We came to Rufino's for dinner on Saturday night, and luckily there was no wait. We weren't aware of the dress code, so my partner was politely asked to take his hat off while dining at the table. The ambiance was nice and quiet, with dim lighting for a more intimate vibe. For appetizers, we ordered the crabmeat cheesecake and calamari. Both were good, but the crabmeat cheesecake was AMAZING! I think the sauce for the calamari could use some improvements as it tasted a little too light for pairing. They offered complimentary bread service, and the olive oil/ balsamic mixture had tons of freshly grated cheese which tasted amazing compared to other places. For drinks, we both got bloody mary's, but mine was so stiff that it tasted like a double compared to my partner's.. They also didn't do the spiced rim and were out of pickled green beans. The drink experience was quite disappointing overall, so my partner finished it for me, and he agreed mine tasted like straight up alcohol. We decided on the 16 oz. ribeye and Rufino's bolognese for our mains, and upon arrival, I was EXTREMELY disappointed to see that they served the bolognese with rigatoni instead of tagliatelle. The pasta was also served warm, not hot like the roasted potatoes which was weird. Looking back at the menu, I regretfully did not read the entire description because it's bolognese and I expected the traditional pasta to be used in it. The pasta sauce was still delicious as well as the steak, but the roasted potatoes tasted so strongly of peanuts so I wasn't a fan at all. We noticed that they offered complimentary cotton candy for dessert, but we decided to splurge on the crème brûlée and it was so yummy! Overall, I would come back, but I would not get the calamari or the bolognese again. The service was friendly while still keeping things professional, but it definitely slowed down a lot once we received our entrees. read more

Ruffino's - Crème brûlée - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Another great experience at Ruffino's in Baton Rouge. We've started coming here once a year to celebrate our anniversary and it has truly become our go to spot for a special night out. The bread service is always such a great start to the meal and the drinks are consistently excellent. The service is also very attentive. They are always on top of refilling water and making sure everything at the table is taken care of, which we really appreciate. This time I ordered the fish on a plank and it was honestly some of the best fish I've ever had. Everything about the meal and the experience was wonderful. Looking forward to continuing our anniversary tradition here. read more

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Chef Patrick is talented and we always have a great experience. We love the atmosphere and we always enjoy our service at the bar. Liv is awesome read more

Ruffino's - Warm burrata dip (Fall menu)) - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Ruffino's is pure Italian drama. The crabmeat cheesecake is sinful, the pasta is silk on a fork, and you must try the chef's award-winning Blue Crab Gnocchi that swept Fête Rouge this year. A Baton Rouge classic that still feels fresh and exciting. read more

Ruffino's - Chicken Piccata - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Ruffino's never disappoints, but tonight they truly outdid themselves. From the moment we sat down, the service was flawless. We started with the famous crabmeat cheesecake, and it was every bit as decadent as people say--rich, savory, and unforgettable. For drinks, I had a Frank Family Cabernet and my fiancé ordered the Liquid Lust cocktail. Both were absolutely to die for! For our entrées, we split the chicken parmesan and a medium-rare filet mignon topped with Marsala mushrooms, plus a side of chili-glazed Brussels sprouts. Everything was so good we literally ate until we were uncomfortably full... because we simply could not stop. Every bite was perfection. Dessert was its own event. We ordered an espresso martini and the pumpkin spice tiramisu, and the staff surprised us with an extra dessert--complete with a beautiful "date night" presentation. Such a special touch! The atmosphere was romantic and gorgeous, and both the manager and the owner stopped by to personally welcome us and make sure everything was perfect. That kind of hospitality is rare and so appreciated. 10/10 -- we will definitely be back! read more

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In red stick for business and meeting up with some friends i suggested somewhere new and Ruffinos was the suggestion Let me say Tuesday night and I made a reservation for 5:30 , glad I did as by the time we left at 7:30 the parking was packed - not a spot available! Environment is attractive, soft lighting , linens on tables, plentiful din ing space and an attractive bar first impression Ruffinos wasn't going to disappoint . That said dress code is casual , jeans and a nice shirt but definitely no baseball caps. Menu offers plenty of wine and drink choices and service was topnotch, available for any request with a smile (thanks Alexus) We started with the fried duck fingers , DUCK FINGERS - Panko and parmesan-breaded duck fingers with roasted garlic aioli- FANTASTIC Entrees we both had the fish Katie which Tuesday night was redfish. Fish Katie - Fresh Gulf catch, jumbo lump crabmeat creole meunière, hollandaise, steamed asparagus, Both portions were generous especially given the quality of the dishes. Ruffinos is definitely is a class above the rest and a destination spot for fine dining read more

