Eating, drinking and dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in the Amalfi Coast. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…

Restaurants

Da Vincenzo

Traditional lives music and randomly ringing bells competes for with cries of 'Vive le donne!' for the attention of this restaurant's clientèle. The food is as authentic as the atmosphere, with excellent traditional Italian food – the vegetable antipasti come recommended, as do the fresh fish straight from the sea.

172–178 Via Pasitea, Positano
(+39 089 875128)

Lo Guarracino

Follow the coastal path from Positano to Fornillo and you’ll find this very traditional family-run restaurant next to the tower. Take a seat outside overlooking the sea and feast on fresh seafood and pizza, to the sound of the waves.

12 Via Positanesi d' America, Positano
(+39 089 875794)

Ristorante Max

This quaint town-centre eaterie comes complete with a vast wine cellar and walls lined with 18th-century paintings. The terrace is lovely for lengthy summer lunches.

22 Piazza dei Mulini, Positano
(+39 089 875056)

Le Terrazze dell’Incanto

For a pre-club dinner on Thursday–Sunday, head to this classy-cool dining spot in the Music on the Rocks club. The views – and the music – are great.

51 Via Grotte dell’Incanto, Positano
(+39 089 878874)

Garden Restaurant

Exceptional salads and fine fresh fish are on the varied menu at this informal lunch spot overlooking the east coast.

4 Via Boccaccio, Ravello
(+39 089 857226)

Caruso

A privately managed fine-dining restaurant in the Hotel Caruso. The terrace is magical with a view to match that of Villa Cimbrone – worth going for this alone, although the seafood and mozzarella di bufala are big draws in their own right.

2 Piazza San Giovanni del Toro, Ravello
(+39 089 858801)

Rossellini’s

Chef Pino Lavarra worked with Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons and has made Rossellini’s one of the best Italian restaurants in Italy serving uncomplicated food with the finest ingredients, earning two Michelin stars in the process.

28 Via San Giovanni del Toro, Ravello
(+39 089 818181)

Armandrino

A family-run trattoria on the seashore with a very local flavour: recipes have been handed down the generations and local musicians frequently come to sweeten the air. Ask for seafood recommendations – you won't be disappointed.

1 Via Marina di Praia, Praiano
(+39 089 874087)

Cafés

Buca di Bacco – Le Pergola

Ever-popular and serving the best ice-cream in town, this café/restaurant down by the beach offers cakes of all description, coffees, snacks and fantastic people-watching possibilities from its terrace.

35–37 Via del Brigantino, Positano
(+39 089 811461)

Bars and clubs

Music on the Rocks

This seaside club is the place to head for an upmarket disco experience in sexily lit, cave-like surroundings – great for people-watching, too.

(+39 089 875874)
51 Via Grotte dell’Incanto, Positano

Conwinum’s

The warm and multi-coloured Mediterranean interior makes for an interesting place to linger over an aperitif. There's also a great wine selection.