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    Cavalli Cafe

    4.2 (547 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Cavalli Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    CAVALLI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for working

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    Recommended Reviews - Cavalli Cafe

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    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.

    Espresso and Italian cookies
    Barry B.

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

    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.

    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.

    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

    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.

    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
    Ryan T.

    If you're in the mood for a quick coffee run that feels like a teleportation straight to Europe, Cavalli Café is where it's at. We swung by here for a little caffeine and tiramisu fix, and man, this place just oozes authenticity. The second we walked in, it hit us--the smell of coffee, pastries, and yeah, that faint vibe of Europeans lowkey puffin' cigs outside. It's got that raw, no-frills charm of a mom-and-pop spot where you can tell the people behind the counter aren't just punching a clock--they're real ones, passionate about what they're serving up. We grabbed some coffee and tiramisu because, let's be real, that's what the ladies were craving. And let me tell you, the tiramisu? Straight fire. Creamy, balanced, and just enough espresso kick to remind you it's legit. The cannoli looked pretty tempting too, but we had tunnel vision for that tiramisu, so maybe next time. This is a nice chill spot to relax for a minute too.

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    3 months ago

    Rlly sweet environment , nice people would 100% come back in the future. Love how they are open late too !

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    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

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    What can I say? Location matters when it comes to coffee. I can't think of a more pedestrian…read moreunfriendly intersection in the city than Lombard and Van Ness. After all, there isn't a freeway that connects the bridges, so all the vehicular traffic courses through this congested main artery like a coronary you just know is bound to happen. That's what makes it less than desirable to be a pedestrian on this block. However, this compact coffee spot does an exemplary job in mitigating the traffic noise and safety distractions by serving solid caffeine options. I survived the crosswalk and had a satisfying $5.50 Cold Brew (Photo 7) next to the window. That's all I can ask. COFFEE - 4 stars...the coffee is fine here AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...the space is pleasant, getting here is another story SERVICE - 4 stars..,efficient, not too interactive TOTAL - 4 stars...look both ways before you cross RELATED - Exploring the Marina? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/Ku8SgfZAEh

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    Cavalli Cafe - coffee - Updated September 2026

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