Syracuse
Tending this snug little bistro are chef Marco and waiter Fabio, who together serve up excellent regional cooking with idiosyncratic twists. Offerings…
Must-see restaurants in Sicily
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…
Mondello
From artichoke-stuffed, charcoal-grilled octopus to roasted fish with fennel cream and salted herb zabaione, chef Patrizia Di Benedetto gives regional…
Marsala
Pasta fiends will be in foodie heaven in this veritable ode to pasta. Be it ravioli, tortellini, gnocchi, pappardelle or the region's much-loved busiata,…
Central Sicily
Effortlessly blurring country and creative (think truffle caviar followed by smoked veal carpaccio), this agriturismo restaurant is also well known for…
Palermo
Hidden inside a little courtyard off Via Ruggero Settimo, this long-standing Palermitan favourite specialises in low-cost snacks, including delicious…
Palermo
Should you devour the rose and raspberry truffle or the pistachio praline? These are the conundrums faced at this cocoa-obsessed cafe. Scattered with…
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…
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…
Trapani
‘Tentazioni’ (temptation) is the buzzword at Gusto, a contemporary-styled space with street lounge made for romantic aperitivo-quaffing and a creative…
Ragusa
Fans of the Inspector Montalbano TV series will want to eat here, as it's where scenes set in the fictional Trattoria San Calogero were filmed. In reality…
Syracuse
Great food served in welcoming surroundings at honest prices: the recipe for success sounds simple but few manage it as well as this friendly, pocket…
Catania
Siblings Santino and Sergio make the finest granita in town, known for its especially smooth, creamy consistency. Their house-made brioche is wonderfully…
Mondello
Casual, piazza-side da Piero is one of the best midrange options in Mondello, drawing both faithful locals and tourists with its delicious, homestyle surf…
Palermo
Wedged between Piazza Politeama and the port, homey Lo Bianco cranks out delicious Palermitan classics at very digestible prices. The caponata is good…
Palermo
Regulars insist that Palermo's best coffee is served at this neighbourhood hangout. They're equally evangelical about Alba's arancine (rice balls), whose…
Taormina
If you demand your seafood ridiculously fresh, reserve a table at this superlative local favourite. The crudo antipasto makes for a showstopping prologue,…
Filicudi
Facing the waterfront in tiny seaside Pecorini Mare, La Sirena's colourful open-air terrace is an atmospheric place to dine. Pull up a straw-seated chair,…
Palermo
An oasis of potted plants and pastel hues, Le Angeliche is run by four women passionate about honouring and refreshing Sicily's rich, sometime obscure…
Palermo
When your papà is Puglian and your mamá Greek, it makes sense to open a restaurant dedicated to Puglian-Greek cuisine. That's exactly what siblings…
Marsala
Mackerel and pistachio caponata, ravioli with beetroot and artichokes, or swordfish patties studded with squid chunks are among the classics with an…
Syracuse
From the whimsical lanterns to the benches draped in colourful pillows, this little bolthole feels welcoming from the word go. Then there's the food:…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Just below Petralia Soprana's main square, this family-run venture may look rather sterile at first glance, but step inside to discover well-prepared,…
Syracuse
Experimenting with pizzas is something you do at your peril in culinary-conservative Sicily. But that's exactly what is done, and done well, at this…
Vulcano
Aeolian home cooking rules the roost at this perennial local favourite on Vulcano's bucolic central plateau, a short distance from the famous Capo Grillo…
Cefalù
Picturesque setting combines with scrumptious Sicilian cuisine at this relative newcomer with sidewalk seating in an alley gazing towards the Duomo's bell…
Palermo Region
Just north of Ustica’s central square, this family-run eatery is renowned for its fresh, local seafood, put to mouthwatering work in dishes like zuppa di…
Enna
This next-gen cafe breathes fresh thinking into Enna's main square. The focus is on the fresh, wholesome and local, from great organic coffee (non-dairy…
Lipari
On the waterfront in Canneto, this bar-cafe is beloved among locals for its reasonably priced snacks (arancini, frittatas, pasta al forno, breaded…
Palermo
Organic fare with flair awaits at this stylish Milanese import. Part cafe, part upmarket grocery store, its virtuous bites tap all bases, including vegan…
Messina
Contemporary, light-filled and bustling, this successful Naples chain churns out bubbling, doughy, Neapolitan-style pizzas to famished suits, couples and…
Mediterranean Coast
There's nothing surprising about the traditional Sicilian menu, but a focus on stellar service makes U Maccicuni the standout restaurant on Favara's main…
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…
Taormina
Tucked into the corner of picturesque Piazza Paladini, seafood-focused La Piazzetta is an agreeable place to enjoy homestyle Sicilian cooking. Staples…
Lipari
Going strong for over a century, Filippino is a mainstay of Lipari's culinary scene, widely considered the island's finest restaurant. Housed in a glass…
Palermo
Palermitan street food doesn't get any better or cheaper than the delicious panini (sandwich) hawked from this hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop just off…
Agrigento
The restaurant of the Foresteria Baglio della Luna is an elegant fine-dining establishment offering innovative Sicilian cuisine and views over the Valley…
Southeastern Sicily
If you like your food creative and your views spectacular, reserve a table (at least a week ahead in August) at this fine-dining standout, located inside…
Agrigento
A good option for panini (sandwiches) and piadine (Italian flatbreads) crammed either with your choice of cheese, vegetables and meat, or from the concise…
Panarea
For four and a half decades, Paolino has been serving top-quality, home-style Aeolian specialities on his breezy blue-and-white terrace overlooking the…
