What is the best italian restaurant in Denver?

According to Harry Hungry's ranking, Tavernetta is currently the top-rated italian restaurant in Denver with a Harry Score of 89/100.

How does Harry Hungry score italian restaurants in Denver?

Harry Hungry blends ratings from Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions into a weighted Harry Score (0–100). A separate Worth It Score ranks restaurants by value for money. No paid placements, no affiliate links — the ranking is built from public data only.

Are there tourist-trap italian restaurants in Denver to avoid?

Harry Hungry flags restaurants where Tripadvisor ratings diverge significantly from local reviews — a common tourist-trap signal. See the tourist trap index for Denver on Harry Hungry for a full breakdown.

Denver, CO

Best Italian in Denver.

Harry currently ranks 10 italian spots in Denver, scoring 71–89 on the Harry Score. 4 carry critic or guide backing. Prices run $ to $$$$.

Shortcuts show. Italian cooking is the hardest to fake because it has nowhere to hide — no sauce heavy enough, no portion large enough to disguise mediocre pasta. Harry cares whether it was made in-house. The red-checked tablecloth is irrelevant.

Ranked by the Harry Score — a weighted blend of Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions. No paid placements. No affiliate links.

Scores last recomputed 17 August 2026

Tavernetta

italian

1889 16th St Mall, Denver

4.6 across 2.6k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; named by Eater 38 and Michelin Guide.

$$$$

Harry

Worth It

Barolo Grill

italian

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver

4.7 across 1.1k Google reviews; named by Michelin Guide and Eater 38.

Caveat: You're getting an experience. Whether you needed it is up to you.

$$$$

Harry

Worth It

Blue Pan Pizza

pizza

3509 E 12th Ave, Denver

4.7 across 3.0k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; airy, casual pizzeria serving Italian specialties alongside Colorado-centric beer &….

Harry

Worth It

Johnny Bechamel's

pizza-delivery · pizza

81 S Pennsylvania St, Denver

4.7 across 123 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; praised by Eater 38 (Eater 38 — Denver (2026)).

Harry

Worth It

Dear Emilia

italian

3615 Delgany St, Denver

4.7 across 82 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; praised by Eater 38 (Eater 38 — Denver (2026)).

Harry

Worth It

Bar Red

italian · bar

437 W Colfax Ave, Denver

4.6 across 522 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; cozy, brick-walled venue offering Italian entrees and pizza, unique drinks, plus….

Harry

Worth It

Walter's303 Pizzeria - Uptown

pizza · pizza-delivery

1906 N Pearl St, Denver

4.6 across 1.3k Google reviews; laid-back parlor with outdoor seats serving familiar pies with a deep-dish option &….

Harry

Worth It

SliceWorks

pizza

1433 17th St #100, Denver

4.5 across 2.7k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; easygoing pizzeria & bar serving NY-style pizzas by the pie or slice, plus pastas & subs.

Harry

Worth It

Maggiano's Little Italy

italian · catering-service

Pavilions Mall, 500 16th St Mall Ste 150

4.5 across 4.7k Google reviews; semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished….

Harry

Worth It

Osteria Marco

italian

1453 Larimer St, Denver

4.3 across 1.8k Google reviews; handcrafted pizzas, cured meats & cheeses, plus other Italian plates in a cozy….

Caveat: Only Google has weighed in so far — a single source, so read the score as provisional.

Harry

Worth It

Best Italian in every city All Denver guides

Italian in other cities

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More Denver guides

Harry's best in Denver Best value restaurants in Denver Tourist trap index · Denver Date night in Denver Late night in Denver Cheap eats · Denver Fancy restaurants · Denver Brunch in Denver Lunch in Denver All cuisines in Denver Best Italian in all cities

Questions Harry gets about italian in Denver

What is the best italian restaurant in Denver?: According to Harry Hungry's ranking, Tavernetta is currently the top-rated italian restaurant in Denver with a Harry Score of 89/100.
How does Harry Hungry score italian restaurants in Denver?: Harry Hungry blends ratings from Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions into a weighted Harry Score (0–100). A separate Worth It Score ranks restaurants by value for money. No paid placements, no affiliate links — the ranking is built from public data only.
Are there tourist-trap italian restaurants in Denver to avoid?: Harry Hungry flags restaurants where Tripadvisor ratings diverge significantly from local reviews — a common tourist-trap signal. See the tourist trap index for Denver on Harry Hungry for a full breakdown.

Best Italian in Denver.

Harry currently ranks 10 italian spots in Denver, scoring 71–89 on the Harry Score. 4 carry critic or guide backing. Prices run $ to $$$$.

Ranked by the Harry Score — a weighted blend of Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions. No paid placements. No affiliate links.

Scores last recomputed 17 August 2026

Tavernetta

italian

1889 16th St Mall, Denver

4.6 across 2.6k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; named by Eater 38 and Michelin Guide.

$$$$

Harry

Worth It

Barolo Grill

italian

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver

4.7 across 1.1k Google reviews; named by Michelin Guide and Eater 38.

Caveat: You're getting an experience. Whether you needed it is up to you.

$$$$

Harry

Worth It

Blue Pan Pizza

pizza

3509 E 12th Ave, Denver

4.7 across 3.0k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; airy, casual pizzeria serving Italian specialties alongside Colorado-centric beer &….

Harry

Worth It

Johnny Bechamel's

pizza-delivery · pizza

81 S Pennsylvania St, Denver

4.7 across 123 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; praised by Eater 38 (Eater 38 — Denver (2026)).

Harry

Worth It

Dear Emilia

italian

3615 Delgany St, Denver

4.7 across 82 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; praised by Eater 38 (Eater 38 — Denver (2026)).

Harry

Worth It

Bar Red

italian · bar

437 W Colfax Ave, Denver

4.6 across 522 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; cozy, brick-walled venue offering Italian entrees and pizza, unique drinks, plus….

Harry

Worth It

Walter's303 Pizzeria - Uptown

pizza · pizza-delivery

1906 N Pearl St, Denver

4.6 across 1.3k Google reviews; laid-back parlor with outdoor seats serving familiar pies with a deep-dish option &….

Harry

Worth It

SliceWorks

pizza

1433 17th St #100, Denver

4.5 across 2.7k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; easygoing pizzeria & bar serving NY-style pizzas by the pie or slice, plus pastas & subs.

Harry

Worth It

Maggiano's Little Italy

italian · catering-service

Pavilions Mall, 500 16th St Mall Ste 150

4.5 across 4.7k Google reviews; semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished….

Harry

Worth It

Osteria Marco

italian

1453 Larimer St, Denver

4.3 across 1.8k Google reviews; handcrafted pizzas, cured meats & cheeses, plus other Italian plates in a cozy….

Caveat: Only Google has weighed in so far — a single source, so read the score as provisional.

Harry

Worth It

Questions Harry gets about italian in Denver

What is the best italian restaurant in Denver?: According to Harry Hungry's ranking, Tavernetta is currently the top-rated italian restaurant in Denver with a Harry Score of 89/100.
How does Harry Hungry score italian restaurants in Denver?: Harry Hungry blends ratings from Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions into a weighted Harry Score (0–100). A separate Worth It Score ranks restaurants by value for money. No paid placements, no affiliate links — the ranking is built from public data only.
Are there tourist-trap italian restaurants in Denver to avoid?: Harry Hungry flags restaurants where Tripadvisor ratings diverge significantly from local reviews — a common tourist-trap signal. See the tourist trap index for Denver on Harry Hungry for a full breakdown.