Meatballs are culinary ambassadors, offering diners a taste of Italy, Sweden, Japan and beyond. Whether bite-sized or massive, appetizer or entree, served with sauce or spaghetti, paired with mashed potatoes, or even served on top of a pizza, meatballs are savory and satisfying — and loved by kids and adults alike. Check out the full gallery for a sampler of 17 delectable meatball dishes across the country.

In Denver's River North district is an eclectic, contemporary American bar and grill with a menu of mostly shared plates that range from a foie gras "PB&J" to wood-fired mussels and oak grilled octopus with gnocchi. Diners rave about the tomato-braised meatballs served over Anson Mills stone-ground grits with Burrata and basil (pictured above), which are on the lunch, midday and dinner menus.

Chef Jaysen Euler's prosciutto and veal meatballs, served with braised greens and shaved pecorino cheese from Italy, is a messy yet decadent dish. The food is mostly shareable plates inspired by the traditional peasant recipes from Italy's farm towns and fishing villages. Other favorites on the menu include a board topped with polenta and ragu, and the linguine with sea urchin and crab.

This upscale South American grill in Washington, D.C., with dark oak floors, antique mirrors, chandeliers and South American antiques, is worth the splurge when you're looking for something a little bit different than the typical steakhouse. You'll find albondigas served as part of the restaurant's asado offerings. They are grilled, made with a combination of lamb, veal and pancetta.

Chef Kerry Simon's downtown restaurant has been the hot destination since it opened in the summer of 2014. The exciting small plates are generous portions and well-priced. One of the must-order dishes is the impossibly tender mini veal meatballs bathed in a luscious sherry foie gras cream sauce and topped with green peas.

This luxe dining room set in the Gale Hotel in Miami, with marble tables, gray leather lounges and a mozzarella bar, is known for meatballs. The veal and beef meatballs are lightened with a mixture of moist breadcrumbs and flavored with garlic, Romano cheese and a touch of parsley. Three plump meatballs are served over creamy polenta.

Chef Liza Shaw prepares Italian-American-style sub sandwiches — both hot and cold — in an industrial space, in South Park. The meatball sub features impossibly large and tender pork and beef meatballs, sloppy tomato sauce with basil, and oozing mozzarella and provolone. This is the platonic ideal of a meatball sandwich.

Browse the full gallery and let us know in the comments: What restaurant serves up the best meatballs in your neck of the woods?