My daughter and I came here for dinner one night and we had Lauren LaMonica as an our server and she was absolutely amazing. We got bread and spaghetti and she was so knowledgeable about everything and very tentative. When I come back she will be my server next time for sure. Also the bread, bread pudding, caprese salad are always a must when visitnf read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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I have only had catering from The Little Village, but wanted to take my daughter out to celebrate so we decided to go try it out. When we walked in, it was very elegant. Soft lighting and subdued music gave it an intimate feel. We decided to do an assortment of appetizers and desserts so we could try more things. We opted for 4 appetizers, the famous bread, a cup of a soup and two desserts with cappuccinos to complete our meal. You do have to pay for bread here, but trust me, you're going to want to. We got some red sauce to go with it, but we both personally preferred the bread without it. Next we got a cup of lobster bisque. The flavor was good , and there was a surprising heat to it, which honestly made me want to keep eating it. For appetizers, we ordered the seared ahi tuna, the eggplant stacks, the toasted ravioli and the beef manicotti. However, they were out of the manicotti so Joel suggested the seafood stuffed mushrooms, and I'm glad he did! I'm not a big mushroom fan, but I gladly ate these and would order them again. My complaint is that there are only three ... and I was sharing them. For dessert, we got the crème brûlée and the Italian brownie cake. The crème brûlée was perfection and the brownie cake was deliciously rich and satisfying. There are so many dishes that we want to try that we can't wait to go back! read more

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The Little Village is a cornerstone of the Downtown Baton Rouge restaurant scene! It's located on the corner of North Third Street and Main, in a historic building. It's interesting in that it's classy as well as casual. It would not be unusual to see people dressed up and people in shorts sitting in the dining area. The service is top notch and the waitstaff is always prompt and attentive. Of course the menu should be discussed, and it's primarily Italian. However, they also have a strong steak and seafood section. All of these are of great quality! I've never been disappointed in anything I've ordered there. The prices are on the upper side of moderate, but given the class of the establishment and the quality of the food, this is not unwarranted. One of the most popular things to order are the appetizers! The toasted garlic bread is AMAZING! One can get a half or whole loaf, with a roasted head of garlic, and/or marinara. An interesting appetizer I recently tried are the fried deviled eggs. These suckers are breaded then deep fried to a golden brown before they are stuffed. Deliciously different! I find all of their pasta and seafood dishes to be excellent. I often just go with the spaghetti and meatballs, because it is just so good. One way to save money while enjoying their cuisine is to go for lunch! They have a weekday lunch special menu that is priced very nicely. read more

The Little Village - Downtown - It's all about the bread! Amazing! - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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If you want a nice date out, this is the place. The servers were wonderful and it was so classy and cute inside. Highly recommend! The Village (drink) - very nice flavor! But does pack a punch to your throat. So definitely sip on it Skyy peach vodka, grapefruit & pineapple juices, splash grenadine Village bread - if you get nothing else get this. Light and fluffy, buttery and cheesy! Village Jumbo Fried Shrimp - 6 jumbo shrimp. Great presentation! But maybe was hoping for a little more since it was $30 Creole remoulade Chicken Piccatta - very buttery! The chicken was cooked great and the flavors were perfect Fresh capers, lemon butter, angel hair Potato of the day - garlic mashed potatoes The flavor was great but it was a little dry read more

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Lawd this place is great. A hidden gem of downtown. A somewhat fine dining atmosphere but don't let it fool you. Come how you are. Friendly staff will see to your needs while you try their menu of Italian and Creole dishes. We had nothing but appetizers and will surely be back. read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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We went with a sizable party and had the absolute best service! Our server was a sweetheart and funny. The food was incredible! I had the veal piccata and we shared a delicious tiramisu for dessert. The bread, simply cannot be beat! And be sure and treat yourself with an espresso martini! This is the place to go for a romantic dinner or to celebrate an occasion, just like we celebrated our buddies retirement. Cheers Little Village, Downtown Baton Rouge! We love you and we will be back! read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Back room at Little Village - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Food was bland literally flavorless which is hard to accomplish with veal piccata and server was inexperienced which is fine but wasn't sure about menu items and forgot to put in appetizer. read more

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The food was wonderful. Service as average. Ambiance was very nice. Would definitely go back.

Our server Drew was great. Even though he was fairly new (a couple of weeks on the job), he was pretty knowledgeable on the menu and any item he wasn't sure about, he went to ask to make sure he gave us the right answer. He was even kind enough to get a hot cup of water, lemon, and honey for some tea. The ambiance was your typical restaurant, not too loud, you could hear the conversations from other tables, but not to the point of being distracting. For a Friday night without a reservation, the wait wasn't long at all. The food was good, there were highs and lows. The Village Bread was fresh and not bad. We didn't order any of the add-ons and maybe those would've elevated the bread, but without them, it was just oil, parmesan cheese, and bread. If the oil was seasoned, the bread would've been so much better. Guess that's why roasted garlic is one of the add-on options. The Eggplant Seafood Napoleon was decent. The chef prepared it as requested with no issues, with the lobster cream sauce on the side. This allowed the amount to be controlled as it was a decent amount of sauce. The eggplant was fried well, the pasta was cooked well and the sauce was flavorful. The chicken was the best part of the Fettuccine Alfredo. It was seasoned well and delicious. I would've been disappointed if I would've gotten the fettuccine without the chicken as the Alfredo sauce needed some flavor. The addition of garlic, and onion would've gone a long way to up the flavor. I typically don't add salt to my sauces at restaurants, but I had to add salt to the fettuccine to help with the flavor when it wasn't eaten with a bite of chicken. By far, the best part of the meal (aside from the service), was the after dinner digestif. The Dean Martin Scandal is a coffee based after dinner/dessert cafe served warm. It had a good flavor and was a great nightcap. The roasted coffee beans on top of the whipped cream were a nice touch, just know they're not meant to be eaten. You could look at them and tell them weren't candied or roasted to be edible, purely for garnish. But the drink was enjoyable and a good balance of coffee and liquor. Overall, it was a good experience. read more

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While in Baton Rouge for the Southeastern Rodeo we grabbed a bite to eat at Little Village. We did not have a reservation but luckily there was high top table seating in the bar area. It worked great for us because we were able to take advantage of the happy hour drink specials. I opted to order the Flirtini made with Tito's vodka, pineapple juice and a few other ingredients. Nice drink! We ordered calamari as an appetizer and shared the Louisiana seafood medley pasta. I also ordered a cup of gumbo. I really enjoyed the gumbo (seafood gumbo). Nice flavor and the rue was the perfect consistency. The calamari was good. The Louisiana seafood medley was okay plenty of shrimp and crab meat but the price point is a little high. read more

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This experience was really disappointing. The food was extremely bland, I wasn't able to eat more than a few bites even after adding salt and pepper. The calamari was decent, it wasn't spongy like it is at other restaurants, which i liked. The service was horribly slow, we waited over two hours to get our food. I wish this meal was better. I am sad read more

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Very nice place. The food was really good and the prices were unbeatable in BR for the quality. The service was outstanding. The young lady we had was extremely sweet and attentive. read more

Omg!!! The food...servers...drinks...deserts...managers...ambience...and the BREAD!!!!!! No words are good enough to describe all of these!!! We'll DEFINITELY BE BACK and...with friends!!! read more

The Little Village - Downtown - It was my birthday and this mouse was beyond perfection!!!! - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Let me start by saying the server was very kind and attentive. I tried the Caesar salad and a shrimp dish with marinara sauce. The salad lacked flavor even with the extra dressing and the entree didn't have any seasoning. Everything served seemed lifeless, no soul. And that's the reason I love Italian food....all the soul and flavors. Even the drinks seemed flat and watered down. First and last visit for me. read more

If you follow me then you know without a shadow of a doubt that my wife and I absolutely LOVE Italian cuisine. This place did not disappoint at all. Food was delicious and service was amazing. 10 of 10 would recommend. read more

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My wife and I went on a Friday night, obviously we got reservations since this place is always packed. The bread is amazing..don't miss out. I got Louisiana seafood medley pasta-super tasty. My wife ordered fish which was delicious. The staff were super friendly. You can get lost in the details of the decorations in restaurant. read more

2 months ago we happened upon this restaurant while in downtown BR. We loved the history of the bldg. and music and pics fit the era. First notice are the horribly ripped up leather seats on the chairs and the menus are cheaply made. Long wait for drinks. When we got the bill we had an entree charged that we did not order. She fixed it. June 21st we decided to drive an hour to BR and take a family group to celebrate an 87 yr. old we knew would appreciate this place. Again the drinks took a long while to get. Food was on the bland side and one of the dishes was luke warm. Again we were charged an extra entree we did not order, but we didn't notice this till we returned home. That's a little suspicious happening twice. We will not return or recommend. read more

Prices are OK & have never had any service complaints so we still like Little Village. However, we have experienced food hiccups since the ownership switched 3+ years ago & NOT for the better. On our last visit the Veal Piccata was a disappointment, even if it was veal instead of the thin sliced steak it resembled. NO lemon on the plate & only 9 capers in the dish even though both are important in the recipe for veal &/or chicken piccata. The dish was also floating in so much butter/oil that we had to spoon it off the plate. The Marinara sauce on the Chicken Parmigiana looked like the kitchen had forgotten to DRAIN the pasta. The sauce was thin & light-colored & also had to be spooned off the plate. I won't address the issue of paying $14 for a loaf of bread since many customers are fans, but it is served sitting in a pool of unseasoned olive oil & covered in canned parmesan. Perhaps the "additional" cost to add garlic cloves etc. would help, even though the bread itself is good? The place itself is still maintained in very clean & excellent condition & remains a pleasant restaurant selection, but the next time we get dishes that are not up to the former quality standards we will return them. read more

