Positano in Guildford

A fabulous traditional Italian restaurant in the heart of Guildford with delicious food and a friendly welcoming atmosphere. A family favourite 🤩

Lovely attentive sevice. The place gives a small family business wibe - love that. Genuine care. Back-draw they do not accept AMEX but well worth that extra hassle.

Perfect setting very inviting ,small but well set out friendly family to welcome you in .. also tables outside of preferred very reasonable in price , we had the lunch time set menu good choices and well presented always a favourite place to eat 😘

Great atmosphere and the staff were very attentive...food was fantastic and good value and huge range...quirky setting...thank you

Very good reputation for food quality but they want to cram in as many people as possible for maximum revenue. A party of 14 crammed into the gazebo area and we couldn’t get seated without moving chairs along the entire length of allocated table ( and disturbing smaller parties). It was impossible to get out without going out of the gap in the corner and also pretty chilly. The booking was based on 2 tables to ensure sufficient space ( and made several weeks in advance outside of peak time). Service was very good and everyone got what they ordered ( large group surcharge applied to the total bill ) but they still chased for payment of a couple of couple of kids ice creams that didn’t get added to the bill). Food was mostly average and focus on getting the maximum ££££ rather than making us feel inclined to return. Olivo … we will come back to you..

Wow wow wow! I can’t believe I’ve never been to this restaurant before. But I can say for certain I will definitely come again. The food is so yummy and authentic and the vibes are immaculate. Cannot recommend enough. Edit: As you can see from the many photos, I have been back on a fair few occasions, and every time it is truly wonderful. The staff and servers are so warm and welcoming, the food is exquisite and the drinks divine. Positano has really mastered making simple ingredients sing on the plate. Yum

Amazing place, lovely food! Highly recommended!

Three of us went to celebrate 2 birthdays and the staff were extremely welcoming. The food was amazing and the staff brought out dessert for our birthday which was very nice of them! Would recommend to anyone in Guildford!

Positano Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine. I highly recommend bruschetta and Fritto misto plater.

"Babe, babe," my ol' Dutch said to me as we tucked into our garlic infused bread, "d'you know why this place is called 'Positano', babe?" "No, my little dough-ball," I said. "Pray, do tell." "It's coz Positano is a nanogram of 'soot pain', babe." "An anagram of 'soot pain'? What might be the meaning of soot pain?" "It's what chimbley sweeps used to get when they were sweeping aat a chimbley an' a bit a soot got in their eye." "I see... And what might that have to do with this Italian restaurant, my little Dick Van Dyke?" The dear old thing thought for a moment. "Why must you ruin every piggin' meal?!" she said.

Great value! Food is delicious, and great service!

The food was fabulous. Kids Bolognese was very generous, my 7 year old says she nearly went pop! Pizzas are lovely, really good ingredients. Very friendly staff.

What an absolutely fantastic restaurant. We’ve been here several times and each time they never fail to impress. The food is always fresh. Service is always top notch. Although I didn’t get a picture of it the Tiramisu is a must! 10/10.

Extremely tasty food with good service to match.

The only reason I'm giving the place 4☆ is, unfortunately, the bathroom and no baby changing table available. That needs improving. The food and service were great, so I would still return.

Great place food lovely. I'm not fan off the house wine.

The service was so good, the portions were just right and the flavours were all there

Lovely lunch today for our wedding anniversary. Setting, service and atmosphere can't be faulted (as usual). The lunch set menu is extremely good value too. My only, slight negative point is the Negroni cocktail was made with Martini Vermouth. Sorry, that is pretty poor vermouth. Picky I know, but when a restaurant is consistently this good, you have to point out the small things. We will absolutely be going back.

Wonderful anniversary dinner here, food so fresh and flavoursome from the very start - the tomatoes in the bruschetta sing with flavour. Food delicious and portions generous and all staff lovely, especially our waitress who was helpful and pleasant throughout.

Great place, great food, and not as expensive as people think.

