Seeking out local, family-run restaurants rather than the big chains is a great way to get to know an area and sample some delicious cooking along the way. From classic mom-and-pop joints to innovative spots from creative young clans, these are the best family-run restaurants across America, state by state.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover which state has the best family-run restaurant of them all.

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

Operating since 1915, this old-school, family-run Italian restaurant is known for its menu of delicious classic dishes from spaghetti and meatballs to veal parmigiana, with cannelloni and tiramisu for dessert. Loyal customers praise the service and say this cute and cozy joint is hard to beat.

The owners of this historic restaurant proudly boast that it's the oldest Italian in America, loved by famous clientele including President Joe Biden, Frank Sinatra, and Taylor Swift. Opened in 1900 by Neapolitan Francesco Dispigno and his wife, this family establishment is now run by their great-grandchildren. The simple Italian food has stood the test of time – get your fill of fettuccini alfredo or creamy spaghetti with clams.

Stained glass windows and plush red carpets characterize this ristorante. It's been in the Lacona family since 1946, and today a younger generation continue the late Noah Lacona's passion for bringing Neapolitan-style pizza and fresh seafood to Iowa's capital. His chicken parmigiana is a house specialty. 

This is the oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family in the US – so they've had plenty of time to perfect their tacos and tamales. It was established back in 1922 by Tia Monica Flin, who is credited with inventing the chimichanga (a Tex-Mex-style deep-fried burrito.) These feature on the menu, as do oozing quesadillas, soft tacos, and zingy Margaritas. 

Local woman BJ Baumann and her family own and run this seafood restaurant. They're committed to sourcing local ingredients, from oysters shucked in Virginia Beach to beer brewed nearby. Order the Rock's Trio: a plentiful plate heaving with crab cakes, scallops, and shrimp served with risotto.

A short ride from the center of Santa Fe, this New Mexican restaurant has a special owner. Nicknamed 'Mrs J' by her customers, Florence Jaramillo, together with Chimayo native husband Arturo, has owned this restaurant for more than 50 years – and she still greets guests and wipes down tables today. The award-winning place serves traditional dishes like tamales, tacos, and tostadas. 

Hal and Mal's was opened by brothers Malcolm and Harold White in 1985. It's become something of a local landmark and is now run by second-generation family members. The metallic bar stools, leather sofas, and black and white photo-lined walls are a nod to a bygone era and the American comfort food and live music events here are as popular as ever. 

The Italian roots of this place run deep. Founded by Tuscan Gene Michelotti and his friend Alfredo 'Georgetti' Federighi, it's been a Chicago institution since 1941, and remains in the family today. The restaurant is most famous for its steak which, over the years, has been served to some of Hollywood's greats, including Russell Crowe and Keanu Reeves. Don't leave without sampling the Key lime pie.

This historic joint is credited with creating the hamburger back in 1900. The story goes that a time-poor gentleman hurried into Louis' Lunch and ordered a quick dish he could take away. Owner Louis Lassen slipped a hunk of ground steak between two slices of bread and gave it to the customer. Today, it's run by Louis' great grandson Jeff and patties are made daily, cooked to order, and served with simple garnishes like crunchy lettuce.

Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant was built back in the 1930s and bought by 'Grandpa Mayo Rich' in 1947. Today, biscuits and gravy, ham and eggs, or a hot turkey sandwich will warm your cockles after a long day's hiking. The diner is famous for its strawberry and banana pie, made to a top-secret family recipe.

Purchased in 1981 by John and Belinda Kemper, the Blue Bonnet Cafe is now run by the couple's oldest daughter and her husband. Belinda created the joint's famous pies which are still winning rave reviews to this day, while the breakfast menu is served all day, and includes items such as biscuits with gravy, omelets, cinnamon rolls, and donuts.

DiFebo's Restaurant started life as a deli, operating out of a beach house in Bethany. It was the brainchild of Delaware-born Lisa DiFebo, whose dad inspired her love of cooking. Today, the whole family has a hand in DiFebo's, which also has a location at Rehoboth Beach. It serves modern Italian food, with a handful of dishes from Lisa's grandmother's recipe book like steaming cioppino seafood stew and Abruzzi-style braised rabbit.

