This is REAL Italian food like you would expect if you were in Italy. Not just the flavor/recipes, even the presentation which includes the service, the staff. The portions were excellent and pricing was remarkably fair (this location has often had little traffic compensated by high priced food). No longer, Locanda Positano was packed 9/7 Friday night but it was not "crowded". Giovanni who manages and waits tables introduced us to the restaurant, other staff and he took delight in the food (and wine!) So the experience was excellent in the 3 key respects, food, atmosphere and staff. I will be returning frequently. read more

We'd heard great things about this restaurant since it opened and had to give it a try. The watermelon salad special, the gnocchi, and the red wine beef were all absolutely delicious. The service was spectacular, Rafael was delightful, a pleasure to meet. To top it all off, the interior is beautifully decorated and the restaurant has a very authentic Italian feel. If you haven't been here, you must. read more

We had a big family brunch here and this restaurant is one of the best Italian restaurants that I have been to. The food was exceptional as was the service and the ambience. We plan on coming here often. read more

Hello, wanted to let you know that I did revisit this restaurant with an open mind this evening and had a really nice experience. While I didnt try the Branzino that triggered my feedback below, I learned that the new chef has increased the proportions and has shifted to a seared/flash pan preparation which I think is better suited to this fish than the steamed prep I had. I had a special Caesar salad tonight that reminded me of preps we have had in Paris and Italy, so that was very nice. The current team is welcoming, fun and well prepped to talk food and wine. So all in all I am looking forward to more visits. Glad to rewrite feedback when there is change to be noted! read more

Just as I thought this cute restaurant is as good as the location in Danville. Although the selection is small, everything I have had in both my visit were delightful. Please order the smoked salmon appetizer. It is out of this world. If you want a fun experience, sit at the bar. The bartender know what he is doing. The drinks were delicious, especially the espresso martini. The noise level of noise is high but it's definitely not so high where you cannot hear your party. Remember when giving this place a shot it has not been open for more than a month and a half. They are still trying to figure our their system themselves. Try it twice then judge and write a review. It's very hard to run a business, especially in an elite location. By the way you will have a kick from the staff. Most everyone is Italian and you really do receive an authentic Italian experience, loud, tasty food, and warm environment with cool decor. read more

As a new restaurant in an old spot, Locando Positano was a pleasant surprise. I got to practice my sketchy Italian with the servers, who were most patient with my fumbling for adjectives, and even on a hot summer day, the outdoor patio was comfortable under the shade cloth. The menu is interesting and different; our salad special, with watermelon, fennel, pickled onions and olives was excellent. The flatbread pizza with sausage and broccolini arrived crispy and delicious. read more

Its a five star restaurant, the pasta was amazing and the best I ever tried! The service is super and they help you to take the best food choices to enjoy a memorable dinner. Tullio is the nicest host, always happy and with a positive attitude. I had one of the best restaurant experinces and I can recommend 100% Locanda Positano if you are looking for authentic Italian food and surplus customer service. read more

What a total joke this night out was for us!!!!! First of all we had a bad feeling about this restaurant when we got there. We arrived about 5:45. We saw only a couple people seated around the corner. Restaurant has two sections. The waiter was really putting it on with the accent. Hard to understand what he was saying. Long story short . We ordered Caesar salad and split it. The salad was about 6 lettuce leaves on each plate and dry. We both wanted the Seafood Linguine, we thought it was going to be a lot to eat. Wrong!!! When they brought it out I was shocked . There were 3 tiny baby clams on my plate 1 shrimp and hardly any Linguine. No sauce. It was smaller than an appetizer. We both had water and I had a $9.00 glass of wine that was 4 sips. For this we paid $57.91 plus a $10.00 tip. Will never go back here andI predict they won't be around too long.what a waste of time and money. I was really looking forward to dining there. Such a let down.!!!!!!!!! read more

Very attractive and comfortable environment. I went for lunch with a girlfriend. I ordered minestrone and received something that looked like butternut squash soup. It was their version of minestrone, put through a food processor and very smooth. It was OK, but I prefer the traditional mixed vegetable soup with some texture. The two of us split an order of Brussel sprouts. Best ever! We were seated in the main dining room which was very loud because of two large groups of 15-20. Very difficult to hear. Our waiter overdid the "Italian" bit--talking incessantly in Italian. He was pleasant but pretty annoying after awhile! It was pretty pricy for what I had. Not sure if I'll go back. read more

