50 Best Italian Restaurants near Thornton

“we have not been to a godfathers in 20 years, closed where we love. AMAZING PIZZA AND CALZONES! love the atmosphere!! a must!!“

“It’s rare for a restaurant to truly set itself apart from the competition, but this Olive Garden did exactly that and then some. From the moment we walked in, the ambience transported me far from suburban Denver and straight into what felt like a warm Italian vista, the kind my great-grandfather Lepolni would’ve proudly shown off.

Our server, Luke, was an absolute standout. He made us feel instantly at home, balancing professionalism with a friendly, welcoming energy that elevated the entire night. It felt less like we were being served and more like we were being hosted.

And let’s talk about the food — incredible. The gnocchi was perfectly tender, the breadsticks were dangerously addictive, and the stench wafting from the kitchen was honestly amazing in its own right. Not a bad smell no, no. I’m talking about that rich, savory, almost mythical cloud of garlic, butter, and simmering sauces that hits you like a warm hug from a distant Italian relative you didn’t know you had. It set the tone for the whole meal.

The entire experience was unexpectedly charming from the atmosphere to the service to the company. (And yes, the person I came with wasn’t too bad-looking either, lol.)

All in all, I’d give it a solid nine out of ten, with bonus points for nostalgia, comfort, and those deliciously overwhelming food aromas. Thank you, Olive Garden, for creating such a lovely night for my friends and me and thank you Luke K. for being the heart of the experience. I’ll definitely be back.“

“Bina the owner was very welcoming, had lots of choices and the restaurant was very family friendly. Great, quick pizza.“

“I cannot say enough about the incredible experience I had with Sliceworks in Thornton. As a member of the West Ridge Elementary PTA, I’m always looking for ways to celebrate our hardworking teachers and staff. With National Pizza Day approaching, I hoped to partner with a local pizzeria to treat them—but with a limited budget, I wasn’t sure what was possible. From the moment I reached out, the Sliceworks team went above and beyond. They immediately connected me with their manager, Mike, who responded quickly, asked what we needed, and said he’d see what he could do. Within days, he reached back out—not with hesitation or conditions, but with generosity. He was all in. Despite being overwhelmed that day, handling orders from other schools, and even dealing with a no-call no-show, Mike and his team delivered exactly what he promised—exceptional service and even better food. Our staff was absolutely blown away, not just by the quality of the pizza but by the kindness and dedication behind it. Sliceworks isn’t just a pizza place; it’s a business that cares. You can feel it in the way they serve their customers and taste it in every bite. We won’t be going anywhere else for pizza in the future, and we cannot wait to continue supporting and partnering with such an outstanding team. The world needs more businesses like Sliceworks—and more people like Mike.“

“I've lived right dwn the road for 19yrs exactly, next wk, & think this place has been here the entire time. If I feel like a good lunch special or want a delicious calzone, I come here!“

“Crepe bar and bottomless mimosas were the best I’ve ever had“

“The cheese bread is my comfort food.
This location is very nice and so I tend to go here when I am stressed and get food.
I give a positive experience to this location, and I hope you have a good experience with them as well.

Kid-friendliness: There is a bouncy ball machine inside, and it feels safe inside. It is not a large space, so they don't have room to run around but it isn't a negative atmosphere in any capacity.

Wheelchair accessibility: There isnt anything that would be detrimental to wheelchair accessibility. The only barrier is the door, as there is no automatic opener.“

“Wonderful server! Matthew was attentive, made great and helpful suggestions and added a great element to our dining experience. we ordered focaccia and roasted garlic for the table and the bread serving was really small, and the warm olives were great. Salad was excellent, as was the desserts, but we found the Carbonara pasta wasn't quite cheesy/eggy enough for our taste. Nevertheless we enjoyed dinner and appreciated the excellent service.“

“Everything is fabulous!!!“

“Great food. A must when your in Denver“

“Ordered drinks, waiter returned for order, appetizers arrived, no drinks, server said bartender was busy, drinks came halfway through appetizers, gave us bill and dessert at same time, no acknowledgement of birthday… made a deal of checking beforehand“

“Great Food and friendly staff!“

“It is a fairly different concept for ordering and seating so just be prepared. It would probably move quicker if the food sucked but it’s amazing and that’s why there is a crowd. It’s worth it and the food does come out pretty fast. The pricing was fantastic for the value as well.“

