Nino's

Very sophisticated delicious flavors. Excellent waiter, well informed and made the dining experience a delight. The free bread and oil was nice, then the appetizer was great. The soup sounded odd but somehow the combination of items became a magical dance for the tastebuds. My entree was so good I wish I had more. Desert was outstanding especially the lemon curd thing with a fruit sauce .

We visited Nino’s for the first time to celebrate our granddaughter’s birthday, and it was a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was charming—small, intimate, and inviting. Our table enjoyed the Bolognese, Puttanesca, and Chicken Scallopini. The Bolognese featured a light red sauce with perfectly seasoned meat, while the Puttanesca was bright and savory, highlighted by a touch of spice from the Italian sausage, along with briny capers and olives. The Chicken Scallopini was a standout—tender, juicy chicken in a light cream sauce with a delightful blend of seasonings. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles, and the service was attentive and flawless. Nino’s has quickly earned a spot as one of our favorite Italian restaurants.

Visited celebrating my birthday. There was a Happy Birthday card on the table which was really thoughtful. Their bread and oil was delicious. I could have eaten it all night. Drink was a French martini and was a nice lightly sweet drink. Appetizer was prosciutto flatbread. Pretty good. I had the steak special that night which was ribeye with a broccoli and Salami pasta. My steak came out medium rare instead of medium. The pasta was a touch salty from the blue cheese sauce and the Salami. The other people in my party had the bolognese, lombardia, and chicken scallopini. The bolognese was dry, and noodles were leaning towards gummy. The lombardia was also dry. The chicken dish was good and satisfying.

A must-visit Baton Rouge gem—flavorful, warm, and full of soul. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was cozy and welcoming. Our server, Zach, was an absolute standout—friendly, attentive, and made us feel like we were regulars. We started with the bruschetta, and listen… I wasn’t prepared. This wasn’t just toasted bread—it was grilled, layered with roasted red peppers, perfectly melted cheese, and a thick cut of pancetta. It had the spirit of pizza and the elegance of a handmade appetizer. See the photo—your soul will feel it before your fork does. For dinner, I had the baked ziti, and it came fully loaded with Italian sausage and zucchini—a hearty, flavorful twist I didn’t expect but fully appreciated. Not overly gooey, but baked just right with a crispy top and bold flavor in every bite. My husband had the chicken carbonara and a house salad, and he was impressed. The pasta was creamy and balanced, and even the salad came through with freshness and flavor. Service? 10/10. Food? Thoughtfully crafted. Experience? Absolutely returning. If you're near Bluebonnet Blvd and craving food that feels like a hug from someone who actually knows how to cook—this is the place. 💯

We got there right when they open I was able to be seated immediately. I recommend getting reservations because it did get packed fast. The server was really good. She was extremely knowledgeable of the menu and was extremely attentive. If you like good Italian food definitely come by and give him a try.

Update… Molto bene! Round two… under new ownership. Wonderful turnaround, well on their way to regaining the title of Baton Rouge’s go-to Italian restaurant. You can feel the new attention to detail when you enter. The service, food and wine list are on point. Are server Davin, was very knowledgeable and helpful navigating us through the menu and specials. Many of the traditional offerings remain, but with much better quality. Changes or substitutions were not a problem. Starting with house-made sourdough bread, EVO & Parmesan followed by a very fresh Caesar salad. The blackened drum/tapenade accompanied by shrimp & pasta was very nice. Very nice experience. Kudos to the new owners for reading old reviews and inviting us back for a new and much better experience. Thanks Shannon. Very excited for our first visit to what was touted as the best Italian restaurant in Baton Rouge. I must say that I was more than disappointed. The service was so so, the restaurant is small sparsely decorated and the food was hit or miss. They do have a nice concise wine list. My wife had a spicy pasta dish that she enjoyed. I however, had the Pescatore which consisted of Gulf shrimp, mussels, fish of the day, sea scallop and lump crab tossed in citrus herb butter and marinara on fresh pasta. I added the spinalis dorsi ribeye cap steak, known as the most tender cut of steak. The dish was all over the place… the fish was excellent and the mussels were good. However, steak was tough and chewy, the pasta was ok and the scallops actually had an off taste and were probably not fresh. After eating the scallops I could not finish my meal. Very disappointing. Definitely not on my BR favorite list.

