Sorrento is my favourite holiday destination to date.
Over recent years, Sorrento has become a popular choice for tourists of all ages and it’s not hard to see why. Aside from sun and sea, it boasts the most beautiful views, delicious food and drink and the people are so so friendly. If you haven’t thought about visiting the Amalfi Coast before now, this post may tempt you.
I wrote a few posts about my first visit a couple of years ago (you can read them here) but as I was lucky enough to travel to Sorrento again this year I knew I had to document it on the blog once again. This time it’s for all you foodie’s out there! Taste is such a personal thing so what I may love, you may not, but I think it’s interesting to read other people’s recommendations – especially if it’s about a place to avoid! Read on to the end to find out my number one place to steer clear of.
There are so many great dining spots in Sorrento to choose from, in fact you are spoilt by choice. I could extend my list to about 15 but for the sake of your attention span I’ve cut it down to 6, which was previously 5. I may have to throw a few extra favourites over on my Instagram…
La Villa Risto Bar
For the view…
Just a few minutes walk from the Piazza Tasso, you will find this cute little spot with the most spectacular view. A popular place for tourists to gather for photos, you can also take the lift or stairs down to the Marina from here.
Whether you need a lemonade pitstop or fancy a light snack as you take in the view, La Villa Risto is a great place to stop. It’s also the perfect spot to people watch! The service is pretty good, although if you sit there too long without something to eat or drink they will keep hovering until you order/move.
Cafe Hopera
For coffee, cake and people watching…
We stumbled upon this cafe as we were walking back towards the square, in need of a caffeine kick. What struck me first was the amazing service.
For me, service is such an important part of the dining experience. Whether it’s a cup of coffee or a five-course meal, if I’m not made to feel welcome or at least noticed then I feel less inclined to tip and return again. Social platforms like Twitter make it so easy to complain in an instance so good service is just as vital now than it has ever been, but I feel it’s just as important to highlight good service too. Tweet those restaurants and coffee shops and tell them how much you enjoyed yourself, and how *insert name* made you laugh as you waited for your Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate to go. Our friendly waiter, Kieron, went the extra mile to ensure we were happy, joined in on conversations and even bought over a plate of biscuits for us to enjoy with our tea and cappuccinos. Free biscuits!
I’d highly recommend stopping at Cafe Hopera for lunch or a cup of coffee, people watching will provide great entertainment and if Kieron still works there, make sure you say hi and ask for those free biscuits 😉
Hotel Bel-Air
For a little luxury…
My best friend recommended this enchanting place for me to try, and it really is worth the walk. That view! Those tiles! Hotel Belair is a real triple threat – it has everything. A short stroll from the Piazza, boasts beautiful views, serves stunning Mediterranean cuisine and has the most dreamy interior ever. I didn’t want to leave.
After browsing the extensive menu we opted for Aperol Spritz’ and beer – perfect afternoon refreshments. Sitting there with not a care in the world as we took in our spectaular surroundings, I couldn’t get over how peaceful it felt. There was minimal noise and we were made to feel welcome, despite not staying at the hotel. It’s the kind of place where you could sit for hours watching the world go by and completely switch off from reality.
If you’re looking for a romantic dinner with a view, then this is the perfect place.
Pizzeria Aurora
For dining on the Piazza…
This family owned establishment is conveniently situated on the Piazza, just a couple of doors away from it’s sister restaurant Aurora Light (featured in my previous post here). If you’re looking for traditional Italian dining in a great location, Pizzeria Aurora is an affordable and friendly option. The staff go the extra mile to make your visit enjoyable, even when the restaurant is packed, they will try and fit you in instead of turning you away.
The menu is fantastic for all appetites and your eyes will light up when you see the dessert cart. We made two visits during our week-long stay but I forgot was so hungry the second time that I ate all the pizza without taking a single snap. For our first visit I ordered the chicken with potato and possibly the best vegetables I’ve ever eaten in a restaurant. Perfectly cooked, it was a tasty change from pasta and pizza which I had been indulging on during the rest of the trip.
Ristorante O Parrucchiano
For the most beautiful dinner setting…
The most stunning restaurant I have ever visited.
Ristorante O Parrucchiano is located pretty central, just a short walk from the main square but fairly inconspicuous from it’s exterior. Stepping inside, you’ll discover a secret garden setting with a staircase leading you up to something even more special…
… a magical dinner setting for friends, family or date nights. Also popular for wedding receptions, and it’s not difficult to see why. We had our best meal of the week here and the service was 10/10. We sipped on red wine and devoured the bread bowl our charming waiter brought over as we chose our main course.
I opted for Gnocchi because where better than Italy to try it for the first time?! It was incredible! The rest of the party chose beef cannelloni and lasagne which were great choices – talk about food envy!
From the stunning surroundings to the efficient and friendly staff to the top quality food and drink, I can’t rate this place high enough.
We finished off our meal with crème caramel and coffee. Have I tempted you yet?
Raki Gelato
For the Gelato lover…
The best gelato I have ever eaten.
You’ll find Raki Gelato down one of the side streets just off the Piazza. Fashion and tourist shops galore, stopping off for ice cream after a day of sightseeing is just what you’ll require and Raki’s is my number one. There is usually a queue out the door but the wait is worth it! With so many flavours to choose from you may find yourself revisiting a handful of times, but on this occasion I opted for Pistacchio. I’m not a huge gelato fan which is why I have to shout about this place – I could eat buckets of the stuff! The Tiramisu was just as incredible, I wish I had asked for more scoops.
The Marina Grande is also a beautiful location to eat and drink, but I did happen to endure my worst dining experience down there at the Five Sisters Restaurant. Okay for enjoying the view with an Aperol Spritz, not so great for a full blown meal. From the stale bread that we didn’t ask for but charged for, to the poor quality of food and service – it was an awful experience for our penultimate night in Sorrento. You would assume ordering lasagne in Italy would be a safe choice but on this occasion it proved otherwise. Not only was it smaller than a child’s portion but it also tasted pretty rank, to put it bluntly! Thank goodness for Gelato and Sorrento sunsets putting a smile on your face after experiences like these.
If you have any other restaurant recommendations in Sorrento, please leave them down below in the comments!
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