Best Family Friendly Italian Restaurants in Torrance (90505)
7 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
8.9
Family-run since the early ’90s, Gaetano’s is the South Torrance benchmark for classic Italian-American comfort with scratch-made pastas, big portions, and a warm neighborhood feel. Locals use it for everything from birthdays to team dinners when they want reliable red-sauce favorites and friendlier prices than the Westside’s big-name spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle with Chianti-braised short rib ragu, Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter, Pesto-crusted halibut
What makes it special: Long-running, family-owned Italian spot with scratch pastas and big portions.
8.4
La Bella Napoli is a compact, mostly takeout Neapolitan-style spot where a Naples-born owner turns out thin, blistered pies and a short list of pastas and salads. South Bay locals treat it as their go-to for proper Italian pizza, with frequent neighborhood awards backing up the steady stream of regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Diavola pizza with spicy salami, Chicken parmigiana with side salad
What makes it special: Neapolitan-inspired pizza and Italian takeout run by a Naples-born owner.
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
The Rolling Hills Plaza outpost of Mama D’s brings the brand’s crowd-pleasing pastas and pink-sauce plates to a busy South Torrance shopping center. Expect energetic service, garlic-heavy appetizers, and big, shareable bowls that make it a popular choice for family dinners before or after errands.
Must-Try Dishes:
Penne with pink vodka sauce, Cheese ravioli with marinara, Garlic knots with marinara
What makes it special: Lively, bigger-portion Italian with the brand’s signature pink-sauce pastas.
8.1
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Di Roma Cucina is a sit-down Italian spot on Hawthorne Boulevard known for generous portions and a full range of pastas, including a substantial lasagna Bolognese. The atmosphere is comfortable and low-key, drawing regulars who want a classic red-sauce dinner with table service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Bolognese, Lobster Ravioli, Chicken Parmigiana
What makes it special: Classic sit-down Italian with a hefty lasagna and sprawling pasta menu.
8.0
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Pesto’s Italian is a classic, no-frills neighborhood red-sauce joint where pizzas, big bowls of pasta, and old-school chicken plates come out in portions built for leftovers. It trades design flash for hearty plates and friendly service, drawing longtime regulars who treat it as their weeknight Italian default.
Must-Try Dishes:
Linguini al pesto, Spaghetti carbonara, Chicken Marsala
What makes it special: Old-school red-sauce cooking with huge portions and a loyal following.
Worthy Picks
#6
Mama Says
7.8
Mama Says is a healthy-leaning Italian deli where salads, wraps, and pastas give families a lighter alternative to heavy red-sauce meals. Counter service, buildable bowls, and approachable prices make it an easy stop when adults want fresher, vegetable-forward Italian while kids stick to pasta and sandwiches.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Lasagna (when available), Spaghetti Bolognese, Chicken Pesto Pasta
What makes it special: Mixes baked lasagna and pastas with customizable, lighter counter-service options.
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Open for decades near Torrance Airport, Hank’s is a throwback Italian dining room serving lasagna, ravioli, and garlic bread in a setting that feels straight out of another era. It’s less about trendiness and more about comforting, familiar flavors that older South Bay diners and multi-generation families have leaned on for years.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked lasagna, Cheese ravioli with meat sauce, Garlic bread with melted cheese
What makes it special: Old-school Italian institution with retro vibes and classic baked pastas.