La Famiglia

Being Italian and having been in the restaurant business for 2 1/2 decades, I’m very picky when it comes to Italian food. For some reason, while on business in Reno, I had a craving for veal piccata. I looked up La Famiglia restaurant because it happened to be close and rather highly rated. I couldn’t have been more surprised. This is probably the best meal I’ve had in Reno in at least several years. One of the things most places get wrong is the way they cook their calamari. It is often over breaded and overdone. The calamari here was neither. It was absolutely perfect. The veal was tender, the piccata sauce, flavorful, and the surprising edition of mixed garlic, sautéed vegetables accompanying it were superb. The bread they serve is crusty with a soft center, and was some of the better bread I’ve been served in Italian restaurant in quite a while. I ordered a cannoli for dessert, something that I also am often disappointed in. Many of the shells are stale, soft, or just “not quite right.” My cannoli, those slightly different than the ones I am used to, was excellent. It is also served with a scoop of spumoni ice cream, a nice bonus. Finally, the staff here is absolutely on point. My waiter was excellent, attending to my needs and offering me excellent suggestions. Even the bus boy was spot on. If he saw an empty plate at my table, he was overtaking it away and asking if he could get anything for me. Finally, the owner came over to ask me how everything was and to thank me for coming in. That’s such an easy thing to do, yet happens so infrequently that it actually surprised me. I travel over 150 days per year. I eat a lot of meals out. It is so nice to have such an enjoyable experience – one that I will certainly return to enjoy again.

Great atmosphere. The food was amazing. It felt like I was in Italy again that's how good the food was. I forgot to take pictures of all the food and this was after I shelled all the clams that I had in my pasta but it was delicious.

Just a perfect experience all around. The blackberry cocktail was great. Lobster Ravioli was fantastic. Bread, marinara, cheesecake, all amazing. Gotta be one of Reno’s best dining experiences. We had the pleasure of being waited on by Regina who was great as well.

Delicious!! We started with the grilled artichoke. It was a bit salty but so tender and tasty. My sister had the salmon special and she loved it. I had the veal Marsala, it was wonderful! Dessert was creme brûlée which did not disappoint! I would definitely go there again!

Pros: -Juicy and tender Ribeye steak -Calamari was not overcooked and lightly breaded. -Extensive wine list and full bar -Well executed service. Nothing felt rushed with appetizers, salad and entrees coming out right on time. Cons: - Ordered the Ribeye and asked if it came with any sides like vegetables as the menu only listed it as coming with sautéed mushrooms. My waitress Karla I. mentioned it was just a steak with nothing else, so I decided to order the Caesar Salad. To my suprise, when my steak came it had potatoes and vegetables which I will go into below. When I asked her about that she said "Oh, I didnt know". As a waitress you need to know what is served on each entree, especially after listing off the extensive specials list for that day. I felt misguided and manipulated into buying more when my meal would have sufficed. -The vegetables for the steak were a mix of fresh green beans, fresh carrots and frozen broccoli, which had an off texture accompanied by the rest of the fresh vegetables. If you are going to do fresh, you need to go all the way. -The meatballs were definitely store bought. The inside of them had a smooth texture not found in handmade meatballs, mechanically seperated and formed, they were too uniform. For $4 each I expected more. - The tablecloth and wineglass on the table were dirty when we were sat. Overall it wasnt a bad night but they have some things they can improve on. Make sure your waiters know what is on the menu before speaking with customers, and if they are unsure its completely fine to go talk with the kitchen staff to find out, we will thank you for it.

Went for a family friends dinner and the food was delicious! I got the baked penne and it was FANTASTIC! I also got the salted caramel espresso martini as well which was also delicious! The service was remarkable, Karla was our waitress and she was just a delight, I could totally hang out with her! We also met the owner, John (Jon?), and he was just a sweetheart, it was really great talking with him! Cannot wait to come back again!

Definitely worth visiting for some delicious Italian food~ went here with a friend before a show at the Pioneer Center. We were later to get a reservation and so we got seated near the bar but that was also pretty and fun. The servers, bartender and staff are friendly and interactive; the ambiance with music, candles and smells was amazing. Full service bar was great, along with many wine options. Highly recommend the bruschetta, calamari and cappelloni dishes~ and the desserts were also impressive. Highly recommend this place for their quality and service~ not a bad seat there but if you want main room/larger table dining be sure to book a table early!

