Horizontal Banner
Italian lasagna at Dio Mio. | Photo by Luke Gottlieb

10 of the Best Italian Restaurants in Denver 

The Mile High City has no shortage of Italian fare, whether you’re craving handcrafted pasta, a hearty chicken parmesan, or noodles with kimchi alla vodka. And yes, you read that right!

BY Sara Rosenthal

SHARE

With nostalgic red-sauce joints, handmade pasta havens, wood-fired pizza spots, and fusion fare, Denver’s Italian food scene is beaming with options. Restaurants pay homage to the vibrant cuisine of Italy and beyond, from Venice all the way down to Sicily, infused with flavors from around the globe. 

Longstanding spots like Gaetano’s and Amici’s have shaped the local scene, while newcomers like Osteria Alberico and Saverina are paving the way for the future of the Mile High’s Italian cuisine. 

In this roundup, we explore ten of the best Italian restaurants in Denver (plus a bonus one!), from cozy neighborhood joints to upscale destinations. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty plate of spaghetti and meatballs, delicate handmade ravioli, or creative spins on Italian classics, the 303 has a spot to satisfy your craving. Mangia!  

Coperta makes a mean Bucatini All'Amatrician. | Photo by Hi Rez Photography
Coperta makes a mean Bucatini All’Amatrician. | Photo by Hi Rez Photography

Thoughtful Southern Italian at Coperta

Coperta is a staple in Uptown where it serves seasonally-inspired Southern Italian cuisine. With exposed brick, hexagonal white tiles, and an open kitchen, both the ambiance and menu evoke a classic Roman cafe feel. Plus, chef and co-owner Paul C. Reilly just made the 2025 semifinalist list for the James Beard Awards Best Chef Mountain. Awards aside, diners are the real winner at Coperta. 

Start with La Merendina (Italian snacks) featuring delicious morsels like broiled chili-parm oysters before moving onto antipasti with options like daily baked focaccia and mussels. Primi and secondi courses include more specialties from Mezzogiorno like orecchiette, cavatelli ragu, and pollo alla diavola. Round out the meal with homemade desserts and the trattoria’s selection of more than 25 amari. 400 E 20th Ave., Denver, copertadenver.com

Pollo Alla Diavola at Coperta is one of the best chicken dishes in town.| Photo by Hi Rez Photography
Pollo Alla Diavola at Coperta is one of the best chicken dishes in town.| Photo by Hi Rez Photography

Old School Red Sauce at Gaetano’s

This retro red-sauce joint has been serving the Highlands community for more than seven decades. Crimson vinyl booths against cherry wood tables, and large black and white murals of influential Italian families from the neighborhood capture the restaurant’s old-school, New York vibe. 

The legendary establishment, formerly operated by Denver’s Smaldone crime family, has hosted iconic guests ranging from Frank Sinatra to Al Capone. The menu is full of classic Italian-American staples like clams casino, chicken parmigiana, and lasagna with housemade marinara. It’ll make you feel like you’re back at your nonna’s house, if your nonna was Tony Soprano. 3760 Tejon St., Denver, gaetanositalian.com 

Rigatini and focaccia at Barolo Grill. | Photo by Joni Schrantz
Rigatini and focaccia at Barolo Grill. | Photo by Joni Schrantz

Northern Italian Fine Dining at Barolo Grill

Set in upscale digs in Cherry Creek, the Michelin-recommended Barolo Grill has been satisfying Denverites’ cravings for authentic Northern Italian fare since 1992. Its menu deftly travels from Piedmont to Venice and beyond with dishes such as Vitello Tonnato (thinly-sliced veal tenderloin, $23), Tagliatelle ai Funghi (housemade pasta with mushrooms, $35), and Capesante (Venitan-style diver scallops. $45). 

The pillowy agnolotti di zucca (handmade pasta stuffed with butternut squash and cheese, $36) caught our attention last October as one of our ten best bites of the month. Each dish features a suggested Italian wine pairing chosen by the restaurant’s sommelier team. Or, diners can select their own wine from Barolo’s extensive collection, which showcases vinos from around the globe. 3030 E 6th Ave., Denver, barologrilldenver.com 

One of the elegant beef entrees at Barolo Grill. | Photo by Joni Schrantz
One of the elegant beef entrees at Barolo Grill. | Photo by Joni Schrantz

Family-Friendly Fare at Amici’s Pizzeria & Italian

The warm and welcoming atmosphere at Amici’s makes it the perfect place to bring the whole family. iIt’s been a locally loved spot since it first opened in Wheat Ridge in 1976, and through the decades the family-owned operation has served comforting homestyle red-sauce dishes. 

