Authentic Italian Restaurants In Georgia Perfect For Family Dining
Georgia might be known for peaches and Southern cuisine, but it’s also home to some truly amazing Italian eateries. Whether you’re craving homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, or classic tiramisu, these family-friendly spots deliver authentic flavors that transport you straight to Italy.
I’ve rounded up 16 restaurants across the Peach State where both kids and adults can enjoy genuine Italian hospitality and delicious food without breaking the bank.
1. Antico Pizza Napoletana
Tucked away in Atlanta’s westside, Antico serves pizza so authentic you’ll swear you’ve been teleported to Naples. The communal tables create a lively atmosphere where families can bond over thin-crust pies pulled from blazing hot ovens.
Kids love watching the pizza-making action in the open kitchen while parents appreciate the BYOB policy that keeps dinner affordable. The San Gennaro pizza, topped with sweet red peppers and sausage, is a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Pro tip: Go early on weekends as lines can stretch out the door by 6pm. Their cannoli makes for a perfect dessert to share with the little ones after they’ve had their fill of world-class pizza.
2. La Tavola Trattoria
Virginia-Highland’s gem offers an upscale yet approachable Italian dining experience that somehow manages to be both sophisticated and kid-friendly. Their pasta is made fresh daily, with the pappardelle bolognese winning over even the pickiest young eaters.
What makes La Tavola special is their genuine welcome to families. The staff brings dough for children to play with while waiting for meals, turning dinner into an interactive experience. Their Sunday Family Supper deal includes a three-course meal at a price that makes premium Italian dining accessible.
The cozy patio seating is perfect for spring evenings when you want to enjoy the neighborhood vibe while your little ones savor gelato for dessert.
3. Nonna’s House
If walls could talk, this Savannah restaurant would whisper stories of four generations of Italian cooking. The grandmother-inspired recipes create a menu that feels like Sunday dinner at your Italian relative’s home even if you don’t have Italian relatives!
My family adores their chicken parmesan, which comes in both adult and kid-sized portions. The checkered tablecloths and vintage family photos create an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and comfortable for diners of all ages.
Don’t miss their homemade bread served with herb-infused olive oil my children always beg for second and third baskets. The owners often visit tables to chat, making everyone feel like part of their extended family.
4. Varuni Napoli
This Midtown Atlanta pizzeria strikes the perfect balance between authentic Neapolitan technique and kid-approved flavors. The spacious interior features a pizza bar where children can watch wide-eyed as their pies are crafted before disappearing into the massive imported ovens.
Beyond pizza, their antipasti platters introduce young palates to Italian flavors in approachable ways. The restaurant noise level sits at that sweet spot lively enough that parents don’t stress about normal kid volume, but still conversation-friendly.
Their early bird special (before 6pm) includes a kid’s pizza, juice, and gelato at a price that makes regular visits possible. The outdoor patio has a relaxed vibe where families can spread out and truly enjoy their meal together.
5. Provino’s Italian Restaurant
This Atlanta institution has been serving enormous portions of Italian-American classics since 1977. Walking in feels like stepping into a time capsule with its red leather booths and vintage decor that kids find fascinating.
Meals begin with their famous garlic rolls warm, buttery, and utterly irresistible to diners of any age. Their children’s menu goes beyond the typical fare with mini versions of classics like lasagna and spaghetti with house-made meatballs.
Large parties are welcome here, making it ideal for extended family gatherings or celebrating special occasions. The waitstaff treats young guests with genuine warmth, bringing extra napkins without judgment when inevitable spills happen. With multiple locations around Georgia, there’s likely a Provino’s near you.
6. Nuovo Mondo
Hidden in downtown Roswell, this charming restaurant brings Sicilian cuisine to Georgia with remarkable authenticity. The family that owns it immigrated just fifteen years ago, bringing treasured recipes that showcase Sicily’s unique flavors influenced by Mediterranean and North African cuisines.
