Are you looking for the best restaurants in Positano, Italy? Read on to find out the best choices for dining when you visit this gorgeous village on the Amalfi.
The enchanting location of Positano is a significant factor in the town’s appeal. Picture a blue ocean with white sailboats, groves of lemon trees, and fragrant oleander. The narrow, meandering streets of this coastal village lead down to the water and are studded with cafés, shops, and quaint inns.
Positano is a favorite with honeymooners, friends on a day trip, and families on vacation.
You will probably work up a Mediterranean-sized appetite as you explore this town – from seaside hikes, yacht outings, and sipping Aperol spritzes at sunset.
We’ve done the hard work of eating our way along the Amalfi Coast so that we can give you the best of Positano’s culinary treasures in this guide. These are the restaurants in Positano that truly shine when it comes to showcasing regional ingredients and specialties.
If you plan on visiting Positano during the busy tourist season, you should call ahead to secure a table at any of the town’s many restaurants and bars.
What To Expect in Positano’s Cuisine
First, anyone visiting Positano must know that lemons play a considerable part in the town’s cuisine. Lemons have been grown in the region for centuries, so you’ll see them all around the Amalfi Coast – Sorrento, especially.
Gelatos and sorbets are just two of the many delicious desserts that can be made with lemons. Jams and preserves made with lemons are also common.
Olive oil is another Positano staple, just like in most parts of the Mediterranean. Colline Salernitane and Cilento olive oil are two of the most well-known types found in this region.
White figs, Soppressata di Ricigliano, and the Campanian cheese Barilotto are also featured prominently in Positano’s culinary tradition.
Last, you’ll have a hard time finding a restaurant that doesn’t serve seafood, another Positano staple. Sea urchin and calamari are two additional seafood options that you might expect to see on menus in Positano restaurants.
Average Cost of a Meal in Positano
As Positano has evolved into a popular tourist destination, the cost of eating out has increased. Finding quick, on-the-go meals, like those in the Cinque Terre, can be challenging.
However, if you’re feeling peckish but don’t feel like sitting down for a full meal, there are a few convenience stores downtown where you can pick up some yogurt, cured meats, etc. You’ll also find pizza places where you can wait as they prepare your takeaway treat.
Still, accommodations that include kitchens are unusual in this area, so you’ll probably dine out every day. Most restaurants in Positano are full-service, providing dinners for around $17 (15EUR) for the affordable and starting at $45 (40EUR) for fine-dining establishments.
10 Best Restaurants in Positano, Italy
Here’s a look at the 10 best restaurants in Positano, Italy.
Top Affordable / Mid-range Positano Restaurants
1. Al Palazzo
Via dei Mulini, 23, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
The best Italian cuisine is what you’ll have at Ristorante al Palazzo, located at Hotel Palazzo Murat.
While it may not have any ocean views, this Positano restaurant has a fantastic vibe that is on par with any of the Positano hotspots. The lovely garden and courtyard create a relaxing setting for your dinner.
The chef at Ristorante al Palazzo has refined many dishes using local ingredients, including Amalfi lemons, white figs, and buffalo mozzarella. Lunch focuses on garden-fresh vegetables, while dinner features more meat and seafood. The staff will professionally recommend wines to complement your meal.
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Positano.
2. The Brasserie, Covo dei Saraceni
Via Regina Giovanna, 5, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
The Covo dei Saraceni is a five-star hotel that can be found close to the harbor and features a brasserie on the ground floor.
Sit outside on the sand beside the water at the beginning of the evening, when the sun’s scorching heat is beginning to wane and watch the sun go down.
Pizza Margherita is delicious at the Brasserie, but you should also try their Pizza Saracena – a white pizza with cherry tomatoes, arugula, and smoked mozzarella.
Another must-try is the calzone stuffed with artichokes, mozzarella, and ham. For dessert, choose a lemon sorbet served in a lemon shell. Or you may also stop by the gelateria just at the front entrance.
3. Chez Black
Via del Brigantino, 19, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
One of the famous Positano restaurants, Chez Black, has been around since 1949 and is located right on the Marina Grande directly on the main drag.
The establishment’s name is rumored to be derived from the proprietor’s dark tan that he maintains throughout the year.
When in Positano and you want a taste of regional specialties, Chez Black is a must. Some of the best items on their menu are spaghetti with sea urchin or Paccheri pasta with cod fish.
If you’re on Instagram, you may have already seen photos of the famous heart-shaped pizza that Chez Black has become known for. This is another delicious must-try, so make Chez Black a part of your Positano itinerary.
4. Da Vincenzo
Viale Pasitea, 172/178, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
(Open only from April 4th to November 12th
Closed on Tuesdays)
Over half a century ago, Grandpa Vincenzo established the inn and restaurant. Today, Grandpa Vincenzo’s nephew runs the business by himself and the Da Vincenzo has become among the popular restaurants in Positano.