Everything was amazing! It’s a small place so pretty intimate and the literal only drawback of the night was that it can get a little noisy when every table is filled. Everything else was phenomenal. Drew, our waiter was soo nice and very informative. The service was top notch. So many people coming to the table for waters, clear plates etc. they apologized for a delay we didn’t even realize had happened. I think the manager (a red haired lady) was at our table multiple times helping. She was so nice. Now the food was amazing! Homemade everything. We got the burrata caprese, Ninos Caesar salad, Cap ribeye special with pesto rigatoni and the pescatore pasta. Can’t say enough about how good everything was! The Dressing on the salad was out of this world. You can really tell it’s all made from scratch. The fish, shrimp, mussels and scallops were cooked perfectly. The steak was delicious and the homemade pasta was incredible. We got the chocolate decadence cake for dessert and it has a little hint of chile that really warms your throat at the end and was surprisingly nice. So glad we tried it finally! The price was $144 with tax for 2 apps, a bottle of wine, 2 entrees and dessert. Not bad at all. Best Italian in Baton Rouge by far. We will definitely be back

My girlfriend recommended this place because they make everything by hand. Not only was the food out of this world and very sensational, but the wine had such exotic flavor to it that I had to ask the waitress where did it come from and the variety of selection is in Santa Rosa Pa robes, Santa Barbara in Napa County!

We have been here three times since the new ownership and we will be back again! Shannon was very helpful in assisting me with getting a table on a busy Saturday night. The atmosphere is great and the food is even better!

Well apparently 11 years ago me went to Ninos for restaurant week with my sister too! I believe Nino's has had some ownership changes since then but I can attest these owners and staff are so eager to please! The owner came up to our table when we first sat down for lunch and talked us through the restaurant week menu - I'm so glad because we took her suggestions and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Our selections: 1. Carabaccia - an Italian French onion soup. Amazing. My favorite is the very thought out way that the toast was on top rather than soggy in the soup. Genius. 2. Croque Milano - good but I think the pesto overpowered the sandwich. Reallllly enjoyable the next day. Dipping sauce for the gnocchi was 10/10 but wanted a little more pop of flavor from the gnocchi itself. 3. Fruit tart and zucchini bread - fruit tart was perfect because I love a fruit tart and when it's well executed it's amazing. This zucchini bread though was elite. Definitely toasted in a little butter before serving. So. Good. I'll definitely be back and I love that they are open for lunch now!

Everything here is freshly made and delicious . We went on a Weds evening. We had a friendly, very good server. The chef made duck confit- excellent. I couldn't finish my gnocchi- Hubby got a seafood dish. He said it was delicious. This was our first time here... we will return. Oh, their margarita is made with freshly squeezed lime juice. Yummy!

Best Italian food in Baton Rouge Bread and pasta made from scratch and wonderful customer service

Cozy place for a romantic date night. All of our dates here have been phenomenal. The gnocchi & tiramisu are my favorites, but all of the pastas we have tried have been amazing. Make sure you get a reservation before going or you may be stuck sitting at the bar. My boyfriend and I have been going here since he took me here for our 1 year anniversary when we were in college. We have even come back up from New Orleans to dine here since we moved. 10/10 spot!

Atmosphere was great. Service was excellent - Drew was knowledgeable and attentive! The food was OUTSTANDING!! The Shrimp Cakes appetizer is a must!

Everything was amazing! It's a small place so pretty intimate and the literal only drawback of the night was that it can get a little noisy when every table is filled. Everything else was phenomenal. Drew, our waiter was soo nice and very informative. The service was top notch. So many people coming to the table for waters, clear plates etc. they apologized for a delay we didn't even realize had happened. Now the food was amazing! Homemade everything. We got the burrata caprese, Ninos Caesar salad, Cap ribeye special with pesto rigatoni and the pescatore pasta. Can't say enough about how good everything was! The Dressing on the salad was out of this world. You can really tell it's all made from scratch. The fish, shrimp, mussels and scallops were cooked perfectly. The steak was delicious and the homemade pasta was incredible. We got the chocolate decadence cake for dessert and it has a little hint of chile that really warms your throat at the end and was surprisingly nice. So glad we tried it finally! Best Italian in Baton Rouge by far.

