Food Lover’s Guide to Sorrento: Culinary Experiences You’ll Love
Sorrento is a food lover’s paradise.
That first evening, the town’s aromas were intoxicating — fresh-baked bread, lemons ripening under the sun, seafood sizzling over a flame.
Going out to eat in Sorrento is more than just a meal, it’s an experience that reflects the story of the region’s rich gastronomic culture.
So I wrote this guide to help fellow foodies discover Sorrento’s culinary gems.
I’ve gathered the unforgettable food experiences you’ll want to sample — whether it’s through eating handmade pasta in a family-run trattoria (always a good idea) or sweet gelato on the seaside.
Here’s what to do on your culinary journey through Sorrento.
1. Enjoy Real Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
One of these is gnocchi alla Sorrentina.
Baked with melted mozzarella and fresh basil in a rich tomato sauce, soft potato dumplings.
Find a local trattoria like Da Emilia and dig into this classic comfort food at its finest.
2. Visit a Limoncello Factory
Sorrento is known for its lemons, and limoncello is its iconic drink.
At I Giardini di Cataldo, you can take a tour and see how this sweet, zesty liqueur is produced.
You will sample freshly made limoncello and be able to take home a bottle or two.
3. Indulge in Freshly Caught Seafood
What will Sorrento’s coastal offerings be like for seafood lovers?
Seafood such as grilled octopus, calamari, and spaghetti alle vongole (clams) is prepared with the catch of the day.
For a waterside meal, check out Bagni Delfino.
4. Savor Sorrento’s Street Food Scene
For fast, flavorful bites, embrace Sorrento’s street food scene.
Seek out fried zucchini flowers, arancini (fried rice balls), and cuoppo di pesce (paper cones of fried seafood).
You can find them in the Old Town’s busy streets.
5. Take a Cooking Class
The best way to connect with the culinary traditions of Sorrento is to learn to cook its dishes.
Many of the classes are in rustic farmhouses and show you how to make fresh pasta, pizza, and desserts, like tiramisu.
It’s a hands-on approach to taking the flavors of Sorrento home with you.
6. Visit a Local Cheese Shop
Don’t miss Sorrento’s cheese scene, with the creamy mozzarelladi bufala appearing on many tables.
Visit Caseificio Michelangelo to find out how it’s made and to taste this divine cheese.
Combine it with local tomatoes and olive oil for a simple but divine snack.’
7. Indulge in Gelato by the Sea
And you can’t visit Sorrento without eating gelato.
More exotic options include limoncello, pistachio, and fig, at Gelateria David.
Head to Marina Piccola, where you can savor it with a view of the shimmering sea.
8. Enjoy Pizza with a View
Sorrento isn’t Naples, but its pizza is no joke.
Consider ordering a classic Margherita at Ristorante Pizzeria Tasso, where the wood-fired crusts are perfection.
Serve it with a glass of local red wine and a view of the coastline.
9. Explore Sorrento’s Weekly Farmers’ Market
Every Tuesday, Piazza Angelina Lauro becomes a busy farmers’ market.
Peruse stalls stocked with fruits and vegetables, local honey, and handmade pasta.
It’s a good place to load up on picnic supplies or unusual food souvenirs.
10. Try Delizia al Limone
This dessert infused with lemon is a true specialty of Sorrento.
The soft, spongy cake with lemon cream and a slick glaze is heaven.
Pasticceria Pansa makes one that’s as gorgeous as it is good.
11. Pair Local Wine With Your Meal
And Sorrento’s closeness to Campania’s vineyards ensures you’ll have great wines to drink.
Pair your dinner with a glass of Falanghina or Aglianico.
Most of the restaurants provide tastings or pairings to accompany your meal.
12. Indulge in Waterfront Restaurants in Marina Grande
Some of the town’s best seafood restaurants are in the Marina Grande.
Dine on the terrace at Trattoria da Emilia, which serves seafood risotto and grilled sardines.
And sharing a meal of such delicious, hand-crafted food while enjoying the gentle sea breeze and harbor views — a newfound Costa Rican experience.
13. Experience an Agriturismo Meal
For a true taste of the country, eat at an agriturismo, a working farm that serves food prepared from what is grown there.
For a farm-to-table feast of handmade pasta, cured meats, and organic local wine, try Agriturismo Le Tore.
It’s a lovely way to connect with the countryside surrounding Sorrento.
14. Discover Traditional Pastries
Sorrento’s pastry shops are stocked with sfogliatelle (crispy shell-shaped pastries) and pastiera (ricotta and wheat pie).
Visit Pasticceria Monica for a taste of these Italian classics.
Pair them with a cappuccino for a quintessential mid-morning snack.
15. Take a Food Tour of Sorrento
Join a guided food tour for those who want to sample it all.
These tours typically include stops at local markets, family-owned diners, and historic cafés.
It’s a fun and instructive way to taste the highlights of Sorrento.