As long-time regulars of Little Village Downtown, it pains us to write this. This restaurant has been a go-to spot for us--reliably good food, an inviting atmosphere, and somewhere we proudly brought out-of-town guests on their first night in Baton Rouge. Unfortunately, the recent changes they've made are not just disappointing--they're baffling, tone-deaf, and frankly insulting to loyal customers. To begin, the menu has undergone a total overhaul. While change is inevitable, this one feels poorly thought out. The new layout is hard to navigate, descriptions of dishes have been completely removed (so you're forced to guess or pepper your server with questions), and the once-elegant presentation has been replaced by low-quality menus that cheapen the dining experience. It no longer feels like an upscale restaurant--despite the fact that the prices suggest otherwise. And speaking of prices: the increases are staggering. A full loaf of garlic bread is now $16. Want a small side of marinara sauce with that? Add another $4.50. Yes, you read that right--over $20 for bread and sauce. These are items that are not expensive to make, and this pricing feels like price gouging, plain and simple. When we expressed our concern to management, we were met with defensiveness and a dismissive explanation that it's "market price." With all due respect, that's nonsense. It's bread and tomato sauce, not truffle risotto. Even more disappointing is the removal of favorite dishes from the menu--long-time staples that many of us came specifically to enjoy. Menus evolve, yes, but this change felt like a wholesale erasure of what made Little Village special. We approached management, hoping to offer constructive feedback, but were met with what felt like defensive energy--as if they were anticipating complaints and ready for a fight. That tells us everything we need to know about how these changes are being received by others. Let me be clear: the food is still good, and our main server was excellent. But the soul of this restaurant--the welcoming spirit, the value, the attention to detail--seems to have been lost. We won't be returning, and we won't be bringing our guests here anymore. We truly hope the owners take a hard look at what they've done. Downtown Baton Rouge doesn't have enough great restaurants as it is, and alienating loyal customers with overpriced side dishes and condescending management is not the way forward. Little Village used to be something special. It breaks our hearts to say that it no longer is. read more

My brother and I had lunch at The Little Village. Our server, Anthony, made perfect suggestions for our meal which was delicious. As great as the meal was it was Anthony's professional and friendly service which is why I'd go back. A five out of five. He's a gem. I highly recommend his spot. read more

One star because I woke up at 3:30am after having dinner here at 7pm with the worst stomach pain in my entire life. I believe it was food poisoning. I had chills, vomiting, and of course the frequent visit to the bathroom. We ordered the bread, fettuccine, and lasagna. Fettuccine had no flavor, tasted like you were drinking milk from the carton. Lasagna had no flavor. Order the bread and leave. I have not been here since December 2022, I have dined at this establishment twice now. All times were great and food was great. I am not sure if they changed owners or what happened since then but I would not wish my experience on my worst enemy. The service was good. The food was really bland. Please be cautious next time you dine here. I also saw another review 6 months ago and he/she also had food poisoning. read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The food was very, very good. The service was just as good, while our server was clearly busy, she made sure we were taken care of. The soft music and environment made the experience even more enjoyable. read more

Wonderful food. Fabulous service. Will definitely be returning on my next pass thru BR. Walking distance from downtown hotel. Bread is as good as they claim it is. But rosemary mashed potatoes were even better. Thanks to my waiter Jeremy for making me feel welcome. read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Dined on a Friday at 515 and was underwhelmed by the food. Both servers at the bar were very friendly. The Lobster Bisque was bland and clearly heated up in a microwave, it was a miss. The Chicken Parm was delivered and at first appearance it looks appetizing but the breading quickly flopped off upon cutting and ended up with a massive amount of soggy slop at the top of the plate. $9 for a cup of microwaved soup and $21 for soggy chicken parm isn't worth the price, head elsewhere. read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Slop - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Everything was amazing the raspberry lemon drop was to die for, we got started with the seafood stuffed mushrooms and the half loaf of bread because well you have to get the bread you'll understand after you've had it just trust me order the bread. Next for our entrees I got the grilled limone over corn and it was my favorite will probably order the same thing next time I go, my boyfriend got the veal alla parmigiana and it was also delicious. Our waiter was great he was young and I don't recall his name but we have great service the entire night. The we had dinner on a Thursday night and it wasn't to noisy or busy the place had great ambiance and we really had no complaints at all. Sadly I did not leave room for dessert we had went to the tunnel ( a new speakeasy type bar not to far) before hand had had a couple drink so I had no room at all left for dessert. Next time I will though! read more

