Masaniello Restaurant — Restaurant in Maiori

We just left this poorly run restaurant and want to save everyone from going there with this review. We have never been more disappointed in a restaurant in our entire time in Italy. The place was full of patrons when we walked up plus it was raining. We told the man trying to get us to sit inside that we were willing to wait a couple of minutes for an outside table under the tent to open up. After about 20 minutes he found us a table. We noticed that two ladies had been sat just before us. We waited longer than we thought we should for the waiter to ask for our drink order but he brought the fairly quickly. Then it was as if our waiter completely forgot about us. We watched table after table (four to be exact) being sat after us and they were served drinks, appetizers and their dinner while we continued to wait for our meals to be served. All the while the two ladies waited as well. The mixed fish grill finally arrived tough and rubbery with very little taste to it. We had finished our meals when the ladies behind us finally received their appetizers. That was one hour and 30 minutes from the time they ordered their food. I heard our waiter say to them their dinner should be out in just a minute as there was some problem with it. It finally arrived and they had ordered their food same mixed fish grill as we did. The ladies finally complained to the manager about the taste/size of the plate and time it took to get their meal served to them. He told them their meal was completely fine and blamed them for taking so long to order. We overheard their entire exchange with manager with the waiter standing next to him. I was disgusted by the managers lack of acknowledgment of the long wait, the other patrons being served before them and his total disregard of dissatisfaction being voiced in his waiters service levels. I had enough so I chimed in by saying to our waiter that it was not right that these ladies had to wait for 5 other tables to be served before they received their meal and that the least they could do was acknowledge that and possibly comp one of their meals or something. Our waiter after taking care of us all evening in English had the nerve to say to me "I don't speak English." It was shocking and rude. I would never recommend this...

As frequent visitors to Maiori from the U.S., one of our most anticipated stops is always Masaniello’s. This family-run restaurant has become a mandatory part of every trip—a place that consistently exceeds expectations while preserving the heart and soul of authentic Italian dining. What makes Masaniello’s stand out is the perfect harmony between tradition and innovation. The young, talented chef—son of the family—brings a fresh and creative touch to the kitchen, while other family members ensure the service and atmosphere run smoothly. It’s this dynamic that makes each visit feel like coming home. The menu is a showcase of the Amalfi Coast’s bounty, especially its fresh seafood. A highlight of the experience is the ability to choose your own fish from the day’s catch, which is then brought to your table for approval before being prepared. The dishes range from traditional homemade Italian classics to modern interpretations that never feel forced—just fresh, thoughtful, and always delicious. We’ve sampled many offerings over the years, and every single dish has been exceptional. The atmosphere at Masaniello’s is cozy and romantic, perfect for couples and special occasions, while being able to include families to large business parties. We once saw the staff thoughtfully place roses on a table ahead of a couple’s arrival, having been requested in advance. It’s this kind of personal touch that speaks volumes about their commitment to hospitality. The staff is warm, welcoming, and genuinely invested in making your experience unforgettable. They’re happy to answer any questions—whether it’s about the preparation of a dish or selecting the perfect wine. We’ve often relied on their recommendations, giving them our budget and trusting their judgment—and we’ve never been disappointed. In short, Masaniello’s is a must-visit when in Maiori. Whether it’s your first time on the Amalfi Coast or your tenth, this restaurant captures the heart of Italian dining—flavorful, heartfelt, and entirely...

The score (2) is a simple average between the food (very good) and the service (absolutely terrible).

The food as I said was very very good. You could tell that the fish was fresh. The dishes were simple but very very tasty although not exceptional enough to deserve a 5.

The service on the other hand was unbelievably poor...so poor that I forgot about the good food the second I walked out... Me and my girlfriend had an antipasto and a main. These arrived quite quickly, but once finished the food it seemed lime they forgot about us. After 20 minutes the waiter came and asked us if he could offer us a limoncello. We said that we'd like the limoncello, but first we wanted to take a look at the desserts. We waited for 20 minutes and nobody came. Eventually we got fed up of waiting and drew the attention of the waiter, we told him we wanted to pay and leave. After other 20 minutes the bill came...angry, I just stood up and went to pay at the cashier inside. We were offered the limoncello again, we refused...

It is a pity that such disorganization can ruin good food. Not considering that while we were waiting, 2 couples were waiting for us to leave so they could be seated but...