Audio By Carbonatix Last year, when a study named Denver the best pizza city in the country, people had some strong reactions . While it may be a stretch to compare the Mile High to much bigger pizza-centric cities like New York and Chicago, we have just one thing to say to anyone who claims that pizza in Denver sucks: You’re wrong, and we will no longer stand for the local pizza scene slander. Forget the so-called “Colorado-style” pies that only Beau Jo’s peddles. Over the last few years, the Mile High’s pizza scene has evolved in delicious ways. Now a hot spot for interpretations of regional pizza styles from across the country, Denver has also slowly and quietly developed its own signature trend: sourdough, or naturally leavened, crust topped with seasonal and local ingredients that go beyond the basic pepperoni and sausage. While some classic, old-school spots like Carl’s and Frank the Pizza King continue to serve nostalgic pies that hark to Denver’s pizza past, many of the best options around are much, much newer. GET MORE COVERAGE LIKE THIS You're all set. Denver’s Oldest Pizzerias: 11 Classics to Try Denver Named America’s Best City for Pizza. Really. Denver-Born Anthony’s Pizza Celebrates Forty Years of Slices There are so many pizza places we love at the moment, we’ve ditched our ten best-style list for this more comprehensive roster of spots we recommend, broken down by style – though many places dabble in a variety of takes. Here’s our ultimate guide to the best pizza in Denver right now, starting with the best additions over the past year: Courtesy of Leven Deli Co. Best New Pizzerias in Denver Listed in alphabetical order. DTC Slice 8000 East Belleview Avenue, Greenwood Village Brett Freedman takes pizza science seriously , which is why he brought in an expert to help him train and perfect the recipe, which he continues to tweak for the very best results. DTC Slice debuted in August and serves neo-Neopolitan pies as well as a version of Detroit-style pizza. High Society Pizza 2229 Wildcat Reserve Parkway A1, Highlands Ranch Keith Naegel ran High Society Pizza as a food truck for six years before bringing the business to a brick-and-mortar in 2024. His goal is to perfect the New York-style slice, and he even brought in a machine called the NY Watermaker to do just that. Leven Supply 300 East Alameda Avenue Leven Deli has been a favorite for sandwiches, salads, bread and more in the Golden Triangle neighborhood since 2018; in January, it added an outpost in Wash Park with a slight name variation and some menu additions – including pizza made with naturally leavened dough. Little Arthur’s 205 East Seventh Avenue We fell for Aj Shreffler’s hoagies when he was doing pop-ups , but after he opened inside Out of the Barrel Taproom in Cap Hill last year and introduced an expanded menu, we quickly became enamored of his giant pizzas , too. Available only in one size, twenty inches, these can easily feed a small crowd and load top-notch ingredients that are well worth the price on a crust that’s both thin and sturdy. Mario’s Speakeasy Pizza 1410 Market Street Technically, Mario’s debuted in 2023, dishing out late-night slices out of a back window inside Pour House – hence the speakeasy name. But since then, owner Mitchell Santee has taken over the whole bar ; now, his nostalgia-inducing, classic New York-style slices and wholes pizzas are available anytime, including well after midnight. Sicilian pies and rustic grandma pies are also in the lineup. The PZA 644 Santa Fe Drive Jake Rothey introduced the PZA at the kitchen inside Tight End in 2022 but in April 2024, it went on pause as he searched for a space of his own. The PZA moved into its new home in January and the pies, which Rothey describes as a mix of Neapolitan-inspired dough with an East Coast execution, are plentiful in variety and impressively made, with a light yet chewy bite. New York Style/Pizza by the Slice While this was once the most ubiquitous style of pizza in most of the U.S., period, others have risen in popularity. But when you’re simply craving straightforward “pizza,” it’s likely that these large, often foldable slices are what you’re envisioning. Our favorite in this category is Famous Original J’s (715 East 26th Avenue), a walk-up window in Five Points where Rosenberg’s owner Joshua Pollack has taken his passion for East Coast traditions and applied it to pies that deliver pure pizza pleasure, available whole or by the slice. We only wish there were windows like this all around the city. Other recommendations: Fat