Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Two Decades of Venetian Italian in Colorado

Founded in 2002, Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar set out to bring authentic Venetian dining to the Denver area, and more than twenty years on it operates two locations — one in Downtown Denver, one on South Holly Street in Greenwood Village. The ambition has always been straightforward: honest Italian cuisine, serious wine, and a room that feels worth the occasion.

Executive Chef Christian Delle Fave leads the kitchen, and his influence runs through every section of the menu. The cooking is rooted in Italian tradition without being frozen in it — fresh ingredients, handmade pasta, and preparations that respect the source material.

A Cellar That Earns Its Reputation

The wine program is the other pillar of the Venice identity. The cellar holds over 3,000 bottles, a claim the restaurant describes as the largest in Colorado, and Wine Spectator has taken notice: Venice holds the publication's Best of Award of Excellence for 2024, a recognition reserved for lists that demonstrate depth, breadth, and genuine commitment to pairing. For guests who care about what's in the glass, that credential matters.

What's on the Table

The menu moves through the full arc of an Italian meal. Antipasti include Cozze al Vino Bianco — Bangs Island mussels steamed in a butter-chardonnay broth with roasted garlic — and a Carpaccio & Polenta with thinly sliced filet mignon, crispy capers, and white truffle oil. The pasta section is a particular strength: housemade shapes appear throughout, from Pappardelle con Cinghiale (egg ribbon pasta with braised wild boar, root vegetables, and wine sauce) to a range of filled pastas. The Agnolotti ai Funghi — round ravioli packed with portobello and cremini mushrooms, ricotta, and porcini, finished in a gorgonzola cream sauce — is the kind of dish that anchors a menu. Linguine con Frutti di Mare brings together scallops, shrimp, Manila clams, and mussels in a light marinara.

Desserts stay true to the Italian canon: tiramisu, cannoli, zabaglione with Prosecco-dipped strawberries, and a chocolate soufflé served with crème anglaise.

The Room and the Occasion

Venice accommodates a range of visits — a weeknight dinner, a private event, a table for a larger group. Outdoor seating is available, and the kitchen extends its reach through catering and delivery. The Greenwood Village location sits at 5946 S. Holly Street, a straightforward address for a restaurant that has spent over two decades making the case that serious Italian food and one of Colorado's most considered wine lists belong in the same room.