Amazing flavor and so fresh. BEST Italian. Super small, with a cozy atmosphere. Definitely recommend

Our server Drew was phenomenal and very knowledgable! The food was fantastic and the cocktails were quick to come out, definitely coming back!

Our first trip to Nino's certainly will not be our last! You can't go wrong with seasonal, farm to table ingredients and top notch service. We felt welcomed from the second we arrived and were impressed by the attention to detail and quality of the food throughout our entire meal. The food and service were impeccable and we can't wait to visit again!

We once again enjoyed a spectacular meal at Ninos. The chef accommodated my selection for Pescatore which was off the lunch menu and he did not disappoint. The meal was simply and absolutely delicious. Service and ambience were perfect

Why haven't we eaten here before? The service is the best, Paige was so friendly and nice to chit chat with us. Anything on the menu is so fresh. We had the burrata and it was amazing. I had the cap steak special and my husband had the fish and seafood pasta. My spicy gouda pasta was the best I've ever eaten. Make reservations and go!!

After hearing nothing but amazing things about Nino's I finally had the chance to go for a recent birthday dinner. As others have noted, they strongly recommend making a reservation. I was able to make a reservation for 2 a week ahead of time, although I'll note there were several tables that sat empty while we dined. It also looks like they offer takeout if you're not able to secure a reservation and still want a delicious meal! Everything from start to finish with our dinner was absolutely fantastic - drinks, house-made table bread, appetizer, entrees, and dessert. I appreciate that everything was house-made, including the tiramisu which is to-die-for (I would go back just for that). Our waiter (Daven) was fabulous, described the specials in great detail, and made tasty recommendations. I'm looking forward to having another reason to go back (although why do I need a reason to eat delicious food?!). The restaurant itself is small and cozy with just the right level of ambiance music playing in the background.

What an absolute pleasure to dine in this intimate and inviting restaurant! When we first walked in, I wondered if the noise level would be distracting because every single table was occupied. Once seated, I was pleasantly surprised that the feeling was just one of many people enjoying being treated with care and enthusiasm and enjoying the company of others. What a lovely place for a date, a celebration or a weekly night out just because. Jeremy was our server and he was knowledgeable and gracious and knew just when to step in with a suggestion or to serve our orders. I started with a delicious cocktail served in a beautiful glass and then had a glass of Cab with my meal. Our food was beautifully plated and perfectly prepared. We enjoyed the Burrata with warm olives, Bolognese, Slow Braised Beef Cheeks and Tiramisu. All perfectly delightful; rich and decadent without being overly heavy. I can't wait to return to Nino's soon to try other culinary pleasures on the menu!

We had been meaning to try Ninos for a long time and the only thing that we are upset about was that we didn't go sooner. From the moment we walked in the Hostess (Alysia?) set the mood, making us feel almost at home and put us at a great table in the charming intimate space. The wait staff was moving quickly but wasn't intrusive and the signature drinks were top notch... the Bartender even took the time to bring one to us which was nice. The owner even stopped by and took what I'm sure was more time than she had to talk to us about what seemed to be her pride and joy while genuinely seeking feedback. The food fully exceeded expectations and the buzz that we've heard. I had a perfectly prepared Fillet expertly plated with amazing sides, my wife had the Porchetta and it was even better than my entree! We finished with their Tiramisu that was delightful and made a fitting finish to a pefect experience. 10 out of 10... Will be back.

Food was phenomenal, very flavorful and fresh. You can taste that everything is homemade and very well thought out. The service was also so refreshing and everyone was very nice. Best place for a romantic Italian date night in BR.

If you want handmade pasta in Baton Rouge I'm pretty sure this is the only place you'll find it! And they do not disappoint. Dishes are inventive and thoughtfully prepared. The place is so small so you have a very intimate dining experience, which is really nice. Service is always great. This is the nicest Italian restaurant I believe that Baton Rouge has to offer. Highly recommend for your next nice dinner out!

