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  5. Cherry Creek
Shells and Sauce, Denver, CO

Shells and Sauce

4.7
4.7
2885 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
General Manager, Oscar Venegas and Executive Chef Marcus Jimenez are serving authentic Italian American food in the heart of Congress Park. Shells and Sauce brings Old Country taste to a cozy neighborhood restaurant. If you’re craving home-made lasagna, meat or fish, Shells and Sauce has a variety of savory appetizers and entrees to chose from. We also boast an extensive wine list to pair with anything you choose, and we offer delicious desserts to top off your evening. Whether you sit on our rooftop or in our main dining room to watch our open kitchen, Shells and Sauce is a great place to entertain friends or family in an inviting setting. Step into our kitchen and let us share our passion for food!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 37 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 3:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (303) 377-2091
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Marcus Jimenez
  • Catering
    We cater all events. You are welcome to pick up the food or have it delivered from our Catering Menu. We have catered all occasions; from small birthday parties to President Obamas Tour and Media when running for his second term.
  • Private party facilities
    We do private events events from 10-130 guests. We have two floors. Our first floor seats 70 our second floor seats 60. There is a bar on each floor. The second floor is perfect for everything from Wedding Dinners to Corporate Parties. The second floor can be used Privately or Semi Private with Food and Beverage Minimums.
  • Neighborhood
    Cherry Creek
  • Cross street
    12th and Elizabeth.
  • Parking details
    Easy to find parking on the street, or park in our lot behind the restaurant.
  • Public transit
    Bus #10 & 12
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,885 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Denver

    Best Value

  • Denver

    Neighborhood gem

  • Denver

    Italian

2,885 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a find! Reminded me of a treasured NYC hole-in-the-wall neighborhood restaurant that's moderately crowded with fun people, and then you're treated with an enjoyably authentic old world meal with awesome service. Absent the American accented English, you could easily imagine you're in Florence/Firenze. Bravo!

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    My boyfriend and I met there a year ago. Our waiter was outstanding and gave us a free tiramisu. It was amazing as was my spicy shrimp! 💕

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was incredible. Excellent service as well. Highly recommend paying Shells & Sauce a visit!

    Is this helpful?

  4. CynthiaW

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great neighborhood Italian restaurant. Great food at reasonable prices. The servers are fantastic.

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  5. bethl

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous neighborhood place. Everything about it…. I Need to come me back more often!

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time there and we will go back! Staff was so kind, food was amazing!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Beth

    Denver

    24 reviews

    4.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    I have always enjoyed Shells and Sauce. The food is good and generous and the servers are always very friendly. The ambiance is great - wonderful neighborhood spot. I was disappointed by the special ravioli at the last visit. The large shrimp were great and there were several. The sausage seemed a bit dry and overcooked and the sauce was not particularly noteworthy. The ravioli themselves were quite tasty so it was a mixed bag. I would have liked a little more pizzaz in the sauce. Will be back, though because the food is generally quite tasty.

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  8. DianeV

    Denver

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    We celebrated my mom's birthday and she loved it. I had the Genoa and realky enjoyed it and mom loved the special of the burrito arugula ravioli with shrimp. My daughter was a little disappointed with the bolognese. It's was not as juicy and a little bland. She even asked for some salt. She thought it didn't taste like it had been cooking for hours like a good bolognese sauce is. The noise level was pretty intense and I knew that before hand. I am a little hard of hearing and should have asked for a quiter table. All in all we still gave our experience 4 stars! Btw the peach lavender sangria was excellent!

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  9. LeeP

    Denver

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a solid meal! Very accommodating to special requests. The crab cakes are some of the best we’ve had, and we try them every where we go!

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  10. Copper

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went here after going to the Botanical Gardens. My husband order the special. His pork chop came out moist. It was gigantic. I had carbonara with shrimp and chicken added. It was very delicious. The best thing about the meal was the homemade warm bread. The Service was excellent. This place is worth the drive. One of the bets Italian restaurants that I have been to in the Denver area.

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  11. PriscillaL

    Seattle

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the place! Service great, as is the food. Place just puts me in a good mood!

    Is this helpful?

  12. KarlaD

    Denver

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Great food and reasonably priced. Close to the botanical gardens

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  13. JoanneM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Though a very busy time we were well cared for by a cheerful and accommodating waiter.

    Is this helpful?

  14. TimZ

    Denver

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great food and wonderful neighborhood gem. Definitely going back w our family.

    Is this helpful?

  15. JoeyP

    Denver

    54 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a great meal. Last minute reservation. Thanks everyone at Shells and Sauce.

    Is this helpful?

  16. kevinc

    Denver

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The four of us loved our meals. Can’t go wrong with the carbonara. I had the spicy shrimp special. It was so flavorful. Our waiter was fun and we all had a great time.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Fun place. Great food. Our server was great. That crab cake was delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  18. OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and best chocolate cake ever. 10/10, will definitely be going back.

    Is this helpful?

