Restaurants in Aeolian Islands
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Ai Gechi
An excellent place that's a deserved favourite with the locals, Ai Gechi is a tastefully outfitted Aeolian house whose terrace serves as the dining area. Ship lamps light the tables, and the friendly barefoot waitstaff give you the lowdown on the day's menu. The food is traditional with a slightly modern twist. As you walk up from the port you will see a sign pointing down a small lane to your left. The restaurant is right at the end of the lane.
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A
Filippino
Having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010, Filippino’s is a mainstay of Lipari’s culinary scene, its menu filled with traditional dishes named in Sicilian dialect such as maccarruna i casa alla Filippino (pasta with tomatoes, courgettes, basil, mint, mozzarella and ricotta) and close to 20 delectable desserts. There are separate menus for olive oil, bottled water, grappas (120) and, more conventionally, wine.
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Da Alfredo in Cucina
A new outfit run by the son of Alfredo, Lingua's masterly granita maker (of 'Da Alfredo' on Via Manzoni, around the corner). This is a simple and elegant restaurant with a large terrace where each table is lit by an individual overhanging light. It overlooks the salt lagoon and is tucked away from the bustle of the other restaurants and cafés. A wonderful addition to the village.
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La Tartana
It's hard to tell how to recommend La Tartana: as a bar, semi-disco or restaurant. It's all of those, plus it has great sea views from its terrace. During the day it has a good buffet lunch of fish and vegetables. The evening affair is a different ballgame, with an upmarket menu and crowd. Aperitivi, cocktails and a bit of dancing happen after dusk on the bar terrace.
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La Forgia Maurizio
The owner of this devilishly good restaurant spent 20 winters in Goa, India; eastern influences sneak into a menu of Sicilian specialities, all prepared and presented with flair. Don’t miss the liquore di kumquat e cardamom, Maurizio’s home-made answer to limoncello. The tasting menu is an excellent deal at €25 including wine and dessert.
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Cantine Stevenson
Like some ill-advised transplant of Scottish décor onto a Sicilian island, Cantine Stevenson is, visually, sorely out of place. But take a tipple in James Stevenson's wine cellars and you'll be thanking the Scotsman who bought most of Vulcano in the 19th century with a view to exploiting its natural resources. He also planted the first vineyards.
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Le Macine
This Slow Food-awarded restaurant is located outside Lipari just as you enter Pianoconte. Creative Aeolian cooking includes fish in ghiotta sauce: a blend of olive oil, capers, tomatoes, garlic and basil. Lobster-filled ravioli or the fresh grilled swordfish are great too. The presentation is nicely low-key, but the portions could be bigger.
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Cucinotta Rita
Salina's best restaurant is this small place at the end of Via Risorgimento. Sit at one of the elegantly set tables alfresco, while the attentive waiters serve fantastic food such as stuffed squid, grilled swordfish sprinkled with parsley, and hearty chocolate cake desserts. You can also pop in here for breakfast - the croissants are freshly baked.
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Da Alfredo
The most atmospheric place on Salina for an affordable snack, Alfredo’s place has been renowned for decades for its granite (ices made with coffee, fresh fruit or locally grown pistachios and almonds) and pane cunzato (open-faced sandwiches piled high with tuna, ricotta, eggplant, tomatoes, capers and olives).
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B
Kasbah
Choose the environment that suits you best: the sleek contemporary white banquettes in the interior dining room or the vine-covered, candlelit garden out back. The food is superb, including delicious pizzas and delicacies such as agnello stracotto in umido alla siciliana (stewed lamb with almonds and dates).
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‘nni Lausta
This acclaimed restaurant with its cute lobster logo serves superb food based on fresh local ingredients. The understatedly elegant upstairs dining area features high ceilings, white lacquered tables and an outdoor terrace. The downstairs bar is a popular late-night drinking spot.
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C
La Cambusa
This single-room, family-run place serves delicious, reasonably priced Aeolian food, from the misto di capricci siciliani (roast peppers, aubergine caponata and vegetables of the day) to the classic fritto misto (fried shrimp and squid).
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Ritrovo Remigio
This place sells the best cannoli ever. Fresh, with the perfect contrast of soft ricotta and crispy biscuit, it'll send you cannoli crazy. Don't leave Vulcano without getting at least one. It's right by the port, as you get off the ferry.
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La Nassa
Genuine Aeolian cuisine is served in this family-run trattoria away from the main drag. Favourites include fish such as cernia, sarago and dentice, or try the Aeolian sausages, which are a house speciality.
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Trattoria Maniaci Pina
On the south side of the Vulcano, beside a black-sand beach, this atmospheric, down-to-earth trattoria serves hefty portions of fresh-caught fish at affordable prices. Try the spaghetti with nero di seppia (cuttlefish ink).
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Porto Bello
This award-winning seafood restaurant dates back to 1978 with the same family at the helm. It has a terrace overlooking the harbour. Aside from fish, it’s famous for its pasta al fuoco (fiery pasta with hot peppers).
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Da Francesco
This place overlooking the dock offers 12 pleasant rooms, some with sea-view terraces, for a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere on Panarea. Meals in the attached restaurant are also excellent value at €25 to €30.
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E Pulera
Filippino’s sister restaurant just west of the centre has a serene garden setting and equally exquisite food. Despite the upmarket ambience, the menu includes some surprisingly affordable choices.
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L’Osservatorio
Sure, you could eat a pizza in town, but come on – you’re on Stromboli! Make the long uphill trek to this pizzeria and you’ll be rewarded with exceptional volcano views, best after sundown.
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Ritrovo Ingrid
Trekkers gather here to gossip over ice cream or sundowners, while locals come for morning coffee and pastries; in summer, the attached restaurant serves pizzas and full meals.
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Trattoria da Pina
Just up from the harbour, tables spill out onto a large covered terrace at this family-run restaurant. It attracts a good crowd in season and is definitely worth a try.
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D
Bar Pasticceria Subba
Feed your sweet tooth with fabulous pastries at this long-established bakery (since 1930); the pistachio profiteroles with green cream filling are to die for!
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E
La Piazzetta
A lively pizzeria with vine-draped outdoor seating that has served the likes of Audrey Hepburn. It’s off Corso Vittorio Emanuele, behind Pasticceria Subba.
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Punta Lena
Punta Lena is recommended for its delicious seafood accompanied by magnificent sea and Strombolicchio views; reserve ahead.
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Da Vincenzino
Just near Da Maurizio, this place is close to the port and OK for lunch or dinner. The service is friendly and the portions generous.
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