Ristorante Marina Grande, Sorrento

Ristorante Marina Grande sits on wooden decking built directly over the water at Sorrento's ancient fishing harbour, Marina Grande — the working port at the base of the cliff below the town proper, accessible by a steep road or via steps cut into the rock. This is one of the most atmospheric restaurant settings on the Sorrentine Peninsula, with the sound of the water lapping beneath the planks, fishing boats moored a few metres away, and views across the bay towards Vesuvius. The kitchen is focused on whatever the local fishermen bring in, supplemented by seafood sourced from the broader Gulf of Naples. The fritto misto di mare — a mixed plate of lightly battered and fried small fish, calamari, and prawns — is outstanding: fresh, delicate, and precisely executed. The linguine agli scampi, made with locally caught langoustines in a tomato and white wine sauce, is the signature pasta course. Grilled fish presented whole are cooked on a charcoal grill at the rear of the open kitchen and bring the natural sweetness of day-boat Mediterranean fish to the table with minimal interference. The service is warm and the atmosphere — part fishing village, part holiday celebration — is genuinely joyful in summer. The restaurant is seasonal in character and at its best during the warmer months when table service on the water is at the heart of the experience.