Cancel

Open app

Search

Cavalletta Restaurant

4.5 (202 reviews)
Closed Closed

Cavalletta Restaurant Photos

Business Info

CAVALLETTA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Classy
Upscale
Outdoor seating

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Cavalletta Restaurant

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

Prosciutto pizza
Nicole L.

Cavalletta is fantastic! If you are looking to impressed someone, this is the place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a cute boho chic vibe inside, fairly large inside and they also had a patio which I loved.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We had reservations for 7 pm and upon arrival the restaurant was full - this is how you know it must be good. It remained busy throughout the evening too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They had fun spritzes on the menu, I tried the peach basil one and enjoyed it. It wasn't too sweet at all, was tart and crisp. We started with a special they had running for the evening, it was a halibut carpaccio served with avocado mousse and mandarins. The chef let us know he caught the fish on the beach in Capitola, I thought that was pretty rad. It was super fresh, light and delicious. We also shared the prosciutto pizza as a starter as well, so tasty! Literally everything was so good. The crust was easy to chew and eat, flavors were savory and sweet. For entrees my husband ordered the duck ragu and this was my highlight - wish I ordered this for myself as well! Savory goodness and as the dish cooled down the sauce thickened more. I had the mushroom campanelle because once I read truffle hollandaise I was like I must try this. I love mushrooms so anytime I see a dish with them I'm sold. I wish I could've added steak as a protein with it, but overall a yummy pasta dish as well.

Counter seating
Annie T.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Cavalletta is a hidden gem on Soquel. There are no downsides... other than there will probably be a wait because it is absolutely magnificent[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. It's the type of place I dream about afterwards... like my mouth waters while I'm thinking about the flavors bursting with each bite. What I love in addition to the food is the impeccable service, which I believe is hard to find these days. I've been to some high-end establishments with tepid service. Cavalletta seems to have hiring down to a Science because we were treated like Kings and Queens from the time we were seated (and were allowed to choose our table and take our time deciding), then were taken the utmost care during ordering and dining while being checked on the perfect amount of times. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When I first entered, I thought the decor was a little plain for an upscale Italian cuisine, but once we sat for awhile and got our food, I understood. Everything is plain so the important things can shine: the food and service[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Cavalletta doesn't need the extra bells and whistles like some other places. [[HIGHLIGHT]]In the end, we got a little cold because we were seated on the patio, so they had no problems moving us indoors to the counter for dessert and coffee. It was perfect[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. And, again, everyone I interacted with were so incredibly friendly in a genuine way. I loved it. And I loved every bite! The only thing I wished I could change is I wish I wasn't gluten-intolerant!!!! Argh!!! Because EVERYTHING on the menu was delicious, and pretty much everything we ingested had gluten. It was worth all the GI complications (haha), but I honestly wish I could eat there every week! Cavalletta has it all. It's where I'd bring out of town guests, a date, a special group for a celebration, or when I want a fabulous special meal while being treated by excellent staff.

House focaccia... burrata, sea salt, preserved lemon.... omg!
Lizz H.

The food is simply devine! And superb wine list. Cavalletta is relatively a new comer to the Aptos dining scene. However, it has landed with a boom. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is classy relaxed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service is definitely high end. The food is, well, as I stated above... upscale, creative and delicious! Located on busy Soquel Avenue... parking can be tricky. There are a few parking places in front of the restaurant. If it is a first time visit you may want to call ahead for assistance. Some of the neighboring businesses allow Cavalletta parking after they close. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The outside of the restaurant is understated with a simple, classy entrance as you walk in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]But inside it is anything but simple. You are immediately welcomed by friendly staff. The large dining room has an open kitchen and feels cozy, warm and intimate. I love it[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is a small, inviting outdoor patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] A reservation will secure your spot wherever you want to eat. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I have had the absolute pleasure of dining at Cavelletta on three separate occasions during the past six months. Once eating on the beautiful patio and twice inside in the most comfortable cozy atmosphere. Fun![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Appetizers rule here. House focaccia, burrata, sea salt and preserved lemon or a wood fire cauliflower dish... TDF. Both eaten to the last morsel. Best caesar salad with killer croutons. Delectable pizzas and pastas. Main entrèes... many choices. I enjoyed a most succulent halibut. You cannot go wrong. Lastly, a big shout out to Katie our energetic waitperson who made the dining experiences so enjoyable. What a Pro! I can hardly wait to return. Cheers!

Beet salad
Magda M.

