Catania
Nuns taught a young Nonna Vincenza the art of baking. Today, her fragrant sweets are the stuff of glutinous dreams. Under huge chandeliers, counters gleam…
Must-see restaurants in Ionian Coast
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Catania
Old chandeliers, recycled furniture and vintage mirrors exude a nostalgic air at this quirky bistro-restaurant-providore, where tradition and modernity…
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Taormina
Book five days ahead come summer, when every buongustaio (foodie) and hopeless romantic longs for a table at this fabulous trattoria. Set snugly in a boat…
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Taormina
Owner Turi Siligato fishes, hunts and forages for his smart osteria, and if he's in, he'll probably share anecdotes about the day's bounty and play a few…
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Mount Etna
Modest Cave Ox is a fabulous spot to sample local produce, including salumi (charcuterie) made from local black pigs. Whether it's a bowl of carbonara…
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Ionian Coast
South of Acireale, this snug, organic, family-run pizzeria creates outstanding wood-fired pie. Prices may be higher, but so is the quality. The bases are…
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Taormina
Tiny Minotauro has an epic reputation for its calorific, made-from-scratch treats. Scan the counters for old-school tempters such as artful marzipan,…
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Catania
Cats would kill for a table at Fratelli Vittorio, a cult-status eatery whose counter glistens with Catania's freshest fish and seafood. It's not…
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Taormina
With seating on an intimate, candlelit courtyard, this coveted nosh spot (book ahead!) is the passion project of siblings Jacqueline and Sara Ragusa. The…
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Catania
Affable Aurora and Carminia run this adorable little eatery, with alfresco tables on atmospheric Via Crociferi. The weekly-changing menu celebrates…
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Ionian Coast
Book ahead for a table at what is Santa Maria la Scala's best seafood restaurant. As you enter you'll find the fish counter, where your order is picked…
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Catania
Clued-in Al Vicolo wears several hats well: bustling pizzeria, gourmet deli and designer bistro. The competent pizzas are huge, with a signature bordo…
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Catania
Small Sicilian farms and producers are showcased at this hip, upbeat cafe-bistro, run by Singaporean Fawn and her Sicilian partner Giuseppe. Tuck into…
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Catania
Take away or dine in at communal tables at this contemporary ode to seasonal, organic, meat-free nosh. Scan the counters for the daily-changing options,…
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Catania
Reservations are essential at this Slow Food–recommended restaurant, which even has its own stand at La Pescheria market. The tasting of antipasti is a…
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Catania
For over 50 years, chef Rosanna (yes, that's her in Jamie Oliver's TV series Jamie Cooks Italy) has been recreating her great-grandmother's recipes,…
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Taormina
With only a handful of tables (book ahead), this generous, Slow Food–acclaimed trattoria offers a level of creativity and attention to detail generally…
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Catania
With sharp service and pavement seating on trendy Via Santa Filomena, this hip, back-alley eatery epitomises youthful Catania's embrace of 'Sicilian fast…
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Giardini-Naxos
Tiny enoteca À Putia draws picky locals with its quality regional dishes. Tuck into a standout caponata (sweet-and-sour vegetable salad), pasta options…
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Catania
Pub-like Ostello personifies Catania: grungy, youthful and arty. Hunker down among students, professors and backpackers for decent bulgur-and-vegetable…
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Catania
When the weather's fine, the tables are out on the pavement terrace at Cutilisci, a much-loved waterfront restaurant in the harbour of San Giovanni li…
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Mount Etna
There can be few better ways of rounding off a day in the mountains than with a meal at this Nicolosi stalwart. Occupying a converted wine and oil press,…
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Catania
Humble yet quietly sophisticated, Da Antonio spoils food-lovers with well-priced, beautifully cooked food served by knowledgeable waitstaff. Despite…
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Catania
This tiny bakery has developed a cult following for its wholesome artisan breads, made with ancient Sicilian grains like tummina and perciasacchi. You'll…
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Catania
The Slow Food movement especially recommends Spinella's traditional sweets – try the frutta martorana (marzipan sweets shaped like fruits and vegetables)…
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Trattoria La Sirena di Mancuso
Ionian Coast
Among the numerous eateries flanking Lago di Ganzirri, La Sirena stands out for its affable nature and well-executed, surf-centric homecooking. Celebrate…
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Catania
Easy, indie-spirited Vladivostok is both a produce store and a cafe, feeding students, artists and suits with salubrious salads, lasagne and filling…
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Catania
Delicious, flesh-free grub awaits at little Millefoglie, a shabby-chic, whitewashed eatery with concrete floor, communal tables and an open kitchen. The…
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Taormina
Subdued and sophisticated (if slightly clinical), Andreas is home to chef Andreas Zangerl, a long-time fixture on Taormina's fine-dining scene. While the…
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Catania
Weathered stairs lead up to 'The Crazy Prawn', a humble, family-run eatery loved for its fresh, affordable seafood and homestyle cooking. Don't miss the…
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Messina
With its prime location – just behind the duomo – this cosy, retro hostelry is a handy spot for classic Sicilian homecooking. The menu features all the…
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Catania
Siblings Santino and Sergio make the finest granita in town, known for its especially smooth, creamy consistency. Their house-made brioche is wonderfully…
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Taormina
If you demand your seafood ridiculously fresh, reserve a table at this superlative local favourite. The crudo antipasto makes for a showstopping prologue,…
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Messina
Contemporary, light-filled and bustling, this successful Naples chain churns out bubbling, doughy, Neapolitan-style pizzas to famished suits, couples and…
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Messina
Messina is renowned for its granita, and you'll devour one of the very best at this polished cafe-pasticceria. To order like a local, ask for a mezza con…
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Taormina
Tucked into the corner of picturesque Piazza Paladini, seafood-focused La Piazzetta is an agreeable place to enjoy homestyle Sicilian cooking. Staples…
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Ionian Coast
Plastered with old photographs, time-warped L'Oste Scuro is a solid spot for classic, homestyle seafood. The produce is fresh and cooked simply, whether…
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Catania
Presiding over this much-loved, family-run noshery is wise-cracking patron Nino, who does a thriving business feeding peckish office workers and theatre…
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Ionian Coast
While it makes its own pastries, cakes and gelato, this 1950s veteran is famous for its granita, considered among the best in Sicily. If the weather is…
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Ionian Coast
This popular joint in Aci Castello is a short walk from the town's famous castle. While the place offers salads and burgers, it's best known for its…
