A delightful meal! We made a reservation for a table for 4. It's a lil fancy, but not too fancy. The service was impeccable and very attentive. The wait staff was almost tooooo attractive. Absolute models or something. The rainbow carrot appetizer was my favorite with second place going to the burrata. We also enjoyed the marrow and seafood medley. The cocktails were works of art. Almost too beautiful to drink! Almost! The cocktails took some time but were worth it. The steak entree was three medallions and very scrumptious. The ravioli entree had an unfortunate texture to the stuffing. When I go back, I won't get the ravioli again but would love to try the bolognese. The ambience was tres chic. Brick and wood decor that wasn't too echoey or stark. It was warm and charming. read more

I've been here a few times and some our go to items really are amazing. The bolognese never misses and when they used to have the bone marrow appetizer it was one of our favorites. The focaccia is also always amazing. We decided to venture out a bit and try a new app and entre. We got the appetizer salad and the rosemary potato pizza. We were pretty disappointed. The salad had Pepperoncinis that still had hard unchewable bits and the salami in the salad was pretty gamey tasting. The rosemary potato pizza though...almost inedible. There were huge sprigs of rosemary on the bottom layer so I couldn't even just take them off but I was just chewing straight up rosemary branches. The potato's weren't undercooked but the texture made it seem as if they were. The potato had that crunch as if you were biting into a thin slice of raw carrot. Other than those notes on the pizza, the only thing it tasted like was rosemary. No garlic flavor, mustard was mentioned on the menu and I couldn't taste that at all just full on slap to the face of rosemary. Aside from this, the service was great as it usually always is and the vibes of this place are amazing but I just can't see us coming back unless we specifically are in the mood for the bolognese. read more

See all

This is my 5th time here and I have been overall pretty happy with the experience! Just a super cozy intimate Italian place. Although I was a little disappointed recently coming here on a Saturday night they were out of 2 of the pastas by 8:30 pm.Should have came here earlier.!! Sign of a good restaurant if they are running out of pastas ! Lobster pasta is always my go to fave and the ambiance is so cozy. The martinis were amazing but took a while to get them :/. Maybe came on an off weekend service but just a little off this most recent time especially for the bill being around 600$. Still would recommend but come here earlier ! read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Such amazing service & incredible food! My boyfriend and I were visiting from San Diego and randomly stumbled on Jovanina's and it was a highlight of our trip. We sat at the bar and the staff was so friendly and gave us an amazing night. It was packed and had a really unique vibe with decor from the old opera house & other historical elements (which we learned from the staff). I'm gluten free and they were able to make everything gf friendly which was incredible. We shared the fritto misto & lobster diavolo and it was delicious. I'm a savory girl and the bartender recommended a savory cocktail that I wish I could replicate because it was so good & something I've never had before. 10/10 experience & if I'm ever in Denver again I'll definitely be going back :)! read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Lobster Diavalo, Aperol Spritz, Savory Girl Approved Cocktail - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Obsessed with this spot! I've wanted to visit forever, and finally went for date night about a month ago. Cozy and romantic vibes, open kitchen, and wood fired pizza. Just about everything was incredible! Don't skip the sourdough pizza. read more

See all

A long time ago while sitting at our favorite restaurant in New Orleans, our server told us that he was moving to Denver to work at Jovanina's. Since then, it has been on our list. Life happens so it took forever to get here, but it was worth the wait. The restaurant is quaint and the tables are almost on top of each other, but somehow the noise is controlled. We could have a regular conversation without shouting at one another and without hearing other conversations! The food was divine! We had the burrata to start and it was insanely good. I had the lobster diavolo as the main. It was good, but needed more lobster. The spice on it was perfect. My husband ordered a pizza. The crust was perfect. I cannot wait to go back to try other items on the menu. read more

See all

The cocktails, the pasta, the vibes - WOW. My mom and I came here before a nuggets game (Go Aaron Gordon!) and it was fabulous. The bartender, Tony, was absolutely great. read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Cocktails - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

