From celeb-spotting in buzzy restaurants to super-fresh seafood by the sea, there’s more to Capri than just lemons (though there are plenty of those). These are the top bars and restaurants on the Italian island.
The most fragrant place to dine in Capri, Da Paolino’s tables are set in a grove of 130 lemon trees. Naturally, there is plenty of citrus on the menu. If you’re not up for the lemon spaghetti, try the sea bass in salt crust instead, but at least order a lemon pudding for dessert. A glass of limoncello to finish is essential. paolinocapri.com/en.
If you are hoping for a touch of star-spotting during your Capri stay, book a table at La Capannina. Its flower-decked terrace is a favourite spot for celebs in the mood for a candlelit dinner. Signature dishes include linguine with scorfano, or scorpion fish, and a whole sea bream topped with a layer of potatoes. capanninacapri.it.
Love a touch of rustic chic? Then Le Grotelle, set against a rock face near the Arco Naturale, is the trattoria for you. High marks for ambience, for the views towards Li Galli islands, and for the wide-ranging menu. (Our tip: anything featuring seafood is a good choice.) facebook.com.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. At Da Antonio, a beach bar on the Lido del Faro beach near Anacapri, they know what works – they have been doing it since the 1950s. Take a seat at either the wooden tables or on one of the deckchairs, and order from the simple menu of snacks, sandwiches, and pizza. The caponata is the signature dish.
The island’s verdant interior offers a welcome change of pace from buzzing Capri Town and Da Gelsomina, tucked away amid rows of grapevines high above Anacapri, is the perfect place for a laidback lunch. Much of the produce is grown onsite, with highlights including pollo a mattone, a whole chicken grilled with bricks. Bring your swimmers to cool off in the pool. dagelsomina.com.
It’s long been the island’s best restaurant and the two-Michelin-starred L’Olivo, in the Jumeirah Capri Palace Hotel in Ana Capri, continues to set the standard for the island. Take a seat on one of the comfy couches and sample chef Andrea Migliaccio’s contemporary takes on local classics, including a superb risotto with a Neapolitan ragu. jumeirah.com.
You won’t find seafood fresher than at Capri Town’s Pescheria Le Botteghe, where they sell crates of seafood fresh from the waters of the Gulf of Naples in the morning, then serve up seafood platters and fish-frys for lunch and dinner. pescherialebotteghe.it.
L’Olivo’s more casual sibling, Il Riccio is a lively clifftop beach club where the crockery comes in bright shades of sea blue and sunny yellow. The menu is built around local seafood but be sure to leave room for dessert – there are some sensational choices. jumeirah.com.
An ever-popular aperitivo stop, Pulalli has more than 150 labels on its wine list, which means you can always find the perfect drop to go with the snacks on offer. Pulalli’s terrace is a great spot for people-watching but with just five tables, you will need to book well in advance. facebook.com.
Sooner or later you will wind up at the historic Buonocore in Capri Town: either in the morning for a sweet treat, such as their almond and lemon Caprilu biscuit; at lunch for a quick panini; or any time of day for a cone of gelato. buonocorecapri.it.