Inside there are no frills, but it’s comfortable and perfect for tucking into a dish from the large selection of Italian-American classics. Think baked pastas, calzones, sandwiches, and, of course, pizzas. Try the Amici’s Supreme, a sauceless pie topped with sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, green pepper, onion, fresh tomato and spices (three sizes starting at $21.25). Every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the restaurant serves lunch specials that come with soup or salad, as well as dinner specials Monday through Thursday. 4300 Wadsworth Blvd., Wheat Ridge, amicisitalian.com 

Bucatini all’ Amatriciana at Osteria Alberico. | Photo by Ashley Beguin
Bucatini all’ Amatriciana at Osteria Alberico. | Photo by Ashley Beguin

Osteria Alberico, Frasca Food & Wine’s Little Sister

This casual neighborhood spot nestled next to a King Soopers in Englewood is the latest concept by Frasca Hospitality Group (Frasca Food & Wine, Tavernetta, Sunday Vinyl, Pizzeria Alberico). Debuting last July, the restaurant derived its namesake from Danette Alberico Stuckey, Frasca co-founder Bobby Stuckey’s wife, whose family traces its roots to the picturesque Italian town of San Vittorino. 

Though located in a stripmall, Osteria Alberico brings all the charm of an unpretentious Italian osteria within its doors. Chef de cuisine Russell Stippich has a whole fresh pasta program featuring traditional Cacio e Pepe ($18) and Pansotti, a ravioli-like pasta with dandelion greens, fennel, walnut, and ricotta ($25). Or go with an elevated classic such as whole Mediterranean branzino ($42) or the lamb with lamb, rosemary, arugula, saba, lemon ($55). There’s also a variety of white and red pizzas, ranging from $20 to $26 each. 3455 South University Blvd., Englewood, osteriaalberico.com 

Steak, potato chips, charcuterie, and salad oh my. | Photo by Ashley Beguin
Steak, potato chips, charcuterie, and salad at Osteria Alberico. | Photo by Ashley Beguin

Casual Meets Sophisticated at Parisi 

Located on Tennyson St., Parisi is divided into two spaces. First, the fast-casual Parisi Pizzeria, Trattoria e Vino. Second, Parisi Sotto, a fine dining concept located underneath the restaurant, whose name aptly translates to “below Parisi.” Exposed brick walls and wood accents create a warm ambiance at the trattoria, which has been around for more than 25 years. 

Over the decades the business has been through many iterations. It first started as a market and deli before moving to its current location to focus on serving fresh pasta, pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, and paninis. Downstairs at Parisi Sotto, formerly Firenze a Tavola, the vibe is more intimate, featuring a smaller menu and special experiences such as grazing nights, which is an evening of connected tables and large antipasto boards. Also go for the community tables and give yourself a chance to break bread with neighbors with a curated menu and communal seating. 4401 Tennyson St., Denver, parisidenver.com 

Capellini Aglio e Olio at Spuntino. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Capellini Aglio e Olio at Spuntino. | Photo by Linnea Covington

Italian Food Meets Indian Ingredients at Spuntino

Spuntino in the Highlands goes beyond your average trattoria, with nods to co-owner and chef Cindhura Reedy’s South Indian heritage in the Italian fusion fare. The purely from-scratch kitchen makes all of its pasta, breads, gelati, and even some cheeses and digestivi in-house. 

The fearless menu effortlessly journeys between Italy and India with dishes such as the Agnello ($48) featuring South Indian spiced braised lamb osso bucco, saffron basmati rice, and broccolini. On the pasta side, the Capellini Aglio e Olio ($30) marries hand-crafted strand pasta and Indian spice-preserved garlic to create a dish so good, it was deemed one of our ten best bites of September last year. 2639 W 32nd Ave., Denver, spuntinodenver.com 

Handmade pasta is the crux at Restaurant Olivia. | Photo by Austin Carson
Handmade pasta is the crux at Restaurant Olivia. | Photo by Austin Carson

Restaurant Olivia, A Pasta-Forward Operation

Washington Park’s Restaurant Olivia knows its way around fresh pasta and fine wines. Housemade french onion ravioli and creamy risotto are standouts at this Michelin-recommended joint. In addition to its handcrafted pastas, chef Ty Leon and his team take pride in incorporating homegrown ingredients in the menu with offerings such as Wild Idea Bison Tartare ($22) and the ribbed shell pasta dish Malloreddus ($32), served with local mushrooms. 