This restaurant is charming - nice warm seating area upstairs and candle lit dining downstairs. We ordered the fritto misto to start which was good. It had an artichoke heart which was my favorite but was mostly small shrimp. For entrees we got the bone marrow gnocchetti & elk bolognese. The bone marrow gnocchetti was lacking in flavor which surprised us since we watched them scrape the bone marrow onto the dish table side (love a fun table side service). The elk bolognese was our favorite dish lots of sage flavor. Have heard such great reviews of this spot but our experience was a little underwhelming. They do have amazing espresso martinis! I'd like to give it another go. read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Okay service was fantastic and the ambiance in here is 10/10! Love how this restaurant is right downtown and it feels like you're in a mountain restaurant. The burrata and focaccia were great and the elk ragu had promise but it wasn't my favorite dish I had there. Will come back to check out happy hour and sit at the fancy bar! read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Burrata and focaccia - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

I celebrated my birthday dinner here and the food, service, drinks and interior did not disappoint. For appetizers we had the Focaccia bread and Fritto Misto. Still dreaming about that Focaccia bread. In fact, we had a mix up in our communication about our order so we ended up with more bread than what we intended to order but we didn't complain. I had the Lobster Diavola which was to die for and the sommelier gave us recommendations to pair our food with. My party also shared a bottle of 2022 Fratelli Giacosa Gavi as well as ordering cocktails. Overall an amazing experience. read more

See all

Cannot recommend this place enough! 2nd time going here and it did not disappoint. We had a reservation at 530 and we got seated downstairs in the cool vibey, dimly lit area. The fur in the back of the chairs is a great touch. Our server Zach was excited, enthusiastic, and helpful. We had burrata to start which was good, but not enough toast for the group of 6 so we had to split pieces. 2 of us had the grilled trattoria steak, 2 had the butternut squash ravioli, one had the arugula basil pesto and one had the lobster diavolo. That steak was PERFECT. It was so tender, juicy, flavorful and cooked to perfection. The hash brown style potatoes on the side were a little rich for my taste and I would have loved some like oven roasted potatoes. I wish there was more sauce and I thought the garnish on top was weird. The butternut squash ravioli was a flavorful burst in your mouth followed up with the bit of fried sage. I didn't try the other two dishes but remarks were high overall. We also had the salted caramel cheesecake and the chocolate bundino for dessert. The chocolate was heavenly and the crunch on top was just right. The salted caramel cheesecake was also amazing. I could have done with more almonds and little more of the salted part of salted caramel. read more

See all

This place is wonderful. Smallish, making it cozy and warm. Rustic chic, making you feel at home. Family owned, making it a gem in a world of chain restaurants. Quality focused - so that what is on the menu is well prepared to its fullest extent possible. Our party of 6 became a party of 10 in one day, and the host was super accommodating. We arrived to see a beautiful suspended table with a large three candle candelabra in the center of the table. We quickly reviewed the wine list with Troy and he made excellent recommendations (specifically this Sardinian red that had the taste of Chianti but smooth and no bite, even at 14.5%). The Fennel sausage pizzas, ahi crudo, burrata (ah, the burrata), the salads, the pastas, and the green apple sorbet (with arancella on the side) - all were prepped and served with grace. Allison and Troy took excellent care of us. Go for something uniquely Denver and uniquely special - there is nothing "broken" about Jovanina's Italian Restaurant. Capisce? read more

See all

Honestly, this was hands down some of the best Italian food I have ever had. Everything from the food, the service and the ambiance was stellar! It's my new favorite, downtown, date-night restaurant! read more

See all

The food was great and the servers were very nice, but I was very disappointed to see that the owner wrote an op-ed against safe bike infrastructure that allowed my wife and I to bike there and spend money there. We won't be returning until their attitude towards their customers changes. read more

