Take a moment to imagine yourself on a private day tour of the Amalfi Coast.
As soon as the tour starts, your attention is attracted by the local food.
On your way to the Amalfi Coast from Naples, after Pompei, you pass by Gragnano, the town where the best pasta you can find in Italy comes from!
Above Gragnano you see the Lattari mountains, where the Fiordilatte (a local mozzarella) and the Provolone del Monaco are typical products.
Entering the Sorrento area you see olive trees, oranges, lemons, grapes, walnuts etc.
Then your driver starts talking about extra virgin olive oil, lemons, pasta, diary products, cheeses, fruits, traditional recipes, while driving through the winding road passing by coloured fruit stalls full of fresh local produce.
It’s inevitable… food becomes one of the main topics of the day (would you dare saying you didn’t think about trying italian cuisine, planning your trip?) and yes – as a foodie – I love sharing information, recipes, and advice.
I think that a traveller should always have good local food, to better understand the area he’s travelling to.
It’s just a matter of time… after few minutes my clients ask for restaurant recommendations.

Ristorante Lido Azzurro

The Amalfi Coast is literally full of restaurants (like any other main destination of Italy), so the choice is difficult and I feel a great sense of responsibility giving an answer.
What sets a restaurant apart from the others?
Ristorante Lido Azzurro in Amalfi is definitely one of the best options in Amalfi.
Its location is awesome! Most of the tables are on a terrace that is literally above the water, in the marina of Amalfi, with a great relaxing view of the sea and the town.

The view from ristorante Lido Azzurro is so nice and relaxing.

Ristorante Lido Azzurro is the right choice if you’re looking for an authentic food experience. High quality fresh ingredients, excellent traditional cuisine, complete wine list.
Antonio (the owner) and his wife Simona will welcome you with a smile and lead you to your reserved table (if you have no reservation, it’s often hard to find a table).

Me and Antonio, owner at Ristorante Lido Azzurro.

The menu

My advice is to have a complete meal… there are some courses that are a must have!
I always start with the “tiepido di gamberetti”, my favorite starter: it’s fresh arugula, shrimps, extra virgin olive oil and juice of fresh lemon (the Sfusato Amalfitano lemon)… delicious!

I also like to have a small piece of eggplant parmigiana, fried anchovies, fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, so I always end it up asking for an antipasto misto (smaller portions, but more tastings).

I love this starter. The delicate taste of the shrimps, the fragrance of the lemons from Amalfi… Delicious!

You cannot leave Ristorante Lido Azzurro without tasting their spaghetti with clams (spaghetti e vongole). Believe me: it’s a must!
This restaurant is famous for it’s spaghetti and vongole.

Spaghetti and vongole (clams) at Ristorante Lido Azzurro.

Antonio is very selective about the ingredients, and uses special clams (paisanelle) that have a great taste and make the difference.

The clams used to make spaghetti and vongole are of a special kind, named “paisanelle”. The taste is so particular, and makes a great difference!

Besides the spaghetti with clams, they serve a great risotto, a wonderful Genovese (typical dish from Neapolitan cuisine), and great ragu.
The second course it’s a hard choiche. I love the fish witl lemon sauce… unbelievably delicious.

Fish with lemon sauce. I can smell the lemon from this picture. One of my favorite second courses at Ristorante Lido Azzurro.

Don’t miss the dessert. If the babà is available, have it. It’s one of the best babà you can find… 3 days of raising time, very soft and tasty.

Antonio is very selective about ingredients. And, of course, is very proud of what he brings to his customers.

Ristorante Lido Azzurro is one of my recommended restaurants during my full day excursions along the Amalfi Coast. I’ve always had excellent feedbacks from my clients.