Kids gravitate toward their arancini crispy rice balls with gooey cheese centers that make perfect handheld treats. Parents appreciate the thoughtfully priced wine list featuring Italian varieties you won’t find elsewhere.
During summer months, their back garden transforms into a magical dining space with string lights and herb planters that children are encouraged to explore. The restaurant hosts occasional pasta-making classes where families can learn together, creating memories alongside dinner.
7. Bambinelli’s Italian Restaurant
Family-owned since 1980, this Northlake institution embodies the Italian tradition of treating customers like relatives. The moment you walk in, you’ll notice tables filled with multiple generations enjoying meals together always a good sign!
Their house specialty, Pasta Bambinelli, features fettuccine in a rich cream sauce with mushrooms and ham that somehow pleases sophisticated palates and children simultaneously. The portions are generous enough that most families take home tomorrow’s lunch too.
What sets them apart is how they accommodate dietary needs without fuss their gluten-free pasta options taste so good that kids can’t tell the difference. The dessert tray presentation is a theatrical experience that delights young diners as they select from house-made treats.
8. Piu Bello Pizzeria & Restaurant
Marietta’s hidden treasure delivers a slice of Italy with extraordinary pizza that keeps families coming back weekly. Unlike chain pizzerias, their dough ferments for 48 hours, creating a distinctive flavor that even pizza-picky kids approve.
The restaurant’s layout includes a semi-separated play area with Italian-themed coloring sheets and games, allowing parents to enjoy their meal with half an eye on the little ones. Their signature Grandma’s Pizza a thin rectangular pie with fresh mozzarella and basil consistently wins over first-time visitors.
During weekday lunch, they offer a family meal deal that includes a large pizza, salad, and cannoli for a remarkably reasonable price. The owners remember returning families by name, making everyone feel like regulars from the second visit.
9. Cibo e Beve
Sandy Springs’ upscale yet approachable Italian spot strikes that elusive balance between sophisticated dining and family-friendly atmosphere. Their menu changes seasonally, introducing children to the Italian concept of eating what’s fresh and local.
The open kitchen concept fascinates young diners who can watch chefs craft dishes from scratch. My daughter still talks about seeing her ravioli being hand-formed before arriving at our table. Parents appreciate the thoughtful wine list with by-the-glass options that complement the robust flavors.
Sunday afternoons feature their “Famiglia” menu a fixed price, family-style meal where everyone shares large platters of pasta, protein, and vegetables. The kids’ gelato sundae bar, where children create their own dessert masterpieces, provides the perfect sweet ending to a memorable meal.
10. Baraonda Ristorante & Bar
Midtown Atlanta’s artistic community has embraced this stylish yet unpretentious restaurant where Italian cuisine meets Southern hospitality. Despite its sophisticated appearance, families receive a genuinely warm welcome, with highchairs and booster seats readily available.
Their wood-fired pizzas emerge crackling and aromatic, with toppings that introduce young palates to new flavors without overwhelming them. The early dinner service (5-6:30pm) strikes the perfect balance quiet enough for family conversation but with enough ambient noise to absorb the occasional child’s outburst.
The staff expertly guides parents through menu options that work for kids without talking down to young diners. Their tiramisu, made with just a hint of coffee rather than the traditional strong brew, becomes a perfect introduction to classic Italian desserts for children.
11. Osteria Mattone
Roswell’s Roman-inspired eatery brings the eternal city’s culinary traditions to life in a restored cottage that exudes charm. Their pasta carbonara a simple combination of eggs, cheese, and pancetta demonstrates how quality ingredients need little embellishment to shine.
Young diners receive a warm welcome with activity books featuring Italian language basics and monuments to color. The restaurant’s garden patio becomes a magical setting on warm evenings, with twinkling lights that enchant children while parents savor authentic flavors.
