If you’re still looking for a Valentine’s Day restaurant spot, this homey French Quarter favorite for Creole Italian food has been named one of the most romantic in the country, according to a new list from reservation booking website OpenTable.
Irene’s, at 529 Bienville St. was the only restaurant from Louisiana to make the date night list.
To determine the most romantic spots, OpenTable looked at which restaurants had the highest reviews and metrics. The site used over 9 million reviews from Dec. 1, 2024, to Nov. 30, 2025. Factors included diner ratings, the percentage of five-star reviews and the percentage of reservations made in advance.
Irene’s first opened in 1993 on St. Philip Street and earned a following among locals for its comfortable atmosphere and traditional Creole Italian dishes like rosemary chicken and baked oysters. Diners knew they were at Irene’s when they could smell the rosemary and garlic from the kitchen in the air.
The restaurant moved to its Bienville Street location in 2018 and still remains a staple.
Irene’s also has a full bar and a piano, to add to the romantic vibes.
Dining and Cooking