The most exclusive Amalfi Coast restaurant reservations, according to hospitality experts
For generations, the Amalfi Coast has retained a reputation as the favorite vacation destination of the world’s elite. Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno, the famously picturesque region has featured in countless films and remains synonymous with la dolce vita.
The Amalfi Coast is also one of the best places to dine in the world — with one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy. It’s enough to make anyone fantasize about booking a flight to Italy and indulging in seafood, pasta, and wine.
In recent years, however, coveted dining opportunities have been harder to access than ever before.
“Post-COVID-19, I’m sure you’ve noticed that everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full,” said travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India. “So how do you navigate getting people into restaurants, hotels and yachts and experiences that are sort of already booked up?”
India knows more about getting people into restaurants than most — for 16 years, she has run Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for the ultra-wealthy. Her expertise is reserved for families making in excess of $100 million, and her past clients include George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
Despite her star-studded resume, however, India emphasized that access to the most exciting and popular restaurants (or hotels or yachts or other luxury experiences) comes down to a few significant factors: namely, understanding what customers are looking for and building relationships with the restaurants that can fulfill those desires.
“People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu,” she explained. “The entire shift in the last three years has been towards trendy restaurants where the focus is not necessarily on food. It’s never about food, it’s sort of about FOMO. It’s about saying that you got in, it’s a bragging right.”
If you’re interested in bragging rights of your own (and are willing to be persistent about fighting for a reservation) read on to see which Amalfi Coast restaurant tables are the hardest to get, according to Sienna Charles.
Da Adolfo
Founded in 1966 by Italian Adolfo Bella and his American wife, Lucille, this enduring favorite is a five-minute boat ride away from the cliffside village of Positano. The menu at Da Adolfo has remained the same for decades, even as the restaurant has evolved from a secluded beach shack into one of the most desirable meals in the region. To get to Da Adolfo, guests queue up for a boat ride that serves as an “appetizer of the spirit,” before dining on fresh grilled fish, mussel soup, and other seaside favorites.
Aurora Capri
As the oldest restaurant in Capri, Aurora is known for its commitment both to innovation and respect for the history of Italian cuisine. Favored by A-listers such as Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé, Aurora’s menu includes the iconic pizza all’Acqua and an extensive wine selection.
La Fontelina Capri
Located directly on the water, La Fontelina was founded in 1949 as a beachside hut. In the ensuing decades, it became a popular destination for iconic film stars, including Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, and Clark Gable. The menu includes fresh pasta, seafood salad, and refreshing iced sangria.
Lo Scoglio
Founded by Tommaso De Simone in 1958, Lo Scoglio prides itself in offering the freshest food to its patrons. If you choose to dine at this waterfront restaurant, there’s a strong possibility your vegetables will come directly from the garden of the De Simone family. Guests can choose from one of three locations — the dock, the deck, or the terrace grill for waterfront dining.