The Most Delectable Italian in Aurora

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (2237) • $$

"I finally made it here after hearing about it from several people. Cranelli's is quite busy with people seated outside and inside. The environment can be quite loud making conversations difficult. So keep that in mind. The prices are reasonable and if you check in for Yelp your first time, you get garlic knots for free.The fettuccine Alfredo with chicken was delicious. It's creamy and it's just super tasty. If you order it with chicken, it's like the Olive Garden one. The Arancinis are a tasty appetizer and it's just like a giant deep fried cheese ball. The garlic knots are full of flavor. They have specials every now and then. I ordered the strawberry margarita and that was quite delicious. It's also a lot bigger than I assumed."

Angelo’s Taverna

★★★★★ 4.5 (1793) • $$

"BEST place in Denver! Highly recommend. Wine was great, atmosphere great, burrata was out of this world, and oysters were incredible! Loved the bartender too. Highly recommend!"

Osteria Marco

★★★★☆ 4.1 (1870) • $$$

"The space is pretty big in the lower level of the restaurant. There were several tables with patrons. It was still early in the evening when we were seated quickly yet the pizza did take a while to arrive although it was really delicious. Too bad I didn't have enough time to revisit this establishment to try other items on the menu.Heads up they have a few service charges that are not usual in most restaurants."

Panzano

★★★★☆ 4.3 (1245) • $$$

"Great dinner and service at Panzano on Wednesday night. I had a reservation for a large group, and the restaurant was great communicating with me as I ended up changing our quantity multiple times.We showed up a few minutes early for our 7:15 reservation, after I called a few hours earlier to bump it out from 6:15. Our waiter was great, and cocktails and appetizers (calamari and brussel sprouts) came out a short time later. They were both quite good.I went with the Pesce Fresco, especially after learning the white fish was halibut. It was wonderful...possibly the best piece of fish I've had since moving to Colorado. Asparagus was undercooked but wasn't horrible. Others in my group had the scallops, filet, and a few of the pasta dishes. All raved about their meals. Desserts were quite good as well. I had the chocolate mousse with almond bark concoction, while others had the tiramisu, sorbet, and a few other dishes. Everything was great."

Angelo's Taverna

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1180) • $$

Shells and Sauce

★★★★☆ 4 (1033) • $$

"Oh my how do I start this. . .this place was a hidden gem within a neighborhood and it was so quaint and cute!! We decided to sit outside as we did not make an appointment and we were a party of 5. Towards the end of the dining experience, we were all a little cold BUT that was on us. Pro Tip - Make an appointment as this place busy busy busy!!As soon as we were sat, they came out and gave us our menus and gave us fresh bread boules with a balsamic vinaigrette to dip the bread in. I thought that was a nice change to the usual olive oil with balsamic vinegar. Some of the people that I was with thought that it was too vinegary but i liked it as I LOVE balsamic vinegar. lol We placed our order and soon after, we got our food and let me tell you. . .silence enveloped our table as we started to dig into the food. And you know that is the best compliment that you can give to a restaurant. . .that silence fell upon the table once the food came. The food was so freaking good! I had the chicken piccata with linguine pasta. BUT I wished that they had just served it with plain spaghetti OR fettucini so that the pasta could've picked up more of the sauce. I seriously wanted to spoon up the sauce. But then again, I have yet to meet a piccata that I did not like. The food was amazing and everything came out quickly and everything was sooooooo delicious! The free bread was good BUT they needed to proof the bread a little longer as it was a very dense bread and I could tell that the boule was underproofed. Did I eat it even though it was under proofed? Heck yeah I did! Cuz I love bread. . .or rather I love carbs. . .LOL The service was great from the hostess to the server to the bus boy to the food runner. Everyone was very friendly and willing to answer any questions. If I lived in that neighborhood, I'd be in so much trouble as I would be here almost everyday! LOL Just come and eat here. You won't regret it!"

