The Most Delectable Italian in Denver

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."

Provolino

★★★★☆ 3.5 (50)

"Just had lunch here and it was a really sweet spot! Loved the decor inside...it felt bright and cheerful, and the colors were fun. I had the lemon risotto as it's GF, and that was such a fun, unique dish! Great texture! We also got some meatballs and loved those as well. And our server, Chris, did a great job, too! A place I'd go again!"

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."

Oblio's Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 3.8 (235) • $$

"Excellent! This little pizzeria is in a gorgeous Park Hill neighborhood. We enjoyed the outdoor seating. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. The pizza was great. If you go for the lunch special, it is a great deal! You get a small personal size 2-topping pizza, a salad, and a drink. (My mom said her pepperoni and ricotta cheese pizza was the best pizza she's ever had.)"

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"

Olivia

★★★★★ 4.7 (235)

"This was a great restaurant that exceeded all expectations! We started with the whipped bison tallow and it was so good! And the bread was hands down one of the best breads I've ever had. I didn't even need the bison tallow. The tallow was so smooth and flavorful and I loved the plums and candied pine nuts. Probably one of my favorite breads with butter ever. Then we got the chopped salad. It was a salad nothing mind blowing but was very fresh and I loved how much cheese they put. They also split the plate without asking and no split plate charge. That was a really nice touch. Wish my plate had more apples. The tortellini was amazing! The corn flavor was spectacular and I was wowed by the texture and presentation. The venison special also blew my mind. I don't usually like venison because it can become chewy and overdone and then unpleasant. This venison was perfectly done! And the sauce that came with it was so delicious. Wish there was more vegetables and the halloumi cheese felt dry. The sorbet palate cleanser was very refreshing and a nice touch. The pecorino cheesecake was incredible. Probably one of my most favorite cheesecakes. You could actually taste the pecorino but it worked great! The crumble and huckleberries was great as well. The tiramisu was also delicious. I liked the honeycomb on top and have never seen that before. The service was super friendly and I felt like they did just enough without feeling like they were there all the time. For the drinks we had the peach Negroni, Manhattan, Toronto, earl grey old fashioned drink, amaro flight, and dessert wine flight. The peach Negroni had mezcal which I was skeptical about ordering since im not a huge mezcal fan. The drink worked really well. Wish there was more peach flavor though. The Toronto was quite boozy and bitter but it was a really nicely put together drink and was very complex. The earl grey old fashioned drink was so good. The earl grey flavor was very pronounced which I this is a hard thing to do in a cocktail. The Manhattan was good, nothing super memorable. The amaro flight was put together nicely. I don't really drink amaros so I put together a description of what sort of flight I would like and also gave some freedom to the bartender. I felt that they did a good job putting that together and I really enjoyed them all. The pine flavored one especially was my favorite. The dessert wines were put together nicely as well. My only complaint was that they can't make food off the tasting menu if you're not ordering it. There was a risotto I particularly wanted to try and that was disappointing. At least we could order the tiramisu off the tasting menu which was great because no Italian dinner is complete without one. Also the room was actually quite loud and I had a hard time hearing any conversation at times. They turned on music later too which was nice because first there was none. Would 100% return again and would consider this one of my favorite restaurants in Denver."

Rock City Pie and Ice

★★★★☆ 4.4 (71)

"If you don't think this pizza is 5 star you might need to have your head examined. Plus if your reading reviews you might want to trust people like me who have over 1,600 reviews and been an elite Yelper for over 10 yrs. What's not to love about this place! Nestled in an old strip mall and if you weren't looking you could drive right by. Ordered my pizza on line and went to pick it up. I ordered some marinated olives, The Calabrian pizza and some Italian ice to take home. Showed up when my order was supposed to be done and it was ready to go! Gentleman who I assumed was the owner was super friendly and didn't recognize me from all the other regulars rolling in to pick up their Friday night pies. Even mentioned it and see you next time. In a world of chain Meh! Meh! This is what I love about finding hidden gems like this! I had the Calabrian with Ligura Pepperoni, Old World Peperoni, Spicy Capicolla, Jalapenos, Parmesan, Brick Cheese, Aged Provolone, Sharp White Cheddar, Buffalo Milk Mozz& Fresh Mozzarella, Ricotta, Basil and Tomato Sauce + I added extra pepperoni just to make this a meat pizza paradise. One thing to note this is take out only so don't get on here and knock them for that. Lots of places in Detroit and NYC don't have eat in with take out being the only option. I got this home and OMG just looking at had me drooling. Served with whipped ricotta, spicy chili sauce and marinara. This pizza was awesome!!! The crust, the crispness the flavor bomb was out of this world. Skip everything else and come here if you want unique Detroit style pizza from people who know what they are doing! I will for sure be back and would recommend you do as well!"

