My Favourite Restaurants In Positano, Ravello, Nerano And Capri
One thing I have realised over the years is that the way I travel for work and the way I travel on holiday could not be more different.
For most of the year, my trips are planned around schedules, events, meetings, fittings and deadlines. There is usually somewhere I need to be, someone I need to meet and a long list of things that need to happen before the day is over.
That is probably why, when Filippo and I go on holiday, we are usually craving the complete opposite. Some of my favourite days on the Amalfi Coast have been the simplest ones. A slow breakfast, a few hours by the pool or the beach, a good book, a long lunch that turns into an aperitivo and then getting ready for dinner. Not every day looks like that, of course, but after months of travelling for work, that slower pace is often exactly what I need.
At the same time, I know that many people travel very differently. One of the reasons the Amalfi Coast is so popular is because it is incredibly easy to explore. You can spend each day in a different town, discover new beaches, book a different restaurant every evening and experience so many beautiful corners of the coastline in a single trip.
Over the years, I have been lucky enough to visit the Amalfi Coast several times and slowly collect favourite places across Positano, Ravello, Nerano and Capri. So if you are planning a trip there anytime soon, here are some of the restaurants I always find myself recommending.
1. Maestro's, Villa Treville
Address: Via Arienzo 30, Positano What To Order: Fresh seafood, seasonal pasta, local specialities Dress Code: Chic resort wear Vibe: Private villa, relaxed luxury, long lunches
One of the things I love most about Villa Treville is that it never really feels like a hotel. It feels more like being invited into somebody’s extraordinarily beautiful private home.
Perched above the sea on the quieter side of Positano, it has a completely different energy compared to some of the busier spots on the coast. Everything feels slightly slower, more relaxed and wonderfully unhurried. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, I would highly recommend booking lunch here. It is exactly the sort of place where a quick lunch unexpectedly turns into an afternoon spent overlooking the water with no desire to be anywhere else.
2. Zass, Il San Pietro Di Positano
Address: Via Laurito 2, Positano What To Order: Tasting menu, fresh local seafood Dress Code: Elegant Vibe: Refined, panoramic, special occasion dining
Il San Pietro has long been one of my favourite hotels on the Amalfi Coast and Zass is one of the reasons why. The restaurant sits high above the sea with spectacular views and offers a more refined fine dining experience than many other restaurants on the coast. If you are celebrating something special, this is exactly the sort of place I would book.
One thing worth mentioning is that you do not need to be staying at the hotel to dine here. The hotel also has Carlino, a more relaxed beachside restaurant which is perfect for lunch, but for dinner, Zass is definitely the standout experience.
IMAGE CREDITS: @ilsanpietrodipositano
3. Lo Scoglio, Nerano
Address: Piazza delle Sirene 15, Marina del Cantone What To Order: Spaghetti alla Nerano Dress Code: Relaxed summer chic Vibe: Seaside institution, family-run, iconic
If there is one dish that has become almost synonymous with the Amalfi Coast, it is Spaghetti alla Nerano. And if there is one place most people associate with that dish, it is Lo Scoglio. Located directly by the water in Nerano, this family-run restaurant has been attracting visitors for decades and has become even more famous internationally after Stanley Tucci featured the restaurant and its pasta in Searching For Italy.
The recipe itself is surprisingly simple, but somehow manages to be unforgettable. If you only order one thing here, make it the Spaghetti alla Nerano. It is one of those dishes that people talk about long after the holiday ends.
4. La Sponda, Positano
Address: Via Cristoforo Colombo 30, Positano What To Order: Sea urchin linguine, seasonal seafood dishes Dress Code: Elegant summer evening Vibe: Romantic, candlelit, quintessential Positano
If somebody asked me to picture the perfect Amalfi Coast dinner, La Sponda would probably be one of the first places that comes to mind. Located inside Le Sirenuse, it has one of the most recognisable views in Positano, overlooking the colourful houses cascading down towards the sea.
