Top Best Italian Restaurants in Highlands Ranch

"Yearly visits to Italy inspire the cuisine, wine list and the pace as well as the ambience," says the management here. The cuisine--contemporary northern Italian rooted in the regions of Piedmont, Tuscany and the Veneto--is complemented by a deep wine list that is heavily Italian but also includes bottles from France, Spain, South America, California and other highly regarded wine-producing regions of the world. While much of the menu is seasonal, there are likely to be examples of thoughtful pairings of U.S. and Italian preparation and ingredients, such as aged prosciutto di parma or slow-poached baby octopus served with Rocky Ford cantaloupe."

"Located in swanky Cherry Creek, this longtime Northern Italian destination stands as a bastion of refinement on Denver’s ultra-casual scene; you'll begin feeling indulged just walking in. White cloths on the tables, check. A smattering of elaborate floral arrangements and colorful vintage liquor posters, check."

"This is the first outpost of the popular New York eatery of the same name, which drew its inspiration from the traditional butcher guilds of Italy that oversaw quality of meats. It fulfills its steakhouse creds with a menu that includes classic filet mignon, New York Strip and bone-in rib steak. There's also fresh pasta with Porterhouse and baked lasagna with filet meatballs."

"The fact that this fast-casual pie parlor was founded by the guys behind Frasca Food & Wine makes its price point all the more surprising: From the famous Mais with ham, corn, and crème fraîche to the Supreme with pepperoni, sausage, onions, and peppers, not one 11-inch option cracks the $10 mark, and on Mondays, Margherita pizzas go for $5. (Three other locations in the Highlands, Central Park, and Hale spread the wealth.)"

"This Speer neighborhood restaurant may be more than halfway into its fourth decade, but based on the 30-minute-plus wait you’re likely to face on any given night, it’s got another four in it (not to mention a new-ish sibling in Littleton, attached to Carboy winery, that opened in 2016). A maze-like floor plan and stained-glass windows give it a charming, well-worn quality, while the menu marries a classic oyster bar with a neighborhood Italian joint. Once you’ve had your fill of bivalves—raw on the half-shell or char-grilled and topped with garlic, butter, and Pecorino cheese (among other options)—you can move onto pizzas and pastas, all of which are made from scratch daily."

"Homemade pappardelle pasta with cream and parmesan cheese—the Pappardelle Bolognese from Angelo’s is an actual slice of heaven. No matter what we’re in the mood for, we’ll never say no to this im-pasta-bly delicious dish."

"The North Italia restaurant was established in 2002 in Denver’s charming Cherry Creek North neighborhood. The eatery offers a modern take on traditional Italian cooking and focuses on handcrafting everything from scratch every day; this includes their specialty cocktails, pizzas, and pastas. They describe their restaurant as “a love letter to Italy,” priding themselves on creating authentic dishes, such as their strozzapreti with Bloomsdale spinach and their house specialty Bolognese sauce."

"North Italia is another of the best Italian restaurants in Denver. This Italian chain eatery does not disappoint with its Denver outpost, serving a large menu of Italian favorites ..."

"Sicilian influenced takeout with more than 20 years of experience. They create mouthwatering and delicious lunch and dinner items, as well as beverages that will leave your taste buds jumping for joy!. Open for lunch and dinnerDress code: CasualPhone: +1 303-278-1068"

"This was our first time coming and let me tell you the food was outstanding!!!!!. The service was incredible. My extremely picky eater of a son ate more then we..."

"Lakewood’s almost-three-decade-old Cafe Jordano has just the right amount of old-school charm. The recently expanded and revamped dining room—located next door to the original location in an unassuming strip mall—is warm and romantic, the wine list is incredibly affordable, and the warm bread is free-flowing. Napoli-born Elisa Heitman’s moreish recipes have cultivated a devoted following over the years; regulars are known to line up outside before dinner service to snag seats."

"For assignations that require an extra dose of discretion, the Cherry Creek Grill offers dating on the down-low. In addition to dim lighting, the restaurant also bans cell phones at tables for less distractions. The Seared Ahi Tuna Salad is a menu favorite at the American restaurant, which also offers heartier fare such as prime rib and rotisserie chicken.Reservations accepted."

"Ask your server for advice at Sunflower Asian Kitchen, and she may steer you rather forcefully toward the Sichuan specialties, especially if you indicate that you like spice. Heed her nudging: This strip-mall restaurant offers regional specialties from across China, but it’s deft at balancing tingling Sichuan peppercorns and hot chiles in dishes like the Sichuan-style boiled fish, in which hunks of white fish swim in a trough of angry-looking broth liberally flooded with chili oil. Consider starting your meal with the tea-smoked eel, a Sichuan specialty that comprises fish marinated in, and then smoked with, tea and sugar; or chilled Nanjing salted duck, a marvel of smooth texture and deep, meaty flavor."

"Like several of the places on this list, this gem in the suburban rough offers two different menus. One’s got orange chicken, lo mein, and beef with broccoli; the other boasts the likes of tea-smoked eel, sprightly jellyfish salad with the springy texture of noodles, braised pork meatballs so big they come one per order, juicy and ultra-tender Nanjing salt duck, Sichuan-style dry-fried green beans, and even ginger-date-papaya soup for dessert."

"Four Mile Historic Park tells the story of Denver's oldest standing structure and the 12 acres around it. Four Mile House (now Four Mile House Museum) was built in 1859. In 1860, a widow and her two teenage children opened it as a stage stop for weary travelers who could wash up and have a home-cooked meal or spend the night before traveling the last four miles into Denver."

"Four Mile Historic Park is located East of Downtown Denver along the Cherry Creek. This outdoor museum offers a look into Denver’s old western heritage. Similarly to Littleton Museum, there are animals, farm equipment and a recreated western lifestyle."

"January 10, February 14, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 09, November 13, December 11. FREE days are the second Friday of every month (except holidays) from noon to 4 p.m."

"Littleton Museum is another free museum in Denver that kids will love. There is a small museum on site with the history of the area and then a large working farm to explore!. There are pigs, steers, turkeys and more."