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This was the worst service I've ever had in the city. Raw garlic served in the entree, cold food. It's not what it use to be and don't chase nostalgia here, because it's best remembered in the past. This manager needs to be fired. In reading other reviews they've called the cops on clients they've given bad service to, there's a problem here that's noticeable but apparently if you're some overweight lawyer or state worker then you get the good treatment. This place should just close. If you want a good dining experience look elsewhere. read more

Came for a friend's birthday dinner. Service was super slow. Three hours for 13 people. Our server wasn't having the best night. My Alfredo tasted super bland. Disappointed in our experience. read more

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THE BREAD, THE BREAD, THE BREAD! Delicious, mouthwatering, flavorful, delectable, savory, scrumptious, fingerlicking good. Have I made my point?! Come here. Have a drink. Order some bread, and maybe a garlic clove to slather on top of it. Boom. You're welcome. read more

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Absolutely the best bread ever. Crusty on the outside, and soft on the inside. Served on just enough garlic and oil to be perfection. The lasagna had more meat than pasta. Very good flavor. The kitchen graciously accommodated a request for the clams to have red sauce instead of menu description. read more

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My hubby took me on a date night to The Little Village Downtown and it was amazing. The bread appetizer is easily the best in town. The food is rich with flavor and more than enough to have some leftover for the next day. Our server, Joel, was very informative of the menu, made great recommendations and he makes the best espresso martini I've ever had! We will be back!!! read more

Sadly we had a negative experience overall. Service was extremely slow. Waited 30 minutes for a glass of wine. Bread was good. When I ordered my food and asked a question about whether my food came with pasta, I got "I think so". It did not. Then our bread plates were never removed before dinner came. Server never checked back to see if we were ok with our food. Food was very mediocre. Veal Marsala and spaghetti had too much sauce, not enough substance. Basically waited forever for everything. Our server was apologetic but I feel more could have been done during the meal for it to be tolerable. We will not be back. read more

Nice outing! I visited on a Thursday night for a friend's birthday dinner. We called and made reservations via phone because I didn't see an option for the Downtown location on Open Table. The restaurant is in a nice location with plenty of street parking available. The restaurant's decor is nice. We started with the garlic bread. It was good but not the best bread that I've ever had. Now our meals were delicious! We had the stuffed seafood tilapia. One with mash potatoes and the other with broccoli. The fish was highly seasoned which we enjoyed. The seafood stuffing was good as well. The fish was topped with a delicious creamy butter sauce. My other friend had the filet mignon, cooked medium well. She said hers was fantastic! Everything was delicious. I will definitely be back. read more

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Service, professionalism, hospitality and decor. Food was ok but not great. Our server was very rude and a complete asshole. He clearly dismissed our request more than once. Will not be back. read more

Bad just bad. I used to love this place. Won't be back after tonight. Even the bread was disappointing.

First off there is no getting around you must order the bread (I am not known for saying this normally bread is just that BUT this is spectacular). Make sure you get all the sides that go with it and if you're on an anniversary like I was ensure that your spouse has the garlic as well. Service was amazing. The waitress certainly knew the menu very well, and made great recommendations. I would've loved to given this a five star but the veal chop tasted wonderful it was swimming in oil and butter. #lowcountrycajun read more

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Great food but everytime we come here on a worklunch it takes about 2-3 hours so plan accordingly. I have been here 6 times and the food doesn't disappoint but the service could be better. read more

I'm rating my experience here mostly based off my server named Jada. She was very attentive, friendly and helpful. Of course the bread was a 10/10, per the usual. However I was not pleased with the lighting of the area they sat us in nor my meal. The corner table was big enough to seat everyone but it was so dark we could barely read the menus. I tried the calms and linguine because I'm incorporating more seafood into my diet. The calms were seasoned to perfection but the pasta was very bland and underwhelming. If it wasn't for me adding Parmesan cheese, there's no way I could've eaten it. Also, my cocktail was great so shoutout to the bartender. All in all, I will definitely be back considering I love Italian food, but I will steer clear of that pasta. read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Linguini & Clams - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Excellent Italian food. Service was perfect, nice ambiance. The Village bread was delicious. A must try. ​

honestly the best food I have had in a long time. Visiting from AR. Great service also

Great place for a business lunch. Great location and ambience. Decent wine list. But the lunch was a bit of a disappointment. The fish was overcooked and dry. The place was nearly empty when we event for lunch at 1:30. read more

The Little Village - Downtown - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana