After a train from Rome to Naples and what turned into an hour in traffic via car, we arrived in Sorrento on a warm and sunny June afternoon, HUNGRY. So I knew our first stop needed to be Trattoria Da Emilia. I had read that this little spot was not just enjoyed by out-of-towners but also loved by the locals. Located in Marina Grande, we could see it from our hotel which overlooked the little fishing wharf and beach. Andiamo!
Winding through the streets of Sorrento, we got a little turned around but made our way down Via Sopra le Mura into the marina. When all else fails, just keep heading in the direction of the water. Only so many little streets! One will lead there.
Da Emilia opened in 1947 by Emilia and her husband Giovanni. And since then, it is still in the family, with her children and grandchildren maintaining their tradition of serving the freshest fish in all of Sorrento (At a reasonable value too!).
It is a quaint place, still possessing so much of the same charm from when it first opened, with a little hole-in-the wall kitchen. And ah, the smells…fish frying and garlic! It was busy so we were grateful to get a table.
We ordered the house white wine, “vino bianco di casa,” as well as “spaghetti alle vongole,” pasta with mussels, “pasta pescatore,” a mixed seafood pasta, along with “fritto misto” – mixed fried seafood. Everything was delicious and SO GOOD. We cleaned our plates and even returned again the next day. ?
It is no surprise why Da Emilia has been in business for more than 70 years. It is a gem.
Fun Fact: In 1954, Sofia Loren and Vittorio De Sica, enjoyed time at Da Emilia when shooting the famous film by Dino Risi “Pane, amore e” or Scandal in Sorrento.
Trattoria Da Emilia
Via Marina Grande 62
Sorrento, Italy
+39 081 807 2720
la Repubblica – Napoli
