Trattoria Positano is a family run authentic Italian restaurant located in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. Since 1997, we have specialized in Italian cuisine from the region of Positano. Our passion is to create delicious meals using locally sourced fresh market ingredients.
Our roots are from the Amalfi Coast and therefore, many of our specialties focus on dishes from the sea including favorites such as our Guazzetto ai Frutti di Mare, homemade Ravioli d’Aragosta, and Branzino con Polenta. If meat is more your style, we have Osso Buco on the dinner menu and our Pollo alla Griglia Marinato is a house favorite.
We invite you to explore our menu of regional Italian cuisine.
Family-owned restaurant serving traditional Italian pastas, entrees & flatbread pizzas. Based on 217 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.6 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
2171 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff, CA 92007
Phone: (760) 632-0111
Website: https://trattoria-positano.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-listing
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday |
5–9 PM |
| Saturday |
5–9 PM |
| Sunday |
4:30–8:30 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday |
5–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday |
5–8:30 PM |
| Thursday |
5–8:30 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
Lawrence Bailey
Nice restaurant to have a real Italian dinner in Cardiff By The Sea. The food is authentic and tasted amazing! My family enjoyed their dishes. We enjoyed a nice red wine before the food came out. For dessert we had the positano lime tarta. I highly recommend this place! Great spot for a date and to be right by the ocean views.
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John Knudsen
Delicious meticulously prepared food with fabulous service. Family business that knows how to take great care of customers. My date had scallops and linguini. Scallops were huge and perfectly cooked. I had sea bass that was also perfectly prepared, and so delicious. We arrived just a bit before closing, but were greeted and served delightfully. Meringue with fresh berries and strawberry glaze was a tasty complement to the scrumptious entrees. Go check Trattoria Positano out!
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Peter E
Food was good atmosphere was nice. Got in early on date night. Have to put in the complete order upfront which was fun havnt had to do that. Very classic Italian food. Lady had the salmon is was amazing I had the veal which was nice as well. Wine selections good pricing fair.
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El Lemus
This is the fanciest place to have an nice and truly Italian dinner in Cardiff By The Sea, the taste every dollar spend in this place is worth it, Seafood my favorite, pasta with gambini, zuppa di clam with the company of a good Wine of glass, and the dessert positano lime tarta.
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Rodney Ressling
My anniversary dinner was great. We had 5 items. All of the specials were great. The wine selection was second to none. We has a Super Tuscan…it went great with everything. We has Lobster Ravioli, Seafood Rosato, and Seafood Soup with goat cheese. You will love the complimentary bread with a tomato spread. Make sure to get the Tiramisu…or take it home for light late night snack. You will not be disappointed.
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Thomas Parron
Service was impeccable, the food was outstanding and atmosphere was what I expect in an authentic Italian restaurant.
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Justin B.
Solid Italian place in Cardiff, definitely authentic, but they have their own unique dishes, a couple of the pastas are handmade as well. I had high hopes, and I was with a big group. Most of them were very satisfied and loved their food. However, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. Ordered bruschetta which was good but needed much more balsamic, couldn’t taste it. The pasta I ordered was under salted and generally just decent. I was hoping for something better. However, I enjoyed the experience, and would likely come back again and try something new.
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Yvonne Galanoudes
We have been to this marvelous little Italian restaurant several times. Each time, it did not disappoint us. Great food, wonderful service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. I had the shrimp salad tonight. Very tasty shrimp, seasoned surprisingly well. I liked the lemon vinaigrette dressing. My love had the Capellini Positano. It was a very flavorful vegetarian pasta dish. We’ll be back again.
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Nancy Arenas
This was the perfect ending to the perfect day! What a quaint little hideaway! Food was very good and service was excellent. The ambiance and decor take you right to the heart of Positano Italy. It is rather stuffy and humid during summer months – get a seat close to the door for a light ocean breeze. We ordered the Alfredo with Chicken, and the Spaghetti Bolognese. The starter salads were just right – light and not over embellished. We also ordered the tiramisu and two glasses of Prosecco. It was a little pricey ($125 out the door including tip). The restaurant is owned by three little Italian sisters who like to mix it with the locals walking by – especially those of a K9 race. Overall lovely night.
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J Johnson
Nice spot near ocean and other dining venues. Park on street. Good portions. Pleasant. My lasagna was good and the spaghetti and meatballs was was ok. Staff nice. Clean place. Then hop over to VGDonuts for dessert
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