Milazzo
For stellar seafood just paces from the port, this upscale eatery with a devoted local following is the obvious choice. Service can be a bit stiff and…
Must-see restaurants in Sicily
Stromboli
West of town on the main road to Piscità, this wine bar–cafe dishes up small but delicious portions of homemade lentil soup, pasta and local fish,…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Stone walls, beamed ceilings, tile floors and delightful smoky aromas contribute to the rustic atmosphere at this cosy pizzeria-trattoria. Along with wood…
Noto
Costanzo is justifiably famous for its gelati, torrone (nougat), dolci di mandorla (almond sweets) and cassata (with ricotta, chocolate and candied fruit)…
Ionian Coast
Right by the harbour, this polished stalwart is where locals come for quality fish and seafood, tucking into tried-and-tested dishes like tuna tartare,…
Central Sicily
For many locals, Saturday night means a meal at La Piazzetta. That might mean a pizza and beer or something more substantial such as fresh pasta with…
Salina
Homemade pasta and fresh-caught fish predominate on the menus posted daily outside this cheerful yellow house, tucked just back from Via Risorgimento,…
Tyrrhenian Coast
La Fornace's rather sterile dining room won't win any design awards, but its impressive array of mountain specialties – Nebrodi pork, porcini mushrooms,…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Located in the grain stores of the castle, this Slow Food–acclaimed eatery has a panoramic terrace for summer dining and is renowned for its assured…
Mediterranean Coast
In contrast to the scruffy portside streets, La Lampara is a modish, contemporary restaurant serving a modern, creative fish menu. Highly recommended is…
Catania
If people-watching and devilish dolci (sweets) give you a thrill, nab a table at this old-school cafe. Wedged in between Piazza dell'Università and Piazza…
Cefalù
For over three decades, this small, family-run restaurant just off Corso Ruggero has been serving up a flavourful mix of antipasti, seasonally driven…
Salina
This family-run place in Pollara, with a sprawling outdoor terrace, specialises in old-fashioned Sicilian home-cooking, including several vegetarian…
Agrigento
This eatery, resembling a Wild West ranch, is the perfect place to enjoy wood-fired pizza on the summer terrace while gazing out over the temples. You…
Stromboli
A Stromboli institution, the panoramic terrace of this all-purpose cafe-gelateria-pizzeria is busy throughout the day as islanders come for their morning…
Syracuse
It's not just the location off Piazza del Duomo that's the attraction – the house-made gelato is pretty good, too. It's all preservative free and made…
Cefalù
Tucked away in the marina (called Porto Turistico) east of the historic centre, this is a favourite among locals for its first-rate seafood, pizzas and…
Tyrrhenian Coast
This foodie favourite specialises in expertly prepared dishes crafted from local ingredients. Specialties include roast lamb, asparagus and mushrooms…
Marsala
With outdoor tables on Marsala’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, this lively restaurant and wine bar serves pizzas, over 150 different wines and an…
Central Sicily
It's all about the street food at this unassuming neighbourhood bar, complete with pavement patio. Scan the counter for cheap, filling bites such as pizza…
Central Sicily
Exposed stone walls, low wooden ceiling, wine racks and a wood-fired pizza oven set a snug vibe at this local favourite. Admittedly, the pasta dishes are…
Taormina
Linen tables, gracious service and a romantic terrace overlooking the cathedral make Al Duomo the consummate romantic go-to. Dishes focus on Sicilian…
Syracuse
Any restaurant that is full on a Monday night in February is doing something right. Old-timer waiters weave their way through snug, art-slung dining rooms…
Taormina
While it won't blow your culinary socks off, homely Tiramisù remains a local institution for its reliable standbys. Tuck into wood-fired pizzas, fragrant…
Palermo
Tables line the footpath and colourful children's paintings beam down from bright-red walls at this bustling family-run trattoria, in business since 1944…
Aeolian Islands
Numbering among Alicudi's few year-round residents are this local fisherman and his wife, who can arrange simple but tasty home-cooked meals any time of…
Syracuse
Bella Vita combines culinary traditions and modern polish, translating into thoughtfully presented dishes like ravioli stuffed with tuna and olives,…
Syracuse
With its cosy front porch opposite Ortygia's waterfront, this is a handy place for aperitivi after a dip in the sea. It also serves food, whipping up a…
Catania
It may not be the best pizzeria in town, but Locanda Cerami lures with its fabulous setting – in the warmer months, tables spread directly below the steps…
Noto
Up in Noto Alta, this dimly lit, Slow Food–acclaimed restaurant with an extensive wine list is widely regarded as Noto's best. While much of the menu is…
Taormina
Forget the staid, pricey restaurant upstairs; Granduca's charm lies entirely in its vast, lower-level outdoor terrace overlooking the sea – pizza here on…
Palermo
Chintzy Touring is known for its arancine, great fist-sized rice balls stuffed with ragù, spinach or butter, and fried to a perfect golden orange. While…
Ragusa
This cosy, popular Sicilian-Slovak–run eatery near the Giardino Ibleo serves up hearty, home-style dishes. Slovak-inspired offerings such as goulash and…
Palermo
Marble floors, wooden panels and dapper waiters channel old-school Palermo at this 1860 veteran. If the weather is on your side, watch the world go by…
Mediterranean Coast
Yes, you can dine on seafood here – as with all of Sciacca's portside restaurants – but the budget-minded will also find it a prime spot to sip sunset…
Agrigento
Rough stone walls and wood-beamed ceilings lend a cosy atmosphere to this quintessential family-run trattoria, tucked up a side alley in the old town…
Agrigento
The 'Sicilian Embassy' does its utmost to improve foreign relations, plying tourists with tasty plates of traditional Sicilian fare and good seafood. In…
Western Sicily
A North African theme is evident in both menu and decor at this popular restaurant, which dishes up fish and chicken couscous beneath tented canopies in…
Catania
Catanians of all ages – but especially students – flock here on weekend evenings, drawn by the pizzas, draft beer, cocktails and outdoor courtyard, shaded…
Agrigento
This fabulous gelateria is the perfect antidote to Agrigento’s oppressive heat. Especially scrumptious is the pistachio, flecked with nuts and super…
