LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA — Lafayette has a funny way of hiding very good food in plain sight.
Sideboard–one of the city’s top restaurants–is barely identifiable from the outside. And we’ve got quaint spots like Locanda Positano hiding in what look like residential buildings.
That is the story of Castagna Pasticceria, a quiet gelato and pastry shop tucked into Plaza Way in Lafayette, right near the Park Theater and Sideboard, and beside a barber shop.
It is not flashy. It does not seem to be shouting for attention online. In fact, unless you are the sort of person who studies every new sweet shop in Lafayette with investigative intensity, you may have missed it entirely.
That would be unfortunate, because Castagna has one very important local-food-world connection.
It comes from the original team behind La Chataigne.
The La Chataigne Connection
As we wrote before, locals always measure new pastry places against La Chataigne.
Whenever a new pastry shop opens around the 925, somebody inevitably says some version of: “Yes, but how does it compare to La Chataigne?”
That tiny Lafayette bakery built a serious following for croissants, financiers, kouign-amann-style treats, savory baked goods, and the general feeling that you had somehow found a small piece of France hiding in Fiesta Square.
Castagna is not simply a copy of La Chataigne, though. It takes that same small, serious, pastry-focused energy and points it in an Italian direction.
Where La Chataigne feels French, Castagna feels Italian. The name itself means “chestnut” in Italian, while La Chataigne means “chestnut” in French. That’s about the only clue that the two are linked!
Gelato, Espresso and Italian Pastries
The big thing to know is that Castagna serves gelato.
On our earlier visit, we spotted flavors including familiar options like strawberry and Belgian chocolate, along with more traditional Italian-style choices like walnut and pistachio.
There is also espresso, which is exactly what you want from a place like this. A handwritten coffee menu included affogato, cappuccino, espresso, latte, hot chocolate, and more.
We ended up coming back and trying the gelato. Dairy-free flavors like mango and strawberry were tasty and refreshing, and Italian classics like hazelnut were creamy and delicious too.
This tastes more like the homemade gelato an Italian friend might serve you in their kitchen than the highly-polished and professional stuff you’ll get at places like the upcoming Bacio di Latte in Walnut Creek. But for many locals, that low-key aspect is probably half the point.
The shop also serves Italian pastries, including small case items, and some small Italian candies and other specialties.
It Still Feels Like a Secret
Part of the charm here is that Castagna does not feel like a big rollout.
It feels like the kind of place you learn about from a neighbor, a friend, or a mysteriously well-informed Lafayette parent who always knows where the good pastries are before everyone else.
Stop in the next time you’re downtown, try a scoop, and perhaps have a little picnic in Plaza Park.
Love finding the little Lafayette food spots that hide in plain sight? Join our free 925 News newsletter and we’ll keep you posted on openings, closings and the treats locals are actually talking about.
