6 Best Restaurants in The Amalfi Coast, Italy

Ravello's best and most popular ice cream is so good it seems to make your baffone (mighty moustache) curl. All the fave flavors are here and pack a punch, including dark chocolate, stracciatella, caramel, and pistachio, as well as novel recipes like cheesecake, caffè, lime cream, and lemon crumble. Served here is the traditional Sicilian specialty of scoops of gelato in a split brioche roll, a popular breakfast-time sweet.

Featuring, as its name suggests, stunning views of sky, sea, and land and run by the fourth generation of the famiglia Cavaliere (sommelier Giuseppe, front-of-house manager Antonio, and chef Marco), this restaurant just outside of town serves exquisite dishes made with fresh local produce—often from its own orto garden and the sea below. Many diners opt for the aromatic theater al tavolo of the signature spaghetti al cartoccio dal 1965 (spaghetti with clams, olives, capers, tomatoes, and oregano), which the ever-smiling Antonio removes from baking paper, mixes, and serves.

Established in 1958, this buzzy family-run place pairs generations of tradition and genuine love of hospitality with ever-evolving innovation, reflected in the exceptional takes on classic Neapolitan dishes and the stylish, up-to-date yet rustic decor. Expect warm banter with busy staff, who greet passersby while introducing a menu with both sea and robust land mainstays such as grilled octopus, linguine with anchovies, lamb chops with braised artichokes, and eggplant Parmesan.

Wrought-iron gates open from scenic Via Pasitea into Next2's bianco e nero–chic courtyard, replete with a cocktail bar and a cozy salon filled with wine bottles and prime window seats for sunset views. Calmly charming Carmela and her friendly crew, including a young, talented chef in the semi-open kitchen, deliver elegant, subtly flavored creations including: grilled octopus antipasto with green beans and potato foam, a flavor-packed Datterino tomato spaghettoni and—spigola al vapore (steamed seabass wrapped in an eye-catching zucchini jacket served with baby vegetables).

Amalfi's famed historic pasticceria (est.1830) is a must-visit for a breakfast capuccino and sflogliatella or lip-smacking limoncello with delizia al limone dessert. For the full indulgence grab a table outside, but remember it's a lot cheaper and atmospheric consuming al banco (at the bar) watching the patrons and smartly attired baristi.

Although open for lunch, this reliable restaurant and its wonderful staff—tellingly popular with the Positanesi—truly comes into its own in the evening. Living up to its name, the ambience is distinctly Moorish without being kitschy; wood-fired pizza and hearty costiera seafood dishes dominate the menu. The outside tables are on the opposite side of Via Pasitea—great for experiencing the bustle that is Positano, but if you're sensitive to the smell of car exhaust, sit inside or away from the street.