Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Capri and Anacapri offer far more than glamorous seaside tables. The island’s strongest restaurants range from Michelin-starred dining rooms and romantic terraces to family-run kitchens, historic pizzerias, and beach clubs beside the water. This guide compares 15 verified restaurants on the island, explains what each does best, and separates true Capri restaurants from famous boat-lunch destinations on the nearby Sorrento Peninsula.
Quick Answer
The best restaurants in Capri include La Fontelina for a Faraglioni lunch, Da Paolino for dining beneath lemon trees, L’Olivo and Le Monzù for Michelin-starred cuisine, Il Riccio for refined seafood, Da Gelsomina for traditional Anacapri cooking, and Pulalli for an intimate Piazzetta view.
Key Takeaways
- Choose Capri town for lively evenings, fashionable dining, and easy access from the Piazzetta.
- Choose Anacapri for quieter surroundings, sunset views, traditional cooking, and several of the island’s top luxury restaurants.
- La Fontelina, Bagni di Tiberio, Il Riccio, and Lido del Faro combine dining with a coastal or beach-club setting.
- L’Olivo and Le Monzù are the clearest choices for Michelin-starred fine dining.
- Many restaurants operate seasonally, so confirm opening dates, reservation terms, dress codes, and transportation directly.
Best Restaurants in Capri by Vibe
The island has two main dining areas. Capri town is the busier center around the Piazzetta, Via Camerelle, Marina Piccola, and Marina Grande. Anacapri sits higher and feels quieter, with countryside restaurants, sunset terraces, and several luxury-hotel dining rooms. The following table includes only restaurants located on the island of Capri.
| Restaurant | Area | Best For | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. La Fontelina | Faraglioni | Iconic seaside lunch | Beach club and seafood |
| 2. Da Paolino | Palazzo a Mare | Romantic lemon-grove dinner | Traditional Caprese |
| 3. Aurora | Capri town | Historic pizza and a lively room | Mediterranean and pizzeria |
| 4. Il Riccio | Anacapri | Seafood near the Blue Grotto | Refined seafood |
| 5. L’Olivo | Anacapri | Two-Michelin-starred dining | Creative Italian |
| 6. Le Monzù | Tragara | Fine dining with Marina Piccola views | Contemporary and creative |
| 7. Gennaro Amitrano | Marina Piccola | Modern local cooking | Seasonal tasting and à la carte |
| 8. Da Giorgio | Capri town | Bay of Naples views | Classic island cooking |
| 9. Villa Verde | Capri town | Groups and lively dinners | Seafood, meat, and pizza |
| 10. Bagni di Tiberio | Palazzo a Mare | Historic waterfront lunch | Traditional seafood |
| 11. Le Grottelle | Natural Arch | Rustic meal after a walk | Traditional island dishes |
| 12. Da Gelsomina | Anacapri countryside | Traditional food and sunset | Family-run Caprese cooking |
| 13. La Terrazza di Lucullo | Anacapri | Romantic panoramic dinner | Regional Italian |
| 14. Lido del Faro | Punta Carena | Seafood and sunset | Beach-club restaurant |
| 15. Pulalli Wine Bar | Piazzetta | Intimate dinner and wine | Modern Caprese |
1. La Fontelina for Lunch by the Faraglioni
La Fontelina is the classic choice when you want lunch beside Capri’s Faraglioni rock formations. The restaurant sits beneath a straw-roofed pergola within the famous beach club and focuses on fish, seafood, fresh pasta, vegetables, and chilled sangria.
The setting is the main attraction, but getting there requires planning. You can walk down from the Tragara area using a long stepped path or arrange transport by sea. Wear practical shoes for the descent and remember that the return involves either a climb or a boat connection.
Restaurant-only reservations and beach-club reservations are not the same product. The official booking page publishes separate policies for dining, loungers, minimum spending, arrival times, and cancellations. La Fontelina normally serves lunch rather than regular public dinner service.
Pro Tip: Decide whether you want only lunch or a full beach-club day before booking. A restaurant table does not automatically include a sunbed, and beach access may carry separate conditions.
2. Da Paolino for Lemon-Tree Dining
Da Paolino is one of Capri’s most recognizable dinner settings. Tables sit beneath a dense canopy of lemon trees at Palazzo a Mare, creating a fragrant garden atmosphere that suits anniversaries, honeymoons, and other special evenings.
