Searching for the best Italian restaurants in Denver? This 2025 flavor guide covers 12 top-rated spots for pasta, pizza, wine, and unforgettable meals.
Where to Find the Best Italian Restaurants in Denver
If you’re trying to find authentic Italian restaurants in Denver that actually deliver on quality, service, and consistency — this list is for you. Denver’s food scene has grown fast over the last decade, and Italian cuisine has become one of the most competitive categories in the city. The good news? There’s a real mix now: fine dining, rustic trattorias, and casual pasta bars — all doing it right.
I’ve personally visited more than 20 Italian restaurants in Denver since the start of the year. These 12 stood out for having consistently good food, well-trained staff, and menus that balance tradition with local flavor. Whether you’re craving gnocchi, wood-fired pizza, or fresh seafood risotto, here are the Italian restaurants in Denver that should be on your radar.
Table of Contents
Updated May 2025
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💎 Fine Dining & Wine-Driven Italian Restaurants in Denver
➤ Barolo Grill (Cherry Creek)
📍 Address: 3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Credit: @barologrilldenver
Barolo Grill is one of the most respected Italian restaurants in Denver, especially if you’re looking for a refined experience. Known for its Northern Italian dishes and deep wine list, Barolo focuses on high-end service, seasonal ingredients, and handmade pastas. It’s been around for decades, and the level of consistency here shows it.
My Recommendations:
- Start with the seafood risotto — the stock is rich, and the shrimp and scallops are always fresh.
- The cavatelli con funghi has layered flavor without being heavy.
- Ask for a wine pairing — Barolo’s cellar is one of the deepest among Italian restaurants in Denver.
- Website: barologrilldenver.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Tavernetta (Union Station)
📍 Address: 1889 16th St Mall, Denver, CO 80202
Credit: @tavernettadenver
Tavernetta is one of the top Italian restaurants in Denver for upscale, regionally inspired food. The restaurant is sleek and modern with a view of Union Station and a focus on refined pastas, fresh seafood, and traditional Italian flavors. Service is sharp, and the food is consistently well-executed. Their wine list, curated by experts behind Frasca, is one of the best in the city.
My Recommendations:
- The lamb ragu pasta is rich, slow-braised, and cooked perfectly.
- Their grilled branzino is light and well-seasoned with citrus and herbs.
- Grab the housemade focaccia — it’s warm, crusty, and perfect with olive oil.
- Website: tavernettadenver.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Panzano (Downtown, Hotel Monaco)
📍 Address: 909 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
Credit: @panzanodenver
If you’re searching for Italian restaurants in Denver with upscale comfort food, Panzano is a smart choice. Located inside Hotel Monaco, it combines Northern Italian tradition with creative plating and high-end service. It works well for a formal dinner, business meeting, or date night, with a menu that rotates seasonal ingredients into familiar Italian formats.
My Recommendations:
- The lasagne ai funghi has depth and creaminess without being too heavy.
- The gnocchi with rabbit confit is savory, soft, and full of flavor.
- Try the carbonara — made with house-cured pancetta and cooked to order.
- Website: panzano-denver.com
- Menu: View Menu
🍽️ Neighborhood Favorites & Chef-Owned Spots
➤ Spuntino (Highlands)
📍 Address: 2639 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Credit: @spuntinodenver
Spuntino is one of the most creative Italian restaurants in Denver. Located in the Highlands, it’s a cozy chef-owned spot that blends Italian recipes with global influences — especially Indian spices and local Colorado ingredients. It’s casual but intimate, with a menu that rotates regularly.
If you’re tired of cookie-cutter pasta menus, this place brings something different. The chefs hand-make nearly everything, and it shows.
My Recommendations:
- The saffron cavatelli with masala-braised lamb is a standout — rich, aromatic, and unique.
- Their house-made gelato rotates flavors and is always worth ordering.
- Seasonal antipasti plates make a great shared starter.
- Website: spuntinodenver.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Cattivella (Central Park)
📍 Address: 10195 E 29th Dr, Denver, CO 80238
Credit: @cattivelladen
Cattivella, led by Chef Elise Wiggins, is a wood-fired Italian kitchen that’s part theater, part dinner. The open-kitchen setup lets you watch chefs hand-roll pasta and pull pizzas from the fire. It’s a bit outside the city center, but worth the trip for anyone serious about flavor.
This is one of the few Italian restaurants in Denver that balances rustic techniques with chef-driven flair in a way that feels natural, not gimmicky.
My Recommendations:
- Try one of the wood-fired pizzas — especially the ones with house-made sausage.
- The grilled meats are cooked perfectly over an open flame.
- Any of the handmade pastas are worth trying, especially if it’s your first visit.
- Website: cattivelladenver.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Coperta (Uptown)
📍 Address: 400 E 20th Ave, Denver, CO 80205
Credit: @copertadenver
Coperta is a Southern Italian restaurant with a more rustic feel, offering dishes you won’t always see at other Italian restaurants in Denver. Think grilled fish, spicy chicken, and hearty vegetable dishes — alongside the staples you expect. The setting is comfortable and welcoming, perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual date.