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The parking is excellent, the service attention is more than expected, and the staff helpful. The place is cozy and old school comfortable. The menu has been changed, somewhat from the published on line menu. The salads are cold and crisp. The shel fish very tasty but a tad too spicy. The Seafood Arancini is excellent. The Veal Michael was a little over cooked. Their Carbonara was a little pasty. Given that it was paired with shrimp - the garnish could have been toasted bread crumbs, rather parmigiana. For more Southern authenticity. The place filled up quickly, so I guess hot spicy is the palette The steaks and chops looked wonderful. However, Cajun-Italian Fusion has possibilities along the lines of Calabrian-style. That is maybe what they are working towards with the new menu. The addition of Calabrian chili or sauce to dishes would be interesting given the local penchant for hot sauces. read more

Ruffino's - Entrance - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Great restaurant, very nice atmosphere and the food is really delicious. Drinks were awesome. I have to rave about the eggplant Parmesan it was cooked to perfection and the pork chop ummm cooked perfectly and very tender. Not one complete. Great Service and the management staff were great as well. Thanks for making my Neice birthday amazing read more

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The crab and corn bisque was a perfect portion and tastes wonderful. I had the Ruffino's Bolognese which was a perfectly crafted blend of tender meats that the mint complemented so well. My husband had the blue crab gnocchi which he devoured. We fly into town for family often and are excited to make this a regular stop for us. We had our 5 year old with us who fell asleep on the way to the restaurant. They were very considerate and placed us in a booth so she could sleep. The bartender even gave us her child's blanket to keep her warm while we enjoyed our meal and drinks. What a wonderful and relaxing end to our day. Thank you so much! read more

Service was awesome and so was the atmosphere but to be honest we were so disappointed in the food. We asked for med- rare steak gotten medium. The quality of the rib eye was not top quality and for the price it should have been. The rest of the food was the same. We left very disappointed. S Smith read more

I attended a group dinner here . The atmosphere was nice and the lighting was perfect. The room was a little tight due to our party size. Our server was attentive and knew the group menu well. I enjoyed the fish Katie but the bread pudding stole the show. read more

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Real nice place to visit. I love the low dimming lights. It gives off a romantic vibe. read more

Ruffino's - Managers Meeting - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

First class service and atmosphere. It doesn't feel like you're eating in a bar, like their other location. Food is awesome!

Ruffino's has been our go-to date night spot for a few years now. The ambiance is nice, casual enough that it's not stuffy but still nice enough to throw on something sexy and be able to show out a little. The food is usually really good, we like how they change the menu relatively often, but sometimes we miss our favorites when they switch them out. However, the last time we went we fell in LOVE with the new chef. I got the veal chop with lump crab, which was a special, and it was honest to God the best meal I've ever had in my life. I believe they told us they would be adding it to the menu soon. Our friend Peter is usually our waiter he is fantastic. They always make sure we are taken great care of. read more

Ruffino's - Veal chop with lump crabmeat - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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We had reservations this year for Christmas Eve In Lafayette. Have eaten here several times before and have always enjoyed the food. The experience this time was not the usual experience. I ordered eggplant parm, as I usually do. The sauce was watery with no taste. The dish was lukewarm when served. I ate very little. My dining companion had chicken parm. Same sauce situation. Her food was hot; however the chicken was over breaded and over seasoned. She ate two bites and stopped. We had Caesar salads to begin with - they were good. i know my companion will not return - it was her 3rd time and has had a less than great experience each time. I'll probably give it another chance hoping this unfortunate experience was a fluke. read more

This never disappoints. The food and service are next level in a romantic atmosphere. Perfect place for date night with that special someone. read more

This place is terrible. We had reservations for a LSU graduation dinner on Saturday May 18th, 2025 for 18 people. First issue is that we were sat at two different tables (across a walkway) even though we were not told when making reservations that they couldn't accommodate that many people. Secondly, the food server whispered when speaking and you could barely hear him. The drink server had to be reminded to bring our wine and took at least 10 minutes to refill soft drinks. Now on to the food. We ordered a fried calamari for the table and when zi say this was the worst calamari I have ever had in my life I am not exaggerating. Do not ever order this. The steakhouse burger was also the worst restaurant burger I have ever had in my life. I couldn't even finish half even though I was hungry. The truffle fries are also not very appetizing. The crab gnocchi was spicy and did not have a good flavor. Two separate people ordered steaks that they were going to share with a child. One steak cane split on two plates while the other did not (and a extra plate had to be requested again after the food arrived). The steak was decent but definitely can be made better at home. The best food there was the bread you get when you order and the cotton candy. For the price this restaurant is not a good choice, but for the taste it is a highly do not go. These restaurants try to come off as fancy because of the ambience but their food is terrible. read more

