5 Best Italian Restaurants in Downtown, Baton Rouge LA
Updated 11 October 2026 · 7 restaurants in Downtown, Baton Rouge LA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list ranks Italian restaurants in Downtown Baton Rouge LA that Google lists under the Italian restaurant category, using rating weighted by review count. Seven qualifying businesses were considered, and these five made the list. It is useful for diners who want pasta, pizza, sandwiches or a dressier dinner. Price ranges, hours and accessibility details come from each business's Google profile. Each entry reflects the reviews Google shows, so the list may change as new feedback arrives.
#1
Anthony's Italian Deli
★ 4.8 (841 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Anthony's Italian Deli on Government Street is an Italian counter-service spot with a 4.8 rating from 841 Google reviews. Its price range is $10 to $20, and it is closed on Sundays. Diners can eat in at the counter or on the outdoor patio, or order takeaway, delivery or catering. Reviewers mention the muffaletta, the meatball muffaletta, spaghetti, house-made olive salad and desserts that are made daily. One reviewer praised the counter staff for a warm welcome.
Best for: Muffalettas and house-made deli sides
- Address
- 5575 Government St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, United States
- Hours
- Fri 9:30 am–6 pm; Mon 9:30 am–6 pm; Sat 9:30 am–6 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 9:30 am–6 pm; Tue 9:30 am–6 pm; Wed 9:30 am–6 pm
#2
Crust Pizza Co. - Baton Rouge
★ 4.8 (772 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Crust Pizza Co. on Millerville Road is an Italian restaurant rated 4.8 from 772 Google reviews. Its listed price range is $10 to $20, and it opens at 11 am on most days. The listing shows delivery, dine-in, takeaway, kerbside pickup, live music, sports and a happy-hour food menu. Reviewers mention wings, pizza and quick service, along with a staff member who explained the menu well. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.
Best for: Wings, pizza and live sports
- Address
- 2121 Millerville Rd Ste C, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–10 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#3
LaContea Italian Restaurant
★ 4.6 (734 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$20–50 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
LaContea Italian Restaurant on Jefferson Highway has a 4.6 rating from 734 Google reviews and a listed price range of $20 to $50. It is closed on Mondays. The listing includes dine-in, takeout, delivery, a wine list, cocktails, live music and sports. Reviewers mention complimentary hot bread with olive oil, chicken piccata, pizza, creme brulee and a side salad served with pasta. One reviewer described the room as upscale casual.
Best for: Upscale casual pasta and live music nights
- Address
- 7970 Jefferson Hwy Ste F, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–10 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#4
Ruffino's
★ 4.5 (1,214 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Ruffino's on Highland Road is an Italian restaurant rated 4.5 from 1,214 Google reviews, with a listed price range of $30 to $90, the highest on this list. It is closed on Mondays and offers a fireplace, a private dining room, a wine list, cocktails and coffee. Reviewers mention crabmeat cheesecake, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, and a private room used for a graduation celebration. One reviewer described the atmosphere as sports oriented but very nice.
Best for: Private dining and sports-friendly Italian dinners
- Address
- 18811 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–11 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 4:30–11 pm; Sun 10:30 am–9 pm; Thu 4:30–9 pm; Tue 4:30–9 pm; Wed 4:30–9 pm
#5
Josephine's Italian Cuisine
★ 4.6 (81 Google reviews)Italian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Josephine's Italian Cuisine on Government Street is a small, quaint Italian restaurant with a 4.6 rating from 81 Google reviews. Google lists no price range. It is closed on Sundays and opens at 11 am on most other days. The listing includes happy-hour food and drinks, cocktails, wine, spirits and a private dining room. Reviewers mention calamari, pizza, pasta and meatballs, bruschetta and lasagna. Reviewers suggest booking ahead because the restaurant is often busy.
Best for: Small Italian dinners and bar seating
- Address
- 5350 Government St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 7 restaurants in Downtown, Baton Rouge LA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then Google category “Italian restaurant”, ranked by weighted rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- LaContea Italian Restaurant, Ruffino's and Josephine's Italian Cuisine take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Anthony's Italian Deli opens at 9:30 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Anthony's Italian Deli ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 841 reviews. Crust Pizza Co. - Baton Rouge is second at 4.8 from 772 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Baton Rouge LA are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Ruffino's, at 11 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Anthony's Italian Deli $10–20; Crust Pizza Co. - Baton Rouge $10–20; LaContea Italian Restaurant $20–50; Ruffino's $30–90. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Anthony's Italian Deli, Crust Pizza Co. - Baton Rouge, LaContea Italian Restaurant, Ruffino's and Josephine's Italian Cuisine.
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