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Recommended Reviews - Il Cavatappi
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Came here for dinner on Varenna and they did not disappoint. We ordered Caprese con burrata, egg tagliatelle with duck white ragu, and crispy octopus tentacles. All those dishes were delicious with great amount of seasonings. We did not have reservation for dinner but we were the first one there; so the staff gave us a table. Dinner dishes came out quick. Tiny restaurant but good service and ambience was good with family style dinning. Highly recommend those dishes to try if you come to this restaurant on Varenna.
This place was one of the most popular dinner spots with quite a bit of people waiting. We thankfully didn't have to wait too long as a pair. If your group is larger than a pair, it might be best to split into smaller groups. We ordered white wine, san pelligrino, pasta with fish, a burrata salad and salmon topped with pistachios. The salmon and burrata salad had such distinct and strong flavors. The burrata was refreshing and the salmon was savory with a nice crisp. The pasta was delicious, however the flavors were a bit dull. The food here was 11/10 and would love to come back ~
This was so good we couldn't just experience the meals once so we went again. The food was magnificent the flavors were utter perfection. The lasagna was wonderfully cooked and the lemon ravioli had the most perfect amount of citrus to ricotta ratio. The tiramisu was the best tiramisu i've ever had! It had the strong punch of the coffee which was wonderfully counterbalanced with the smoothness of the cream. We had to wait in line the first time we went to this fine establishment but it was 1000% worth it. To avoid the long line we went the second time at 7 and we only waited about 5 minutes. The service was just as good as the food, everyone was welcoming and very accommodating.
We came here close to closing and were lucky enough to snag a seat indoors. The inside seating is limited and the tables are quite close together. The service is friendly but slightly slower - we only saw one waiter and someone we believe was the chef. Overall, food is good! Neither pasta was particularly memorable but both were tasty. We also ordered two Aperol spritzes but they didn't taste like Aperol - instead it tasted as though Campari was mixed in, which wasn't my favorite. For any international travelers, they accept credit card!
We came here for dinner and ordered a variety of food. We ordered octopus, salmon, lasagna, and another pasta dish. My favorite was the octopus. It was perfectly seasoned and very flavorful. I also loved the lasagna. The other dishes were also very delicious. This restaurant is very popular so I would highly recommend getting reservations. We came the day before and they said they can't take any people without reservations. The restaurant is very small but the food was worth it.
What a delicious meal we had on our last day in Varenna. It is the best meal we have had on our trip. This is a small cozy restaurant, only 6 tables inside but there are some outside tables. We had a 45 minute wait for a table. It was rainy and cold but worth it. We had the Caprese salad with Baratta cheese and wonderful tomatoes. It was big enough to share. For the main dishes we had pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and lemon, with a Parmesan cheese sauce, and lamb shank with mashed potatoes. The pasta was spot on with a light lemony flavor, the lamb was tensor and succulent. Not to be forgotten was the red wine. We chose a bottle of Barbaresco that was smooth with great legs. Unfortunately we were too full for dessert.
I came to Il Cavatappi with my boyfriend for lunch shortly after they opened at noon. We did not realize how popular this place was so got a table right away without a reservation but people quickly came before 12:30pm and then there was a wait. Our servers were both very kind and professional. They were very patient when we tried to speak to them in Italian and helped us understand the different dishes. We sat inside since it was a little cool out and it felt like such and intimate and authentic place! We really loved the nice but casual ambiance. We got some white wine which was delicious and refreshing. For food we tried: - house caprese salad: this came with fresh sliced tomatoes, creamy burrata and hints of basil, olive oil, and pesto over toasted bread. Amazing appetizer! The creaminess of the burrata went perfectly with the nutty pesto and sweet tomatoes. Would recommend. - octopus: I did not get a photo of the menu so I cannot remember what this was called. The octopus was grilled to perfection, had great flavor and a tender texture. It was over a bed of this chickpea mash which reminded me of hummus but without the lemon or tahini. Very tasty too! - calamarata: this was my first time having this dish and I enjoyed it. Calamarata is a shape of pasta which resembles squid rings. In this case it was cooked perfectly al dente and was paired with this tomato based sauce that had tangy olives and squid. I really loved this dish and thought the complex flavor profile was very good. It was very filling despite looking misleading small. The olives were very salty but they were small so they added a nice punch to the dish. Definitely worth giving it a try. - orochiette: my boyfriend got this and he loved it! The pasta shape was orichiette which are small half seashells and it came with cuttlefish. This was a lot milder than the calamarata dish since it had olive oil, a little garlic, the fish and some greens. His was also cooked very well and al dente. - tiramisu: for dessert we got their tiramisu which came in a little cute cup. The sweetness level was perfect without being overwhelming, and the flavor of espresso was perfectly balanced by this creamy mascarpone cream that may have had some egg yolks to make it richer. It had some cacao sprinkled on top which was also so good and really tied everything together. If you want dessert here, definitely try the tiramisu! Overall, lunch here was very good! The place fills up fast so I recommend that you get here on the earlier side (at noon) or be willing to wait. The service was fantastic and the food is just what you hope out of a small and authentic Italian restaurant. Restaurant is on the pricier side but the quality of ingredients was excellent and the portions were generous. Would come back again!
