AMV

Hi. We are definite foodies. Don't need haute cuisine or high prices or white linen tablecloths but do appreciate fresh ingredients and creative chefs. What were your favorites on the Amalfi coast, especially near Nocelle as well as Ischia and Capri?

Thanks Fellow Food-loving Fodorites!

ekscrunchy

In my opinion, the best food on the Amalfi Coast can be found in the town of Cetara, which is accessible on the main SITA bus route. Closer to Nocelle, I had a good dinner a few months ago at Taverna de Leone just east of Positano in Laurito. Right on the Amalfi Drive near the San Pietro Hotel; turn sound down before clicking this link:

http://www.latavernadelleone.com/ita/


Although it is difficult to reach for those without a car, entailing either an expensive taxi ride or a steep walk up the mountainside, Da Peppina on Ischia is excellent and beautiful. Outside Forio; there is a sign on the main road pointing the way.

http://www.trattoriadapeppina.it/


We also had a good dinner at this very pretty place just outside Forio:

http://www.ristorantelimoneto.com/home.html

AMV

Thanks so much. We will have a car and don't mind driving far for a great meal so location is no obstacle. Any other recommendations?

ekscrunchy

Ok..since you have a car, you must drive to Cetara. There are 2 excellent restaurants in that town:

http://www.acquapazza.it/

http://www.sanpietroristorante.it/

And this one runs a close third and also has pizza:
http://www.alconvento.net/


On my most recent trip I also had an excellent lunch at this restaurant on the Sorrento peninsula, outside Massa Lubrense; easy drive from Positano:

http://www.localidautore.it/schede/r...ento-5030.aspx



And a good lunch and dinner here (we spent the night) in Furore:

http://www.baccofurore.it/hostaria_en.asp

A_Brit_In_Ischia

As far as Ischia goes, this place is well worth a visit - especially as a change from the mainly fish diet that you'll be offered most of the time down at sea level....

http://www.trattoriailfocolare.it/

If you don't read Italian, try...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...a.html#REVIEWS

... and...

http://www.lucianopignataro.com/articolo.php?pl=4059

(but go by the times shown on their own site!)

Some have reported difficulties with finding - but see the directions I gave here:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html

...................................

For an Ischian take on fish, prepared in the island's simple traditional ways, we usually go to "Da Cicco" in Ischia Ponte - a favourite from before we moved here in 2003...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur..._Campania.html

... but also enjoy this winebar at Porto, for Raimondo's more modern approach...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/112946894

And, when hankering for properly innovative food, we've really enjoyed the restaurant (and the wonderful views) at this little hotel in Forio:

http://www.umbertoamare.it/italianoristorante.htm

http://www.umbertoamare.it/ingleseristorante.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur..._Campania.html

Let me know if you want more... we've tried quite a few over the years!

Peter

AMV

Thanks this all sounds very delicious! Any suggestions for Anacapri or Ravello or Positano proper? We definitely plan to go to Cetara. Also considering Paestum.

ekscrunchy

AMV: Although I spent 3 nights in Ravello recently, I did not eat any meals in the town. But for honest cooking in a typical trattoria setting, albeit a trattoria filled with many tourists as well as locals, I would recommend Cumpa Cosimo. It is listed in every guidebook but in this case that should not be a dissuading factor. (It is not easy to find a good restaurant on this Coast that has NOT been covered extensively online and in print.)

I discussed a Cumpa Cosimo lunch in my trip report from 2008; it includes lots of food detail from a week spent mostly in Amalfi. CC is known for their canneloni, but I would let the owner guide you in ordering based on the day's specials.


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-naples.cfm


One place that I do NOT recommend, near Ravello, is Da Lorenzo in the village of Scala.


I wrote about the 2 restaurants on Ischia that I mentioned above in this report, from 2009:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-its-spell.cfm

AMV

Thanks so much for these recommendations. I am making a list to bring with me in May!

A_Brit_In_Ischia

Islands of Naples Festival - 2012

I know I've written about this recently - but can't remember where... just ignore me if it was for you!

Otherwise, if your May visit will see you on either Ischia or Capri between the 21st and 27th, it may be of interest?

Re the 2011 edition...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html

.... and the 2012 theme is explained here, although it's still a bit early yet for the restaurants to have decided about participating...

http://www.isoledinapoli.com/2012/en/index.html

Peter