You will not get any better fresh Italian food in Baton Rouge or nearly anywhere we have been. You can taste the freshness in every bite. Every dish is so well balanced and flavorful. Whether it is white sauce or red sauce doesn't matter. My absolute favorite in BR! And the drinks are amazing too!

Delicious food and amazing service! Our food was so good. Service was quick and the waiter was so friendly. He helped us decide what meal we should get because EVERYTHING on the menu sounds delicious. This restaurant has such a small romantic vibe. Lovely for a date night. We will be back!

INCREDIBLE!! it's hard for me to find a restaurant in BR that doesnt make me feel sick after eating. Ninos has gained our trust over and over. They are one of the only places in BR that does true farm to table, fresh, house-made ingredients - and you can tell!! New owners are incredible people. you can tell they are giving their all to this restaurant. Love love love this place.

Genuinely might be my new favorite in BR! I didn't even know this place existed considering I drop off my packages at UPS next door. The food, drinks, service and everything in between was 10/10s across the board. The bruschetta is a special but should be on the menu 24/7 because of how good it is. I also recommend the lombardia and fruit crisp for dessert!

I had been wanting to try this place for a long time. I should have waited longer. It's a hole in the wall, and those are usually very good. I don't understand the hype. Parking was awful. We had a reservation, and service was still very slow. The bread, salad and tiramisu were great. The pasta bolognese was bland and disappointing. Thank goodness the portion was not big. It was too disappointing to eat it all. The service was slow. I think the kitchen was overwhelmed. It was too expensive for a mediocre experience. It is not likely that I will return any time soon.

This restaurant is a hidden gem! Each time we have dined at Nino's we have been impressed. Order the special, whatever it might be, we have not been disappointed. It is a small, intimate restaurant, with amazing waitstaff who are very knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations.

Incredible food and service! The wine list was top notch, and my gnocchi was the most fresh I have ever had. A must go!

This restaurant was wonderful! My husband and I went for our anniversary and had a fabulous meal with excellent service. Dylan was Our waiter and he did an excellent job. The ambiance was very elegant but comfortable with candles lit at every table and soft music.

Met and exceeded all of our Yelp dreams! We walked in on a Friday night about 7pm with no reservation: they were fully booked but offered us bar seating. It was perfect for us because we got to chat with the owner and chef Elton. The lemon drop was delicious. It wasn't super sweet or strong to taste but was actually pretty potent! We took the chef's recommendations on the carbonara, bolognese (perfect amount of spice) and of course the cookies for dessert. It was the best Italian meal I've had probably in years. The cookies were warm and chewy served with whip cream a perfect substitute for milk. This made for a prefect impromptu date night and we will be back again!

I will always promote and give Nino's a 5 star! This BR little gem in a must try! They make their pasta fresh in-house and you can tell from that first bite. Their drinks are always crafted well. You must get their cookies for dessert. It's a small little place so I definitely recommend making reservations so they can get you in!

I adored Nino's! We started with the burrata with warm olives and sweet roasted garlic--so good! And then we had the pasta bolognese, followed by a special, guanciale di manzo (slow braised beef cheek) over polenta. The special was spectacular. It was decadent, but not over the top rich. And I'd go back for the pasta any night. The waiter, Jeremy, was delightful too. Such a charming place. Can't wait to go back!

Amazing food with impeccable service. Makes a lovely date night dinner! Was recommended to us by a coworker, and thankful for it. We wouldn't have known it was there, as it's a perfect hidden gem. Iykyk!!!!

Food is amazing! Homemade bread Great specials - seafood options Quaint atmosphere

Ninos is a very special place. I cannot believe I've lived in BR all these years and never went. It's a go-to for sure. Fresh, delicious food and a welcoming quaint environment. Lovely staff from the hostess to the owners who are on-site. We will definitely be back.

