11 Italian Restaurants in Denver for an Authentic Taste of La Dolce Vita

You don’t have to schlep yourself over to Denver’s Little Italy in North Denver to enjoy some of the best Italian restaurants the city has to offer – you can find handmade pasta, fresh antipasti, and all your other favorite dishes across the Mile High City from Lodo to Highland and even some hidden gems out in the ‘burbs.

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Whether you’re looking for something trendy and high-end or good old fashioned home-cooking just like Nonna used to make, today we’re exploring the best Italian restaurants Denver has to offer, including:

• Elegant trattorias perfect for enjoying the classics on a date night or nice evening out 
• Chef-curated pizzas that will change your definition of cheesy goodness
• Italian fusion restaurants unlike anything you’ve tried before

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Let’s do this.

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Good Italian Food Is Meant to Be Enjoyed Together

La dolce vita refers to the Italian way of life – living a little slower and more intentionally, savoring life instead of rushing through it. And one key component of living well is sharing moments big and small with the people who matter to you. 

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It’s about conviviality… long lunches with friends, lovingly preparing a meal for family.

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Luckily, you don’t have to be a five-star chef to share the sweet life with your favorite people. GiftYa partners with thousands of national and local Denver restaurants, activities, and stores to make it easier than ever to text a little bit of love right to their phone. Choose a gift, customize it, and it’s off. So whether you want to treat them to a little Italian comfort food on a stressful work day or send over an invite for a shared happy hour, check out the GiftYa catalog to send them the ultimate practical, thoughtful gift. 

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1. Tavernetta

📍 1889 16th St | Lodo | tavernettadenver.com

World class hospitality in the heart of Union Station? Sign us up. Tavernetta is operated by the James Beard Award-winning Francesca Hospitality Group, so you know the attention to detail is top-tier. The dining room is an airy, upscale space perfect for a romantic evening when you’re craving comfort food and plenty of European class.

The menu honors Italy’s vast culinary tradition with meticulous renditions of classics like lobster tagliatelle, cacio e pepe, beef carpaccio, and more.

With an open kitchen, seasonal outdoor patio, full bar, and plenty of private dining space, it’s the perfect destination to make any meal feel like an event. 

“Obsessed! This is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Denver. Everything I've tried has been amazing, the service is always fantastic, and the atmosphere is relaxed but elegant. Their happy hour is one of the best, and the pasta flight is a must if you're with friends. The espresso martini and tiramisu combo is unbeatable--it'll change your life!” – Yelp Review

2. Trattoria Stella

📍 3470 W 32nd Ave | Highland | trattoriastelladenver.com

If you’ve never been here before, Trattoria Stella will quickly become your favorite neighborhood spot when you’re craving Italian cuisine. It’s classy but casual, making a good go-to option for the whole family – kids and canines included.

But don’t let the laid back vibe fool you – Trattoria Stella is serious about their food. Dishes like the 32nd Street Salad, Creamy Sausage Rigate, Spaghetti Bolognese, and Shrimp Pesto Gnocchi will definitely have you stopping in again for more. 

“Been dying to try this place and it did not disappoint! Total mom and pop vibe with the classic home cooked taste you'd expect. Definitely worth the visit and will satisfy your Italian cravings.” – Yelp Review

3. Basta

📍 3601 Arapahoe Ave | Boulder | bastaboulder.com

The name Basta comes from the Italian word for “enough”... which is ironic, considering it would be hard to ever get enough of the food at this suburban sleeper of a restaurant. Even for urbanites, we think dinner at Basta is worth the drive.

Good Italian food is all about using good, simple ingredients, and Basta is one restaurant that gets it. It’s a farm-to-table style establishment that cultivates close relationships with local producers who share their values, and anything else, they grow in their own small garden behind the restaurant, which is, somewhat uniquely, located in a condo complex. 

But step inside the intimate space, and you’ll be greeted by aromas that let you know right away you’ve made the right choice. It’ll be tough not to fill up on the otherworldly focaccia, but try to save room for some pizza. With classic flavors and seasonal offerings, there’s something to tantalize everyone’s taste buds. 

“Best chef in town! It's a bit off the beaten path but so so so worth your time to adventure to. So creative, so delicious and great owners!” – Yelp Review

4. Viale Pizza & Kitchen

📍 1390 S Colorado Blvd | Southeast | vpkdenver.com

Located inside Century 21 Plaza just one mile North of I-25, you can’t go wrong with stopping at Viale Pizza & Kitchen for lunch, dinner, or libations. The spacious dining room is plated in cozy red brick and wood, creating a warm and welcoming environment their five-star staff works hard to uphold throughout the dining experience. It’s a trendy spot but kid-friendly (and even pup-friendly). 

Now, let’s talk food. You can’t go wrong starting with the crispy arancini for an appetizer, and when it comes to the main course, locals love the chicken piccata, chicken parm sandwich, and mushroom rigatoni. You can also go the pizza direction if you’re looking for more casual Italian grub, but no matter what, save some room for dessert. I cannoli imagine how sad you’d be to miss out on the sweets!

“Viale is a modern neighborhood gem. Ambience warm and very welcoming. The food is delicious, the staff amazing and so very kind and friendly, and service is exceptional. Honestly, one of the most wonderful restaurants I have been to in a long time. Go and find out for yourself - don't miss out on a fabulous dining experience.” – Yelp Review

5. Jovania’s Broken Italian

📍 1520 Blake St | Lodo | jovanina.com

Looking for a restaurant that puts a fresh, Colorado-style spin on your favorite Italian fare? Then Jovania is your gal. 

