Address: Corso Umberto I 85, Praiano
Website: facebook.com
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The look and vibe at this sleek wine bar-restaurant may be contemporary, but the food is firmly rooted in local traditions. Campanian stalwarts like melanzane alla parmigiana and polpette (meatballs) in tomato sauce share the menu with variations such as spaghetti with six varieties of tomato, tagliolini with bitter greens, anchovies and pistachios and turbot in a lemon, caper and olive sauce. Homemade desserts are a treat and the intelligent wine list ranges over the length of Italy. The patio with its cocktail bar and regular live music sessions get quite buzzy on summer evenings.
Address: Via Passitea 242
Website: next2.it
Donna Rosa
A 20-minute drive into the hills above Positano brings you to the small village of Montepertuso which offers cooler air, beautiful views and this rather elegant, family-run restaurant. One daughter oversees the front-of-house while her sister and mother preside over the open kitchen producing seasonal dishes that reflect the dual influence of sea and mountains such as homemade pappardelle with porcini mushrooms and prawns. The famous hot chocolate soufflé is worth leaving space for and the wine list features many interesting local labels as well as rich pickings from other Italian regions.
Address: Via Montepertuso 97/99, Montepertuso
Website: drpositano.com
Cumpa Cosimo
Netta Bottone’s family have been running this rustic place (all dark wood furniture, white cloths and walls stacked with paintings and photos) for 80-odd years, and while firmly on the tourist map, it’s a good choice for a simple, authentic meal. Jackie Kennedy used to come here to escape the paps when she was visiting in the old days. The classic starter here is the misto di primi, a quintet of homemade pasta dishes that varies according to the personable Netta’s mood. Followed by a salad and one of the house desserts, which should be enough, but the meat dishes are also good; the family’s butcher shop is just next door.
Address: Via Roma 44/46, Ravello
Il Glicine, Amalfi
Il Glicine, Amalfi
The wisteria-draped terrace of the Hotel Santa Caterina is the loveliest dinner spot in Amalfi, and chef Giuseppe Stanzione’s stellar food well lives up to the setting; this is a place for a special treat. Many of his cleaver, mod-Mediterranean dishes are firmly rooted in his native Campania; luxurious ingredients such as truffles, oysters, foie gras and turbot appear alongside pasta from Gragnano, buffalo mozzarella from Paestum, Amalfi lemons and tiny pink shrimps from the local waters in re-interpretations of local culinary traditions. Service is formal, but this being southern Italy, it’s never pompous.
