The Amalfi Coast is a place of dramatic beauty, of pastel villages built into cliffs and hillsides overlooking sandy beaches and shining sea. Anyone who has taken our Amalfi Coast Untour will tell you about its natural beauty.
But one thing that surprises some travelers to the region is the quality of the local cuisine! In southern Italy, fresh vegetables are abundant and the basis of lots of local dishes. Add the crisp wines of Campania, the abundance of seafood and citrus, and the flair of Neapolitan cuisine, and you get the picture.
Come for the beauty, stay for the food. Fine dining is an art in Amalfi. Here are our top restaurants, recommended by Rosa, our local UnTours host.
Lido Azzurro
Find this restaurant on the seaside promenade at the western end of the Marina. Enjoy its lovely ambience whether dining indoor or outdoor on the romantic terrace. It is upscale casual, specializing in the traditional fresh fish dishes. Everything is made with an expert touch. Its reputation grows every year. (Closed Monday.)
Reservations: 089 871384
EOLO
Dine in this happy spot, located on the Amalfi Drive just beyond the eastern end of the seaside promenade. Look for an arched doorway with Eolo lettering in a semi-circle above it. They offer traditional recipes revisited in modern interpretations. Great care, experience and love go into every dish. The menu includes a varied and well-researched wine list. (Closed Tuesday.)
Reservations: 089 871241
La Caravella
This elegant and sophisticated Amalfi institution is famous for its renditions of old recipes. With 2 Michelin stars and a world-class wine selection, it is a sure bet. The entrance is on the Amalfi Drive just west (toward Positano) of the village gates. Always a memorable experience. (Closed Tuesdays.)
Reservations: 089 871929
Torre Saracena of Hotel Luna Convento
A more romantic and unusual spot for dinner would be hard to find. This open-air restaurant is inside the 1,000 year old tower at the eastern end of the village. A restaurant-in-the-round with a unique panoramic view and a feeling of being suspended in the air above the sea, Torre Saracena is known for well-prepared, authentic dishes served with a touch of elegance.
Reservations: 089 871 002
Trattoria da Gemma
The food is excellent, and the terrace is even better. Enjoy the fantastic view, overlooking the main square and cathedral. Find this restaurant at Via Fra’ Gerardo Sasso, 11.
Reservations: 089 871345
And nearby, Atrani is a charming town, another outpost of the Amalfi Coast Untour. A pedestrian tunnel and a bus line connect it to Amalfi (10 minutes away). Atrani has its own desirable beach, quaint town square, and culinary scene. There are number of casual dining spots, but we have our favorite real restaurant in town as well.
‘A Paranza
This restaurant is located in the center of Atrani. Find it by starting in the main square and walking about 50 meters up the main street, away from the sea. The main dining room is quite nice, with a vaulted ceiling and carefully chosen decorative objects. Fish is the main event here and they really know how to prepare and serve it – with skill, confidence and surprising panache. It is well worth a visit. (Closed on Tuesdays, except in high season.)
Reservations: 089 871840
Join us for a week or more on the Amalfi Coast Untour and eat your way through Amalfi and all the other surrounding towns of this magical stretch of coastline!