If you already love Italian food, you will fall head over heels for these delicious delicacies from charming Sorrento.
Nestled along Italy’s charming Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is a world-famous town with world-famous cuisine. This picturesque town is known for its stunning coastal views, Mediterranean charm, and, of course, a variety of delectable dishes and local wines.
This iconic town, which has a population of 16,000, is home to residents who take great pride in showcasing their cuisine to the many visitors that pass through annually.
From fresh seafood from the nearby Gulf of Naples to rich artisanal cheeses and homemade Italian pizza, Sorrento has an abundance of mouthwatering options for the foodies out there.
So, if you are a fan of Italian delicacies, you won’t miss these five local specialities and must-try dishes of Sorrento.
5. Delizia al limone – a traditional lemon dessert
Sorrento lemons can be used in many ways, and this is one for the sweet tooth. Delizia al limone is a refreshing Italian treat you will not want to overlook, especially if you want to try something very traditional in the region.
The dessert consists of a dome-shaped sponge base topped with aromatic limoncello syrup and filled with lemon-flavoured custard. Although the desert was just created in 1978, it is recognised as a traditional desert of the entire Campania region.
4. Provolone del Monaco – a top cheese of the region
Cheese lovers rejoice because this is one of the top local specialities and must-try dishes in Sorrento. Sorrento is well known for its artisanal cheeses, and provolone del Monaco stands out.
This semi-hard cheese is made from cows’ milk and aged for several months, giving it a distinctive nutty yet spicy flavour.
The best way to enjoy the local cheese is to pair it with some local cured meats, olives, crusty bread, and a glass of speciality wine. This is the perfect addition to a traditional Italian antipasti platter, so don’t miss out on this array of flavours when in Sorrento.
3. Linguine allo scoglio – made with the freshest seafood
Sorrento’s prime location along Italy’s Amalfi Coast means it has access to some of the best seafood. One of the leading local specialities and must-try dishes in Sorrento is linguine allo scoglio, which is a combination of pasta paired with a variety of seafood and shellfish.
This dish has no precise recipe since it is prepared with the freshest seafood, which depends on the season. This means that whenever you visit Sorrento, you must try linguine allo scoglio, as the dish changes monthly and gives you an ever-changing culinary experience.
2. Limoncello – one of the most well-known specialities
Limoncello may not be a dish, but it is a must-try delicacy famous in the region. No visit to Sorrento is complete without a taste of limoncello, made from fragrant and delicious Sorrento lemons.
These lemons are commonly used in many lemon-based desserts, which must be tried when in the town, but first, you must try a refreshing taste of limoncello liqueur.
The region’s sunny climate is perfect for larger-than-normal lemons, which the locals then handpick and peel. The rinds are then infused with alcohol to create this world-famous drink. From Sorrento’s hidden gem restaurants to the most popular dining spots, you’ll find limoncello at every turn!
There is no doubt that limoncello is one of the top local specialities in Sorrento.
1. Gnocchi alla sorrentina – a hearty must-try dish
This typical local speciality will keep you coming back for more. Made from flour, water, and potatoes, gnocchi alla sorrentina is a comforting and classic dish that captures the essence of Sorrento in each bite.
While gnocchi can be found around the country, this variation, which takes its name from the Sorrento region, boasts delicious ingredients like mozzarella, basil, parmesan, and tomato sauce.
The sauce is made from San Marzano tomatoes grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius which gives them a distinct flavour, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth local classic.
As you can see, there is a vast variety of sweet drinks, desserts, hearty dishes, and seafood delicacies available in Sorrento, and there are plenty more where they came from. Sorrento is the place to indulge, so try it all when visiting the idyllic Amalfi Coast.
