Everything I booked on the Amalfi Coast and Capri—and my honest ratings
The Amalfi Coast and Capri are dream destinations. We just returned from a 10-day trip, and I’m still asking myself, “Did that really happen, or was it all just a fantasy?” It was that good. Everywhere you look, it’s bombastic natural beauty—from crystal-clear blue water to dramatic cliffs.
It’s an incredible place to vacation. But that’s the keyword: vacation. If you’re expecting rich cultural depth or a dynamic food scene, you might walk away disappointed. That said, if you’ve already experienced the historical and culinary richness of places like Rome, Florence, or Sicily, and you’re ready to lean into a luxurious, sun-soaked Italian summer, this is exactly where you want to be.
Before we dive into everything I booked, here’s a snapshot of our itinerary to give you a sense of the backbone of our trip.
Friday: Fly out.
Saturday: Land in Naples late at night, check-in to Naples hotel.
Sunday: Private driver picks us up ; explore Pompeii ; lunch on Mount Vesuvius ; check-in to our Positano hotel ; dinner at Saraceno d'Oro.
Monday: Arienzo beach club ; dinner at La Tagliata.
Tuesday: Private Amalfi Coast boat tour ; lunch at Lo Scoglio ; dinner at Da Vincenzo.
Wednesday: Private Vespa tour of the Amalfi Coast ; explore Amalfi ; Villa Cimbrone in Ravello ; lunch in Atrani ; dinner at Il Tridente.
Thursday: Da Ferdinando beach club ; dinner at Da Costantino.
Friday: Private Capri boat tour with pick-up in Positano ; lunch on Capri ; drop-off on Capri ; check-in to Capri hotel ; dinner at Da Paolino.
Saturday: Da Luigi Ai Faraglioni beach club ; dinner at Pulalli.
Sunday: Hotel Caesar Augustus picks us up ; massages, lunch, and pool time at the hotel ; dinner at Da Gelsomina.
Monday: Ferry to Naples ; pizza in Naples for lunch and dinner.
Tuesday: Fly home.
Before we get into the ratings, I want to acknowledge that many of these restaurants are family-run and locally owned. I’m not here to discourage anyone from supporting them—I'm sure the people behind them are kind, hardworking, and passionate about what they do. This blog is simply a reflection of my personal experience and preferences, meant to help others set realistic expectations. Travel is so personal, and what didn’t wow me might just become your favorite spot.
Restaurants I’d return to:
Da Costantino (Positano): 12/10. This was easily some of the best pizza I’ve ever had—and we ate three different pizzas in Naples on this trip! We started with the margherita pizza and ended up ordering a second: ham and mushroom, my husband’s favorite. Utterly delicious in its simplicity. Pizza perfection.
Il Tridente (Positano): 11/10. We absolutely loved our meal here. We arrived for cocktails at 7:15 p.m. and had dinner at 9:00 p.m. Even though we were exhausted from our Vespa tour, we were so impressed by the caliber of cooking. We ordered the scallop appetizer, the black garlic and prawn pasta, and the pork. Everything was exquisitely executed and incredibly flavorful. The views and service were just as outstanding. Side note: cocktails were fine—nothing amazing.
Da Vincenzo (Positano): 8/10. Their truffle pasta stood out to me and frankly, was mind-blowing after so many mediocre meals. We also ordered the mussels as an appetizer, which was also fantastic. It’s a quaint restaurant and the service was also excellent.
Da Ferdinando (Positano): 8/10. Da Ferdinando is a laid-back beach club with tranquil water and local vibes, set on Fornillo Beach. What stood out most was the food—it was delicious! We had the Caprese salad and the lobster pasta, and the lobster was cooked perfectly (a rarity). We walked down about 400 steps from our hotel to get there, and it turned into one of the most relaxing, rejuvenating days of our trip.
Restaurant La Terrazza di Lucullo (Anacapri): 8/10. This spot had the absolute best Nerano pasta—super creamy and flavorful. The Caprese salad was also excellent, made with high-quality ingredients. I’ll be dreaming about that pasta for a long time.
Restaurants I would NOT return to:
Da Gelsomina (Anacapri): 7/10. Gorgeous views and high-quality, homegrown ingredients, but the chicken and rabbit were overcooked. Not bad, just not great.
Pulalli (Capri): 7/10. This place has potential and the staff seem to care, but the food fell flat. We had the special pasta and steak—cooked fine, but lacking in flavor. Stunning views, though.