Cart-Driver

★★★★★ 4.5 (725) • $$

"Because five years later, Cart Driver still delivers. Actually, it's really freakin' awesome. It's one of the most reliable spots in all of RiNo.We stumbled in here after a boozy adventure next door at Death & Co. The combination of drinks at D&C followed by pizza at Cart Driver is one of the best 1-2 punches in all of Denver if you ask me.Open late, wood fired pizzas, beyond boozy beverages, what else do you need? We sat outside and even though it was a little chilly, the heat from the fresh pizza and cocktails warmed us up.I'll say it now and I'll say it louder for the people in the back, the Clam Pie is just as good as the first time I had it five years ago. Squeezing the scorching hot lemon on top of the pizza earns you the right to shovel it down as quickly as humanly possible. It's pizza perfection. One of the best pies in town without question.Love you, Cart Driver. Don't change a thing."

Brooklyn's Finest Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.2 (279) • $

"We were downtown and were in the mood for some pizza and noticed that this place had great reviews! Once we arrived we loved the atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff. Also once you check in you get a free cheese slice! Awesome!We ended up ordering the Large Brooklyn Bomber w/ cheese bread. They also provided Military discount which was amazing as well.Once the pizza came out it looked amazing and the taste was just as good! The cheese bread was also great! I would definitely recommend coming here if you're in the mood for pizza!"

Guido's Pizza Genesee

★★★★☆ 3.8 (144) • $$

"We came in for our first time. Plenty of parking. Chill environment. Friendly service. We ordered a few items to share. The Greek salad, Chicken Parm sandwich, carrots, and buffalo wings. We ordered a bit too much. The chicken parm sandwich was my favorite. The wings were number two. Next time we may get a pizza. We left full and happy. Thanks for the kind service and delicious food."

Homegrown Tap & Dough - Arvada

★★★★☆ 3.9 (497) • $$

Pinocchio's

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (153) • $$

Gargaro's Italian Bakery

★★★★★ 4.8 (62) • $

"Where to begin!? This place is phenomenally delicious! It's in a old house by I76 in the industrial area. It has a bakery and sandwiches available. The bread is fresh that day and the sandwiches are delicious! Takes me back to being at a New York City Deli! They make cookies, cannolis, and fresh pasta to go. Everything is fresh and delicious. You can tell this place makes it with love! I will definitely be back as many times as I can. I ordered the Italian Grinder, it was perfectly made! Perfect amount of meats, cheese, and dressing. Please try this place, it will not disappoint you! It's take out only, but worth the drive!"

Bonanno Brothers Pizzeria at Denver Milk Market

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (27)

"Stopping in for a bite before heading to the Rockies game, my husband and I thought pizza sounded delicious and settled on Bonanno Bro's pizza for our meal. It's an order at the counter from a QR code kind of place, which I happily did, and began to wait. After about an hour of waiting (and seeing other people's food delivered) I realized I had placed our order "to-go" without realizing it and the man behind the counter lead me to the adjacent room, where our pizza was, sitting on a shelf...and had been for the past 25 minutes. FAIL on my part! Despite how stupid I felt, I apparently hadn't read the directions very well when placing my order - so pay attention! Ha!Despite the long wait, our pizza was very good. We opted for the Pepperoni, as it's a mere $12! The crust was light, crispy and the perfect size for two people to split. I'd easily grab another pie here when in the area."

Marco's Coal Fired

★★★★☆ 4 (579) • $$

"We went just before dinner and it was perfect timing. I love that you can see the pizza ovens from the seating area making for a great ambiance. The service was great and the pizza was tasty. Their pop machine had just run out of syrup so the drinks were a little off but it's ok. Next time I go I think I'd like to try just a classic pepperoni pizza."

Bruno's Italian Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.3 (231) • $$

"A friend and I went here for restaurant week. They have a small lot out back which is great. We were seated right away and given our choice of tables. We had the fried artichoke appetizer which was great. I also started with the house salad which I would've liked to have had croutons on. I enjoyed my main of the lobster ravioli with gorgonzola cream sauce. The lemoncello cake was delish. Our server was great and we would definitely come back."

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."

Bono's Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (406) • $$

"We arrived in Golden around 2pm and asked the hotel to recommend a local lunch spot. Fortunately, Bono's was around the corner. My wife and I split a meatball sub and a salad. Both were good.The staff was very friendly.The restaurant looks like what you'd expect from an old-style family restaurant."