Blue Pan Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 (832) • $$

"Came here to watch the game. Grabbed a beer and got the Brooklyn bridge. Pizza was pretty good. Amazing crust, flavor was pretty good. Crunch was 10/10 inside of pizza was 8.2/10 alil soft for my liking. All and all it was pretty delicious. Service was great. Bar tender was prompt. Ambiance was lovely and rambunctious"

Grammy's Italian Goodies

★★★★★ 4.5 (659) • $$

"Everything here not just tastes good, but is made with love and quality ingredients . This place changed my life. It took us (me & wife) days to finish a single order of garlic knots ($6.95 and worth it). Love the sauce, meat sauce, meatballs, I love it all.But that's not all you get. LOOK at the dessert pictures. BEHOLD the glory of the pastries. Most popular are the cream puffs, of course the cannot, tiramisu and other classics are on point. Grammy does not play, people. Shes playing for keeps... WITH YOUR HEART. You've been warned."

Sliceworks

★★★★☆ 4.2 (649) • $

"Absolutely loved my late night pizza experience here. They had many choices, even so late into the night, and the pies were still fresh. The service was fast and friendly, and they actually have a very nice seating area with lots of table space that is separated from the kitchen and gives a cozy feel while you enjoy your food. It was pretty consistent traffic even for the hour. I know this is the best late night pizza. I tried the vodka, cream sauce, pizza, and it was delightful, adding a little extra depth of flavor that the traditional cheese pizza doesn't quite achieve. I will definitely be back."

Cafe Jordano

★★★★☆ 4 (697) • $$

"Waiter was kind but wasn't knowledgeable about drinks so I was mistakenly drinking my friend's drink for the longest time until I finally realized our drinks were switched despite him claiming it was the drinks we originally ordered. The food itself seemed like a hit or miss I liked my soup that was supposed to be a side more than the pasta he recommended. My other friends seemed to enjoy their dish though. Must be a conflict in taste. Other than that the atmosphere was cozy and staff was friendly/attentive."

Bar Dough

★★★★☆ 4 (696) • $$

"$100 for a great meal for two. What we got: Margherita pizza & mushroom ravioli. Pizza was pretty standard, crust was delicious. Ravioli was so so good and well portioned. Drinks are a little on the pricier end, but we're used to Dallas prices. Environment: We grabbed a seat in front of the kitchen right before rush dinner hour. Very clean and beautiful decor. Service: Didn't get his name, but our waiter was such a cool guy; kind, friendly, knowledgeable, checked in on us just the right amount of times. Side note: pizza chef needs a hell of a raise. Idc how much he's making - he's not making enough. That man puts in work."

Parisi

★★★★☆ 4 (684) • $$

"Really mediocre pizza served with a side of surliness. Pizza crust is floppy and quite unappealing. Best thing was the gelato All flavors were bland.Much prefer Marcos, Blue pan, and homegrown tap and dough"

Brooklyn's Finest Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 (544) • $$

"Found this place on yelp and it was really good! It is in a strip mall with a liquor store next door and this place is extremely busy! We went on a Monday night and it was packed. Luckily I ordered ahead and when I arrived, my order was ready. I ordered the God Father pizza, caprese salad, and the spicy sausage calzone. Everything was so good! the calzone was spicy and really tasty. The caprese salad was fresh and really good! Will definitely be back!"

Maggiano's Little Italy

★★★★☆ 3.5 (853) • $$

"The ambiance and atmosphere were great as always! I will say the service of the staff were great this visit and they took special care of us as I had an older guest with mobility issues and walker. Our server BRYAN was absolutely amazing - attentive, friendly, patient and simply on top of it. Be on the lookout for him when dining here the service he had was 10/10. ^_^The food? Oh so good and so, I'll tell you. We had a couple of appetizers: the zucchini, and spinach and artichoke dip. (The bread that comes with it ? Spectacular, it was so soft! ) Main dishes : fettuccines, and the baked ziti both 10/10. I literally want some more now. Got some mashed potatoes which were also yummy. Drinks: get the pom martini! Overall- great visit, great food, great family times. 'Til next time!"

Pasta Jay's

★★★★☆ 3.6 (804) • $$

"Was it 5 years since my last visit? Nothing has changed except a nice happy hour!Great '50's music, sidewalk cafe, and good service from Kaili!"

Nonna's Italian Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.9 (676) • $$

"Lovely, wonderful place. Highly recommended. The food is fantastic, the service impeccable, and the ambience is upscale yet relaxed. Nothing pretentious about this restaurant, just high quality dining with great service. I've been many times with numerous friends and will be back again."

Tony P's Bar & Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 3.6 (783) • $$

"Loved this old establishment. We had the mushroom appetizer, family Cesar salad and family spaghetti and meatballs. Could have fed 6 people we were only 3 of us. Great waiter everything was clean except one fly flew around us for an hour. Great experience in town for a convention. Hotel manager recommended place. Excellent choice!!! The house cab was very good and a big portion. Special thanks Taylor Hernandez hand model in pictures."

DiCicco's

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (802) • $$

"When we visit DiCicco's, we ALWAYS start with the House Salad ($4.95) and their homemade Dressing! The salad is filled with fresh Iceberg lettuce, crisp tomatoes, slivers of red onions, olives, Feta cheese, and croutons. A perfect precursor to an Italian meal!"

Via Baci

★★★★☆ 3.9 (591) • $$

"Delicious and friendly! They were very gracious in adjusting the lunch special to gluten free for me, everyone was friendly, and the ambiance is relaxed enough for a lunch break also great for catching up with a friend. They are quick enough also I would easily do a business lunch here. Thank you!!!"

Trattoria Stella

★★★★☆ 4 (552) • $$

"Great place to stop by for pasta! Very tasty with a very romantic vibe for all love birds out there. The pasta tastes fresh and they have a lot of unique dishes. Take a look at my pics. Looks good? That's cuz they are!"

Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (598) • $$$

"I think this was the best food we tried in Colorado, probably the only place that compares to the NYC/LA level of food/service. We wanted to eat across the street but didn't like the ambiance so came here, it was Sunday evening and place was pretty full. We didn't make a reservation, and they had a nice table for us. Service was outstanding, guy was speaking half Italian and half English, which was pretty cool. We appreciated that even though we don't speak Italian. They brought fresh bread that was warm and very delicious. They also had a long wine list, so definitely can find what you like. We started with a salad (artichoke and mozzarella), was very well done and unique. We both had different types of seafood pasta, even though we were told that seafood in Colorado is not good we decided to order anyway, and we were pleased to have a great meal. Place is super pleasant and modern and also great location. Definitely recommend"

Homegrown Tap and Dough Washington Park

★★★★☆ 4 (517) • $$

"On Gaylord street near WashPark - I love love this place for HH Pizza, Chicken Parm Slides and Beer. It's all like $5 each! Also - they have some of the best outdoor patio spaces with heaters. You can even play some old school arcade games in their little nook or ask for a table with their ski lifts.Low key, good food, good vibes."

Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse

★★★★☆ 3.7 (604) • $$

"The pizza was excellent, wonderful crust and the salad was fresh and tasted great. Nice dressing. Tasted homemade. Fresh and different."

Cody's Cafe and Bar

★★★★★ 4.5 (400) • $$

"Dropped by this restaurant after landing in Denver. We were definitely in for a treat. Italian food with an Asian twist. Josh the bartender/waiter was so nice and attentive. We got the lemongrass penne, brussel sprouts, rigatoni and it was allllll delicious! The fresh baked bread was so perfect and the wine selection is amazing. Definitely don't want to miss out on this place. They currently merged with Cody's next door. So the food was from Both menus. Incredible! Chef Sue is killing it! We love you and will definitely be back for more!"