Seems like a very very good spot in Varenna, overall good for us but now wow-ed. Maybe I ordered the wrong dishes? Braised Veal - tender and flavorful but a bit too much fat parts for me. Rigatoni - texture of the Rigatoni was good, but felt the flavor was slightly underwhelming. Tiramisu - so good! Expected much more.
Simply amazing! Our last night in Varenna was magical here. I was a bit worried as most reviews state that you should have a reservation. A lot of restaurants in Varenna close early and have 1-2 seatings and most get booked up pretty fast with the amount of tourists in the area. Luckily, we went around 6:15 (they open at 6) and got one of the only available, non-reserved tables. Parties that came in after us were refused a seat. If you have the option, I do recommend booking a table to guarantee a spot here! The space is small with only six tables inside and a few outside. We started with a bottle of house white wine which was so light and refreshing. For food, we were debating between a number of dishes but decided to do the smoked trout tartare, duck ragout, and veal cheek. Let me say that all of the dishes were 10/10. They even split the duck ragout in separate bowls for us. The veal cheek was so tender and seasoned to perfection. This was a perfect end to our trip in Varenna. I have dreams about my meal here! We had a fun night getting to know our table neighbors as well and weren't rushed out of the restaurant at all. Also, our entire meal for two was under $90 which is pretty amazing considering the dishes we ordered. Please make this a go to spot on your list!
It's a very good place if you want to try non-traditional pasta. The Sicilian pesto one and the rabbit ragout one are really good. The lamb shank is so soft and flavorful. The tiramisu is just another heaven.
1 month ago
10 days ago
The very best restaurant in Varenna. Their pasta is amazing and their beef dishes are some of the best outside of Florence. Their servers are amazing and will take great care of you. This restaurant is a must go! read more
10 months ago
Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 There is only a handful of restaurants in Varenna for dinner and this one is top of my list. Previous night I ate at different restaurant and it was ok so I didn't have much expectation coming to this but I was wrong. I ordered Grilled octopus, Burrata with tomatoes for appetizer and flat noodles pasta with duck meat for main course. Also ordered house white wine to start. The restaurant filled up quick. They brought cured meat with cheese on the house while I was waiting for the food. The dishes came out not so long after. Octopus was cooked right about of time, it was very tender. I enjoyed the pasta very much. All the dishes tasted so well that I want to order some more but I was full. This is my go to restaurant if I come to Varenna again. Highly recommended read more
Came here for dinner on Varenna and they did not disappoint. We ordered Caprese con burrata, egg tagliatelle with duck white ragu, and crispy octopus tentacles. All those dishes were delicious with great amount of seasonings. We did not have reservation for dinner but we were the first one there; so the staff gave us a table. Dinner dishes came out quick. Tiny restaurant but good service and ambience was good with family style dinning. Highly recommend those dishes to try if you come to this restaurant on Varenna. read more
1 year ago
This place was one of the most popular dinner spots with quite a bit of people waiting. We thankfully didn't have to wait too long as a pair. If your group is larger than a pair, it might be best to split into smaller groups. We ordered white wine, san pelligrino, pasta with fish, a burrata salad and salmon topped with pistachios. The salmon and burrata salad had such distinct and strong flavors. The burrata was refreshing and the salmon was savory with a nice crisp. The pasta was delicious, however the flavors were a bit dull. The food here was 11/10 and would love to come back ~ read more
1 month ago
This was so good we couldn't just experience the meals once so we went again. The food was magnificent the flavors were utter perfection. The lasagna was wonderfully cooked and the lemon ravioli had the most perfect amount of citrus to ricotta ratio. The tiramisu was the best tiramisu i've ever had! It had the strong punch of the coffee which was wonderfully counterbalanced with the smoothness of the cream. We had to wait in line the first time we went to this fine establishment but it was 1000% worth it. To avoid the long line we went the second time at 7 and we only waited about 5 minutes. The service was just as good as the food, everyone was welcoming and very accommodating. read more
1 year ago
We came here close to closing and were lucky enough to snag a seat indoors. The inside seating is limited and the tables are quite close together. The service is friendly but slightly slower - we only saw one waiter and someone we believe was the chef. Overall, food is good! Neither pasta was particularly memorable but both were tasty. We also ordered two Aperol spritzes but they didn't taste like Aperol - instead it tasted as though Campari was mixed in, which wasn't my favorite. For any international travelers, they accept credit card! read more
We came here for dinner and ordered a variety of food. We ordered octopus, salmon, lasagna, and another pasta dish. My favorite was the octopus. It was perfectly seasoned and very flavorful. I also loved the lasagna. The other dishes were also very delicious. This restaurant is very popular so I would highly recommend getting reservations. We came the day before and they said they can't take any people without reservations. The restaurant is very small but the food was worth it. read more
