Nice folks, good variety of flavorful food, fairly priced--especially since plenty for lunch the next day! Outdoor patio is great in warm weather and the specials really are special. read more

One of the best things about this restaurant is that it's locally owned, which is becoming harder and harder to find in the Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree area. The owners are actively involved in the community and consistently give back, especially by supporting local youth organizations and fundraisers. It's always nice to support a business that invests in the community it serves. Beyond that, the food is excellent. The menu offers a great selection of Italian favorites, from delicious pasta dishes to plenty of other options, and everything we've tried has been consistently flavorful and well prepared. They've expanded the restaurant, so there's much more seating than there used to be, and on a beautiful Colorado evening, the patio is a fantastic place to enjoy a meal. Whether you're dining in or grabbing takeout, the experience is always great. The service is consistently friendly, attentive, and professional. This is one of those local restaurants that keeps us coming back, and it's an easy recommendation for anyone looking for great Italian food and outstanding hospitality. read more

They don't need this review, but the business came up on Yelp while I was enjoying leftover penne alfredo from Cranelli's. I think it's a sign! The service is outstanding, but it's the food that keeps us coming back there. I have never tried anything on the menu that was less than exceptional. Do not miss the garlic knots. I cant begin to explain how delicious they are. The homemade marinara and alfredo are both off the charts. Picking between the two is the hard part... In addition to dining in, we have also used them to cater multiple events. Guests consistently rave about their food. read more

Yummy! Upside Down Pineapple Panna Cota! If I ate nothing else, it would still be a perfect dinner. The Fettuccine Alfredo was ok. Needed some salt and more Parmesan, but the pasta was cooked perfectly. Finished off with an Orange Creamsicle martini. Had to limit myself to just one. Our server, Maria, was very attentive and refilled drinks quickly. read more

5/5 all the way. The staff was so kind and welcoming. Plus knowledgeable about celiac and GF offerings. They give "first timer" bread for free so we had GF garlic knots - they look funky but tasty delicious !! The homemade GF pasta was sturdy and held up sauce. Everything was so fresh and appreciated generous meat portions on the entree pastas. read more

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We had a large party and our Server Melissa handled it with professionalism and enthusiasm. The atmosphere was perfect and the food was even better. It was our first time visiting and we were gifted a nice appetizer as a welcome. The entrees were tasty and the kids had zero complaints. The portions were good for me and big enough for the kids to have some delicious leftovers. Kids eat free on Monday and Tuesdays. We will be back next time we are in town !! read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Stromboli!!!! - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

Cranelli's is the Gold Winner for the Best Italian food, awarded by Best of Mile High 2026. I have trying out quite a few Italian restaurants across the United States. My personal favorite is Cranelli's Italian restaurant in Lone Tree, Colorado. We were very warmly greeted as we arrived at the restaurant. On this particular day, we were there during happy hour because I had a nearby appointment. Right away, the ambiance was warm, cozy, had the feeling of a "real" Italian restaurant. We were taken to a table and within minutes the server approached with warm freshly baked garlic knots and asked if we would like to order any drinks or appetizers. Cranelli's has amazing happy hour deals on fabulous appetizers. We enjoyed every single bite of everything we tried and the drink deals were great, too. But the magic really happened with the entrees. I always order the chicken cacciatore. The level of the flavor and the intensity of flavor honestly feels like a party in my mouth. There is so much food if you get the full size, which I do, just so I will deliberately have leftovers. I got four meals out of my full size cacciatore! Mama Mia! My dining companion had the lasagna and we both Ooo'd and ahhh'd over it. Every bite so delicious. Our bill was so reasonable and we can't wait to go back!!! read more

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We loved this restaurant! The food was so delicious! Our waitress, Melissa W., was wonderful and so kind. Kid friendly with kids eat free Monday and Tuesday's. Egg free noodles and Alfredo and ice cream for our egg allergy kiddo. We will be back! read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Kids ice cream - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

Been a few times now and we're running out of options to be able to come more often. The chicken genovese dish is great but PLEASE stop putting SMOKED BACON in your "bolognase" which makes up the many pasta options. I'm a bacon lover but it's SO overpowering. Can you do regular pancetta instead? read more

We absolutely LOVE this place!!! Lucinda, Jimmy, Ryan, the Trash Panda, literally everyone who works here puts a little love into every dish they serve from the best garlic knots on the planet to the Diablo with chicken, you can't go wrong with this Italian gem... Better get reservations and park across the street if you have to for a night to remember. They even have half orders if you're on a budget. Keep up the excellent work, Cranelli's. Can't wait to be back! read more