Bistro Del Lago

★★★★☆ 4 (37)

"Good service. LARGE portions (beware) and good food. The bread is baked on site and the pasta is imported from Italy."

Colore Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 4.4 (652) • $$

"The best indulgent Italian restaurant without the heavy bill. Im so amazed by how approachable this menu was. Not only in dishes, but also in price. Cocktails also were very affordable. I enjoyed their white wine sangria. I adored their spiked melon and fruits in the sangria. One drink lasted throughout the meal for less than $13.Now the food, lasagna bolognese and pesto pasta with crispy prosciutto and mushrooms. Both so hearty, both made us feel so satisfied and comfty. We loved the outdoor patio, which is completely heated. Inside was pretty but it seemed quite loud for us. If you reserve online you can choose which area to sit. We didn't reserve and was lucky to get a table right away. But a wait quickly enforced right after we sat. So I recommend calling ahead for the future.2 entrees, 2 cocktails set us back only $60 before tip. 10/10 would come again. And im getting a dessert next time!"

Undici Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4.1 (305) • $$

"Chose this spot because it was recommended by a business associate. It's a nice place and undoubtedly Italian, in a smaller neighborhood but very cozy! Very friendly and conscientious staff. The owner even stopped over to check on us! The food was very good. Funny how Italian food is subject to family recipes and location etc. etc. Appetizers were very good and we basically licked the plates. My Veal Marsala was presented with an Eggplant Componata which was tasty yet the Marsala Sauce was thin and needed to be reduced more to get that nice sweet and thick Dee-lickable thing going on....Everyone ate and we had a couple drinks! The desserts were good but me being a Tiramisu SNOB! I was hopi g it would be better. The Lemon Cake most likely purchased frozen was eh...ok."

Zucca Italian Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4.1 (345) • $$

Blue Pan Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 (54) • $$

Vero Italian

★★★★☆ 3.8 (141)

"I was immediately drawn in by the interesting toppings on the Bella Pizza and had to try it. While it was good, it needed a sauce because it was pretty dry. I also got an order of Smoked Mozz & Coto PIZZA'CO. They were fantastic. I loved the crispy cheese on the outside. I'd come back and try other pizzas, but I'd make sure to get one with sauce next time."

Locanda Del Borgo

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (196) • $$

"Dined with some friends who had been before. Service was a bit slow, food was okay, not a lot of flavor, restaurant was Cold (temperature) so needless to say it wasn't inviting overall ambiance was flat."

Brooklyn's Finest Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.3 (10) • $$

"This is my 2nd time eating here and they never and I mean never disappoint. The pizza is always so freaking delicious and the staff is always so friendly. I got two pizzas and a drink for under 15 bucks o believe. The pizzas I got was an everything pizza and the other one I honestly can't remember it has white sauce with chicken and I think bacon and that by far was my favorite. Next time I will get two slices."

Frasca Food and Wine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (620) • $$$$

"When a restaurant earns a Michelin Star, they have an opportunity to take chances, be even more creative and charge a lot more money. Frasca is all of those things. Frasca's food is inventive and inspired--it is also way overpriced. From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we were treated like royalty, recognizing my birthday, giving us a prime table and providing unequaled service. Frasca's server, Julia, orchestrated the entire service, perfectly timing the delivery of each course and carefully explaining the courses and the wine pairings. The Quattro Piatti was our choice and the amuse bouche set the stage for a wonderful meal. The scallop with polenta was delicate, light, refreshing and presented beautifully as was the trout crudo and foam. The optional ink squid pasta at $35 seemed overpriced, and while it tasted good, was still overpriced. The risotto was creamy and delicious. Duck breast was exceptional, crispy skin and tender breast. Desserts were delicate, light, refreshing and were a perfect way to finish the meal. I had the optional wine pairing and found all the selections to be exceptional. Frasca focuses on the Friuli area in both its cuisine and wines. I can see why--they are a rear find and never disappoint. Overall, this was a memorable meal, with impeccable service, exceptional wines, comfortable decor."

Pizzeria Forte

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (99) • $$

"Thought this was a really good pizza place. Called ahead for takeout and the pizza was ready when promised. The Orazia was delicious - chewy, crunchy crust with prosciutto, dates and argula. Another time for deliver, the Combinata had it all, sausage, peperoni, peppers, onions, olives -- it arrived ahead of schedule-- very nice. A fresh salad with pear, walnuts and arugula was also exceptional. The people inside the place know what they are doing. This place serves quality pizzas at reasonable prices. Its worth a try. Owned by the same people who run Teller's across the street."