Service with a smile and filling, good-value food are the mainstays of this Cheyenne restaurant, opened in 1942 and owned by the same family ever since. The Albany looks onto the historic train depot and has a pared-back dining room filled with red-brown booths, low lights, and black and white photos. Come for lunch or dinner and try the hearty beef or bean burritos with a slice of fruit pie for dessert. 

Husband and wife Jon and Katy Oppold came across the perfect place to open their pizzeria – a vacant former laundromat – whilst walking their French bulldog Sunny. This welcoming neighborhood spot serves 'jowl droppin' thin-crust pizza' such as the Leggo My Pizza topped with chicken, bacon, Belgian waffles, hot honey, and maple syrup. Its pizzas are also now available in local bars in the area.

This Denver institution has been in the Bastien family, and in the same location, since 1937. It's the self-proclaimed 'home of the sugar steak,' where succulent filets are marinated with Bastien's signature sugar and spice rub. Baked barramundi and a towering sugar burger are other menu favorites, while the interior has a retro feel with neon lights and checkerboard floors.

Opened by a husband-and-wife team Rose Forrest – aka Mama Rose – and Bruce Cunningham in 2014, The Jamaica Pot is loved for its boneless jerk chicken, curry goat, and red snapper dishes. There's also a good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

La Famiglia Giorgio's has been in Boston's historic North End since 1990. Run by the Giorgio family, it serves hearty Roman cooking just like nonna used to make. The menu features dishes such as La Famiglia Special (chicken and veal tossed in an alfredo-pesto sauce), and Maryann’s Favorite – giant homemade meatballs atop a heap of your choice of pasta.

This restaurant in NOLA's French Quarter has a lengthy history; it was opened in the 1840s by plucky young chef Antoine Alciatore and is now run by fifth-generation family member Rick Blount. Antoine’s son Jules invented Oysters Rockefeller here, and you can still indulge in a plate today. Other highlights include shrimp in Antoine's secret recipe sauce and omelet Alaska Antoine, a unique dessert of ice cream, pound cake, and meringue. 

The oldest restaurant in Florida, Columbia Restaurant in Tampa opened in 1905. Today it has numerous locations across the state, but has remained in the same family, now operated by fourth and fifth generations. Go for the original Cuban sandwich: the recipe remains unchanged, with marinated pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, and plenty of mustard and pickles. 

Original Joe's is no longer small fry, but they've kept things in the family. This third-generation family business was first opened in 1937 by Croatian Tony Rodin. The original location was devastated in a fire in 2007, but there are now two flourishing venues – one in West Lake and one in North Beach. Both serve Italian American food in plentiful portions – the eggplant parmigiana and sautéed sweetbreads are favorites. 

This friendly restaurant in downtown Montgomery is one of the oldest in the city. It was founded by a local named Alice Martin in the early 1930s, but in 1939 was bought out by David Smith, whose daughter runs the restaurant today. Inspired by 'the everyday family cooking that we grew up with,' menu staples include peppery fried chicken, baked meatloaf, and homemade cornbread. 

This is one of the more expensive spots in Seattle, but the food is worth the price tag. Founded by Peter Canlis in 1950, the place is now run by his grandsons, Brian and Mark. It serves a multi-course tasting menu where you choose three of the courses and the rest are chef surprises. You'll need to wear your best clothes and likely book weeks in advance.

This Wall Street spot was established in 1972 by now renowned restaurateur Harry Poulakakos. It has stood the test of time, feeding the district's financiers and tourists alike – but was almost no more. When his wife died in 2003, grief-stricken Harry closed the restaurant. Three years later, his son reopened it, laid on some modern touches and had the venue flourishing once more. Steak is the joint's most famous dish: choose from filet mignon or Cajun boneless rib-eye. 