The Reilly siblings behind Coperta put a lot of focus on quality sourcing, and it shows on the plate.
My Recommendations:
- The pollo alla diavola is one of the most flavorful chicken dishes in the city.
- The Bangs Island mussels come with grilled bread and rich broth.
- Their house-made pastas are rustic, toothsome, and correctly portioned.
- Website: copertadenver.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Dio Mio (RiNo)
📍 Address: 3264 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Credit: @diomiopasta
Dio Mio is a fast-casual pasta bar that punches well above its weight. It’s small, no-frills, and built for serious pasta lovers. You order at the counter, seat yourself, and the food is brought out hot. Despite the casual model, the dishes are made with care and flavor depth that rivals fine dining spots.
This is one of the most popular casual Italian restaurants in Denver for a reason — it’s quick, flavorful, and doesn’t cut corners.
My Recommendations:
- The rigatoni with fennel sausage is bold, creamy, and hits every time.
- Check out their weekly pasta specials — they rotate frequently and are often the best things on the menu.
- Their selection of natural wines pairs well with the food and feels curated.
- Website: diomiopasta.com
- Menu: View Menu
🍷 Stylish Spots & Modern Italian Concepts
➤ Jovanina’s Broken Italian (LoDo)
📍 Address: 1520 Blake St, Denver, CO 80202
Credit: @jovaninasdenver
Jovanina’s Broken Italian blends modern Denver aesthetics with a free-form take on Italian cooking. The atmosphere is stylish but still welcoming — think exposed brick, moody lighting, and a downstairs speakeasy for after-dinner drinks. This place isn’t trying to mimic Italy; it’s remixing it in a fresh, local way.
While it’s not the most traditional of the Italian restaurants in Denver, it’s one of the most enjoyable if you’re looking for creativity and vibe.
My Recommendations:
- The squid ink fettuccine with shrimp is rich, briny, and balanced.
- Their seasonal vegetable plates are surprisingly thoughtful and well-executed.
- Don’t miss the wood-fired pizzas, especially anything with spicy meats or arugula.
- Website: jovanina.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Carmine’s on Penn (Washington Park)
📍 Address: 92 S Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80209
Credit: @carminesitalianrestaurants
Carmine’s on Penn has been around since the early ’90s and is one of the most classic Italian restaurants in Denver. It’s known for big portions, a family-style setup, and a casual, friendly vibe that makes it perfect for birthdays, group dinners, or a laid-back weekend meal.
This isn’t a trendy place — but it’s consistent and built for sharing.
My Recommendations:
- The beef short ribs braised in Chianti are rich, tender, and fall-apart good.
- The spaghetti and meatballs is a textbook version, served in huge portions.
- The gorgonzola polenta is great as a side or starter.
- Website: carminescolorado.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Odyssey Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar (6th Avenue)
📍 Address: 603 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Credit: @odysseyon6th
Odyssey is one of the more underrated Italian restaurants in Denver. It’s tucked into a restored Victorian home and feels almost like eating at a friend’s house — if your friend was an old-school Italian chef. The wine list is extensive, the servers know the menu well, and the food leans hearty and classic.
It’s cozy, dimly lit, and ideal for a low-key night out with good food and no rush.
My Recommendations:
- The lasagna is layered thick with creamy béchamel and meat sauce.
- Their chicken marsala is a standout — not too sweet, and perfectly cooked.
- Check out their daily specials, especially if you’re into seafood.
- Website: odysseyitalian.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ North Italia (Cherry Creek)
📍 Address: 190 Clayton Ln, Denver, CO 80206
Credit: @northitalia
North Italia is one of the most well-known chain-style Italian restaurants in Denver, but don’t let that turn you off. The Cherry Creek location executes well — everything from the pastas to the seafood is fresh, plated cleanly, and delivered with consistent service.
It’s great for lunch, dinner, or even a casual business meeting. The interior is modern and always busy.
My Recommendations:
- The white truffle garlic bread is rich and savory — order it to share.
- The bolognese is a reliable staple with house-made pasta.
- The squid ink mafaldine has a deep, satisfying flavor.
- Their grilled branzino is light and pairs well with their wine list.
- Website: northitalia.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Quality Italian (Cherry Creek)
📍 Address: 241 Columbine St, Denver, CO 80206
Credit: @qualityitalian
Quality Italian blends the energy of a modern steakhouse with traditional Italian comfort food. The Cherry Creek location feels upscale without being stuffy, with dark leather seating, a stylish open floorplan, and servers who actually know their stuff.
Out of all the Italian restaurants in Denver, this one leans the most “New York Italian” in vibe — bold dishes, big portions, and plenty of truffle.
My Recommendations:
- The chicken parm pizza is their signature — crispy, cheesy, and massive.
- The dry-aged porterhouse is worth splitting, cooked medium rare.
