Take an aristocratic courtyard, add an intimate interior kitted out in vintage coffee tables and a Chesterfield lounge, and you have Cortile Verga. This is one of Ortygia's top cocktail bars, crafting top-tier drinks like the Eleutheria, a blend of vermouth, mezcal, amaro (Italian herbal liqueur) and hibiscus tonic. While they're not cheap (€8 to €10), they're a cut above the competition.
Nibbles include great taglieri (tasting boards) of Sicilian cheeses and charcuterie, as well as bruschette and a rather decadent toast with egg, cream of white truffle, porcini mushrooms and grated black truffle.