Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cavalli Cafe

    4.2 (550 reviews)
    Open • 7:00 am - 11:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Cavalli Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    CAVALLI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    More like Cavalli Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Cavalli Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tiramisu
    Diego B.

    Simple cafe right by the bus stop. They have plenty of tables and two whole floors! It's pretty cool, to be honest, especially being at the heart of the Italian District. I was craving some Tiramisu, which wasn't bad. A bit much on the "melty" side, not sure if it was a fresh batch that didn't have time to absorb the water or their normal serving. Again, it tasted like a decent Tiramisu, no complaints. Definitely a nice little spot to do some hanging out and catching up with friends. The top floor can feel much more cozy and private, if that's what you're looking for. Local tip: Later in the day they are pretty empty, so it's a nice spot to chill, drink a coffee, have a dessert and enjoy your favorite book, or just get some work done.

    Cannoli
    Scott F.

    5/5: Cannoli is great. The shell is super crispy. Ricotta filling was light and refreshing. The add-ons were great. They add a slice of bitter orange peel soaked in a sugar solution on top, which is nice. Also; they are open late, until 11 pm, which is rare in SF.

    Marc T.

    Was walking around little Italy in SF with a tour group and we ended up here as last stop for a sweet treat! It's a cute cafe with lots of history on the walls, with a sleek interior and patio seating. We got their tiramisu! I typically don't like tiramisu but their slice was moist, decadent, and not too sweet! Would recommend here for a quick treat!

    Afshin A.

    I only recently learned that Caffé Cavalli is a true North Beach legend, with roots stretching all the way back to 1880. Originally known as A. Cavalli & Co., it began as the first Italian bookstore in the United States, founded by Flavio "George" Cavalli to give Italian immigrants access to newspapers, music, and literature from the old country. Over the years, the business moved around North Beach, including a stop near where City Lights Bookstore now stands--before finally settling into its current Stockton Street location in 1934. I found myself back here on a rainy day after a quick stop at the bank. I ducked in for what I thought would be a quick espresso, but once I sat down and started reading more about the café's history, I realized how little I had known when I first reviewed this place nearly nine years ago. Back then, I was focused purely on the excellent coffee and pastries, especially the cannoli. What I didn't fully appreciate was just how central Cavalli once was to neighborhood life. In its bookstore days, it served as a cultural hub, and in the 1930s, speeches broadcast from Italy were reportedly played over loudspeakers to crowds gathered outside on the sidewalk. For decades, the shop was run by the Valentini family, with printing presses humming and Italian records spinning for generations of North Beach locals. The biggest transition came in 2006, when Naples native and chef Santo Esposito purchased the business. Recognizing that imported newspapers were no longer the lifeline they once were, he transformed the space into an authentic Italian café--replacing bookshelves with pastry cases and printing presses with a serious espresso machine. Crucially, he kept the historic name and much of the old soul intact. Today, Caffé Cavalli is widely known for having some of the best cannoli in San Francisco, filled to order so the shells stay perfectly crisp. If calories and sugar weren't a concern, I'd probably have one every time I walked past. One fun detail I picked up this time around: the "A" in A. Cavalli & Co. stood for Angelina, Flavio Cavalli's sister, who helped run the shop in its earliest days. It's details like that that make this place feel like more than just a café. You're not just stopping for a cappuccino, you're sitting inside a living piece of North Beach history, watching Stockton Street roll by as it has for well over a century.

    Cannoli
    Melody C.

    9 dollars for a GIANT cannoli with chocolate chips, candied orange peel, and beautifully plated! It was delicious and you can taste that it's freshly made. They allow multiple people to share one so don't feel like you need to eat an entire cannoli yourself. Service is quick and usually lots of seating. Cool casual cafe vibe. Great place to hang out after a nice dinner in North Beach.

    Espresso and Italian cookies
    Barry B.

    Nice atmosphere, quiet place to find caffeine and a sugar fix. Solid espresso. Enjoyed the chewy almond cookies.

