Where to Eat in Positano: Top 10 Best Restaurants & Local Dishes

Last Updated on October 12, 2025 by Tori Pines

Dreaming of dining on the beach, sipping wine above the sea, and tasting the freshest seafood of your life? Welcome to Positano, where the views are stunning and the food is just as unforgettable. This cliffside town on the Amalfi Coast is a bucket list destination for a reason, and trust me, the meals you’ll have here will stay with you long after you’ve left. This list of where to eat in Positano will ensure you eat some of the best food in town!

Whether you’re looking for a fancy night out, a beachfront pizza, or the best lemon ravioli you’ve ever had, here’s where to eat in Positano, plus what to order, when to go, and of course, plenty of Tori Tips to help make your time here perfect.

What Makes Positano’s Food Scene So Special?

Positano brings together fresh Mediterranean ingredients, stunning views, and a laid-back elegance that’s uniquely Southern Italian. You’ll find a mix of:

• Homemade pastas and rich seafood stews
• Garden-fresh vegetables and bright local lemons
• Simple grilled meats, pizza, and handmade desserts
• Menus that follow the seasons and the sea

It’s not just what you eat, it’s where you eat it. Picture candlelit patios, terraces high in the hills, or seaside cafes where you can hear the waves crashing below. It’s one of the best beach towns in Italy, and just one of the many reasons why you must include Positano on your Italy itinerary.

Best Dinner Spots in Positano

These restaurants make for some of the best ways to spend a night in Positano. Pick any one of them and you’ll have a perfect dinner in Positano.

1. La Tagliata

A family-run trattoria tucked high in the mountains above Positano, La Tagliata serves a set menu of course after course of home-cooked food. No menus, no decisions, just trust them to feed you well.

It’s by far the most famous place to eat in Positano, and for good reason. It is SO authentic and unique, plus it’s set so high up on the cliff that the views are wild. Plus, they feed you so much food. There’s no way you can eat it all, and you’ll want to be rolled home, you’ll be so stuffed.

Since they are located a bit above the town, they offer free round-trip transportation from Positano, just mention it when you reserve. And yes, you absolutely need a reservation!

If you have just one day in Positano and have to choose one place for dinner, let it be this one!

• What to order: Nothing! They’ll serve you appetizers, pastas, grilled meats, wine, dessert, and limoncello, all included in a fixed price.
• Tori Tip: You can also book a cooking class here, which I highly recommend! It’s not a commercial touristy class with tons of other people. You’ll be learning from the family, and their hundreds of years old recipes!

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2. Chez Black

Located right on Spiaggia Grande (the main beach in Positano), Chez Black is one of Positano’s most iconic restaurants. Yes, it’s touristy. But you know what? The food is still amazing, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed evening, steps from the sea.

I was actually so surprised with how delicious and authentic the food was for the location. I guess because Positano is so small compared to places like Rome and Florence, nothing here has been too overrun with tourists. And if you’re looking for a great souvenir, their plates are hand painted, and SO darn cute. I highly recommend buying a set for your home!

• What to order: The heart-shaped pizza is a must (and totally Insta-worthy). Pair it with an arugula salad and a glass of wine. We also loved the seafood pasta! When in Positano…
• Tori Tip: Ask for a table outside near the boardwalk so you can people-watch and enjoy the salty sea breeze. Great for families, couples, and anyone craving pizza with a view.

3. Casa Mele

Looking for a romantic dinner or a special date night in Positano? Casa Mele is your place. This sleek, modern restaurant blends fresh Italian flavors with creative twists, and the service is top-tier.

We spent our first evening in Positano here and it was one we will never forget…even despite the amount of local wine we drank, haha! They served “complimentary” appetizer samples on this gorgeous tiered plate. And the seafood stew was out of this world. My husband still talks about that stew to this day. I especially loved the endless focaccia bread, and I’m a focaccia snob.

It is pretty fancy (and quiet), so I definitely do not recommend bringing kids here. The prices are high, but the food and service match the price, so if you want something fancy, this is your place!

• What to order: Menus rotate often, but our seafood stew (similar to a cioppino) was unreal. Don’t skip the focaccia—it’s homemade and addictive.
• Tori Tip: It’s more upscale than other Positano spots, so dress accordingly and book in advance. Perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, or just treating yourself.

4. Il Tridente

Part of Hotel Poseidon, Il Tridente is tucked into the hillside and offers sweeping views of the coast. It’s the kind of place where you watch the sunset with a spritz in hand and a linen napkin in your lap.

You’ll get great service, elegant ambiance, and panoramic Positano views from the terrace. It’s fancy without being stuffy. Definitely a nicer place that you could probably get away with bringing kids to!

My friends Adam and Kathryn of Adventures of A+K recommended this place and they were right, it’s an awesome option for where to eat in Positano!

• What to order: Try the lemon pasta, seafood risotto, or grilled fish of the day.
• Tori Tip: Book a table around golden hour for dinner, and you’ll get a meal and a show.

Best Lunch Spots & Quick Bites

5. La Zagara

We loved stopping in at La Zagara each morning for a cappuccino, pastry and light snacks for the day. But they also have a beautiful little patio for dining overlooking the water too! You can take food and drinks to go and be off exploring the best things to do in Positano, or sit down to order off the menu filled with local specialties like pizza, sandwiches and the best pastries!