This was my first visit and it did not disappoint! The owner came around and greeted us, the server and helpers were top notch. We will definitely be back!

Pro's: Great venue for before a show at Pioneer Center and food is solid, consistent, delicious. Con's: None Go back?: For sure More... We just really enjoyed our meal. We sat at the bar and that was totally fun. Check out the photos of the THICK parmesan cheese on the Caesar and that beautiful scallop risotto...yum!

Pretty neat little Italian restaurant in downtown. Came here to celebrate my friend's birthday and she was happy. We ordered the rigatoni special with added shrimp and lobster raviolis. The sauce was a bit on the wetter side. We prefer creamier sauce but it was really good regardless. They forgot to give us bread when we asked. Server was friendly and attentive.

How did we forget about you?? After a long hiatus we made it back! What a pleasure. Cozy atmosphere, great seeing, good food and nice wine selection. We enjoyed the Cesar salad, pasta, garlic bread a bottle of wine and cocktails. Reasonable prices for the quality. Definitely worth it.

Love the staff and the food was amazing. We went there before we went to the nutcracker. Had the best time. We will definitely be back!! Their lobster ravioli was delicious!!

Was seeing a show at Pioneer center so decided to stop here for dinner since it's so close by. It was hopping in there, unsurprisingly since it was a Saturday night, but we got seated right away. Our server was so wonderful, she asked if we were seeing the show and made a point to get our order in as soon as possible so that we didn't have to worry about missing our show. Things like that are above and beyond to me! The cannoli was to die for, I rarely can finish a plate but I somehow finished every bite of this because I couldn't stop! My daughter had the Alfredo and wasn't a huge fan, she did have to add extra salt and pepper. She's picky though, so I take that with a grain of salt. All in all, we will definitely be back again.

Hubby and I finally returned to enjoy dinner before a show at the cozy bar. We did make reservations as they are typically busy on show nights - glad they noted my request for bar seats. Our Negroni and Calamari were delicious! The chicken parm was a bit dry but we'll be forgiving as others enjoyed their meals around the bar. Considering how busy the bar was, Matt was very friendly and attentive. Show night note: We arrived just before 6pm and the bar had plenty of open spots but was full in 15 minutes. With the show starting at 7:30pm, the bar clears out around 7:15pm.

The service was good. The highlight was the Gorgonzola Filet. Very delicious and tender. The green beans that came with it were cooked to perfection, still snappy a bit and not soggy. The potatoes were nice and soft on the inside and the right amount of crisp on the outside. The ciopino was very tasty as well with ample seafood. The affogato was the perfect way to finish off the meal. The inside was nice and roomy, the use of space is very good. Good location the parking can be a bit challenging depending on the time you come and the events going on in the area. I will definitely be back for that gorgonzola filet. Thank you.

La Famiglia has long been regarded as one of the finest dining establishments in town, but my recent experience revealed a shocking lack of professionalism and care that left me questioning how such a poorly run operation has earned its reputation. On what should have been a joyous birthday celebration, the restaurant delivered the worst dining experience of my life. Despite arriving early for a 6:15 reservation to allow ample time for an 8 PM show at the Pioneer Center, my party and I endured a humiliating evening of negligence, miscommunication, and outright disregard for our time and needs. From the outset, I informed our server of our time constraints and was reassured there would be no issue. That reassurance was meaningless. It took over an hour just to place our entrée order, and the server was so inattentive that three of my guests had to get up to track down someone--anyone--to address drink orders that had been ignored for 40 minutes. By 7:40, with no food in sight, the manager finally arrived to assure us that "it would only be a few more minutes." This dismissive comment completely ignored the fact that we had a disabled person in our party, making her follow-up remark about the theater being a "30-second walk" even more tone-deaf and offensive. This kind of chaos could perhaps be excused on an unexpectedly busy night, but only if the front-of-house staff stepped up to manage the situation. Instead, there was zero communication or effort to accommodate our needs. A well-trained staff would have proactively warned us of kitchen delays, recommended adjustments, or even suggested other dining options when it became clear the kitchen could not keep pace. Instead, we were strung along, forced to leave hungry, humiliated, and thoroughly disappointed. The root of the problem lies in the restaurant's glaring lack of accountability. The staff was untrained, the service abysmal, and the management oblivious. Blaming the kitchen for the disaster is unacceptable. Leadership and preparation are what separate truly exceptional establishments from those that merely rest on their laurels. La Famiglia failed in every conceivable way. This isn't just a bad review; it's a wake-up call for a restaurant that claims to set the standard for fine dining in this community. If they can't deliver on that promise, they'll quickly find their reputation going the way of their service: down the drain.

