Under normal circumstances, I’d never want to eat in a barn. But the century-old barn that houses Cavatore Italian Restaurant makes for a lovely space. The best part is that it’s an actual barn the Cavatore family found in Bastrop and refurbished for the restaurant. That authenticity is found in the hayloft and the separate rooms that used to be stalls. If it was just a space created to look like a barn, I don’t think it would be as interesting.

While in a barn, Cavatore still manages to be considered high-end Italian with a relaxed ambiance, especially with live music every night from 6:30–9:30 p.m. The food is just a good as the atmosphere. I’ve had Cavatore many times over the years, and it’s usually my choice for special occasions.