Looking for Amalfi Coast restaurants? Want to know where to eat in Minori? Local chef Gennaro Contaldo shares his insider tips for the best restaurants along the Amalfi Coast, along with where to find the best pasta, pizza and espresso.
Agriturismo Villa Maria, Minori – for local cuisine
It’s a bit of a hike, but if you book a table at this farmhouse above Minori (the tiny town Gennaro grew-up in), the owner, Vincenzo, can pick you up from the centre of Minori. All the produce is home-grown and cooked by Vincenzo’s wife, Maria. Their homemade hams and salami are a delight, as is their own wine. There aren’t many tables, so it’s best to book in advance, and if you do decide to hike it up there, you’ll be rewarded with quiet, intimate, pretty views and excellent food.
The farmhouse itself, Villa Maria, overlooks Minori bay and is surrounded by an ancient, fragrant lemon grove. There’s a vegetable garden, olive trees and vines to admire, and six country-style, whitewashed bedrooms to book if you want to make a holiday of it, all with lemon-framed terraces.
Giardiniello, Minori – for lunch
For me, it has to be Giardiniello in the centre of Minori. I grew up with this restaurant (it opened in 1955) – they are family friends and Giardiniello is still family-run after all these years. Expect excellent fish dishes using produce caught that day, handmade pasta and pizza, and a very warm welcome from the owners, brothers Tonino and Giovanni.
In warmer months, you can eat your fried anchovies stuffed with smoked mozzarella, lemony seafood salad, spaghetti alle vongole, and grilled local octopus outside in the garden, under a canopy of bright green foliage.
Pasticceria Andrea Pansa, Amalfi – for espresso
Everywhere in Italy is great for espresso! But for a little elegance and an experience of bygone days, head to Pansa in Amalfi’s main square, next to the steps of Amalfi Cathedral. Try their delicious pastries to-go with your espresso. I also recommend the dark and dense hot chocolate.
It was opened in 1830 by its namesake, Andrea Pansa, and still retains that 19th-century interior (spot the gilded mirrors). Try chocolate-dipped lemon and orange peel, or a babà – a Neapolitan speciality that sees a mushroom-shaped sponge cake soaked in a citrusy rum syrup, then glazed with jam. Delicious with a short-and-strong espresso.
Torre Normana, Maiori – for a romantic meal
This Maiori restaurant used to be an old Norman look-out tower (built between 1250 and 1300), so it’s set high in the hills with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. With excellent food, impeccable service and the sound of the surrounding sea, it’s the perfect place to woo your loved one over a long, leisurely dinner.
It’s run by four brothers and local ingredients come from an on-site garden, neighbouring farms, local vineyards and the sea below. Try their signature seafood risotto, handmade ricotta dumplings in an anchovy, hazelnut and walnut sauce, or ravioli stuffed with lemony buffalo ricotta cheese in a butter and mint sauce. And order a bottle of Torre Normana’s own wine, made from grapes grown at Vigna Traversa on Ravello’s hillside.
Sal de Riso, Minori – for a drink
This pasticceria is near the seafront in Minori and is great for aperitivo and cocktails. You can people-watch whilst sipping on a spritz or negroni, and enjoy the delicious nibbles that accompany your drink.
If you’ve time to linger, have a slice of ricotta and pear cake, made with Giffoni hazelnuts. Panettone comes with limoncello cream, and the Grandfather Antonio sorbet (sharp lemon flavour, served in a hollowed lemon) is the thing to order when the sun is shining. To drink, there are more than 10 local liqueurs to choose from, including those made from wild Amalfi fennel seeds, mandarins and, of course, Sfusato – the lemon variety so typical to the Amalfi Coast.
Italian chef and restaurateur, Gennaro Contaldo, is the brand ambassador for leading Italian holiday specialist, Citalia. For more information please visit citalia.com
Listen to our podcast with Gennaro Contaldo here: