If you had to put Positano on a plate, you’d have leftovers for days.
The risotto, the bluefin tuna, the endless orders of buffalo mozzarella and grilled octopus are too delicious to cram into a single dinner. Plan your trip to the Italy’s coveted coastline with your stomach — not your heart — and snag a seat at the best restaurants in Positano and the Amalfi Coast.
Image Credit and Location: Il Tridente, Positano, Italy
Best restaurants in Positano
And you thought the views were the only thing to drool over on the Amalfi Coast…
Il Tridente Positano
Sitting on Il Tridente’s terrace — as close to the pool deck as you are to the endless horizon of the Mediterranean — doesn’t feel like the traditional fine dining experience. The red tuna tartare with gazpacho is as delicious as anything and so is their bubbly Sunday brunch. The laid-back atmosphere will have you feeling like you’re dining on nonna’s seaside back porch.
La Tagliata, Positano
La Tagliata has more than an amazing view. The restaurant sources most of its food from its farm and orchard that includes vine-ripened tomatoes and game. The homemade salami tastes even better after touring its curing cellar. If you’ve got the time, skip dinner and opt for an early arrival to tour the garden, collect ingredients, and take an authentic cooking class.
La Sponda, Positano
Whatever your expectations are, La Sponda is out to exceed them. Long before the food arrives, the immaculate views over Positano and serene music create a visual soundtrack that hits its first climax when the antipasto arrives. Artichoke risotto with pig lard, seared squid in a Praiano style sauce, and beef carpaccio in aged balsamic vinegar are indescribable.
Da Vincenzo Positano
Sharing is caring at Da Vincenzo, so you should feel free to order a liberal amount of shareables — like the deep-fried calzoni stuffed with ricotta and the artichoke with sheep cheese fondue. It wouldn’t hurt to order the sauteed mussels, since you’re going to trade for a bite of roasted octopus anyway. But the homemade gelato? You go ahead and call dibs on that all for yourself.
Rada Beach Bistrot, Positano
Rada makes it easy to eat all day and never miss a beat. During the day, dine on some Sorrento-style gnocchi on the beach while listening to a pianist. In the evening, enjoy elevated dining, like a seared amberjack, on their rooftop. Under the moonlight, dance at the FlyBar with a cocktail in hand and not a care in the world.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Maxim Morales. Image Location: Sorrento, Italy
Best restaurants on the Amalfi Coast
Need a plate somewhere other than Positano? We’ve got additional options to satiate any appetite.
Il Flauto di Pan, Ravello
Please don’t ask for permission to indulge in a Michelin-star meal when on the Amalfi Coast. You won’t regret Flauto di Pan’s carnaroli rice creamed with lemon and elderflower.
🚆Trainline Tip: Il Flauto di Pan is in Villa Cimbrone, one of our picks for the best hotels in Positano and the Amalfi Coast.
La Dispensa di Armatore, Cetara
There’s nothing fishy about the sustainable seafood at Armatore. The bluefin tuna filet needs nothing more than olive oil to leave you capsized. We recommend choosing a tasting menu that includes the fila pasta cannolo and squid noodles.
Restaurant La Selva Di Fusco Antonio, San Michele
Make a reservation at La Selva and make your way up from the coast of Conca dei Marini to this San Michele restaurant. One whose eyes are larger than their stomachs should order the Tres Selva plates, which allow you to sample multiple types of pasta. And don’t forget the ravioli, which can be washed down with some delicious tiramisu.
Il Principe e la Civetta, Vietri sul Mare
Gluten free and vegetarian meals are on the menu at Il Principe e la Civetta. For those without dietary restrictions, you can’t go wrong with a Caprese salad full of cured buffalo mozzarella or homemade pasta with mushrooms and parmesan cream.
Image Credit: Getty Images, name. Image Location: city, country
Image Credit: Getty Images, Haykal. Image Location: Positano, Italy
Where can I eat the best linguine in Positano?
Dining with a full view of the sea is one of the best things to do in Positano. Ask a celebrity and they might say that Chez Black has the best linguine in Positano, among other dishes. Sea urchins, pesto, clams, mussels, and more are thrown into this popular pasta dish.
🚂 Trainline Trivia: Chez Black is just off Positano’s beach where scenes for Under the Tuscan Sun were filmed. You might be surprised just how many of your favorite movies are filmed in Italy.
How to get to Positano by train in time for dinner
So, you have reservations at Il Tridente or La Sponda in the evening — but are spending the morning having breakfast in Naples, Rome, or Florence. You’ll need to get to Sorrento train station, then take a bus or cab to Positano. Here’s how to do it:
- Download the Trainline app. Buy and store your digital tickets on it so you don’t lose them.
- Pack a snack for the train. If you’re coming from Florence or Rome, you’re in for a 3-to-5-hour ride and you might need a nibble.
- Plan your Positano trip in advance. If you’re coming from Naples or Pompeii, you’ll have time to eat up before dinner. Check out our list of things to do in Positano so you can maximize your visit.
Header Image Credit and Location: Il Tridente, Positano, Italy