    Inside
    Rhea A.

    My current fixation? A wet, creamy, soft tiramisu cake. A friend and I have been trying out different tiramisus and she said that this spot had a good tiramisu. Unfortunately, it did not hit for me. It was on the drier side which isn't how I personally like my tiramisu. But the space is super cute and we came pretty late on a weeknight and people were doing work on their laptops. Staff is also very friendly.

    Cannoli time
    Inverleith F.

    With the many yelpers praising their cannoli, we had to give this a try. Unfortunately it's not to our liking. It's got the zing from orange zest and the shell is okay. For $9, we expected it to blow our minds. It's nice to be hand filled and the have mini chocolate chips on one end and crushed pistachios on the other. Yes, we are cannoli snobs so give it a go if you are in the hunt to compare, give this place a try. They had some outside tables and a cozy indoors.

    tiramisu, cannoli
    Sarah C.

    such a charming 2-storey cafe overlooking the bustling north beach! I went up to the second floor to read my book and lots of natural light poured in. I enjoyed the tiramisu ($7) and cannoli ($9) very much--the tiramisu was massive and balanced, not too sweet or soggy. the cannoli was also made fresh and the cream was light, although I wish it was slightly cheaper :")

    sprinkle cookie & espresso
    Tori H.

    The cafe is a North Beach staple, however, I was disappointed in general. The sprinkle cookie was stale, but the espresso was good. Will go back to try the tiramisu but overall I was underwhelmed.

    0.5 Lens

    Dear Yelp Community, I visited this venue for the first time this month, and I really enjoyed the cannoli, which is truly made to order and delicious! Historic photographs on the wall are a plus. Upstairs seating area overlooking the neighborhood (right next to Bank of America). Well wishes. Sincerely, Anna

    White mocha and cappuccino
    Crystal Z.

    Excellent spot for coffee! I don't typically drink hot coffee but it is my birthday and I wanted to switch it up today. I ordered the white mocha and my boyfriend ordered the cappuccino. Both EXCELLENT! Cute decor and ambiance inside. We sat upstairs. The baked goods look heavenly but we didn't order any! Maybe I will find my way back during this trip to and try some cannolis

    Menu (2/2025)
    Rose T.

    Located at the start of Little Italy, this café exudes old world charm with its antique facade, black and white pictures of San Francisco and its many locations, and wooden panels. Order at the register, pick a booth or table, and your order will be brought to you. The three of us sat at a corner booth on the 1st floor, which was really comfy. Our order: Mocha ($6.50): Requested 2 pumps of chocolate instead of 3 +Drinkable temperature: Hot, but doesn't burn your mouth/tongue +I'm glad I adjusted the sweetness because it was just right. +Very creamy and foamy -No latte art Latte ($6.00): +Drinkable temperature: Hot, but doesn't burn your mouth/tongue +Not my drink, but I took a sip: Rich espresso with creamy milk -No latte art Tiramisu ($7.00): +It had orange zest, which was unexpected! It was refreshing and cut through the cocoa and mascarpone. +Not too sweet: Bitter cocoa and coffee contrasted the sweet and creamy mascarpone. -Ladyfingers were a tad dry: Needed to be soaked longer. Side notes: 1.) Restrooms available for customers. 2.) MUNI 30 & 45 bus stop is right outside. *Verdict: Homey Italian café featuring homemade sweets and good service. I had some questions about the menu, and the cashier helping us was patient. Based on my observations, it seemed like a local favorite for an afternoon coffee break. Next time, I want to sit upstairs and people watch!

    outside

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 27
    Thanks 11
    Love this 20
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rhea A.
    308
    433
    1175

    11 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anna G.
    0
    352
    2422

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Christina J.
    41
    593
    1183

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Denise C.
    1623
    3337
    9503

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy C.

    Tommy C.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mimi L.
    10
    256
    1269

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy C.

