In the verdant heart of Capri, beneath the dappled shade of a thriving lemon grove, lies the legendary restaurant Da Paolino. Its origins, a seamless blend of rustic charm and culinary delight, trace back to the 1960s. It was a time when Capri’s allure was just beginning to stretch beyond local shores, drawing the curious and the leisurely alike. Michela De Martino, the current steward of the restaurant together with Arianna and Paolino, respectively the son and granddaughters of the founder, recalls how her grandparents, initially simple farmers, unwittingly planted the seeds of a legacy.
“Our grandparents owned the garden here,” Michela recounts, her voice steeped in nostalgia. “It was a modest farm with animals, vegetables, and even their own wine production. They also had a bocce court where locals and visitors gathered to play. In those early days, they sold homemade wine alongside simple sandwiches, and slowly, the place became a haven for both the game and the taste of Capri.”
The pivotal moment came as American tourists, captivated by the quaintness of the setting and the novelty of the bocce games, began to frequent the farm. “My grandmother started cooking for them,” Michela continues, a smile playing on her lips. “Pasta, ravioli with cherry tomatoes, and, of course, the house wine. It wasn’t long before word spread, and the once quiet garden became a sought-after destination.”
The farm evolved organically into Da Paolino, named after Paolino Junior, who, as the youngest of the family, became the face of the restaurant. “It was hard work,” Michela reflects. “The restaurant was small, but everyone wanted to come. Me and Arianna joined in, and together, we expanded, always focusing on keeping the essence of our beginnings.”
By 1995, the decision was made to transform the entire garden into a lemon grove, a move that has since become the restaurant’s signature. “Lemons became our symbol,” Michela explains. “We realized the restaurant was our future, and we needed to dedicate ourselves fully to it. The wine and other farming activities had to make way for our growing passion.”
Today, Da Paolino is celebrated for its commitment to authentic, homemade Italian cuisine. The menu is a love letter to the local produce of Capri, featuring signature dishes like lemon chicken, grilled mozzarella on lemon leaves, eggplant parmigiana, and lemon ravioli. “Everything is sourced as locally as possible,” Arianna emphasizes. “Our lemons, tomatoes, mozzarella, and of course our limoncello, are all products of Capri.”
The restaurant’s intimate atmosphere and dedication to quality have attracted a host of celebrities over the years. “Luca Cordero di Montezemolo used to bring notable guests here,” Michela recalls. “I remember seeing Tom Cruise dining under our lemon trees in the 1990s. More recently, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Lopez have enjoyed our hospitality. They appreciate the simplicity and authenticity of our food and setting.”
Despite offers to expand the brand, the family remains cautious. “We’ve had many proposals,” Michela admits. “But Da Paolino is an experience. When people come here, they want to feel the family’s presence, hear our story, and soak in the genuine warmth. We sometimes do pop-ups, but one of us has to be there. It’s not the same without that personal touch.”
As for the future, the family intends to keep Da Paolino true to its roots, perhaps dabbling in seasonal pop-ups abroad, like the potential upcoming stint in Miami. Yet, the essence of the restaurant, the experience of dining under the lemon trees with the family’s heartfelt touch, will always remain a singular, inimitable encounter.
For those visiting Capri, Michela and Arianna offer a piece of advice: “Stay for at least three nights. After the day-trippers leave, you can truly experience the island’s magic. Take a boat tour around the island, perhaps even on a private boat with our family. Capri has so much to offer beyond the usual tourist spots; it’s an experience that goes beyond the obvious, much like dining at Da Paolino.”
In this haven of lemons and legacy, the blend of history, family, and flavors creates an unforgettable Capri experience, one that visitors, famous or not, return to year after year.
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