10 Best Ischia Restaurants

When you think of holidays to Italy one of the first things that comes to mind is oodles of mouth-watering food and perhaps the odd gelato or two.  If you’re looking for good Italian restaurants, a visit to the island of Ischia, in the Campania region, will certainly provide you with plenty of opportunity for lazy lunches, sundowners and warm evenings spent devouring carefully prepared local dishes.  Ischia restaurants come in all varieties, with a keen focus on food sourced from the land.  From Michelin starred to cheap but cheerful, this guide to restaurants on Ischia has got you covered, whatever your budget.

Local Ischian Food Specialities

If you’re keen to try the local cuisine at Ischia’s restaurants, look out for Coniglio all’Ischitana on the menu.  This Ischian rabbit stew is typically served in a terracotta pot.  As one of the most traditional dishes, you’d think you’d be able to find it easily on Ischia.  However, it’s harder than you’d imagine due to many restaurants on Ischia only serving it for two people to share or if it’s been booked a day or two in advance. 

As an island, unsurprisingly all sorts of fish and seafood plates are also a popular option for food on Ischia.  I don’t eat it myself but Mi Amor tried plenty and even this fish-o-phobe had to admit that the presentation made it look better than it smells.

My favourite food was the fresh local vegetables bursting with colour and flavour.  Grilled courgettes and as many ruby red tomatoes as you can fit on a plate?  Yes please, load me up.

Of course, a trip to Ischia doesn’t have to be all about eating, there are plenty of other things to do on Ischia in-between meals.

Ischia Restaurants – My Favourite

Terra e Sapori 

Let’s start this list with my absolute favourite restaurant on Ischia. Terra e Sapori is a farm restaurant hidden in the rolling countryside of Ischia.  Its setting is incredibly peaceful, I could spend all day here. Unobtrusive music and the hint of wood smoke in the air lulls you into a laid-back state before you’ve even finished browsing the menu.  A sprinkling of soft fairy lights completes the relaxed dining experience.  A group of kittens playfully skipping across the fields was the icing on the cake for this cat lover. 

Staff here are attentive, patient and kind.  We had arrived by foot and they kindly offered a lift back down the lane to the village, which we declined as, frankly, we were so full we needed the exercise. 

I tried the mixed anti-pasta platter and chillies with tomatoes to start.  Both were delicious but if I had to pick a winner it would be the chillies and tomatoes, so simple yet so sweet. 

I followed this with a bean soup and Mi Amor had mixed grilled vegetables with one of their famous meat dishes – the meat mixed grill.  Here the beans dish actually won out for flavour but the sausage in the mixed grill came a close second.   

Pudding was a generous slice of Ischia tart (a chocolate and coffee cake) and an impressive sphere of Delicia de Limon.  Presented beautifully and tasting equally yummy, we had to call this one a draw.  It was all washed down by half a bottle of fantastic Ischian white wine by Tommasone.  Given the gorgeous location, the wonderful atmosphere and the delicious food, a bill of €76 for two seemed more than reasonable. 

If your food is as beautiful as this, you’ll want to use some great Italian food captions for your Instagram feed.

Best Ischia Restaurants

Best Restaurants for Views of Ischia  

Umberto a Mare 

This is a classic place to dine on Ischia and features in multiple lists of the best restaurants in Ischia.  Sea views from here are stunning.  It’s conveniently located right by the Chiesa del Soccorso so you can watch the sunset then head next door to sample some typical Ischian fish and seafood.

Gardenia Mare

Whilst Umberto A Mare is situated in a beautiful spot, Gardenia Mare on the other side of Ischia is also perched by the sea but has the added bonus of enviable views of the Castello Aragonese.  With a prime location for gazing at this historical and symbolic site on Ischia, it won’t be a surprise to learn that it’s very popular.  Adding to its popularity is the fact that not only can you eat here but you can also spend time lazing at the accompanying private beach area.  For an extra special experience, arrive here by water taxi from Ischia Ponte.  Booking in advance is highly recommended.

