In this weekly feature, we’re celebrating the best of Colorado Springs’ food and drink scene ー as determined by voters in the 2026 Best of the Springs (thebestofthesprings.com). We’ll throw in our own recommendation, too.
Up this week: Pasta.
Gold: Paravacini’s Italian Bistro
Evidently after 20 years, the west side staple isn’t resting on its laurels; Best of the Springs voters keep heaping on the praise. And Paravacini’s keeps heaping on the pasta, including the old reliable with meatballs made fresh daily and heavenly seafood specialties. 2802 W. Colorado Ave.
Tortellini is made at Paravicini’s Italian Bistro on Feb. 9, 2018, in Colorado Springs. (Gazette file)
Silver: Red Gravy Italian Bistro
Chef and owner Eric Brenner’s downtown spot is inspired by The Hill neighborhood of St. Louis, where you can still taste the influence of Italian immigrants. And you can taste it in the restaurant’s namesake Sunday Gravy: a rich tomato sauce over rigatoni and Italian sausage. Simple, delightful ー like other bowls here. 23 S. Tejon St.
Bronze: La Bella Vita Ristorante Italiano
“Fresh and authentic” is the promise of La Bella Vita, along with “classic and contemporary.” But allow the pasta to do the talking. Topping the chef specialties corner of the menu: homemade gnocchi tossed in a tomato basil sauce; a lasagna marrying Bolognese and béchamel; and linguini sautéed with seafood, garlic, crushed red pepper and white wine. 4475 Northpark Drive
Our recommendation: Oro
You walk into a space like Oro ー grand to match the neighboring Mining Exchange Hotel, cozy and textured to match the Old World ー and you wonder if it’s all show. Then you eat the pasta and are transported beyond even this most beautiful atmosphere, to some rustic fantasyland blending Tuscany and Colorado. The seasonal menu brings forth the best from the regions. 123 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
A specialty at La Bella Vita Ristorante Italiano (located at: 4475 Northpark Dr.) is “Rigatoni alla Carre,” photographed on July 31, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Kearney)
Rigatoni Bolognese at Oro. (Cody Van Hooser, The Gazette)