• What to order: A cappuccino and chocolate filled croissant. Or if you’re sitting down for lunch, try the seafood salad!
• Tori Tip: Find a place to stay in Positano nearby so you can pop in as you walk to and from town. We stayed at Gema Suites, and it was the perfect location!!

6. Lo Guarracino

Lo Guarracino literally hangs over the sea just outside the center of town. It’s actually along the way to Positano’s smaller beach, so I recommend you make a day of it, walk over to the beach, Fornillo Spiagia, and have lunch here since you’ll be close by!

You find nothing but incredibly fresh seafood, literally just brought in by the fishermen. Plus, hand made pasta that will make you snooty about anything you can have at home. The food here is just so, so good; the views are amazing and you’ll actually feel like you’re dreaming.

• What to try: Anything with seafood. I especially loved the pacchero pasta with fresh catch and cherry tomatoes.
• Tori Tip: Plan a slow, relaxing day here with some time on the beach and a few glasses of limoncello spritz.

Dessert & Gelato in Positano

7. Pasticceria Buca di Bacco

There are several gelato shops around Positano, but Pasticceria Buca di Bacco is a solid go-to for a post-dinner cone. Plus, it’s located right in the center of town just steps from the beach and all of the cute little shops. Grab a scoop and wander around the cobblestones window shopping.

• What to Order: I love pistachio, bacio (chocolate hazelnut), Stracciatella (Basically chocolate chip) and Tiramisù.
• Tori Tip: Look for natural colors (pistachio should be muted brownish green, not neon!) and creamy textures; this is how you know the gelato is good. Avoid the big fluffy displays piled high with artificial color.

8. Bar Paradise Positano

You’ll find stands scattered throughout Positano serving lemon granita in lemons they just picked from the groves above town. It’s a frozen slushy drink made with fresh lemons, aka, the ultimate Amalfi Coast refresher.

Bar Paradise Positano is great because it is literally steps from the beach. So you don’t have to go far when searching for a cold, refreshing treat on a hot day.

If you plan to take a trip over to the nearby island of Capri, you’ll find lemon granitas all over the island too, so you will have the chance to try them there if you’d rather.

• What to Order: The ultimate treat in Positano, the granita served in a lemon! They scoop out the core of the lemon and fill it with granita. Plus the lemons here are huge so there’s plenty of space to fill.
• Tori Tip: Have one each day you’re in Positano. With all the stairs in town you’ll walk it off immediately.

Aperitivo & Drinks With a View

9. Franco’s Bar

Want a cocktail with a view that will literally take your breath away? Franco’s Bar is the place. It’s stylish, lively, and perched right above the sea.

This spot has some serious fame. All of the celebrities who visit the Amalfi Coast come here for a drink. Follow them on Instagram to see all of the action.

• What to order: A Negroni or Limonecello Spritz.
• Tori Tip: Arrive right before opening time to get a table with the best view. No reservations here, so be prepared to wait.

10. Blu Bar

For something more casual and less expensive, check out Blu Bar right on the beach. Grab a spot on the couch in the sand and enjoy the insane views with a limoncello spritz in hand. At the time we went, prices were $10 per drink plus a $4 cover charge which is truly not that much for a drink right on the beach in Positano!

• What to order: A Limoncello Spritz, obviously!
• Tori Tip: Come here early before the crowds hit to get a couch in the sand.

Must-Try Dishes in Positano

Here are a few regional and seasonal dishes to look out for while dining around town:

• Scialatielli ai frutti di mare – Short, thick pasta with mixed seafood. Or any pasta dish with mixed seafood, really. 
• Lemon ravioli – Sweet, citrusy, and incredibly light. Pairs beautifully with white wine.
• Gran fritto misto – Mixed fried seafood platter. Often includes shrimp, squid, and veggies. 
• Spaghetti alle vongole – Pasta with clams in white wine sauce.
• Torta al limone – A light lemon cake or pie, common in local bakeries.

Tori Tip: Menus shift with the season, and that’s a good thing. If your server says something is “the special”, it probably means it was caught or made that morning!

Tips for Eating in Positano

Here’s some of the most important things to know about dining out in Positano, and the rest of Italy for that matter. For more helpful tips like this, read my post with all of my best Italy travel tips.

• Make reservations for dinner: Especially at La Tagliata, Casa Mele, and Il Tridente.
• Be ready to eat late: Most restaurants don’t open until 7:30pm and the locals don’t dine until after 8:30pm. Plan your beach or shopping day accordingly!
• Bring cash: Some smaller spots or dessert stands may be cash-only or require a large minimum for cards.
• Avoid the main square tourist traps: Restaurants right in the busiest squares often sacrifice quality for convenience. Walk a block or two away for better options.
• Don’t rush: Dining in Italy is meant to be slow, social, and savored.
• When you need anything from the server, specifically the check, you’ll have to flag them down and ask for it. It’s their culture to not bother the guest.
• Even though some of these places to eat in Positano are pretty fancy, you can get away with beachy-dressy attire like flowy dresses and linen pants! For more tips read my what to wear in Italy post.