Establishment has an inviting, comfortable feel to it, with enough lighting, not dark and cave like. Servers were professional, kind and accommodating. Food was delightful! read more

I recently dined at Ruffino's Italian Restaurant in Baton Rouge and, unfortunately, left very disappointed. I ordered the chicken piccata, which turned out to be nearly tasteless. The sauce lacked flavor, and to make matters worse, the dish was served with the wrong pasta--it should have come with angel hair. The chicken itself was particularly off-putting in both taste and texture, resembling something compressed or processed rather than a fresh, properly prepared breast. Management should strongly consider either removing this dish from the menu or finding a chef who can prepare it with quality, fresh (not frozen) chicken and a properly balanced sauce. A well-executed chicken piccata should be bright and flavorful, but this one completely missed the mark. Others in my party were also underwhelmed. Even the filet, which should be a highlight, was described as lacking in flavor. Honestly, the best part of the meal was the bread--a telling detail for a restaurant of this reputation. Sadly, this experience was disappointing enough that I will not be returning to Ruffino's. I would also ask this. Are you wait staff trained to ask people, "if everything is tasting good?" as if it always is. This is a land mine and could evoke a negative response. What is asked, which seems so quite common at restaurants today, is an ill-advised thing to ask a customer. How about training wait staff to say, "how is everything?" read more

This is a Really nice place. Great experience for a steakhouse but overly priced in my opinion . The food was decent but nothing really stood out to me . Nice date night restaurant if you are looking to do something special . read more

Ruffino's - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The food and service were both excellent. A few recommendations: 1.) Corn and Crab Soup, 2.) Steak with Imperial Sauce, 3.) Cheesecake. The experience was great. read more

It was my first time going to a place this fancy and It was AMAZING. The food, service, and drinks were all 10/10. The manager came to our table multiple times to ensure everything was going well which it was. I loved every second of this and will be coming back. GET THE BRAISED PORK CHEEKS!!!! read more

Ruffino's - Dessert - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Again, a great place to wind down with wonderful service and exceptional food. The drinks we started with were not short on spirits and I just love that. The bread is super fresh and complimentary. The ribeye was a tad undercooked for medium but they took it back with no problem and it came out fantastic. The osso bucco was so melt in your mouth good. I really think the seafood arancini was the star. And this is the best place for crème brûlée. Thanks for another amazing dinner. read more

Ruffino's - Complimentary bday cake and Crème Brûlée - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Recently visited ruffinos as we go every few months. Unfortunately they have tried some menu changes and taken away some of the staples, specifically the BBQ shrimp dishes. They were always my go to's or add on's. They have also removed the Tuna dish and sauce. Alternates I got were ok, but not what I was going for. read more

We came for my birthday dinner and it was great! The food was amazing and our waiters were very nice and attentive. The restaurant was very pretty and it was fairly quiet inside; great for a date night. I would definitely come here again! read more

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I really enjoyed the fresh bread with the garlic oil. The portion of my lasagna was awesome, the sensation salad is very tasty. The service was very good. The ambiance is interesting, very clean and dark. read more

Ruffino's - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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I'm so disappointed in both the service and the old cold dishes. We can't get that time back that we spent waiting over 30 minutes for our cold food that the bartender forgot to deliver to us. We were the first to arrive and watched the other tables not only receive the attention and their food in a timely manner to us just wondering why the bartender started working on the dishwasher and walking back and forth and not even thinking how dirty her hands were . I know that I'll never enter those doors again for a break that we so badly needed from saying goodbye to our family member in hospice or using their facility for the many medical lectures I've coordinated. I'm so disappointed! read more

They have the best spaghetti carbonara even my boyfriend who doesn't like that sauce love their spaghetti carbonara excellent service was excellent. Everything is always excellent. read more

By far, one of the favorite dining experiences I've had. Happened to be in town for a wedding and saw Ruffino's near our hotel. Reserved a party for 3 and were seated immediately. Hostess and servers were so energetic and sweet. We started with soup and salads. The corn and crab bisque was to die for. We tried the shrimp pasta, Pork Tchoupitoulas, and the filet. Again, all amazing as was the bread. Finally settled on desserts and the cotton candy. Easily one of the best meals I've had in some time. Will definitely be returning when in town! read more

As usual the ambiance was great and the service was excellent! Gabe kept checking on us and addressed all of our needs and concerns. Will be returning again!!! read more

This review is easy. Service- A+ Atmosphere- A+ (especially the art) Food... The best pork chop I've ever had. Price and value were great too! read more

