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Frasca Food & Wine
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Where to Find Denver's Best Italian Food

From sit-down, multi-course meals to speedy service, these restaurants deliver the flavors of Italy to Denver-area diners

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Once upon a time, you could bet on checkered tablecloths and a sauce-centric menu when dining out over an Italian meal. But things have changed, and a brand new breed of Italian flavors have come into existence. In Colorado, an Italian renaissance is well underway, and, just this year, Denver diners saw a range of new options From Quality Italian, to Cattivella, Marcella's, and Tavernetta. These newcomers add to a more and more impressive existing assortment.

From stunning Northern Italian dining destinations to casual East Coast Americanizations, these 19 eateries should satisfy your Italian cravings and then some.

Note: Pizza cravers, get your guide here.

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Frasca Food and Wine

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This jewel in Colorado's restaurant world focuses on the food and culinary traditions of Friuli, a region set in the Northern part of Italy. Master sommelier Bobby Stuckey and chef Lachlan Patterson continue to impress and to gather accolades.

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Chef Kelly Whitaker's restaurant, located off the beaten path in Boulder, offers a thoughtful and creative menu cooked entirely in a wood-fired oven. Pro-tip: Pre-order the Northern (white) or Southern (red) lasagna.

Adam Larkey

Parisi Italian Market & Deli

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This casual dining spot doesn't skimp on the options or flavors. The brick chicken is an all-time favorite, the pastas satisfy, and the pizzas are always a hit. Downstairs sister spot Firenze a Tavola offers a more upscale experience.

Parisi

Dio Mio

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Dio Mio, RiNo's fast casual Italian restaurant focuses on food over service. Chefs prepare a rotating dinner menu that includes small plates and salads and a mix of fresh, hand-made traditional and experimental pastas.

Adam Larkey

Bar Dough

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Bar Dough is a destination in the LoHi dining scene for its contemporary Italian cuisine led by chef Carrie Baird. Guests come for the octopus appetizer and the pastas, and stay due to the comfortable yet trendy atmosphere. Brunch is a highlight.

Adam Larkey

Spuntino

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Spuntino is an Italian-influenced restaurant owned by a young and talented husband-and-wife team, and it's somehow still a LoHi sneak spot. The cavatelli are always a hit, and try the restaurant's own amaro, as well as other house-infused liqueurs.

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Cattivella

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Chef Elise Wiggins' Stapleton restaurant is a new neighborhood staple in casual, wood-fired environs. Go for warming winter dishes, such as the full bulb of roasted garlic on a rosemary piadina, lamb ragu, and baked meatballs.

Adam Larkey

il posto

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Chef Andrea Frizzi's new RiNo Italian restaurant is beautiful and inviting, with a menu proven at his original, 9-year-running location. If you haven't been in a while, now's the time. And make sure to sit at least once at the chef's counter.

Adam Larkey

Tavernetta

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Fans who can't make it out to Frasca now have its Denver sister restaurant, Tavernetta, to dine at with abandon. Hidden behind Union Station, this LoDo oasis offers crowd-pleasing campo di funghi and lobster tagliatelle, as well as delectable small bar bites or cicchetti.

Adam Larkey

Sarto's

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The gorgeous social eatery in the up-and-coming Jefferson Park neighborhood offers dinner and brunch service, plus lunch in its next-door sister pantry, where guests can pick up fresh pastas and sauce to take with them.

Adam Larkey

Venice Ristorante

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The old-school white tablecloth LoDo spot impresses with its glass enclosed floor-to-ceiling wine room and traditional cuisine. For suburban fans, another outpost of Venice Ristorante operates in Greenwood Village.

Venice Ristorante

Osteria Marco

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House-made burrata, sandwiches, and more rule at this Larimer Square restaurant owned by restaurateur Frank Bonanno. Guest favorites include the lamb meatballs and steamed mussels.

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Panzano

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The popular downtown restaurant adheres to a simple motto: “Chi mangia bene, vive bene," or, "Those who eat well, live well." Panzano serves up contemporary cuisine in a classic and bustling hotel setting.

Panzano

Coperta

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By acclaimed Denver chef Paul C. Reilly (see also Beast + Bottle), Coperta brings a family-owned Southern Italian vibe to Uptown. Try the "spuzzulia" seasonal and regional shared plates, and the three-course $35 tasting menu.

Entrance to Coperta Adam Larkey

Lo Stella Ristorante

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Lo Stella Ristorante, the oldest and most successful family-run restaurant in Portofino, Italy, came to Denver courtesy of 8th generation member, Alessandro Polo. Find a way to get the pesto at the Golden Triangle eatery.

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DiFranco's

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This 5-year-old Lincoln Street eatery manages to combine quality pastas and local ingredients at a reasonable price point and in a comfortable fast-casual setting. Go for lunch or low-key dinner; the place also serves wine and beer.

Courtesy DiFranco's

The Governor's Park restaurant is chef Frank Bonanno's celebration of family, community, and good food. The all-Italian wine list is a perfect pairing for the homey, simple dishes.

Luca

Barolo Grill

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The classic restaurant continuously impresses with authentic Northern Italian cuisine and thoughtful wine pairings. While perfect for a special occasion, Barolo is also a great spot to get a classy glass of wine at the bar.