The restaurant focuses on traditional Caprese and Mediterranean cooking rather than a single must-order dish. Menus and seasonal specialties can change, so review the current options rather than relying on an old social-media recommendation. The broad dessert selection is also an important part of the experience.
Da Paolino operates seasonally and publishes specific reservation windows. It also uses an elegant-casual dress code and may refuse beachwear, flip-flops, or sleeveless shirts for men. Confirm the current opening schedule before building an evening around it.
3. Aurora for Historic Capri Pizza
Aurora has served diners in Capri town for more than a century. It is especially known for pizza all’acqua, a thin local-style pizza associated with the restaurant’s long history, as well as Mediterranean dishes, pasta, and an extensive wine program.
The atmosphere is stylish and lively, and the restaurant attracts an international crowd. That makes it a good choice when you want dinner near the center rather than a quiet countryside meal. Prices are at the upper end, so check the current menu, cover charge, and service terms before ordering.
Calling Aurora “Capri’s best pizza” would be subjective. It is more accurate to describe it as one of the island’s best-known historic pizzerias and a strong choice for travelers who value atmosphere, tradition, and a central location.
4. Il Riccio for Refined Seafood Near the Blue Grotto
Il Riccio sits in Anacapri a short distance from the Blue Grotto. Its blue-and-white terrace overlooks the sea, while the kitchen concentrates on fish, shellfish, crudo, pasta, and other Mediterranean seafood dishes.
The restaurant belongs to Jumeirah Capri Palace but welcomes outside diners with reservations. It is refined without feeling like a formal city dining room. One of its best-known features is the dessert room or buffet, which displays a wide range of cakes, pastries, fruit, and sweets.
Lunch is the most natural time to visit because of the coastal view, although dinner may be available on selected days. Check the official schedule because service hours change with the season.
5. L’Olivo for Two-Michelin-Starred Dining
L’Olivo, inside Jumeirah Capri Palace in Anacapri, holds two Michelin stars. It is the island’s leading choice when the meal itself matters more than a beach-club scene or a celebrity-filled dining room.
The cuisine draws on Campania and southern Italian traditions while using modern techniques and polished presentation. Expect a formal pace, detailed service, carefully structured courses, and a serious wine list. Tasting menus may require several hours, so avoid scheduling a rushed ferry departure afterward.
Reserve well ahead, disclose allergies when booking, and confirm the current dress code. This is an expensive special-occasion restaurant rather than a casual stop during a day trip.
6. Le Monzù for Fine Dining With Marina Piccola Views
Le Monzù is the one-Michelin-starred restaurant at Hotel Punta Tragara. Its position above Marina Piccola gives diners broad views of Capri’s cliffs and water while the kitchen serves contemporary, creative cuisine.
Choose Le Monzù when you want a romantic fine-dining experience closer to Capri town than L’Olivo. The room and terrace feel polished, and dinner is paced as an occasion rather than a quick meal.
The restaurant is reached through the pedestrian Tragara area, so allow enough time to walk from the Piazzetta. Comfortable footwear is useful even when your dinner clothes are formal.
7. Gennaro Amitrano for Modern Cooking in Marina Piccola
Gennaro Amitrano offers a more intimate dining experience near Marina Piccola. The restaurant combines seasonal ingredients, fresh fish, handmade pasta, risotto, and modern interpretations of southern Italian cooking.
Its smaller scale is part of the appeal. You are less likely to feel lost in a large dining room, and the Marina Piccola setting creates a quieter mood than the center of Capri town. It works well for an anniversary or for travelers who want thoughtful food without committing to the island’s most expensive Michelin tasting menu.
Because the dining room has limited capacity, reservations are important. Tell the restaurant about allergies or dietary restrictions before arrival so the kitchen can confirm what it can accommodate.
8. Da Giorgio for Bay of Naples Views
Da Giorgio is a longstanding restaurant and small hotel near the center of Capri. Its elevated dining room looks across the Bay of Naples, giving you a scenic meal without traveling to a remote beach club or countryside property.
