Restaurants in Positano and on the Amalfi Coast

This part of Italy is all about the best from the sea and the land, highlighting fresh fish from the Gulf of Salerno, farm-fresh vegetables such as zucchini, and cheeses such as mozzarella from the Lattari Mountains. These traditional ingredients form the foundation of Amalfi Coast cuisine, which is then interpreted in a variety of ways in the coastal restaurants, all with a captivating sea view. Here’s our list of some of the most traditional ingredients found in this part of Italy.

Cetara anchovies: This is Italy’s blue fish par excellence, a simple fish that’s highly nutritious. Fished in abundance between Salerno, Vietri sul Mare, and Cetara, it is preserved in salt and then pressed to obtain the famous colatura di alici, a condiment that’s been in use since ancient Roman times.

Fresh seafood and prawns: Seafood dishes and fish dishes are a feature of this coastal area. All along the coast and in particular in the area near Punta Campanella you can find creel-caught shrimp, which are very small and eaten simply with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Clams, mussels, taratufi (sea lemons), and lupins come together with traditional pasta such as paccheri or scialatielli to make appealing first-course pasta dishes.

Catch of the day: Every restaurant on the coast will let you choose from its catch of the day for your main dish, which is fresh fish based on what is available. Typical fish of this area include amberjack, blackspot and saddled seabream, and John Dory. All of these types of fish can be enjoyed grilled, baked, or cooked in a salt crust.

If you prefer, you can also order a tasty dish of mixed fried seafood (frittura di pesce) with prawns and calamari.

Desserts: The most traditional dessert on the Amalfi Coast is, without a doubt, delizia al limone (lemon delight), which features the area’s famous Amalfi lemons. You’ll also find other delicious choices on local menus, such as the Italian classic tiramisù, or another local favorite, Caprese cake.

Wines: Every wine list on the Amalfi Coast includes labels that characterize this area's wine production, such as Marisa Cuomo's Furore and the Tramonti wines of Tenuta San Francesco. Expanding out into the wider Campania region of this part of southern Italy, you’ll find Fiano, Falanghina, and Greco di Tufo among the white wine choices; and Aglianico and Lacryma Christi among the reds. With so many delicious local food choices, wine pairing is a delight. Here’s a link to learn more about the wine cellars of the Amalfi Coast.