What impresses me most is how they’ve trained staff to explain Italian food traditions to curious kids. My son still remembers learning how real carbonara contains no cream! Their Sunday “Family Pranzo” offers a four-course meal served family-style at a fixed price that makes fine dining accessible.
12. Campania Pizzeria Napoletana
Alpharetta’s answer to authentic Neapolitan pizza brings southern Italian flavors to the northern suburbs. The restaurant’s centerpiece a magnificent wood-fired oven imported from Naples turns out blistered, perfectly chewy pizzas in just 90 seconds while mesmerized children watch.
Beyond pizza, their child-sized portions of pasta fagioli soup and house-made meatballs introduce kids to Italian comfort food without overwhelming young appetites. The restaurant’s noise level hits the sweet spot energetic enough that parents don’t worry about normal kid volume but still conversation-friendly.
During weekend afternoons, they sometimes offer pizza-making classes where children don chef hats and learn to stretch dough. The spacious patio features a small herb garden where servers encourage curious kids to smell the basil and rosemary used in their meals.
13. Pricci
Buckhead’s elegant Italian destination might seem formal at first glance, but their genuine embrace of family dining reveals itself through thoughtful details. The restaurant provides drawing materials with Italian themes and offers a sophisticated children’s menu that treats young diners with respect.
Their handmade pastas showcase regional Italian specialties, with the ricotta-stuffed ravioli in brown butter sage sauce winning over even picky eaters. Parents appreciate the attentive service that anticipates needs like bringing extra napkins before spills happen and timing courses perfectly.
Sunday evenings feature their “Family Table” experience with shareable platters served in courses, teaching children the Italian tradition of leisurely dining. The dessert cart presentation becomes a highlight for kids, who delight in selecting from miniature versions of classic Italian sweets.
14. Fritti
Inman Park’s beloved pizzeria captures the spirit of casual Italian dining with its relaxed atmosphere and focus on quality ingredients. The restaurant’s name comes from the Italian word for “fried,” highlighting their spectacular appetizers that introduce children to Italian street food.
Their pizza dough, fermented for three days, develops complex flavors that elevate even a simple cheese pizza to something special. The spacious patio becomes a family favorite during pleasant weather, with enough room between tables that parents can relax.
What truly stands out is how they’ve mastered the art of timing when serving families appetizers arrive quickly to satisfy impatient young diners, while parents’ more complex dishes follow at a perfect pace. Their house-made gelato in kid-approved flavors like chocolate-hazelnut provides the perfect sweet ending.
15. Double Zero
Emory Village’s modern Italian eatery brings contemporary flair to traditional recipes, making it a hit with families seeking something beyond the usual red-sauce joints. The restaurant’s name refers to the ultra-fine flour used in their spectacular pasta and pizza dough.
Kids are drawn to the open kitchen where chefs perform culinary magic, hand-rolling pasta and stretching pizza dough. The menu features familiar favorites alongside gentle introductions to more adventurous flavors their butternut squash ravioli with sage butter converts even vegetable-resistant children.
Early evening reservations (before 6:30) guarantee a quieter experience perfect for families with younger children. Their “Piccolo” menu for kids includes half-portions of selected regular menu items rather than dumbed-down options, respecting developing palates while keeping portions manageable.
16. Valenza Restaurant
Tucked into Brookhaven’s charming Village Place, this Northern Italian gem creates a dining experience reminiscent of a Venetian countryside osteria. Despite its sophisticated ambiance, families receive a genuinely warm welcome with special attention paid to young diners.
Their house-made focaccia arrives warm to the table, keeping hungry children content while parents peruse the thoughtful wine list. The chef’s willingness to accommodate requests like serving pasta with sauce on the side demonstrates their understanding of family dining dynamics.
Weekend brunch introduces Italian morning traditions with dishes like ricotta pancakes that bridge cultures deliciously. The partially covered patio becomes an ideal spot for families during warmer months, offering enough space for high chairs and booster seats without feeling cramped.