  19. NoelG

    Denver

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience2
    Food was lack luster and bland. We won't be back. We've eaten here a few times and this was definitely the worst. I feel like the kitt staff doesn't care about quality or taste.

    Is this helpful?

  20. Melissa

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall3food5service4ambience2
    Great food and value but we were seated upstairs essentially in a hallways and it was drafty and not a very enjoyable atmosphere.

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    Des Moines

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This local gem is one of my favorites! The food is consistently delicious, the staff are friendly and attentive, and the ambiance exudes comfort and real community.

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  22. GregA

    Denver

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience1
    It is impossibly loud in the restaurant. We remembered this from the last time we were there - but that was a 5280 night and we thought it might not be so difficult to talk this time. That proved to be untrue. Also, we were a party of five, and you just added a chair and table at the end of a 4-top, which actually left the person sitting there fairly removed from the other four. Plus, you tried to fit someone in a 2-top behind us so we were getting hit by the wait person and by the people trying to get into that 2-top. While we always enjoy your food - this is likely not a place we will return.

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  23. CarlH

    San Francisco

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and value - great sachetti and veal parmigiana

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  24. MarthaW

    Greater Boston

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great food and good service. We had a good meal before heading to Botanical Gardens

    Is this helpful?

  25. debjorest

    Denver

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great neiborhood place. Fabulous food. Very homey. A bit loud but seems every restaurant is now. Must make a reservation.

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  26. LindaG

    Denver

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    It's been sometime since we've been here. Overall it was ok, my dish was tasty and I enjoyed it, very generousportions of shrimp, my friend's dish had very bland sauce (chicken picatta) and sadly the bread we we given was raw in the center. Wasn't particularly busy. Wait staff has always been good, but an Italian restaurant that has bland sauce is disappointing.

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  27. ColinEarly

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Each time I have dined in here the service has been great and so has each course from the bread to dessert. The wine selection is diverse for a small neighborhood spot.

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  28. BLSJ

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff was great and food was great--one of our favorites!

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Western NC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, friendly, attentive staff. Small, casual spot open to outside when weather appropriate. Small food selection but everything we had was great! Would go again for sure!

    Is this helpful?

  30. BenA

    Denver

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience3
    Waitress seemed a little out of it! Waited 15 minutes just for her to come back and get our CC to pay. Good was not as good as it used to be. The overall experience has declined. This used to be my favorite restaurant- now it’s just meh.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Always such a great time with amazing food and company!

    Is this helpful?

  32. DinerGirl

    Denver

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always delicious and fun. The place is always packed so make sure to get a reservation.

    Is this helpful?

  33. KrissW

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Great service and accommodation for adults and children. The striped bass special was delicious. Server able to serve noodles and butter to child, even tho it wasn’t on the menu. Great happy hour wine prices

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  34. MeredithV

    Denver

    4 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience2
    It took about 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge us at the door and another 10 at the table. Food was good, they were busy.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    I am so disappointed as Oscar the manager kicked us out of our table as it was taking “too long” for me to eat my food, as I have a broken jaw I advised it would take me longer than normal to finish my dinner. As Oscar asked us more than once to leave our table I was incredibly disappointed as this is the only food I could eat. I appreciate the staff except for Oscar who seemed unreasonable. We left our table which remained unattended/unseated for the remainder of the evening! so sad as this was something I was looking forward to so much since my accident.

    Is this helpful?

  36. JohnS

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    We enjoyed our meals very much. Service was good. Only complaint was not being seated for a 7pm reservation until almost 7:30.

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  37. robert

    Denver

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a great time and wonderful meal—as always, plus great service, making this a favorite place, thanks All!

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is fabulous. Order anything on the menu and you’ll love it.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Good always great, ate waaay too much:) Great server but sat next to a large very loud party so super noisy in there.

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This neighborhood restaurant caters to families and friends who comes to enjoy a great meal. Their staff is friendly and they all go above and beyond to make each experience memorable.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Shells and Sauce using the Order Online button. Shells and Sauce also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates. Shells and Sauce also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (303) 377-2091.

Shells and Sauce is rated 4.7 stars by 2885 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 37 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Shells and Sauce

2600 E. 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Additional information

  • Cross street
    12th and Elizabeth.
  • Neighborhood
    Cherry Creek
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 3:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Easy to find parking on the street, or park in our lot behind the restaurant.
  • Public transit
    Bus #10 & 12
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Marcus Jimenez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (303) 377-2091
  • Catering
    We cater all events. You are welcome to pick up the food or have it delivered from our Catering Menu. We have catered all occasions; from small birthday parties to President Obamas Tour and Media when running for his second term.
  • Private party facilities
    We do private events events from 10-130 guests. We have two floors. Our first floor seats 70 our second floor seats 60. There is a bar on each floor. The second floor is perfect for everything from Wedding Dinners to Corporate Parties. The second floor can be used Privately or Semi Private with Food and Beverage Minimums.
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