NEW Italian Spot With 4.9 ⭐ on Google

Either the place is genuinely that good, or they're really good at asking customers to leave reviews. Na Favola, which opened late last year near Cherry Hills Village in Greenwood Village, turns out to be the first one. A 4.9 on Google with a serious number of reviews behind it is hard to fake, and after going myself, I get it.

Denver is in a bit of a moment with Italian food right now — RiNo has picked up a few spots, and there's been real buzz around some of the newer places coming in. But most of what I keep seeing is the same format: pasta-forward, rustic-modern, northern Italian influences, good wine list. Na Favola is doing something a little different, and the difference is the pizza.

The Roman-Style Pizza Alone Makes It Worth the Trip

Roman-style pizza doesn't show up much around Denver. It's not the same as Neapolitan — thinner, crispier, lighter, with less of that charred puff you get at the wood-fired spots. Na Favola is doing it right. The crust holds up without getting tough, and because it's not trying to compete with the toppings, you actually taste what's on it. The owners are from Italy and the approach to the menu reflects that — fewer ingredients, done well, not stacked up to impress you.

The pasta side is simple in the same way. These aren't plates built around ten components. They're built around one or two things done correctly. If you've been burned by Italian spots that charge a lot for complexity and deliver mediocrity, this is a good reset.

What the Place Feels Like

It has the energy of a neighborhood restaurant that people actually use as a neighborhood restaurant — not a destination spot with a two-week reservation window, just a place locals seem happy they have. That's a good sign. The owners taking pride in what they're putting out comes through in the food more than in any kind of performance of it.

My one note is that if you're driving down from Denver proper, it's a bit of a haul depending on traffic on 25. It's not far, but it's not around the corner either. I'd factor that in before a weeknight trip when you're already tired. That said, the kind of Roman-style pizza they're making here isn't something you can easily find closer in, which changes the math.

How It Compares to Italian Options Downtown

If you're staying in the city, downtown has a few solid Italian options. Tavernetta on the 16th Street Mall is probably the most polished Italian experience downtown — it's on the pricier side but the kitchen is consistent and the setting is nice if you're doing a proper dinner out. Panzano on 17th has been around long enough to have regulars for a reason. Neither of them is doing Roman-style pizza, and that's kind of the point — Na Favola is filling a specific gap, not just adding another Italian restaurant to the list.

Worth Making the Drive

Go for the pizza first. That's the thing that sets this place apart from the dozen other Italian spots that have opened in the last couple years. The pasta is good, the philosophy behind the menu is straightforward and it shows on the plate, and a 4.9 rating from real customers is about as reliable a signal as you're going to get before walking in the door.

If you're already heading south toward Greenwood Village for something else, this is an easy add. If you're making the trip specifically, the Roman pizza justifies it.