Amazing Amazing Amazing... thats the only thing that can describe our experience at Nino's. We went there for a celebration and the ambience, the service, the food made us have a great time. The martinis were on the spot. Loved them. We had their daily special for appetizer. It was a Bruschetta- with smoked snapper remolade with green onions. OMG.. it was so good, we really wanted to go for seconds. The pasta dishes we ordered both had fusilli pasta. The dishes were so perfect, the pasta was at right texture. They said all their pastas are homemade. Really amazing. Perfect place for a date night. The only disappointment for me was the dessert. We ordered Tiramasu but we felt like it didnt saok the coffee concoction as much as needed. We had bites of it where the cake(lady finger) part didnt have any moistness in it. But we still will go back if given a choice again.

It was so so Italian. Everything drowning in cheese. They have a little loaf of bread that's good, but expensive. That's the only highlight. I wouldn't return, but it came highly recommended, maybe it was an off night. One of my party had asked for a portion of his meal on the side instead of in the dish and was told he could do that himself when it came out. "The kitchen won't do that." Who does that?

We had a reservation for dinner and showed up 5 minutes early. The hostess seemed confused by the reservation and after several minutes confessed that they were overbooked and we would have to wait. At some point the manager came over and reiterated this. No apology, just matter of fact. Shortly after, the restaurant seated not one, but two parties that arrived after us. One was a party of three and one was a party of four. Despite the fact that we had a reservation for the same time, the manager sat both parties ahead of us. Apparently she didn't want to miss out on a couple more orders. Again, no apology at all. Several waitstaff came by to see what we needed as there was no waiting area and we were blocking up the entrance. At one point we were told by the hostess that several parties had finished their meals and had their checks but her hands were tied to ask them to give up the tables. About halfway through our 30 minute wait the manager began intentionally avoiding us and would not come out after I asked the hostess if we could speak with her. At the end one of the waitstaff came over to update us on behalf of the manager because she would not do it herself. After a 30 minute wait of the entire restaurant glancing at us as we were still left to stand in the doorway we left. We never received an apology and felt like we had put out the restaurant by showing up for our reservation. I'd like to say that this was the first time that this has happened but I can't. Nino's poor management has disappointed us and while the food looked amazing, we sure haven't had the opportunity to find out. Obviously we will not be returning to linger in their doorway once again. While we go out of our way to support local businesses, this is one that we won't be supporting.

My oh my! I have been coming to Baton Rouge for years and no has told me about this place! The Caesar salad was fantastic, gnocchi was a little different but very good and the Ragu was awesome. The cookie dessert was phenomenal! And my waitress Kat was very attentive and very nice!

Without a doubt top restaurant in Baton Rouge. The chef and the staff here make sure you have an enjoyable experience. On this night all 6 of us tried appetizers, wine, cocktails, salads, soups and their steak and fish specials. All were prepared in a way that just melt in your mouth with such flavor. The place is cozy as i you are in an Italian restaurant in Siena Italy. Always impeccable!

Excellent hole in the wall! Everything is homemade. Service was awesome too. I've recommended it to my friends and family.

I got the bolognese and it did not disappoint. I didn't realize the pasta was going to be homemade and I was overjoyed to find out it was. The staff packaged the noodles separately from the sauce so it would all travel well to my hotel. The pasta is definitely up in my top 2 of all time pastas. I will be back before I go home to try something else.

Cute tiny little place that had outstanding Italian 25+ years ago but does not live up to the memories. We ordered 4 different entrees & a table appetizer & found almost all to be very average. Shrimp & scallop cakes were very good as an appetizer but needed more dipping sauce. The Lombardia sounded delicious on menu but had no signature flavor. The gnocchi was adequate( great texture) but only moderately flavored as was the Pescatori. Grilled fish was cooked perfectly but needed a knock-out sauce or Italian salsa topping. Ambiance was excellent for a date night, especially if you want to avoid being seen & service was excellent. Maybe we caught the wrong chef in the kitchen but dishes just weren't that impressive.

