What to Eat on the Amalfi Coast 

ByStefania Guglielmi

The Amalfi Coast is one of those places where you spend half the time staring at the views and the other half thinking about what you’re going to eat next. Food is a big part of life here! It’s fresh, local, and usually pretty simple (but in the best way).

I’ve eaten my way through these towns more times than I can count, and the coastline has a few dishes you just can’t skip. Seafood that tastes like the sea, pasta you’ll dream about later, lemon everything.

If you’re not sure where to start, these are the classics worth trying. And if you’re planning a wider trip, this guide to things to do on the Amalfi Coast helps put the food into context.

1. Seafood Specialties

  • Alici di Cetara – The famous anchovies of Cetara, one of the smaller towns on the Amalfi Coast, which are served fresh, marinated in olive oil or salt, or as colatura di alici, are one of the most iconic dishes in the region. They’re mainly enjoyed in this fishing village. 
  • Colatura di Alici – This local anchovy extract is a rich, amber-colored sauce that’s mostly used with pasta dishes (but you can find it on pizza as well!). Colatura di Alici is one of the finest anchovy-based sauces in Italy, and very sought-after.
  • Pezzogna all’acqua pazza – This is a red sea bream or pagello fish cooked in a flavorful broth of fresh tomatoes, white wine, and herbs. It’s a simple but very local dish, and super tasty.
  • Totani alla Praianese – This is a traditional, rustic dish from Praiano that consists of squid stewed with potatoes, tomatoes, and white wine, and is topped with fresh parsley. It’s often had as a second plate, and it’s super flavorful.
  • Frittura di Paranza – This frittura consists of fried mixed fish, including anchovies, squid, and shrimp, with an added sqeeze of fresh lemon, that’s enjoyed as a snack, eaten with your hands. 
  • Spaghetti alle vongole – Arguably one of the most iconic dishes on the Amalfi Coast, spaghetti alle vongole consists of spaghetti cooked with fresh clams, parsley, and garlic. It’s best enjoyed fresh, which means some restaurants won’t serve it daily. 

Insider Tip: Avoid seafood restaurants that have huge printed menus in five languages, as you’re less likely to get fresh fish there. Good, local places will have a small menu or tell you what’s fresh today.

2. Pasta Dishes

  • Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare – Scialatielli is a thick, short pasta typical of the Amalfi Coast that’s usually served with clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari, and cooked in a rich broth or tomato-based sauce that makes it super flavorful. 
  • Ndunderi – This dish, originally from Minori, is kind of like a dumpling-style pasta or gnocchi that’s made with ricotta cheese instead of the typical potato. It’s served in a rich tomato sauce, and it’s very filling. 
  • Pasta al Limone – One of the most typical Amalfi Coast dishes is pasta al limone. It’s usually tagliolini or scialatielli pasta topped with a creamy lemon sauce made of lemon juice and zest, cream or cheese, and butter. 
  • Pasta con Colatura di Alici – This authentic dish, originally from Cetara, is spaghetti flavored with the town’s iconic Colatura di Alici, an umami anchovy-based sauce, as well as garlic, chili, and olive oil.
  • Pasta con Ragù alla Genovese – A slow-cooked onion and beef ragù that comes from Naples but is very common on the Amalfi Coast too. The sauce is made with tons of sweet onions cooked for hours until they melt into something rich and silky. It’s usually served with ziti or paccheri.
  • Ravioli alla Caprese – This delicious pasta dish originated in the nearby island of Capri. It consists of ricotta-filled ravioli, served with a fresh tomato and basil sauce.
  • Spaghetti alla Nerano – A creamy zucchini pasta that comes from the tiny village of Nerano on the Sorrento Peninsula. The sauce is made with fried zucchini, basil, and lots of Provolone del Monaco cheese, which melts into the pasta and makes it extra rich. It’s simple but incredibly tasty, and you’ll find it on many menus along the coast.

