The Amalfi Coast is a dreamworld personified. With gorgeous villages atop towering seaside cliffs, colorful homes, regional fauna, historic architecture, and a mix of cultural and modern aura, the region is, rightly so, one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Southern Italy. The best restaurants on the Amalfi Coast enhance its fairytale-like disposition, serving the finest in local cuisine amidst quaint locations, some of which offer breathtaking views of the Gulf of Salerno and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Ristorante L’Abside – Amalfi
Address: P.za dei Dogi, 31, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
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Ristorante L’Abside in Piazza dei Dogi presents the opportunity to witness the real-life hubbub of Amalfi while sampling the regional cuisine. The family-run establishment maintains a rustic Italian characteristic with vaulted ceilings and white stucco walls. The decor, comprising framed artwork and wine bottle shelves, gives the space a formal yet chic vibe.
Guests choosing outdoor seating can observe the occasional street performance, kids playing nearby, and passersby stopping for vegetable shopping. The vibe is jovial and casual, making this one of the best places to eat on the Amalfi Coast.
The menu at Ristorante L’Abside, prepared under the watchful eyes of chef Michele Amatruda, offers a variety of appetizers, salads, second courses, and desserts.
All fresh and packed with local flavors, popular dishes include lobster linguine, pasta cooked with bite-sized lobster pieces, and mussel soup, spicy tomato broth served with crusty bread.
Seafood lovers should opt for the “catch of the day” cooked in the oven or over a grill and finish their meal with the caramel panna cotta, grandma’s tiramisu, or cake of the day for dessert.
For a complete meal, the restaurant also offers authentic Campania wines, a range of spirits and bitters, and limoncello – a distinct Italian liqueur with a lemony taste.
Il Pirata Ristorante – Praiano
Address: Via Terramare, 84010 Praiano SA, Italy
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Located in Praiano on the edge of a cliff, Il Pirata is an iconic establishment that serves authentic Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with exquisite views of Marina di Praia.
Enthralling diners for over 60 years, the restaurant’s lounge, carved inside a mountain, remains one of its most admired features. For guests wanting a more leisurely culinary experience, the beach club grants access to the sea, space to sunbathe, and free showers.
Initially started by a citrus fruit trader and a seamstress, the restaurant focuses on mindful eating using seasonal ingredients. One can enjoy mixed fruits, a plum cake, or pancakes with berries for breakfast.
The light lunch menu includes salads like Panzanella from Amalfi (with bread, salted anchovies, tuna, and onion) and Big Italy (with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and radicchio).
Other must-haves include totani e patate -potatoes and squid and paccheri alla pirata – pasta customized with seafood, potatoes, mussels, and Parmigiano-Reggiano flakes.
While Il Pirata’s exclusive table options, the on-the-edge “dream table” or the “romantic room,” make it ideal for an intimate date, the specialty meals satiate the cravings of even the most discerning gourmand.
Casa e Bottega – Positano
Address: Viale Pasitea, 100, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
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When searching for unique restaurants on the Amalfi Coast, Casa e Bottega in Positano welcomes guests with its naturally calm character and surprisingly artistic disposition.
The healthy bistrot and design store opened in 2013 and is famous for serving seasonal gourmet salads, handmade cakes, 100% natural ice cream, as well as vegan and gluten-free meals.
Side-by-side, you can shop for fabrics, ceramics, glassware, and beach bags, each made locally in Positano’s.
Casa e Bottega is a pet-friendly establishment with a minimalistic vibe and white walls. However, owner Tanina gives the space a homely ambiance using splashes of color, fresh flowers, potted plants, vines, and art creations.
The breakfast menu has three categories: Sweet, Salted, and Fruit Smoothie. The traditional Italian breakfast spread includes croissants, a sticky bun, orange juice, espresso, and bread.
A few popular options on the lunch menu include casa bowls – with seared tuna or marinated salmon; jar salads – with mixed veggies, rice, and lettuce; and sartu di riso -meatballs and rice baked in tomato sauce.
As with several other restaurants on the Amalfi Coast, Casa e Bottega closes for winter but reopens in the summer every year.
Taverna Buonvicino – Amalfi
Address: Largo Santa Maria Maggiore, 1, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
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Up a few steps and through quaint alleys, Taverna Buonvicino is a mid-priced restaurant in Amalfi near the Duomo. A passion project of restauranteurs Nicola Scocca, Gaetano Buonocore, and Antonio Gambardella, the taverna highlights the traditionality of the fundamental concept but simultaneously believes in innovating age-old recipes.
Guests can choose cozy indoor seating or outdoor tables with views of the town square. Taverna Buonvicino serves Mediterranean cuisine with locally sourced seasonal ingredients only during lunch (12:30 – 14:30) and dinner (18:30 – 22:30) hours.
In contrast to the Renaissance look of the Piazzetta, the establishment has a modern yet homely look. Decked in white and chocolate brown shades, the dining hall features art frames and wooden wall furniture. Lights reflecting from the arched ceilings give the entire space a warm and welcoming vibe.
Taverna Buonvicino’s a la carte menu changes every season. One can often try breaded mozzarella with dry tomatoes and anchovies, grilled octopus, or three types of small fried pizzas as appetizers.
For mains, try the pasta alla Genovese, linguine alla buonvicino, entrecôte – boned steak with french fries, or porcini mushrooms served with pork.
Il Refettorio – Conca Dei Marini
Address: Via Roma, 2, 84010 Conca dei Marini SA, Italy
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A 15-minute drive from Amalfi town in the village of Conca Dei Marini, Santa Rosa is a 17th-century Dominican monastery. Here, you can make a reservation to dine at the in-house Ristorante il Refettorio, which offers uninterrupted views of the sea and nearby vineyards.
