Angelo's Taverna
About us
In the heart of Capitol Hill, Angelo's Taverna has been a neighborhood staple since 1974 serving comforting Italian classics, pouring generous glasses of wine, and welcoming guests like family for decades.
Originally owned by the Lavio family, Angelo's built its reputation on timeless recipes and a loyal local following. The kind of place where regulars had 'their table,' and the marinara, meatballs, and pizza dough became part of the neighborhood's rhythm.
In 2013, a new chapter began when Craig Jones took the reins, with a vision to honor Angelo's legacy while thoughtfully evolving it. At the core of that vision was a simple but ambitious goal: bring some of the freshest oysters in Denver to a landlocked city and do it in a way that felt completely natural alongside Italian food and wine.
That evolution came to life through a collaboration between Craig and the chef, whose roots trace back to New Jersey. Together, they reimagined the menu layering in a more contemporary approach while preserving the soul of Angelo's. A fresh pasta program was introduced, drawing from fine dining technique, while longtime favorites remained untouched: the house-made marinara, Italian dressing, sausage, meatballs, and pizza dough all stayed exactly as guests remembered.
You'll still find those traditions today alongside subtle personality woven throughout the menu. Dishes like the Jersey Slant, Trenton Makes, and Exit 9 are quiet nods to the chef's upbringing inside jokes that add character without ever taking away from the timeless feel of the space.
And then, of course, there are the oysters served raw or chargrilled now a defining part of Angelo's identity. Paired with a glass of wine or a housemade limoncello, they've become as much a tradition as the red sauce classics.
As Angelo's continued to grow, a second location opened in Littleton in 2016, and alongside it, its sister winery, Carboy, made its debut bringing a Colorado wine experience to the table for the first time. Together, they expanded the Angelo's experience while staying true to what made the original Capitol Hill restaurant special. Looking ahead, the story continues with the upcoming opening of Angelo's and Carboy in Colorado Springs this summer.
Through it all, Angelo's has remained what it has always been at heart: a place where old recipes, new ideas, and a deep sense of hospitality come together. Nearly five decades later, it's still about great food, good wine, and a seat at the table right here in the neighborhood.