Amedeo Scognamiglio's Capri

Faraone Mennella jewelry designer Amedeo Scognamiglio and his best friend+business partner, Roberto Faraone Mennella, have been spending their summers in Capri since they were kids. Capri is to Naples what the Hamptons are to New York, so for Naples-born Scognamiglio, Capri was the natural summer destination for his family, who has long owned a home there. Here, the de facto “Mayor of Capri” gives his insiders guide to this magical island, his home away from home.

Table of Contents

MOST ROMANTIC LUXE HOTEL:

Punta Tragara Hotel, for its historic charm and the breathtaking views of Marina Piccola! It belongs to an aristocratic Roman family, it used to be their vacation home.

FAVORITE HOTEL THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK:

Mamela: the whole family runs the hotel, and they make you feel like their personal guest.

3 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS FOR LUNCH:

La Fontelina Beach Club, by the Faraglioni: a “must”. The views, the ambiance, the mood all take you back to the 1950s…and make sure the owners, Tonino and Gaetano, like you a lot; your bank account or professional status won’t get you a prime location if they don’t!

Il Riccio, Anacapri, by the Grotta Azzurra: the food is Neapolitan with an extra touch of contemporary cuisine with endless views of Ischia. Not to be missed is the gargantuan dessert room.

Lo Smeraldo: hidden behind the Marina Grande’s hydrofoils ticket office. This charming family-run restaurant is only open for lunch and is the best kept secret of the Neapolitan aristocracy and Italian families coming to Capri for summer holidays. The menu is traditional, the service excellent and warm, and you can dive in the pool-like waters for a swim in between courses.

3 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS FOR DINNER:

Aurora: the most Vip, celebrity cladded, glamorous restaurant in town, famous for its unique “pizza all’acqua” and sophisticated wine list. If you are celebrating a birthday, Mia will make sure it will be a memorable one.

E’ Divino: it hurts me to reveal what’s my best kept secret, but the staff and the boho chic location must be shared. This restaurant used to be a private house and has been kept as it was, so you may dine al fresco in the garden, in the former living room or even in the bedroom. The menu is creative and very home style. The staff will seem crazy at first but then you will feel like you want to live there! It’s one of the few restaurants open all year round.

JK Place Hotel: the most chic restaurant on the island, undeniably: dinner on the terrace overlooking the bay of Naples and mount Vesuvius is priceless. The menu and wine list are exceptional and the service is at the same time friendly and very classy.

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT:

Le Grottelle, at the Natural Arch: a bit of a hike to get to, the most romantic and untouched location; it feels like you’re visiting relatives at their house up on the hill as you enjoy the most amazing local food under the moon.

BEST HIKE TO WORK OFF THE PASTA:

The hike of Pizzolungo is the best scenographic workout you will ever get. It starts with the most beautiful slow jog in nature, from Punta Tragara along a pathway going all around the island and then through the 2000 year old Grotta of Matermania, the ruins of an ancient roman temple, and up 500 steep stairs which will put your personal trainer to shame. Your heart will thank you and your spirit too.

YOU CAN’T LEAVE CAPRI WITHOUT DOING THIS:

Get an orange or lemon juice at Meri’s kiosk at Punta Tragara: she will sing old Neapolitan songs for you with a Sophia Loren attitude!

CAPRI OR ANACAPRI?:

BOTH, of course.

LA FONTELINA OR DA LUIGI?:

I was a “Da Luigi” boy until I was 20 yo, like all the Italian Capri vacationers; from then on, a ”La Fontelina” boy forever!

FUNICOLARE OR OPEN-AIR TAXI?:

My routine is, taxi on the way up and funicolare on the way down. Always.

Amedeo Scognamiglio’s Capri