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Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Dinner
CUISINES
Italian, Mediterranean
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating, Seating, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Reviews (952)
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652 results
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Traveller rating
536
85
20
5
6
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All reviews pasta smoked trout lamb orecchiette antipasti bread tiramisu small restaurant dining experience lovely little restaurant wine list delicious meal reservation riccardo spinach alley
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Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Great friendly service and fantastic food! Brilliant combinations of cheese and meats for starters, and wonderfully cooked steak and a tasty local wine. This is a small place with 6 tables inside & I understand a few outside in the warmer months. We were luckily...to drop in out of season and get a table.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 30 October 2023

Il Cavatappi (the “Corkscrew”) is on a quiet side street just below Via Venini. My wife and I have had the pleasure of dining here twice, on our recent stay in Varenna and five years ago. This restaurant does not disappoint. Excellent northern Italian cooking...served in a small intimate setting (there are only about seven tables inside, with a few outdoor tables). Indoor seating is by reservation, only. If you have the opportunity, you must try Il Cavatappi. You will not be disappointed.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 1 October 2023 via mobile

I had high expectations. The service was so and so… had to wait 20 minutes to get something to drink. The food was Okei , the Tiramisu excellent.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 4 September 2023 via mobile

This is one great restaurant, it is actually more than that. The attention to detail of the meal, the food, the service. We are outside both times we are there! So fortunate to experience this wonderful establishment.

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 19 August 2023 via mobile

My partner and I visited this lovely restaurant and were amazed at not only the quality of food, but also the service. We had the sirloin . This is easily one of, if not the best steak we’ve ever eaten. I cannot recommend this place...enough! Such a warm and welcoming environment!More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 16 August 2023

This restaurant is nicely tucked away from the busy crowds, providing a relaxing and intimate dining experience. The restaurant only has a few tables, both inside, and outside on the cobbled street - so if you want a table, get there for opening! The food...was tasty, and had that authentic local feel that many crave on holiday, the opposite of a tourist trap! Service was good and efficient, would recommend if ever in Varenna.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 3 August 2023

Extremely rude member of staff. Was rudely ignored at the front of the restaurant, and when I went in to ask if there was a table one of the waiters was incredibly rude in saying no - I then asked if we could wait and...was told no. The other waiter told us inside was reservations only and outside was first in best dressed. Was told one couple was waiting and they were closing shortly so we couldn’t wait. Walked past 15 mins later and they had seated 3 new couples. If your restaurant is busy and you’re sick of tourists asking for a table, how about you put up a sign?? Or greet them at the door and advise then. So so rude and so unimpressed, not a great start to our time in Varenna. Have had nothing but the best service in Italy before this.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 25 July 2023 via mobile

We had heard it was great, so we made reservations in advance for two different nights during our stay. It was a wonderful experience. We felt so welcome and really enjoyed the food. Fettuccine with duck ragout and the beef with balsamic spinach were highlights....Great wine list as well.More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 14 July 2023 via mobile

The food at Il Cavatappi is to die for! With just a handful of 2-top tables inside, and a couple more outside, the atmosphere is quiet and intimate, with local, but elegant dishes. We came our first night in Varenna and returned for our final...night as it was the best meal we had in town. The fish dishes in particular were unique and excellently prepared. One thing to keep in mind if you’re traveling with more than two people: if you don’t have a reservation and you show up asking for a table for 4 or 5 people, they won’t have room for you. Couples, arrive at either 6:30 (opening) or 8 (second seating). We were able to be seated without a reservation but watched numerous people after us be turned away due lack of availability.More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 26 June 2023

Delightful dinner. The ambiance is casual and intimate. Had an appetizer of thinly sliced ham and dinner of local fish. Server talked us into a less expensive Sicilian wine because it went with our dishes. Everything was just right. This is a must do for...a nice dinner in Varenna.More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 22 June 2023

Il Cavatappi is special. There's no other way to describe it. With only six small tables inside, the sense of being treated to an intimate and special meal takes place as soon as you step inside. We read all the reviews ahead of time, and...we believe the restaurant delivered above our expectations, very thankful that we booked our spot months in advance. Giuseppe and Riccardo run an exquisite dining venue that is perfectly matched by a most beautiful menu. Smoked trout tartare and the whitefish carpaccio was well complemented by our mains of lamb shank and beef sirloin. The desserts at the end, were too delicious. If I am ever lucky enough to return to Varenna, I would definitely book this restaurant again, and likely for a few dinners during my visit. GRAZE MILLE for a wonderful evening.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 21 June 2023

We made reservations well in advance, and are glad we did. We saw the manager, waiter, sommelier nicely turn away many people. This is a small operation with great food and service.

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 9 June 2023 via mobile

Without a reservation, you’ll need to arrive just as a table outside becomes available, otherwise you’ll be turned away. We were really lucky to get a table and were so happy we did. Incredible food and wonderful staff. We had the smoked trout, ravioli, lamb...and house white and couldn’t complain about a thing.More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 8 June 2023

Lovely little restaurant in the heart of the town. We booked a few weeks in advance and we’re lucky they had availability. By far our favourite place we ate in Varenna. My partner enjoyed the fresh lake fish and the duck pasta was amazing. The...house red was lovely. Great atmosphere even though it’s only small. We’d visit again if we were ever in town again.More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 25 May 2023

This is a tiny restaurant with 4 bookable tables inside and 3-4 tables in the street outside which are first come first served. It is extremely popular so would advise booking or turning up at 6pm when they open. They are only open for dinner....The food was excellent, probably the best meal of our 4 night stay in Varenna. I had the duck fettucine (excellent) followed by fish and vegetables. Be aware that the orechiette with fish is VERY fishy, as in Sicily, and may not be to everyone’s taste. The lamb shank is also excellent. Service was prompt and friendly.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Carolina B
17 February 2024|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from Carolina B |
I’m looking for a reservation in two months. I just can’t find where to make it :/
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tap58
22 September 2019|
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Response from Dawa62 | Property representative |
Yes no problem
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IL CAVATAPPI, Varenna - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Il Cavatappi

Il Cavatappi is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4.5