I'm always a bit skeptical of Italian restaurants abroad... well Positano is Italian in name and in fact... true Italian cuisine where yesterday for lunch we enjoyed linguine with seafood, lamb accompanied with a crazy sauce, wonderful fried calamari and everything and more....Thank you

Returning to this amazing restaurant once more for lunch,today 31st August,always a pleasure to anticipate as the standard never wavers from 5 star.We were warmly welcomed and we requested to sit outside under the awning.The staff here go beyond to make you feel welcome and valued.The menu is very varied and the food is always excellent.The wine list is imaginative too.The restaurant soon filled up both outside and inside.Several times we were asked if everything was ok during our different courses.All the staff are amazing but Alfredo shines just that bit brighter.We are already looking forward to another visit…Thankyou Stuart…

my favourite restaurant so far! went there for birthday dinner with my friends and it was the best decision ever! the food is delicious,atmosphere is cozy,staff is perfectly polite and friendly. our waitress was really helpful and gave us great service. will come back again and again

I couldn't praise enough the Positano team! The food was delicious, everyone was so polite and friendly. The atmosphere is beautiful. I have been at Positano quite a few times now, I'm always looking forward to come back.

Great food, very knowledgeable staff. Resturant can be a bit cosy, but that all adds to the social Italian feel of the place. Update... Just had another meal to celebrate our anniversary. Simply stunning, food was out of this world 👌

Girls night out with friends, amazing food and the service exceptional

We have visited this place several times and it has been great and staff have been attentive but this latest visit was the complete opposite. We were a large group, food was very mixed, one dish looked dreadful and was not eaten at all. We were all packed in, one waiter just kept stretching over me to pass things down with his elbow in my face. Their white shirts were dirty, they all kept handling dogs who were there with other customers then serving tables… At no point were we asked if all our food was ok. We had to stop one to order more drinks. One meal was much later than the rest so of course we waited but then other meals were going cold. Very disappointing experience this time.

Positano is a regular spot for us and each time it is amazing, no matter what we order it is always delicious and the service amazing. Last night we were celebrating our anniversary & our waitress brought out my tiramasu with a candle and happy anniversary message & said very kind words. We were really touched as she went above and beyond & it is very in keeping with how they always are in Positano's. We will be back again soon no doubt!

Delicious food & wine. Exceptional ambience with table lighting and music. Super attentive and fast friendly service. One to come back to for sure.

Authentic Italian restaurant with a friendly staff. My wife and I sat in the alfresco and had Napolitan ragu tagliatelle, Salmon, focaccia bread and meatballs with tomato sauce. Everything was good and reminded me of how my grandma used to cook some of those dishes. I liked the selection of desserts, they are all hand made and taste like home.

The kids have been here before and told us how good it was and when our youngest smashed his GCSEs, we decided to take them all out for a celebratory dinner. We had a mix of things from the A la cart and the specials and everything was brilliant, including the service. Would highly recommend.

A true taste of Italy in Guildford. Positano is a gem! * The authentic Italian food is outstanding. * The wine selection is amazing, and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. * It's definitely a top contender for the best restaurant in Guildford!

We love, love, love coming here! The food is delicious, and the service is impeccable. My fiance and I come here every year on our anniversary as it's the first restaurant we went out for dinner at! They always ask if we are celebrating something, and we say yes, our anniversary, so they write a "congratulations" on our dessert and make it look all pretty 😍 The food here is great. The fried zucchini are crunchy, not oily; the pizzas are doughy and taste amazing, the salads use juicy tomatoes, are fresh and crisp, and yummy dressing. Plus, there's a great selection of wine! It's a little pricey but the food is so good that it kind of makes up for it! The service is impeccable also, everyone is so friendly and polite, they take your coat and hang it up, all of them say hello and goodbye, and they're always attentive without hovering. We love it here! It's so cosy and romantic! Great food, great wine, great vibes!

Without a doubt the best Italian restaurant we have tried in this country. It is a family run place where all the staff are friendly including the lovely owner who takes time to chat with everyone. Food is great. Everyone in our family loves this place.

We went on a busy sunny weekend, but the staff were very quick, attentive, and friendly. Their 2 course set menu is brilliant value for money, and the beef ragu was absolutely delicious, possibly one of the best I have had. The style/age of the building makes it not wheelchair accessible, but there is seating outside.

Nice Italian restaurant in the centre of Guildford, but pushed us off our table after two hours as another party were waiting. What we had to eat was lovely, but not offered desert or even a coffee. Left us with a sour taste in the mouth and a bill for £300+ for 6 people.

Been here twice in the last month and it was excellent 👌. The first time I booked and took a friend from out of town and thought I might be taking a risk but boy!it was a risk worth taking. Food, service and atmosphere was top notch 👌 fyi you will need to book as they are this good 👍 try the signature pizza 🍕 yummy!