- The lobster ravioli is delicate but rich, great with a glass of white.
- Their truffle gnocchi is fluffy and indulgent — a side that steals the show.
- Website: qualityitaliandenver.com
- Menu: View Menu
🍴 More Must-Try Italian Restaurants in Denver
These five additional Italian restaurants in Denver help round out the city’s diverse Italian food scene — each bringing its own spin on comfort, creativity, or classic execution.
➤ Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar (LoDo)
📍 Address: 1700 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
Credit: @veniceristorantedenver
Venice Ristorante is one of the more refined Italian restaurants in Denver, located near Union Station. The dining room is elegant without being stiff, and the menu reflects northern Italian tradition with polished execution and generous portions.
My Recommendations:
- The veal meatballs are tender and full of flavor.
- The burrata and heirloom tomato salad is simple and seasonal.
- Their polenta and carpaccio starters are perfect for sharing.
- Website: veniceristorante.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Gaetano’s Italian (Highlands)
📍 Address: 3760 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
Credit: @gaetanosdenver
Gaetano’s has a long-standing history in Denver’s Italian-American community and feels like stepping into a retro dining room — in the best way. This is one of the coziest Italian restaurants in Denver, perfect for casual nights or family dinners.
My Recommendations:
- The spaghetti and meatballs is classic and dependable.
- Their chicken parmesan is breaded well and served hot.
- Don’t skip the tiramisu — it’s light and not overly sweet.
- Website: gaetanositalian.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ DiFranco’s (Capitol Hill)
📍 Address: 955 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203
Credit: @difrancosdenver
DiFranco’s is a small family-run counter-service spot that punches far above its size. Their pastas are made in-house, and the overall vibe is more deli-meets-café than traditional ristorante. If you’re looking for fresh pasta without the wait or formality, this is one of the best Italian restaurants in Denver for a quick, high-quality meal.
My Recommendations:
- The penne arrabbiata has just the right heat and garlic.
- Their house-made lasagna layers meat, cheese, and sauce evenly.
- The meatball sub makes a great lunch order.
- Website: difrancos.com
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Shells and Sauce (Congress Park)
📍 Address: 2600 E 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Credit: @shellsandsauce
Shells and Sauce has been serving up reliable comfort food in a neighborhood setting for years. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistent — one of those Italian restaurants in Denver where locals go for pasta-heavy meals in a laid-back environment.
My Recommendations:
- Their fettuccine alfredo is creamy and never overcooked.
- The carbonara hits the right salty balance with pancetta.
- Add garlic bread to any dish — it’s golden and buttery.
- Website: shellsandsauce.net
- Menu: View Menu
➤ Trattoria Stella (Highlands)
📍 Address: 3470 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Credit: @thecoloradogal
Trattoria Stella feels like a true neighborhood restaurant. It’s casual but thoughtful, with a focus on fresh ingredients and simple Italian recipes. This is one of those Italian restaurants in Denver where you can stop by without a reservation and still leave impressed.
My Recommendations:
- The gnocchi Bolognese is tender and sauced just right.
- Their chicken marsala comes with real depth in the wine sauce.
- For starters, the bruschetta is light and built on crispy house bread.
- Website: trattoriastella.com
- Menu: View Menu
❓ FAQ: Italian Restaurants in Denver (2025)
What are the best upscale Italian restaurants in Denver?
Barolo Grill, Tavernetta, and Panzano lead the fine dining scene, offering handmade pastas, deep wine lists, and seasonal menus.
Where can I find authentic Italian comfort food in Denver?
Carmine’s on Penn and Odyssey are two of the most authentic, home-style Italian restaurants in Denver with hearty portions and a cozy vibe.
Do any Italian restaurants in Denver serve handmade pasta?
Yes — Spuntino, Dio Mio, and Cattivella all focus heavily on handmade pasta using traditional methods and seasonal ingredients.
Which Italian restaurants in Denver are good for groups?
Carmine’s on Penn is perfect for groups with its family-style setup. Quality Italian also offers large portions ideal for sharing.
Are there Italian restaurants in Denver that offer delivery?
Many do, including Dio Mio, Coperta, Panzano, North Italia, and Spuntino. Most use DoorDash or Uber Eats for online orders.
🍷 Closing Thoughts: Italian Food, Denver Style
From classic trattorias to innovative chef-driven concepts, Italian restaurants in Denver continue to evolve while staying grounded in handmade quality. Whether you’re looking for elevated wine pairings, rustic family-style meals, or modern takes on old-school favorites, this guide covers the most consistent and satisfying spots across the city.
Still hungry?
- Check out our guide to the best bbq in Denver
- Or explore our curated list of michelin star restaurants in denver
👤 About the Author
David Lanketh is a Denver-based food writer and editor for Colorado Food Reviews. He’s been covering the city’s restaurant scene for over five years with a focus on local authenticity, consistency, and flavor-driven cooking. Every spot mentioned in this guide was personally visited and evaluated.
