Simply Amalfi Coast Nestled in the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Positano is not just a scenic gem, but also a first-class gastronomic destination.
The city, which owes much of its charm to the sea, lives to the rhythm of the tourist seasons, a factor that significantly influences its culinary offerings.
Whether you’re a lover of refined cuisine or seeking an authentic experience among local shops, Positano will gift you with unique moments. You just need to choose the right time and let yourself be won over by the aromas and flavors of the Amalfi Coast!
When to visit and where to eat?
The main tourist season develops over a well-defined time frame: from the arrival of spring, shortly before Easter, until the traditional All Saints’ holiday in the first days of November.
During these months, Positano presents itself in its maximum gastronomic splendor, with all dining establishments in full swing.
When weather conditions permit, this period of culinary vibrancy can extend until early December.
A particularly notable aspect of the local gastronomic scene is the presence of starred restaurants. The Amalfi Coast and surrounding areas boast 17 Michelin-starred restaurants, a testament to the culinary excellence of the region.
However, it’s important to note that these prestigious establishments, like most restaurants in the area, close their doors after October 30th.
Where to eat: the areas
- Historic center: from Piazza dei Mulini to Spiaggia Grande, you will find the greatest concentration of restaurants.
- Fornillo – Punta Reginella: a quieter area but full of excellent options among which the Ristorante Da Vincenzo stands out
- Chiesa Nuova: here the Grottino Azzurro is open all year round, while C’era una volta closes for about 30 days in the low season.
- Montepertuso – Nocelle: the hamlets offer a series of typical restaurants such as Il Ritrovo or La Fattoria La Tagliata also famous for its extravagant and engaging Cooking Classes, and new for 2025 is the only Club Restaurant on the Amalfi Coast: Chic Mama.
Eating in the Low Season: How to Plan?
For those visiting Positano during the off-season, not all is lost. As mentioned earlier, some gastronomic gems keep their doors open year-round, such as the renowned Grottino Azzurro and the characteristic restaurant C’era una Volta, both located in the picturesque Church Square neighborhood. These establishments represent a lifeline for winter visitors.
During the months of January and February, open restaurants can be counted on the fingers of one hand (3-5 in total), with reduced hours and early closures from 6:00 PM (especially at beach locations).
The low season requires more careful meal planning. Local delis, strategically distributed in various areas of the town, generally remain operational and offer a valid alternative to restaurants.
A valuable tip for visitors: don’t blindly trust information found on Google, which often doesn’t reflect the seasonal reality. It’s always advisable to call establishments directly to verify opening hours and days.
Useful Information
- Shuttle service: some restaurants offer a free shuttle service, ideal if you don’t feel like driving and want to enjoy your evening without worries!
- Budget: regarding the budget, it varies significantly based on your choice: a meal in a trattoria can start from 25 euros per person, while in Michelin-starred restaurants the bill can easily rise to 150 euros, excluding wines.
- Reservations: if you are a large group (more than 6 people), it’s better to book in advance. In more renowned restaurants, reservation is almost mandatory and, in some cases, a credit card guarantee might be required with possible penalties for no-shows.
Local Hours and Customs
- Restaurants: open from 12:00 to 15:00/16:00 for lunch and from 18:30/19:00 until 22:30 for dinner. During low season, many restaurants close after 18:00, especially those on Spiaggia Grande.
- Delis: present in every neighborhood, offering fresh and prepared products, perfect for a quick and tasty meal.
- Beach Bars and Beach Clubs: ideal for a light lunch, in recent years they have raised the level of their gastronomic offerings, including refined fish menus and an excellent selection of wines and Champagne.
Tips, Tricks and common myths
- Tips: Waiters always gladly accept them, but they are not mandatory.
- Bread and Oil: the origin of oil and balsamic for “dipping” is unknown. Yet there is a strange and widespread Mandela Effect: everyone (outside of Italy) seems to believe that in Italy we eat bread dipped in olive oil with a “puddle” of exclusively balsamic vinegar. This is an incorrect cultural projection, a common expectation among tourists traveling to Italy, particularly those from the United States.
