Best Family Friendly Pizza Restaurants in River North (60654)
5 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.
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.
Worthy Picks
Dough Bros is a compact counter-service slice shop turning out New York–style pies, subs, and late-night slices steps from the State/Grand hotels. Families on a budget use it for quick, shareable slices at lunch or pre-show, while night owls rely on it for post-bar pepperoni and artichoke slices.
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.
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
Opened in 2025 by Boka Restaurant Group, Zarella does both tavern-style squares and artisan round pies alongside starters and a few Italian American plates. Its grab-and-go window and relatively moderate pricing make it a newer, more casual entry into the River North Italian landscape.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soppressata & Mortadella specialty pie, Spicy vodka pizza, Sunday Salad with salami and ditalini
What makes it special: Chef-driven tavern and artisan pizzas with a grab-and-go window in the former GT Fish space.
Parlor Pizza Bar’s River North outpost runs on wood-fired pies, big patios, and a sports-bar energy that skews family-friendly by day. Parents lean on Honey Boo Boo or Sgt. Pepper pizzas and fries at brunch or early dinner before the scene shifts toward drinks and louder crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bee Sting pizza, Sgt. Pepper pepperoni pizza, Antipasto chopped salad
What makes it special: A massive, high-energy pizza bar where wood-fired pies meet sports-bar drinking.