 3. Amalfi Coast Cheese & Cold Cuts

  • Provolone del Monaco – The semi-hard, aged provolone del Monaco is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese, originally from Campania. It has a sweet, spicy, and slightly nutty flavor, and it’s best paired with salami and a glass of wine.
  • Mozzarella di bufala – This fresh cheese is made from buffalo milk, and it’s a creamy, rich cheese with a tangy flavor that tastes delicious on pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes, but also on its own. You should eat mozzarella di bufala on the same day for the best taste. 
  • Capicola, soppressata, and local cured meats – Amalfi Coast’s most popular cured meats include Capicola (also known as capocollo or coppa) and Soppressata.

    They are two types of cured meats that vary in texture and flavor and are great in sandwiches, antipasti platters, or charcuterie boards. They’re often sold in small shops known as salumerie, or in local markets.

Insider Tip: Skip the souvenir shops in the most touristy towns that will sell you overpriced cheeses and salami. Instead buy in a caseificio (cheese maker) or a local grocer in towns like Agerola or Tramonti, which is where the locals buy it. 

4. Pizza

Being so close to Naples, the Amalfi Coast takes its pizza seriously. You’ll find proper wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza in many towns, especially in Salerno, Amalfi, Vietri sul Mare, and along the Sorrento Peninsula.

Pizza is usually eaten for dinner, and it’s one of the most affordable meals you can enjoy on the coast. Great if you want something tasty without spending too much. I personally think there’s not such thing as too much pizza, and you’ll find me having pizza once a day when I’m in the region!

Pizza Margherita – The classic choice. a soft, chewy Neapolitan base topped with tomato, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. Simple but perfect when done well.

Pizza Marinara – A traditional pizza topped only with tomato, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, with no cheese. It’s lighter than a Margherita and full of flavor.

Pizza al Limone – A more modern option you might see along the Amalfi Coast, made with local lemons. Often a white pizza with mozzarella, lemon zest or slices, and herbs.

Pizza con Colatura di Alici – Found mainly near Cetara. This pizza is topped with the famous anchovy essence, giving it a strong, savory kick.

Insider Tip: Look for pizzerias with a wood-fired oven, a short menu, and fast turnover. If a place has pages of toppings and lots of tourist photos, it’s usually not the most authentic spot.

5. Veggies & Street Food Staples

  • Parmigiana di Melanzane – Also known as eggplant parmiggiana, it consists of fried eggplant layered with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, baked until bubbly.
  • Zucchine alla Scapece – This simple summer dish is made of thinly sliced, fried zucchini marinated in vinegar, mint, and garlic. It’s left to marinate for several hours, sometimes overnight, and it’s a refreshing side dish to enjoy on warm days.  
  • Cuoppo –  This street food staple from the region consists of a paper cone filled with fried goodies, typically seafood, vegetables, and sometimes cheese. It’s a great snack that you can grab at a street stall and eat while walking.
  • Pizza fritta (mostly found in Naples or Vietri sul Mare) – This iconic Neapolitan street food is literally what its name suggests: fried pizza. The pizza dough, usually filled with ricotta and salami, is deep fried and served in the shape of a calzone. Yes, it’s real, and yes, you need to try it. You’ll be glad you did!
  • Pizza a portafoglio – Originally from Naples but easy to find around the Amalfi Coast too, especially in casual pizzerias and take-away spots. It’s a soft individual pizza folded into quarters so you can eat it while walking. Light, cheap, and perfect if you want a quick snack between beaches and viewpoints.

6. Desserts & Sweets

  • Delizia al Limone –  It’s a delicious sponge cake filled and topped with lemon cream and, in some cases, limoncello syrup. It’s usually served in individual portions.
  • Torta Caprese – Originally from Capri, this traditional chocolate and almond cake is flourless and incredibly decadent and rich in flavor. It’s hard to find it outside of the region, so it’s a rare treat to indulge in. 
  • Melanzane con Cioccolata – Eggplant with chocolate? Yes! That’s exactly what this dessert is, made with layers of fried eggplant slices, a rich chocolate sauce, and nuts or candied fruit. It has an interesting combination of savory and sweet flavors, and it’s a staple dessert on Ferragosto. 
  • Pastarelle Amalfitane – This local dessert is a twist on the Campania Pastarelle sweet treat…with lemon! They’re soft, lemon-scented cookies, usually filled with pastry or lemon cream, and glazed. You can find them in pastry shops along the Amalfi Coast. 
  • Sfogliatella (from Naples) –  This is one of the most popular pastries in Southern Italy, originally from Naples but also available in many Amalfi Coast bakeries. It’s a flaky, shell-shaped pastry filled with creamy ricotta. 
  • Zeppole – These small fried dough balls, resembling doughnuts in texture, are filled with cream and dusted with powdered sugar. They are sweet bites, and you’ll be tempted to have many of them! They’re usually sold during festivals and holidays.