We had a great visit here on Friday night. Grabbed a reservation around 5:30 and sat on the patio with our dog. We ordered two salads (beet and Cesar) and a bolognese pasta dish. Everything was super tasty! We also got some red wines by the glass which were delightful. The service was efficient and friendly. We left happy and full! Highly recommend the pastas - so fresh and so tasty! Very filling too. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Such a great vibe and nice night out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will be back if we are in town again.

Pasta special of bucatini with shrimp
John H.

So I've eaten here more than a half a dozen times. It's always fun to sit at the bar and interact with all the hard-working staff. Their menu choices are delightful particularly their specials, handmade, fresh pizzas, and other pasta dishes. One of my favorites is the Bolognese pasta. However, tonight, with Evanda's suggestion, I had the bucatini pasta special with shrimp in an herb butter sauce, along with some beautiful sweet tomatoes. This special was singularly the most tasty dish I've eaten there!! The perfectly prepared pasta with delightful and attentive service by Evanda made it a perfect dinner. Many thanks to Chef and the kitchen and the rest of the staff for a wonderful experience. My big hope is that they make this special a regular dish on their menu. I look forward to coming back and sampling more of their menu. Thanks again Evanda for this fabulous recommendation. Molto bene! Grazie!

Fried Risotto
Judy S.

What a lovely place for a delicious meal! Stopped in while in town visiting my daughter. Service was excellent and the food even better! The chicken piccata was delightfully flavorful and the pizza was very robust. The setting is a large open room with tables and an open kitchen off to the side.

Caesar salad
Maricarmen C.

Have been here twice now, when they first opened, and again recently. Tried their Margherita pizza and Caesar salad both times. They add what I believe is a broccolini sauce to their pizza, which I haven't seen done anywhere else. Both dishes are very good. Their croutons are delicious, and their pizza crust is very crispy. The croutons were huge during our second visit though, which made them a bit hard to eat. They have a small patio in the back for outdoor seating. Perfect for the warmer weather! Parking is very limited. Service was good, would definitely go back.

Cavaletta Restaurant
Manny S.

Outstanding food. Some of the best Italian in our area. Made reservation stating, it was our 40th wedding anniversary. Unlike most restaurants, there was no acknowledgment or mentioned by our server who could have been much more friendly.

Kenneth C.

Cavalletta is the second restaurant owned by Nick Sherman, whose other restaurant, Trestles, in Capitola, is also a must-visit. Service here was top-notch. From the moment we stepped in, we were treated with kindness and smiles. We were offered different table options, and we opted to sit outside. It was a cold evening, and the hostess maneuvered the heat warmer next to our table to make sure our dining experience would be warm and comfortable. Throughout the night, our server would always ask if we were warm enough. Ambiance - The indoor dining space is open and spacious. On this Friday night, it was packed, bustling with the sounds of friends and family conversing and laughing over their meals. If this night is any indication of other nights - make sure to make reservations, it is deservedly popular! Food - What can I say - immaculate, fresh, savory and delicious! We had: (1) wood fire cauliflower tahini, pistachio, caper salsa verde, raisins GF/VQ (2) short rib rigatoni creme fraiche, horseradish, carrots, tomatoes, pecorino (3) mushroom pizza arugula, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano V All 3 dishes are memorable. The tahini pistachio sauce for the cauliflower was so good that we were compelled to order bread, so that none of the sauce went to waste ;) The rigatoni pasta was rich, homemade, and perfectly cooked, and the short rib complemented the red sauce with carrots. The mushroom pizza from their wood fire oven was one of the best pizzas I have ever had. The crust was nice and crispy, the fresh arugula topping made the pizza look like an art project, and the centerpiece ingredient - mushrooms were so fresh and flavorful. Every bite was bursting with mushroom yumminess. If you are a mushroom fan, don't pass this one up! Needless to say, we cannot wait to go back to try the rest of the menu! Go now!

Outside

See all

Review Insights

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of R I.
0
104
11

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

21 hours ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 1
Love this 7
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Diana G.
1
124
27

4 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 3

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Neighborhood feel, delicious beet salad and fresh ricotta! The staff was very friendly !

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of germ i.
0
233
16

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Holly B.
42
127
4

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2
Photo of Juan G.
122
4
0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of KC C.
5
461
1836

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kim D.
327
134
2097

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 4
Oh no 0
Photo of Grey R.
1225
832
13604

1 year ago

Helpful 133
Thanks 55
Love this 144
Oh no 0
Photo of G K.
1
456
280

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Amazing food and great service, every time! Ps. The Cesar salad with this croutons is delicious.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 months 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 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 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
Photo of Jimmy P.
10
172
28

9 months ago

The food, the service and the ambiance is spot on! Sit at the bar and watch the chefs do their magic!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 6

Ask the Community - Cavalletta Restaurant

On Mondays, is only the fixed price menu served or is it possible to order á la carte?

