16 Traditional Amalfi Coast Foods To Try in 2024
Renowned for its sun-kissed shores, charming seaside towns and outstanding Amalfi Coast food, this region of Italy is a must-visit for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience. Coastal Campania, encompassing the Amalfi Coast and the islands of Capri and Ischia, has long been a coveted destination.
Roman nobles once built their villas along this vibrant coastline and over time, it has blossomed into a world-famous travel haven. The Amalfi Coast is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its stunning array of churches, gardens, restaurants and vineyards.
While the coast of Italy has a lot to offer travelers, traditional Amalfi Coast food is a huge perk of visiting the area. With all the fresh seafood and abundant local ingredients, Amalfi Coast food is some of the best in the world. Explore savory seafood pasta, wood-fired pizza and delightful Mediterranean desserts with a trip to the Amalfi Coast.
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Find The Best Food on the Amalfi Coast
When traveling to a new city it can often be challenging to find great places to eat that aren’t overrun with tourists. If you are aching to eat traditional Amalfi Coast food like a true local, try one of the many food tours in Italy.
Embark on a flavorful adventure as your knowledgeable tour guide escorts you around this historic city. Sip on authentic espresso at a hole-in-the-wall café, dine at top-rated restaurants or grab drinks at everyone's favorite local bar with a food tour experience.
The Amalfi Coast is known as one of the best foodie cities in the world, and it's fair to say there's a whole world of incredible Amalfi Coast food to try. From trendy street food like the Amalfi Cup to classic beverages like limoncello, there are so many hidden gems you don’t want to miss. Explore famed local restaurants like a professional foodie with an interactive Italian food tour on your next visit to the Amalfi Coast.
16 Traditional Amalfi Coast Dishes To Try
1. Alici di Cetara
Alici di Cetara, in Italian, means "anchovies of Cetara." This briny Amalfi Coast food can be prepared in a multitude of ways, including fried, marinated or brined in oil. Traditional alici di Cetara is typically harvested in the spring during the anchovy fishing season.
After they are harvested, the fish are salted and pressed to produce a famous seasoning called colatura, which is used to season various dishes in the area. Known for its delicious umami flavor, alici di Cetara makes an excellent appetizer to start any meal.
2. Mozzarella di Bufala
Experience a taste of the best mozzarella in the world with mozzarella di bufala. This Amalfi Coast food is a premium type of mozzarella that is popular for its rich flavor. There are two types of mozzarella, bufala and fiore. Fiore mozzarella is typically milder, made from cow's milk and used on pizzas and sandwiches.
Bufala is made from the milk of water buffalos and is a controlled Designation of Origin item which means it can only be produced in the Naples area of Italy. Italian mozzarella is made by hand from local artisans which makes it a gourmet treat. This soft succulent cheese is usually served as a starter and pairs well with fresh vegetables and local prosciutto.
3. Pizza Napolitana
While pizza is a global phenomenon you can find almost anywhere, you don’t want to miss out on pizza Napolitana. This Amalfi Coast food was created in Naples in the 19th century and has been prepared with great care for centuries by the city's artisan pizza makers.
Explore local pizzerias to get an unforgettable taste of this immensely popular dish. Though pizza might not be at the top of many people's Amalfi Coast foods to try list, the regional take on classic Italian pizza is a dish you don’t want to miss out on.
4. Paccheri Con Rana Pescatrice
A popular Amalfi Coast dish that uses handmade pasta and freshly caught seafood, this dish is composed of paccheri — short, hollow pasta similar to rigatone — paired with rana pescatrice (monkfish). This juicy, succulent fish is cooked with garlic, fresh tomatoes and herbs to create a rich and creamy pasta dish. While monkfish is known for its strange appearance, it is actually quite delicious and is considered a local delicacy.
5. Ndunderi
Discover one of the oldest pasta dishes in the world. This Amalfi Coast food has roots that date back to the ancient Roman Empire where it originated in a town called Minori. The pasta is traditionally made with spelt, which is a type of rustic whole-grain flour made with triticum spelta wheat. Once the pasta is made the dish is topped with fragrant tomato sauce and fresh ricotta. Savor a slice of history with this simple yet tasty Italian dish.
6. Gli Scialatielli All’amalfitana
Gli sciatelli all’ Amalfitana has a unique namesake that roughly translates as “to enjoy the cooking pan”. With a name this straightforward you know the dish is sure to be amazing. As you might have guessed by the name, this food originated along the Amalfi Coast and fully utilizes the city's proximity to fresh seafood. The base of the dish is composed of scialatelli — a fresh pasta that is like a fatter and shorter version of a traditional spaghetti noodle.
The flavor of this dish comes from the wonderful seafood medley showcasing ingredients like muscles, shrimp, clams and calamari all tossed with local cherry tomatoes and crushed herbs. This Amalfi Coast food is extremely common throughout the area, so finding a plate to enjoy shouldn't be difficult!