Seafood pasta and risotto are both good. I slightly prefer the risotto as exceptionally al dente (and also it’s in other people’s plate :3) The sauce is very delicious and keeps me wanting to scoop up all the noodles (and rice). The garlic bread tastes a little burnt, probably the garlic was not moist/oiled enough, but the dough is springy and lovely. Hope it’s healthier. The pizza on the table next to us looks good too. The grilled pepper side is also quite unique with olives and tasty. Friendly service. I regret declining pepper as it turns out they have a gigantic pepper mill. Very dramatic. Nice vine at the street corner leading into a quieter lane. Glad we tried our luck and walked in on a Friday evening. Would be happy to come back if I ever visit Guildford again and maybe after trying other places.

Wow, wow and wow! Incredible food at the highest level, matched by great service equals a stunning experience. This matched our last visit nearly a year ago (we are not local). What a place.

Had lovely lunch sitting outside. The food was delicious and the service was amazing. Highly recommend a visit

I recently ate at Positano, and it was amazing! The service was super friendly and attentive. The food melted in my mouth, and the portions were just right. The wine was great, too. I'm usually very picky with food, but Positano really impressed me. The only thing that I would improve a littly bit is the lava cake. Overall, Positano is fantastic, and I’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend!!

Decent food and good service in an old house converted restaurant. I felt comfortable there.

Perfetto!! Super staff, gorgeous food and great value! What more can you ask for?

Never been here before but will definitely be back. Came out for lunch and the service was so lovely, food was delicious and the restaurant is a quaint 16th century building with a beautiful atmosphere. Really recommend if you want something relaxed and yummy 😋

What can I say? No one does it better than Positano. They are simply the best in the game when it comes to quality Italian food. I very much enjoyed a meal with members of my band after a rehearsal nearby in Woking. Staff at Positano are very friendly and accommodating, and the service is super fast, too. We very swiftly received our drinks after ordering and, in quick succession, our food came out too. The food is spot on 👌 I went for the mushroom, which comes with mushrooms, truffle, and parmesan. I added truffle oil to my pizza, which was a v good choice! The food was delicious. Funnily enough, we were also treated to an incredible opera performance from a gentleman singing on the high street in Guildford - I wouldn't expect this every time you go there though, of course!

Delicious foof. Wonderful service. Had a grest timr x

Really well run with lots of attentive staff. Great to sit out in summer but haven’t been inside. Husband was really complementary about his parmigiana mellanzana which is a very rare thing. I enjoyed mt polpeti starter.

Wow what amazing Italian restaurant amazing history The food was top quality The staff - waitress outstanding

The restaurant is a perennial favorite and a totally solid choice if you're craving Italian home cooking. I've been here several times for lunch or dinner and can primarily recommend the pizzas and meat dishes - even if the food is generally adapted to local tastes and the team has (rare) misfires. The guest rooms are slanted and quite winding inside, while there are some terrace seats outside, which are better reserved in advance on summer days. Otherwise, the warm service team is completely impeccable, taking care of its guests with Italian charm and 'cordialità'. Grazie aunt! 🍷

Out of this world as always. Perfect food, wonderful staff, made very welcome. Will come again soon

Easy in top 3 places to eat out in Guildford. Food is fresh, tasty and focused on quality rather than being pretentious (and ending up lacking) like many places in Guildford. Prices are what they should be which is ~20% cheaper than most places in Guildford and surrounding areas. Great service and convenient central location. It can get busy at times but that’s relatively small inconvenience. Pizzas are proper Italian, full of flavour and done right just like pasta dishes. Highly recommend.

Excellent food and top-notch service. We were genuinely taken back by the quality of the service and menu. Fair pricing. Watch your head when walking into this 1500s historic building. Parking is tough and it is best to book a table.

Fantastic food, hospitality, music ❤️

The menu has a huge amount of choices, so there's a delicious dish for everyone. All of the staff were really lovely and attentive. I had one of the specials which was Rigatoni Alla Catanese, it was delicious. My husband and our friends loved their meals as well. I had the Tartufo Limoncello for pudding and it was so lemony and refreshing. This was our first visit and we will be back!! 💜

We had a beautiful meal here Saturday, fabulous wine and the service was impeccable! Only downside is that we live too far away that this cant be our local! Thankyou all for making our time so special

We thought as it’s a Thursday night a booking wouldn’t be required - got that one wrong. Restaurant was completely booked out. We managed to get a table outside but in the non heated area. Lucky for us there was a cancellation and we were able to dine in. The atmosphere was lovely, and the staff were very attentive. Food was great, I would definitely recommend the seafood linguine. My husbands lamb shank just fell off the bone. A lovely gesture for our anniversary too. Overall a great first experience and it certainly won’t be our last.

this restaurant has been our go to place for years and we go as often as we can. maybe that is the problem, we have been too often. staff are always friendly but, the boss could improve his customer service. hence our recent visit did not go 100% correctly. the food does not always look good on the plate but tastes fine. you do not always get what you want either. lots of people love it, like the tourists, but for us it is time to give it a miss for a while. it has become a pile them in and get them out place.