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I wished their Aglio e olio was lemony as it tasted before! I've been here twice since my first meal at cranellis and honestly it wasn't like it tasted before. The chicken piccata is good and so is their sausage - I'm always on the hunt for a good fennel sausage! Service was always been good and so has the ambience. read more

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Cranelli's is my favorite Italian restaurant in Colorado. We tried the new IrinCini. These are delicious. They are caprese filled balls with Parmesan mozzarella tomatoes, and onions. Topped with a Housemade pesto sauce. These are to die for we also had chicken Parmesan and lasagna, which were delicious they're garlic knots are also highly recommended with marinara sauce. The waitresses and staff are very upbeat and nice and it is always packed full. Very pleasant ambience and great experience. read more

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Stopped in last Sunday in time for Happy Hour and super affordable Pinot Noir and $6 appetizers, including the Caprese, which is now one of my new favorites! Always worth the drive to Lone Tree for Cranelli's! read more

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We were seated at our table within minutes of our reservation and the place was packed. We have been coming here for years and it was the first time we were seated on the "Fun Patio". It is an awesome place to sit. Seated at our table we were greeted by our server PARIS. Paris took our order after making some outstanding suggestions. We started with a Ceasar Salad which was so fresh and delicious. Next our main course was served, Eggplant Parmigiana and Lobster Ravioli. Every bite was so amazingly delicious. They know how to cook and serve food that is truly out of this world. Graham did a Fantastic job clearing our table and making sure everything was perfect at our table. The Service, Food and Ambience make Cranelli's one of the Best Restaurants in the Denver Metroplex. Looking for a GREAT PLACE to take a meal then I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Cranelli's. read more

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I typically don't do Italian, but Cranelli's does it very well. The garlic knots came out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Seasoned to perfection with an adequate amount of salt and strong garlic flavor. The marinara sauce also tasted robust and freshly made. I had the meatball appetizer (honestly could have been an entire entree with how big they were) and they were amazing. Paired with a side of crostini, it made for an amazing meal. I got to try their seasonal butternut squash gnocchi and that was amazing too. A perfect blend of sweet and savory We made our reservation online and were seated within a few minutes upon arrival. The atmosphere is cozy and good for small parties. The staff were also very nice and attentive as well. The best touch was the owner of the establishment making rounds with each table making sure everyone was happy and content. She had a great energy about her. I would definitely come here again and look forward to trying more things. read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Meatball - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

Great food and atmosphere! We stopped by with a larger party while in town and picked this spot based on location. Despite it being busy, we were able to make a reservation in advance and be seated quickly. The waiter was super helpful (even in accommodating kids) and the owner even stopped by for a friendly conversation. I got the seasons butternut squash gnocchi and it was fantastic. The garlic knots and meatball appetizers were also good. Finally I got a red sangria. Would definitely come back! read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

The staff and management were wonderful! We were sat at a table right by the front door, so it was kind of chilly. But to say "thank you" for not complaining, the manager came over and offered us free garlic knots and an appetizer. That was very nice, thank YOU! We split a bottle or red wine, which was delicious. I want to go look for it at the store, was very tasty. The garlic knots and arancini were good. I would have preferred the knots to be cooked for another 1 minute. And the arancini were good, just a unique flavor combination for an Italian restaurant-- jalapeño cornbread with a honey butter glaze/sauce. My chicken marsala was the real let down of the meal. But I have a couple of thoughts. Either 1. They are just so busy around the holidays, that they are just trying to put out as many dishes as possible, so quality slipped. Or 2. This is just their version of a marsala sauce, and it wasn't what I expected. I'm not Italian, so take this with a grain of salt, but I expect a marsala sauce to be brown, rich, creamy and deep in flavor. This sauce was watery and bland. The Tiramisu was amazing! Definitely get that. The staff, service, wine and dessert were enough for me to say, "I'll come back and give them another try!" But I need to find another pasta dish that knocks my socks off before giving them a five star review. Thanks for the great time, see ya next time! read more

