Culinary delights in the most picturesque town on the Amalfi Coast:

Positano was my husband’s and my choice of base during our Amalfi Coast six-day vacation. Apart from enjoying a great time at our amazing boutique hotel (Hotel Villa Magia, see my recent blogpost) we explored the fantastic surroundings (a blogpost about recommended day trips will follow soon) and as passionate fine food lovers also checked out the local culinary scene.

I have to admit that when first researching Positano’s offerings as to dining in style I was a bit disappointed about the results as there seemed to be quite a lot of touristy places. On second glance, I was able to locate some quite promising restaurants to go to. Before, I would like to come back once again to the restaurant of the Hotel Villa Magia where we stayed and where you get fantastic authentic Italian food,

prepared by the talented and kind Luigi di Martino. They accept (online) reservations from outside guests too (Luna Cocktail & Tapas Bar).

1. Li Galli Gourmet (Michelin listed)

UPDATE: chef Savio Perna 2019, Michelin one star fall 2022

– about ten tables on a glass balcony with unparalleled views of the sea –, the impeccable service and the sophisticated food presentation.

We opted for the 7-course tasting menu and were amazed by the creativity of the chef, Vincenzo Esposito, in charge here for a couple of years. It was a true epicurean experience, offering what I would consider a gourmet Italian cuisine, rooted in the terroir. Each dish was a photo op and a delicacy as well. Although it was top end price wise it was worth the cost. Here is a choice of the most memorable courses.

One of the pasta starters, ravioli with shrimps and burrata cheese with zucchini touches,

was a hit. I also loved the main course, a turbot – potato combination accompanied by a cherry tomatoes sauce, capers and olives.

The dessert, “The Chocolate”, a flavor sensation out of dark, milk and white chocolate,

was worth the indulgence.

A remark to end the paragraph to this first restaurant recommendation. There is another eatery in town with almost the same name, Li Galli Bar Bistro, which is located at a different spot and with another, more casual approach. Make sure that you head to the right place!

2. La Sponda (Michelin One Star)

A thing I was fond of here, is the service. It is professional and not pretentious at all. The waiters have charm and a sense of humor, which is also true for the maître d` with whom we chatted twice. He used to work in Switzerland and so we exchanged some words about this and the La Sponda.

But now to the most important thing, the food. We had the six-course tasting menu and liked the creations from chef Gennaro Russo. They are light, inspired by the local culinary traditions and well-composed. Portions are rather small yet sufficient especially if you tuck in the tasty bread they serve here. While there is nothing to criticize when it comes to food quality and presentation, I had many meals in comparable restaurants that were more exciting than the one at la Sponda. The highlights of the dinner were the following ones.

First of all, our pasta course, which we replaced as we do not like sea urchin, was excellent, it consisted of some kind of ravioli with beef and onion sauce combined with black truffle and parmesan sauce.

A great dish full of flavor was the fish course, roasted John Dory with shrimps and spinach juice.

Also the meat course was impeccable, roasted veal loin with potatoes millefeuille and stuffed spring onions.

 

3. Next2 (Michelin listed)

where my husband and I were seated. The setting is nice, although the tables are quite packed together. Staff is friendly yet relaxed.

Also the main course I had, ravioli filled with squid and potatoes, accompanied by a lemon sauce, walnuts and sea asparagus, was a delicacy.

Desserts here were easily the best ones we had on our Amalfi trip. I was delighted by the coffee panna cotta with mascarpone mousse and cocoa, decorated with a hazelnut cookie.

This is your place if you seek food that is clearly Italian but with a modern touch, served in chic surroundings.

4. Casa e Bottega

There is also a home décor shop on site.

It is the place in town to have a light and healthy lunch, a good change if a break from heavy Italian food is needed! They also offer breakfast, but I did not have the chance to try it, but we ended up having lunch here twice. The owners are present, and the manager is welcoming and accommodating, service is friendly yet not quite seamless.

They have amazing wholesome food options here, great on a standalone basis. Everything we had was absolutely delicious and super fresh. And it is vegan friendly although they also have plenty of choice with fish or meat. There are salads, sandwiches, egg dishes and other light food options on offer, and all of them are a bit “away from the beaten track”. In addition, they have great smoothies, juices and other drinks,

made on order, as well as tasty ice cream, both to take away too. Positano is not the place to go for gelato junkies and I was happy to learn that at least here you get a decent version of the Italian’s most favorite sweet.

I enjoyed my salad very much, a dream in green (lettuce, baby spinach, cucumber rolls with guacamole and pistachios),

my husband was happy with his chicken salad with green beans, tomatoes, arugula and avocado.

As the portions are large enough, a dessert would not have been a necessity, but I wanted to try out the gelato, so we shared a scoop of vanilla and gianduja.

And I liked what I got!

There are alternatives to the usual tourist fare in Positano, although I had my doubts in the run-up of our Amalfi Coast vacation. The area is so popular, especially with Americans, that restaurants do not need to work hard to fill up the places. All the more, I was glad to see that there are still restaurateurs who are committed to their profession.

My next blogpost will be about five day trips to undertake on the Amalfi Coast from Positano, which will end my reporting on the area.

Date of visit: June 2018