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    Cavalli Cafe

    4.2 (543 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 11:30 pm

    Cavalli Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    CAVALLI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cavalli Cafe

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    Espresso and Italian cookies
    Barry B.

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

    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.

    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

    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.

    the place

    best fucking cannoli ever , nice coffee nice people , everything perfect highly recommended

    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.

    Mille-feuille
    Maureen Z.

    Mille-feuille was so delicious and rich! This is a perfect study spot. They have a printer and lots of outlets upstairs.

    Cannoli and white mocha

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    1 month ago

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

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    2 months ago

    The big lady who is the manager mixes the drinks w her finger very concerning coming here

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    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

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    Arsicault Bakery - Richmond District, San Francisco (94118)…read more This small, charming bakery is absolutely worth the visit! Yes, there's almost always a line, but don't let that discourage you--the staff keeps it moving quickly, making the wait fast and efficient. The pastries are incredibly delicious. Their giant croissants are buttery, with soft, airy layers on the inside and a perfectly crispy, flaky exterior. Every bite is heavenly! My personal favorite is the cranberry scone. It's tender, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. For the best experience, enjoy your pastries while they're still warm--they taste even better fresh out of the oven. Payment is easy since they accept both credit cards and cash. If you're a pastry lover, Arsicault Bakery is definitely a must-visit in San Francisco. We highly recommend it!

    Finally got to try the famous croissants! I've been seeing so many TikToks raving about the…read morecroissants from Arsicault and I finally found the right time to come by and grab some. I came by on a Friday around 11 am and it was so hard to find parking. There's street parking available but it was all filled up and I ended up getting dropped off since I saw the line forming outside the bakery. The line was only formed because the bakery is relatively small and doesn't have a lot of wiggle room so they only let in one party at a time. There aren't any sit-down tables or chairs so this is a grab and enjoy somewhere else. Pastry: Kouign-amann (8.4/10): Oh this was yummy. I love a good kouign amann and Arsicault satisfied my sweet tooth. It was a little too sweet but had a good outer layer crunch and fluffy interior. Chocolate Almond Croissant (7.8/10): This one was amazing! I will say that this one is definitely on the sweeter side but it was still delicious. It's a pretty big croissant with a good crunch but not a lot of flaking :( I did really enjoy the almond paste that was smothered on the inside. My boyfriend really enjoyed this croissant and wouldn't stop talking about it for a few hours.

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    Omg!!!! I swear I had Butter & Crumble on my want to try list for YEARS!! And I finally got to try…read moretheir AMAZING beautiful gorgeous pastries yesterday!! I went around 12:15pm on a Saturday, and the line was short (comparatively) and moved quickly! Pro tip: keep up with their instagram stories because they occasionally post live updates about the line/supply! It only took around 15 minutes to reach the front. Another tip: decide what you're going to get & some back up options (in case they sell out of your first choice options) so you don't hold up the line deciding at the cashier! I think that is the main reason the line sometimes moves slow. Because tbh once you put in your order, it takes like 3 minutes for them to pack it up. I tried 3 pastries from the July menu: Skirt Steak Croissant, Madame Lorraine, and Peach & Sweet Corn Cruffin. I also wanted to try the Bruschetta Danish, but they were sold out of that one. I was definitely most excited about the Skirt Steak from the beginning, and it was indeed my favorite! The croissant was so flakey buttery crispy, it was actually perfection. I love the chipotle aioli and arugula pesto sauces. Wow one of the best pastries I've ever eaten. The madame lorraine was my second favorite. I'm biased though because I love salty a lot more than sweet. The pork was so tasty in this one, and I really liked the parmesan toppings. I don't even like runny egg yolks, but it worked so well with this pastry. The peach & sweet corn cruffin was a little too sweet for me but the peach and corn flavors worked sooo surprisingly well. I NEED to come back to try their other pastries wow. It is 100% worth the hype.