The menu centers on familiar island cooking, including fish, seafood, pasta, vegetables, and simple Mediterranean preparations. It is a useful choice for travelers who prefer recognizable dishes and a relaxed atmosphere over an elaborate tasting menu.
Older recommendations frequently mention eggplant pasta or Pennette Aumm Aumm. Recipes and menus can change, so ask about current pasta specialties instead of assuming one specific dish will always be available.
9. Villa Verde for Groups and Lively Dinners
Villa Verde occupies a garden and courtyard close to the Piazzetta. Its large menu includes fish, seafood, meat, vegetarian dishes, and pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven, making it easier to satisfy a group with different preferences.
The mood can become lively later in the evening, particularly during busy summer periods. Music, celebrations, and audience participation may occur, but dancing should be treated as a possible part of the atmosphere rather than a guaranteed nightly program.
Choose Villa Verde for a social dinner, birthday, or group evening. Travelers seeking a quiet conversation should request an earlier table or select a smaller restaurant.
10. Bagni di Tiberio for a Historic Waterfront Lunch
Bagni di Tiberio combines a beach club and waterfront restaurant near Marina Grande. The site stands beside remains of the Roman imperial villa complex at Palazzo a Mare, giving the area genuine archaeological importance.
The restaurant serves traditional Caprese dishes, fresh fish, seafood, pasta, and seasonal vegetables. Its atmosphere is more relaxed than the island’s luxury dining rooms, and families often choose the surrounding beach because the water is generally easier to approach than Capri’s dramatic rock platforms.
You can reach the restaurant on foot from Marina Grande or use the operator’s boat service when available. Beach admission, restaurant reservations, transport, and arrival deadlines may be handled separately, so read the current booking terms carefully.
Note: Historical sources do not always use the same emperor’s name when describing the Palazzo a Mare complex. “Roman imperial villa remains” is the safest accurate description for general travelers.
11. Le Grottelle for Rustic Plates Near the Natural Arch
Le Grottelle sits near Capri’s Natural Arch, with parts of the restaurant built into cave-like hollows in the rock. Its terrace looks toward the sea and Punta Campanella, creating a scenic reward after the walk from Capri town.
The food is traditional and unfussy, with pasta, grilled dishes, fish, vegetables, and other island specialties. This is not the place for a formal tasting menu. Its strength lies in the rustic setting and the connection between the meal and the surrounding landscape.
Reaching Le Grottelle requires walking and includes steps. Travelers with limited mobility should contact the restaurant before booking. Wear supportive shoes, especially if you plan to combine lunch with the Pizzolungo route.
12. Da Gelsomina for Traditional Anacapri Cooking
Da Gelsomina is a family-run restaurant in the countryside near Anacapri’s Migliera viewpoint. It is one of the strongest choices for traditional island cooking away from Capri town’s busiest streets.
Typical specialties include ravioli capresi, rabbit prepared in the local style, pollo al mattone, fresh vegetables, fish, and house wine produced from the surrounding property. The west-facing location also makes it a rewarding place for an evening meal near sunset.
The restaurant is outside central Anacapri, but it generally offers a shuttle for guests from a designated meeting point. Confirm the pickup location and return arrangements when reserving.
13. La Terrazza di Lucullo for a Romantic Panoramic Meal
La Terrazza di Lucullo is the cliff-edge restaurant at Hotel Caesar Augustus in Anacapri. Its terraces overlook the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the Sorrentine Peninsula.
The kitchen serves regional Italian dishes using seasonal produce, including vegetables and herbs grown in the hotel’s garden. The setting is polished and romantic but does not require you to be a hotel guest. Outside diners can reserve for lunch or dinner, subject to availability.
Ask for an outdoor table, but remember that weather may affect terrace seating. Smart-casual clothing is appropriate, and sunset tables are usually the most competitive.
14. Lido del Faro for Seafood and Sunset
Lido del Faro sits beneath the Punta Carena lighthouse on Anacapri’s western coast. Unlike many east-facing Capri venues, it remains positioned for late-afternoon light and sunset.
The restaurant specializes in seafood, raw fish, grilled dishes, pasta, and Caprese classics. It shares the location with a beach club and saltwater pool, allowing you to combine swimming and lunch when the club is operating.