In town from Abq and my son really loves Pasta. So, we picked this spot because it was close to our hotel and we really liked the wine cellar videos we've seen online. Unfortunately mom is handicapped with a walker which they did have accommodations for but my stubborn MIL I'm sure thought it would take too long and be a big hassle for her which in NO way would it have been. If it's cold outside keep your coat on at the hostess table because it's chili at the entrance. The hostess... well she was all about business I'll just say that. I made a reservation for 7:15pm online 2 adults 1 child 1 senior. Easy to setup should be a breeze. Walked in and when I read the room it seemed like a take a date, do a double date, dinner with 2 or maybe 4 but geared towards have a drink and dine spot. That being said they did a wonderful job at accommodating my family even though I believe my son was kinda out of place. If your child is well behaved like my son did a great job at thank goodness this may work for you. But next time it'll just be my wife and I. Server was knowledgeable and quick with the answers. No drinks for us we were there to eat! They made my son a penne kinda pasta with red sauce. My son loved it and he was kinda enough to share with us. Great herb taste mmm sauce had a hint of spice subtle enough for my son. Steak cooked perfect and the sauces that came with it! Demi amazing the other was maybe a mornay ‍ it was good though! My wife got the lobster Diavolo. The amount lobster impressive! Before I forget I'd like to mention the focaccia bread starter! Amazing! The crumb was almost gooey like a cinnamon roll but herbal. Rosemary is definitely in there. The honey and ricotta took it to the edge almost dessert. Also before I forget to mention it as well the oysters Rockefeller were amazing! My wife hates oysters and she had one and enjoyed it a lot! Great meal we were in and out. Family friendly? It can be but I'd save Jovanina for a date night. Parking downtown anywhere is a pain if you don't forget that that the parking woes can be taken in stride. The place we parked was the sugar cube possible name id which was nice because we were early and we're able to hang in the lobby out of the rain till our Rez time. read more

See all

I came to Jovanina's as a last-minute dinner while visiting Denver. The host was very kind and welcoming however, they had no open tables were booked for the evening. The ambience of the restaurant was quaint. We were able to sit at the bar, which works fine for us. I ordered a wonderful drink, a salad, we ordered the lobster pasta, and a pasta that was supposed to be homemade cavatelli with sun-dried tomatoes and kale. The salad was crazy delicious, the focaccia bread... Yes, all the way. The lobster pasta was equally as delicious. The only disappointment was in the cavatelli dish as they substituted the pasta and it didn't match the sauce. If you look at the photos, you can see is breaking up the pasta because the pasta was too fragile for the weight of the sun dried tomatoes. read more

See all

Jovanina's Broken Italian is the perfect intimate and romantic dinner destination for your next milestone celebration. I recently visited Jovanina's for the celebration of my best friends' elopement and left with my jaw on the floor. This stunning restaurant offers seasonal menus with high-quality dishes prepared during their flavor prime. Our server was knowledgeable on each ingredient, dish, cocktail, and wine on the list and left us feeling confident in our ordering ability. The menu may seem adventurous for the picky eater with all of the more niche pairings, but I can easily say that every person at the table was satisfied. For the table, we ordered the oysters with a pomegranate basil mignonette, which was so good I left craving more. We also ordered the Bee Sting pizza, the Elk Bolognese, and the Lobster Diavolo -- all of which far surpassed expectations. I will be choosing Jovanina's anytime I am wanting to celebrate something special. The interior is also thoughtfully crafted, with both touches of traditional romantic charm like real wax candles in candlebras on every table and modern elements like the unique wallpaper. The one caveat to this experience is that it is not one for the average night out, being on the more expensive side of fine dining in Denver. But, I know when I get the chance, I'll be choosing Jovanina's again soon! read more

See all

If you want high prices and cold pasta come check this place out! Me and my wife went here on Saturday night, she ordered butternut squash cavatappi & I order the grilled trattoria steak. After having oysters and bone morrow that were good, we had our main course. My wife's pasta looked like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for 45 minutes but it was cold. My steak was tough, come to find out that it's a shoulder steak... one of the cheapest pieces of meat you can buy- but it was $48!? Will never be back, terrible food. Besides the bone marrow and oysters. read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

All I can say is WOW. I had a romantic date night dinner here and the food was fantastic and delicious. Service was prompt and they were attentive and friendly. Will definitely be coming back here in the future. read more