Best Ischia Restaurant for Pizza 

Da Pasquale Pizzeria 

This small and unassuming pizzeria in well-to-do Sant’Angelo is easy to miss, as it’s tucked away up in the maze of steps away from the beach.  It’s worth seeking out though for the finger-licking good pizza they serve.  The list of options is extensive but I still managed to ask for something they didn’t have somehow.  It was no problem though as the chef was extremely kind and made me a special. 

The other great advantage Da Pasquale has is that it’s much cheaper than other options in Sant’Angelo.  Pizzas start at €7.50 for a Margherita, €10 – €14 for other flavours.  Note that, unusually for restaurants on Ischia, there is no view here as tables are available inside only. 

Best for the Budget

La Tinaia 

Hands down one of the best restaurants on Ischia if you’re watching the pennies or if you just want to eat where the locals do.  La Tinaia is located in a courtyard, that is full of Ischian families enjoying a meal together.  It’s a no-frills place with local atmosphere by the bucket load and super friendly staff.  Seating is outside but under cover, so it can get quite warm here.  Just because it’s no frills and busy doesn’t mean the food isn’t good.  I had delicious arancino and croquettes followed by tagliatelle Bolognese and accompanied by a tasty and cheap glass of house white wine.   

Best for Splashing the Cash

Daní Maison

For a fine dining restaurant experience, you’re spoilt for choice on Ischia, with several restaurants featuring in the Michelin guide.  If you really want to go all out with the budget then head to Daní Maison which has not one but two of the coveted Michelin stars. It won’t be of surprise to anyone that I didn’t actually get to eat here.  The idea of spending a week’s food budget on one meal, no matter how exquisite, is just too blooming much for me.  If you have dined here let me know about it in the comments, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Best for Friendly Service

Jamm Ja’ 

A little out of the centre of Forio town, this restaurant has a pretty courtyard setting, opposite the sea.  The pasta with olive oil and chilli is a simple but perfectly formed dish with just the right amount of heat from the chilli. If you like fresh fish, try the sea bream, not least for its beautiful presentation.  This place is another restaurant that’s popular with locals and staff here are warm and welcoming.    

Best Restaurant on Ischia for People Watching

Caffè Internazionale

Situated in the heart of Forio the Caffè Internazionale is in a prime location for evening atmosphere.  Although this place looks touristy and is on the main square, the food is surprisingly good.  Service can be a bit rushed but as long as you go with that in mind it’s worth a visit.  The lentil soup, salad with black rice and vegetable pasta are all tasty and well presented.  It’s a little pricey but that’s par for the course in such a central location. 

Best Restaurant for an Unusual Setting 

Tea House at La Mortella Gardens 

The Tea House has a superb location, up in the heart of La Mortella Gardens.  The gardens themselves are huge, covering around two hectares.  If you’re visiting the gardens treat yourself to a break in the tropical forest.  The homemade cake on offer here is almost as wonderful as the surroundings.  Larger lunch plates are also available.

Best for Taking your Breath Away

Ristorante La Grotta da Fiore

This enviably located restaurant will be a welcome sight as you end your hike to the top of Mount Epomeo, Ischia’s highest peak. Whilst the route to get to the summit is a relatively brief 50 minutes, the inclines on the way are a different story.  Put the spring back in your step with one of La Grotta da Fiore’s pasta dishes or just an Aperol Spritz with an incredible view across Ischia.  Don’t miss asking to see the view of the volcanic rock through a door at the back of the restaurant.

Honourable Mention

Re del Caffè

I realise this is a café-bar and not a restaurant but it’s far too hot on Ischia to get bogged down in a detail like that.  Especially when the ice cream served here is so spine tinglingly good. 

As for flavours, they’re limited (a sign of quality) and rotate each night.  I say night because during the summer eating ice cream after dark is the only time when it’s cool enough for your arm, clothes and toes not to get covered in the rapidly dripping pastel-coloured sweet stuff. 

Go for the lime and ginger sorbet or lemon ice cream if it’s available when you visit, it really is sublime. 

I’d love to know what your best restaurant on Ischia is.  Let me know in the comments.

• Once you’ve finished exploring Ischia, take a short ferry trip over to the wonderful Minori on the Amalfi Coast for more Italian culinary delights.

• If you’re looking for other great European places to eat and drink check out the best cafés in Stockholm.