Not only is the Amalfi coast packed with restaurants serving up the tastiest plates, but the views in this part of Italy are just breathtaking. Wondering where to go to get the best of both? Look no further!
Many of the restaurants on the Amalfi coast have amazing views thanks to the fact that the towns are built on hills or into cliffs. These restaurants offer fresh local produce, particularly dishes centered around seafood, prepared in traditional local style.
Though you won’t be short of choices for stunning views to accompany your mains while on the Amalfi coast, you should also know what to order and when to know whether you’re just falling into a tourist trap or dining at an authentic restaurant up to the locals’ standard of food. Read on to find out how to make the most of eating out on the Amalfi.
Where is good to eat with a view?
The nature of the towns built along the Amalfi coast means that many of the buildings have a view. Built into the side of cliffs or hills, the villages tend to be steep – not for those who aren’t prepared to climb some hills! Build at these angles, many buildings in the towns have a sea view, and that goes for restaurants too. Eating somewhere with a view makes it not just a culinary experience, but a visual one too, and can add so much to the ambiance of the meal.
With an abundance of restaurants along the popular Amalfi Coast, we’ll look at where is best to eat that also has stunning views. For those looking for Instagrammable moments, these restaurants should not fail you! Be sure to make a reservation in advance, especially in the peak seasons.
- La Tagliata in Positano has the most incredible fresh seafood, all the views, and a relaxed atmosphere for a typically Italian meal. With local specialties using genuine products, you’ll have a hard time deciding what to try. There are three terraces, all with sea views, so there’s space for everyone to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
- Da Kasai in Praiano is known for its original dishes. This culinary experience with breathtaking views takes place within a warm and welcoming environment.
- Trattoria da Armandino in Praiano has a unique location. Set in a fjord and at sea level, overlooking the Marina di Praia, the fresh fish dishes here will leave you salivating for more. Served in a family-style, this restaurant offers great value for money. view over
- Il Pirato is a favorite for couples. This romantic spot on the water is a beach resort by day and transforms at night into an elegant yet informal bistro. High-quality dishes are matched by high prices, but the experience is absolutely worth it. Dining under the stars on a summer’s night next to the ocean is hard to beat as restaurant experiences go.
- La Bontà del Capo is frequently by patrons for its high-quality food and amazing views of the sea overlooking Li Galli Island. Serving up traditional Italian dishes, this restaurant is also a must for those with a sweet tooth, as their cakes and pastries are to die for!
- Armatore-La dispensa is in Cetara, a little fishing village known for anchovies. While this is the star item on the menu, there are plenty of high-quality fish dishes that you can enjoy at outside seating facing the beach.
- Maestro’s at Villa Treville is an exclusive location with exquisite views over Positano and the most scrumptious food. With access to the villa only granted to outsiders through a booking, this is one to secure in advance.
- Il Tridente is where to head for views of Positano, and Praiano enjoyed outside on a terrace.
- Il San Pietro di Positano is a hotel serving up the views and is a wonderful spot to watch the sunset with an aperitivo.
- Hotel Belair Sorrento, while not technically in Amalfi, has a rooftop bar and restaurant that offer exquisite views over Vesuvius and Sorrento, meaning you get the sparkle of the ocean as well as the mountainous volcano in your backdrop.
- Il Ritrovo in Montepertuso is a hidden gem tucked into the hillside overlooking Positano and the coastline. In addition to the deliciousness you’ll devour in the restaurant, cooking lessons are also offered for those who want to attempt to replicate what they consume on-site!
- Da Adolfo in Positano is accessible only by boat from the nearby Positano beach. This low-key, informal sea-front establishment serves up the freshest seafood for lunch. Best to take a towel to relax in the sun in your post-lunch food coma.
- Maria Grazia is on the beachfront in Nerano. Go there for lunch and enjoy the beach right in front of it afterward. This is a well-priced gem that has stood the test of time. Offering an informal setup, they are the original creators of the zucchini pasta that is popular along this coastline. Alternatively, enjoy some fresh seafood and a jug of white wine with peaches.
While it’s easy to have a great view almost anywhere along the Amalfi coast, some of the best restaurants are tucked away in the town center or have outdoor seating but an obscured view. This does not mean that they should be missed out on! Yes, the view adds to your dining experience, but if you’re only concerned about a great plate of food, you should consider checking out these restaurants.
What food should I be eating on the Amalfi coast?
The Amalfi coast has more than just fresh seafood and an abundance of lemons. There are traditional dishes whose recipes have been passed down through local families for years. With fresh produce and great technique, even the simplest of dishes can be a taste sensation. You are guaranteed not to go hungry while on holiday here. These are a few of our favorites.
- Alici di Cetara – delicious anchovies that have been fished off the coastline for centuries. Usually cooked by either marinating or frying, the traditional methods of preparation have been passed down through generations.
- Mozzarella di Bufala has been protected by trademark since 1993 and, similar to champagne, can only be called that when produced in its original area – around Naples! This soft cheese is meant to be milky when you cut into it and can be served in a number of ways, from a starter on its own or with prosciutto or as a topping on pizza.
- Scialatielli is a type of pasta that originated in Amalfi and is fatter than spaghetti. Usually served with a variety of seafood and maybe some tomatoes, or else with lightly fried zucchini, this is a popular dish along the Amalfi coast and should definitely be tried.
