Best Family Friendly Italian Restaurants in Murray Hill & Kips Bay (10016)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Nonna Dora's
Handmade pasta bar where Dora’s Lasagna is a headline dish.
Notable Picks
#1
Nonna Dora's
8.9
Nonna Dora's is a Kips Bay pasta bar where Dora’s Lasagna, layered with meat sauce and béchamel, anchors a tight list of handmade noodles. Open since 2022, it draws pasta obsessives for carefully crafted plates, negroni variations, and counter seating that works for both dates and solo meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dora’s Lasagna, Maccheroncini Grano Arso, Pappardelle del Ristoro
What makes it special: Handmade pasta bar where Dora’s Lasagna is a headline dish.
#2
Norma
8.7
Norma’s Murray Hill outpost leans into Sicilian comfort cooking, from arancini and panelle to richly sauced pasta alla Norma and pan-style pizzas. The cozy room and attentive staff make it a go-to for lingering dinners that feel more like a trattoria in Catania than a Third Avenue address.
Must-Try Dishes:
Arancini Siciliani, Pasta alla Norma, Rianata Sicilian Pan Pizza
What makes it special: Sicilian-focused trattoria known for arancini, pasta alla Norma and warm hospitality.
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Lena’s Italian Kitchen is a quick-service Italian counter in Murray Hill where massive platters of pasta, heroes, and cutlets feed families on busy weeknights. Most orders go out in takeout containers, but there’s enough space and flexibility for kids, strollers, and big appetites grabbing affordable, reliable red-sauce classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parm Platter, Pasta Alla Vodka, Pasta Fiorentina
What makes it special: High-volume counter-service spot turning out hefty, delivery-friendly Italian classics.
8.4
Open since 1978, Rossini’s is a classic Murray Hill dining room where baked pastas like the house lasagna share space with veal, seafood, and live piano on many nights. It’s a go-to when you want old-school Italian formality, white tablecloths, and a lasagna that feels built for special-occasion dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked meat lasagna, Veal scaloppine, Linguine alle vongole
What makes it special: Long-running white-tablecloth Italian where lasagna fits into a classic lineup.
#5
Fumo
8.3
Fumo’s Kips Bay location is a modern Italian spot where families split thin-crust pies, big bowls of pasta, and salads at tightly packed tables. It balances neighborhood energy with enough comfort that kids, strollers, and multi-generational groups don’t feel out of place, especially at earlier seatings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Penne Vodka, Penne Funghi, Spaghetti Vongole
What makes it special: Neighborhood workhorse for pastas, pies, and easygoing Italian-American fare.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Group Dining Gatherings
Little Italy Pizza on 5th Avenue is a high-traffic slice shop steps from the Empire State Building where families grab New York–style pies, garlic knots, and drinks at low per-person prices. Counter service and fast turnover keep things casual, making it an easy option for kids who just want a slice and a soda.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic cheese slice, Grandma square with garlic and basil, Pepperoni Sicilian slice
What makes it special: High-traffic slice shop steps from transit with a big lineup of classic and square pies.