Came for a date night with the wife. We had a reservation and was seated downstairs in their basement area, which is what we had on our reservation. Ambiance was dark & sexy for date night. I ordered the chicken saltimbocca, very delicious. My wife ordered the elk bolognese which she said was okay but very different. We both got a drink with our meal, I had a lemon drop, simple. The wife had an orange wine. For dessert we ordered the salted caramel almond cheesecake, I will say it's not your typical dessert. It's thinner than a traditional one and tasted more like almond & salt with a slightly sweetness from the mascarpone. Overall cute place for a date night of your willing to deal with downtown Denver. But have an open mind with the options on the menu as they are different from your traditional Italian food. read more

See all

I'd been eyeing this place for a few years and decided to give it a go for my birthday. Downstairs is absolutely dreamy! Candles, fur, mirrors, etc. I don't drink anymore and was thrilled to see a bunch of non-alcoholic options! Everyone else enjoyed the alcohol selection. Food - wow! Sausage and fennel pizza - insane. Focaccia - highlight of the meal. Grilled Caesar - decent. Lobster Diavolo - pasta came with a ton of big pieces of lobster! I wish the sauce was a little thicker but flavor was on. My friends had the elk bolognese, buttermilk chicken, and the butternut squash agnolotti. Everyone was impressed. Olive Oil cake was a perfect close to the meal. - 1 star for service. Staff could be friendlier across the board. I'm also curious if waitstaff isn't allowed to carry pen and paper as that would've saved time / confusion on a few occasions. Nonetheless, we will be back read more

See all

Oh, what a lovely event. Went with a couple of girlfriends, but the modern yet rustic candlelit vibe would be perfect for a romantic date. Service was perfection, so including the sommelier who made the perfect wine recommendation based on my preferences. We started with a lovely beet salad, that was fresh and flavorful. One dinner companion had pizza, but our other friend and I both had the lobster diavolo. It was amazing- more lobster than pasta and tender and flavorful as well. We finished with some port and were almost sad to leave, it was such a perfect meal. read more

See all

Soooooo good!!! Would recommend this place to anyone visiting. We went twice. Everything on the menu you really can't go wrong with. The pasta is so fresh. I got the steak the 2nd time and it was cooked absolutely perfect! The vibe of the downstairs feels like an intimate ski lodge. It's so cute and I'd definitely be back! read more

The people here are amazing. I called in advance because I was interested in showing my friends who were visiting the "downstairs" area, and lo and behold, the lady made it happen! Such an amazing experience and the meal was superb. The ambiance was gorgeous and would be such a lovely date night. The servers were very professional and there was even a sommelier walking around with a wine cart. Definitely call in advance to make reservations if you can. read more

See all

it was definitely a fun visit definitely on the pricey side as well, but it is worth it for the ambience. Also, they are very helpful and great with recommendations. The only reason I give it a four star is just because of how loud it got, but that's because it was packed with a few birthday tables which I understand, but the area we chose was a dimly lit "speakeasy" so I was hoping for a calmer more date night setting, but it was still very fun and super tasty. The drink I got was the PPP and I got it because it reminded me of the song PPP by Beach House and it definitely gave that vibe even if it didn't mean that specifically lol! The pizza was super tasty and my boyfriend got the pesto which was super yum as well. I hope to come back soon! read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

husband & I ate at the bar on Sat 1/24/26 & the bartenders that night did not disappoint. They are like bar scientists watching them make drinks. They were awesome! Service was top tier and so was the food. The Pesto pasta was very salty but still delicious enough to eat. And the place it self was beautiful. Love the touch of real candles at each table. read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

This place was a lot of fun. The candlelight, chandeliers, and downstairs dining area were just plain cool. The food didn't disappoint, especially the pizzas and hazelnut dessert. The wait staff was extremely attentive. I highly recommend this chic little spot. read more

See all

Delicious food and great service Our server was so pleasant and friendly. We had a later reservation but did not feel rushed at all read more

