On the island of Capri and across the Amalfi Coast, the most common foods are fish, mozzarella, and filled pasta such as ravioli. The local culinary tradition doesn't include many vegan dishes. Many local dishes include animal-based ingredients such as caciotta cheese, fresh fish, and shellfish. Despite this, several local recipes can easily be adapted to meet the needs of those who eat a plant-based diet.
Although there aren't any vegetarian restaurants on the island, it's rather easy to find vegan and plant-based options on local menus, or to order them specially by asking for modifications of the traditional dishes. Italian food and the Mediterranean diet have an abundance of veg selections.
The best restaurants on Capri
If you love cooking even while on vacation, you'll appreciate the availability of fresh local ingredients at affordable prices on Capri. Olive oil, tomatoes, eggplants, basil, pasta and lemons will allow you to effortlessly create delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Cheese and eggs: a Capri dining guide for vegans
Capri cuisine includes many fish and seafood dishes, and if you follow a vegan diet you'll also be looking to avoid dairy products and eggs, which are ingredients in many traditional local recipes such as ravioli capresi, pizza margherita, Caprese cake (torta caprese) and Caprese sandwiches (panino caprese).
The cheeses usually used, such as caciotta or buffalo mozzarella, contain animal rennet and therefore aren't suitable for a vegan diet. Plant-based alternatives such as tofu or products with microbial rennet aren't commonly available, but you can ask that cheese not be used in the dish, if possible. Some dishes, such as fresh pasta, also contain eggs in the dough.
Where to eat on Capri for vegans and vegetarians
Let's start with some good news: one of the most famous traditional dishes of Capri is vegan. It's spaghetti alla chiummenzana, a simple and tasty first course that was served to fishermen after a hard day at sea. It's a variation of classic spaghetti with tomato sauce, prepared with fresh ingredients including cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and seasonings such as garlic, basil, and oregano. You can order this dish at restaurants on the island. Sometimes it's modified with olives, capers, or chili pepper, making it even more delicious. Just to be safe, ask the wait staff if fish or parmesan is added.
Pizza marinara, a local classic served in all the pizzerias on Capri, is another great option for vegans and vegetarians. This pizza is topped with tomato sauce, garlic, olive oil, and plenty of oregano. Double check with the wait staff to make sure the pizza chef didn't add marinated anchovies or sardines to the recipe, which are occasional variations. Pizza margherita is topped with buffalo mozzarella or fiordilatte mozzarella, both of which usually contain animal rennet. The same goes for the famous ravioli capresi, which are filled with caciotta cheese and topped with tomato and parmesan.
On Capri you can also try a very good variation of the famous Sicilian caponata. It's a fresh, light, simple dish that's perfect in the summer and a great veg option. The locals usually prepare it with stale bread or croutons, eggplant, tomatoes, olive oil, and aromatic herbs. Some recipes may also include zucchini. The complete recipe also includes the addition of mozzarella or fiordilatte cheese. You can ask if it's possible to leave the cheese out or substitute it with a cheese that doesn't contain animal rennet, such as ricotta.
Our tip: The most famous caponata in Capri is probably the one prepared by Lido del Faro in Anacapri. Enjoy it while admiring the most beautiful sunset on the island with the magical backdrop of the Punta Carena lighthouse.
Other plant-based recipes in Italian restaurants on Capri include pasta all’ortolana, grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, and tomato salad. Another tasty dish to try is pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans), a traditional Neapolitan classic. To end your meal with a truly authentic Capri twist, try a lemon granita prepared with fragrant local citrus fruits. The local lemon liqueur, limoncello, is also a nice way to cap off a great veg meal. Vegetarians can enjoy a gelato, but it’s best for vegans to avoid gelato since many flavors contain animal-derived ingredients such as milk. However, you can always ask to see an ingredient list to determine whether or not the gelato you want to try is vegan-friendly. For example, sorbet or fruit-based gelato flavors might be an option because these are usually dairy free. Vegan gelato is also available at most grocery stores.
Vegetarian and vegan restaurants on Capri
There are no exclusively vegan or vegetarian restaurants on the island, but in many places you'll find veggie dishes and menu items suitable for your diet. Italian cuisine includes many vegetable-based dishes as well as legumes and vegetarian soups. Even though you won’t find a vegan menu, you'll likely find a variety of vegetarian dishes already on the menu, or you can request modifications to make the dishes vegetarian.
Most chefs, from those in the best restaurants on Capri to those manning the kitchens in local trattorias, will be willing to customize dishes for you by taking out or replacing animal-based ingredients. Feel free to let the staff know about your dietary needs and ask for possible alternatives. If you follow a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, but eat only "cruelty-free" dairy products, make it clear that you cannot eat mozzarella, caciotta or parmesan.
Practically every kitchen in Campania will be able to offer you at least a tasty plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce (spaghetti al pomodoro) or an abundant salad made with seasonal vegetables. Another tradition that's in vogue across Italy involves starting the meal with a slice of fresh bread and olive oil, making for a delicious Mediterranean appetizer that's perfectly suitable for a vegan diet. A popular appetizer you may see among the menu items under the heading “antipasto” is bruschetta. This is toasted bread with olive oil and often contains various toppings such as pomodoro (tomato) with basil, or a variety of pates such as with olives. Vegan food lovers can enjoy a bruschetta as a hearty ristorante appetizer before their vegan-friendly meal.
DIY plant-based cuisine
If you prefer to cook your own meals, you'll find fresh fruit and vegetable markets on the island of Capri and in the town of Sorrento, so you can pick up ingredients with which to prepare dishes worthy of the best vegetarian restaurants. We recommend you head to the markets early in the morning when the stalls are well-stocked so you'll get the best selection.
Eating plant-based in Sorrento, Positano and Ischia
In Sorrento there are several options for creative or traditional plant-based cuisine. Many restaurants offer dedicated menus or vegetarian and vegan variations of “omnivorous” dishes, while some local specialties such as lemon pasta are already suitable for those who don't eat animal products. Many of the Michelin-starred restaurants on the Sorrento Peninsula offer some vegan options or allow guests to request variations (preferably directly at the time of booking).
If you also plan to visit the surrounding area, take note of two places: Da Gabrisa ristorante in Positano, which offers a complete menu of plant-based dishes, and Il Mirto in Ischia, which was awarded the Michelin Green Star for its ethical and sustainable cuisine.
Where to eat vegan in Naples
Like in Rome, there’s a much wider choice of vegan and vegetarian fare in Naples, with an ever-growing list of cruelty-free restaurants and street food options.
In the historic center try Officina Vegana and O Grin. If you're in a hurry near the port and Piazza del Plebiscito there's Green Mama, a 100% vegetarian Neapolitan fast food restaurant located on via San Giacomo. If you have a sweet tooth you'll love the inviting windows of Vegan Art, in the centrally located via Duomo, where you can enjoy traditional pastries such as sfogliatelle, babà and other typical desserts. If you're really committed to making your own vegetarian and vegan meals, stock up at Meravoglia Veganeria Napoletana in Pozzuoli, which offers all kinds of ready-to-cook vegan dishes that use legumes, soy and vegetable proteins.