Semola — Restaurant in Sorrento

Whilst in Sorrento and searching for dinner, I was initially drawn by the idea of fresh seafood to be sampled with a view of the sea. However, after a quick search, the allure of Semola's fresh pasta was insurmountable, and my girlfriend and I decided to try it out.

The restaurant is located on one of Sorrento's quieter streets, but was relatively packed for our late arrival time close to 9pm. The menu was highly innovative, full of pasta options I had never encountered, alongside classics including a Spaghetti alla Nerona that I decided to order. My girlfriend opted for one of the more innovative options, with a cod and burrata ravioli in a tomato based sauce.

To complement the dishes, I opted for the house white wine, and we waited patiently for our food to arrive. Upon arrival, both dishes were very enticing, beautifully presented and in the case of the spaghetti, with every strand delicately coated. The ravioli was delicious, with a fresh flavour from the fish and a delightful tomato sauce that displayed the region's high quality products. Whilst I enjoyed the ravioli, I found the spaghetti phenomenal and after finishing my plate, proclaimed it to very likely be the best plate of pasta I've had the opportunity of sampling.

Spurred by our main dishes we opted for dessert and were encouraged to try the tiramisu. It arrived in a chilled, presumably non-functional stovetop espresso maker, and given the unique shape was deceptively generous. The tiramisu itself was delicious, creamy and full of coffee flavour.

Overall, our meal at Semola was a standout of our time in Italy and an indicator of the high level of cooking present in Naples and the surrounding areas. Given the opportunity, I would love to revisit, and once again be reminded of the pleasure of simple, thoughtful cooking when the ingredients are of such an...

❌ Avoid - Rude Service, Average Food ❌

Arrived to very rude service by a middle aged waiter with thick framed glasses. We waited to be seated at the restaurant but were ignored by the passing waiter multiple times until we asked if we could have a table. He motioned very abruptly to a table and set the table in silence, no greeting or pleasantries.

He then threw down menus in front of us with no communication, and left us to select our order. He then returned, taking our order as if it was a colossal task to order 2 drinks and some food.

We found the same waiter talking to himself in a low, negative tone multiple times as he walked to and from other patrons of the restaurant and cleaned away tables - Unnerving to say the least.

Expecting some incredible food to justify the bad attitude from the waiter but it was average at best - nothing special. Our bread came down burnt/stale and the mains lacked flavour. There must have been a salt shortage in the kitchen as we heard multiple patrons around us ask for table salt.

Other waiting staff were pleasant but one bad apple ruined the experience out right.

Looking at other reviews, I can see this bad attitude is a regular occurrence. Seeing the owner's responses to said reviews are also hostile, it seems the bad attitude is systemic up to the owner level - can't wait for my salty response to this review 👍💯🧂

All in all, avoid if in Sorrento - don't waste your money on a highly undeserving, rude waiter and average food when Sorrento has so much...

We had such a great experience at Semola Pasta Bar Ristorante in Sorrento that it definitely deserves a full 5 stars! From the moment we walked in, everything felt welcoming and easy-going. The staff was not only professional but also genuinely friendly, making sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed.

The food was the real highlight – every dish we tried was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The pasta was cooked perfectly, with just the right texture, and the sauces were rich and balanced without being too heavy. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients. We also noticed that the menu had a nice variety, so there’s something for everyone, whether you like traditional classics or want to try something a little different.

We arrived at around 12:00 and were actually the only ones there at first, which was really nice because it gave us time to enjoy the quiet atmosphere. Not long after, the restaurant started to fill up quickly, and we could see why – it’s obviously a popular spot with both tourists and locals. The vibe stayed fun and relaxed even when it got busier, which says a lot about how well the place is run.

All in all, this is a fantastic place to enjoy great pasta in Sorrento. Between the tasty food, the excellent service, and the lively yet comfortable atmosphere, we couldn’t have asked for more. Highly recommended – we’ll might be...