Punta Carena is reached by bus, taxi, or private transfer from Anacapri. Service is seasonal, and beach-club packages may include admission or food-credit conditions that differ from a restaurant-only booking.
15. Pulalli Wine Bar for an Intimate Piazzetta Dinner
Pulalli Wine Bar occupies a small space beside the clocktower above Capri’s Piazzetta. The terrace looks over the square and toward the Bay of Naples, yet the restaurant has far fewer seats than the large celebrity-oriented dining rooms nearby.
The menu combines Caprese flavors with contemporary presentation, while the wine list is a major part of the experience. Pulalli works especially well for couples who want a central location without a loud or oversized room.
The tiny balcony table is particularly sought after and cannot be assumed with a standard reservation. The restaurant currently handles bookings by email, so request your preferred seating clearly and wait for confirmation.
Two Famous Boat-Lunch Restaurants Near Capri
Conca del Sogno and Lo Scoglio are often included in Capri restaurant guides because yacht guests travel there from the island. Both are excellent-known coastal destinations, but neither is physically located on Capri.
Conca del Sogno in Recommone Bay
Conca del Sogno is at Recommone Bay near Nerano in the municipality of Massa Lubrense. It offers a beach-club setting, seafood, fish, and direct access by sea. A visit from Capri requires a planned boat transfer, private vessel, or a longer land journey through the Sorrento Peninsula.
Choose it as part of a dedicated boating day rather than describing it as a restaurant within Capri. Confirm docking arrangements, transfer costs, sea conditions, and the cancellation policy before departure.
Lo Scoglio in Marina del Cantone
Lo Scoglio da Tommaso is in Marina del Cantone, also within Massa Lubrense. The family-run restaurant is known for simple seafood, produce from its own farm, and regional dishes served beside a private jetty.
Its location makes it a popular yacht lunch, but it should not be counted among Capri’s island restaurants. Arrange the return journey before eating, particularly if wind or changing sea conditions could affect a small-boat transfer.
Warning: Do not book a nonrefundable mainland restaurant and an informal boat ride as separate arrangements without checking sea conditions and return transport. A restaurant reservation does not guarantee that your boat transfer will operate.
Hotel La Palma Dining: Check the Current Restaurant Names
Older Capri guides may recommend Gennaro’s, Bianca Rooftop, Gioia, or La Palma Beach Club under chef Gennaro Esposito. Hotel restaurant concepts can change faster than independent restaurants, and older hotel pages may remain visible after a transition.
Hotel La Palma’s current dining page lists Casa Tua Restaurant, Mare by Casa Tua, Fuoco Rooftop, and The Club by Casa Tua. Check that current page before reserving, because a restaurant name found in an older article may no longer match the venue operating during your visit.
Best Capri Dinner Spots
The right dinner choice depends on the evening you want:
- For romance: Da Paolino, Le Monzù, La Terrazza di Lucullo, or Pulalli
- For Michelin-starred food: L’Olivo or Le Monzù
- For a lively group dinner: Villa Verde or Aurora
- For traditional island cooking: Da Gelsomina, Da Giorgio, or Le Grottelle
- For a quiet modern meal: Gennaro Amitrano
- For a late coastal sunset: Lido del Faro
Check your return transportation before choosing a remote Anacapri or coastal restaurant. Buses may be crowded in summer, taxis can be limited at peak hours, and some pedestrian routes include steep steps.
Top Capri Restaurants With Views
For the Faraglioni, La Fontelina provides the most recognizable close-up setting. Le Monzù and Gennaro Amitrano look toward Marina Piccola, while Da Giorgio and Pulalli offer elevated views closer to Capri town.
In Anacapri, La Terrazza di Lucullo looks across the Bay of Naples and toward the mainland. Da Gelsomina faces west from the countryside, and Lido del Faro is one of the strongest choices for sunset. Il Riccio provides a sea-level coastal view near the Blue Grotto.
A view request is never a guarantee. Restaurants assign tables according to availability, party size, weather, and operating needs. Reserve early, request the desired area politely, and decide whether the restaurant is still worthwhile without the front-row table.
How to Reserve Capri Restaurants
- Check the official website first. Confirm the restaurant is open during your travel dates and note whether it serves lunch, dinner, or both.