7. Limoncello

Limoncello is a beloved liquor from the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast.

It’s a sweet yet strong lemon-based drink, made from the famous Sorrento lemons, and enjoyed ice-cold as a digestive after meals. It’s best had in small amounts, as it’s strong (30% alcohol)!

When purchasing limoncello bottles, avoid the fluorescent-looking bottles, that are made for tourists and not the real thing. Authentic limoncello is cloudy and not too sweet, and it should only have a handful of ingredients: lemons, alcohol, sugar, and water. 

If you want to bring home a bottle that’s actually made on the coast, here are two reliable spots to buy authentic limoncello:

Antichi Sapori d’Amalfi (Amalfi) – One of the most trusted places to buy real limoncello on the coast. This tiny shop in Amalfi still makes everything the traditional way, using Amalfi’s famous “sfusato” lemons. The flavor is strong, fragrant, and not overly sweet, exactly how limoncello should taste.

They also offer short tours to explain how the limoncello is made. I joined it, and it was great! Highly recommended if you’re in Amalfi.

Liquorificio Carlo Mansi (Minori) – A historic, family-run laboratorio in Minori known for its small-batch production. Everything is handmade, from peeling the lemons to bottling the final product. It’s far less touristy than the shops in bigger towns, making it a perfect stop if you’re exploring Minori or walking the Path of the Lemons.

8. What to Drink on the Amalfi Coast

  • Local Wines –  Costa d’Amalfi DOC wines from Furore, Ravello, and Tramonti are some of the best of the region, and highly recommended them to pair your meals. If you’re having seafood, opt for a white wine like Falanghina and Biancolella. 

    If you want to taste local wines right at the source, these are two great places to visit on the Amalfi Coast:

    Cantine Marisa Cuomo (Furore) – The most iconic winery on the coast. The cellar is carved into the cliffs of Furore, and tastings include their famous whites like Fiorduva. The setting is dramatic and the wines are some of the best you can try in the area.

    Tenuta San Francesco (Tramonti) – A family-run estate in the Tramonti hills, known for ancient pergola-trained vines and native grapes. Tastings are relaxed and usually served with a few local bites.
  • Craft Beers – Not a wine person? You can enjoy good craft beer from tiny breweries along the coast, which some locals are also favoring. Birrificio Sorrento, Melphi’s Birra di Amalfi, and Terra Mia in Maiori are great options. 
  • Caffè Napoletano – This distinct Neapolitan coffee is a strong, full-bodied espresso that’s served short, and is often sweetened. It’s enjoyed at any time of day (unlike the cappuccino!)
  • Digestivi – Digestivi is very popular after meals, and there’s a good variety of them. Locals love nocino, a walnut liqueur with a rather bittersweet flavor, and finocchietto, a digestif made of wild fennel that tastes like anise. Herbal bitters post-meal are also quite popular.

How to Eat Like a Local

Want to eat like a local on the Amalfi Coast? Then you’ll need to adjust your eating times to theirs! 

  • Lunch is usually had anywhere between 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM.
  • Dinner is enjoyed between 8 and 10 PM, and restaurants are open until late.
  • Aperitivo is one of the most prominent Italian traditions, and it consists of having a Spritz or a glass of white wine with snacks, such as olives and peanuts. It’s meant to stimulate your appetite, and enjoyed right before dinner.  
  • If you’d rather learn these dishes hands-on, a cooking class on the Amalfi Coast is a fun way to make fresh pasta, gnocchi, pizza, or tiramisu with local ingredients.