Pizza may have Italian origins, but that doesn’t keep Denver from coming together at least once a week over a hot, handmade pie. Pizzerias are some of the best places for parents, babysitters, or nannies to take the kids for a cheap, fun outing.
It’s agreed that most everyone loves pizza. The real debate starts when it comes to deciding what style pie is the best. Luckily for you, we’ve made a list of 10 pizzerias in the Mile High City that are worth a try whichever side of the pie you fall on.
Fat Sully’s Pizza
Address: 3237 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206 | Click here for more locations
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. | Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 a.m.
Phone: 303-393-1515
Located just inside Atomic Cowboy alongside the Denver Biscuit Co., Fat Sully’s Pizza boasts an extensive menu, highlighting East Coast-style pies. These massive pizzas can be topped with an array of toppings, but there’s no shame in ordering a traditional cheese. Be sure to bring the whole gang because Fat Sully’s thin-crust pies are meant to be shared at a size that would take days for one person to finish. If the kids are looking for something a little sweet, finish your meal with a sweet cinnamon biscuit from Denver Biscuit Co.
Kaos Pizzeria
Address: 1439 S. Pearl St., Denver, CO 80210
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 303-733-5267
If there was ever a time to have a gluten allergy or a family member with one, it is now. Kaos understands the importance of providing a gluten-free crust to those of us who can’t tolerate the wheat. Try the roasted chicken pesto pie with red onions, oven-roasted tomatoes, and goat cheese. Make it a 12-inch, gluten-free version for only $4 more. When the weather is nice and the sun is shining, pop outside to the patio, which makes the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with your entire family — toddlers included.
Cart Driver
Address: 2500 Larimer St., #100, Denver, CO 80205
Hours: Open daily, noon – midnight
Phone: 303-292-3553
Cart Driver is known for its delicious oysters, but if you get a chance, stop by for the pizza. A 640-square-foot shipping container houses this Mile High City pie gem, so plan your visit ahead of time or order your meal to-go. Whether you can sneak away with your partner for the night or want to bring the little ones, too, this Denver staple is not to be overlooked. If you have a household full of people who love seafood, try the clam pizza with littleneck clams, pancetta, and roasted garlic.
Patxi’s Pizza Uptown
Address: 1598 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80218 | Click here for more locations
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 303-832-8000
If you hail from Chi-Town, or if you’re just an avid fan of deep-dish-crust pizza, then you might be happy to learn this downtown shop’s offerings are fairly comparable to what you would get in good ole’ Chicago. We recommend ordering a tomato deep-dish for the entire family to try, and if there are leftovers, bring them home and eat them cold the next day. You won’t regret this decision. The slices are large, and the toppings run deep. One may be enough, but we won’t judge you and the crew if you dive into two, three, or four helpings.
Blue Pan Pizza
Address: 3930 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, CO 80212
Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Thursday – Sunday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 720-456-7666
They haven’t just mastered the New York-style slice. Somehow this Mile High staple has impressed with a Detroit-style pie, as well. If you’re not familiar with the Detroit-style pie, it originated in Michigan and is a square deep-dish crust filled with toppings such as cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms. So whether you enjoy a round or square pie, they have you covered. Be sure to order the Rocky Mountain with pepperoni, Italian sausage, mixed bell peppers, red and green onions, and Italian green olives.
Bar Dough
Address: 2227 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, CO 80211
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 3 p.m. – midnight | Sunday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 720-668-8506
Wood-fired pizza is the trend, and this LoHi restaurant is doing it right. Bar Dough is the perfect date-night spot — so, parents, get your sitter on standby! It has a good-sized patio and rustic contemporary interior. Enjoy a cocktail at the restaurant-length bar while you wait for your table. Once seated, try the Commendatore pie with garlic oil, aged mozzarella, Montasio cheese, fennel sausage, prosciutto, and sopressa. Cap the evening without the children with a scoop of salted oreo in a waffle cone from Little Man’s Ice Cream just a few blocks away.
Hops & Pie
Address: 3920 Tennyson St., Denver, CO 80212
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Saturday, noon – 11 p.m. | Sunday, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 303-477-7000
People of all ages flock to this Tennyson joint for clever slices and, for the 21+ crew, great canned brews. There’s a new slice special every day, like salami, goat cheese, and artichoke hearts. Wednesday nights are typically crowded for $2 craft can night, but if you get there before 7 p.m., the whole family can enjoy a night out without the crowds or a long wait. Put your name in and take a stroll down Tennyson Street while you wait for your call to be seated. If you order the bread pudding for the kids and end up eating more than half yourself, we won’t judge you.
Brava!
Address: 3200 N. Pecos St., Denver, CO 80211
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 303-835-1611
Since the opening of Avanti F&B in July 2015, this LoHi “incubator” staple has remained in its original shipping container serving delicious wood-fired pies. Not only is Avanti a family-friendly location, but if the kids aren’t interested in a pie, there are several other food options. We recommend ordering the Bianca Fresca with garlic-infused olive oil, prosciutto, goat cheese, and fresh mozzarella, and then top it with dressed arugula and shaved Parmesan. Take your pie to the upstairs patio, where you and the family can enjoy one of the best views of Denver.
Vero Italian
Address: 2669 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Thursday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 303-296-8376
RiNo welcomed several new restaurants to the neighborhood over the course of the last year, and one of the more recent locations for several dining options being the Denver Central Market — a hub for various gourmet food options. Mixed in the lineup is Vero Italian, a delicious wood-fired pizza place. Try the Diavola with spicy soppressata, san marzano tomato, fresh mozzarella, oregano, and grana. After devouring a pie or three with the family, head over to High Pointe for a scoop of delicious ice cream made from fresh ingredients.
White Pie
Address: 1702 Humboldt St., Denver, CO 80218
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Sunday, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 303-862-5323
New Haven-style pizza joint White Pie opened this year and has managed to stand out in a city of many pies. Not only do they serve delicious pizza, but several other dishes such as pasta and shareable bites also adorn the menu. Try the Porky Porkorino with house red sauce, mozzarella, sopressa, pickled chiles, and hot honey. While you wait for your fresh pie, order a house puff — oven puffed bread served with whipped garlic and rosemary butter.
