When your restaurant is Michelin-starred, such as the one inside this famed luxury hotel nestled in enormous jagged cliffs (in the Lattari Mountains) facing the sea and preferred by Julia Roberts and other celebs, a detailed introduction is superfluous. Belgian chef Alois Vanlangenaeker, a longtime Italian resident, pays respect to local taste and penchant for freshness by using carefully selected raw materials. Many of the vegetables served are grown on site (the place makes its own olive oil). Chef’s suggestion is updated daily. Incredible views, inside or on the terrace. Overall, the menu is continental with an Italian touch. A decade ago, an average meal cost you $100 in tow. Now, feel free to multiply by four.
Major credit cards. Reservations essential. Open for lunch and dinner, April 1-Nov. 1. — Kelly Carter
Among the first restaurants you see when arriving at Marina Grande. Terrific outdoor dining area offers views of Spiaggia Grande. The seafood is excellent and Neapolitan cherry tomatoes add a little something to the sauces. Begin with sciscinielli (fish on lemon leaves) as an appetizer, spaghetti alle cozze (mussels) for a first course, turbot for the entrée and finish your meal with lemon cake. Reservations recommended. Open year round from noon to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight. Piazza Amerigo Vespucci, where the restaurant is located, is off Via Marina. — Kelly Carter
Whoever says you can’t get good meat on the Amalfi Coast hasn’t been to this gem. Located high above Positano in charming Montepertuso, this family-owned and operated home style restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining. Don’t worry about ordering, just nod your head for platters of antipasti, pasta and meat (pomodoro e mozzarella, fegatini e patate, affettato della casa,) and the list goes on. Six fresh pastas are served and the mouthwatering grilled meat plate includes lamb shish kabobs, chicken, rabbit, pork and duck. Fresh fish and divine desserts. Restaurant provides transportation to Montepertuso from Positano; call them. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. — Kelly Carter
Nestled along the steep coastline (on SS 163) and owned by Antonio Guida, La Taverna was founded in 1965, at the very start of the Amalfi boom, and offers elegant indoor and patio dining. Start with the fried mozzarella with smoked fish. Then, enjoy the light-as-a-feather ricotta cheese and eggplant stuffed ravioli with fresh tomato sauce. The seafood kebob is amazing and the pizza would please a Napoletano. Pizza also, but only in the evening. Save room for the desserts. €30. Open for lunch and dinner. (The inn also has a few rooms for travelers.) Closed in January. — Kelly Carter
