Best Family Friendly Italian Restaurants in River North (60654)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Quartino Ristorante
High-volume Italian small-plates house with hand-cut pasta and late hours.
Notable Picks
8.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Since 2005, Quartino has operated as River North’s all-purpose Italian enoteca, turning out housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and antipasti in a loud, always-busy room. Enormous multi-platform review volume and steady crowds at nearly all hours make it a default choice for groups wanting shareable Italian without formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Tagliatelle bolognese, Salumi and cheese board
What makes it special: High-volume Italian small-plates house with hand-cut pasta and late hours.
#2
RPM Italian
8.7
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
RPM Italian delivers a polished, celeb-adjacent version of modern Italian with housemade pastas, crudo, and steaks in a sleek, reservation-heavy room. It functions as both a destination date-night spot and a go-to for corporate dinners where consistent execution and presentation matter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mama DePandi's Bucatini, Mafaldine cacio e pepe, Maine lobster ravioli
What makes it special: Glossy, high-service Italian where housemade pasta shares space with steak and crudo.
#3
Siena Tavern
8.6
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Siena Tavern leans into a loud, party-friendly take on modern Italian, pairing housemade pastas and pizzas with big-format cocktails and a DJ-adjacent vibe. Since 2013 it has anchored Kinzie’s going-out strip for groups who want sharable plates and a social scene in one stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu beef meatball, Rigatoni alla vodka, Gnocchi with truffle cream
What makes it special: High-energy Italian spot where big meatballs, pizzas, and cocktails drive the night.
8.4
Perched along the riverwalk, Pizzeria Portofino focuses on hand-stretched pizzas, coastal-leaning salads, and spritzes with a strong patio-first mentality. The combination of waterfront views, shareable pies, and approachable pricing makes it a go-to for casual Italian lunches and group dinners in warm weather.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Charred pepperoni pizza, Mediterranean salad
What makes it special: Riverfront pizza and spritzes with a resort-like patio setting.
Since 2014, Dough Bros has been the go-to New York–style slice window in 60654, staying open as late as 4 a.m. on weekends. Counter service, foldable slices, and subs make it the quintessential post-bar pizza stop near the State & Hubbard cluster of nightlife.
Must-Try Dishes:
Artichoke & Spinach Slice, Mushroom Slice, Custom Build-Your-Own Whole Pie
What makes it special: True late-night New York–style slices and subs steps from River North bars.
#6
Nonnina
8.1
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Opened in 2016 by veterans of Piccolo Sogno, Nonnina nods to Italian grandmothers with big-bowl pastas, pizzas, and red-sauce classics in a comfortable River North room. Families and mixed-age groups lean on its approachable pricing, hearty portions, and the attached deli for simpler lunches and next-day leftovers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni alla vodka, Prime beef meatballs, Chicken Parmesan
What makes it special: Modern red-sauce cooking with both sit-down dining and a neighboring slice counter.