4 months ago
What a delicious meal we had on our last day in Varenna. It is the best meal we have had on our trip. This is a small cozy restaurant, only 6 tables inside but there are some outside tables. We had a 45 minute wait for a table. It was rainy and cold but worth it. We had the Caprese salad with Baratta cheese and wonderful tomatoes. It was big enough to share. For the main dishes we had pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and lemon, with a Parmesan cheese sauce, and lamb shank with mashed potatoes. The pasta was spot on with a light lemony flavor, the lamb was tensor and succulent. Not to be forgotten was the red wine. We chose a bottle of Barbaresco that was smooth with great legs. Unfortunately we were too full for dessert. read more
3 months ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
I came to Il Cavatappi with my boyfriend for lunch shortly after they opened at noon. We did not realize how popular this place was so got a table right away without a reservation but people quickly came before 12:30pm and then there was a wait. Our servers were both very kind and professional. They were very patient when we tried to speak to them in Italian and helped us understand the different dishes. We sat inside since it was a little cool out and it felt like such and intimate and authentic place! We really loved the nice but casual ambiance. We got some white wine which was delicious and refreshing. For food we tried: - house caprese salad: this came with fresh sliced tomatoes, creamy burrata and hints of basil, olive oil, and pesto over toasted bread. Amazing appetizer! The creaminess of the burrata went perfectly with the nutty pesto and sweet tomatoes. Would recommend. - octopus: I did not get a photo of the menu so I cannot remember what this was called. The octopus was grilled to perfection, had great flavor and a tender texture. It was over a bed of this chickpea mash which reminded me of hummus but without the lemon or tahini. Very tasty too! - calamarata: this was my first time having this dish and I enjoyed it. Calamarata is a shape of pasta which resembles squid rings. In this case it was cooked perfectly al dente and was paired with this tomato based sauce that had tangy olives and squid. I really loved this dish and thought the complex flavor profile was very good. It was very filling despite looking misleading small. The olives were very salty but they were small so they added a nice punch to the dish. Definitely worth giving it a try. - orochiette: my boyfriend got this and he loved it! The pasta shape was orichiette which are small half seashells and it came with cuttlefish. This was a lot milder than the calamarata dish since it had olive oil, a little garlic, the fish and some greens. His was also cooked very well and al dente. - tiramisu: for dessert we got their tiramisu which came in a little cute cup. The sweetness level was perfect without being overwhelming, and the flavor of espresso was perfectly balanced by this creamy mascarpone cream that may have had some egg yolks to make it richer. It had some cacao sprinkled on top which was also so good and really tied everything together. If you want dessert here, definitely try the tiramisu! Overall, lunch here was very good! The place fills up fast so I recommend that you get here on the earlier side (at noon) or be willing to wait. The service was fantastic and the food is just what you hope out of a small and authentic Italian restaurant. Restaurant is on the pricier side but the quality of ingredients was excellent and the portions were generous. Would come back again! read more
4 months ago
7 months ago
Seems like a very very good spot in Varenna, overall good for us but now wow-ed. Maybe I ordered the wrong dishes? Braised Veal - tender and flavorful but a bit too much fat parts for me. Rigatoni - texture of the Rigatoni was good, but felt the flavor was slightly underwhelming. Tiramisu - so good! Expected much more. read more
1 year ago
Best restaurant in Varenna! Need a reservation! Food excellent! Service excellent and ambiance sitting outside is nice. read more
1 year ago
We were lucky to get a reservation at this wonderful small hidden gem in Varenna. Our food and wine were amazing. One of the best meals we had! Loved everything about it. read more
Simply amazing! Our last night in Varenna was magical here. I was a bit worried as most reviews state that you should have a reservation. A lot of restaurants in Varenna close early and have 1-2 seatings and most get booked up pretty fast with the amount of tourists in the area. Luckily, we went around 6:15 (they open at 6) and got one of the only available, non-reserved tables. Parties that came in after us were refused a seat. If you have the option, I do recommend booking a table to guarantee a spot here! The space is small with only six tables inside and a few outside. We started with a bottle of house white wine which was so light and refreshing. For food, we were debating between a number of dishes but decided to do the smoked trout tartare, duck ragout, and veal cheek. Let me say that all of the dishes were 10/10. They even split the duck ragout in separate bowls for us. The veal cheek was so tender and seasoned to perfection. This was a perfect end to our trip in Varenna. I have dreams about my meal here! We had a fun night getting to know our table neighbors as well and weren't rushed out of the restaurant at all. Also, our entire meal for two was under $90 which is pretty amazing considering the dishes we ordered. Please make this a go to spot on your list! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Delicious!! Excellent t service, ambiance and food. Highly recommend. Very veggie friendly. The staff are all really nice too. This is a great place for authentic Italian food ! read more
