Best Family Friendly Italian Restaurants in Long Island City (11101)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Osteria Brooklyn @LIC
Waterfront Italian with a shareable menu and big-scene energy.
Notable Picks
8.8
Osteria Brooklyn blends classic Italian techniques with approachable flavors, from house‑made pastas to rustic entrées. With solid review volume and warm service, it’s a reliable choice for family dinners and local celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bolognese Lasagna, Pizza, Fettuccine Osteria
What makes it special: Waterfront Italian with a shareable menu and big-scene energy.
#2
Go Nonna
8.5
Go Nonna offers a homey Italian menu with a mix of comforting classics and approachable entrées, drawing locals for its pasta and welcoming vibe. Its family‑friendly portions and solid reviews make it a dependable neighborhood pick.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, Carbonara, Milanesa napolitana
What makes it special: Italian comfort dishes with a subtle Argentinian accent and cozy vibe.
#3
Il Falco
8.4
A classic-leaning Italian dining room with a menu that does its best work on nightly specials and old-school favorites. The vibe is date-friendly without being formal, and the kitchen’s strengths show up in seafood pastas, veal, and desserts that feel made for lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Branzino, Burrata, Tiramisu
What makes it special: Specials-driven Italian cooking with a patio and a classic LIC feel.
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
A long-running neighborhood Italian spot where wood-fired pizza and hearty pastas anchor the menu. It’s the kind of place locals return to for familiar favorites, a comfortable room, and an easy dinner rhythm that works for groups or low-key dates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Eggplant parmigiana, Gnocchi
What makes it special: Wood-fired pizza and classic pastas in a true LIC local standby.
#5
Manducatis
8.3
A tucked-away, old-country Italian institution feel where people come for familiar plates done with steady confidence. Lasagna fits the room’s DNA—order it when you want the most classic, unapologetically hearty expression of the kitchen.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, Shrimp Scampi
What makes it special: Old-country Italian comfort cooking in a low-key LIC setting.
#6
Levante
8.2
A pizza-forward Italian spot with big ceilings, a full bar, and a backyard that makes it feel like a neighborhood hangout with room to breathe. The move is to treat it as a pizza-and-a-few-plates night, leaning into the pies and letting the bar carry the pacing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Neapolitan-style pizza, Pesto pasta, Panna cotta
What makes it special: Pizza-first Italian with a big bar and a standout backyard space.
Worthy Picks
A straightforward neighborhood pizza-and-bar stop where the move is to order for coverage, not excess—one classic pie, one more aggressive topping pie, and a salad to reset. It’s the kind of place you use for an easy group meal when you want predictability and speed more than a destination moment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plain cheese slice/pie, Pepperoni pie, Caesar salad
What makes it special: Reliable neighborhood pizza with an easy bar-and-slice setup.
7.8
A smaller Italian spot with solid pastas and pizza, mercato LIC is a lower‑volume neighborhood favorite that punches above its weight for casual family dining. Its relaxed vibe and quality basics earn it a spot for locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Homemade pasta, Thin-crust pizza, Espresso martini
What makes it special: Homemade pasta and pizza with a wine-forward, casual sit-down vibe.