Lovely traditional Italian restaurant. The food was delicious. The staff are very friendly and very attentive. Well worth a visit.

This is by far the most authentic Italian restaurant I have been to in the Uk, and I have visited a lot! The service is incredible, the venue and atmosphere is incredible. And the food, the food is perfect, with its sweet tomato sauces, sensational pizza, perfectly cooked pasta, this is a definite must visit for that authentic restaurant! A piece of Italy right here!

Before our visit to Surrey I looked at the best Italians in the area and this one came up top pick, so we decided to give it a try. It is clearly very popular as we booked a table a month before our visit and a lot of times we’re already gone so I do recommend booking well in advance. The service was fantastic and the food was incredible! Very quick but beautiful fresh food. Next time we are in the area I will be booking again as it is one of the best Italian restaurants we have been too. Thank you for a lovely meal we will be back!

A superb place with friendly staff and a great atmosphere. Would highly recommend it!!

Fantastic meal for my husband's birthday. Superb service, better than most places have now. Lovely food. Def worth visiting

Oh my goodness this has to be one of if not the best Italian restaurant i have been to. Everything from a warm welcome, attentive staff, the menu, the food and the prices are fantastic. I honestly cannot fault the restaurant, staff and food. Booking recommended as it's no surprise as it's busy. Fantastic restaurant 👌

It was the most delicious pomodoro I've ever had and the staff was friendly. I think I'll visit often in the future.

Delicious food, good service and great prices. The arancini siciliani were delicious and the lasagna was delicious and rich. The food also didn't take a long time to come out

Nice food. Tables are a bit crowded and dining time is only 1.5 hours

Stunning food and service and great value. Best Italian and in my view best restaurant in town.

Been here multiple times for various occasions such as family visiting, friends special occasions and just generally wanting some good food. I've never had a bad meal and I'm slowly working my way through the menu. The staff are great and look after you while you're having your meal and give great recommendations on food and wine. For the quality and service you get it's a good price too.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Positano Italian restaurant on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and it was truly a feast for the senses. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly made me feel at home. I decided to opt for a light lunch, and I must say, I was not disappointed. The chicken and pesto pasta I ordered was a delightful combination of flavors. The tender chicken was perfectly cooked and paired beautifully with the aromatic pesto sauce. Each bite was a burst of freshness and I couldn't help but savor every mouthful. To accompany my pasta, I indulged in a serving of their delicious cheese garlic bread. The bread was soft and fluffy, topped generously with melted cheese and a subtle hint of garlic. It was the perfect accompaniment to my meal, adding an extra layer of indulgence. One thing that truly stood out during my visit was the exceptional service provided by the staff. Simone and Cosmin, in particular, were absolute gems. They were attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure that I had a memorable dining experience. Their genuine warmth and passion for their work truly shone through, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. In conclusion, my visit to Positano Italian restaurant was nothing short of delightful. From the scrumptious food to the outstanding service, every aspect of my dining experience was top-notch. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a taste of authentic Italian cuisine in a welcoming and cozy setting.

Somehow it’s better than afternoon fries🍟. There’s no standard for judging Italian food. It’s edible, but it’s a bit salty and the meat quality is average.

Just a brilliant restaurant with wonderful food!!!

Sweet little restaurant with lovely outside seating and the food was delicious. The real factor that makes this place such a gem though is absolutely the staff. Extremely polite, charming, and make you feel incredibly comfortable and well looked after. Will defo be returning :)

Great Italian food that never fails to deliver. Set menu fantastic value.

Good food and a special mention goes to the friendly customer services that warm up the whole atmosphere.

Not much to say. Just by 1000 miles far the best Italian restaurant I've personally ever eaten in the UK. And I've been to a lot. This place is incredibly authentic, value for money, friendly, 100% Italian cuisine and just great flavours all around. I'm just very disappointed that I've been to Guildford a million times and I've only recently discovered this gem. Book a table to avoid disappointment.

