Italian restaurants in Sicily
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A
Antica Focacceria di San Francesco
A Palermitan institution, this atmospheric, informal place is one of the city’s oldest eating houses (opened in 1834). It hosted the first Sicilian parliament and was a favourite haunt of notorious Mafia boss ‘Lucky’ Luciano. Fixed-price menus including cannoli and the drink of your choice cost €6 to €12. The sandwiches (€2 to €4) are also great – try an oven-baked Vecchia Palermo moffoletta with cherry tomatoes, anchovies, caciocavallo cheese and oregano, or brave a maritata, the age-old Palermitan snack featuring milza (veal innards) and ricotta cheese.
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B
Sant’Andrea
The position of this excellent restaurant is a reflection of Palermo’s contradictory appeal. It’s tucked into the corner of a ruined church in a shabby piazza. Sant’Andrea’s well-heeled customers pick their way across the broken flagstones to enjoy creative, yet classic, dishes such as tagliatelle with lobster and almond pesto.
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C
Trattoria Basile
This popular, unpretentious trattoria offers an unforgettable, authentic Palermitan eating experience. Pay first, take a number at the window for your pasta (€2 to €2.50) or main course (€3 to €4), then sidle over to the antipasti bar where you can choose three items for €2 or six items for €3.50. While enjoying your appetisers, listen for your number – they’ll bellow it out (in Italian) when the rest of your food is ready. Try to avoid the really busy period between 1pm and 2pm when every workman in town is elbowing in for his plate of pasta.
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D
L'Acanto
The decoration is gorgeous, the food delicious and the staff friendly at this elegant restaurant that sits at the end of a small street in new Palermo. The menu is traditional with a modern twist, sprinkled with some excellent fresh seafood and grilled fish, and there's a decent wine list for boozy dinners. You eat by candlelight under canvas canopies in the leafy back garden.
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E
Casa del Brodo
This old-fashioned place is another Palermo classic, with bow-tied wait staff and elegant red and gold tablecloths. Founded in 1890, the restaurant is named after its heart-warming pots of brodo (broth), such as macco di fave e finocchietto (broad bean soup with fennel). There’s also a soul-satisfying antipasti spread (€9).
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Il Gallo e l’Innamorata
Warm orange walls and arched stone doorways lend an artsy, convivial atmosphere to this Slow Food–acclaimed eatery. The menu is short and sweet, featuring a few well-chosen dishes each day, including the classic scaloppine (veal cooked with marsala wine and lemon).
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Monte San Giuliano
Tucked behind Corso Vittorio Emanuele, this eatery is entered through a crumbling arch that leads onto a cool patio graced with drooping hydrangeas. The terrace has a canopy of green vines, and the pasta, fish and seafood are as delicious as the surroundings.
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F
La Rusticana
A great budget option that serves meat and fish dishes to a boisterous crowd of loyal locals who come here for the generous portions and the relaxed vine-covered terrace. Try the spaghetti con le cozze (spaghetti with mussels).
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G
Da Piero
A classy restaurant frequented by well-heeled Messinese. It’s an excellent place to try the typical swordfish agghiotta, flavoured with pine nuts, sultanas, garlic, basil and tomatoes. Reservations are essential.
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H
Antica Hostaria
This Slow Food-acclaimed eatery is famous for its pork ragú, an ancient mountain staple served only in winter; no worries if you’re visiting in summer: the menu features other fine local recipes year-round.
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I
Gran Caffè del Duomo
You'd normally avoid a place like this, thinking it screams 'location + expense', but a reasonable tourist menu and prime position in this beautiful square makes it a viable option.
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J
Spinella
This is probably Catania's most famous pasticceria; one taste of its produce - especially the ricotta-filled cannoli (cream horns) - will tell you why.
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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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Punta Lena
Punta Lena is recommended for its delicious seafood accompanied by magnificent sea and Strombolicchio views; reserve ahead.
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Romitaggio
Also recommended is Romitaggio, located in an ancient Benedictine monastery 4km from Castelbuono on the San Guglielmo road.
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Osteria di Venere
This traditional, family-run tavern makes excellent regional food, with special emphasis on grilled meat and fish.
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