First visit to this restaurant and celebrated Father's Day. Everyone in our party of 6 loved their appetizers, main dish, and dessert. We had the branzino, linguine with clams, and gnocci with red sauce. We'd order all of them again. Shared the beet salad with burrata (mmmm) and a classico pizza for appetizers which was plenty for us all as there was also bread for the table. Dessert was enjoyed by all and we had chocolate souffles and the almond pear tart. I felt like I was in Italy and our waiter Renato, was the best. Would definitely return again. read more

This is hands down my new favorite restaurant. I recommend seating on the back patio the ambiance gives you a very rich sense of Italy. We had the special spicy sausage pasta it was molto bene. The espresso was sweet, bitter, and smooth. Pleased with the service very welcoming and on point. You are finished off with a in-house vodka, pineapple and jalapeno shot. It was absolutely perfect. Definitely coming back for dinner. Highly recommend coming here. read more

Brunch was a disaster! So, if you are looking for a place for brunch in Lafayette, go somewhere else. We had the salmon omelette and waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream. The omelette was greasy and way too overdone, plus the potatoes were bland and greasy. But that wasn't the worst part. The worst part was paying for Eggos. Yes, you read correctly Eggos. They brought us a platter dish with some paper-thin sliced apples, some paper-thin sliced strawberries and some paper-thin sliced oranges that took 3/4 of the space of the dish. In the corner. There were 2 Eggos, with syrup on them and whipped cream freshly whipped out of the can. It was awful!!!! I can make better brunch than that. Plus they had no juice, their menu was extremely limited, and the waiter decided to serve one of my friends and I all the sparkling water while my other friend just stared holding her glass... so, don't waste your money. Go somewhere else and have a hood brunch. read more

This place is amazing! The food is delish and the service and s by far superior to many places in the area! Clean and fresh addition to Lafayette read more

We had a great meal here. Service was extremely attentive (especially the busing). The food was excellent- especially the pasta. Cocktails were also good. Outdoor patio was warm and comfortable. read more

Excellent food and service, lunch menu a bit limited but we'd still go back again. Lovely remodel, with previously mentioned noise issues.

Pretentious and overpriced. Ridiculously pretentious. Food was ok, but certainly not worth the price. The special was a salmon dish. One of us asked if it was wild, and the waiter said yes. Not the time of year for wild salmon, so I asked where it was from, and he said the Atlantic. Well, as far as I know (and I have read widely on this), all Atlantic salmon is farmed. Also, the salmon came with asparagus and carrots. Great, I love asparagus, in fact I asked for just asparagus and no carrots and he said sure. My husband also. The plates come, and there is no asparagus and no carrots, instead there are potatoes and onions and peppers. WTF? So why not tell us that and see if we want to change the dish? I wanted to turn it back but I did not want to offend our friends with us who had recommended the place. We shared the flourless chocolate almond cake for dessert. Very dry and mealy, and with walnuts on too. read more

Fun. Fresh. Fantastic. 5 star food. 5 star service. 5 star experience. I came in for a girls night on a Thursday. Valerio was our server. He was absolutely DASHING. He gave a very authentic experience. His accent was very heavy: sometimes we had trouble understanding him, but his persona was charming, and we all fell in love with his authentic Italian hospitality and the joyous simplicity of his character. Also, if you ever come on a Thursday, definitely ask for him! He really knows how to create a memorable dining experience for both men and women alike. Moreover, the food was delicious and the portion sizes ample: The smoked salmon appetizer was an absolute must have. One of the managers, who reminded me a lot of John Stamos, suddenly broke out into O Sole Mio mid way through our dinner. His angelic voice left us all breathless, and I was left almost paralyzed by it's reverent beauty. Lastly, the ambiance was very chic and cozy. We will definitely be back again. And again after that. And again after that. read more

Love it! Great service and amazing food. Totally authentic- the whole team is fabulous.

