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Open every day at 11 AM Reserve a table
Lasagna in a baking dish with marinara and bechamelA toasted salami sandwich cut in half, with sweet ham, tomato and spinach, a pepperoncini and a cup of spicy aioliFettuccine with diced tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, basil and parmesan in a white bowl on a wood tableThe red Cranelli's sign on a white wall under two dark teal gooseneck lamps, with warm lights blurred at the left and bare branches at the rightFettuccine Alfredo with parsleyBaked stuffed pasta shells with marinara and melted mozzarella in an oval dish

Happy hour

Every day, 2 to 5:30 PM

  • 50% offWell drinks and house wine
  • $2 offOther wines + bottled beer
  • $6Select appetizers

Weekend brunch, catering and events

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.

From the kitchen

Baked ziti with melted mozzarella

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

Chicken cacciatore over linguine with olives, mushrooms and a pepperoncini in a white bowl

Chicken Cacciatore

Gluten-free

(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

Chicken marsala over fettuccine

Chicken Marsala

(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

A white plate of spaghetti aglio e olio with halved cherry tomatoes, parsley and parmesan

Aglio E Olio

(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

A sausage and onion pizza with melted mozzarella and oregano on a metal pan, cut into slices

Sausage & Onion pizza

$17.00 / $22.00 Small / Large

An eggplant sandwich cut in half, with spinach, roasted red peppers and a cup of spicy aioli

Eggplant sandwich

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

Cranelli’s Parking Guide

We’ve got over 70 spots available—follow these tips to find the best one for you!

General Parking

  • You’re welcome to park in any open spot—take a moment to look around.
  • We are retail! If there’s a sign, don’t worry—you can still park there.

Front-of-Building Reminder

  • Be mindful of spaces directly in front of the Waterford building.
  • The Pilates and dentist offices prefer guests not to park in their spots while they’re open.
  • If they’re closed, double-check that no one is inside before parking.

Mailbox Turn

  • Take a right at the mailboxes and head all the way down—there are plenty of tucked-away spots waiting for you.

Gated Parking

  • You may park inside the gated complex—just be sure to exit by 6 PM.

Overflow Options

  • If Waterford is full, you can park:
  • Across the street
  • The credit union, just north on the same side as Cranelli’s
Jimmy and Lasinda Crane at the front door of Cranelli's

“Our employees are our family.
Our food is our passion,
and our customers are our purpose.”

Jimmy and Lasinda Crane

About us

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.

Payment policy

A 3% surcharge applies to all credit card transactions.
No surcharge on debit or cash.

Awards and press

Best of the Best

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2014 - 2026

13 years in a row

Best Italian Restaurant

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2015 - 2026

12 years in a row

Best Italian restaurant in Colorado

5 Reasons to Visit Travel Magazine

2025

Diners’ Choice

OpenTable

2025

Neighborhood Fave

Nextdoor

2017 - 2025

9 years in a row

Best Family Restaurant, Lone Tree

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2015 - 2026

8 wins

Best Wine Bar, Lone Tree

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2015 - 2023

5 wins

Best Happy Hour, Lone Tree

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2015 - 2023

4 wins

Best Catering

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2015 - 2018

4 years in a row

Best Pizzeria

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2016 - 2025

2 wins

Best Dessert

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2017 - 2018

2 years in a row

Best Margarita

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2017

Best Place to Meet New People

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2016 - 2017

2 years in a row

Best New Restaurant, Lone Tree

Colorado Community Media, Best of the Best

2014

Colorado pick, Top 50 Authentic Italian in the US

5 Reasons to Visit Editors’ Picks

2026

Business award recipient

Northwest Douglas County Chamber

2023

On the red-sauce list

Westword, Denver

2022

Large Business of the Year

South Metro Denver Chamber

2025

Gold winner

Best of Mile High

2026

What our customers are saying

★★★★★
“...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!!”
Robin Sengupta On Google
★★★★★
“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.”
Briana V., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“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!”
Roland, October 2026 On OpenTable
★★★★★
“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.”
Cynthia Carlson-Paetznick On Google
★★★★★
“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!”
Sara M., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“First time guests and we were treated like we were regulars. Wait staff very attentive.”
Kim, October 2026 On OpenTable
★★★★★
“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.”
Svetlana Lobyan On Google
★★★★★
“We came here because of their GF menu. The pasta was good with a nice chew to it and the portions are quite generous.”
Cynthia B., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“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.”
Debra, October 2026 On OpenTable
★★★★★
“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.”
Jennifer Thomas On Google
★★★★★
“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”
Maha D., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“Amazing as always! Had to have my favorite, Linguine and Clams. Love Niko!”
Sandra, October 2026 On OpenTable
★★★★★
“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.”
Christan Pettie On Google
★★★★★
“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.”
Jena T., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“The food was very good and the service was amazing. Great place to spend our anniversary!”
Breanna, October 2026 On OpenTable
★★★★★
“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.”
Eric Lomas On Google
★★★★★
“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.”
Susan B., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“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.”
Black Egyptian On Google
★★★★★
“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.”
David L., December 2025 On Yelp
★★★★★
“We stopped by Cranelli's Italian Restaurant for a business meeting, and it exceeded every expectation.”
Denise Stephenson On Google
★★★★★
“The Service, Food and Ambience make Cranelli's one of the Best Restaurants in the Denver Metroplex.”
Damon D., January 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“Cranellis has been a long term staple for us. We recently have met the owners and that has changed everything for us.”
P V., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“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...”
Jim G., June 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“Lasinda was delightful as Dolly Parton and Olivia as a Jester! ... We will definitely be back - all of the staff was lovely and attentive.”
Tammy M., October 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“Great food and atmosphere! Despite it being busy, we were able to make a reservation in advance and be seated quickly.”
Kelly P., December 2025 On Yelp
★★★★★
“Always love coming here whenever possible! Food is always fantastic and so is the service!!”
Tim K., September 2026 On Yelp
★★★★★
“Ok, I'm giving this all the stars because my meal was perfection.”
Lauren J., October 2026 On Yelp

Ratings and reviews as of October 2026.

Questions

Do I need a reservation?

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.

Do you have gluten-free pasta?

Yes, along with gluten-free bread. See our gluten-free options.

Can I order online for pickup?

Yes. Order online for pickup.

Do you have a kids menu?

Our Just for Kids menu is $10 and comes with a drink and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Are you open every day?

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.