Located on the popular Amalfi Coast, Maiori is a place where everybody wants to spend their summer vacation. It is small enough to retain the charm of Amalfi Coast towns but also big enough to have everything you need for amazing holidays. Maiori is not known worldwide, unlike Positano or Amalfi town, so you won’t see a flood of people everywhere you look. Therefore, it is a great place for a relaxing summer vacation or a base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.

Once a fishing village, Maiori is now a tourist town that is almost completely focused on making visitors stay pleasant. Therefore, you can find many restaurants, trattorias, and bistros all over the place that offer various culinary delights. The main and most widespread dish is, of course, seafood, which is caught daily in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Besides, there are also classic Italian dishes like pasta and pizza. In this restaurant guide, we will show you the best restaurants in Maiori.

(This article contains 5 restaurants in Maiori, which are best in our subjective opinion. The order of the restaurants is not related to the quality they offer. Every restaurant has its pros and cons, so choose the one based on your personal preferences.)

Maiori Food Coast

Maiori Food Coast is a small family-run place located in a hideaway only 5 minutes from a promenade with a few tables and chairs outside. When you enter, you will immediately see that you are not in one of those fancy restaurants with Michelin stars and a bunch of different waiters.

However, you will smell the lovely breeze of fresh meals and see very friendly family, always with a smile on their faces, that do everything to please their guests. So, if you are looking for a super friendly place that offers authentic Italian food along with a cold beer or a glass of wine, give this little restaurant a go.

You will be served by a son and his mother who work there, using grandma’s original recipes. We advise ordering homemade gnocchi with octopus, arancini, or delicious meatballs. Keep in mind that everything is made fresh daily, so the menu is often different, and it is not printed out but written on the board. 

Even though Maiori Food Coast offers top-quality food, it is not too expensive compared to other places in Maiori. A dinner for two with drinks will usually cost you from 30 to 40 euros which is pretty reasonable. For dessert, don’t miss out on a refreshing lemon cream. 

Casa Ferraiuolo

Casa Ferraiuolo is a small restaurant and a fantastic leap into the past. When you walk in, the narrow room will feel like a place from the previous century. All around the place are wooden shelves, and most of the bar is original from the time of the tailor shop. So, this restaurant is a lovely retro concept made up of a combination of cocktail bars, traditional minimalist cuisine, and a spectacular wine list.

However, the beauty of Casa Ferraiuolo is not the only reason why you should check out this place. Their food offering is exactly what you should expect if you are looking for excellent Italian cuisine. Even though the menu is not extensive and the food looks pretty simple, their meals are all made brilliantly from fresh and high-quality local ingredients. We advise ordering homemade pasta dishes that are very light and authentic. Furthermore, the cacio e pepe and bruschetta with artichokes are also dishes should try, and don’t leave this place without trying their excellent cocktails.

There are also amazing local wines and homemade limoncello. It is worth mentioning that are all very pleasant, welcoming, and service-oriented. They deeply cared about their work with the food, cocktail experience, and making a great atmosphere, so don’t be surprised by some bel canto singing from one of the staff members during the evening. Keep in mind that Casa Ferraiuolo is a small but very popular restaurant with just a few extra tables outside, so think about booking ahead. 

O Barao

O Barao is a small hidden restaurant tucked away in one of the side alleys, but it is also the place you should visit if need a break from Italian cuisine. There is even a signboard outside the restaurant stating: “No Pizza & No pasta,” which clearly shows that this place is for those who are looking for something different. So, this eatery, run by a Brazilian couple, specializes in offering an authentic Brazilian culinary experience.  This kind of restaurant is not only unusual on the Amalfi Coast but also in the whole of Italy.  Here you can try excelletn coxinha, mandioca fritta, tapioca, farofa, pao de quiejo, brigadeiro, and out-of-this-world delicious burgers as well.

There are also many vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options and even a burger with gluten-free buns. They also offer some of the healthiest options in the region, perfect for anyone who wants a plant-based, high protein, and nutrient-dense type of meal. Every meal is fresh, tasty, quality and made of locally sourced Italian ingredients. Besides the excellent food, another two highlights of this place are the truly refined specialty coffee menu and housemade desserts.

We advise ordering the quinoa burger, their plum cake, and one of their unbelievably good coffees. If you are looking for a matcha latte in Maiori, O Barao is the only place in town where you will find it. They are open the whole day, so you can also come here for a lovely breakfast. Prices are very reasonable, portions are good sized, and owners are wonderful people who genuinely care and make the experience a memorable one. Therefore, if you want a different type of cuisine while in Maiori, check out this lovely place.

Casa Mandina

Casa Mandina is a lovely fine-dining restaurant with an extensive wine menu and traditional dishes made with a modern twist. It is perfect for those who look for something exquisite in Maiori, whether to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or just to treat yourself to an amazing meal. The restaurant is not set in a particularly fancy street, nor does it look special from the outside.

But once you get in, you will see a beautiful modern place with an open kitchen so that you can watch your food being prepared and cooked. Both head chefs and waiters are very passionate about their work, so you will see them chatting a lot with their guests throughout the meal, discussing making dishes, where they get their ingredients from, how they got into this business, and so on.

All the dishes are very well thought out, and particular care is taken to balance all of the high-quality ingredients on the plate. We recommend trying crudo from fish, shrimps, and langoustines. Also, we loved tomato soup and homemade pasta with fish. Those who feel more adventurous should try their excellent tasting menu. 

Besides, there are many variations of seafood on the menu, with a few non-seafood dishes mixed in. Prices are, as you should expect in classy and refined restaurants, above average but it is worth it for every euro. Coperto (cover charge) is 4 euros per person. Casa Mandina is very popular, especially in the summer months, so booking ahead is recommended, Therefore, if you want something extraordinary and luxurious, come here with an open heart and an empty stomach and leave fulfilled and satiated. 

Anima E Passione

The last one on our list is a lovely restaurant called Anima E Passione. It is an authentic place located close to the beachfront, just one street off the beaten track. This restaurant offers a wide selection of simple Italian dishes cooked to perfection. If you are craving homemade pasta or crispy, Italian-style pizzas, Anima E Passione is the perfect place to be. 

You can enjoy your meal outside on a cozy terrace, but keep in mind that road noise is pretty noticeable. If you don’t like that, be sure to reserve your table inside. You will notice that lots of Italian families are eating there, which is always a good sign. Also, prices are very reasonable, so we recommend Anima E Passione if you are looking for a meal on a budget. 

The staff is courteous, and all guests are served fast, so come here if you are in a hurry. Portion sizes are larger than some of the other restaurants in Maiori, so don’t over-order. The restaurant tends to be very busy in the evening, especially during the season, so make a reservation in advance. We recommend trying excellent homemade tiramisu after your meal if you are not full. 

Where to find the best restaurants in Maiori?

If you are looking for the best places to eat in Maiori, don’t go inside the first restaurant you see. Usually, restaurants located near popular tourist routes have lower food quality or high prices. Therefore, it is advisable to dine in restaurants located off the beaten tracks rather than visiting popular Italian places. 

Even though Maiori is not a big town, you can find a great selection of various restaurants suitable both for special occasions or leisurely meals. Restaurants usually serve Mediterranean cuisine with fresh fish on the menu, but you can also easily find Italian classics like pasta and pizza. Drinks usually include local wines, prosecco, or some tasty spritz. 

Check out more articles about Maiori:

• Best things to do in Maiori
• Parking in Maiori