I would highly recommend La Famiglia. I took my family here after a devastating time in our lives and the entire team went out of their way to make sure we were well cared for. I'm very grateful for the extra time they spent on us and the compassion they had toward us. I had spaghetti and meatballs which is a great comfort food having grown up with an Italian grandmother. I would definitely order it again. The pictures I posted were from a different visit. La Famiglia is a great restaurant for Italian seafood. The lobster ravioli had a good amount of lobster and great presentation. We look forward to dining with you all again. Thank you.

We had been here years ago but had forgotten how amazing La Famiglia really is. We had an opportunity to visit the restaurant with friends, the best way to enjoy Italian. The restaurant is quaint, with a touch of the old world and a splash of today. On this night, the wait staff were just as great as I remembered. Prompt, cordial and authentic. Viva Italia! I had the Lasagna Bolognese. Prepared to perfection, the taste of the noodles, cheese and Bolognese was magnifico. My wife had the Sea Bass, a special of the evening. On the whole, I don't think this was their best dish, more trout than Sea Bass. Others at the table had the Ravioli and Salmon (another special) and one of our friends had the Spaghetti Squash with Sausage. While I didn't try it, this dish looked absolutely amazing. Located directly across from the Pioneer Center, La Famiglia makes for a great night out any night but a clear no brainer when combined with a show at the Pioneer. Bravo La Famiglia. Bravo.

Great ambiance and service! Food never disappoints and amazing craft cocktails. I recommend the cioppino. Love this restaurant for Italian food. I'll be back soon!

We were finally able to dine at La Famiglia, after having it on our list for years. It is a small restaurant, and very popular, so getting a reservation is not easy. The ambiance is old school Italian with white tablecloth elegance. Our assistant waiter poured our water the minute we sat down, and made sure our water glasses never got less than half full. He was quick to provide bread plates and any items we might need. The restaurant filled quickly right after opening, but our server handled it with professionalism and charm. We were given delicious bread to sop up the high quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar that is on the table. We tried not to eat much, to leave room. We ordered the Carpaccio as an appetizer, and it was outstanding. We both ordered House Salads and honestly, they were exceptional. The dressing was delicate, the lettuce mix fresh and crisp, and they had cranberries sprinkled in it. My husband ordered the Veal Piccata and he said it was the best he ever had. He also raved about the vegetables that came with the dish. I had a taste of the veal piccata and agree. I had the Lobster Ravioli and it was very good. I was grateful it was not huge portions because I was really getting full. This restaurant is right across the street from the Pioneer Center and is the perfect place to have a special dinner before seeing a concert or event.

Love it. Always our go to place before a concert. The waitress was always at tentative with a big smile. My friend's lobster ravioli and my Linguine alle Vongle are so beautiful and delicious. We were there quite early, so it's very quiet and serene. But we had been there when it's packed, still peacefully enjoying our meals

First time to this restaurant and it was very good. Nice atmosphere inside with white tablecloth service and an impressive wine list. It's a little smaller-about 20 tables-and it gets busy so reservations are recommended. Complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar was served first. We had the burrata plate as our appetizer and it was very good with fresh tomatoes. My husband had clam chowder next which he loved. Our entrees were lobster ravioli (with a whole lobster tail) and veal scallopini-both delicious. Service was outstanding and the house wine by the glass very good. Can't wait to return to try more of their menu.

La Famiglia truly lives up to its name--this place feels like family the moment you walk in. We came for the lobster ravioli, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked--it was the kind of dish that makes you slow down and savor every bite. The meal started off strong with fresh bread that was so warm and delicious, we could've eaten a whole basket. And huge shoutout to Ben, our server--he was incredibly kind, attentive, and made the whole experience even more memorable.