7. Pasta Al Limon
The Amalfi Coast is known for its beautiful lemons that grow in the area, so it only makes sense that they're used in some of the most traditional local dishes. Pasta al limon is an Amalfi Coast food that has a unique preparation process. To make it, you start by adding lemons to a pot of water to soak overnight. The lemon-infused water is then used to boil the pasta creating a light and zingy note to the pasta, which is then covered with creamy pasta sauce.
8. Risotto Ai Frutti Di Mare
Risotto is a famous Italian dish with a long storied history dating back to the 16th century. This creamy slow-cooked rice is shorter than other rice varietals giving it a unique and comforting texture. Risotto ai frutti di mare is an Amalfi Coast food made from fresh seafood and risotto. Frutti di mare literally translates to “fruit of the sea” which is an apt description for the local seafood.
9. Spaghetti Alle Vognole
When traveling in such a beautiful coastal city it's only right to sample as much of the local seafood as possible. Spaghetti alle vognole is an Italian classic also known as spaghetti and clams. This Amalfi Coast food features fresh spaghetti topped with freshly caught clams cooked in a savory white wine butter sauce.
10. Totani E Patate Alla Praianese
In keeping with the theme of enjoying native seafood, totani e patate alla praianese is an Amalfi Coast food featuring calamari. This dish is made from calamari rings and potatoes that are braised in a warming red wine sauce. Primarily served as a second course, totani e patate is a hearty dish you don’t want to miss.
11. Il Fritto Misto Di Frutti Di Mare
Sink your teeth into a delightfully crispy appetizer with il fritto misto di frutti di mare. This Amalfi Coast food is a mixed plate of fresh seafood that is lightly battered, deep-fried and then finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon. While this food is fried, it isn't heavily battered which makes it light and enjoyable as a starter. The seafood mix often contains an eclectic assortment of seafood such as calamari, clams, lobster tails and small fish.
12. Amalfi Cup
Enjoy your fresh Amalfi Coast seafood on the go with the Amalfi cup. The Almafi cup is an Amalfi Coast food served in a cone-like paper cup making it easy to eat while on the move. An immensely popular street food, the Amalfi cup usually contains a mixture of fried seafood such as calamari, anchovies and sardines as well as rice balls or potato croquettes.
13. Delizia Al Limone
Take your tastebuds on a citrusy tour of the Amalfi Coast with delizia al limone. This refreshing dessert is made with a light fluffy sponge known as pan di spagna, which comes filled with lemon cream and brushed with limoncello.
Delizia al limon is sweet, creamy and tangy all at the same time. This Amalfi Coast dish is popular in the Naples region and is often found at celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries and family gatherings. Also known as "lemon delight", you won’t want to miss out on this delightful Amalfi Coast food.
14. Rum Baba
While many native Italians would associate this dessert with Naples, rum baba actually dates back to ancient India and Persia. Nevertheless, it's an incredibly popular Amalfi Coast food. Rum baba is a traditional rum-soaked sponge topped with whipped cream or fruit jams.
Characterized by a long tube-like appearance, this delicious dessert has a unique shape that makes it stand upright when baked. The light, spongey cake is sweet and summery and is made with a variety of decadent toppings making it the perfect vacation treat.
15. Melanzane Al Cioccolato
Get ready to taste outside the box with this unique Amalfi Coast dessert. Melanzane al cioccolato roughly translates to "chocolate eggplant" and is an intriguing combination of sweet and vegetal flavors. The origins of this interesting dessert are disputed. Some claim that the sisters of Agostiniane di Santa Maria della Misericordia invented the dish, while others say it was concocted by local Franciscan monks.
Traditionally prepared for the Ferragosto holiday celebrated on August 15th, this Amalfi Coast food eventually became a regional favorite. It's made by deep frying thin slices of eggplant and layering it with chocolate ganache, nuts and candied fruits.
16. Limoncello
While limoncello is technically a beverage and not an Amalfi Coast food, it is one of the region's must-try specialties. Behind wine and Campari, limoncello is probably one of Italy's most exported beverages.
While you can find this bright citrusy drink all over the country, the Amalfi Coast makes some of the best varietals thanks to the region's sheer wealth of local lemons. This popular liquor originated in the Amalfi Coast area and is made through a unique process of infusing lemon peels into clear liquor and then sweetening with sugar.
While the origin story of limoncello isn’t known, its creation is often credited to Maria Antonia Farace who was the owner of an inn in the seaside town of Capri. Legend states she used her gardens' over-abundant lemon harvest to make a delightful drink she could serve to guests year-round. Limoncello is a popular after-dinner drink that is served chilled and is meant for sipping after a hearty meal.
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The Amalfi Coast is a breathtaking travel destination known for its charming seaside villas, traditional restaurants and beautiful natural scenery. Exploring the city's wide array of traditional dishes is an exciting way to fully experience the culture of coastal Italy. From zesty lemon-flavored desserts to fresh seafood pastas, there's an Amalfi Coast food for everybody in this gorgeous Italian region.
For even more ways to explore Amalfi Coast and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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