- Pizza Napolitana is world-renowned but hails from the humble Naples, where pizza, as we know it today, comes from. All along the Amalfi coast, they make pizza Neopolitan style, so it must be tried!
- Pasta al Limone. Using fresh local lemons, this dish pays homage to the lemon heritage in the region. Using water that has had lemons soaking in it overnight, pasta is cooked to create a creamy lemon sauce, the flavor of which is just sublime.
- Spaghetti alla vongole – served up with local clams, this is one of Amalfi’s specialties available in just about every town in the region.
- Pesce alla acqua pazza – fish served in white wine, herbs, tomato, and olive oil with some fresh bread to mop up the juices.
- Delizia al limone is native to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento and is a tribute to the lemons in the region. This sponge cake topped with a lemon zest frosting is served slightly chilled and packs all the flavor.
- Insalata Caprese is a dish you may be familiar with, but it’s worth trying in its namesake. This salad from the island of Capri just off the Amalfi coast comprises simply of buffalo mozzarella, basil, and fresh tomatoes and makes for a fresh appetizer on a summer’s day.
The list goes on. There are so many other dishes native to this stretch of coastline that locals and tourists alike love. Variations of seafood, pasta, and lemon-infused dishes abound, and there’s not much you can do wrong when ordering off of a menu in this part of the world. Be open to new flavor combinations or ways of cooking with ingredients you’re familiar with, and make a point of trying dishes you can’t get at home.
Which are the best parts of Italy to eat in?
Italy is one of those countries that you can eat your way through from the moment you set foot upon her shores to the moment you jet off again. While you may have been lured by the scrumptious food and breathtaking views the restaurants in Amalfi have to offer, don’t forget about other parts of the country if fine food is what you’re after. Countless other cities in Italy have some amazing tastes to offer, but we’ll just focus on a few of our favorites.
- Florence for steak
- Naples for pizza
- Rome for spaghetti
- Milan for risotto
- Bologna for lasagne and Lambrusco (sparkling red wine)
- Parma for parma ham
- Cagliari for seafood
- Venice for tiramisu
- Florence for gelato
How do I know the restaurant isn’t just a tourist trap?
There are so many out there, especially in areas close to tourist destinations in larger cities, or that may have a great location along the Amalfi coast. But how do you know when you’re actually going to get great authentic Italian food and not just a microwave pizza trying to pass for the real deal? Here’s our list of things to be wary of when trying to pick the right restaurant.
- Red and white checkered tablecloths have somehow become associated with Italian cuisine, but this is a literal red flag that you’re in a tourist trap. Italian restaurants will still use tablecloths, but the authentic ones don’t use this style.
- A menu that says “Turistico “or has an English menu or has flags from different countries on it and multiple translations is not where locals go, and neither should you.
- There are photos of the dishes on the wall or on the menu. An alternative to a translation, these visuals explaining what the various menu items are are not necessary for locals. Rather use a translation app on your phone to understand a menu in Italian – it’s worth spending a little extra time before you order for the higher quality food you’ll get.
- Elaborate decorations that are kitsch, tacky, or ‘typically Italian. Think colosseum figurines, “mi amore” in lights on the wall, or celebrity photos up on the walls. Just stay away. This is not a charming local Italian affair.
- Location! This is a generalization, but if the restaurant is on a main road or near tourist attractions, it is likely to be capitalizing on its location to attract weary tourists and is not a reflection on the quality of their food. Locals are unlikely to want to eat in the middle of an area buzzing with tourists, so steer clear of these and wander down the side streets. Heading a little off the beaten track is likely to pay off in this instance.
- Advertisements of free wifi. Locals don’t need this. Their phones work fine without it. Simple as that. Local restaurants do not need to lure customers in with the offer of free wifi.
- Long menus. If you’re thinking to yourself, “it’s so great that they have so many options – they cater to everyone”, think again. A long menu of ten pages means that not everything can be made freshly. Usually, the smaller the menu, the better, so don’t be tempted by the amount of choice being offered.
- Costume wearing servers. There is no need to dress up in bow ties and red waistcoats or any type of traditional costume. This is not typical of Italian restaurants and a sure sign that you’re in a tourist trap that has the aim of luring you in with their ‘authentic’ look. Don’t do it!
While there are many pointers for tourist trap restaurants, and usually, the absence of these can be taken as a sign that you’re somewhere locals are willing to go, there are a few signs that mean you can be sure you’ve arrived at a local venue.
- There are Nonna’s eating there. As the matriarchs of the family who usually do the cooking and have the highest standards by which they judge food if they can be found eating in a restaurant, you can be sure that it is authentic Italian food.
- If you see long tables reserved for eight or more people, this is usually for a local family coming to enjoy a nice slow meal together and is a good sign.
- The football is on. An integral part of Italian culture, if the football is being screened, you’re probably at a local favorite.
- There is Italian being spoken at the other tables. If you’re hearing a multitude of languages around you and are thinking, “oh, this must be good, there are so many other tourists eating here”, you are mistaken. You should be hearing Italian around you, and be assured by knowing that locals are choosing to eat here rather than feeling familiar hearing English.
Conclusion
Food is central to Italian culture, and as such, there is an abundance of restaurants in any Italian city. Particularly with the views along the Amalfi coast and fresh seafood available, there are dreamy dining experiences just waiting to be had. Now just pick your restaurants and get those reservations made! (And maybe don’t eat for a month before you go, because trust me, you’ll more than make up for it while you’re visiting).