La Familia is hands-down one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Reno... My favorite is their beef carpaccio and recently I was able to try the veal. We love this restaurant for date night! The service is great and the staff is extremely friendly must try!

Stumbled across this spot by accident and it turned out to be an extremely happy accident. The restaurant has a traditional modern Italian style feel. Service was excellent from start to finish, the food was delicious and priced very reasonably. I was reminded by my favorite Italian restaurant in queens and the girls and I will definitely be back soon! P.S. Parking during the day is metered but free after six. Would also recommend asking a reservation as it was pretty busy tonight.

The food is consistently very good as is the service. We've been back a few times and recommended La Famiglia to several friends / family.

Our dinner last Thursday at Ka Famiglia Reno was one of the most exceptional Italian fine dining experiences that either of us had ever encountered. Our server Michelle was awesome, Jose the buzzer efficient, and John Ekizian, the owner charming and personable. Incredible ambiance, creative, authentic and delicious preparations and the entire evening flowed like a finely tuned symphony! We can't wait to return!!

Good price good service. I like this place probably best Italian restaurant in town..

A delicious evening. My husband and I have been wanting to try this place for a long time and just decided to try our luck. We arrived at 5pm on a Friday. We had no reservation but they were able to seat us. I would recommend reservations for others, all the other tables were booked up. A half bottle of wine, fresh bread, delicious pastas and desserts were the spread for the evening. The ravioli and cannoli were the king of the show. The chicken parm was tasty, as were the garlic green beans, but the penne pasta it was served with was just okay. The ravioli was remarkable! Mascarpone and basil! Yum! If you are interested in a fancy evening of delicious Italian food, I would recommend giving La Famiglia a try! Parking can be an issue, as it's next to the pioneer center and the court house.

So incredibly impressed with this spot! We came to eat before a show. I wasn't aware that dinner service takes 1.5-2 hours and they didn't have any tables available at our reservation time. The hostess checked and snagged us a table in the bar so we could eat and get to the show on time. They also comped us dessert for being flexible - wow! Amazing service and tasty food. The lasagna was so ooey gooey! And crème brûlée was a total hit. We will be back (and allow more time next time )!!

The best Italian restaurant in Reno, hands down. I eat there every time I'm in town on business. Great food, great service. I always sit at the bar and make new friends. Being a pescatarian there are plenty of choices.

Gayle and I had 5:30 reservations (through Google) at Coconut Downtown last night and well before the 7 PM performance of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at the very nearby Pioneer Center. Yet when we arrived, the door was locked and a sign informed us that it was closed, due to the chef being in an accident. Thinking quickly, we stepped over to La Famiglia, which had a full dining room, but with available tables at the bar in the next room. We snagged a nice high table by the window and proceeded to have a most enjoyable meal prior to the show. The only thing we might have done differently would have been to order a better glass of wine besides the inexpensive, yet unremarkable white and red house choices. Past that, everything was fabulous, including friendly and interactive service, a great pork chop entree that Gayle ordered and a delicious and very filling baked penne for me. We loved the room, the view, our romantic date, and the energy of other patrons who were also going to see Grinch later in the evening. That show (clocking in at 85 minutes) was very entertaining and fun, of which La Famiglia was a perfect pre-show experience of its own. We had previously made reservations at La Famiglia for January 3 prior to the performance of "Six" at the Pioneer Center. We very much look forward to trying other temping choices on their menu.

Food and service is great and probably slightly better pricing than some of the other fancy Italian places in town.

Went to La Famiglia to celebrate my son's most recent accomplishment. Overall the food was great. The only entree I do not recommend is the Lasagna. It consisted of multiple layers of pasta and cheese only. The ground beef was added to the sauce. I prefer the ground beef inside the Lasagna. Everyone else in my party enjoyed their food. Julio, the server was outstanding. The staff is very friendly. Can't wait to go back to this small and friendly restaurant.

Always have to go to La famiglia . Food is alway good. Had the Lobster Escargot style and had the seared Scallops Would recommend trying them.

