Restaurant
Cafe Cavallino
181-183 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Find Cafe Cavallino
181-183 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Cafe Cavallino
Cafe Cavallino delivers pure Carlton nostalgia, serving generous homestyle Italian classics framed by vintage Ferrari memorabilia along Lygon Street. The dining room buzzes with Italian radio, personable multi-generational hosts, and family gatherings lingering over carafes of Sangiovese. Regulars single out the crispy crust pizzas topped with aged prosciutto alongside rich slow-cooked specials like nonna-style spezzatino and saucy lasagne. Smaller appetites can opt for entrée-sized portions of hearty pasta, while the heated outdoor tables stay open for quiet, spruiker-free plates of marinara pasta well toward midnight.
- Ferrari Memorabilia: Formula 1 and prancing horse memorabilia line the dining room walls.
- Late-Night Alfresco Dining: Heated outdoor tables seat walk-ins as late as 23:00 without sidewalk spruikers.
- Flexible Portion Sizes: Main pasta dishes can be ordered in smaller entrée sizes to suit different appetites.
What's On at Cafe Cavallino
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at Cafe Cavallino
Discover why diners choose Cafe Cavallino for authentic Italian dining on Lygon Street.
Ferrari Heritage Atmosphere
The dining room features an authentic motorsport identity filled with prominent Ferrari and Formula 1 memorabilia.
Didn't know it was Ferrari themed -it was REALLY Ferrari themed. Great for F1 fans.
Camila Troncoso Homestyle Italian Recipes
Dishes deliver rich traditional flavours that echo homestyle cooking from authentic Italian households.
It tasted just like something you’d get in an authentic Italian home, rich and full of flavour.
I Family-Friendly Hospitality
Attentive hospitality accommodates families with infants and multi-generational groups with exceptional warmth.
Very family friendly but would also make a cute date spot.
Monique Rae Unhurried Group Gatherings
Guests can comfortably catch up over multiple courses without being rushed out by waitstaff.
The staff receives special mention as they made our evening fantastic and curated everything as per our group's convenience.
Rakshiit Paliwal Relaxed Late-Night Seating
Diners receive welcoming late-night table service up to 23:00 without street touts or sidewalk pressure.
On a street where the hosts accost you, I was pleasently suprised not to be here.
Kirsty Malpass Heated Alfresco Dining
Heated outdoor seating lets guests enjoy the vibrant Lygon Street ambiance in complete comfort in cooler weather.
We appreciated the warm heater outside too.
Paulina R
Most popular items
Signature traditional dishes celebrated by diners
Nonna's Lasagne
Nonna’s Lasagne in particular was out of this world! 🇮🇹 It tasted just like something you’d get in an authentic Italian home, rich and full of flavour.
I Cavallino Pizza
I tried the Cavallino pizza and it was amazingly tasty. Only fresh and high quality ingredients there and you can really feel it in the dishes.
Florian Morin Nona’s Caserole Spezzatino
We ordered the Nona’s Caserole Spezzatino with ossobuco and potatoes. It was so delicious! Definitely felt like a Nona cooked it with so much love.
Paulina R Angus Porterhouse Steak
I ordered the Angus porterhouse steak(H), cooked medium, served on a hot plate with salad. I also added an extra mushroom creamy sauce. The steak was perfectly cooked—slightly reddish inside, full of flavour, and nicely chewy.
Sher M
Other favorites
Starters, desserts, and drinks to complement your meal
Pistachio Tiramisu
the pistachio tiramisu was perfect
Neddie’s Wine Down Fried Calamari
fried calamari
James Zhan (Melbourne ranger) Espresso Martini
Espresso martini’s were a hit too
elise Italian Sangiovese
beautiful bottle of Italian Sangiovese
nik white
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful, above-and-beyond hospitality gestures that elevate dining at Cafe Cavallino
Caring Support for Dining Parents
Staff offered to hold the diners' babies so parents could eat comfortably during dinner.
Child-Friendly Beverage Advice & Photo Assistance
Staff recommended an authentic Italian drink tailored for a child and offered to capture a commemorative family photograph.
Personal Multigenerational Family Hospitality
Members of the operating family came out personally during service to chat with diners at their tables and make them feel part of the family.
Curated Ferrari Memorabilia Showcase
A dedicated setting featuring authentic motorsport memorabilia and Formula 1 decor that enhances the dining atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smaller or entrée portion sizes available for main dishes?
Yes, smaller eaters have the option to order entrée-sized portions instead of full main servings for dishes.
Is outdoor heated seating available?
Yes, outdoor seating is available along Lygon Street and is equipped with gas heaters for cooler evenings.
Can you dine late in the evening without street spruikers?
Yes, late-night dining is accommodated without street spruiking, with service running until 11:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, midnight on Friday, and 1:00 AM on Saturday. The venue is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Is the restaurant Ferrari-themed?
Yes, the restaurant interior features prominent Ferrari and Formula 1 memorabilia and decor.
Explore more places in Melbourne
Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.
Similar places
More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.
- Houdinis Cafe e CucinaDiggers Rest · Italian, Coffee, Restaurant, Cafe
- Just Italy - OakleighOakleigh · Coffee, Italian, Cafe, Restaurant
- MariosFitzroy · Italian, Coffee, Restaurant, Cafe
- The Groove Train CranbourneCranbourne · Coffee, Italian, Pizza, Restaurant, Bar, Cafe, Takeaway
- Beletti Restaurant Cafe Bar ~ Italian Restaurant DandenongDandenong · Italian, Coffee, Restaurant, Bar, Cafe, Takeaway
- Saporito CafeSouthbank · Australian, Brunch, Coffee, Italian, Vegan, Vegetarian, Cafe, Restaurant
More in Carlton
Keep exploring this neighbourhood.
- The LincolnCarlton · Gastropub, Australian, Pub, Bar, Restaurant
- Johnny, Vince and Sam’s RistoranteCarlton · Restaurant
- TiamoCarlton · Italian, Restaurant
- Eat NgonCarlton · Vietnamese, Restaurant
- BELLACarlton · Coffee, Dessert, Cafe, Restaurant
- The Heart of CarltonCarlton · Cafe
Discover more in Melbourne
Explore another side of the city's food and drink.
- Suganya's Thai RestaurantBright · Thai, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Thai Tide Restaurant | Melbourne CBDMelbourne · Thai, Restaurant
- Tramway HotelFitzroy North · Pub
- 2 fat ducks Vietnamese CuisinePakenham · Vietnamese, Restaurant
- Bayside Souvlaki Cafe - RYERye · Greek, Restaurant, Cafe
- Thy's SandwichesSaint Albans · Bakery, Restaurant
