Jessica Ramos•
Pizza is good anytime of the year, but even better on National Pizza Day.
Denver is known for being a creative culinary city, and pizza is just one example of that. From Italian style to Neapolitan to Detroit to Chicago, Denver’s got a little bit of everything in terms of style. And that’s not even getting into the topping combinations Denver has, ranging from classic supreme to Mac and Cheese. We’ve rounded up 10 of the most innovative and delicious pizza places through the Mile High City just in time for National Pizza Day so without further ado, here it is.
1. Hops & Pie
Hops & Pie is your go-to for artisan pizza and craft beer. They’ve got a whole variety of crusts, cheeses, and toppings to choose, from Detroit-style to thick crust, to ricotta and bleu cheese and shredded mozzarella, to pepperoni, sausage, chorizo, or anchovies. They’ve even got some options if you’re vegan as well. And don’t forget to wash it all down with an IPA or Lager.
Where: 3920 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
2. Pizzeria Lui
Classic Italian style pizza is fresh and ready to eat at Pizzeria Lui’s, but don’t let their classic style fool you into thinking they aren’t doing some innovative things with their pies. Go for a classic like their perfect pepperoni pizza, or try something a little more unique like their Street Taco Pizza with homemade chorizo, tomatillo salsa, mozzarella, Cotija cheese, corn, and cilantro.
Where: 5380 W Mississippi Ave, Lakewood, CO 80226
3. Famous Original J’s
Famous Original J’s is bringing New York-style pizza to Denver, the right way. New Yorker’s are very particular about the way they make pizza, but the owner Joshua Pollack seems to have gotten it right. Their pizzas are prepared fresh with quality ingredients in classic styles. Try out a delicious ‘Roni pizza or a pizza topped with white sauce, shredded mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, and oregano.
Where: 715 E 26th Ave, Denver, CO 80205
4. Ian’s Pizza Denver
Ian’s Pizzas has got everything people want in a pizzeria. It’s open late and has some really unique variations of pizza, perfect for a late night stop after a long night. They’ve got pies split in two categories: red and white. For reds, you could go with classic or live a little and try a taco pizza with pico de gallo, cheddar, sour cream, and choice of either chicken or chorizo. Whites is where they really go crazy like their Penne Alfredo pizza or their Mac and Cheese. They’ve got a couple of other unique styles of pizza so check out their menu here.
Where: 2210 Blake St #101b, Denver, CO 80205
5. Eat Vero
Vero’s is a great place to satisfy your craving for a wood-fired pizza in Denver. Vero’s is the sister restaurant to Il Posto, an Italian eatery, and is located within Denver Central Market where owner Andrea Frizzi serves his take on Neapolitan pies. Right now they’re doing online orders of delicious pizzas and pastas. For their pies, try a Salciccia e Funghi which is sausage and mushrooms, or their La Frizzi, which is topped with shredded mozzarella, prosciutto de parma, and arugula.
Where: 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249
6. Blue Pan
Blue Pan Pizza is all about Detroit-style right in the heart of Denver. Detroit-style is known for its square shape, chewy crispy crust that gets its signature style from its time baking in steel pans (which is where they get the name), Wisconsin brick cheese (though they also mix fresh mozzarella and white cheddar), and tomato sauce on top. While Blue Pan’s dining rooms may be closed, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a contactless pizza delivery from them. They’ve even got “at home pizza kits.” Try one of their various types of pizzas like the Sweety Pie which has pineapple, bacon, house pickled jalapeños, ricotta, Sicilian oregano, and pecorino Romano cheese.
Where: 3930 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80212
7. Kaos Pizzeria
Kaos Pizzeria is all about fresh produce-to-plate style food. Inside a 100-year old brick house houses a truly delicious pizzeria with locally-sourced and fresh ingredients from their own farms and local growers. They’ve got a Wild Mushroom pizza with pesto, mushrooms, shallots, and caramelized onions that sounds great, or their Smokestack which is a speciality tomato sauce, bacon, fire-roasted peppers, and goat cheese.
Where: 1439 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
8. Marco’s Coal Fired
Marco’s Coal-Fired has got a reputation for some good pies, being the only place in Denver with pizzas that are AVPN Certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Their pizzas call back to New York with their names and ingredients, like the Hell’s Kitchen Pizza with salami, hot coppa, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, pecorino, and fresh basil. Or try their Brooklyn with Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, red onions, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
Where: 2129 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
9. Cart-Driver
Pizza, oysters, and Prosecco may not be three words that go together in your mind, but that’ll change after trying out the trio at Cart-Driver RiNo spot. What sounds better than raw oysters to start, followed by either Cart-Driver’s Clam Pizza with clam, pancetta, garlic, or their White Pizza with Mozzarella, smoked ricotta, basil, and garlic. Then wash it all down with a bubbly Prosecco or one of their spritz co*cktails. As of now, indoor-dining is limited and a first-come first serve basis, but they’re taking reservations for their outdoor patio and greenhouse seating.
Where: 2239 W 30th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
10. Grabowski’s Pizzeria
Grabowski’s Pizzeria is the perfect place to get your fill of authentic Chicago-style pizza with thin house-made crust, fresh mozzarella, and other delicious toppings. Its all prepared in an old-fashioned rotating oven for a truly authentic experience. They’ve only got a few types of classic styles, like the Chicago, Meat Lovers, Supreme, or Cheese, but they do them all with care.
Where: 3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
For more pizza, have you been to the nation’s first pizza vending machine inside the Celtic?
[featured image by marcoscoalfired via instagram]