Little La Isla has been serving flavor-packed Cuban food since 1970, and is a small but popular spot with seating for just 39 diners. Be transported to Havana as you enjoy tender ropa vieja (stewed beef and tomatoes) or a classic Cuban sandwich. The joint is BYOB and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a Sunday brunch menu.

Another husband-and-wife endeavor, the Black Trumpet is an elegant bistro overlooking Portsmouth harbor. Local couple Evan and Denise have owned the restaurant for a little over 10 years, following a stint living and cooking in Mexico. The menu makes the most of local produce, most notably the fresh-from-the-water seafood. 

Opened by locals Pat and Janie Gazzola (Pat has sadly since passed away), this seafood restaurant has two locations in Fayetteville and Alma. The first Catfish Hole opened in 1993, serving 'great catfish and all the fixins.' Today those fixins include hush puppies, green beans, fries, and generous portions of fried shrimp. 

This diner has been on Burlington's food scene since 1925. It was originally established by Henry Couture but has been owned by Naomi and Bill Maglaris since 2004. This pair have added Greek touches to the otherwise all-American menu. Dine on Belgian waffles for breakfast and chicken-fried steak, corned beef, or a Greek platter for dinner. 

Sisters Ali, Julia, and Anna, and their husbands, are behind this burger joint in Newport. It opened in 2013, with a simple menu of burgers and hot dogs, all ground in house. Top your hot dog with slaw or sauerkraut, and your burger with spicy chili or aged Cheddar. The recipe for the spots Mission sauce remains a closely guarded secret. 

Serving locals since 1948, this restaurant has been run by three generations of Schmuckers, starting life serving ice cream and pies before evolving into a full-service restaurant. The original 13 chrome stools remain at the bar and the joint oozes nostalgia. There's a massive menu, but it's the famous house-made pies that have customers returning time and time again.

This family-run diner has been around for decades and it's the place locals recommend for all-day breakfast or brunch dishes. As well as the usual breakfast items, there's a menu of sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads, as well as Charlie's specialties including the award-winning hot beef sandwich served with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Good cooking runs in Andrew and Adam Sieve's blood; their family has been in the restaurant business for more than 50 years, right back to when their beloved grandmother, Helen 'Hazel' Sieve, made pizza for a local diner. Her legacy lives on at Hazel's Northeast, which the brothers opened in 2010, serving comforting dishes with creative twists like chicken pot pie drizzled with truffle oil, lamb shank with waffle fries, and meatloaf with garlic mash. 

Serving the Baltimore community since 1989, the family-run Helmand focuses on healthy, hearty, and wholesome Afghani cuisine. Inside this family-run restaurant you’ll find traditional Afghan attire, trinkets, and art, while the menu features flavors from India, Iran, Greece, and Afghanistan.

Named after owners Brad and Michelle Wainscott's daughter, Libby's serves a modern take on classic Southern cooking. The restaurant itself combines homey touches with a cool modern-industrial interior, while you can expect dishes such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and special recipe fried chicken on the menu.

This Italian restaurant was opened in 1951, by husband-and-wife Calabrian and Julia Rocco and her parents. Initially only seating 12, the joint has grown and is now run by a new generation of the family. Rocco's serves delicious pizzas and classic dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs.

'Loyal to local' is the mantra of this upscale Boise restaurant. Husband-and-wife team Amanda and Cameron source ingredients from the butchers, bakers, and brewers on their doorstep. The menu is fresh and colorful: try the Idaho rainbow trout or the beautifully plated short ribs braised in local ale.

At the base of the stunning Kenai Mountains in the Chugach National Forest you'll find Gwin's Lodge, established in 1952 by Pat and Helen Gwin. The well-loved restaurant here serves a menu of burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, and locally sourced seafood including grilled halibut tacos. There's also a breakfast menu during high season, which runs from June-September.

The flavors of Argentina come to the Pacific Northwest at this innovative restaurant in Portland, owned and run by married James Beard award–winning chefs Greg and Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton. The meaty menu features steaks and chops, with some tasty 'from the garden' options for vegetarians. 