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Hubs and I went here for a date night! It was very nice I had the GF chicken genovese and it was SO YUMMY! Strawberry pecan salad was mouth watering and refreshing. Panna cotta with berry topping (seasonal) was soooo yummy and so was the spumoni bomba!! Hubs had the lobster ravioli and rated it a 4/5. He's excited to try more menu items in the future! We were served by a few different people during our time. The employees were pretty busy, but were prompt to bring dishes and things to us, and were very kind and patient with all my questions! read more

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This place is my favourite defo the best! The food here is always amazing! From all kind of pastas to garlic knots & sandwiches Are justttttt perfect The sauces of the pastas are unbeatable, It's my to go place alwaysssssss !! The staff here is super friendly & best! Diablo is must to try...! Cappuccino here have my heart...it's just too good.... Always on my order for sure! Always recommended guys! Can never go wrong read more

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What am I missing? This restaurant was way underwhelming and overpriced. And the air conditioning was terrible, Hot in the restaurant, but the place was jam packed! Parking totally sucks. The food was mediocre/nothing special, at best. It lacked flavor and the portions were small. The Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree crowd have been fooled into thinking this place is great, it's not. Don't waste your money. I'm still shaking my head. I don't get it. read more

Food and service are amazing!!! You are always welcomed with a smile and hello. Great atmosphere of friendly people. read more

To go: Still the best meatball sandwich that I've ever had. The perfect blend of meatballs, sauce, cheese and bread. You won't find a better one. It's a little pricy would be my only issue but tonight, I had to have one to go. read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - The best meatball sandwich ever. - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

We had a great time here and love coming back this will always be our go to spot for Italian food. We did experience a couple small hiccups. We initially received lasagna instead of baked ziti but our server was very gracious, quickly bringing out the baked ziti and letting us keep the lasagna. Additionally, we always order the aglio e olio, but this time it wasn't as lemony-buttery as we liked it since the noodles were clumping together. We also felt a bit rushed when the waitress began clearing the table and grabbing some of our plates while we were still actively eating, which made us feel a little uncomfortable and rushed. Aside from that, it was a very busy Sunday night and the service was prompt. Overall, we still enjoy dining here and look forward to returning! The ambiance was great! read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

Parking problems, ... loud... Open crowded tables. Tried again after 10 yrs- still doesn't fit our needs.

I think I first reviewed Cranelli's seven or eight years ago now and still year after year when we are visiting family and friends in Colorado we always make a point to come by here. The food quality is so consistently delicious, genuinely never a bad experience. Our waiter just two nights ago was the absolute best and the vibe here is always super chill. I think one of the hardest things about eating out or really even finding restaurants that you want to continuously revisit is finding those spots that come through with consistently delicious food every single time, but Cranelli's is 100% one of those spots that gets it right every time . Can't recommend enough the meatballs, the burrata with the spicy marinara & any of the pasta dishes! read more

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We love Cranelli's and tonight was no different!!! I have been going here for several years and watched the restaurant expand and grow. However, the DELICIOUS food, outstanding service, and family feel has stayed the same. Tonight we had the most incredible dinner and our waitress was attentive, kind, helpful, and made our experience wonderful. This is a restaurant we will keep coming back to, time and time again. Not pictured: Caesar and house salads, Arancini's (a MUST) Thank you Cranelli's for being consistent in quality, kindness, and an overall wonderful experience! read more

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Tried 3 times to make a reservation. They answered and transferred me to the hostess but never picked up. Owner finally answered and tried to blame the phone system even though they initially answered the phone. Owner (female) did not offer any apology and was totally rude and offensive. Based on other reviews it's very apparent this restaurant is not worth visiting! Owner is a true nut job!! read more

Had breakfast here with bottomless mimosas and their frittata was spectacular! But what really sets this place apart is the staff. I've been three times, and every visit comes with a genuinely warm welcome from the hostess, great service at the bar, and attentive servers on the floor. The manager even went out of their way to accommodate my allergies. read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Frittata - choose your own ingredients to add - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

What a great experience! The food was great and the staff and owners are so welcoming. We felt like family when we left. The bar area is very cool and fun. Do yourself a favor and go for a wonderful meal experience! read more

Great atmosphere excellent service. The food was delicious. Great wine selection. The waitress even gave us free garlic knots for being first time visitors it was awesome. I would highly recommend. read more

