My Favorite Sicilian Restaurants

Sicilian restaurants offer up some of the bestterrace with the sea and mountains in view is
cuisine in the world. Italy has always been knownexquisite.
for its great food, and Sicilian food is no exceptionCasa Grugno - deemed as being one of the most
to this. And it isn't only the food that makescreative and exciting restaurants in Sicily with a
eating in a Sicilian restaurant a memorablemodern take on Sicilian cuisine and superb
experience, the leisurely way it is presented hasinternational dishes
made it into a high art. The approach to SicilianBorgo Antico - located near Taormina in
eating is the grandest of the meeting of theCastelmola, this restaurant open only in summer
ways between the best folk traditions and theoffers fantastic views of Mount Etna and has a
best aristocratic ones. Sicilian cuisine reflects thevaried menu. The pasta with wild fennel and
unique and diverse cultural heritage taken from itsshrimp is a house specialty.
history. Sicilian dining is an experience surely to beOther noteworthy restaurants in Taormina that
enjoyed.the discriminating tourist may wish to try are:
Many restaurants in Palermo and other coastalDracena (open only in the warmer months),
towns focus on the seafood dishes. AlthoughGambero Rosso (a pizzeria that also serves beef,
there are cheaper places to be found in the city,lamb and seafood), or Zammará (a
Palermo also offers some of the best Siciliantraditional restaurant which offers local specialties).
restaurants in the area. In Palermo, notable onesIf you are traveling to Catania, the best
for the tourist to try are:restaurants to visit here are:
Il Ristorantino - hailed by Italian critics for itsAl Gabbiano - which serves remarkable seafood
classic and authentic Sicilian and Mediterraneanand fresh fish. This restaurant is located in the
cuisineheart of Old Catania.
La Scuderia - (located about 3 miles north of theOsteria I Tre Bicchieri - dubbed as Catania's finest
city at the foot of Monte Pellegrino) this is dubbedrestaurant with its outstanding Continental cuisine.
as being Palermo's grandest restaurant withThe chef's Mediterranean fish is a must to try.
outstanding international and Italian cuisineLe Zagare - a Grand Hotel style dining experience
Il Mulinazzo - a highly acclaimed Sicilian restaurantset on the eastern coast of Sicily. Fine dining is
offering an exquisite dining experienceoffered with the best of Sicilian cuisine and a
Spinnato - this is a stylish, but affordable,sampling of Continental dishes.
café style restaurant offering temptingMetro - serving creative, traditional dishes amidst
lunch dishes, such as bresaola (cured beef servedan elegant décor.
with fresh endive and arugula withSiracusa Sicilian restaurant offerings include:
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese added) which is aTrattoria Kalliope - in the Ortygia historical district
timeless favoritewith excellent seafood dishes served within a
Cin-Cin - offering a serene setting located off thedelightful, traditional setting
beaten track down a flight of steps between theDon Camillo - exceptional, affordable dining within
Politeama Opera House and the Giardino Inglesean impressive medieval structure. Extraordinary
(English Garden). The cuisine offerings are refinedseafood and Sicilian recipes are creatively
and in the aristocratic 'Baroque' style. It has aprepared.
large wine list that includes many fine SicilianIl Barocco - serving incomparable Sicilian seafood
vintages. One outstanding dish to enjoy is thefrom the Ionian Sea set in a building converted
beef fillet with urchin sauce.from an 18th century stable block to a historic
Piazza Olivella - one of Palermo's most popularpalace.
informal dining spots. This really is not just oneThe above are only a sampling of the great
Sicilian restaurant, but is comprised of about 15Sicilian restaurants to be found in Sicily. Wherever
places in and around the district square of Viayou go in Sicily you are sure to find great
Cavour, Via Roma, and Via Maqueda, near theseafood, with tuna, swordfish and red mullet
Teatro Massimo.forming a significant part of the island's traditional
In Taormina the discriminating tourist can also findcuisine, as well as the fresh fruit and vegetables
some great Sicilian restaurants:which the warm climate and rich soil encourages.
Gran Duca - located in a Baroque palazzo built upAnd of course, the pasta dishes that are famous
on medieval foundations, this restaurant offersin all of Italy.
exceptional seafood, an ample wine list andSicilians have the gift of great food to offer to
excellent service.anyone visiting their island. Any Sicilian restaurant
La Buca - a charming Sicilian restaurant offering anwill reflect their talent for providing exceptional
intimate setting and a varied menu. The outdoorcuisine.