You know that dream you have of the perfect small restaurant with perfect atmosphere, service, and food? Well, this is that place. A very warm welcome from Giuseppe. Delicious food from Riccardo. Prosecco Bortolin Angelo, €20. Simultaneously crisp and fruity. Amuse bouche - a soft cheese topped with an olive. You will want more than just this single tasty bite. But, you won't get it. Trout tartare - lightly smoked trout on a bed of purple potatoes. OMG. Needed zero seasoning as the capers and lemon were just right. Lagrein. Raldt by Peter Zemmer, €24. I love this grape and style. Fettuccine with silky duck ragout. The amount of duck flavor was spot on and we only added some fresh ground black pepper. Pasta was al dente. Cheese plate with 6 rich cheeses. A taste range from mild to strong. Worked very well with the red wine. Panna cotta. Vanilla and orange. Boring. The only weak item. Coffee and grappa riserva. + service - excellent. + table linens + music. Italian songs that you know. + large, thick cloth napkins + Broggi flatware. Hefty and stylish. + Atmosphere is perfect. Warm. Cozy. It seats 14 happy diners. €98.50 for dinner for two. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
8 years ago
We made reservations at this very quaint restaurant on the Varenna side of Lago di Como, Italy. It was top notch, the wait staff was extremely friendly, professional and spoke English. The food was delicious as you can imagine (see the photos) If Lago di Como in Italy is ever on your radar, make sure you reserve a table in advance as they are very popular and fill up quickly. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
7 years ago
Absolutely outstanding. We were so glad to have made reservations here via our hotel concierge, as it was quite busy within 15 minutes of us sitting down. With our 6:30pm reservation, we were also lucky to have the opportunity to sit in one of just 3 outdoor tables in front of the restaurant. Our meal was terrific and our favorite in 3 dinners in the Milan/Lake Como region. We had the burrata/deconstructed caprese, the warm prawn salad (soooo good, and a great value with 6-7 perfectly cooked large prawns for I think just 14 euro - a daily special off-menu), and shared the fettucine with duck ragout. Every course was fantastic, really flavorful, very fresh. Would happily dine here again and recommend to any friends visiting the Como region. Service was friendly, spoke sufficient English, and the food came relatively quickly - we were done and back to the train station to catch a 7:45pm train that evening (no dessert, no lingering over after dinner drinks). No table cover. read more
We made it to Varenna as our last couple days of stay in Italy. It sure was a long drive here! It was during closing hours when we walked in this restaurant. They were more then happy to serve us. The ravioli was great and the salmon was cooked just right not dry! Perfect! The decor had a gentle romantic setting and restaurant seats about 12. read more
Our first night in the town of Varenna on Lake Como was at ll Cavatappi and it was a highlight of our two days there. The restaurant is located in a long alley with a couple of outside tables. Inside or outside are both good options. Our meal from start to finish was excellent. The chef sent out an amuse which was tasty, nice start. Our two starters were burrata and diced fresh tomatoes and a "summer salad" which was a combination of grains, seeds, tomatoes and herbs in a tasty tomato sauce. Both starters were delicious and beautifully presented. The mains were just as good, a large beef fillet with a peppercorn sauce and roasted lamb on top of a mix of corn and pasta. Both were prepared perfectly and were large portions. For dessert we shared a locally made spice cake with blueberries and custard sauce. This was a major yum and nice end to dinner. Also had a bottle of red wine that was a great match with our food. Great service from the staff made for a relaxing dinner. ll Cavatappi is an excellent choice if having dinner in Varenna. Be sure to set a reservation in advance. read more
7 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
We travel a lot and always search for the best places to eat . We drove from Milan to spend a day at varenna . It was definitely worth it ! This restaurants is quite authentic, few tables ,yet very friendly staff . Food is so so good .. worth every penny !! And location is simply a hidden gem ! Average price list . Make sure u book ur table ahead of time . read more
7 years ago
8 years ago
This restaurant was one of the highlights from our recent visit to Lake Como. We enjoyed it so much that we went twice in five days. The staff was very attentive and efficient. We initially got a bottle of wine that we didn't like and they graciously exchanged it for another. My wife said the eggplant was the best she'd ever had. I loved the swordfish pasta ragout enough to order it twice. Among other things we had exquisite cheese platter and extraordinary tiramisu. The food was phenomenal. We sat outside and were blessed to have beautiful weather and a lovely view. You will not be disappointed. read more
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