capri
Of all the places I’ve traveled in Europe thus far, there is no doubt in my mind that Capri is absolutely, positively a favorite of mine. From the sparkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, bustling cobblestone streets, luxurious shopping, breathtaking views and, obviously, superior food and wine, Capri is without doubt one of the most magical places. The quaint island combines the charm of Italy with the glamour of a Mediterranean summer, and it’s one place I hope to visit many times. There is truly nothing better than a warm summer day exploring the island by boat, perching seaside at one of the island’s iconic beach clubs, enjoying an authentic Italian meal and crisp white wine, followed by a chic aperitivo in town and decadent dinner under the stars. Capri is heaven on earth. And in my world, heaven includes delicious meals and ever-flowing wine, so here are some of my favorites on the beautiful blue island of Capri:
Lunch
A tour of the island by boat followed by a day in the sun at one of Capri’s most iconic beach clubs…? Say no more. If you’ve been to Capri, you know it’s quite common to plan your day around a beach club. Simply put, Capri is home to some of the most beautiful, iconic and chic beach clubs across the Mediterranean. On top of that, a boat day is an absolute must - boat tours will take you to see some of its magnificent grottos, landmarks, including the Faraglioni aka the two Istagrammable rocks in the middle of the sea, jump in the beautiful water and of course enjoy crisp beverages while on board. A huge plus: boats drop off at many of the beach clubs so booking a boat tour for a few hours prior to your beach club reservation is absolutely the way to go. Prior to my trip to Capri, a reservation at La Fontelina Beach Club was my primary objective. Why? This beach club is uniquely placed right on top of the island’s unique rocky shore with unobstructed views of the Faraglioni and you can’t mistake its quintessential blue and white umbrellas - it’s truly is one of the most beautiful beach clubs on the island. I made my husband and I a lunch reservation at the restaurant, a straw-roofed pergola overlooking the beach club, followed by a beach chair reservation and this was THE MOVE. Let me just say, this lunch was up there as a favorite meal of our entire coastal Italy trip - the food was fresh, colorful and absolutely delicious. Authentic Italian fare and a few glasses of crisp white was exactly what we wanted after a morning on a boat. With full bellies and happy hearts, we made our way down to our beach chairs to lounge in the sun. This beach club is quiet, calming and just so beautiful - it’s the most magical way to spend an afternoon. We ordered drinks, jumped in the ocean and enjoyed the stunning views. I’d go back to Capri right this second just to spend time at La Fontelina again.
My favorites: Calamari | Melon & Prosciutto | Nicoise Salad | Spaghetti *Will’s choice
Aperitivo
In Italy, aperitivo is just as, if not more, important that your dinner to follow. Especially because the sun sets so late in the summertime when in Europe, enjoying a crisp cocktail and light bites while watching the sunset is the ultimate vibe. When planning this trip, no spot was recommended more for aperitivo than Bar Tiberio. Located in the center of Capri’s bustling piazza, this mostly outdoor eatery is THE spot for drinks, bites and people watching. In true European fashion, intimate seating of teeny blue tables placed right next to one another with chairs facing the piazza center contribute to the charming ambiance of this beloved restaurant. My husband and I arrived in Capri late in the afternoon and Bar Tiberio was our first stop - the warmest and fun welcome to the beautiful island. We enjoyed light apps and drinks, playfully watching the crowds of people and soaking up every second of our first aperitivo in Capri. Take it from me and walk right down the cobblestone path for a little boozed up shopping at the high end boutiques afterward hehe.
*at the Grand Hotel Quisisana
Another wildly popular destination for aperitivo is located at the acclaimed and gorgeous Grand Hotel Quisisana. The historic, renowned and incredibly charming hotel is at the center of Capri, neighboring the likes of Hermes, Saint Laurent and Dior, with views of the Mediterranean Sea up top. And here is home to Bar Quisi, an elegant terrace facing the bustling Via Camerelle. A bar so iconic, guests have included the likes of princes, actors, Nobel prize winners, artists and more. You simply can’t miss this glamorous hotel and I promise, the luxurious and classy ambiance make for the most exquisite pre-dinner affair.