I returned to Cranelli's for another try, but this time I decided that I needed to reset my perspective. First and foremost, this is a business of utmost honesty and integrity. When it comes to customer service and doing what's right, they are above and beyond. After my first visit, Cranelli's reached out to me and wanted to understand my perspective better. Perspective is everything. On my first visit, I was thinking about classic, old school preparation of Italian food. But that is not what they are trying to do. Instead, they do their own unique style with fresh, high quality ingredients. While each dish does not taste like something you would get in an old Italian immigrant neighborhood, each dish is flavorful, tasty, and draws strong inspiration from the classics. The bolognese, for example, has a compelling smoked meat within its complex flavor profile from the type of bacon they use. The chicken marsala had a sauce that didn't beat you over the head with marsala, but the marsala was easily detectable, yet subtle, as we enjoyed the dish. I know it sounds a little basic, but their garlic knots were on another level. I think everyone should order them on each visit. Their cannoli is also an outstanding item that might easily be dismissed by someone looking for something more exotic. And finally, the seasonal pumpkin panna cotta was my favorite of the desserts we tried. It was basically everything that I want in a pumpkin dessert. What I love about their desserts is that nothing is cloyingly sweet. Service throughout the night was quite good. We felt very welcomed and comfortable. Despite every table being occupied, noise levels were not bad and we could carry a conversation at our table without yelling. I thank Cranelli's for reaching out to me, which led me to giving them another shot with a different perspective. read more

A restaurant I enjoy coming to every now and then! I loved my lasagna and the stuffed mushroom caps were the highlight for all of us. And I don't even like mushrooms! The service here is excellent. My sister did not like her meatballs. They were doughy and not appetizing what-so-ever, but our server was so kind enough to let us exchange them for a different protein. I really appreciated how simple our server made it and how painless it was to send the meatballs back, because to be honest, sending food back is not our forte and we try to avoid it at all costs. But hey, here I am as a reminder to let you know you that if you do not like your food, just ask if you can order something else! But keep in mind, always be kind. read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado

We ordered a couple of different dishes for take out, and all of it was fantastic! You can tell the quality from their noodles and sauces. Some of the dishes we tried were the garlic knots, chicken parm, fettuccine alfredo, aglio e olio, and the diablo. It's really hard to pick my favorite because they all tasted delicious. Our order was placed for takeout. When I picked up the food, I noticed the decor of the restaurant, it looked lovely, so I'll definitely have to dine in one day. The host was friendly, and my order was correct & ready on time. Looking forward to trying out more dishes next time! read more

I like their variety and will return in the future. Great for bringing your whole family.

We have been going since they first opened, well before they expanded. It has long been our favorite restaurant. But, we went this past Saturday and was so unimpressed. It was so loud you literally could not hear what anyone at the table was saying unless you yelled. It felt chaotic. I also ordered a salad for before the meal as did my sister-in-law. Her salad came right away but they never brought mine. I asked three times about where it was, including Lucinda, and it never came. The prices have also gone up a LOT and it's just not worth it. I am not sure if we will go back. We certainly will never go back on a Friday (the last time we went and it was the same loud, chaotic energy) or Saturday. Everything changes with time and not in the best way. read more

We have been here, probably five times now, and every single time it is great! We have ordered both in the restaurant and for takeout. Service is always very friendly. Garlic knots are to die for. This is our go to Italian place in Denver! read more

I've eaten here many times over the years but never done a formal review. Words can't express how amazing this restaurant is. The food is incredible. And that's why it's often super busy! Everything is fresh, delicious and cooked to perfection. My favorite dish is the Aglio e Olio. All the gorgeous garlic and olive oil. Yum! I also adore the garlic knots. Really you can't go wrong with any dish. Without a doubt the most legitimate Italian restaurant in the area. The service is always excellent and this place is immaculate clean. Five stars in every category. read more

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Our favorite local Italian spot. They are always busy so it's best to make reservations. Take out is always good too, they give reasonable time frames, always provide the complete order, and are helpful/thorough. My favorite are the Gluten Free twice baked ziti and the gluten free Italian cookies. My family loves the garlic knots, stuffed shells, and chicken parm. read more

Great food,service, and ambiance. Everyone is very nice . The food is very delicious. It is very comfortable.

AMAZING!!!! 10 stars!!! We are here on a Saturday at 2:00pm. We ordered Gluten Free Garlic Knots, Gluten Free Bolognese and Gluten Free Chicken Carbonara. The best gf noodles I have ever had!!! The service was great, the ambience was great and servers were so nice! Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Cranelli's Italian Restaurant - Chicken Carbonara and Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Lone Tree, Colorado