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Restaurant

Cafe Cavallino

181-183 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find Cafe Cavallino

181-183 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9347 5520
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About 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.
RestaurantItalianCoffeeRestaurantCafe

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

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.

Before you head over

Helpful dining tips for timing, sizing, and seating on Lygon Street

  • Request Entree Sizing for Smaller Appetites

    If you are ordering pasta or mains but prefer a lighter meal or are dining with kids, check for entree-sized portions rather than full mains.

  • Drop in for Late-Night Dining

    Even as late as 23:00, you can walk in for a full sit-down Italian meal without dealing with the usual sidewalk spruikers along Lygon Street.

  • Sit Near Heaters for Alfresco Dining

    When dining outdoors on chilly Melbourne evenings, request a table beside the gas outdoor heaters to stay warm while having your meal.

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