- Fettuccine Alfredo: if you expect to find it in every restaurant, you’ll be disappointed. This dish is almost unknown in Italy, except at its creator’s restaurant in Rome.
- Reading the menu before entering: no restaurant or waiter will be surprised if you ask to see the menu; often you’ll find it displayed on a stand for your consultation. Feel free to take a peek at the culinary offerings and prices.
- The “coperto” (cover charge): For Italians it’s taken for granted, but what is it? First, it’s not what Americans leave as “Service”; this amount goes to the restaurant owner. The “coperto” includes everything that is set on the table to allow the diner to eat: tablecloth, napkins, cutlery, glasses, plates, and the bread basket. Table service and subsequent cleaning operations are obviously included.
A bit of history for the curious: The custom of paying the cover charge at restaurants is very ancient, with traces dating back to the Middle Ages. At that time, it was the contribution requested from travelers and pilgrims who stayed at inns (and thus “under cover”) while consuming food they had brought from home.
Restaurant in Positano: contacts
- CHIESA NUOVA
Il Grottino Azzurro: Via G. Marconi, 302 – t. +39 089 811 065
C’era una Volta: Via G. Marconi, 127 – t. +39 089 811 930
Da Costantino: Via Corvo, 107 – t. +39 089 875 738
La Serra: Via G. Marconi, 169 – t. +39 089 875 733
Remmese Restaurant: Via G. Marconi, 169 – t. +39 089 875 733
Gastronomia Da Anna: Via Pasitea, 352 – t. +39 089 812 3437
Li Galli: Via Pasitea, 318 – t. +39 089 875 655 - FORNILLO
Ristorante Luna: Via San Giovanni, 19 – t. +39 089 875 584
Magia Bistrot: Via San Giovanni, 19 – t. +39 089 875 584
Da Gabrisa: Via Pasitea, 221 – t. +39 089 811 498
Ristorante Mirage: Via Pasitea, 165 – t. +39 089 812 2377
Orama: Via Boscariello, 16 – t. +39 089 812 009
Il Fornillo: Via Pasitea, 154 – t. +39 089 811 954
Sadò: Via Pasitea, 254 – t. +39 089 812 050
Next 2: Via Pasitea, 242 – t. +39 089 812 3516
Mediterraneo: Via Pasitea, 236 – t. +39 089 811 651 - PUNTA REGINELLA
Il Capitano: Via Pasitea, 119 – t. +39 089 811 351
Da Vincenzo: Via Pasitea, 172 – t. +39 089 875 128
Caffè Positano: Via Pasitea, 168 – t. +39 089 875 082
La Scalinatella: Via Trara Genoino, 27 – t. +39 089 875 002
Il Tridente: Via Pasitea, 148 – t. +39 089 811 111 - CENTER • MULINI
Delicatessen: Via dei Mulini, 5-11 – t. +39 089 875 489
Al Palazzo: Via dei Mulini, 23 – t. +39 089 875 177
Max: Via dei Mulini, 22 – t. +39 089 875 056
Collina-Bakery: Via dei Mulini, 30 – t. +39 089 875 433
Ohimà Brasserie: Via C. Colombo, 17 – t. +39 089 811 631
Tre Sorelle Wine Room: Via C. Colombo, 19 – t. +39 089 811 635
Ristorante d’Aiello: Via C. Colombo, 73 – t. +39 089 875 003
Mele Pizza & Grill: Via Pasitea, 25 – t. +39 089 875 232
