Best Family Friendly Italian Restaurants in Garment District (10018)
9 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Ai Fiori
Michelin-recognized Riviera cuisine with Wine Spectator Grand Award wine program
Essential Picks
#1
Ai Fiori
9.1
Located within the Langham Hotel, this Michelin-recognized destination from Chef Michael White delivers refined French-Italian Riviera cuisine with impeccable execution. Handmade pastas and a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning list of over 1,000 selections elevate the experience, while the elegant dining room with Fifth Avenue views sets the stage for special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sagne Pasta with Braised Rabbit, Hiramasa Crudo, Risotto ai Funghi
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized Riviera cuisine with Wine Spectator Grand Award wine program
Notable Picks
8.8
A Hell's Kitchen stalwart since 2004, owner Antonino Pecora has built a devoted following with house-made pastas, exceptional seafood, and the signature Insalata Gelato featuring tomato gelato. The intimate three-room setting with full bar creates a genuine Italian trattoria atmosphere just blocks from Broadway.
Must-Try Dishes:
Insalata Gelato, Lobster Ravioli, Lamb Chops
What makes it special: Signature tomato gelato salad and 20+ years of consistent quality
#3
Mercato
8.5
Owner Fabio Camardi recreates his hometown Taranto's Apulian cuisine in this cozy trattoria near Port Authority. Homemade pastas, daily-sourced seafood from Seabreeze, and imported regional wines create an authentic Southern Italian experience where regulars become family.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Tradizionale, Orecchiette, Tiramisu
What makes it special: Authentic Apulian cuisine from Taranto with daily-sourced fish
8.4
This buzzing all-day Italian offers house-made pastas and wood-fired dishes steps from Bryant Park. The signature rigatoni vodka with optional burrata has earned a devoted following, while the negroni bar and aperitivo hour bring Milanese cocktail culture to Midtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Vodka, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Olive Oil Cake
What makes it special: All-day dining with house-made pasta and vibrant aperitivo program
#5
Tavola
8.3
A Garment District Italian workhorse where fresh pasta and wood-oven pizza cover both kids and adults without turning dinner into a negotiation. It’s strongest when you treat it like a sharing table: one salad, one pasta, one pizza, and you’re out happy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Littleneck Clam Pizza, Pappardelle with Porcini Veal Ragù, Castelvetrano Olives
What makes it special: Dual wood-burning oven from Mount Vesuvius clay for authentic Neapolitan pizza
8.3
A Garment District institution since 1984, this white-tablecloth Northern Italian delivers classic dishes with uniformed waiters and old-world hospitality. The rolling dessert cart, extensive wine list, and flexible private dining spaces make it ideal for business occasions and celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tortellini Bolognese, Pollo alla Limone, Calamari Fritti
What makes it special: 40 years of white-tablecloth service with classic Northern Italian cuisine
The Durollari family brings 38 years of restaurant expertise to this stylish Hell's Kitchen spot where Roman-trained chef Andrea Cinus Napolitano crafts fresh pastas daily. The 1950s Noir-meets-1980s New York aesthetic, curated by the owners' sons from fashion brand BOND, creates an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle Bolognese, Linguine with Clams, Tiramisu
What makes it special: Rome-trained chef and fashion-forward design by BOND brand founders
Worthy Picks
7.9
An Italian salumeria-leaning spot that doubles as an easy family meal when you want panini, simple pastas, and a no-drama Midtown pace. Best used as a flexible option for mixed groups—someone can do a sandwich while others go pasta-and-salad.
Must-Try Dishes:
VIP Panini, Lasagna, Cannoli
What makes it special: Owner-sourced Sicilian ingredients with house-made mozzarella daily
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Late Night Legends
A practical slice-and-pie stop for families navigating Midtown logistics—quick ordering, easy sharing, and minimal planning required. Use it as a reset meal: grab a couple of slices or a plain pie, eat fast, and move on.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, Garlic knots
What makes it special: Fast slice-shop utility in the Times Square orbit.