Sully’s (multiple locations), where the giant pies and slices have been a go-to since 2008. SliceWorks (multiple locations), a local chain founded in 2012 by a family from Long Island that’s a dependable stop for an affordable, quick slice with a wide variety of toppings and rotating specials. Big Bill’s (8243 South Holly Street, Centennial), which has been open since 1995 and offers a classic pizza-joint experience complete with sports memorabilia all over the walls and ice-cold Yoo-hoo. Dough Counter (2466 South Colorado Boulevard), a fast-casual joint from the family behind Marco’s Coal Fired that opened in 2023. For a late-night slice downtown, hit up the pizza joint at the Marquis Theatre , which is open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Ethan Rosenfeld/@Ethanwithyoureyes Detroit-Style Pizza Before 2015, these thick, rectangular, square-cut pies with carmelized, cheesy edges were a pizza style you couldn’t find in Denver. Detroit-based chain Jet’s was the first to bring it to the Mile High, and it has continued to expand in Colorado since, offering a budget-friendly version of the style. But it was another 2015 debut that’s become synonymous with Detroit pies locally. Blue Pan , which has locations in West Highland, Congress Park and Golden, has been at the forefront of the “best pizza” conversation since it opened. With careful attention paid to both technique and high-quality ingredients, it remains the crowd favorite by far. Other recommendations: Rock City Ice & Pie (1386 US-287, Broomfield), a carry-out-only joint founded by chef Jason Dascoli out of his home in 2020 that also serves Italian water ice. Hops & Pie (3920 Tennyson Street), where the sourdough spin on Detroit pizza is just $7.50 for a cheese on Thursdays. Chicago/Midwest Tavern-Style Pizza This is the trendy regional pizza of the moment . Cracker-thin and cut into what’s known as party squares, this pie is what people in Chicagoland actually eat on a regular basis – despite the fact that deep dish got top billing in that city for years. Our number-one tavern-style pick: Da Sauce , which husband-and-wife team John and Jandee Craig opened at 2907 Huron Street, near Coors Field, in April 2023. The menu includes housemade ice cream and other Midwest favorites like Italian beef sandwiches, but its pies are the draw. They’re the ideal balance of crispy crust, flavorful sauce and just the right amount of cheese (especially if you like extra cheese and order it while Jandee is working). Other recommendations: Wyman’s #5 (2033 East 13th Avenue), a low-key bar in the Congress Park neighborhood. Jimano’s (2950 South Broadway), an Illinois-born chain with one Denver location that’s operated by franchisee Robert Meason, who has plans to open a second outpost in the metro area. Blue Pan , which – despite being known for its Detroit-style pies – also makes a stellar tavern-style version. Opt for the sausage and peppers, which comes with a side of giardiniera. This year marks two decades in business for the Walnut Room in RiNo, which offers a solid beer lineup, two Trackman golf simulators and tempting tavern-style pies alongside its notable sandwiches . Similar to Detroit-style, Sicilian is a thicker, rectangular pie – but the sauce goes on before the toppings and cheese. Our current go-to is a place that is known for something very different. White Pie in Uptown is a passion project from brothers Kristopher and Jason Wallenta , who were raised on oblong, New Haven-style pies. It was our 2023 Best of Denver pick for Best Pizzeria for a variety of reasons and now, wood-fired Sicilian pizzas are part of its full-time lineup. With an airy, foccacia-like base and fun options like the Spicy G, which has a poppy seed crust, these pies are as hard to categorize as they are delicious. Other recommendations: Dough Counter , which offers Sicilian pies with some non-traditional toppings like Vodka Chicken Parm and the burger-inspired Big Mac. Redeemer Pizza (2705 Larimer Street), the RiNo sister restaurant to Dio Mio that offers naturally leavened Sicilian slices of cheese or spicy pepperoni from the window inside its alley entrance. SliceWorks, which has a surprisingly solid Sicilian option that’s available by the slice, of course. Wood-Fired/Neapolitan Pizza The OG pizza style from Italy remains the gold standard for many – it even comes with strict rules that a restaurant must follow to be certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. But some local spots have truly made Neapolitan pies their own. This style is one