Cetara is a small seaside town located on Amalfi Coast between Vietri sul Mare to its east and Erchie to its west. This lovely town is the “anchovies capital of the world” and a nice break from the hustle and bustle. Also, Cetara is not as touristy as other more popular towns on Amalfi Coast. Therefore it provides the kind of off-the-beaten-path experience that any tourist or traveler would enjoy.

The same thing is with food. Amalfi Coast is very popular, so there are many tourist traps, and it is not so easy to find excellent local food at a reasonable price. But, If you are looking for an authentic eating experience and delicious seafood specialties, it is worth your effort to get to this small, sleepy, authentic town. Here are the best restaurants in Cetara:

This article contains 5 restaurants in Cetara, which are best in our subjective opinion. The order of the restaurants is not related to the quality of food or the prices they offer. Every restaurant has its pros and cons, so choose your place for lunch or dinner based on your personal preferences.)

Cetara Punto e Pasta

Cetara Punto e Pasta is a small family-owned restaurant that offers visitors authentic Italian food and experience. It is located in the main street of Cetara, so it is a great place to spend the evening and watch the world go by.

The restaurant is very popular for the freshness of ingredients and high-quality food for excellent prices. Therefore, lots of locals eat there, and the place is always very busy. The dishes are very local, homemade, quite simple, but well-prepared, and highly delicious.

You can expect generous portions, low prices compared with other restaurants, and a short menu, which in Italy often equates to a good quality of food. The whole cuisine is based on traditional pasta and seafood dishes. As mentioned above, this restaurant is very tiny, so you will almost certainly have to queue for a free table.

Therefore, it is advisable to call in advance to make a reservation. There are few outdoor tables, and only around 15 people fit inside. The good thing about sitting inside is the possibility of watching the food preparation because of an open kitchen.

The waiters are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about food. So, if you don’t want mass food production and are looking for a local family restaurant, you should consider visiting this little gem. Cetara Punto e Pasta is located on Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 14, right in the middle of the town, and is open every day except Tuesday from 11:30 AM (11:30 hours) to 4:30 PM (16:30 hours) and from 6:30 PM (18:30 hours) until 12:00 AM (00:00 hours).

Dea Mangiona

Dea Mangiona is another small family restaurant located on the main street close to the seafront in Cetara. A friendly and caring couple runs this lovely, informal, and highly welcoming place, so you can expect the combination of simple local food and the warm hospitality of the hosts.

The restaurant offers a simple and not too extensive menu based on authentic dishes that really represent the best of Cetara.

Therefore, you can try various anchovies dishes, including Colatura anchovy sauce specific for this town, homemade ravioli, roasted octopus with creamed potatoes, and other delicious seafood. Every meal is made with typical local products and attention to the smallest details.

You will even get a free welcome bruschetta, which is delicious, and you can try excellent lemon delight for dessert. Keep in mind that there are only 7 tables in this restaurant, so booking a table in advance is advisable.

To sum up, if you want to savor the true tastes of Cetara without spending too much, this little restaurant is undoubtedly recommended. Dea Mangiona is located on Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 24, right in the center of Cetara, and is open every day except Monday. From Sunday to Thursday, it is open from 12:00 PM (12:00 hours) to 6:30 PM (18:30 hours), while on Friday and Saturday, the restaurant is open from 12:00 PM (12:00 hours) to 4:30 PM (16:30 hours) and from 7:00 PM (19:00 hours) until 12:00 AM (00:00 hours).

Falalella

Falalella is a high-quality restaurant and the perfect place for those who want to have a romantic dinner. If you want to try exquisite cuisine, quality wine, and professional service, and you are not bothered by high prices, then you should consider dining in this restaurant.

Falalella has a beautiful terrace that overlooks the small public beach in Cetara. The restaurant is actually located on a cliff, so you can eat while enjoying breathtaking views of the bay of Salerno. Also, there is a beautiful breeze to keep you cool in the summertime heat, and the dishes fully reflect the very high expectation of the guests.

Falalella offers delicious food based on traditional local cuisine but with stylish touches. That means you can expect many combinations with freshly caught seafood. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options which are almost comparable to the “standard” menus. Those who love wines can choose between a broad selection of high-quality wines from all over the world. Worth mentioning is that it has its own parking lot right next to the stairs leading down to the restaurant.

So, you should expect a high receipt, but in addition to eating well, with innovative recipes, you will enjoy a breathtaking view and experience high-class service.

Falalella is located on Corso Umberto I, around 750 meters (0.5 miles) east of Cetara center, on the scenic highway winding along the Amalfi Coast. The restaurant is part of a modern Hotel Cetus, but with a separate entrance. It is open every day except Monday from 1:00 PM (13:00 hours) to 3:00 PM (15:00 hours), and from 8:00 PM (20:00 hours) until 10:30 PM (22:30 hours).

La Frittura del Golfo

La Frittura del Golfo is a fantastic little restaurant with excellent food and wines. It looks relatively simple from the outside, so do not expect a fancy place. But if you want real authentic food in Cetara, this restaurant is a pretty good choice.

The restaurant is located in the central part of Cetara, just a stone’s throw from the sea. Therefore, it is very easy to find and has a nice atmosphere, especially in the evening.

All the time, you will feel like you are in one cozy Italian home because of the kind and attentive staff. The menu represents the typical Cetarese cuisine, which means simple ingredients, but very rich and flavourful taste. One of the most popular meals at this place is fried seafood mix.

It consists of fresh and hot fried calamari, shrimp, and anchovies. Even though this mix looks simple, it is very delicious, and the price is fair. La Frittura del Golfo is located on Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 13, right in the center of Cetara. It is open every day from 11:00 AM (11:00 hours) until 1:30 AM (1:30 hours).

Pane e Coccos

Pane e Coccos is another small family-run restaurant that serves traditional specialties. It is located a short walk from the center and is well worth a visit.

Even though this is a smaller and more informal place compared to some other restaurants in Cetara, the restaurant has a traditional Italian atmosphere and fresh, inexpensive, and good food. Considering its size, the restaurant has a bunch of outside tables, so you do not have to worry about finding a table.

The menu is quite short, but it caters to all tastes, and every meal is very reasonably priced. The true star of this restaurant is fish. So fresh and well prepared, served with local, special sauces that truly represent the former fishing village of Cetara.

Worth mentioning is that the kitchen is visible from the dining room, and the staff is very helpful, polite, and friendly. Pane e Coccos is located on Corso Federici 3, around 200 meters (0.1 miles) from the Cetara center. It is open every day except Wednesday from 12:00 PM (12:00 hours) to 3:00 PM (15:00 hours) and from 7:00 PM (19:00 hours) until 12:00 AM (00:00 hours).

Check out more articles about Cetara:

• Things to do in Cetara