Cafe Misto

Inside Cafe Misto

Cafe Misto sits quietly on Bailgate, offering a cozy spot for those seeking hearty, home-style Italian-inspired dishes in Lincoln. This is less about quick coffee grabs and more about settling in for a relaxed, casual meal where fresh pasta dishes take center stage. You’re likely to find locals and visitors alike drawn here by the warm atmosphere and the approachable, affordable menu.

The cafe’s interior has an unpretentious charm — low-key seating and a friendly buzz make it feel like a place where conversations flow easily, whether you're with friends, family, or enjoying some solo time. The pace here is deliberately unhurried; diners often note the genuine care in both the cooking and service, with the chef, Fabio or Robert, often stepping out to share a laugh or a chat with guests. This adds a layer of neighborly hospitality not always found in similar spots.

Food-wise, the focus rests on pasta dishes with thoughtful ingredients. Highlights range from pork and beef ravioli to vegetarian options and rich, four-cheese gnocchi. Portions arrive fresh and made from scratch, which explains the occasional wait but also the evident satisfaction on people’s plates. This isn’t a place for rushed lunches but rather an afternoon or evening when you’re ready to enjoy your meal alongside a well-poured glass of red wine. The wine selection complements the menu without overwhelming the overall experience, enhancing the relaxed vibe.

Visitors with a dog in tow, small groups, and families are all common sights here, reflecting the cafe's inclusive, laid-back nature. It’s a locale that adapts well to different kinds of visits — whether it’s a casual weekday dinner or a longer weekend meal when there’s time to linger over food and conversation.

If you're exploring Lincoln’s Bailgate area, stopping by Cafe Misto in the early evening can provide a quieter slice of local life, especially when the day winds down and the busy street outside softens. Unlike more tourist-heavy spots nearby, it offers an intimate experience: a space where quality pasta and easy company come together in a way that feels genuinely local and unforced.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Great coffee

Great dessert

Great tea selection

Popular for

Breakfast

Lunch

Solo dining

What they serve

Coffee

Quick bite

Small plates

Best for

Breakfast

Brunch

Lunch

Catering

Dessert

Seating

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

What Locals & Travelers Say

62 Reviews

Alex Andrews

02 Jan 2026

My wife and I were in for a treat when we got there. It had been recommended by a lady we got talking to near this gem of a place. Food was exceptional. Red wine really good. Price unbelievably low. Robert the chef was very friendly and humorous. Altogether a great find. We will definitely return when we are next in Lincoln

Alex and Linda Andrews

01 Jan 2026

We were recommended to eat here by a local. What a lovely surprised we had! The food was a delight and beautiful bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to wash it down. Robert the chef was good company. It was relaxed and we will definitely return here on our next visit.

Wendy Smith

18 Dec 2025

The service is great & the food delicious! Robert worked extremely hard preparing & cooking everything from fresh, well worth the wait. We were a group of five with a dog, & there was also a family of four. Everyone was extremely happy with their food, & with Robert’s service. Well done!

James Le Grys

05 Dec 2025

What a fab find !! Food was lovely and inexpensive - wine was very good - and lovely to chat to everyone there. So good, I went every day for a chat and a glass on my stay! Thank you.

Karolina Wójcik

29 Nov 2025

The best of the best! The owner Fabio made us amazing gnocchi, it was amazing! He also entertained us with a great conversation, we were laughing our heads off! A hidden gem, the food was so good we came back the next day and had some more pasta the food was better than when we went to Italy! Highly recommend, we will be back

Jessica Lightfoot-Toye

26 Nov 2025

Came here with my partner for my lunch today and my God the mushroom ravioli was sensational! The owner is absolutely lovely and made us feel right at home. The prices are also very affordable and I can't wait to introduce my friends to this little gem!

brian hall

13 Oct 2025

This place tho small is very impressive the coffee is good and it serves my absolute favourite pint. We did not have food tho I seen some of it and the quality and quantity for price cant be grumbled at looked and smelt great. If im ever back at Lincoln I will be back to try the food.

Klaudia N.

20 Sep 2025

Hard to believe we’ve been to the same place as the people who wrote 5-star opinions and mentioned an Italian owner/chef… but here goes our experience: Happy to see “Italian street food” and an Italian flag on the menu, we went inside. We were served by a nice German/Austrian man. The pizza was just a take-away supermarket pizza with some added mozzarella; penne arrabbiata almost did not contain tomatoes and was quite greasy - same goes for penne pollo. The pasta was overcooked, sadly… we also heard a microwave ‘ding’ while our food was being prepared. Quite far from an authentic Italian experience. From the upsides, the portions were quite big and our little one was served first.

Inside Cafe Misto

Highlights & Local Essentials

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

What Locals & Travelers Say

62 Reviews

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