Elisir di Positano: Viale Pasitea, 90 – t. +39 089 875 090
Misaki Sushi: Via Pasitea, 94 – t. +39 089 214 6214
Casa e Bottega: Viale Pasitea, 100 – t. +39 089 875 225 - SPONDA
Ristorante Da Bruno: Via C. Colombo, 157 – t. +39 089 875 392
Don Giovanni: Via C. Colombo, 141 – t. +39 089 875 382
Terrazza Celè: Via C. Colombo, 50 – t. +39 089 875 130
L’Ancora: Via C. Colombo, 36 – t. +39 089 875 318
Li Galli Bar Bistrò: Via C. Colombo, 207 – t. +39 339 617 3968
Casa Mele: Via G. Marconi, 76 – t. +39 089 811 364
Adamo ed Eva: Via G. Marconi, 110 – t. +39 089 875 844
Roc Pizza & Steak: Via G. Marconi, 116 – t. +39 089 935 7738
La Sponda: Via C. Colombo, 30 – t. +39 089 875 066 - SPIAGGIA GRANDE • FORNILLO
Buca di Bacco: Via Rampa Teglia, 4 – t. +39 089 875 699
La Pergola: Via del Brigantino, 35 – t. +39 089 812 076
Chez Black: Via del Brigantino, 21 – t. +39 089 875 036
Le Tre Sorelle: Via del Brigantino, 27 – t. +39 089 875 452
La Brezza: Via del Brigantino, 1 – t. +39 089 875 811
La Cambusa: Piazza A. Vespucci, 4 – t. +39 089 875 432
Covo dei Saraceni: Via Regina Giovanna, 5 – t. +39 089 875 400
Brasserie del Covo: Via Regina Giovanna, 5 – t. +39 089 875 400
Capricci: Via Regina Giovanna, 12 – t. +39 089 812 145
Solè: Via del Saracino, 6 – t. +39 089 097 8253
Lulù Take Away: Via del Saracino, 14 – t. +39 089 812 145
Rada Beach Restaurant: Via Grotte dell’Incanto, 51 – t. +39 089 875 874
Rada Rooftop Restaurant: Via Grotte dell’Incanto, 51 – t. +39 089 875 874
L’Incanto: Spiaggia Grande, 4 – t. +39 089 811 177
La Scogliera: Spiaggia Grande – t. +39 089 811 177
Lo Guarracino: Via Positanesi d’America, 12 – t. +39 089 875 794
La Marinella: Via Positanesi d’America, 22 – t. +39 089 811 623
Grassi Beach Bar: Spiaggia di Fornillo – t. +39 089 812 110
Da Ferdinando: Spiaggia di Fornillo – t. +39 089 875 365
Pupetto: Spiaggia di Fornillo – t. +39 089 875 087
Pupetto Cafè: Spiaggia di Fornillo – t. +39 089 875 087 - LAURITO • ARIENZO
Maestro’s: Via Arienzo, 30 – t. +39 089 812 2401
Arienzo Beach Club: Spiaggia di Arienzo, 16 – t. +39 089 812 002
Zass: Via Laurito, 2 – t. +39 089 875 455
Carlino: Via Laurito, 2 – t. +39 089 875 455
La Taverna del Leone: Via Laurito, 37 – t. +39 089 811 302
TreVille Beach Club: Spiaggia di Laurito, 24 – t. +39 089 811 580
Da Adolfo: Spiaggia di Laurito, 40 – t. +39 089 875 022 - MONTEPERTUSO
Villa Margherita Home Restaurant: Via Gradoni, 13 – t. +39 335 669 5166
Donna Rosa: Via Montepertuso, 97 – t. +39 089 811 806
Il Ritrovo: Via Montepertuso, 77 – t. +39 089 875 453
Chic Mama: Via Tagliata, 26 – +39 089 842 4255
La Tagliata: Via Tagliata, 32B – t. +39 089 875 872 - NOCELLE
Santa Croce: Via Nocelle, 19 – t. +39 089 811 260
Mamma Luisa Home Restaurant: Via Cercola, 29 – t. +39 333 805 3871
Il Rifugio dei Mele: Via Cercola, 1 – t. +39 089 811 429