The ambiance was extremely dim--so dark that my father couldn't read the menu. I get it though, the atmosphere was intimate. However, the service was outstanding. We had three servers handling different tasks--one for orders, one for drinks, and one for clearing the table--creating a seamless dining experience. It was impressive to have all three present the dishes together. The servers were knowledgeable, offered great recommendations, and was a joy to interact with. I had the cedar plank fish, which was absolutely delicious. For dessert, I had crème brûlée, and with just one bite, I was in my happy place. The bathroom was wheelchair accessible, but very tight, making maneuvering difficult. I forgot about the bathroom as soon as the brought in the beautiful cloud of cotton candy. I havenever been so excited to eat cotton candy as I was that night. Overall, a fantastic dining experience with top-tier service and food, but the bathroom accessibility could use improvement. read more

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**Updated review** I originally had a 2 star review posted on Yelp for Ruffino's. However, I just left Ruffino's and I had to come here first to say how much we enjoyed our meal and evening! It was awesome. This experience blew my past experiences away. For starters, the staff was AMAZING. The service was fantastic, everyone was accommodating, kind and at the top of their game. I can't commend them enough. The ambiance was perfect for a date night, and they were able to accommodate our family perfectly. The food was delicious! Bread was hot and fresh, the pasta was rich and the seafood was divine. I ordered the lobster risotto (fantastic), my wife had the chicken Alfredo and my kids had chicken tenders. Everything was great. We will definitely be back for another visit! I also want to mention how fantastic their management is...from communication, to ensuring our evening went perfectly, they were phenomenal! read more

Ruffino's - Chicken Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Excellent food and service - what a wonderful combination - Italian and Cajun! We went for Sunday brunch and it was very elegant. The food was delicious! Several of us got the blue crab omelet - I've never seen this much blue crab added to a dish that was so reasonably priced. I got the fish Katie, which was snapper with a rich creole sauce and a hollandaise drizzle. I basically licked the plate clean it was so good! The friend duck fingers appetizer was a hit, as was the crab cakes. My little one got kids chicken tenders and fries, which came with mariana sauce for dipping. They do have a business casual dress code - no hats inside. I would highly suggest this restaurant for any nice occasion read more

Ruffino's - Fish Katie - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The only thing going for Ruffinos lately is the lovely ambience. The food is so lacking. I ordered a filet with Bernaise sauce this and it was over cooked and the sauce did not seem fresh. They gave our group of 6, one drink menu and one "specials" menu so ordering took a while. Print some more menus!! That is an easy fix. This restaurant could be so much more. Its fun to go there but don't expect much from the food. read more

This is one of my regular spots in Baton Rouge the service is always phenomenal along with the food you can't go wrong with the menu!

Calamari was fair. Steak and collard greens were phenomenal. Really liked the bar atmosphere. Lots of help standing around while Bartender ran his butt off. Bathrooms were a mess. No toilet paper, trash over flowing with paper towels used as toilet paper on the floor. Felt if we are spending 200$ for a dinner should at-least have toilet paper. read more

Last night we enjoyed a private birthday dinner. Our waitress was fenomenal and she took amazing care of us. We started with the crabmeat cheesecake that was absolutely delicious! Then I ordered a filet with béarnaise sauce, medium, and it couldn't be more perfect, the best in town. My husband ordered a steak Oscar and he was very pleased as well. This place is unique and excellent! read more

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A couple weeks ago I tried Ruffino's for the first time to celebrate my boyfriend's white coat ceremony. I had heard mixed reviews and I was glad to finally get to try this place for myself. We ordered the duck fingers, seafood arancine, seared tuna, and crabmeat cheesecake. Not one appetizer disappointed! My favorite by far was the seafood arancine, but I surprisingly liked the duck fingers as well. The complimentary bread was delicious along with the incredible dipping oil it comes with. For my entree, I ordered the veal michael. That veal was to die for! Most nice places skimp on the crabmeat as a topping, but this place was not shy at all. The sauce on top was incredible as well! The staff were incredible the whole meal, start to finish. They had great recommendations and made sure we were taken care of for such a special occasion. They made sure to ask what we were celebrating and even customized the dessert by drawing a white coat on the plate which was super cute and sweet. I enjoyed the complimentary dessert as well as the crème brulee I ordered. I also loved my bubble bath cocktail! The coolest thing about it was the presentation with a bubble on top that popped into smoke! Definitely a must go-to for a special occasion!! read more

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Ruffino's never disappoints! They've revamped the menu and the quality and craftsmanship of the dishes is outstanding! read more

Ruffino's - Duck Fingers - Italian Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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