    Tommy C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy C.

    Tommy C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 14

    Cavalli Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cavalli Cafe

    Hi, Can I order a sheet of Tiramisu? For 8 people?

    Hi, of course you can please stop by the coffee shop thank you

    Open?? What is phone number

    Hi yes we are open and we do not have phone number

    Are you guys doing outdoor seating?

    Hi 👋 yes we are Have a good day and stay safe

    View All 4 Questions

    You might also consider

    Lapisara Eatery - Iced Ube Latte ($8.50)

    Lapisara Eatery

    4.6(2.1k reviews)
    0.8 mi•Lower Nob Hill
    •$$

    We got the ube latte and iced Thai tea. The ube latte was nutty and delicious. I just wish it had…read morebeen a tad bit hotter, but I'm sure you can ask for it extra hot. The iced Thai tea was well-balanced and not overwhelmingly sweet. The chicken waffle was also good--especially the chicken itself. It was lightly battered and crisp to perfection. I do wish the waffle was more toasted since it was a bit soggy even with barely any syrup. The fruits were fresh and tasted really yummy. As for the PaNang omelette, it was delicious!! It's filled with meat and vegetables, so it's pretty hearty. The curry was so good and had just the right amount of spice. I would highly recommend the PaNang omelette. Parking was difficult since it's in the Tenderloin, but it was definitely worth it. The workers are nice, and the place is really cute.

    This should be a good indicator for how much I enjoyed Lapisara. I was in San Francisco for four…read moredays and I visited Lapisara three times. Twice for breakfast and once for dinner. The servers are so friendly, kind and hardworking. They truly know what exceptional customer service is about. The food was perfectly prepared and the presentation was so appealing, with the little touches of Thai hospitality. My first breakfast was the Meat Lover's Omelet with House Potatoes. Tasty and it really hit the spot. Great coffee too! Dinner consisted of a flavorful beef Mussamun chili dish. Awesomely tender beef in a savory sauce. A Stella Artois worked well for my drink. My second breakfast was a Belgian Waffle with Chicken Apple Sausage and Scrambled Eggs. Perfection, with fruit accents of banana, blueberries, strawberries and grapes. Thanks to the chefs and servers at Lapisara! I'm a big fan now.

    Photos
    Lapisara Eatery - Indoor area of the restaurant.

    Indoor area of the restaurant.

    Lapisara Eatery - That bacon, tho...

    That bacon, tho...

    Lapisara Eatery - Lapisara Burger

    See all

    Lapisara Burger

    Marlowe - Crispy Brussels Sprout Chips

    Marlowe

    4.0(3k reviews)
    1.6 mi•Mission Bay
    •$$$

    Wow this place was so amazing! Not only were the servers so friendly, kind, and accommodating but…read morethe food was also incredible. I loved the decor all around the restaurant with adorable cow art and a very clean feel. The servers and hosts were coming over to chat with us and just made us feel so welcome and special. From the second you walk in until the second you leave you are in good hands. It's also right across from the train so it's super easy to get there! I don't normally like horseradish, but the burger came with the perfect amount of horseradish where it tasted very fresh and added a good burst of flavor without being overwhelming! The fries were delicious and crispy. 10 out of 10 food, service, and environment. I would give them more stars if I could.

    If you happen to stumble upon Marlowe like we did I'm confident that you will leave as full and…read moresatisfied as we did. A charming little bistro inspired by the Marlowe cows, I'm assuming, managed to stun us with several memorable dishes. The warm deviled eggs were an excellent start. Savory yet delicate enough to not weigh us down right at the beginning of our meal. The horseradish aioli wasn't for me, but I can see its appeal for a certain audience. You give me a Calabrian chili sauce and it's guaranteed to make me happy and this shrimp with sweet corn was no exception. Again, light but a punchy flavor that was enjoyable. I could go on and on about the different dishes we tried but the real standout of the night was the pork tenderloin with chorizo and peaches. The sweetness from the peaches somehow managed to enhance the flavor of the chorizo. This dish gives you a bold, savory and sweet bite all together but still won't have you feeling super heavy. The portion size is perfect. Im hoping to return soon for another exquisite meal.