of the most prevalent in town now, but the OG on the scene is Basta . It was Kelly Whitaker’s first restaurant, debuting in Boulder in 2010. Nearly fifteen years later, Kelly and his wife, Erika Whitaker, were named Outstanding Restaurateur at the James Beard Awards for their growing Id Est Hospitality Group. Fifteen years into its run, the chefs at this Michelin Bib Gourmand eatery still cook everything in one wood-fired oven, including the stellar pies (don’t skip the clam). In 2014, Whitaker brought the same style pies to Denver with the original Cart-Driver in RiNo. While he parted ways with that concept two years later, it’s also still going strong and is held in high esteem by diners and other pizza place owners for its bubbly, perfectly charred crust. The concise menu includes just a handful of options for pie topping combos, including the basic Daisy, its take on the Margherita, and seasonal specials that usually highlight local produce. Plus, you can pair your pizza here with oysters and tinned fish, while its recently reopened LoHi location offers a more expansive menu. Other recommendations:

Marco’s Coal Fired (2129 Larimer Street and 10111 Inverness Main Street in Englewood), which has been in business since 2008 and has the approval of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. White Pie , where the Mario Acunto wood-fired oven was shipped directly from Italy for its New Haven-inspired pizzas. Kaos Pizzeria (1439 South Pearl Street), a neighborhood favorite that dishes out everything from pineapple and cream cheese to chicken and pesto on its pies. Benzina (4839 East Colfax Avenue), an upscale restaurant where pizza, including a beloved clam pie, is just one of the reasons to visit…which you should do soon, as it’s set to close at the end of March . Bar Dough (2227 West 32nd Avenue), which introduced a new chef in 2024 and is one of our favorite Italian restaurants in town . Lon Symensma’s Gusto , which opened near Sloan’s Lake in 2024, cooks its Neapolitan pies in an Italian-sourced gas oven. Don’t skip the Amalfi topped with confit lemon, Calabrian chile, Pecorino and ricotta. Sourdough Pizza Newer Denver pizza hot spots have embraced sourdough – also known as naturally leavened – as the next big thing in pizza crusts. Depending on the method used, the amount of actual sourdough tang varies. But one thing all of these pies have in common is that they are more easily digestible, making it easier to enjoy a few slices without needing a nap after. Our top choice for a sourdough-crust pie is Joy Hill , which opened on South Broadway in 2020. Its wood-fired pies are topped with thoughtful combinations like arugula pesto and a variety of veggies on the That 70’s Pie, and local bison chorizo with housemade green chile ranch on the Hunter. We also love that this place has a rooftop patio with mountain views and a killer cocktail and wine program. Other recommendations: Hops & Pie (3920 Tennyson Street), the craft beer bar that switched to sourdough for all of its pizza styles – Detroit, New York and Sicilian – in 2022. Redeemer Pizza (2705 Larimer Street), which makes both its Sicilian and “New York 2.0”-style pies with naturally leavened dough that has a very subtle sour note – so subtle you may not even notice it. The Greenwich (3258 Larimer Street), a New York-inspired eatery that kept its pies when it pivoted to a more Italian-focused menu in 2024. GetRight’s/Instagram Pizza From Top Bakeries One of our favorite pizza trends builds on another culinary trend in Denver: the booming bakery scene. Since 2020, many cottage-food pop-ups have turned into full-fledged brick-and-mortar businesses, and as a result, there are a whole lot of impressive baked goods to be found in the Mile High right now. Some of these spots are also cranking out pizza. While it may not be the main draw at most, it’s a damn good bonus. Two of our favorites in this category are Good Bread (1515 Madison Street), which makes wood-fired pies on Friday nights. In Wheat Ridge, Get Right’s recently started regularly selling its pizzas for takeout from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Pizza Pop-Ups and Food Trucks Beyond brick-and-mortars, Denver has a thriving pop-up and food-truck scene . Many of these creative entrepreneurs are dishing out pizza, but you have to plan a bit to enjoy them. One new pop-up on the scene comes from the former chef at the Greenwich, Justin Freeman, who is currently the executive chef at vegan eatery Somebody People. He’s also working toward opening his own