“Family owned. Traditional menu. Fabulous desserts. Friendly staff.“

“I just had the butternut squash ravioli and it was amazing!! I might come back tomorrow and have it all over again 🤩“

“This is my favorite restaurant! The food has a sensuous and complex flavor profile while also being rustic Italian. You will not find a better pomodoro sauce anywhere unless your grandma is from Italy and has a long held family recipe. The pasta is hand made and has a perfect texture and amazing flavor with the sauce. The house made buratta is the freshest, creamiest and thickest you’ll enjoy outside of select NYC restaurants that are famous for making their own mozzarella, ricotta or buratta. And the staff treat their guests like they’ve invited you into their own home. Jessica was amazing! All together, going to Luca’s is like getting the perfect big warm hug.“

“Fantastic service, The food was amazing. We went for our anniversary and we totally enjoyed the night. Can't wait to go back ❤️“

“Wow! The food was so insanely good it made me want to lick the plate clean, every bite was worth savoring. The whole vibe is effortlessly cool, with an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile. What really sealed the deal was the customer service. The owner was down to earth, friendly, and made us feel genuinely welcome. If you're anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and stop by Bar Red. You’ll walk out already planning your next visit.“

“Really good baked goods. Nice environment. Might have been an off day but the gal at the counter was not friendly and seemed rushed and annoyed with everyone.“

“Had an amazing dinner and an amazing server Noah!!! 10/10 experience!! Every bite of food was amazing and everyone was excited to eat their leftovers!!“

“We had a fantastic dinner last night! Easy to get a reservation and they were ready for us the minute we arrived. Makayla was our waitress and she was amazing! She had great knowledge of the menu and was spot on in her recommendations! Kudos to kitchen as everything was perfect!“

“My boyfriend and I had dinner here on 11/15/25. The food was wonderful, the service was great and everyone was so friendly. We don’t live in Denver but we visit often so we will be back.“

“Love this place! Great service and fantastic food!“

“We had a fantastic experience at Venice! We’ve lived in Denver for 20 years and we never knew this place existed. Great atmosphere and the food was amazing, so authentic! We went with our 3 kids (13, 10 and 10), they ordered off the kids menu and loved the fettuccini Alfredo. The service was excellent, and our server, Gillian was on point. I can’t say enough good things about him. We will most definitely be back. I would recommend this place to anyone. This place is really nice and intimate feeling. Great for a date night or a family dinner, so long you have well behaved kids who love good food.“

“The food is excellent!!! I highly recommend if you’re a pasta lover!“

“Amazing food! Fantastic seasonal options! A hidden gem of Denver.“

“Huge variety of food and all dishes are delicious.“

“The food tastes very good, the spaghetti I like is a must“

“We've had the opportunity to eat at Homegrown Tap & Dough a few times since they've opened. I've been there with both my family with small kids and my friends. They never disappoint! We've had such an amazing experience there each time. The atmosphere is unbeatable, the food is amazing and they have a great selection of drinks! My kids love going to get food here, we were able to sit and dine in the gondola one of the times we had dinner and it made their night! They have free video games to keep the kids entertained while they're waiting for their food. Make sure to check out their beautiful fire place inside and their outdoor patio! You won't be disappointed!“

“Gusto has been a staple since it open. Tuesday's they have all day happy hour which you can't beat. I haven't had a bad dish yet. The pizza is top notch and the pastas transport you back to Italy. They also rotate items seasonally, so they always keep it fresh. The staff is super friendly and everyone always seems to be enjoying themselves there. Would highly recommend!“

“We received a gift card from a family member at Christmas and decided to use it on a Saturday night in January. The restaurant was packed but there was seating in the bar area, so we decided, what the heck(!) and went to the bar. Once seated we were greeted with the friendliest bar staff, Marissa and Tiernan. We wanted a glass of red and Marissa recommended the Porta Vita Italia. It is a delicious bargain and we were so impressed (and now hooked!). Our food was and continues to be great, as now we have become Saturday night regulars! We are Italian and honestly did not think we could get a traditional and tasty meal at a chain. Marissa and Tiernan, thank you for the excellent, friendly customer service and sweetness. You both are classy, sassy and super bad-**sy! We always look forward to our Saturday nights hanging with you both! See you next time, Cheers!“

