Paolino in Capri is not just a restaurant, it is a legendary garden, the most famous lemon grove in the world, an icon of Capri’s Dolce Vita, a passion that has lasted for three generations.
Located just steps from Marina Grande, this “Garden of Eden” tells the story of a family, an island, and a passion that has endured for generations.
The first restaurant to gain fame outside the center of Capri, it was founded in the 1970s by the De Martino family and is now run by Lino, Michela, and Arianna, the founders’ children and grandchildren, who continue to weave an authentic story of tradition.
Capri is not something you look at, it is something you feel… It is the scent of lemons and the blue of the sea.
The story: from a family dream to an international legend
Established in the 1930s, the property initially consisted of a simple garden with a vegetable patch and a bocce court, where Paolino would welcome friends while his wife Michelina cooked simple traditional dishes for guests.
Tourism grew, and in 1974 Paolino officially obtained a restaurant license. It was under his son Lino in the 1980s that the establishment took on a charming character, with the cultivation of hundreds of lemon trees, tables made from Singer sewing machines, and an abundance of traditional ceramics.
The atmosphere: a ceiling of golden-yellow lemons
Crossing the threshold of Paolino is an incredible experience. There are no brick ceilings, but a dense canopy of giant Capri lemons, laden with fruit that resemble natural lanterns.
The soft lighting and hand-painted Vietri ceramics create a truly unique atmosphere, where everything is dedicated to lemons. Even the shades of yellow used for the table setting aren’t just any yellow, but the hue of the island’s lemons when they reach full ripeness.
Iconic dishes, blending tradition and innovation
At Paolino, you’ll always find dishes that Grandma Michelina used to cook, respecting her Capri and Italian roots in the choice of ingredients, especially the “king” lemon.
Appetizers include Paolino’s grilled mozzarella on a lemon leaf and the famous Bomba Paolino with fresh tomato and basil sauce. First courses range from Ravioli Caprese with fresh cherry tomatoes or lemon, to Paolino’s timeless Mezzi Paccheri ‘Chiummenzana’ and Lemon Fettuccine on Sicilian Shrimp Carpaccio. Second courses celebrate great classics such as Old-Fashioned Squid and Potatoes, Lemon Half Chicken, and Grilled Lamb Ribs with Anacapri Oil.
The “Sweet Room”: an unmissable ritual
One of Paolino’s unique features is its dessert room. A room entirely dedicated to Neapolitan and Capri pastries: from torta caprese (chocolate or lemon) to rum-soaked babas, to fresh fruit carved like works of art. It’s an invitation to indulge in temptation before the final ritual: a glass of chilled limoncello, strictly homemade.
The Bar and the Garden: an aperitif amidst citrus fruits and history
And before or after dinner, the obligatory rite of passage is the Paolino Bar, a green “living room” where the aquamarine majolica counter seems to reflect the hues of the Blue Grotto, providing the perfect backdrop for the house “Lemon Spritz”, served strictly with freshly picked lemon peel.
Another must-see is a stroll in the garden, a maze of stone paths and fragrant walkways that lead guests through a citrus grove—a protected botanical monument in its own right—with wrought-iron chairs and linen cushions scattered among hibiscus and climbing bougainvillea.
If you’re looking for the essence of the Italian summer, you’ll find it here, under a lemon-tree sky.
The Secret
To reach Paolino (for example, if you’ve previously visited Villa San Michele), you can climb the Phoenician Steps, 921 scenic steps that lead from Anacapri to Marina Grande. Built by Greek colonists between the 7th and 6th centuries BC, they were the only access to Anacapri until 1877.
Useful Info
Paolino Capri
Via Palazzo a Mare 11
80073 Capri, Napoli
Tel. +39 081 8376102
Appetizers: from €18
First courses: from €30
Second courses: from €38
Cocktails: from €24
