The Amalfi Coast isn’t just about stunning cliffs and turquoise water, it’s also home to some of Italy’s most iconic dishes. If you’re planning an Amalfi Coast private tour, set aside time to experience the food. Local ingredients, time-honored techniques, and a deep connection to the land and sea all come together in unforgettable ways.
Here are five dishes you must try while exploring this stunning part of Italy.
Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare
This is the Amalfi Coast on a plate. Scialatielli is a short, thick ribbon pasta made with flour, milk, and sometimes fresh herbs. It has more bite than standard pasta and clings beautifully to sauce.
It becomes a rich, briny, satisfying dish when paired with frutti di mare, a mix of clams, mussels, prawns, and sometimes squid. The seafood is usually sautéed with garlic, white wine, parsley, and olive oil. The sauce is light but flavored, allowing each ingredient to speak for itself.
Many restaurants in Amalfi or Vietri sul Mare serve this dish with seafood caught just hours earlier. On your Italy tours of the Amalfi Coast, you’ll often see this pasta served with a sea view, right where the ingredients come from.
Totani e Patate (Squid and Potatoes)
This humble-sounding dish surprises almost everyone who tries it. It’s made with totani, a type of local squid often mistaken for calamari, and potatoes stewed with tomatoes, garlic, and sometimes capers.
The result is soft, tender squid and potatoes that soak up the rich, tomato-based sauce. It’s hearty but not heavy, and it tells a story of traditional coastal cooking where fishermen used what they had and made it shine.
You’ll find this especially in small villages like Praiano or Cetara, where local chefs keep the recipe close to its roots. It’s perfect after a day exploring or sailing on an Amalfi Coast private tour.
Spaghetti alla Colatura di Alici
This is one for people who love bold flavours. Colatura di Alici is a fermented anchovy extract—often called “liquid gold”—made in Cetara. It dates back to Roman times and is similar to Asian fish sauce but has a gentler, more complex taste.
The dish is simple: spaghetti, garlic, chilli flakes, parsley, and a few spoonfuls of colatura. But the flavor is deep and salty, with a savory kick that lingers in the best way.
This dish celebrates Cetara’s long anchovy tradition. If your Italy tours Amalfi Coast include a stop there, don’t skip this one. Some restaurants even make their colatura in-house, giving you a taste of centuries-old craft.
Torta Caprese al Limone
While the original torta caprese comes from Capri and is made with chocolate and almonds, the Amalfi version uses white chocolate, ground almonds, and lemon zest. The result is a dense, moist cake with a strong citrus aroma and a smooth finish.
This dessert is naturally gluten-free and pairs beautifully with a small glass of limoncello or a dessert wine. It’s rich without being heavy and speaks to the coast’s love for lemon in every form.
You’ll often find this in elegant restaurants in Ravello or Positano, sometimes served with a scoop of lemon sorbet on the side.
Spaghetti alle Vongole (Spaghetti with Clams)
This is one of the simplest yet most elegant seafood dishes on the Amalfi Coast. Fresh clams, usually vongole veraci, are quickly steamed open with garlic, white wine, parsley, and olive oil, then tossed with al dente spaghetti. Some versions add a touch of chilli for heat, while others keep it clean and mild.
There’s no cream, no butter—just a silky sauce formed from the clam juices and pasta water. When done right, it’s light, briny, and full of flavor. This dish is served from beachside trattorias in Minori to refined restaurants in Positano. It’s often the go-to for locals and travelers alike who want something satisfying that still feels light.
Final Bite
Land, sea, and tradition shape food on the Amalfi Coast. It’s not about complicated cooking or modern trends. It’s about doing simple things well and letting great ingredients do the work.
If you’re joining anAmalfi Coast private tour, ensure these dishes are on your list. They’re part of the cultural experience. And on well-crafted tours, the best food moments often happen at quiet tables, with local wine, good company, and a sea view.