Creative Japanese dishes are doled out at this grill in Honolulu's Kalihi neighborhood, which has been a family endeavor since 1978. The restaurant's namesake is no longer around, but today the grill is owned and run by local Ryoko Ishii and her relatives. Expect innovative plates such as opah katsu and steamed catfish.

This Nashville restaurant is not concerned with pretty cooking. The cafeteria-style kitchen has been dishing up 'meat-and-three' since Jack and Rose Arnold opened it in 1982, and is now run by their children. This adored mom-and-pop spot is famous for its blackened trout, tender roast beef, and chicken and dumplings and was recognized with a James Beard Classics award in 2009.

Gino and Rosalba Ferraro have owned this restaurant since 1985, and it remains one of the city's most renowned spots. Dishes are inspired by the family's southern Italian heritage – specialties include lombata Milanese (a breaded veal chop with salad and truffle oil), and coniglio brasato (braised rabbit with polenta and roasted mushrooms). There's an entire vegan menu and paleo pasta available too. 

This family-run Italian restaurant in Lincoln wins rave reviews for its plentiful portions of delicious food, excellent service, and stylish interiors. As well as classic pasta and pizza dishes, the menu also features steaks and seafood with highlights including the shrimp and lobster ravioli, chicken with alfredo sauce, and salmon in scampi lemon sauce.

Small plates are the focus at Odd Duck, a trendy Milwaukee restaurant where the menu changes every day. It's owned by a young couple who serve plates exploding with color and flavor, from the shaved fennel and endive salad to the seared scallops with kimchi and caviar. 

This fine restaurant housed in a historic building is named after the Victorian family who originally owned the property. Cheever's has been run by Heather and Keith Paul since 2000, and focuses on high-quality Southern food. Mains include shrimp and grits with sriracha-honey butter, chicken-fried steak, and a mixed seafood tamale.

Inspired by Laotian home cooking and the street food of Luang Prabang, Bida Manda in downtown Raleigh is run by brother-and-sister team Vansana and Vanvisa Nolintha. The two say that everything on the menu is the kind of food they grew up eating; expect delicious dishes such as house-made yellow curry and sea bass baked in banana leaf.

This tapas-style restaurant in Kansas City was established in 2016, by couple Leslie and Nicholas Goellner. The hulking red-brick building gives little hint of the chic interior, with its wood paneling and exposed pipework. The small plates menu is modern, too, boasting dishes like spaghetti with miso black pepper cream and seafood ceviche.

A roadside joint in Big Forks, Echo Lake Café was founded in 1960 by two siblings. In 1996, it was bought by couple Bob and Christi Young. Now run by their daughter and her husband, it's open for breakfast and lunch, serving burgers with heap of fries, sandwiches, and fresh salads. The duo encourage punters to spread 'random acts of kindness' throughout the town.

Tucked away in Prairie Village, this French bistro is frequently voted among the best restaurants in the country. Opened in 2001 by the Quillec family, its menu boasts dishes like mussels doused in Pernod cream and pan-seared sea bass on a bed of mushroom risotto. 

Come lunchtime, a line winds out the door of this Savannah soul food spot, in the family since 1943. The food comes in belly-busting helpings, served family-style around large, circular tables. Choose from warming Southern classics like fried chicken, candied yams, black-eyed peas, and mac ’n’ cheese.

Family-owned and operated since 1996, Mike and Jeff's slow cook meat over an open fire for 16 hours to achieve incredible flavor. Choose from a tasty selection including pulled pork, pulled chicken, ribs, and burgers served with sides such as mac ’n’ cheese, green beans, baked beans, and coleslaw. It might be a small, hole-in-the-wall joint, but customers say it serves the best barbecue they've ever had. 

The husband-and-wife team behind this cozy bistro say their dishes are inspired 'by the places we've been and the things we love.' Suzie and Isaul opened Isa in 2015, and their seasonal menu has become a neighborhood favorite. Expect fresh, farm-to-table dishes like grilled shrimp and polenta, and lobster linguine.

Now discover where to find the best blue-plate special in every state

Last updated by Dominique Ayling.