Where Should You Eat in Amalfi?

Amalfi is home to exceptional Michelin-starred dining, including Glicine at Hotel Santa Caterina (1 Michelin Star), Sensi Restaurant (1 Michelin Star), La Caravella dal 1959 (historic Michelin heritage and Ducal palace wine cellar), and Alici at nearby Borgo Santandrea.

Yes, highly recommended. For Michelin-starred restaurants and scenic sunset terraces, reservations should be secured 4 to 8 weeks in advance during peak season (May to October). Even traditional trattorias fill quickly between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Must-try specialties include Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare (handmade thick pasta with fresh seafood), Spaghetti alla Nerano (zucchini and Provolone del Monaco), Totani e Patate (stewed squid and potatoes), Cuoppo fritto (crispy fried seafood), and Delizia al Limone.

Yes, for a special occasion. Positano offers dramatic candlelit cliff terraces and glamorous nightlife, while Ravello offers serene aristocratic garden dining. However, allow 45–60 minutes for road transit or arrange a private water taxi.

Absolutely. One of the greatest luxury experiences is chartering a private boat for the day and pulling up to secluded seaside restaurants in coves like Conca dei Marini, Praiano, or Nerano for fresh seafood lunches.

In Southern Italy, dinner is enjoyed late. Most fine-dining restaurants open at 7:30 PM, with the prime dining hour between 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM. Lunches typically run from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

Yes. Italian cuisine is naturally accommodating to fresh vegetables, cheeses, and tomatoes. Michelin restaurants offer dedicated vegetarian tasting menus, and gluten-free pasta (senza glutine) is widely available upon request.

For Michelin-starred and luxury hotel restaurants, 'Smart Coastal Elegant' is standard (collared shirts, trousers or tailored shorts, elegant dresses). Beachwear is not permitted in evening dining rooms.

Yes. Beyond the Michelin dining scene, Amalfi has excellent trattorias and pizzerias offering fresh, authentic cuisine at moderate prices. Look for small family-run places on the side streets away from the main piazza, such as those in the medieval quarter near Via dei Dogi. The quality of local pasta and seafood dishes remains exceptional even at the more casual price points.

For the freshest seafood, seek out restaurants with direct boat access or those sourcing directly from local fishermen at the morning market at the port. Top choices include Marina Grande (seafood directly above the beach), Il Tari (traditional Amalfitan seafood in a historic setting), and the cliffside terrace at Hotel Santa Caterina's Glicine restaurant for a Michelin-calibre seafood experience.

For the most breathtaking terrace dining in the area, the panoramic terrace at Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel sits 80 metres above sea level within a restored 13th-century monastery. In Positano, the legendary terrace at Le Sirenuse provides sunset views over the entire coast. In Ravello, Villa Maria and Palazzo della Marra offer aristocratic garden dining with sweeping Mediterranean panoramas.

Yes. While Amalfi specialises in seafood and pasta, authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza is widely available. Look for establishments using DOP-certified San Marzano tomatoes and fior di latte mozzarella. For the very finest pizza, consider a half-day detour to Naples (90 minutes by private transfer) to visit legendary pizzerias such as Sorbillo or Di Matteo in the historic centre.

No, tipping is not mandatory in Italy. Bills often include a cover charge (coperto), and some restaurants also add a service charge, so check the bill first. A small extra for excellent service is a welcome gesture rather than an expectation.

Yes. Family dining is part of Italian culture, and most trattorias happily adapt simple pastas for younger guests. Earlier dinner seatings tend to be quieter and easier with children, while long tasting menus at fine-dining restaurants are better saved for adults-only evenings.

A trattoria is usually a relaxed, family-run restaurant serving traditional local dishes, and an osteria is traditionally even simpler and more casual. A ristorante tends to be more formal, with fuller service and a more refined menu. On the Amalfi Coast the lines blur, so the menu and atmosphere matter more than the name.