Never knew it was here, all along...the best eggplant pomodoro I've ever had. What made it so good? The fried eggplant, encrusted in crispy parmesan and whatever else it was breaded in. Fried to perfection...and when I say perfection, I mean hit your plate to make a nice ding sound perfection, but still soft and warm inside! One more note, the tanqueray martini was the best I've ever had, and I've had my fair share... Nino's is a hidden jewel, and I hate to share this info...but feel it's my duty as a Baton Rougian to bless others with this restaurant recommendation. Thank you Nino's.

Known as the best kept secret in Baton Rouge. I must go-to place if you want good food, good company, and a great experience.

Great meal and awesome service every time. Going tomorrow and looking forward to it. Best martini in BR

Head about the location of this place from one of the owners of Indie Plate. I have been ordering pasta and sauces made by the chef here for months and didn't even know they were across the street from our apartment complex! We love what we have been getting from Indie Plate, so we decided to try out the restaurant one Friday night. When we entered, the first thing we noticed was we were under dressed compared to the rest of the clientele. Shorts and t-shirts was not the dress code. The second thing we noticed was they were packed. We were about to leave, when the hostess asked us if we had a reservation. We told her no, we lived across the street, that this was our first time in and we felt under dressed. She was very nice and explained that they normally are full with reservations on the weekend, but that there was a two top that just opened if we wanted it. We hesitated to take it (not being in date night attire), but the place smelled so good we went for it. The wine list had a nice selection of moderately priced bottles (under $50) and well as higher end selections. We got a bottle of Italian Barbara d 'Asti. The menu was not large, but everything on it as well as the nightly specials sounded wonderful. It was a hard choice but I finally settled on the shrimp spendini over spinach noodles with alfredo sauce and a cup of tomato soup with fennel and a basil oil float. The soup was rich and creamy, with chucks of tomatoes and a nice anise flavor from the fennel. The basil oil added an additional flavor layer that complemented the soup well. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and flavored with garlic and butter. The noodles were fresh and perfectly al dente. The alfredo sauce was light, but added just enough flavor to the dish as to not overwhelm it. I'd get this again in a second. After dinner, I ordered a cappuccino. I don't know how the make it, but it was the smoothest and best tasting cappuccino I've ever had. If this place had a coffee bar open at 6 am, I'd be there every day! We are looking forward to our next visit, and we will come with a reservation and appropriate attire this time!

The food is always very good. I order off menu as I really like anything piccata and they always make the best sauce and dish for me.

This is one of our favorite spots in Baton Rouge. It's a very small restaurant, so a reservation is almost a must. The atmosphere is romantic and sophisticated. We have never had a dish that wasn't excellent. We typically start with one of the appetizer specials (I believe it was a flat bread when we went), and the Nino's salad is an amazing salad to start your meal. The fresh pasta dishes are to die for! The last time we were there I ordered the ravioli and it may have been the best ravioli I've ever eaten. The vodka sauce was out of this world. Of course, we finished our meal with dessert and it hit the mark. Every time we have eaten at Nino's it has been perfection! It's a Baton Rouge treasure.

The food is consistently good! Good Italian food in Baton Rouge is getting harder and harder to come by. But, in this case the drive out to Bluebonnet is well worth it. Rich food but appropriate portion size. The food is a delicate new twist with an old Italian soul. The gnocchi is a favorite.

Not really into the carbonara. I think it's a bit dry. Good ambience Good service suitable for dating. Love the red sauce pasta, Mussel is a must order

I am surprised that I have not been here before - I will keep this review short.. Perfect service coupled with really good food, and a great ambiance! Not something that I would have expected in baton rouge - but there it was! I cannot talk enough about the Gnocchi here.. perfectly fluffy pillows of goodness, I highly recommend you do not visit here without trying the gnocchi! The bruschetta was super yummy too, as was our Margarita pizza. I also had the basil pesto pasta, and I have to say, the sauce blew me away! it was just perfect! Totally worth going to - this is a true family owned BR gem!

My boyfriend and I recently moved to Baton Rouge and stumbled upon this gem. Every single dish was amazing. We had the Steak and Pasta special, the Grouper Seafood Paella, and the Lombardia pasta. The pastas were all house made and fresh. All of the dishes were full of flavor and we even had a tiramisu to go. I would highly recommend trying out Nino's!