Saraceno d'Oro (Positano): 6/10. Popular with influencers, but it didn’t live up to the hype for me. One red flag: people standing outside trying to draw you in. The food was decent, but nothing memorable.
La Tagliata (Positano): 6/10. This place is heavily promoted online, but I found it disappointing. There’s no menu—they serve a set meal with appetizers, pasta, meat, and dessert. It felt more like buffet-quality food than a curated experience. Beautiful views and free shuttle service, though.
Pasticceria Pansa (Amalfi): 6/10. We tried the delizia al limone and the sfogliatella. Both were okay—not bad, but not memorable.
Le Palme (Atrani): 6/10. We enjoyed a shaded, leisurely lunch of pasta and grilled prawns, but nothing wowed us. No tourist trap vibes, but I’d probably opt for lunch in Praiano next time.
Lo Scoglio (Nerano): 6/10. We visited during our Bluestar Positano boat tour and were excited to try the famous Nerano pasta (thanks, Stanley Tucci). Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. Beautiful location, but pricey and underwhelming.
a-Ma-Re (Capri): 5/10. This place is visually stunning, and taking a private boat there was fun, but the food was a let down. The pizza wasn’t even hot when it arrived.
Da Paolino (Capri): 4/10. I was really excited to dine here, but was disappointed by the food. It’s a large, well-known restaurant that felt more like a tourist operation than a dining experience. The scallops were just bad and the lemon pasta was undercooked by about 30 seconds.
Cantine del Vesuvio: 0/10. This is marketed as a family-style restaurant, and while the service and views were great, the food was not. It felt like a full-on tourist trap.
Hotels:
Hotel Caesar Augustus (Anacapri): 15/10. We splurged on one night here and it was worth every penny. The property is breathtaking—from the rooms to the double infinity pool. Upon arrival, we had outdoor massages, lunch, and pool time. Davide, the concierge, was incredibly responsive and coordinated many reservations for us, while the reception team helped arrange our ferry departure with care. A dream stay.
Venus Inn (Positano): 12/10. We stayed five nights here and loved it. About 400 steps from Fornillo Beach, the location was very manageable. It’s close to the main road, so walks to dinner were easy. Gippy, the owner, was incredibly helpful and responsive. The view from our room was stunning, and the included breakfasts were outstanding (we enjoyed them on our balcony every morning).
Hotel La Prora (Capri): 12/10. A great stay! The room was small, but the views, service, shower pressure, and breakfast made up for it. The owner clearly takes pride in the property and was exceptionally kind. The hotel is also centrally located.
Beach clubs:
Arienzo (Positano): 8/10. Stunning location with clear, calm water and attentive service. The vibe is flashy, and the food wasn’t great (the lobster sandwich was mostly mayo). Still, the scenery made up for it.
Da Ferdinando (Positano): 8/10. See above.
Da Luigi Ai Faraglioni (Capri): 7/10. Possibly the most beautiful beach club we visited. However, service was really lacking—even in VIP seating it was hard to flag someone down. It's expensive, the food is just okay, and the vibe is very "for the gram." The water was also choppy during our visit, which wasn’t ideal. I wouldn’t skip this if I were you because it is so beautiful, but just set your expectations about the food and service.
Activities:
NapolinVespa Tour (booked through GetYourGuide): 12/10. This was one of the best experiences of our trip. I’m not into adrenaline activities, but we booked a private Vespa tour and lucked out with Carolina—an expert driver and wonderful guide. The tour took us through Amalfi, Ravello, and Atrani, with stops for fresh juice, pastries, and lunch. Riding along the coast with the wind in my hair was exhilarating and unforgettable. Thank you, Carolina!
Bluestar Positano: 10/10. We booked a private boat tour and had an incredible experience. Elisabeth, the owner, was responsive and helpful, even upgrading our boat last minute. Our captain, Vincenzo, took us to three swim spots, including an emerald-lit cave. Highly recommend Bluestar—great people, great service.
Capri Mia Boat Tours: 4/10. The owner is lovely, but the experience wasn’t what we had hoped for. The boat was late, the seas were rough, and we only got one real swim stop. Next time, I’d pay more for a more polished experience.
Transportation:
Sorrento Car Tours: 10/10. We booked Sorrento Car Tours for our transfer from Naples to Positano. Roberto was highly responsive and patient with my many emails. The Mercedes van was comfortable and air-conditioned, and the driver was kind. Our route included stops at Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius for lunch. It cost €460—higher than a direct transfer, but worth it for the added experiences.