Sorrento: Best Eats
General Information
Location: Sorrento is part of the city of Naples which is located in the Campania region of Italy
Language: Italian, English
Currency: Euro (£)
Airports: Naples (NAP) is closest, but other airports such as Rome (FCO), Florence (FLR), and Milan (MXP) are reachable by high-speed train
Season: May to September, peaks in June
Recommended stay: 4 days
Cost: 60-90 Euros/day/person
Safety: Italy is considered safe for travelers. That said, visitors should exercise caution, particularly in crowded areas, as pickpockets may be present.
Solo: Safe to travel alone, just watch out for areas that may be dark and secluded or overly congested.
Equality: 69 out of 100; Same-sex relationships and civil unions are both legal. Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal in this region.
Transport: Sorrento is located on a rail line running from Naples (Garibaldi Station) to Sorrento and can also be reached by taxi, bus, car, or ferry.
Accommodations: A variety of accommodations are available, starting at about 80 euros a night.
Gelato
There is usually some debate about how to choose a good gelato in Italy. Often, you will need to prioritize either the look or flavor of your gelato. Anything you find will likely be good, but natural flavors tend to be less vibrantly colored and generally have fewer toppings available. The best options, in my experience, were gelaterias off the main street. These places often serve their gelato and sorbetto out of plain silver containers that have a top. These will be the treats that will taste the best. If it's a photoshoot you're after, stick to the bright colors usually found on Corso Italia as these will show up better in editing.
Drinks
Sorrento offers drinks at a variety of price points and quality. Some bars/restaurants may have cocktails or wine for just a few euro. They're great if you're wanting to chat with friends, go out, or grab some snacks while out. If the price seems really low, pay attention. You might have either just found a deal or might be a little less than impressed with your choice. Many rooftop bars, however, will be fairly expensive. Here, you are paying for a leisurely experience with a gorgeous view. Be sure that you match your drink with your venue. You will benefit more from getting a glass of wine or a cocktail at a nicer bar than from getting a standard bottled beer. You will have access to some drinks that can be hard to get ahold of elsewhere. At more casual places, you may prefer sticking to a simple cocktail, beer, or wine. Another note is that many of these places will have a cover charge for using the table and water is not generally included.
Breakfast
Many places around Sorrento keep it light for breakfast, grabbing a croissant and cappuccino or a slice of bread and espresso. Breakfast is not a prominent meal in Italy and is often eaten on the go or in the cafe for just a short time. That said, there are still some brunch places in Sorrento if you're looking to spend a little more of your day on your morning meal.
Lunch
Lunch is also not a heavy focus, although many shops close down for what appears to be a long lunch. Rather, it is a time for shop workers and owners to go home for lunch, sit with their families, and take a short nap. You can expect a good bit of stores to be closed from around one to four pm (13:00 to 16:00). Your lunch is probably best as a simple pasta, pizza, or a sandwich as you go back for a nap or lay out on the beach. You could use this time to wander and see the sights of Sorrento, but be careful as it can get very hot in the middle of the day.
Dinner
This is the main meal of the day. Often, an apertivo is served before dinner, where you may have a spritz or light wine and some dry snacks to prepare for dinner. This is best done around six or seven pm (18:00 or 19:00). This quick meal and drink is meant to prepare you for dinner. Many restaurants will not open until after this time as locals don't generally eat dinner until eight or nine pm (20:00 or 21:00). An important note about dinner: going out for dinner is for those who aren't rushing. Pick up something takeaway if you're in a hurry, as sitting down generally takes from one to three hours, depending on the size of your party. Tradition is to get a course of pasta and a second course as a main course, but you'll be fine just to get what you want for dinner, even if that's only one plate. Sorrento is also home to many great seafood restaurants, pizza places, and several Michelin-starred places. If you're planning on going somewhere on the fancier side, it would be a good idea to try to make reservations around a week or two in advance if possible.
Recommendations
Breakfast:
- Radical: a great brunch spot for mimosas, waffles, and a slower breakfast
- Sant'Antonino Banco a Ristoro: my favorite stop for a graffa, a sugar donut, and a cappuccino
- Il Duomo: a great pastry shop with options for someone not sure what they're looking for
Lunch:
- Semola PastaBar: a good stop for lunch that offers outdoor seating, a variety of pasta, and dessert
- Pizzeria da Franco: a trusty and inexpensive pizzeria with just about every pizza you can imagine
Dinner:
- Trattoria Da Emilia: a restaurant found on the shores of Marina Grande, offering fresh catches
- O'Puledrone: another restaurant from the Marina that offers excursions where you catch your dinner
Gelato:
- Raki: with two locations, you'll have options for some of the best gelato in Sorrento
- Fresco: a cute place in a quieter section of Sorrento, some of their best works are their fruit flavors
- Gelateria David: a gelateria that offers classes, tutorials, and a collection of eclectic flavors like wine
Drinks:
- La Pergola: a gorgeous bar by the center of town, offering a nice place to relax before dinner
- Bellevue Syrene: a bar found in a five-star hotel, specializing in wine and cocktails with a great view
- Fauno Notte Club: a nightlife spot in Sorrento with a full bar, just wait a while for it to hit full swing
Linked below (in alphabetical order) are all restaurants above in addition to a few other good options.
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