank you very much your majesty. The house salad was modest in size but good, the slice of garlic bread that accompanies the salad was amazing! We had a small pizza as an appetizer, it was literally the best pizza ever! And I have eaten alot of pizzas! The eggplant parmesan was perfect, crafted by intelligent hands. Eggplant can be either too green or too ripe, this one perfect!

Delicious food and good wine menu. Great service and atmosphere. Knowledgeable servers.

The host was incredibly curt and rude. used profanity. the lasagna was luke warm at best and the most flavorless I've ever eaten. a total disappointment. a definite NO would not recommend

Service & ambience was on point. The food was just okay. We enjoyed the spinach dip. The Mardi Gras pasta was okay.

Food was wonderful. Service great. And all the Mona Lisa art was a hoot. We had garlic bread, olive tapenade, meat lasagna and veggie lasagna. Everything was super yummy. The olive tapenade is heavy vinegar so be warned. The lasagna was served hot with loads of cheese. Um um good. This place is worth the stop.

Food was excellent. Great Italian food and I eat at North Beach San Francisco on the regular. This is a fantastic "Hidden" gem. Great ambience, service and food.Highly recommend!!!

Came for our last dinner in New Orleans. We had a salad, stuffed mushrooms and a pizza. All the food was very good. Stuffed mushrooms were on the small size but tasted great. Small, cozy Italian place. Recommend.

I absolutely love this place. The Alfredo pasta is superb. All of the appetizers I've tried have been great as well, especially the spinach dip and the tapenade. I did not care for the pizza. To be fair, I've never had good pizza in my years in New Orleans. I don't believe it exists here. The pizza here is no exception. They serve wine but they do not make cocktails or other mixed drinks. The decor inside is fabulous and fun. It is extraordinarily cramped. If you are super paranoid about the virus, you're not going to be comfortable here. The staff is great though, and the owner is a character. They always have a politically charged message taped to the window during off hours. It's always busy. I don't believe they take reservations. You have to show up and be patient. This is definitely more of a local's place than one for tourists.

The best French Quarter restaurant for pasta, pizza and salad. Quaint with great artwork. I would highly recommend Mona Lisa to anyone who wants to have truly delicious food in a restaurant that has proven its self year after year.

This is based on it's price point. At $15 entrée, super fair for New Orleans. Had the: Bruschetta : different but good Bolognese: very good, Bolognese was very good, the pasta was perfectly cooked.

This is a nice little mid-range Italian joint in the Quarter that leans towards a bit of a dive ambiance with a smattering of hipness mixed in with an obsession of all things Mona Lisa. This joint has a wonderous variety of different interpretations of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa with a huge number of variations on the original painting that are great fun to enjoy which adds a great deal of fun ambiance to this restaurant. Mona Lisa Restaurant offers a very good lasagna along with other nice pastas and pizzas. They have nice salads and their house feta vinaigrette is very similar to the one at Vincent's Italian and is quite tasty. They have a good adult beverage menu which has some nice prices on their wine offerings. You generally get good value for your money here and the portion sizes are typically very generous in the old school New Orleans tradition. If you're in the mood for Italian food in the French Quarter this is probably one of the most affordable places that does consistently good food. Overall you will have a hard time walking away hungry from this establishment and you should be in a great mood from enjoying all the many versions of Mona Lisa here. My video review of Mona Lisa Restaurant is here: https://youtu.be/NT_7C9FqM74

This is a beloved neighborhood spot with consistently good food and a cozy atmosphere. It's the place to go when you need comfort food, a glass of wine, and pleasant people watching. Also, I stop to read their funny signs commenting on local news and such every morning on the way to work and it makes my day a bit brighter. Mona Lisa is really a part of the community.

We had a salad and seafood pizza. Both were amazing! Service was great. A great little gem we stumbled upon!

From the moment we arrived and encountered Farrow, one of the owners, we knew we were in for a fun dinner. He was quite witty and very funny. Raven was our server and she was very attentive and on the ball. She gets an A+! The Bruschetta, Caprese & Garlic bread was delicious! I loved the interior with all the "Mona Lisa" decor! I highly recommend this place!

We eat at Mona Lisa often. The food is fantastic. Tom creates magic in the kitchen. Lindsey is our favorite server. She is professional, attentive and super sweet. While the food and service are top-notch, our favorite reason to go there is for Farrow, "The cranky old white man at the door" as a few reviews have mentioned. He is hysterical and super witty. We laugh the whole time we are there. Great food, super service and a floor show. How could you ask for more?