If you're under the impression there's no good Italian food in Denver, you haven't been paying attention. Alongside our old-school classics that never disappoint, a handful of newer options for Italian eats in the Mile High are serving up traditional dishes that deserve your undivided attention. Our advice? Abandon your current dinner plans and start eating your way through this list immediately. 

OSTERIA MARCO (DOWNTOWN)
Simple Italian could be best used to describe the food served at Osteria Marco, and that’s exactly what restaurant-maker Frank Bonanno had in mind when he opened up a less-complicated rendition of Luca D’Italia. Think a focused, cured meat selection with Parm prosciutto and mortadella, panini that either boast moist rotisserie chicken or apple fennel sausage, and a lobster pizza that will make you stop and ask, “Did this food really come from a basement?” Oh yeah, did we mention it’s in a basement? But don’t let that stop you from hopping down the stairs and trying some of the best Italian in Mile High.