“Our visit last night was not the experience I was hoping for. We have gone to Amici's for years. Our first time was way back when they were still at 53rd. and Sheridan. I had the eggplant parmesan, which was very good. I don't know if the kitchen staff changes, or what? The eggplant portion was very small, three slices of eggplant the size of a silver dollar.“

“As a traveler, it's rare to find a spot where both the food and service are so good that you want to come back the very next day, but that's exactly how we felt about Jimmy's. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of parking, this place delivers. The staff was welcoming, the atmosphere relaxed, and every dish we tried felt thoughtfully made. Indoor and outdoor seating options make it even more inviting. If you're looking for quality Italian food that feels like money well spent, Jimmy’s is it. Must try the Banana Fosters for dessert.“

“OMG dont even have the words to tell you how good the food is here personally i love the sizzler pizza fresh garlic and pepperoni yum i would recommend this place to anyone looking for good Italian food. Pizza pics from 9/26/25. The restaurant was busy when we picked up our order tonight and the staff were getting it done! Thank you for the great service. Ps I told the owner I would take pictures while on my New York trip so I figured I would share a couple here as we had a family emergency while in New York and had to come back to Colorado before getting pizza in New York. So with that said thank you for making great New York style pizza in Colorado.“

“The food was great but the service and atmosphere was even better!“

“Wow! Who knew there was such an authentic Italian venue in Denver. Homemade artisan pasta with creative sauces and entrees. Try the bolognese as it is one of a kind. The wood-fired pizza reminded us of what we had in Venice, IT! The bar and wine list is loaded with special finds. My wife found the Paloma cocktail to be fabulous. I fell in love with wine list especially. If you’re in Denver this is a MUST! Cheers.“

“Great customer service! Nice welcome when you head in and positive attitude. Pizza was ready in less than 10 min for carry out. It was delicious with great toppings and perfect cheesiness! Absolutely love their pizza for any occasion.“

“We went to Stella’s for my birthday dinner and the kitchen made a mistake with our meal, the staff was so kind and respectful when we brought it to their attention. It was some of the best customer service I’ve ever had! The food is amazing too, but the people make the restaurant special!“

“Delish food and great service all in a beautiful but comfortable setting.“

“Great Mom and Pop steakhouse. Cheaper than Outback and delicious 😋 Clean restrooms - this is super important to me and it should be for you!
The saloon / bar is lively, but not rowdy. The dining area was separated and seemed quiet.
You should make this place your go to for steaks and beers.“

“Top notch dining in Denver. Travis and the wait staff, all great. The best Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp I've tasted. From the bread to the dessert we were very impressed.“

“Great experience all around!“

“Excellent food and service. Homemade pasta, bread, desserts. These guys know what they are doing. Service was outstanding - very attentive without being annoying. Highly recommend.“

“Absolutely amazing food. I had a great date tonight and I was so glad that we were able to be at your restaurant. Great chicken scallopini with mushrooms and great red wine :-). Our waiter was outstanding!“

“Clean and spacious location... good food... and excellent kindness and courtesy staff... especially Nathan... we will definitely be back and recommend.“

“This past Friday night at the Denver Airport, I had THE BEST PIZZA I’ve had since I was in Rome 15 years ago! The crust was so light, so tender, I thought it might fly away. Incredible service too!“

“Always great and delicious! I’ve ordered delivery from here a bunch and it’s really wonderful every single time! I had an issue with Uber Eats not assigning a driver and called and they handled it so well I was so impressed! Thank you so much to the gentleman that was working that helped me out. It was so nice and I’m grateful for the kind service!“

“Absolutely loved my experience here!! Bianka was the BEST (and funniest) waitress ever and she made our entire time such a joy! Would definitely recommend coming here and will of course be back :)

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free pizza was great!!!“

“Always yummy! Been coming here for years 👏❤️“

“Best Cheese Steak I've ever had anywhere highly recommend. Pro tip order 1 cheese steak with fries for 2 people it will be PLENTY of food. The Pizza is decent here, but nothing over the top, I give it a solid 7.2 on my DP scale. If you come, come for the sandwiches!!“