    Photos
    Marlowe - Clean and inviting bar

    Clean and inviting bar

    Marlowe - Marlowe Burger with side of fries

    Marlowe Burger with side of fries

    Marlowe - Brunch cocktails

    See all

    Brunch cocktails

    Sweet Maple - Reservations Policy

    Sweet Maple

    4.3(5.2k reviews)
    1.7 mi•Lower Pacific Heights
    •$$

    This brunch restaurant is known for their bacon. It was a great spot to enjoy a brunch with friends…read morewith high prices but big portions and good food. There was a bit of a wait when we came here on a Saturday at noon, but the line moved quickly. Service was quite good as they kept filling our waters extremely fast. I got the SM Omurice, and it was really tasty. Big portion that left me feeling very full with a really good sauce. I loved the rice and the egg. My friend got the Big Hip, and we shared her deep fried French toast which tasted like a funnel cake. I also tried the bacon, and it was very tasty. This is coming from someone who doesn't really like bacon. I loved the maple flavour. A small amount of bacon was very expensive though.

    My family and I came here a few times before and each time we come we are never disappointed…read more The restaurant is always very busy, but even though it is busy we are always seated in a timely manner. The restaurant is clean and well kept. Great for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Food always taste spectacular and delicious. One thing that has changed is the Big Hip dish, I remember years ago it was slightly bigger. Besides that we always loved how they always cooked their poached egg to perfection. The hollandaise sauce is always delicious and yummy. Come give this place a try if you are ever in or around the area.

    Photos
    Sweet Maple - Millionaire's Bacon

    Millionaire's Bacon

    Sweet Maple - Marnier | french toast with creamy grand citrus batter (added $3 for the fired banana & candied walnuts)

    Marnier | french toast with creamy grand citrus batter (added $3 for the fired banana & candied walnuts)

    Sweet Maple - We are ready for INDOOR dining on Friday 26th April

    See all

    We are ready for INDOOR dining on Friday 26th April

    Plow - French Toast

    Plow

    4.1(3.6k reviews)
    2.6 mi•Potrero Hill
    •$$

    Back with another review because the steak and eggs are officially a new star of the show. OMG. The…read moresteak is so juicy and tender, and it's marinated and seasoned SO well. I swap the salad for potatoes, and the whole thing is just so yummy. And don't let the wait time stop you! Just plan accordingly: 1. Put your name on the list. 2. Grab a cup of coffee and a pastry at Farley's. 3. Hang out in the cute neighborhood while you wait. 4. Come back and have one of the best meals. Seriously, it's worth the wait. You're welcome.

    Finally had a Friday off. So we decided to go to San Francisco. This has been on my list for a…read morewhile. Didn't expect such a line at 9am on a weekday. The wait was 45 minutes. Actually closer to a hour. The restaurant is not really that big. It looks bigger in the pictures. They have tables set up outside,but it was too chilly to sit outside. We ordered the egg sandwich,and the plow. I felt like the plow gives you a chance to try most of the popular items on the menu. The potatos were crispy and litely salted. The lemon ricotta pancakes were slightly dense . The lemon flavor was intense,not sure if there was lemon zest in the batter. The egg sandwich tasted great with the apple. It was messy. But we were warned when ordering that it could be messy. The egg yolk spills over the sides The food was 5 stars. But the service was 3.5. Not sure it it was the waitress being slow,or it could have been the kitchen not getting the food out quickly

    Photos
    Plow - Indoor ambiance

    Indoor ambiance

    Plow - Buttermilk biscuit

    Buttermilk biscuit

    Plow - Cold brew Equator Coffee

    See all

    Cold brew Equator Coffee

    Cavalli Cafe - coffee - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...