The final stretch of a long career can take many forms. For Geno Auriemma, it looks like calamari in marinara, crusty bread dipped in oil, and a dimmable lamp at the center of the table. The UConn legend who has ruled women’s college basketball courts for four decades now reigns in another kind of arena: Café Aura, an upscale Italian steakhouse tucked into the hill where Main Street meets Center Street in Manchester, Connecticut.

It’s a place where past rivalries echo through TV screens above the bar, where wine flows as freely as stories, and where, in his words, “you want it to be dark, let it be dark. You want it to be really light, let it be light.”

Does Geno Auriemma have a restaurant? Where is it located?

Yes—Geno Auriemma and his wife, Kathy, own Café Aura, a cozy yet upscale restaurant perched at one of Manchester’s most iconic intersections. The couple took over the place in 2019, preserving the legacy of what was once Cavey’s, a beloved local institution they had frequented for decades.

Having lived in Manchester for nearly 40 years, this wasn’t just a business venture—it was a continuation of their deep ties to the community.

Though Auriemma’s days are packed with practices, recruiting, and game-day duties as UConn’s head coach, he’s still involved with Café Aura—what he describes as a “passive passion project.” He may not oversee every dinner service, but his fingerprints are everywhere.

After each home game, Geno and Kathy head straight to the restaurant. It’s not a victory lap, exactly—more like a cool-down after the final buzzer.

What does Geno Auriemma’s ‘Café Aura’ look like?

Warm and elegant, Café Aura carries the same meticulous touch you’d expect from a coach with 11 national championships to his name. Geno is often spotted in the open area near the bar, nibbling on olives and provolone, sharing laughs and handshakes with regulars and friends.

But when he needs a breather, he slips into a quiet booth in the back. There, away from the spotlight, he unwinds with a glass of Taurasi wine and small bites, savoring the silence that only comes after the storm of game day. On one recent night, according to CT insider, he adjusted a small lamp at the table’s center and explained, like drawing up a final play:

“You want it to be dark; let it be dark. You want it to be really light; let it be light. Maybe a little bit dark? Create your own ambiance. It adds another dimension.”

That attention to mood-setting translates into everything at Café Aura—from its leather seating and thoughtfully lit corners to a menu crafted by Executive Chef Erminio Conte, a native of Italy who’s worked in kitchens across New York and Europe. Chef Nicola Maggioni would later join in late 2024.

Since opening, Café Aura has earned critical acclaim, including Best New Restaurant by Best of Hartford Magazine in 2020 and multiple top-three placements in 2023 for best Italian, romantic setting, and wine list. But more than accolades, it’s become a gathering place. Geno once hosted over 100 of his former players and their families there to celebrate a historic milestone. Whether it’s a Super Bowl party or a quiet Wednesday dinner, the restaurant pulses with a rhythm that feels familiar, familial.

How much money does Geno Auriemma make?

As of the 2024–25 season, Geno Auriemma earns an annual salary of $3.34 million. That includes a $400,000 base salary from UConn and $2.94 million in additional compensation for media appearances, consulting, and speaking engagements.

Altogether, Auriemma’s coaching compensation totals approximately $6.3 million. His estimated net worth? Around $18 million.

Roughly $11.5 million of that figure comes from off-court ventures—including, presumably, Café Aura. While the restaurant’s financials haven’t been publicly disclosed, its success and longevity suggest that it’s not just a labor of love—it’s also a sound investment.

And perhaps that’s the point. For someone who’s spent a lifetime building systems that thrive under pressure, Geno has now created a place where things move slower, feel warmer, and taste just right. A restaurant, yes—but also a legacy served nightly, one plate at a time.