When it comes to food, Italy is famous for the 3 P’s of carbs: pasta, pizza and pane (bread). Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast served up plenty of all three, but there was so much more to discover too, enough to satisfy every craving on the trip.
So grab a cappuccino (or a glass of limoncello) and let’s talk about every single place we ate, plus my very honest opinions on each one.
BREAKFAST
Tiffany Restaurant, at the Grand Hotel La Favorita — Breakfast was hands down my favorite meal of the day in Sorrento. It was served in a gorgeous room with a live piano player most mornings, and since the full buffet was included in our stay, I mixed familiar favorites with a few local treats. Every single day I started with made-to-order scrambled eggs, fresh fruit like a whole peach or juicy oranges, crispy bacon, a bit of crusty bread or something sweet, and of course, multiple cappuccinos. So luxurious, so filling, and honestly the best way to start any day. Bistro Chic Bottom Line – A great breakfast even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
LUNCH
Bella Vista Cocktail Bar and Bistro, Grand Hotel La Favorita in Sorrento — The hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant has an atmosphere that’s hard to beat, but the food leans pretty standard American, catering to the many US travelers staying there. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: gorgeous views, decent food, pricier than it should be. Not somewhere I’d go out of my way for if I wasn’t already staying at the hotel.
Ristorante La Cambusa, Positano — Right by the beach and harbor, this spot is prime for people watching, especially if you snag a seat near the railing. Food was decent but definitely touristy. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: try a restaurant away from the harbor instead.
Donna Rachele, Capri — Tucked into a quiet corner of a cobblestone street, we almost walked right past this little gem. It had a charming vibe, blessed air conditioning (so important in that heat!), and the best caprese salad of the whole trip, which tracks since the salad was actually invented on Capri. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: worth the stop for good pizza and salads away from the harbor chaos.
Ristorante Maria Grazia, Nerano — We stumbled onto this beauty during a private boat tour to Positano. Tons of seaside charm, mostly covered outdoor seating, sweet staff, and the pasta Nerano (a local dish made with zucchini and cheese) was delicious. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: it’s boat access primarily, but so worth the trip for the experience alone.
DINNER
Cafe Latino — Our very first dinner of the trip, and what an intro to the Amalfi Coast. Open-air space, fun table groupings, great people watching, and good food, including chicken, which was surprisingly hard to come by at most spots. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: a great restaurant to set the tone for the whole trip.
Circolo dei Forestieri (aka the Foreigners Club) — The staff felt a little distant at first, but once you get past that, the seaside views make up for it completely. My pasta was excellent, the cocktails were more than sip-worthy, and the sunset was unreal. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: book a sunset reservation and ask for a table right by the water.
O’Parrucchiano — I’d been warned about this one but tried it anyway. The food felt a bit mass produced, average taste and presentation. That said, the atmosphere is stunning, you’re seated in a beautiful indoor/outdoor lemon grove that’s perfect for photos and big groups. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: go for the atmosphere and your Instagram feed, not the food.
Frankie’s Pizza — The pizza itself was great with an interesting selection, and the buzzing atmosphere and long line outside (we were glad to have reservations) prove it’s popular for a reason. But the space felt a little dirty and cramped, and a rainstorm literally rained on us inside the restaurant. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: get takeout.
La Masseria — As part of a tour through a working lemon farm, we were treated to a multi-course homemade dinner: bruschetta, charcuterie and cheese, fresh pasta, and the famous Sorrento lemon cake. The perfect ending to a lovely farm-to-table afternoon. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: a sweet little excursion just outside Sorrento with delicious food from a lovely family.
Donna Sofia — A must if you’re in Sorrento! The pasta was fantastic and the whole place is themed around the iconic Sofia Loren, with her photos covering the walls. Just steps from our hotel, this ended up being our best dinner of the trip, and since we saved it for our last night, we truly saved the best for last. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: do not miss this one.
GELATO
Raki Gelato — We found this place completely by accident and I am so glad we did. So many flavors, pistachio, chocolate, cherry, lemon, and more, and we went back almost every single night. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: highly recommend, just be ready to wait your turn in the summer crowds.
Accademia/Antica Gelato — We gave a new gelato shop a try. It wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t compare to Raki. Bistro Chic Bottom Line: we kept heading back to Raki, and clearly so did everyone else.
Bistro Chic Quick Tips
1. Book your dinner reservations ahead of time, especially in summer. We made ours through the hotel and breezed right past the long lines outside other restaurants.
2. Italians eat late. Show up before 8pm and you’ll mostly be dining with fellow tourists.
3. Skip the spots closest to the harbor or big attractions. The closer you are, the more you’ll pay for basic, overpriced food.
Ciao!
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