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Quality Italian

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This classic American steakhouse with a modern twist joined the Cherry Creek north neighborhood last year, serving up steaks, pasta, and seafood with old-school style. Paying homage to butcher shops of yesteryear, the food and beverage programs are elegant, while the setting is relaxed and joyous.

Adam Larkey

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Frasca Food and Wine

This jewel in Colorado's restaurant world focuses on the food and culinary traditions of Friuli, a region set in the Northern part of Italy. Master sommelier Bobby Stuckey and chef Lachlan Patterson continue to impress and to gather accolades.

Facebook

Basta

Chef Kelly Whitaker's restaurant, located off the beaten path in Boulder, offers a thoughtful and creative menu cooked entirely in a wood-fired oven. Pro-tip: Pre-order the Northern (white) or Southern (red) lasagna.

Adam Larkey

Parisi Italian Market & Deli

This casual dining spot doesn't skimp on the options or flavors. The brick chicken is an all-time favorite, the pastas satisfy, and the pizzas are always a hit. Downstairs sister spot Firenze a Tavola offers a more upscale experience.

Parisi

Dio Mio

Dio Mio, RiNo's fast casual Italian restaurant focuses on food over service. Chefs prepare a rotating dinner menu that includes small plates and salads and a mix of fresh, hand-made traditional and experimental pastas.

Adam Larkey

Bar Dough

Bar Dough is a destination in the LoHi dining scene for its contemporary Italian cuisine led by chef Carrie Baird. Guests come for the octopus appetizer and the pastas, and stay due to the comfortable yet trendy atmosphere. Brunch is a highlight.

Adam Larkey

Spuntino

Spuntino is an Italian-influenced restaurant owned by a young and talented husband-and-wife team, and it's somehow still a LoHi sneak spot. The cavatelli are always a hit, and try the restaurant's own amaro, as well as other house-infused liqueurs.

Facebook

Cattivella

Chef Elise Wiggins' Stapleton restaurant is a new neighborhood staple in casual, wood-fired environs. Go for warming winter dishes, such as the full bulb of roasted garlic on a rosemary piadina, lamb ragu, and baked meatballs.

Adam Larkey

il posto

Chef Andrea Frizzi's new RiNo Italian restaurant is beautiful and inviting, with a menu proven at his original, 9-year-running location. If you haven't been in a while, now's the time. And make sure to sit at least once at the chef's counter.

Adam Larkey

Tavernetta

Fans who can't make it out to Frasca now have its Denver sister restaurant, Tavernetta, to dine at with abandon. Hidden behind Union Station, this LoDo oasis offers crowd-pleasing campo di funghi and lobster tagliatelle, as well as delectable small bar bites or cicchetti.

Adam Larkey

Sarto's

The gorgeous social eatery in the up-and-coming Jefferson Park neighborhood offers dinner and brunch service, plus lunch in its next-door sister pantry, where guests can pick up fresh pastas and sauce to take with them.

Adam Larkey

Venice Ristorante

The old-school white tablecloth LoDo spot impresses with its glass enclosed floor-to-ceiling wine room and traditional cuisine. For suburban fans, another outpost of Venice Ristorante operates in Greenwood Village.

Venice Ristorante

Osteria Marco

House-made burrata, sandwiches, and more rule at this Larimer Square restaurant owned by restaurateur Frank Bonanno. Guest favorites include the lamb meatballs and steamed mussels.

Facebook

Panzano

The popular downtown restaurant adheres to a simple motto: “Chi mangia bene, vive bene," or, "Those who eat well, live well." Panzano serves up contemporary cuisine in a classic and bustling hotel setting.

Panzano

Coperta

By acclaimed Denver chef Paul C. Reilly (see also Beast + Bottle), Coperta brings a family-owned Southern Italian vibe to Uptown. Try the "spuzzulia" seasonal and regional shared plates, and the three-course $35 tasting menu.

Entrance to Coperta Adam Larkey

Lo Stella Ristorante

Lo Stella Ristorante, the oldest and most successful family-run restaurant in Portofino, Italy, came to Denver courtesy of 8th generation member, Alessandro Polo. Find a way to get the pesto at the Golden Triangle eatery.

Facebook

Related Maps

DiFranco's

This 5-year-old Lincoln Street eatery manages to combine quality pastas and local ingredients at a reasonable price point and in a comfortable fast-casual setting. Go for lunch or low-key dinner; the place also serves wine and beer.

Courtesy DiFranco's

Luca

The Governor's Park restaurant is chef Frank Bonanno's celebration of family, community, and good food. The all-Italian wine list is a perfect pairing for the homey, simple dishes.

Luca

Barolo Grill

The classic restaurant continuously impresses with authentic Northern Italian cuisine and thoughtful wine pairings. While perfect for a special occasion, Barolo is also a great spot to get a classy glass of wine at the bar.

Facebook

Quality Italian

This classic American steakhouse with a modern twist joined the Cherry Creek north neighborhood last year, serving up steaks, pasta, and seafood with old-school style. Paying homage to butcher shops of yesteryear, the food and beverage programs are elegant, while the setting is relaxed and joyous.

Adam Larkey

Related Maps