Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock Add Tasting Table on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover What defines an exceptional Italian restaurant? Is it an intimate, romantic ambiance or the quality of the cooking? A variety of scratch-made pastas and desserts featuring high-quality ingredients? A curated selection of wines from famous regions like Tuscany and Piedmont? Certainly, all of these elements play a vital role in creating a standout dining experience. However, true culinary excellence and warm hospitality may shine the brightest at family-managed spots, especially ones with deep Italian roots. Fortunately, the United States offers a wide selection of destinations, be they casual or refined.
To help you plan your next memorable meal, we've picked unmissable spots based on their stellar reputation, signature items, and accolades. You can read about our methodology at the end of this article. Thanks to the influx of immigrants into San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other major cities, beloved dishes like wood-fired pizzas, risotto, and polenta grew in popularity during the late 19th into the 20th century.
Today, there are roughly 33,749 Italian-focused establishments in the country, according to SmartScrapers, most of which are concentrated in California, Florida, and New York. Though Olive Garden remains the largest and most popular chain, it belongs to the world's biggest full-service restaurant company, so we won't include it in our selection. From Gargiulo's in Brooklyn to Mama Carolla's in Indianapolis and Mrs. Robino's in Wilmington, these are the top family-owned restaurants to visit for outstanding Italian and Italian-American staples. Buon appetito!
Gargiulos Restaurant/Facebook Our first pick is an elegant, old-school establishment featured on CBS News, noted on OpenTable for its authentic comfort food, and praised by The New York Times for its house-made mozzarella and baked clams. This is Gargiulo's, a Coney Island institution since 1907, and one of the oldest Italian restaurants in the U.S. The Russo family acquired it in 1965 and has been running it ever since, delighting its faithful clientele with its Southern Italian fare and fresh seafood in a warm atmosphere.
At this historic spot, the sauces are famously rich, the portions are generous, and the staff is both courteous and friendly. Whether you opt for the veal parmesan, chicken and spinach fettuccine, seafood risotto, or house-made tiramisu, you can't fo wrong. And it's not unusual for Gargiulo's to treat you to a complimentary limoncello or fruit platter at the end of the meal.
J S/Google Maps Totonno's is a beloved Coney Island dining spot, one that won the America's Classics Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2009 and earned a spot on the Pizza Hall of Fame. Founded by Anthony "Totonno" Pero in 1921, it's managed by his descendants — though they currently operate on limited hours and are looking to sell the family business. This pizzeria's fate may be uncertain, but its devotees still consider it one of the best spots in NYC, if only for its relaxed vibe, fresh toppings, and flavorful sauces.
Eater New York claimed Totonno's thin, hand-stretched crust was delicious enough to consume on its own. New York Magazine praised the ultra-sweet fresh mozzarella. As for the Food Network, it dubbed the mozzarella, pepperoni, and fresh mushroom pie simply irresistible. So, make sure to visit this nostalgic place before it changes owners.
La Stella Cucina Verace/Facebook Hailed as one of the best Italian restaurants in Texas, La Stella Cucina Verace was founded in 2022 and is helmed by the Piccinini family. This Arts District hotspot may be considered a newcomer compared to decades-old establishments, but it has already nabbed multiple awards from the Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Observer. Plus, it was named an OpenTable Diners' Choice winner in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