According to the restaurant’s philosophy, the dinner menu is built for sharing – and honestly, set foot in the warm, dimly lit space, and you’ll want nothing more than an intimate meal with your party. With red brick and candles burning in every corner, Jovania’s (and Sotto Voce, their subterranean speakeasy-style wine lounge) is possibly one of the most romantic restaurants in Denver. 

Vegetarians, rejoice! There are plenty of vegetable-forward dishes to choose from. 

The menu also features handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, seafood, steak, and incredible desserts – all made with the freshest local and regional ingredients by season. No matter what you choose, it’s sure to be tasty, and staff can make recommendations from the innovative beverage menu (think craft cocktails, local beer, barrel-aged spirits, and even absinthe) to provide the perfect pairing. 

“Honestly, this was hands down some of the best Italian food I have ever had. Everything from the food, the service and the ambiance was stellar! It's my new favorite, downtown, date-night restaurant!” –Yelp Review

6. Spuntino

📍 2639 W 32nd St | Highland | spuntinodenver.com

Ever heard of an Italian-Indian fusion restaurant? I hadn’t either before I encountered Spuntino! What started out as a daytime cafe and gelato shop in 2011 quickly became the quirky, chef-driven space it is today. There is a LOT to love about Spuntino:

• Over-the-top quality driven by age-old scratch-minded Italian tradition
• One-of-a-kind flavor combinations inspired by the managers’ Italian and Indian heritage
• Responsible ingredients including local produce, sustainably raised seafood, locally sourced meats, and house-made breads, pastas, and desserts
• Dedication to the community through charitable giving to organizations like Shadhika, Food for Thought, The Heart and Hand Center, The Food Bank of the Rockies, The Transgender Center of the Rockies, World Central Kitchen, and Sophie’s Neighborhood

Frankly, there’s not another Italian restaurant like it!

“This place was such an awesome find! It's in a house so it feels more cozy, which goes well with the dim light. This is a fantastic authentic Indian-Italian fusion restaurant with yummy homemade pastas, with an option for everyone!” – Yelp Review

7. Dio Mio

📍 3264 Larimer St | RiNo | diomiopasta.com

Chefs Spencer White and Alex Figura combined forces with this one to give Italian cuisine the fine dining treatment… and make it more relaxed and approachable than ever before. The service style is unique – it’s a combo of counter-service and tableside support – and the traditional Italian fare on the menu is always complemented by more experimental offerings as well. 

“This place is super fun! There's indoor and outdoor seating, outdoor seating is 4-5 ish picnic tables, perfect for bigger groups. The inside seems small at first but there's a whole wall down the left side of the restaurant with booths!” – Yelp Review

8. Angelo’s Taverna

📍 620 E 6th St | Alamo Placita | angelosdenver.com

An Italian restaurant with warm wood panelling and big stained glass windows right on 6th Avenue? Yes, please! There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Angelo’s Taverna because they’ve been serving up quality Italian food since the 70s, but if you haven’t stopped in, this is your sign. Do *not* miss the ravioli!

“Since moving to Denver a year ago, my very Italian boyfriend and I have been searching for the ideal Italian restaurant. I would def add Angelo's into my Italian rotation, they had good wine choices and the overall ambience was great.”

9. Bella Italia

📍 5075 Leetsdale Dr | Southeast | bellaitaliadenver.com

The search for authentic Italian cuisine doesn’t have to take you overseas – just to Southeast Denver! Brother-sister duo Ben and Sam moved to America from a small town in Sicily in 2012, and Bella Italia is their love letter to the recipes passed down through the generations in their family. 

The only question is what to try first… I would recommend the bruschetta, followed by chicken piccata or the stuffed shells, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!

“We had a really nice time at Bella Italia. The place has a cozy, welcoming vibe, and the staff was super friendly and helpful. Everything tasted fresh and homemade. It's a great spot for a laid-back, tasty meal. We'll definitely be coming back!” – Yelp Review

10. Il Forno di Tutti

📍 1627 S Havana St | Aurora | ilfornoditutti.com

Making the trip to Aurora is worth it for Il Forno di Tutti. The food is top-notch, and the bright, casual dining space is perfect for grabbing a chill bite in a relaxed environment. Not to mention, if you time your visit right, you might catch live music – in Italian, of course!

“Another hidden gem, in Aurora. This place is very small and easily missed. The authentic Italian decor felt refreshing. As for the food. Top notch. Don't come here if you want your pizza fix. This isn't that type of Italian restaurant.” – Yelp Review

11. DiFranco’s

📍 955 N Lincoln St | Capitol Hill | difrancos.com

Denver loves a good farmer’s market, so how about a farmer’s market success story? DiFranco’s started out as a farmer’s market booth back in 2011 selling fresh pasta sauce, but soon these folks developed such a following that they decided to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Lincoln Street. 

Don’t worry – their values have remained the same. DiFranco’s is all about food made fresh from ingredients grown close to home. It’s scratch-made, farm-to-table, quick-service Italian. Not to mention, the family-run restaurant prides itself on inclusivity, considering they are an LGBTQ+ and Latina-owned business themselves. 

“Listen. Stop what you're doing. Put down that sad frozen dinner and sprint (yes, sprint) to DiFranco's because this place just ruined pasta anywhere else for me. By the end, I was plotting how to move in upstairs so I can smell garlic and sauce every day like a cartoon character floating toward a pie on a windowsill.DiFranco's isn't a restaurant. It's a life event. Go hungry, leave changed.” – Yelp Review

That’s it for our list of the must-try Italian Restaurants in Denver, CO!

That should be enough pizza and pasta to keep your Italian cravings at bay for a while! And don’t forget to share the love – text a GiftYa to a friend or family member today! 

Now mangia!