La Tonnarella | Rustic Beach Dining in Conca dei Marini
Tucked away in a pretty cove on the beach in Conca dei Marini, La Tonnarella is one of the most popular restaurants on the Amalfi Coast. Adorned with large wooden wine barrels overflowing with fresh aromatic herbs, bunches of bright red tomatoes drying out on a string, and old fishing nets hanging from the ceiling—a rustic, warm and inviting atmosphere, that provides a family friendly environment and mouth-watering dining experience.
Ristorante La Tonnarella was formerly a structure where the local fishermen stored their tuna fishing nets, called tonnara in Italian. And the isolated, pebbly beach was used to park their colorful wooden fishing boats after they hauled in their nets and collected their catch. Then back in the early 1960’s, Umberto Lauritano, a native of a small town up in the hills called Trovera, converted it and opened the restaurant, which served simple local cuisine, featuring the daily fresh catch brought in by his friends; the local fishermen. And fresh, seasonal vegetables. The restaurant soon became a popular place for the locals to gather on the beach, enjoy a good meal, and a little sun and fun. But, to Umberto’s great surprise and pleasure, it also swiftly attracted the jet-setting tourists of the time, who were interested in the more laid-back, authentic experiences along the Amalfi Coast.
One of the famous first-comers was the former first lady Jaqueline Kennedy, who frequented the restaurant and spent many long, leisurely days on the beach with her children Caroline and John Jr. during their summer vacation in 1962. Her favorite pasta dish, “spaghetti with zucchini and Italian bacon,” which Umberto made special for her one day, was later made the house specialty pasta dish—and proudly given her name. Today, this delicious, cheesy and creamy, zucchini pasta dish is still featured on the menu and well-known all over the Amalfi Coast, as Spaghetti Jaqueline Style.
For seafood lovers, like me, this is a must-visit place. I highly recommend beginning the meal with the antipasto della casa, then you can sit back and enjoy the medley of delicious plates circling the table, thoughtfully selected by the chef.
The pearly white marinated anchovies, quickly sautéed salt and pepper shrimp, a perfect-bite octopus salad, crispy fried baby calamari, and so on; the typical Flavors of the Amalfi Coast, prepared to perfection.
Other first-course favorites include, the small tube pasta with flying squid (or with giant crab) and the Piennolo tomatoes of the Amalfi Coast. And, if your in the mood for something with fresh, summer garden taste, do not hesitate to order simply—the spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce. Trust me, you’ll be surprised at how utterly delicious it is!
For the second course, I’d go with the mixed grilled (or fried) fish and seafood, or the pesce all’ acqua pazza, which is a whole fish poached in its own juices with a few aromatics and tomatoes. All of which, the chef prepares in a simple manner to celebrate the pure and fresh taste of the daily catch brought in by the local fishermen.
Dessert-wise, I like the delizia al limone, the typical lemon glazed, lemon sponge cakes filled with lemon cream, that are devoured by the locals on the Amalfi Coast. And, to cap off the meal perfectly, a bright, lemony limoncello sure does hit the spot.
Ristorante La Tonnarella provides a complimentary boat shuttle service to and from the restaurant from the port of Amalfi. It’s a brief, but breathtakingly scenic boat ride, by day and night, when the romantic moonlight shines on the sea and illuminates the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Reservations for the restaurant and boat shuttle service are recommended at least one day in advance.
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Ristorante La Tonnarella
Address – Via Marina di Conca, 5, 84010 Conca dei Marini SA
Telephone – 089 831939
Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner from 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM, except for Monday and Sunday for Dinner
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