Best Family Friendly Italian Restaurants in Midtown East (10017)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Toscana 49
Daily handmade pasta and servers who describe specials like Italian poetry
Notable Picks
#1
Toscana 49
8.6
A Tuscan-focused trattoria near Lexington where handmade pastas, lamb ragù, and ricotta-filled ravioli anchor relaxed, white-tablecloth family dinners. Portions and pricing make it a practical choice for multi-generation meals near Grand Central without slipping into tourist-trap territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spinach Lasagna, Spaghetti alla Chitarra e Gamberi, Pappa al Pomodoro
What makes it special: Daily handmade pasta and servers who describe specials like Italian poetry
#2
Pietros - NY
8.4
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Luxury Dining Elite
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
A 1930s-born Midtown Italian steakhouse reborn on Second Avenue, Pietro’s mixes clubby booths, massive chicken Parm, and old-school pastas with a family-style mentality. Portions are generous enough for sharing, making it a splashy but welcoming spot for Italian-American celebrations with older kids and relatives.
Must-Try Dishes:
Caesar Salad, Chicken Parmigiana, Porterhouse for Two
What makes it special: 93-year legacy with original recipes and multi-generational staff
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Steps from Grand Central, this Venetian-leaning osteria serves crowd-pleasing thin-crust pizzas, lasagna, and risotti in a big dining room that can absorb strollers, extended families, and office groups. It’s a reliable fallback when you need Italian that works for both kids and adults in the same sitting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle with Lamb Ragù, Speck Pizza, Polenta with Meatballs
What makes it special: Spacious Venetian-inspired setting steps from Grand Central
#4
Il Monello
8.2
Revived on a quiet Turtle Bay block with roots dating back to the 1970s, Il Monello leans classic: branzino, veal and chicken Parm, and handmade pastas like cacio e pepe and fettuccine al ragù. The white-tablecloth setting skews grown-up, but courteous service and straightforward flavors work well for families with older kids.
Must-Try Dishes:
Potato-Crusted Sea Bass, Veal Chop Milanese, Chicken Il Monello
What makes it special: 50-year legacy reborn with garden dining near the United Nations
Worthy Picks
7.6
A neighborhood institution delivering consistent NY-style pizza and Italian-American classics at honest prices. The Eggplant Rollatini Pizza is a local sleeper hit, and the kitchen stays open late for Midtown's night owls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggplant Rollatini Pizza, Garlic Knots, Chicken Parmigiana Hero
What makes it special: Reliable neighborhood slice shop with late hours and fast delivery