- Use the restaurant’s preferred booking method. Some accept online reservations, while others use email, telephone, hotel concierge requests, or a booking form.
- Wait for written confirmation. A submitted request is not always a confirmed table.
- Separate restaurant and beach-club services. A dining reservation may not include admission, a lounger, towels, an umbrella, transport, or swimming facilities.
- Read cancellation and minimum-spend terms. Beach clubs and high-demand restaurants may require a card guarantee or charge for late cancellation.
- Share important needs early. Mention allergies, vegetarian requirements, children, mobility limitations, celebrations, and seating requests before arrival.
- Reconfirm transportation. This is especially important for La Fontelina, Punta Carena, the Blue Grotto area, Marina Piccola, and the Anacapri countryside.
Pro Tip: A hotel concierge can help with difficult reservations, but the final confirmation should still come from the restaurant or appear in the restaurant’s booking system.
Note: Capri restaurants frequently change opening days, service hours, menus, and seasonal closing dates. Treat any schedule in a travel article as a starting point and verify it directly before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Capri, Italy?
Strong choices include La Fontelina for an iconic seaside lunch, Da Paolino for a lemon-grove dinner, L’Olivo and Le Monzù for Michelin-starred dining, Il Riccio for seafood, Da Gelsomina for traditional Anacapri cooking, and Pulalli for a small romantic restaurant near the Piazzetta.
Where do celebrities eat in Capri?
Celebrity sightings are often reported at high-profile venues such as Da Paolino, Aurora, La Fontelina, Villa Verde, and luxury-hotel restaurants. Restaurants do not publish dependable guest lists, so choose a venue for its food, setting, and service rather than the possibility of seeing a famous diner.
Where can you find traditional local food in Capri?
Da Gelsomina, Le Grottelle, Da Giorgio, Bagni di Tiberio, and Da Paolino all offer dishes connected to Caprese or Campanian cooking. Menus change seasonally, so look for ravioli capresi, fresh fish, local vegetables, rabbit, simple tomato pasta, and torta caprese.
Is Da Paolino Taylor Swift’s favorite Italian restaurant?
No reliable public interview or primary source confirms that Da Paolino is Taylor Swift’s favorite Italian restaurant. The venue is popular with international visitors and public figures, but the specific “favorite restaurant” claim should not be treated as established fact.
How far ahead should you reserve Capri restaurants?
Reserve high-demand restaurants as soon as your travel dates are firm, especially for July, August, weekends, sunset tables, and beach clubs. Some venues open reservations only within a specific seasonal window, so follow the official restaurant policy instead of assuming every restaurant accepts bookings months in advance.
Is it better to eat in Capri town or Anacapri?
Capri town is better for lively evenings, fashionable rooms, and easy access to the Piazzetta. Anacapri is better for quieter surroundings, countryside cooking, luxury-hotel restaurants, and sunset views. Staying overnight gives you enough time to enjoy both areas without rushing for a ferry.
Are Conca del Sogno and Lo Scoglio on Capri?
No. Conca del Sogno is at Recommone Bay near Nerano, and Lo Scoglio is in Marina del Cantone. Both are in Massa Lubrense on the Sorrento Peninsula. They can be visited from Capri by private boat, but they are not restaurants on the island.
Conclusion
The best restaurant in Capri depends on the experience you value most. La Fontelina delivers the classic Faraglioni lunch, Da Paolino creates a memorable lemon-grove dinner, L’Olivo and Le Monzù lead the island’s Michelin-starred options, and Da Gelsomina offers a quieter taste of traditional Anacapri.
Build your choice around location, transportation, season, and dining style rather than celebrity claims or an unsupported “best” label. Reserve early, confirm the current restaurant name and opening schedule, and read beach-club terms before paying. Good planning lets you enjoy the view without losing sight of the food.
Sources
- Capri.com Dining Guide — current island restaurant locations, contact details, and seasonal guidance
- La Fontelina Official Restaurant Page — restaurant format, seafood menu, lunch service, and booking guidance
- Da Paolino Official Website — lemon-grove setting, location, seasonal information, and dress code
- Michelin Guide: L’Olivo — current two-star status and cuisine
- Michelin Guide: Le Monzù — current one-star status, location, and cuisine
- Hotel La Palma Dining — current restaurant and bar concepts