We ate in the patio on a pleasant day. The tables have mosaic tile surfaces with interesting designs. We 2 couples sat at 2 round tables that makes food sharing a little more difficult but manageable. Server Oscar was lots of fun and very helpful. Our favorite dish was lasagna. Ravioli positano very good but we'd like to try it with a red sauce. Noise is fine outside for talking. It seemed rather loud inside when we walked through. read more

Service was attentive and warm. Food was excellent and portions were large. I had salad and pizza. My family all had salads and pasta and said it was delicious. I would highly recommend. read more

What a gem nestled in Lafayette. Feels like a cafe in Italy....from the Italian waiter to the amazing food. My new favorite place to dine in Lafayette!! read more

Welcome to this new restaurant in Lafayette's competitive restaurant scene. License Positano exceeded all expectations. Wonderful Italian dining experience, great food, exceptional service with an incredible atmosphere plus fair pricing. Looking forward to a return visit. read more

What a fabulous time our family had your restaurant. The atmosphere, service, food, was excellent! The owner welcomed us and made us feel we were the only ones there! Our server, Rafi, was so helpful, enjoyable and knowledgeable. For a few hours, felt like we were in Italy. Can't wait till our next visit to Lafayette and repeat our experience. Thanks read more

We had such a good experience here tonight! Renato (our waiter) recommended delicious dishes, starting with the antipasto platter. I could have eaten a vat of the burrata cheese over arugula. For real. My husband's lasagna came out piping hot and he said the pasta was definitely homemade. We also had a Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara that tasted like a high end Sonoma-coast Pinot! Mmmmmmm.... We ended the evening with a perfectly balanced tiramisu (I don't like it when they go too heavy on the liquor) - this one was perfect! We also loved the ambiance - we ate out on the patio due to the beautiful weather we've had the last few days, but I look forward to eating inside another night to experience the exquisite and welcoming decor. read more

A restaurant can be many things; a bar if they serve drinks, a dance hall if they have a dance floor and music, etc. One thing they cannot be is a restaurant if they don't serve food. My wife spotted a very effusive review in the local rag. Since her birthday was approaching she asked me to make us a dinner reservation. She'd take the day off from work, put in a morning at golf, and we'd go there for a nice meal. I went to the LP website to make a reservation since the rag's article recommended that. Pulled down a time, identified the number of seats needed and made the reservation. Easy-peasy. Combined w/ the birthday cake I'd prepared and decorated it looked like we'd have a nice evening. Drove there a bit early since depending on good traffic getting across 680 is a risky proposition, especially during rush "hour". Easily found the place and parking right in front. We asked the "greeter" if it were possible to be seated a bit early. He agreed but pointed out that in spite of website reservation the kitchen was closed, and would remain so for the next 90 minutes. Not an emergency, just routinely closed at this time. Nothing on website about that. He suggested we have a seat and order some drinks. Uh, huh. Sip drinks for 90 minutes and still expect taste buds to appreciate anything they could put before us? Right. We left and went to Walnut Creek. Immediately got a sitting and a fine meal. Evening was ruined, however. This is not a simple oversight on their part. It is business negligence. Yea Gawds. If they can't sort out as simple (Yes, simple) as a reservation application what do they do about aioli left out overnight? Just go ahead and serve it and hope the deathly ill customer doesn't blame them? Won't return. Won't recommend. read more

So happy that this restaurant opened in Lafayette. There are a number of Italian restaurants, but none as authentic as Locanda Positano. The service is the best I have experienced in the Eastbay. The food was absolutely delicious, and there were excellent gluten free options with pasta and pizza. Bravissimo! BTW, I am of neapolitan descent, so I know my way around this cuisine. read more

A new gem in Lafayette! If you're looking for an authentic Italian dinner and a charming ambience, you will love this restaurant. Delicious food, excellent service and a lovely outdoor seating area added up to a wonderful dining experience. Our pastas were perfectly cooked and the beet salad was delicious. The waiters/ waitresses were attentive but not intrusive. The tab adds up, but it's worth the price. I recommend reservations because it's a small place, even with the outdoor patio. For a special treat (not an "I just don't feel like cooking tonight" restaurant), try this restaurant. read more

THIS PLACE IS GREAT - if you like traditional Italian food with a high energy true Italian vibe - you will love this place!! after spending 10 days in Italy less than a year ago - everything about this place, takes you back. However, if you are looking for an intimate, romantic quiet dinner then stay home, this restaurant is not for you. Food is really quite good, prices more than fair, portion sizes generous and the bartender is excellent!! and the staff is really great. Truth be told we had a 'very green' server on our first visit, but the other staff picked up the slack and filled in, so our experience was still great. I will add another 'review' said they paid $247 for 2 people - I find that hard to believe when one of our bills was $320 for 4 people with two bottles of wine??? An appetizer, entree, and a glass of wine is well under $60. I gave 5 stars because they are new and usually that means they need time to iron the wrinkles out... but they do not - great experience. read more