I am not lying when I say our visit to Hotel Caesar Augustus for aperitivo was one of the most magical, romantic, memorable evenings of our lives. This bright and beautiful hotel is located in Anacapri, reached only by a series of climbing, winding roads to a location so high, you’re quite literally perched between the sky and the sea. The luxury 5-star hotel, previously an ancient cliff-edge villa, is painted lemon yellow and now home to suites with the most spectacular views on the island. It’s hard to put into words just how amazing this place is - the charm, the peace, the colors, the history, the views. And we haven’t even gotten to the Terrace Bar…a space that gives a whole new meaning to sunset drinks with a view. The spacious patio features colorful tables and cozy couches, perfect for lounging and sipping while enjoying one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see. Roman statues line the terrace’s edge, lush greenery and florals surround the space and views of endless seas, Capri’s port and all the way to the Bay of Naples are all in sight. It is breathtaking, absolutely gorgeous, a vacation euphoria you must experience if you visit Capri.
Dinner
Panorama Capri is defined as “a lemon grove overlooking the sea,” so you can only imagine how stunning this restaurant is. I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to enjoy our first dinner in Capri. Half the fun was trying to find this hidden gem in an unfamiliar place - we walked up and down a few wrong streets, while cobblestone and incredibly charming of course, only to finally arrive at a restaurant so special, you truly have to see to believe. Upon walking in, you’re met with a canopy of pretty little lemon trees, the restaurant’s own garden grove of greens and yellows, followed by a dimly lit outdoor space with the most incredible view of the island’s coast and blue seas. I just about cried when they sat us right on the edge, enabling us to see just a hint of sea sparkles in the distance (I can’t wait to return and see this breathtaking view during the daytime). The ambiance is romantic, classy, timeless, truly magical. And the five-star service made the experience that much more enjoyable. An endless list of local and imported wines from across the world and a list of coastal Italian favorites from pizza, to pasta, to seafood made me giddy. But seriously, the joy that ensued when our bottle of red was delicately poured into our glasses, when we toasted to an amazing vacation to come, when my seafood meal was plated table side right off the bone, when my hubby twirled and enjoyed his first pasta of the trip, and the countless pinch-me moments over this decadent meal - I was overcome with a happiness far too special to put into words.
My favorites: Burrata e Prosciutto Crudo | Frittura di Calamaretti Spillo | Pescato Fresco Locale | Verdure all Griglia | Spaghetti Bolognese *Will’s choice
A whimsical space beneath enchanting lemon trees, Da Paolino is a coveted place for la dolce vita. What began as a family garden is now a restaurant synonymous with authentic Italian dining with a fashionable twist. Known as the “lemon tree restaurant,” here, the lemons are far more than just an ingredient, but an experience. A fairytale-like space, the ceiling is a canopy of vibrant trees, bright lemons and soft twinkling lights, with tables blanketed in butter yellow linens, crystal glass and colorful plates. The pretty fruit adorns every detail across the place setting and everywhere you look, lemons of all shapes and sizes float above happy diners. Da Paolino oozes Italian charm and is such a wonderful backdrop to an incredible meal. From our starter, the most colorful plate of burrata, prosciutto and arugula, to my decadent seafood orecchiette and my husband’s mouthwatering bolognese, to the gorgeous Chianti Classico we shared and of course, the lemon sorbet, everything about this meal, this experience was divine. Disclaimer: it is very difficult to get a reservation here. Space opens 14 days in advance and seats are filled almost immediately. Pro tip: contact Amex Concierge if you have access because that was the only way we got into this sought-after restaurant.
My favorites: Burrata & Prosciutto | Seafood Orecchiette | Spaghetti Bolognese *Will’s choice