We made a reservation and dined in on Saturday, November 1st, with a large party to celebrate a 30th birthday. We were excited to try this restaurant after hearing great things, hoping for an enjoyable meal and experience -- unfortunately, it fell far short of expectations. From the moment we arrived, the tone was disappointing. The two hosts at the entrance were noticeably cold and unwelcoming. When I brought in a cake for the celebration and asked if it could be held until dessert, one of the hosts curtly replied, "Just so you know, you'll have to pay a cake fee." The tone was unnecessarily rude, though I politely said that was fine. Our server, Jessica, continued the trend of poor service. She was dismissive, rarely checked on our table, and seemed disinterested in ensuring we had a pleasant experience. When the food arrived, one guest ordered the bone marrow, which comes with a quick tableside presentation. During that process, the bone marrow splattered onto our friend's clothing and the floor -- not exactly what you expect from a restaurant at this price point. The food itself was mediocre at best, especially considering the cost. To make matters worse, when it came time for dessert, we asked our server if she could let us know when she was about to bring out the cake so we could add a few birthday toppers. Instead, she returned some time later and abruptly set the cake down with a dismissive, "Here's this". On top of the lackluster service and average food, the final bill was loaded with excessive fees -- nearly $130 in added charges labeled as "kitchen fee," "livable wage," and more. I'd much rather see those costs reflected in the menu prices than hidden in extra line items that feel confusing and unnecessary. While we understand an automatic 20% gratuity is standard for large parties, it felt undeserved given the level of service we received. Every person at the table left feeling disappointed and unwelcome. As someone who enjoys exploring new restaurants, I can honestly say this was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in recent memory. What was meant to be a fun, celebratory evening turned into a frustrating and uncomfortable one. The overall attitude of the staff felt pretentious and detached, as though guests were an inconvenience rather than valued patrons. I sincerely hope management takes this feedback to heart and works on improving both service and hospitality. Most people dine out to enjoy good food, good company, and warm service -- unfortunately, we experienced none of that here. read more

After visiting twice, I think I can say I'm a fan! We've sat downstairs both times, which has a nice ambiance (though the first time we did feel a little close to the tables next to us). This is Italian cuisine with a bit of a twist, so just be aware of that. My Italian cousin says it's one of his favorite restaurants in Denver, so it can't be too far off the mark! The ragu is by far my favorite, with the pesto coming in second, and the spicy lobster pasta third. My husband and I tried one of the pizzas our first time in, and it was really good also! The melon and prosciutto with fresh honeycomb is delightful! And those Luxardi cherry cannolis are fantastic! The Basque cheesecake? Yes, please! The drinks are also quite good, though they vary based on the season, we've discovered. Even if the ingredients are the same or similar, it might look and taste a little different than a few months ago. Still pretty, still tasty! And the arancello is FAB-U-LOUS! Lemoncello, sure, but arancello is where it's at for me! And service is lovely as well - attentive but not overbearing and helpful with suggestions if you need them. I can't wait to return! read more

Had a great dinner here! Service was so welcoming and warm. We started with the grilled oysters which were delicious. The house made focaccia was also nice and fluffy. The mussel pasta was good as well. Really warm and cozy ambiance. read more

This was a great choice for our only opportunity to have dinner in downtown Denver. We got a great seat at the back of the restaurant where we could see all the food coming out of the kitchen. I started with a really cozy gin cocktail with an egg white float on top. It tasted like the holidays in a cup. For appetizers we had some bone marrow and fresh bread, along with the rainbow carrots. I could have eaten the braised onions that came with the bone marrow on their own they were so good. For the main course I had lamb raviolis. They were served in a very light broth, so they weren't as heavy as I expected. My friends both ordered the elk bolognese which I stole multiple bites of. I loved the al dente texture of the pasta shape in their dish. For dessert, we had a toffee chocolate pudding that was the perfect sweet bites to finish an incredible dinner. read more

See all

Was out with friends on a Thursday evening in LoDo with great weather, some not having a reservation somewhere was causing some stress. Yelped for the best Italians around us and Jovanina's had great ratings and some availability so we jumped. SPO HAPPY WE DID!! Fun place, killer food and great service. YOU HAVE TO GET THE FOCCACIA. OMG IT IS INSANE! Got the octopus and also the elk bolognese. Highly recommend read more