The fixed price menu is in addition to the regular menu.

Is this establishment pet friendly?

At the moment we only have indoor seating which doesn't allow for pets. However our patio will be up and running soon and this area will be able to accommodate pets! Hope to see you soon.

View All 3 Questions

You might also consider

Chunk’s Sandwiches

Chunk’s Sandwiches

4.4
(137 reviews)
4.5 mi
Locally owned & operated
Family-owned & operated

This place is gold. We stumbled upon it looking for a good sandwhich spot and success! Both had…read moreturkey, bacon, cheese with pesto Mayo. Delicious! The inside is small with a few table, a few tables outside as well. A drink fridge and chip options. The service was wonderful. Very nice and accommodating. My site is terrible and the young lady at the register was very helpful. We will definitely be back!

Came here the other day after a long work day and hadn't eaten since breakfast. Was sooo hungry and…read moreI was near Chunk's. I had a pastrami sandwich there once before and it was pretty good, so figured this would do. Ordered the burger combo with Lentil soup. Asked for my burger medium and when it came out it was well past that and I'm pretty sure it was a frozen patty. I have frozen patties I cook at home that are great, so guessing it just wasn't very good quality to begin with. The lentil soup was flavorless and I only had a few bites before tossing out. Seasoning, a ham hock, and some aromatics would do a lot for this soup. Left feeling very disappointed as there are a bunch of more satisfying options in the area and I chose the wrong one. As I was sitting in traffic, my stomach started feeling like I ate some broken glass or something. Obviously there wasn't broken glass in the burger, just a fitting analogy. I had stomach pains for the next few hours. This is all I had eaten in like 10 hours, so I'm positive it was the burger. The woman at the counter was friendly and the place was pretty clean. I've got a pretty iron gut and it takes a lot to make it turn. Don't think I will be going back.

Photos
This grilled chicken salad  is serious business.
This grilled chicken salad is serious business.
The Reuben of your dreams...
The Reuben of your dreams...
The Drayton. Freshly grilled chicken breast, shaved ham, grilled pineapple, Swiss cheese, and red onion all nestled in a toasted baguette.

See all

The Drayton. Freshly grilled chicken breast, shaved ham, grilled pineapple, Swiss cheese, and red onion all nestled in a toasted baguette.
The Hideout

The Hideout

4.2
(833 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Hideout is a poppin!…read more Every time I come here the food is fantastic. Sometimes there's a wait and although worth it , it can take some time. But we have yet had a bad experience here dining. My last visit my friend and I decided to share appetizers so we could try a variety of items and try a few things on the menu. Everything was so tasty! The onion rings were crispy and came with bbq sauce, one of my fav items we got! TIP: It is a good option to order for a large group, it is a large portion for $10. We also shared the burrata and tapenade, I like that it came with balsamic glaze for a savory and sweet effect. We got the Mac and cheese and added short rib. It was a really large portion too! It was as $15 for the Mac and + $9 for the short rib I believe which I didn't think was a bad price at all for what we given. We had a ton left over which will last us 2 days as a side dish for dinner later on. Buffalo wings came with 11 wings, they were garlicky and the buffalo sauce had great flavor. Overall this is always a great spot to drop by for dinner, drinks, and/or appetizers. It's easy going here, the staff is friendly and accommodating, and the food is delicious.

Really enjoyed our first visit to The Hideout! We had the fried chicken sandwich with sweet potato…read morefries and the prime rib. The sandwich was delicious, and the chipotle aioli was especially good--creamy, flavorful, and one of the better ones I've had. The sweet potato fries were crispy. My partner really enjoyed the prime rib, and the portion was large enough for leftovers. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. We sat outside with our pups, which we appreciated. The only suggestion would be to update the patio layout a bit. Our table was directly across from the waiting area, so it felt like we had very little privacy while people waited. Other than that, we had a great experience and would definitely come back.

Photos
Indoor dining area
Indoor dining area
Fried Artichoke Hearts App ($15)
Fried Artichoke Hearts App ($15)
Brussels w/ Bacon ($18)

See all

Brussels w/ Bacon ($18)

Cavalletta Restaurant - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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