restaurant, slowly introducing the concept through one-off events under the name Monarch . Pizza is just one part of his future vision, but it’s certainly a highlight. Follow it @monarchdenver to give it a try. Other recommendations: Joey Parm’s , which you can find on the front porch at Beacon in RiNo from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. (There is currently a GoFundMe for the owner of Joey Parm’s, who has to get surgery for a recent arm injury.) Get Sauced , which does occasional drops of Detroit-style and round pies. Simply Pizza , a food truck that launched nearly a decade ago. Outside Pizza , which serves out of a retro camper and is teaming up with Cerebral on its upcoming West Highland taproom. @taystytravels/Instagram Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizza At its core, pizza is sauce, dough and cheese, but that doesn’t mean people with dietary restrictions can’t enjoy it. Most pizzerias these days offer vegan cheese substitutes and/or gluten-free crust options, usually for an upcharge. Some dairy, meat and gluten-free pies defy all dietary limitations. For super-creative, fully vegan pizza, check out Mora Pizza , which gained a big following on social media and now operates out of the former Cap Hill Benny Blanco’s , where it shares a space with a traditional, New York-style concept, Tua Mama’s. The reigning favorite for gluten-free pies is Marco’s Coal Fired , which also developed a gluten-free version of Sicilian pizza for its sister restaurant, Dough Counter . Where to Find Pizza Outside of Denver Pizza is one of those foods where proximity counts – your favorite is often the one closest to you. But for the right reasons, true fans will go out of their way to get their hands on a certain pie. If you’re up for a pizza adventure, here are some worth the drive: Pizzeria Alberico , which serves wood-fired Neapolitan pies from the Frasca group. Basta, from the wood-fired section of the guide. Barchetta , a spot with retro vibes and a chef/co-owner who formerly worked at the original Pizzeria Locale, Basta and the Wolf’s Tailor. Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage , a counter-service, New York-style pizzeria with a big neighborhood following. New Yorkese , a stall inside Avanti from Steve Redzikowski, the owner of Oak at Fourteenth, Brider and Bellota. Rosealee’s Pizzeria , a friendly, decade-old joint that’s owned by husband-and-wife team Amy and James Ross and dishes out round pies and thicker, Sicilian-like squares. Urban Field Pizza & Market , which serves award-winning artisanal pies and expanded to Loveland in 2024. Kokopelli Beer Company , which opened over a decade ago , offers creatively topped hand-tossed pies. Pizzeria Lui’s sausage is made in house using a family recipe. Pizzeria Lui , a small spot that maintained its quality after switching from wood-fired to an electric oven to keep up with demand. Pizzeria Leopold , which was rebranded in 2022 after operating for over three decades as Deli Italia. If you miss Benny Blanco’s in Cap Hill, you can get a fix at its Arvada outpost, which debuted in the summer of 2024 . Rock City Ice & Pie from the Detroit-style section of the guide. Original NY Pizza , a family-owned operation that’s been in business since 1991. Virgilio’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar , which was founded by Italian-born Virgilio Urbano in Lakewood in 2005 and still serves brick-oven pies in a former Johnny Carino’s space. Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza Restaurant , a staple that was founded over thirty years ago and draws crowds for its pizza buffet. Mannie & Bo’s , a low-key joint that makes both Chicago tavern-style and deep-dish pies. Is your favorite pizza place missing from the guide? Email us at cafe@westword.com . Independent News in Denver Needs You The article you just read is made possible by a mix of advertising, sponsorships and reader support. As advertising revenue continues to shift, reader support plays a vital role in sustaining the reporting, investigations, restaurant and arts coverage, and storytelling our community relies on. Become a member today and help keep our journalism free and independent. Select how much you'd like to contribute Molly Martin was the the Food & Drink editor at Westword from May 2021 through April 2026; she now contributes to the section. In 2023, she was recognized by the Colorado Restaurant Association, which honored her with its Outstanding Media Professional award . Loading latest posts... Loading trending posts...