Dinner before a show at Pioneer theatre. I was able to make a reservation on open table with no problem and glad I did because it was packed when we got there! Seated right away and our server was Karla, very friendly and told us the specials. Since we had a show we opted for a couple appetizers and salads. I chose a glass of house Chianti which was very nice. We enjoyed bruschetta and fried Calamari with lemon Aioli for appetizers and I chose a green salad with cranberries, walnuts and a light dressing on it. My friend had a tomato caprese salad with fresh tomatoes and Basil. We were very satisfied but next time I'd like to try the meatballs and sauce it looked so good!!

One of the worst meals I've had in Reno. Start with an overabundance of servers, all who seemed to have their own agenda causing a great amount of of chaos and confusion. One appetizer arrived after the rest of the table had eaten theirs. The "crispy" Brussels sprouts weren't cored, so they were chewy, at best. The Alfredo sauce broke and was still served. The " baked" lasagna was clearly pasta strips dipped in tomato sauce, piled on top of each other, some mozzarella cheese slapped on top and put under a broiler. It also arrived after the rest of the table had finished. They ended up comping the lasagna--for arriving so late--but didn't seem to care about the quality of the food. At these prices, you get a better experience at the Olive Garden.

Experience at La Famiglia for an intimate dinner was nothing short of perfection. Impeccable service, the food was incredible - hands down one of the best meals I've had in Northern Nevada. Highly recommend the Carpaccio and Saltimbocca, beautifully prepared and presented. Will definitely be our go to for evening out when attending the Pioneer or other downtown events.

The food was very expensive. 3 adults, 1 child= $350 with tip. The food was okay. The Cesar salad was horrible. My salmon was not fresh. Overcooked with tartar sauce on top. I wouldn't come back.

Consistent wonderful food selection and wines! Very courteous staff. Excellent room for a party.

Greeted and seated right away, no reservation. While the specials sounded awesome, I was wanting lasagna for a couple weeks. Ordered a Whistlepig whisky, not having tried that one before. Tasty! Very fresh bread went well with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the table. Fresh grated Parmesan was offered after they placed the oven baked lasagna with bolognese sauce on my table. The sauce is delicately spiced, the lasagna is amazing! Cappuccino and spumoni for dessert! Like the mini biscotti!

The restaurant is set back from the Truckee River, Courthouse side of the bridge. Food was very good, and well priced. Good value. Metered parking until 6pm We made a reservation to be safe.

Came in with no reservation and it was packed, but they were able to get us in on the bar side right away. Just be prepared that if you do sit on that side, there is no air conditioning so it was hot. The bread they give you was great, nice, warm and fluffy. The service was great. I had a dirty fork and the bartender saw me looking at it and was already there to ask me if I wanted a new fork. Our entrees were great as well. Nice place for Italian but I do recommend making a reservation and sitting on the main side with AC.

La Famiglia is an A+ option for Italian cuisine in Reno (or any cuisine while I'm at it!) I was invited to this restaurant for a birthday party dinner and I am so glad to have been able to go. The restaurant is very intimate, and feels extremely homey from the get go. We were quickly greeted and brought back to a private party area that was big enough for our group of about 15, and had room for more. So if you're interested in having a more private party, there is definitely the option here. I tried a TON of amazing food but the shrimp scampi blew my mind. To be honest, I don't even like shrimp, or I guess I thought I didn't, but La famiglia totally changed my mind. It was a perfect dish. The best part of it all was the staff. Karla, Miguel, Jose and Regina all went out of their way to make sure we were taken care of. Their attitudes throughout the night were bubbly and fun, they joked with us but still always made sure we had everything we needed. As mentioned before, it was super homey and you just feel warm being in such a positive environment. I would recommend La famiglia to everyone, whether you're a local or just visiting. Try this awesome Reno staple.

La Famiglia is one of our favorite Italian restaurants. Somehow, it manages to be both elegant & homey. We were seated in an intimate--6 or 7 tables in total, inviting room lined with wine shelves. Ben, Miguel & all our wonderful servers were attentive & professional, checking on us frequently yet unobtrusively. The overall service was, as always, flawless despite the restaurant being at maximum capacity. Food: simply amazing. We would very happily get the calamari, burrata plate, Caesar salad, veal marsala and salmon again, all were expertly prepared. I had the perfectly seared scallops, seasoned deftly to tease out the sweetness of the succulent morsels, it was paired with quite possibly the best risotto in the history of mankind. I joked to Ben that I wanted to lick the plate clean, he grinned & responded "some do!" It is that kind of restaurant, upscale without being stuffy. This atmosphere is reflected in the patrons' attire, which ranges from polo shirts & jeans to the occasional sports jacket. They have a wine selection extensive enough to pair perfectly with everything on the menu. We will return again & again...Thank you for yet another memorable evening.