A Michelin-star restaurant, it sources ingredients from the hotel’s organic gardens and chef farm.
The establishment maintains a monastic heritage, with the dining hall boasting a rustic ceiling and stone-walled interiors. On pleasant evenings, go with their al fresco dining tables overlooking the region’s scenic beauty.
The menu at Il Refettorio consists of delicacies such as la cro-estatina – a vegetable tart served with sprouts and red pepper ice cream, le capesante – seared scallops with foie gras cream, and the more humble la mafalda – pasta with ricotta cheese, aubergine, and meatballs.
Delicate presentation and importance given to both the freshness of ingredients and traditional tastes result in a distinct amalgamation of culinary marvels, rightly earning the restaurant epicurean laurels.
Trattoria Da Cumpa’ Cosimo – Ravello
Address: Via Roma, 44, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy
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Trattoria da Cupma’ Cosimo’s central location in Ravello makes it easily accessible. That it usually stays open till late in the afternoon allows you to enjoy a late lunch here. However, as one of the best restaurants on the Amalfi Coast solely because of its homemade no-fuss food, it is not surprisingly quite popular among celebrities.
The family-run eatery basks in its vintage appeal. There are no diversions here, as the decor is simple and soothing. Moreover, the numerous photos on the walls of nonna with international celebs act as conversation starters and nothing more. The food follows suit, with age-old recipes oozing local flavors taking center stage.
The menu spans a few pages, covering everything that makes Italian cuisine exceptional. We suggest having a little chat with the host, who’ll help you decide between homemade pasta, fresh seafood, or something more local. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the tiramisu.
In addition to the food, excellent personal service by the host is undoubtedly another factor that helps make any meal here memorable. Not to forget, even after its fame, the prices at Trattoria Da Cumpa’ Cosimo remain very much reasonable.
Trattoria Da Emilia – Sorrento
Address: Via Marina Grande, 62, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy
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Trattoria Da Emilia has been a culinary fixture by the pier in Sorrento since 1947. Presently run by Emilia’s family, the eatery has been a favorite among locals and movie stars such as Sophie Loren over the past decades.
Today, Da Emilia embraces its authenticity, plating fresh seafood and recipes made with love and a traditional hand. The ambiance, though, remains abuzz, with a constant flow of people on the pier. Diners can sit inside or pick one of the outside tables for a breezy meal.
The menu offers a good range of starters, first courses, second courses, side dishes, and desserts. The gnocchi di mamma is delicious, as is the fresh handmade pasta with clams, squid, and shrimp—scialatielli ai frutti di mare.
As for the mains, seafood enthusiasts should try the mixed grilled fish or the fried sardines.
Trattoria Da Emilia is pretty pocket-friendly, considering its sea-facing location and the large quantities of food on the plates.
Marina Grande – Amalfi
Address: Viale della Regione, 4, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
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With exquisite views of the Amalfi waterfront, Marina Grande is a century-old establishment serving Mediterranean dishes with a dash of Italian innovation. Started as a seaside bar in 1918, it is now a restaurant, lounge bar, and private beach club tucked neatly along Spiaggia Grande.
Here, guests can find outdoor terrace seating near the beach, with sunset views and an open sea breeze. The indoor area has contemporary decor with cane chairs, free-flowing indoor to outdoor space, and window-sized framed “sea walls.” On the other hand, the beach club has a chic layout, with several relaxing chairs and umbrellas.
First-time visitors can choose the Marina Grande eight-course tasting menu, which includes an appetizer, two servings of pasta and antipasti each, a main course, a pre-dessert, and dessert. Other popular items are grilled fish filets, spaghetti with oysters, and grilled seabass with green beans.
La Tagliata – Positano
Address: Via Tagliata, 32B, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
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Nestled amongst the hillside above Positano, La Tagliata is a farm-to-table establishment and arguably among the best restaurants on the Amalfi Coast.
Spread over three levels, it has a vast terrace offering panoramic views of the Galli Isles, Capri, and colorful townhouses. One can even stroll through the organic vegetable garden and meet the farmhouse animals for some experiential gastronomy.
La Tagliata maintains a pastoral appearance with wood-beamed ceilings, yellow and orange furniture, old wine barrels, and stone walls. The dining hall has several big tables, where the owners regularly host cooking classes teaching classic Italian dishes like Bruschetta, Potato Gnocchi, and Tiramisu.
The restaurant has no fixed menu. Instead, diners get to savor seasonal dishes cooked by the owner’s wife. The first serving usually includes antipasto with veggies, cured meats and cheeses, and lemon liquor. The second round comprises trittico di pasta – three types of homemade pasta, cheese-stuffed ravioli, an assortment of grilled vegetables, and locally reared meats. The meal ends with fruit pies and chocolate and almond cakes.
Mimi’ Pizzeria & Cucina – Ravello
Address: Via S. Francesco, 12, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy
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The Ravello pizzeria and kitchen, which also happens to be a B&B, sits in a beautiful space on the way to Villa Camborne, in the center of the town.
Among Mimi’s charming aspects is its down-to-earth aura, the reason why it is one of the best rustic restaurants on the Amalfi Coast. The tables outside under vine-wrapped parabolas are dreamy. At the same time, the interiors display a sense of homeliness, creating a casual atmosphere.
As one would expect, being so close to Naples, pizzas here are Neapolitan and some of the best you will find in the region. Toppings typically come in classic or seasonal form, from the ever-popular margherita to rebellum with Parma ham. However, freshness is forever guaranteed.
The handmade pasta at Mimi’ Pizzeria and Cucina is equally remarkable and prepared daily. The variety of cheeses, wines, and limoncello on offer is also impressive. Best of all, Mimi is budget-friendly and always promises a hearty meal.