    $32. Box of 4 pre-order. The pastries didn't deliver…read more The Strawberry Vanilla Danish had fresh strawberries that were more raw instead of cooked down, and the bottom of the pastry itself was underbaked (see photos). The Peach Corn Cruffin was even more disappointing, it was more like apple than peach, the fruit was still crisp and undercooked. Crisp peach? And the cream had a sour note that threw the whole pastry off. The Bruschetta Danish was the standout of the box. The Plum Vanilla Almond Twice-Baked Croissant oddly reminded me more of a PB&J than an almond-plum pastry. The pastries definitely photograph better than they eat. I really wanted to love this place, but I don't think the hype matches the experience. Are there good pastries here? Probably... um, sure. (?) But are those worth the wait and the reputation? Not in my opinion. Sometimes the emperor really has no clothes.

    Photos
    Hanna's twice baked biscoff croissant
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    Lauren's chopped cheese pain suisse
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    Tartine Bakery

    Tartine Bakery

    4.2
    (9.2k reviews)
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    Tartine absolutely lives up to its reputation. We tried the chocolate chip cookie, turkey sandwich,…read morefruit tart, and corn salad, and everything felt thoughtfully made with high-quality ingredients! The chocolate chip cookie had crisp edges, a soft center, and plenty of rich chocolate without being overly sweet with the salt touch. The turkey sandwich had soft bread, quality turkey, and the chicken skin is unique and provided a balance would love to try a panini next. The fruit tart was beautiful and incredibly fresh, with perfectly ripe fruit and a light, creamy filling that wasn't too sweet. The corn salad was a pleasant surprise too and maybe a favorite with bright herby bites that complemented the richer bakery items. Everything tasted fresh, and you can tell Tartine focuses on quality rather than overcomplicating dishes. Expect a line, especially during peak hours, but it's worth the wait. Whether you're stopping in for pastries or lunch, it's an iconic San Francisco bakery that's easy to recommend.

    A friend recommended this place after we had lunch nearby. I walked in and saw an eye-dropping…read moreamount of pastries behind the glass, but I was concerned that there was a huge line. But my friend assured me that the line went by pretty quickly. I was just picking up some pastries, so I got one of the chili and cheddar scones and the chocolate rye tea bread. Both were really good. I actually think the chocolate rye tea bread was amazing. I wish I had gotten two of them. This spot was really busy on a Sunday afternoon, and I saw a bunch of people enjoying delicious treats. The lunch menu looked good as well. I would try this again if I were in the area.

    Photos
    Almond Croissant, Chocolate Souffl Cake Round
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    Gorgeousness on a plate, screams of delight .. I can't help myself June 29,2026.
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    Arizmendi Bakery

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    Fantastic bakery and located near the park and farmers market. Satisfied all cravings for bread…read morethat i missed here in the bay. A must visit if you are in town as you then stroll through the neighborhood. Parking can be tough but it's worth the fight!

    06/20/26 Saturday…read more PSA: They will be closed from June 29 to July 6th! Review: Stopped by around 1:30 PM and found myself in a short line that went by quick. I've always wanted to try this place since I see a line every time I walked by. There's a lot of foot and car traffic. It's definitely a busy area so expect to park in one of the nearby residential areas or be extremely and walk/bike/bus here! Upon stepping into the tiny shop, I was enveloped in the sweet smell of chocolate chip cookies. It was tempting to put that in my bag, but I stuck with my game plan. They do self serve for all the baked goods and drinks except the pizza and focaccia. You tell the cashier what you grabbed. There's self serve complimentary water on the side too. Got a pecan swirl, one of each square focaccia flavors, and a half pizza (hot). The pizza flavor of the day was triple mushroom with sesame ginger garlic vinaigrette and mozzarella. It was 10/10 delicious!! Do note that they don't heat up the focaccia. Personally, after tasting everything, I'd say the pizza is more worth it than the focaccia "pizzas". The pecan roll was quite addicting too. You can also skip the line if you want to order online on their website and schedule a pick up time, but my gift card didn't work so I just waited in line.

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    Focaccia display
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    Cavalli Cafe - coffee - Updated July 2026

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