Even while the recipes on the menu change based on the availability of certain ingredients at the market and fish market, they nonetheless bear the unmistakable impression of traditional home cooking. This is Da Vincenzo’s trademark and why it’s one of the best restaurants in Positano.
This quaint place has a laid-back and familiar ambiance, despite its location on the lively hotel row of Viale Pasitea. There is no requirement to dress a certain way, and there is no view, yet the restaurant serves outstanding Italian cuisine with excellent wine pairings. They also provide vegetarian options, a large selection of seafood, and a few other kinds of meat.
The staff here are also helpful and accommodating. They will make suggestions for you regarding the cuisine and the wine. Everything is carried out in a skillful and aesthetically pleasing manner.
In most cases, you can walk in without a reservation for lunch, but a reservation is required for supper.
5. Ristorante La Cambusa
P.zza Amerigo Vespucci, 4, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
Also one of the popular Positano restaurants, Ristorante La Cambusa features pastel-colored tables and bright tile floors.
Here, guests may enjoy the view of the beach from the terrace located on the upper level. Pine trees on the beach, the sound of the ocean air, and the sight of the Le Galli archipelago in the distance all contribute to the romantic allure of the setting.
Their primary offering is fresh fish. Try some of the local monkfish paccheri, the mixed raw fish, the house fries, and the lemon sponge cake topped with slices of lemon.
6. La Taverna del Leone
Via Laurito, 43, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
Located in a hotel, this restaurant is light, airy, and cozy all at the same time. Going in this direction will take you away from Positano’s main drag, the Via Laurito, and onto the more picturesque Via Laurito.
Since it is somewhat apart from the typical tourist routes, fewer people are here. However, it is worth the journey to La Taverna Del Leone.
And since there is such a wide variety of options, everyone can choose something right for them. In contrast to some of the more premium establishments in Positano, the portions offered here are very generous.
Easily one of the most popular Positano restaurants, the salted anchovies appetizer is an absolute must-try here. The risotto is also perfectly cooked, and the cannolis served for dessert can’t be more delicious.
Top Fine Dining Restaurants in Positano
7. La Serra
Via G. Marconi, 169, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
If the weather permits, you should reserve a table on the terrace of La Serra, one of the famous restaurants in Positano. This fine-dining place offers a beautiful view of the enchanting coastline, even from the indoor seating area.
In this beautiful natural location, you may savor a modern take on classic Mediterranean dishes with an emphasis on fresh, regional ingredients.
The Gragnano chef has years of experience and enthusiastically takes on any job, never failing to wow his diners. His dishes are visually appealing and have creative twists, but they are also expertly executed, making La Serra one of the most sought-after Positano restaurants.
8. La Sponda at Le Sirenuse
Via Cristoforo Colombo, 30, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
This Michelin-starred establishment is one of the finest Positano restaurants, and it has played host to many well-known guests throughout the years.
Make sure you have the elegant classic Cucina Povera washed down with a pink Bellini or Prosecco. Afterward, enjoy the colorful vista of stucco buildings and Marina Grande.
Dishes such as sea bass with candied lemon, chestnut ravioli with truffles, eggplant parmigiana, and pillows of hot lemon soufflé are on the menu. Even if you haven’t tried any of these, La Sponda guarantees that they will be among your favorites after.
When in Positano and willing to go the extra for a fancy dinner, La Sponda is the place to be.
9. Li Galli
Viale Pasitea, 318, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
One of the best Positano restaurants, Li Galli is located within the Villa Franca hotel, a contemporary jewel in the higher section of this picturesque town.
This place offers stunning views of the sea and the islands for which it was named. Though it just has a handful of tables, the food served at Li Galli is always superbly prepared. Every once in a while, they also add a special touch that makes them stand out.
Bread, especially the Neapolitan tarallo, prepared with pepper and almond as is usual (but in a distinctive form), and the focaccia with rosemary are must-tries, in addition to the outstanding assortment of olive oils.
After the meal, a tantalizing cart of sweet delights such as pralines, traditional sweets, and other treats is brought out for guests to enjoy.
10. Zass
Via Laurito, 2, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
The cuisine of Campania is given a mildly inventive twist, and the service is exceptionally attentive here at Zass. Located in the renowned San Pietro Hotel, this Positano restaurant features all the colors and flavors of the Mediterranean.
Spaghetti Positano cooked with a variety of local tomatoes, John Dory in a lemon crust with buffalo yogurt and potato purée, and lobster tagliatelle are just some examples of the traditional dishes served here. These dishes have been given a creative modern touch, making Zass one of the most innovative Positano restaurants.
The strawberry crème-colored dining room, the terraces overlooking the shore, and the olive-wood chef’s table are all excellent choices for a romantic dinner for two.
Servers wear white jackets to contribute to the posh setting, yet the mood is anything but stuffy, which makes Zass one of the best restaurants in Positano.