Jovanina's Broken Italian

★★★★☆ 4.2 (439)

"Pretty tasty. We loved the food, excellent food- absolutely delicious scallops, risotto, pizza and wine selections superb. Ambiance terrific! I would be a regular if local. Why four and not five? For the twenty minutes we waited for service with ten employees lounging around chatting as we attempted to get someone to take our order. Other than that, the night was perfect."

Trattoria Stella on Colfax

★★★★☆ 3.8 (429) • $$

Pizza Pasta Villa

★★★★★ 4.6 (76) • $$

"My wife, my girlfriend and I had dinner here tonight. It's only 1000 yards from my house so it was long past time to check it out. Plus, another Yelper was encouraging me to go. We got cleaned up and walked through the door about 5:30pm. We were not welcomed especially warmly. We were asked if we had a reservation and when we said no, there was some strained looks. Kind of felt like not having a reservation was inconvenient for them. It wasn't a huge deal but was more uncomfortable than it needed to be. We were seated at a beautiful table that was clean and tidy. We had our drink orders taken immediately and the drinks showed up within minutes. Very attentive and efficient staff. I ordered Shrimp Fra Diavola, my wife ordered spinach ravioli and our girlfriend ordered a veggie pizza. The pasta meals came with garlic twists and neither of us were especially impressed with the twists. They seemed stale and not especially flavorful. The main courses arrived ten minutes later and they were absolutely delicious. Mine was really spicy and did not disappoint. It was beautifully presented and the shrimp was fantastic. It was every very penny, and then some, of the reasonable price. My wife loved her spinach ravioli and said it was some of the better she has ever had. Freyja enjoyed her pizza and stated it was perfectly made. After dinner we ordered a pistachio cannoli and it was average at best. It was beautifully plated and presented but the shell was too hard to eat. It hurt my teeth. I wouldn't recommend it. Table service was flawless. Our glasses were never empty. Our server was pleasant, friendly and efficient. The restaurant is clean, nicely appointed and friendly. I really enjoyed the decor. All in all this was a very positive dining experience. I just wish we weren't made to feel like we were intruding in the first few seconds of our visit. The main courses made the entire trip worth it. They were exceptional and very high end."

Tony Rigatoni's Italian Kitchen

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (283)

"This place had a rooftop in an aesthetic valley. They did have some portable heaters for the chillier times, but frankly we got a bit shorted on that and I was shivering by the end. Their menu was surprisingly small but held some excellent options. Garlic bread was absurdly large but delivered on flavor, and a burrata salad offered and excellent mix of flavors and textures. Vegetarian options were some, but vegan not. Service was quite slow, which is part of the reason I ended up staying out in a night that I wasn't quite dressed for. The place struck me as an adequate one trading on location, and it definitely is an area worth visiting."

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."

Venice Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (344) • $$$

"I've been to Venice more times and for more occasions than I can count. I was honored to be invited to a friend's parents 57th anniversary. It's been a few years since I have walked through the door.The place is bigger with an additional private room as they took over the space next door this also includes the bigger front bar area. Still the dimly lit white tablecloth place I fondly remember. Ambiance here is everything for sure. Dimly lit, attentive but not overly intrusive service, low background music adds to the evening and not overpowers conversation. Wine list is on an iPad which is fun. Still the food I remember and will now crave again for weeks. This is definitely a Daye night , special occasion kind of place. Go and give yourself a nice night out."

DiFranco's

★★★★☆ 4.4 (606) • $$

"Fast casuals like this I'm totally on board. Everything that we tried here is delicious! We started with their delicious Arugula Caesar with this incredible housemade dressing and croutons. I could eat a big bowl by myself! They're not kidding with their fettuccine Alfredo. Pasta is made in-house. Suppose you order the adorable and delicious pizza log. Think of them as really fancy mozzarella sticks only to be wrapped with an egg roll wrapper and stuffed with mozzarella and pepperoni, and served with a side of warm red sauce. A staff favorite :) 4 pieces to an order. The addicting Garlic Broccoli ( I swear!) is soo good! Their chicken Parm with eggplant is so yummy! You have to order the sizeable house-made meatball. Finger licking good! They carry their own house white and red wines. And some local beers. Now for dessert, they have this house-made Ricotta cookie to die for! For 11 years Ryan the owner has been running this lovely little Italian heaven.Highlights:Arugula Caesar with an incredible house made dressing Pizza Log-housemadeMeatball-housemadeGarlic BroccoliSpaghetti Eggplant ParmItalian Sausage Ricotta CookieAll the photos on the walls are actually the owner's Ryan DiFranco's family! Solid legacy here. Good food, good HH and great staff. THANK YOU Patricia for your awesome recs."