Barolo Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (442) • $$$

"I was excited to hear that they are farm-to-table, and they go to Italy every year to get inspired. The inspiration shows in the food. The ambiance was nice, people were dressed up, rare for Denver, the decor was elegant yet simple, which is what I love, it's all about the food. They have a huge wine list! The service was professional, timely, and knowledgeable. Our waitress knew all the dishes, and wines and was able to suggest great pairings for me. That said, there were a few misses in the food. We started with the crudo, which was delicious, well-balanced, and a great sharing portion to kick off the meal. Insalata Primavera tasted like spring on a plate, the produce was fresh and delicious, like it was just picked. We then shared the Agnolotti del plin, which was delicate and delicious, but it came out cold. If we weren't hungry, we would have sent it back. There is no reason for pasta to be cold when it's served. Then we decided to get the veal tenderloin, this was a huge miss. It was kinda bland, overcooked, and also lukewarm. It's a shame, veal can melt in your mouth and I expected something different. I also didn't care for the presentation, it felt boring rather than creative and playful. We switched it for the duck and were not disappointed. I appreciate that the waitress was there to check in at the right time and immediately offered to switch the dish for us. Lastly, we got the chocolate olive oil cake. This desert was more beautiful than tasty. I didn't taste much olive oil in it. I would recommend this place for a fun dinner or date night, and will definitely be back. They have a few outside tables, but unfortunately 6th can be a bit noisy."

Homegrown Tap & Dough - Arvada

★★★★☆ 3.9 (497) • $$

The Plimoth

★★★★☆ 4.4 (384) • $$$

"This place is definitely on the pricey side, for example, a well vodka was $10. But the service was great, it is a beautiful atmosphere inside, and the food was really good. It's probably a place I would not return to again, unless I won the lottery."

Pizza Republica

★★★★☆ 3.7 (523) • $$

"The planets must've aligned last Wednesday or we missed a full moon or something. The location in downtown is good but this location in DTC is great! Kevin was our waiter and took care of us from beginning to end. He struck up conversation, made suggestions and was ever so confident with pairing wine with the ladies in our group.The food was on point like the service. Meatball as an appetizer followed by a salad and everyone got pizza for themselves. It worked out and we had a great time catching up. Wish there was more to add but this is as top notch as it gets! Thanks Pizza Republica!"

Abrusci's Fire & Vine

★★★★☆ 3.7 (500) • $$

"This was our first time at this location. We used to go to the Cherry Creek location many years ago before they closed. We had family in town and they were coming down from the mountains and love Italian food and so we picked Abrusci's to meet at. We didn't have a reservation and they said it would be about a 45 minute wait. We walked to the bar to order a drink while we wait and spotted a table and was told we could sit there since it is considered bar seating. Perfect! We cancelled our name at the front and sat immediately. Our server was awesome. I wish I could remember his name. He was super nice, quick, and great with recommendations. I tried something new and got the Al Fresca pasta dish. It was so light and the sauce was addicting. Great dish, especially for a vegetarian dish. I would totally order that again. Everyone loved everything they got as well and ended the evening with some delicious cannolis. Man were those good! Great cocktails too. Cool vibe, love their garage doors that roll up making your indoor seating outdoor. It made the restaurant brighter and feel more open. Love it!"

Gallo Italian Supper Club and Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.2 (367) • $$

"Great Italian pastries. Very fresh and incredibly flavorful Awesome serviceI dream of their cannolis"

Jimano's Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 4 (389) • $$

"Looking for a Slice of Chicago in Colorado? Jimano's Pizzeria in Englewood, CO hits the spot. With their friendly service, generous portions, and authentic flavors, it's no wonder they've become a local favorite.We arrived at Jimano's and sat in the main dining room. Jimano's does deliver if you're looking for pizza to come to you. Jimano's specializes in iconic Chicago deep-dish pizzas - a hearty affair with a one-inch-thick crust baked in a pan. We dove into their signature deep dish, a cheesy masterpiece overflowing with sauce, green peppers, mushrooms, and a generous helping of sausage. Definitely a pizza meant for sharing!While the deep dish was the star of the show, Jimano's offered plenty of other delicious Italian options. For an appetizer we tried Jimano's "Famous Mouth Watering Breadstix". They had a lightly crisped exterior with a light, fluffy interior. They weren't too heavy and had a dusting of parmesan on top. For sandwiches, we had Jimano's Italian Beef Sandwich. Tender Italian beef was piled high on a toasted bun, dripping with jus, and topped with melted cheese. But be warned: the Giardiniera peppers packed a punch! We loved it because we wanted the heat.We had to end on a sweet note so for dessert, we had the Cannolis. The crispy shells were filled with creamy ricotta and chocolate chips."

