Where to eat in Capri is a question that runs through the minds of all travelers at one time or another when visiting Italy’s most romantic island. A destination overflowing with delectable culinary discoveries, meal times in Capri are celebratory occasions filled with warmth, laughter, and flavorful food.
A popular holiday escape, Capri’s allure lies in more than its gastronomic specialties. Its inherent natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, and exciting nightlife are as much a draw as some of the best restaurants in Capri.
A vacation on the island thus promises plenty of excitement, thrilling watersports, hiking opportunities, and fun excursions for all. Moreover, thanks to Capri’s proximity to Mainland Italy, it continues to be a favorite summertime destination among Italians as well as international celebrities, royals, and even offbeat travelers.
Many tourists and mainland residents prefer to arrive in Capri via ferry. Ferryscanner offers daily connections from Naples during summers, a convenient 45-minute voyage that drops you at Marina Grande. From here, most visitors make a beeline to Piazzetta, the city’s liveliest square.
Two minutes from the square is Pescheria Le Botteghe, among the genuinely unconventional restaurants in Capri. The renowned eatery has a distinctively dual personality. It is a fish market in the morning, selling fresh seafood to locals. After 1 PM, the setup changes, transforming the petite space into a cozy restaurant.
The food at Pescheria Le Botteghe is a combination of raw fish and classic Mediterranean recipes. With utmost importance given to the freshness of the ingredients, the dishes make for a refreshing, pocket-friendly, epicurean delight. Go with the tuna tartar and the salmon or octopus Capriburger, and you’ll be licking your fingers with joy in no time.
A 10-minute slightly uphill walk towards Villa Jovis from Piazzetta takes you to Ristorante Lo Sfizio. The cute little establishment, much-loved by the residents, is another one of the inexpensive restaurants in Capri.
Casual indoor, outdoor, and streetside seating gives Lo Sfizio a homely look, allowing diners to choose a table as per their mood. The choice of food and friendly service further helps make every meal special.
The menu at Lo Sfizio focuses primarily on Caprian recipes. Their fresh pasta, grilled chicken, and wood-fire cooked pizzas are delicious. However, for a rustic and juicy carnivorous meal, do not miss out on their spit roast chicken.
It can sometimes be a challenge finding restaurants in Capri that are open throughout the year. The island pretty much shuts down after the tourist season ends in October. However, a wintertime trip does have a few advantages. You can get great bargains, there aren’t any crowds, and the only places open are bona fide local favorites.
Pizzeria Aumm Aumm in Anacapri is one such eatery. Not only operational throughout the year, but the family-run pizzeria also stays open till late every day. Its atmosphere is incredibly laidback and friendly. Football game days, though, are jam-packed as a large screen pops up in the restaurant attracting local sports lovers.
Serving over 30 different types of thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas, Aumm Aumm cooks its pies in a traditional wood-burning oven. The open kitchen also plates a range of burgers, pasta, and salads. When dining at Aumm Aumm, try the quattro formaggi pizza with mozzarella and smoked cheese, the ravioli Caprese, and the calzone ripieno, which has a stuffing of ham, salami, and mushrooms.
First-time tourists often don’t know where to eat in Capri when wanting a change from the usual beach clubs and trattorias. For such an occasion, E’ Divino more than fits the bill. The restaurant is an eclectic establishment occupying a former residence. It promises a wholesome dining experience featuring great food and an unexpected hipster ambiance.
A short two-minute walk from the Piazzetta, the villa is a whimsical space with conversation-starting décor. Gorgeous chandeliers, pop art, a mix of modern and antique furniture, and a room with an actual bed give the place a distinct identity, unlike anywhere else on the island. However, while the interiors are unusual, E’ Divino’s open-air courtyard with lemon trees is the place to revel in Capri’s pleasant weather.
Firm believers of the slow-food movement, the chefs at E’ Divino present an array of classic and contemporary dishes packed with regional flavors. The linguine, gnocchi, and the mango semifreddo are among the best sellers at the restaurant.
Are you wondering where to eat in Capri on a beautiful day that demands being outside? Plan for the 20-minute walk from the Piazzetta to Le Grottelle. The family-run restaurant is where locals and tourists relish the gorgeous amalgamation of nature, food, stunning panoramas, and Italian warmth.
Situated close to Arco Naturale, the island’s stunning limestone arch bridge, Le Grottelle first allows its patrons to admire gorgeous vistas of the surroundings. Distant scenes from the outdoor patio seating, always in demand, extend from the Amalfi Coast, the Galli Islands, and the Natural Arch, all the way to Salerno. As for gourmands who prefer unconventionality, Le Grottelle’s indoor seating, carved into a rock, is remarkably romantic and unique.
What’s more, the restaurant’s alluringly rural atmosphere echoes in its menu. Made using fresh ingredients, the dishes have a robust island flavor that compliments Capri’s culinary heritage. The stuffed zucchini flowers, sardines, and octopus salad are the unmissable preparations at Le Grottelle. For mains, though, you can choose from rabbit or a variety of pasta and pizzas.
Pulalli’s iconic setting, next to the Clock Tower, in the heart of Piazza Umberto I, gives it an unmatched edge. Consequently, as visitors walk into Alessandro’s cozy restaurant that oozes warmth and culinary fervor, food takes a back seat momentarily. However, the dreamy location is only a part of Pulalli’s charm, as their gastronomic preparations are equally enticing.
Although one of the smaller restaurants in Capri, Pulalli offers its patrons a trio of seating options. Outdoor tables lookout either towards the plaza or the Bay of Naples. The indoor setup is quaint and very homely. Pulalli also has arguably the most romantic table-for-two on the island. Laid out on a small balcony with a view of the Clock Tower, it’s the perfect spot for a love-filled evening.
Ristorante Pulalli’s menu consists of homemade recipes presented with a modern touch. Their salmon tartar, smoked burrata, delectable lemon risotto, and homemade limoncello are the must-haves during your first visit. Not to forget, the eatery’s jealousy-inducing wine list is a connoisseur’s delight with over 150 different bottles in the collection.