Il Buco

Il Buco is a Michelin one-star restaurant in Sorrento, in the Campania region of southern Italy, set in the former wine cellars of a monastery just below Piazza Sant'Antonino at 2a Rampa Marina Piccola 5. The kitchen offers a modern interpretation of Sorrentine and wider Mediterranean cooking, built around local fish, citrus, mozzarella and vegetables from the Sorrento peninsula, and the starred recognition places it among the most formal tables in town. The vaulted, stone-walled cellar rooms give the dining room a hushed, historic character, and a terrace adds an open-air option in warm weather. Dishes that regularly appear in published descriptions include scallops with burrata, ravioli filled with mozzarella and finished with lemon, and white grouper served with broccoli, all of which show how the menu pairs regional ingredients with contemporary technique. Service follows the pace of a fine-dining house, with courses arriving in a measured sequence rather than a quick turnover, so an evening here is usually unhurried. Smart-casual dress is the norm and noise levels are low compared with the lively trattorias around Piazza Tasso. The wine list leans on Campanian labels, including white wines from the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts, alongside wider Italian bottles. Per the Michelin Guide listing, lunch is served Thursday to Sunday from 12:30PM to 2:30PM, dinner is served from 7:00PM to 10:00PM, and the restaurant closes on Wednesday; hours can change by season, so a phone check is sensible. Reservations are strongly advised, by phone, email or in person, and tables fill quickly in summer, when booking several days to a few weeks ahead is prudent. Prices sit at the top of the local range, and the tasting-style experience suits special occasions rather than a casual meal. The restaurant is a short walk from the centre of Sorrento, though the approach involves a ramp and slopes typical of the old town.