
Baked Ziti
Italian sausage w/ ricotta, white onions, garlic, mozzarella & a touch of our bolognese & marinara, tossed w/ ziti & baked to perfection
$17.00 / $26.00 Half / Full
Family-owned and operated since 2013.






Lasagna
Every day, 2 to 5:30 PM
Frittatas, breakfast stromboli and a mozzarella egg skillet. Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM to 3 PM
Party packages for 10, 20 or 30, pans of lasagna and garlic knots, and full-service catering.
Private and semi-private parties in our rustic space, including our enclosed, heated patio, plus wedding catering.

Italian sausage w/ ricotta, white onions, garlic, mozzarella & a touch of our bolognese & marinara, tossed w/ ziti & baked to perfection
$17.00 / $26.00 Half / Full

(HIDDEN GEM) sliced grilled chicken, mixed peppers, white onions, garlic, mushrooms, green & black olives, in our house-made marinara, spiced up w/ tabasco & red wine vinegar, tossed w/ fettuccine
$17.00 / $26.00 Half / Full

(JIMMY'S FAVORITE) sliced grilled chicken, prosciutto (pork), mushrooms, grilled asparagus, garlic & cherry tomatoes in our light & savory house-made marsala sauce, tossed w/ fettuccine
$17.00 / $26.00 Half / Full

(LASINDA'S FAVORITE) lemon-butter white wine sauce, garlic, olive oil, crushed red peppers, cherry tomatoes, parsley & romano cheese, tossed w/ spaghetti
$16.00 / $24.00 Half / Full

$17.00 / $22.00 Small / Large

lightly breaded, baked crispy eggplant w/ house bread crumbs, spinach, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, mozzarella, balsamic glaze & spicy aioli, served w/ an extra side of spicy aioli
$16.00
We’ve got over 70 spots available—follow these tips to find the best one for you!
“Our employees are our family.
Our food is our passion,
and our customers are our purpose.”
Jimmy and Lasinda Crane
Meet Jimmy and Lasinda Crane. Longtime Highlands Ranch residents of over 20 years, they have built both their family, Connor, Niko, and Brittany, and their life's work around a shared passion for great food and genuine hospitality. Before opening Cranelli's, Lone Tree served as the foundation of their careers for 25 years. Jimmy helped launch beloved local staples like Bahama Breeze and Brio Tuscan Grille, alongside managing at P.F. Chang's in Park Meadows. Lasinda brought warmth and leadership to Outback Steakhouse in Highlands Ranch and shared her craft as a barista at heart, serving as GM for both Nordstrom Ebar at Park Meadows and Cherry Creek Peaberry Coffee.
This December 26th marks a special milestone: celebrating the beginning of 14 years of serving our community. Over the years, our dedication to family values and hospitality has only grown, especially when it comes to safe dining.
For us, gluten-free dining isn't a trend; it's deeply personal. Our niece, Giuliana, was diagnosed with celiac disease at age four, and our nine-year-old granddaughter, Bethany, was recently diagnosed as well. We know firsthand the anxiety that comes with dining out with celiac disease. That's why we hold our kitchen to the highest safety standards: both Bethany and Giuliana can dine at Cranelli's completely worry-free, even without us there. We extend that exact same peace of mind to your family.
Whether you're joining us on our enclosed, warm, quiet patio or gathering inside our cozy, energetic dining room, we invite you to pull up a chair.
Help us celebrate 14 wonderful years with signature favorites like our homemade Lasagna, Linguine & Clams, calzones, unique and flavorful wines, or our signature Italian Margarita.
A 3% surcharge applies to all credit card transactions.
No surcharge on debit or cash.
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2014 - 2026
13 years in a row
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2015 - 2026
12 years in a row
5 Reasons to Visit Travel Magazine
2025
OpenTable
2025
Nextdoor
2017 - 2025
9 years in a row
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2015 - 2026
8 wins
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2015 - 2023
5 wins
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2015 - 2023
4 wins
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2015 - 2018
4 years in a row
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2016 - 2025
2 wins
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2017 - 2018
2 years in a row
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2017
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2016 - 2017
2 years in a row
Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best
2014
5 Reasons to Visit Editors’ Picks
2026
Northwest Douglas County Chamber
2023
Westword, Denver
2022
South Metro Denver Chamber
2025