What makes it truly special in the evening is the atmosphere. Hundreds of candles are lit throughout the restaurant, creating the kind of setting that somehow feels even more beautiful in real life than it does in photographs. It is romantic without trying too hard and elegant without ever feeling stuffy. The sea urchin linguine is one of the dishes the restaurant is particularly known for and something I would absolutely recommend ordering if it is available during your visit. But honestly, this is one of those places where the overall experience is just as memorable as the food itself.
5. Da Paolino, Capri
Address: Via Palazzo a Mare 11, Capri What To Order: Ravioli Caprese, fresh seafood, lemon desserts Dress Code: Capri evening chic Vibe: Iconic, lively, unforgettable Capri atmosphere
I have a full Capri restaurant guide on the blog, but if you only have one day on the island and time for one memorable dinner, this is probably the restaurant I would recommend booking.
Da Paolino is famous for one thing above all else: dining beneath its incredible lemon grove. Hundreds of lemon trees create a canopy above the tables, and as the sun goes down and the lights begin to twinkle between the branches, the whole place feels a little bit magical.
The food is classic Capri and Southern Italian cuisine, but I would strongly recommend saving room for dessert. In fact, one of the things Da Paolino is almost as famous for as its lemon trees is its dessert room. At the end of dinner, guests are invited into a room filled with traditional Capri and Neapolitan pastries, torta caprese, baba, fresh fruit and countless other sweet treats. It is impossible not to leave with a plate that is far too full, and honestly, that is part of the experience.
If you are looking for a quiet, hidden gem, this is probably not it. But if you want one of the most iconic Capri dining experiences, this is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
6. Palazzo Avino, Ravello
Address: Via San Giovanni del Toro 28, Ravello What To Order: Lobster, martinis, seafood dishes Dress Code: Elegant Vibe: Romantic, sophisticated, Ravello glamour
Ravello always feels slightly different from the rest of the Amalfi Coast.
While Positano tends to be lively and energetic, Ravello feels calmer, more refined and wonderfully romantic. Palazzo Avino captures that atmosphere perfectly. Often referred to as the Pink Palace, the hotel sits high above the coastline and offers some of the most beautiful views anywhere on the Amalfi Coast. While the hotel is exceptional, one of my favourite places to spend an evening here is the Lobster & Martini Bar.
As the name suggests, lobster is the star of the menu, accompanied by an impressive martini selection that has become something of a signature for the property. Whether you are stopping for pre-dinner drinks or staying for a longer evening overlooking the Mediterranean, it is one of those places that makes you want to linger a little longer than planned.
7. Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Ravello
Address: Piazza San Giovanni del Toro 2, Ravello What To Order: Fresh fish, local pasta, pizza for lunch Dress Code: Elegant resort wear Vibe: Slow luxury, long lunches, timeless Amalfi Coast
If I had to choose one place on this list that perfectly reflects the way I like to spend my holidays, it would probably be Caruso.
Perched high above the coastline, the hotel has some of the most spectacular views in Ravello, yet somehow still manages to feel peaceful and relaxed. It is one of those places where time seems to slow down slightly. While the hotel offers a beautiful dinner experience at Belvedere, I actually love it just as much for lunch. Sitting outside with a simple pasta, fresh fish or a glass of wine while looking out across the coastline is exactly the sort of afternoon I dream about when I think of summer in Italy. After spending most of the year moving between airports, events and schedules, places like this remind me why I love travelling in the first place.
The Amalfi Coast is one of those destinations I never seem to get tired of.
Every visit looks slightly different. Some years I spend more time in Positano, other years I find myself escaping to Ravello or taking the boat over to Capri. But these are the restaurants I find myself recommending again and again. Whether you are planning a slower holiday filled with long lunches and lazy afternoons, or an itinerary that takes you through several towns in a single trip, I genuinely do not think you can go wrong with any of them.
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