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Frasca Food & Wine

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

by Eater Staff Updated Dec 6, 2017, 4:25pm MST

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Frasca Food & Wine

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by Eater Staff Updated Dec 6, 2017, 4:25pm MST

1 comment / new

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

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.

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

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Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

3601 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

Visit Website

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.

4401 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

Visit Website

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.

3264 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

2227 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

2639 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

10237 East 29th Drive, Denver, CO 80238

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

2601 larimer, Denver, CO

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

Open in Google Maps

1889 16th St, Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

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.

2900 W 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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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.

Open in Google Maps

1700 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

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.

1453 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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.

909 17th St, Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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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.

400 E 20th Ave, Denver, CO 80205

Visit Website

Entrance to Coperta

Also featured in:

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.

1135 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Go for Italian Food in and Around Denver

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.

955 N Lincoln St Unit D, Denver, CO 80203

Visit Website

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.

711 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Go for Italian Food in and Around Denver

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.

Open in Google Maps

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

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.

241 Columbine St., Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Frasca Food and Wine

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

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.

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Visit Website

Basta

3601 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

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.

Open in Google Maps

3601 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

Visit Website

Parisi Italian Market & Deli

4401 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

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.

4401 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

Visit Website

Dio Mio

3264 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

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.

3264 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

Visit Website

Bar Dough

2227 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

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.

2227 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

Spuntino

2639 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

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.

2639 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

Cattivella

10237 East 29th Drive, Denver, CO 80238

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.

10237 East 29th Drive, Denver, CO 80238

Visit Website

il posto

2601 larimer, Denver, CO

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.

2601 larimer, Denver, CO

Visit Website

Tavernetta

1889 16th St, Denver, CO 80202

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.

Open in Google Maps

1889 16th St, Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Sarto's

2900 W 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

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.

2900 W 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

Venice Ristorante

1700 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

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.

Open in Google Maps

1700 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Osteria Marco

1453 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202

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.

1453 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Panzano

909 17th St, Denver, CO 80202

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.

909 17th St, Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Coperta

400 E 20th Ave, Denver, CO 80205

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.

400 E 20th Ave, Denver, CO 80205

Visit Website

Entrance to Coperta

Lo Stella Ristorante

1135 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204

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.

1135 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204

Visit Website

Related Maps

DiFranco's

955 N Lincoln St Unit D, Denver, CO 80203

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.

955 N Lincoln St Unit D, Denver, CO 80203

Visit Website

Luca

711 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203

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.

711 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203

Visit Website

Barolo Grill

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206

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.

Open in Google Maps

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

Quality Italian

241 Columbine St., Denver, CO 80206

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.

241 Columbine St., Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website