Best of Mile High
2026
“...Great food, great service and a lovely atmosphere! We were really happy that the owner stopped by to talk with us. That was a lovely touch!!”
“Every time we come the food is delicious and the service, owners, ambiance are always welcoming and respectful. Definitely a favorite when we want a variety of Italian food choices.”
“I am gluten intolerant and am very picky about GF options, as pasta in particular is often mushy. Not this pasta! It has a great chew and is just delicious!”
“A great experience! Ate outside. This was our first time here and Niko’s recommendations were spot on! Everything looked and tasted incredible. We started with garlic knots and stuffed mushrooms. Entrees were Linguini Carbonara and Aglio E Olio. They had so much flavor!! Next time we are in the area we will definitely return. This is a family owned restaurant and their commitment to customer service and quality food shine through.”
“This place is remarkable and worth the price! Some of the best gluten free pasta I have ever had. You can't go wrong ordering anything here from drinks to appetizers to entrees to dessert. So many wonderful gluten free items to choose from! The place is very sweet and local and always lively! The service is always lovely!”
“First time guests and we were treated like we were regulars. Wait staff very attentive.”
“We made a very last-minute reservation for a party of 20, and the owner went above and beyond to accommodate all of us. From the moment we arrived, we were genuinely blown away by the warmth and incredible service.”
“We came here because of their GF menu. The pasta was good with a nice chew to it and the portions are quite generous.”
“The food is absolutely delicious no matter what you choose. ... The staff is like family they take care of every need and are very helpful with suggestions of fresh ingredients or specials.”
“We’ve been a few times and the food is amazing!! Honestly the best Italian I’ve had. The staff is friendly and fun to talk to.”
“The food is some of the best Italian food I've ever had. The portions are great and the service is always amazing. No wonder these guys are packed every night because it's definitely worth it. The ambience is super nice. Feels like a really classy but still casual atmosphere”
“Amazing as always! Had to have my favorite, Linguine and Clams. Love Niko!”
“The food was absolutely delicious, the service was 100% on point! Cindy was our waitress, and we were very impressed. It was very busy, and she stayed very attentive.”
“What phenomenal service. We booked through OpenTable and mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary. When we arrived, the hostess greeted us by saying she saw we were celebrating, making us feel special from the moment we walked in.”
“The food was very good and the service was amazing. Great place to spend our anniversary!”
“Cranelli’s is wonderful. The folks here have always taken great care of my family and I. The food is delicious and there is a nice variety of options.”
“Service is always impeccable. One of the owners is usually on site and she was floating around and helping serve and making sure everybody was comfortable and happy.”
“One of the best spots I have ever been to thus far. I decided to have my birthday dinner here and not only was the food great, the service was the cherry on top for me.”
“The marinara sauce also tasted robust and freshly made. ... The best touch was the owner of the establishment making rounds with each table making sure everyone was happy and content.”
“We stopped by Cranelli's Italian Restaurant for a business meeting, and it exceeded every expectation.”
“The Service, Food and Ambience make Cranelli's one of the Best Restaurants in the Denver Metroplex.”
“Cranellis has been a long term staple for us. We recently have met the owners and that has changed everything for us.”
“We absolutely LOVE this place!!! ... 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...”
“Lasinda was delightful as Dolly Parton and Olivia as a Jester! ... We will definitely be back - all of the staff was lovely and attentive.”
“Great food and atmosphere! Despite it being busy, we were able to make a reservation in advance and be seated quickly.”
“Always love coming here whenever possible! Food is always fantastic and so is the service!!”
“Ok, I'm giving this all the stars because my meal was perfection.”
Ratings and reviews as of October 2026.

Pasta, salad and garlic knots, ready for pickup.
We're small, with limited availability, so it helps to book. Use OpenTable or call (303) 799-3661. If you'll stay over an hour and a half, tell us when you book.
Yes, along with gluten-free bread. See our gluten-free options.
Yes. Order online for pickup.
Our Just for Kids menu is $10 and comes with a drink and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Yes, from 11 AM. We close at 9 PM Monday to Thursday, 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday, and 8 PM Sunday. See our hours.