I'd been here years ago when we used to live in Reno, and when we took my dad out for his 85th birthday, we knew since Italian is one of his favorite cuisines, he'd probably like La Famiglia. We ordered a few dishes and appetizers, everything was really delicious. The service was friendly and accommodating. Only down side was parking, it was freezing out and there wasn't parking for blocks. We dropped off my dad and circled and circled for awhile. Nothing too major. Would return!

Overall I'd recommend this place for those looking for a good Italian meal at reasonable prices. Nice wine list, though none of ordered from it. Chocolate milk for my granddaughter and other drinks for the adults. Good sized portions and I ended up taking some home. I'd recommend getting reservations as even on a weekday night it was nearly full. Only issue was that was a bit chilly seated by the windows.

Very mediocre Great service lovely setting white table clothes nice ambiance but food

Great food, outstanding service in an elevated atmosphere. Very affordable wine list pricing

I have eaten here three times, my food as well as my friend's food were amazing as well! I always get the spaghetti squash without the sausage, I do not eat meat. The appetizers were delicious too. The only thing is the assistant manager kept telling us we had to hurry and could not stay at our table more than two hours. Never heard that before. However I love this place, the people, food and obvious are wonderful. Our apps were very good as well! I love living near this restaurant it's my go to place! Even if I go by myself, you can sit at the bar, you always have people to chat with! It's a 5 star place for me.

I have been there a few times prior to the Reno Philharmonic Concerts across the street. It is one of several restaurants that Maria and I frequent on date nights. Last night April 20, 2024 the gods were smiling at us. I can honestly say this was by far the best service and dinners we have experienced ar La Familgia. Maria ordered the Pollo Saltimbocca and I opted for the Cioppino. The cioppino was loaded with mussels scallops, fish, shrimp, clams and topped off with a small lobster tail. The shrimp and fish were a little overcooked. The restaurant offered to replace my meal but I did not have enough time to wait for another meal and I did not want to throw a wrench on date night. We also shared a nice bottle of Barolo with our meal.We shared a spumonti dessert and each had after dinner coffee drinks. It was an exceptional night that begin with a great meal followed by a great concert. Parking is not a problem with a city parking lot across the street. I always call for reservations ( you should too). Exceptional wine list. $$-$$$$.

We had a great dinner here. The service was incredible, our server was very personable and attentive. Food and cocktails were perfect. Will be coming back!

Fine established Italian restaurant close to Pioneer Theater. Outstanding classic Italian favorites with some surprises as well. Delightful waitress and terrific food. Nicely decorated and welcoming interior.

Yes, this restaurant is wonderful and food & service outstanding. Ask for Julio - he is fun and not overbearing and speaks Italian ! Awesome place for special dinners, and they did not raise prices sky-high like many other places that are not as good. "Grazie."

The ambiance is super warm and family friendly and very welcoming. The service was impeccable. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the dishes and very helpful with making recommendations. Everything we ordered was delicious! I ordered the lobster raviolis and hubby ordered osso bucco over polenta. Both were amazing!

I love this restaurant. It's always wonderful to have great service and people that clearly love going to work. When I moved to Reno, I missed Italian food that tasted home cooked. La familiar was definitely the spot I was looking for! We enjoyed the cocktails. The sangria is legit. Not too sweet, with a good amount of spice and that marinating fruit flavor. As for the food, I haven't had the opportunity to sample the entire menu yet. I usually start with spaghetti and meatballs for my first time at an Italian restaurant and I loved it here! There was a generous portion of meatballs. Fresh herbs and roasted garlic were deliciously playing on each other in the red sauce. Next for me will be chicken parm which is always what I get the second time at an Italian restaurant.

This is our Go To Italian Restaurant in Reno. Food, ambiance, wine list, service - all perfect! I am not one to take pics of my food when dining ;-) I'll just say that my husband and I have explored Reno for the best Italian, and this one is the top of our list!