My experience at Locanda Positano was delightful and did not disappoint! I dined with family and friends over opening weekend and it was absolutely wonderful. As to be expected, the dishes and meals were made with care and of authentic Italian cuisine and taste; most delicious and plentiful. The restaurant space and ambiance is charming, cozy and quaint. The owner has done a fabulous job with the remodel and renovation, creating a lovely and unique space filled with beautiful shades of blue, exquisite chandeliers and lighting, rustic, wooden tables and charismatic chairs. The bright, picturesque photos of Italy add an attractive touch. Enzo, the owner, greeted us with a warm smile and friendly cheer and hello, checking in with us throughout the evening as we enjoyed our meal. The staff is charismatic, courtesy and proficient. No matter your preference of food, I am sure you will find something special on the menu to satisfy your taste buds; there is a range of healthy and lighter options to choose from, as well as more solid meals consisting of a form of protein (meat or fish options) served with vegetables, delicious pastas and vegetarian options. It was quite the experience and I look forward to coming back soon...and often! read more

We got there and they told us there would be a little wait for an outside (we specifically requested) table...I said I'd like to put my name in. They suggested we get a drink and they would grab us when a table opened up. After being ignored by the bartender and having my drink forgotten about after I ordered it, we sat and waited for an hour. At that point someone came up to us and offered us seats at the bar and then said they would move us IF a table opened up outside. I said no we have been waiting an hour for an outside table, we want an outside table. He said "you'll only get one if a reservation cancels or doesn't show up". He tells us this AFTER we have been waiting for an hour. I declined and said we would go somewhere else, but did mention it would have been nice to know an hour ago we won't get an outside table unless someone cancels. He argued with me about that before We finally just left. Overall AWFUL service and experience. The food looked great, too bad we never had the opportunity to try it! Will never even try to come back here. read more

We went last weekend for a date night with another couple and we had a wonderful meal. The patio is delightful and very warm, even on a cold night. The waiters were friendly and made helpful suggestions based upon our questions and taste preferences. Many of the waiters had Italian accents. We all really enjoyed the delicious Burrata appetizer we shared. I had the gorgonzola gnocchi for dinner, which was really flavorful. The chocolate soufflé with gelato was amazing, and the limoncello was the icing on the cake. I'm excited to go again and try some other options on the menu. read more

Exceptional authentic Neapolitan cuisine. Great atmosphere and service. The pizzas are to die for. Definitely stop by and experience Italy right here in charming Lafayette. Other items on the menu are exquisite - pastas, antipasti and desserts... read more

Place was nice enough and food ok, but we were duped. We were a table of 8 and we were all talking and having introductions. The waiter on the ticket says "renato" I really did not see his name. He covered a few specials, explaining the details and prices which is normal practice. Here comes the Rub, he covers an appetizer and after every item he says yes and its real good and continues and completes with "would like to order" nodding his head yes and I nodded yes sounds good, fully expecting an Antipasto tray to share with small amount for each person I am thinking $12-15 for the tray. No mention of price or if each person wanted it. Well here comes two massive trays and a ton of food. We had no idea what he was doing. There was no question it was way more then we could eat; and the way the product was sold and ordered as if everyone said yes... they had not, and no mention of price was very devious and abusive of our gracious demeanor. So I get the bill the appetizer is over $60.00!! and he charged us for 9 appetizers we were 8... and we had not each ordered it. I can tell you this infuriated me; however, on a $250.00 bill I tipped him $50.00. As i said the food was ok but, not amazing and I was very disappointed by the treatment. read more

Second time to Locanda and second time sitting outside. This time I brought my 91 year old mother and they put us at the coldest table on the patio, right up at the front which is not completely covered by the tent and catches the wind. I had made reservations well in advance but if I go back, I will ask for inside. It was cold and rather unpleasant. Additionally the patio is so crowded you feel like you are sitting right on top of the next table. Food was ok not great. I had the special sea bass that was covered under a huge mound of red sauce and it could have been any fish as it was drowning and only tasted of the sauce. My mother had the eggplant parmesan also drowning in red sauce and again, hard to tell what it was. My daughter had the clam linguine which was not very flavorful. The service was excellent except when we wanted to order dessert and the waiter disappeared so my Mom said let's not order as it will take too long and it was just getting too cold sitting there. I do like the atmosphere as the staff are very pleasant and cheerful and seem to want to be as helpful as they can. I was hoping this would be a new go to place for our family but I am not so sure after two visits there. I will definitely give it a third try and will ask to sit inside, and try another dish before passing final judgement! read more