Wedding Reception Restaurant in Forest Hills, Queens
A romantic Italian setting for your Queens wedding reception.
A Romantic Forest Hills Setting for Your Wedding Reception
Portofino Ristorante has hosted Queens wedding receptions on Ascan Avenue for over fifty years, offering couples a romantic Italian setting steps from the Forest Hills gardens, a neighborhood Italian landmark on Ascan Avenue where authentic cuisine and warm hospitality have welcomed celebrating families for generations.
Your wedding reception at Portofino is an evening of pure Italian elegance. White tablecloths, Italian coastal murals, warm mirrored light, and the soft notes of live piano set a romantic stage for your first dance, your toasts, and the feast that brings your two families together. Our staff attends with white-glove care so you and your guests never lift a finger.
Rehearsal Dinners & Wedding Weekend
Portofino also hosts rehearsal dinners on the eve of your wedding, gathering bridal party and close family for an intimate, candlelit dinner of family-style pasta and fine Italian wines. Many couples book both the rehearsal dinner and the reception with us for a seamless wedding weekend in Forest Hills.
Custom Wedding Menus
Work with our coordinator to design a fully custom wedding menu, or choose from our Package 1 and Package 2 multi-course banquet menus for predictable per-person pricing. Add a Prosecco toast, curated wine pairings, and a custom wedding cake arranged in advance.
An Elegant Queens Venue for Your Celebration
Our spacious Forest Hills dining room accommodates wedding receptions from intimate gatherings of forty to grand celebrations of one hundred. The banquet area, with its warm lighting and Italian charm, transforms beautifully for wedding decor, floral arrangements, and your first dance.
Located on Ascan Avenue in the heart of Forest Hills, Portofino is convenient for guests traveling from across Queens, Long Island, and Manhattan. The Forest Hills transit hub is steps away, and parking is available nearby for your wedding party and guests.
Live Music & Entertainment
Set the mood with live piano entertainment during your reception, or coordinate your own DJ or musician. Our dining room acoustics and layout support both intimate live music and a lively dance floor.
What Your Wedding Reception Includes
Every wedding reception at Portofino is tailored to the couple, but most celebrations include the following elements that have defined our Forest Hills wedding hospitality for half a century.
Cocktail Antipasti & Welcome Toast
Begin with an elegant antipasti spread and a Prosecco welcome toast as guests arrive, perfect for mingling before the seated reception begins.
Multi-Course Italian Feast
A fresh pasta course, salad, and main course follow, paced to allow toasts, dances, and conversation to flow naturally. Our staff reads the room and times each course to your reception's rhythm.
Dessert Presentation & Cake Service
Finish with our roaming dessert tray presentation and service of your wedding cake, presented with candlelight and care for the couple's first slice.
Plan Your Wedding Reception at Portofino
Booking your wedding reception at Portofino Ristorante begins with a conversation. Tell us about your event and our coordinator will craft a personalized Italian experience tailored to your celebration, your guests, and your budget. For immediate assistance, call us directly at (718) 261-1239.
Whether you are planning an intimate reception for forty or a grand celebration for one hundred, our event coordinator will craft a romantic Italian experience tailored to your love story, your families, and your vision. We look forward to helping you begin your married life the Italian way, right here in Forest Hills.
Request a Quote for Your Wedding
Tell us about your event and our coordinator will craft a personalized Italian experience tailored to your celebration, your guests, and your budget.
Weddings at Portofino — Your Questions Answered
How many guests can Portofino accommodate for a wedding reception?
Our Forest Hills dining room seats wedding receptions from intimate gatherings of forty to grand celebrations of one hundred. Full-room reservations are available for larger weddings. Contact our coordinator to discuss your guest count.
Do you host rehearsal dinners as well as receptions?
Yes. Portofino hosts rehearsal dinners on the eve of your wedding, gathering bridal party and close family for an intimate, candlelit dinner. Many couples book both the rehearsal dinner and the reception with us for a seamless wedding weekend.
Can we bring our own wedding cake?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a custom wedding cake, and our staff will present and serve it alongside our roaming dessert tray. We also offer our own Italian dessert presentations if you prefer.
Are there set banquet packages with per-person pricing?
Yes. Our Package 1 and Package 2 multi-course banquet menus offer set per-person pricing with antipasti, fresh pasta, salad, main course, and dessert, ideal for wedding receptions. Fully custom menus are also available.
Can you provide live music for the reception?
Yes. We offer live piano entertainment to set the mood during your reception, and our dining room acoustics and layout also support your own DJ or musician for a lively dance floor.
Is Portofino convenient for out-of-town wedding guests?
Portofino is located on Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills, steps from the Forest Hills transit hub, with parking available nearby. Guests traveling from across Queens, Long Island, and Manhattan find us easy to reach for your wedding.
Do you offer a Prosecco welcome toast?
Yes. We can arrange a complimentary or custom Prosecco welcome toast for the couple and guests, along with curated wine pairings for the full reception. Our daily happy hour from 5 to 7 PM also offers 50% off wine and beer for early-arriving guests.
Can we reserve the whole dining room for a wedding?
Yes. Full-room reservations are available for wedding receptions, allowing you to transform the space with decor, floral arrangements, and a dance floor. Book early to secure your preferred date.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions for wedding guests?
We happily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests, including gluten-free pasta. Inform our coordinator of any allergies or dietary needs in advance and we will tailor the menu accordingly.
How far in advance should I book a wedding reception?
Wedding dates are often set well in advance, so we recommend booking as early as possible, ideally several months to a year ahead, to secure your preferred date and full-room reservation.