See all

While pricey - this was the best meal and dinner experience I have had in some time. We had the kimchi oysters, I had the hot half chicken with brussel sprouts, and the the very best part - the truffle ice cream blew my mind. Very cozy seating and our server was excellent. Would highly recommend. read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - half chicken special menu offering - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Good food, good bar conversations, and Kayla our bartender/waitress are what I can say gave Jovanina's a 5/5 for me. Visiting from out of town so you never know what same day accommodations can be made. Called in and was explained that the bar and closer to the front would be available but made it very clear they could accommodate my visit. Chose the bar and was welcomed by some amazing locals who made some recommendations for the Tuesday/Thursday "I know a guy" and a business group who made a recommendation from the Main menu. Simply amazing to be met by that and a waitress like Kayla who explained the menu in an amazing manner and made the visit very accommodating and took care of my but allergy. Food: Aperol Spritz: 5/5 -Lovers of Prosecco, this is your calling! Sweet enough to change the profile of your Prosecco, it gives it a light tough of citrus with orange and sweetness with the aperol. The ice in the drink is enough to give it cutting edge to be a drink they continues to give you a different profile as you're experience your meal. Elk bolognese: 4.5/5 -specialty item for a fraction of the price gives this meal a 4.5/5, elk bolognese always has a savory and heavy feel with a light touch. The mascarpone ricotta cheese in this meal give it the chefs kiss when intertwine the flavors. Sauce was savory, elk was prepared well but I'd say the .5 could be supported with a little more of an herbal touch on the sauce and dish itself, other than that... this is delicious options I'd pay full price for. Olive oil cake(nut friendly option) 6/5: -this finishing touch gets an extra point because I forgot to mention I have a nut allergy... without a thought second thought Kayla said "nope" and made sure to take care of it and apologize when this was my fault... not hers. This meal I'm sure would be altered with the granola but unfortunately I couldn't have it.... Rich, light, and savory this was what needed to be done. The lightness of the cake and creaminess of the ice cream give you a heavy to light experience that makes your tastebuds tingle as the herbal side of the dish marries the flavors. Simplification of flavors helps this dish get the 5/5, the extra 1 for how accommodating the staff is. - please take care of Kayla as this experience would not have been as good as it was if it wasn't for her attention to detail and caring attitude to accommodate. Give this girl a raise or please ask for her part of the bar as I would recommend her and Jovanina's. read more

See all

Way over priced for the mediocre food we received. One person ordered the Lobster Diavolo dish and it was brought to my friend lukewarm. By the time she was half way thru it, it was cold. Two other people ordered Elk Bolognese. Very dry, not enough sauce and they didn't like the sauce either. We were celebrating my friend's birthday so I was very disappointed that we came to this restaurant. We will never return. The only thing this restaurant has going for it is the ambience and our server was good. read more

Ordered pasta and pizza. Both were delicious. The prices are expensive but the food is well-worth it. The service is great. Waiters are attentive. The ambiance is absolutely wonderful. I love the decor inside. Highly recommend giving this place a try for read more

See all

Great service. We sat downstairs and enjoyed the atmosphere, very intimate. Food was good but pricey for some of the pasta dishes especially without protein read more

Jovanina's Broken Italian - affogato - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

We had a fantastic experience at Jovanina's. We started with the house-made focaccia with buttermilk ricotta and wildflower honey which primed us --food, service and overall vibe that was textural, delightfully unexpected and wonderfully comforting. From there, a standout was the rich elk bolognese--hand-cut calamarata with rosemary, sage and a mascarpone-ricotta whip that elevates the familiar into something unexpectedly luxurious. For a wood-fired twist, their pizza menu didn't disappoint: a "Bee Sting" with soppressata, Calabrian chili honey and grana padano was vivid, bold and beautifully balanced. Dessert also deserved its moment. The chocolate budino, sticky toffee and hazelnut tuile with mascarpone whipped cream, was a perfect finish--rich but not overbearing, inventive but true to its Italian-roots. When you step into Jovanina's Broken Italian, you're drawn into an ambiance that is at once elegant and warm, modern yet intimate. The space blends candle-lit tables, rustic touches and an open kitchen in a way that signals: this is meant to be savored. Hands down, our favorite stop when we are in Denver overnight. read more

best in Denver. Great staff, original menu, wine list is stellar. Local owned and operated read more