For those that prefer the culinary team to take the wheel, try the five-course tasting menu ($115 per person) with optional wine pairings (additional $75). The Olivia team, Leon, Austin Carson, and Heather Morrison, are currently working on a sister concept, Emilia. When it opens this summer in RiNo, expect a special place inspired by the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. 290 South Downing St., Denver, oliviadenver.com 

Handmade pasta is the crux at Restaurant Olivia. | Photo by Austin Carson
Get a classic plate of spaghetti and meatballs. | Photo by Luke Gottlieb

Eclectic Noodles and More at Dio Mio

The laidback and eclectic pasta spot in RiNo is also Michelin-recommended, and features an ever-changing menu of small plates, fresh noodles, and shareable mains. Chefs and owners Alex Figura and Spencer White boasts a background in fine dining and aren’t afraid to take creative risks on Italian classics. 

For example, the newly added Garganelli ($20), which comes with a kimchi alla vodka sauce, lardon, and pork fat breadcrumbs. A pasta production station in the center of the quaint, counter-service eatery allows customers to watch their rigatoni, parpadelle, and spaghetti (among other items) being made. 

Dio Mio’s sister concept, Redeemer, is located just down the street and slings some of the best New York-style slices in town. Acclaimed chef Jennifer Jasinski even called it her go-to spot for to-go pizza when we interviewed her last month. Notably, both restaurants offer a Wine Wednesday special with 50-percent off nearly all bottles. The team is also working on a new pizza and pasta restaurant, Johnny Bechamel’s, slated to debut this spring in Washington Park. 3264 Larimer St., Denver, diomiopasta.com 

Weingut Friedrich Becker Family Pinot Gris 2020 at Bar Dough
Weingut Friedrich Becker Family Pinot Gris 2020 at Bar Dough. | Photo by Montana Rae

Wood Fired Magic at Bar Dough

Since opening in 2015, it’s constantly raked in accolades and brought chef Carrie Baird to the limelight and to Top Chef: Season 15 when it aired in Colorado. Over the decade the kitchen host chef Russell Stippich and then, in 2024, brought in Stefy Devita, the current chef. While the talent has shifted, the dedication to modern Italian food has remained.

The wood-fired oven helps make Bar Dough stand out, as anyone who has ever ordered the Prada Bread ($12) knows. Also coming out of the oven are Slow Roasted Carrots ($18) with cashew butter and chili crunch, prawns in fra diavolo sauce ($26), and a whole menu of pizzas ($20 to $26). Full entrees such as Pollo al Lemon ($37), Berkshire Pork Milanese ($50), and Seafood Linguini ($32) with crab, calamari, smoked tomato butter, and trout roe also help win dinner.

The bar offers an array of spritzes, a well-curated Italian wine list, and craft cocktails. Also check out Bar Dough’s weekend brunch where the wood-fired Monkey Bread ($12) is a must have. 2227 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, bardoughdenver.com

Sardi Verde pasta at the Italian-themed Saverina. | Photo by Kimpton Claret Hotel
Sardi Verde pasta at the Italian-themed Saverina. | Photo by Kimpton Claret Hotel

BONUS SPOT: Suburban Staples at Saverina

With chef Christian Graves at the helm Saverina opened inside the Kimpton Claret Hotel last year. Here you’ll find Italian-inspired meals with a modern twist, and a menu that emphasizes local ingredients, handmade pasta, and wood-fired pizza. The fresh mozzarella topped with chili crunch and Angel Hair Slippery Noodles with Dungeness crab are particularly tasty. You also can’t go wrong with an eight-ounce prime grilled filet, which comes with gnocchi and red wine sauce. 

After dinner, head upstairs for a nightcap at the hotel’s Halo Rooftop Bar. Not only do you get sweeping views of the Rockies and the cityscape beyond the hotel, but alongside globally inspired cocktails and a solid wine list. 6985 E Chenango Ave., Denver, saverinadenver.com 

Content Continues Below

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Rosenthal

Sara Rosenthal is a freelance writer based in Denver focused on hospitality, restaurants, real estate, and art. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, hot yoga, hiking, and hanging out with her dog, Lucy. Learn more about Rosenthal’s work at saramrosenthal.com.
Search

COPYRIGHT © 2009–2025, DININGOUT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED