In Sorrento, a legendary restaurant, the first to be born inside a lemon grove in Campania, which since 1868 has not failed to inspire wonder and magic in every visitor thanks to its enormous enchanted garden among lights, citrus groves and wonderful Mediterranean flowers.

Located in Corso Italia a few steps from the Cathedral, O’ Parrucchiano La Favorita, part of the Associazione Locali Storici d’Italia, is the oldest restaurant in Sorrento, so closely linked to the history of the town that it was, at the dawn of tourism in Italy, the main attraction that attracted here visitors from all over the world.

The restaurant was founded at the end of the 19th century by Antonino Ercolano who had invented the small trattoria to make the most of the culinary art he learned when he was a seminarian in the archiepiscopal church.

We carry on an important tradition: since 1868 there has been no important figure in the world of art, entertainment and sport who, having come to Sorrento, has not stopped by us.

Even though he had called it La Favorita, even though he had not become a priest, for his friends and for all of Sorrento he was one regardless, so much so that he, and therefore his restaurant, was called “o’ parrucchiano”, aka the priest, a name by which it is still known today.

In the 1940s, Antonino, having no heirs, left the Trattoria to his young nephew Giuseppe Manniello who transformed it into a trendy restaurant, making it famous throughout the world. Even today, it is the third generation of the Manniello family that carries on the legend with passion.

Once inside, after walking down a corridor full of photos and memorabilia and climbing a small staircase, the guest is suddenly catapulted into a garden of wonders that goes beyond any imagination.

Under a gigantic lemon grove, among thousands of lights, centuries-old plants and ancient pergolas characteristic of the gardens of Sorrento, each table is secluded in a green alcove, wrapped in an incredible aura of romance.

Here you can eat the great classics of the Sorrento tradition, including gnocchi alla sorrentina, vegetables such as stuffed courgette flowers, fresh fish main courses and, of course, the legendary cannelloni which are said to have been invented right here by Antonino with the name of “strascinati“.

A marvel that is truly worth a visit, making us reflect on how in the small Sorrento already 100 years ago there was a place that had anticipated all the trends of today, from restaurants housed in a greenhouse to traditional recipes that literally smell of the territory.

The Secret

Beyond the restaurant, on the right side, there is an immense garden full of flowered corners, benches and centuries-old plants where you can take a romantic stroll before dinner.

Useful Info

Ristorante ‘o Parrucchiano la Favorita
Corso Italia 71
80067 Sorrento, Napoli
Tel. +39 081 8781321

Starters: from 10 euro
First courses: from 13 euro
Second courses: from 13 euro