Trattoria Stella on Colfax

★★★★☆ 3.8 (429) • $$

Viale Pizza & Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (349) • $$

"Viale's is your neighborhood (South Colo. Blvd) pizza/pasta shop that's got a bit more style and a bit more class than your average Italian restaurant. Good prices and above-average meal quality mark it as a go-to regular stopover when you're craving some semolina this-and-that. Very good pizza (ask for the crust to be "crispy") and large servings (check out the size of the tiramisou!) tell you that you're not going away hungry. (I also really like their newest host-person...so kind and helpful).Ciao bella,David(e) M"

Dio Mio

★★★★☆ 4 (382) • $$

"Alright Dio Mio. Here's the 5 stars you deserve! This is one of my most recommended spots in RiNo, especially if my friends and I are trying to brainstorm last minute plans for dinner. I've lost count how many times I've been here. Even though I keep ordering the same items, I'm constantly impressed by the quality of food, beverage, and customer service.My top dish is the Radiatori (second is the Cacio e Pepe) though I'll deviate every once in awhile to get a seasonal special. Friends often gravitate towards adding on appetizers like Broccoli and Artichokes, both of which are artfully crafted in terms of flavors and textures. Paired with wines or cocktails, it's quite the romantic venue!"

Carmine's On Penn

★★★★☆ 3.7 (438) • $$

"Ross and I dined at Carmine's on Penn & had a fabulous Italian meal - la cena era deliziosa! Carmine's on Penn boasted a wonderful staff and equally good food to boot. We arrived at Carmine's on Penn and were seated in the dining room adjacent to the bar. The aesthetic of the restaurant was warm & relaxed with family sized portion Italian fare & a lively bar. General Manager, Jessica took great care of us. She was lovely and gave us a great background on the restaurant and menu items we should try. Our servers Shae & Aaron were attentive and quick with service.Shae started me off with a White Wine - the Argiolas Costamolino, Vermentino 2021, Sardegna. The Costamolino had flavor notes of ripe stone fruit & citrus. The wine's lemony acidity paired well with the vegetables in the bruschetta & Caesar salad.Jessica brought us garlic bread that was made fresh in house. The beautiful bread knots were warm, fluffy and filled with fresh garlic, butter, and olive oil taste.For Appetizers we had the Bruschetta made with fresh mozzarella, baked crostini and tomato bruschetta mix. The Bruschetta was bursting with fresh flavor. The bruschetta mix had a beautiful balance of mellow acidity and subtle garlic taste. The baked crostini was made in house and I loved that it had some flexibility to it - it wasn't messy and crumbly like standard crostini is.For Salad we had the Community Caesar made with romaine lettuce, housemade croutons, parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing. This Caesar was amazing - the romaine lettuce was perfectly coated in thick, tangy Caesar dressing and each bite had parmesan cheese in it.For Ravioli we had the Vodka Ravioli made with three cheese ravioli in a vodka cream sauce topped with arugula and garlic oil. The Vodka Ravioli was a lusciously melty dish. The vodka sauce was bright in color and flavor from the tomatoes, vodka and crushed red pepper. It was creamy on the tongue while the pasta had soft chew and a warm cheesy center.For House Specials we had the Beef Short Ribs made with a pound of chianti-braised beef short ribs, creamy gorgonzola polenta, roasted carrots and cider vinegar poached kale with a chianti reduction. "These are the best short ribs I've ever had" Ross exclaimed after taking his first bite. The short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender. We didn't even need a knife to cut the juicy meat; it fell right apart under our forks. The ribs topped dreamy polenta that made for velvety bites against the steaming meat.Shae paired the Ravioli and Short Ribs with a Red Wine - the Cantele, Primitivo 2019, Salento. The Cantele had flavor notes of plum and sour cherry. It was an excellent pair for the rich vodka sauce of the ravioli and juicy red meat of the short ribs.For Dessert we had the Carmine's Tiramisu made with fresh baked lady finger cake, dunked in coffee, topped with rich mascarpone cream sauce and drizzled with chocolate. This Tiramisu was sinfully delicious and I couldn't get enough of the rich mascarpone cream sauce and chocolate drizzle that topped it. The pastry quality mascarpone cream was so silky and generously coated each bite of fluffy lady finger cake."