Delicious food, great service, warm environment 👍🏻

Absolutely fantastic. Food great. Serving team brilliant. Atmosphere wonderful. Surroundings ..you can't ask for better. Location very central in Guildford. Value for money... excellent. Did I enjoy my evening. Look above!!

My wife and I had an amazing dinner here. The food was really spectacular, full of flavour and you could taste every ingredient. The highlight was the service though, one of the best experiences I’ve had in a restaurant for years. Staff were really attentive and always checking in on you which contributed to the relaxing, warm atmosphere inside. We will definitely be back because there were so many dishes I wanted to try that I didn’t get to because the portions were ever so generous!

What a gem of a place! Our first time here and the food and service were exemplary! Will look forward to visiting again.

The service here is the best part of the experience, all the staff were kind and accommodating as we had a baby with us. They even sang hally birthday to my husband which was a nice touch. The food was absolutely amazing and cooked to perfection. We can't wait to visit again and try something different on the menu.

One of the nicest and best quality restaurants I've been in. The portion size is great, while still maintaining high qaulity taste. A good selection of wines too. - A regular customer

Made a booking here and loved it. They were so friendly and attentive, and the food tasted amazing and authentic. Even simple dishes had big flavour. Highly recommend!

Me and my partner discovered this gem not too long ago, really nice food and the service is immaculate. Will be coming back here for the foreseeable!

Went tonight for a colleague's leaving do. Food was lovely. Main meal was a large portion so unfortunately didn't have room for desert 😥. Very attentive service 👍 Definitely good value for money. Not surprised it's a busy place even mid week

Absolutely stunning, great staff experience, food was stellar, took a friend here for a dinner and were already planning coming back. For main, myself had the duck al mango, and they had the salmon Al saffron, absolutely georgous uplifting flavours. Desert my other half had the pear cake, apologies forgot the name, and I had the chocolate cake. Highly recommend this little restaurant in Guildford. Interior design makes this even better to, bit of history whilst you dine.

Despite fierce competition, this really is the best Italian restaurant in the area! Delicious food, excellent portion size and lovely presentation without being fussy. The building is just beautiful and has a great atmosphere. Best of all is the service - you are made to feel welcome and taken great care of throughout.

Visited for food with friends during our little reunion. The service was impeccable; delivered with smiles, jokes and laughter. The food was even better. I'm not normally a fish person but when I took in the lovely scent from a dish being carried to another customer I had to get some for myself. I highly recommend.

Always a wonderful experience when we eat here. We went for our anniversary and it was perfect. Our waitress was the sweetest girl and made sure we had the best time. The food was delicious and so was the wine. They even brought us a little dessert to say happy anniversary 😊 Very cute. Thanks guys, amazing job as always

Very nice restaurent with amazing food and awesome hospitality.

As previous comment said, book a reservation before. Pizza are delicious. Dessert great and on top very professional and knowledgeable staff about ingredients and specifics of their menu.

Absolutely delicious lunch with five family members. Lunch menu superb value. Service outstanding. Candles in desserts for birthday girls. Perfect!

Excellent service and superb food

Just been there today to have a lunch for our daughter's birthday. Food was great and the service is fantastic. As we enjoyed so much our experience at " Positano restaurant" today, especially our birthday girl was so happy, we've just booked a table again for father's day. Can't wait 😍

The best Italian in Surrey! We've been coming here for years and it delivers every time. Wonderful staff, incredible food and lovely setting. Very reasonably priced, with decent wines too. It's our go-to in Guildford. It's certainly gotten much busier since they won their award, but totally deserved. Ensure you try the Montanarina. It's devine. Thanks team!

All 3 pastas we ordered were great! Seafoods were fresh too. Will come again!

Large menu, great portions, tasty food. Really attentive staff.

Amazing food and service. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. They went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed!

The pizza was pretty good and similar to one you might get in Italy. On of my work colleagues is gluten free and it was nice for the restaurant to have options that catered to him. Overall it’s a bit if a small place, but not cramped. I recommend reserving a table ahead of time as they needed to find a way to fit us in. I’ll probably return when I come back to the area and try something different to experience more of their menu.

Lovely authentic Italian restaurant with great food and most welcoming staff. Highly recommended

Always a great meal. Recommended for any special occasion!