A Local's Guide to Eating in Sicily - 10 of Sicily's Best Restaurants — Go Ask A Local (2024)

Planning a trip and wondering where to eat in Sicily and what to order? Look no further!

In this guide, I’ve shared not just where to eat around my home island, but also some must-try dishes at each restaurant I recommend.

Before getting into my favorite restaurants, I’ve started off by sharing some useful information on dining out in Sicily, including an introduction to Sicilian cuisine, info on meal times, what to expect for service, and how to tip.

More Sicily travel info:

For more info on travel in Sicily, check out our Catania city guide and this guide to 10 hidden gem towns.

And if you could use some one-on-one help planning your trip to Sicily, consider scheduling a Sicily travel consultation!

• How to plan a trip to Sicily

• 10-day Sicily itinerary

• 7-day eastern Sicily itinerary

• 7-day western Sicily itinerary

• Guide to Palermo

• Guide to Catania

• Guide to Taormina

• Private guided tours of Sicily

Table of contents

An introduction to dining in Sicily

• What makes Sicilian food special

• Meal times

• Service at restaurants

• Breakfast and coffee in Sicily

• Tipping in Sicily

10 of Sicily’s best restaurants

1. Palermo - Typical Sicilian pasta at La Galleria

2. Palermo - Seafood with a view at A Cala

3. Marsala - Location and wine at Mamma Caura

4. Agrigento - Lunch overlooking Valley of the Temples at Re di Girgenti

5. Siracusa - Some of Sicily’s best panini and salumi at Caseificcio Borderi

6. Catania - Modern twists on Sicilian classics at Canni e Pisci

7. Catania - Home-style cooking with locals at A Putia do Calabrisi

8. Catania - Refined dining at Catania mainstay Il Sale

9. Taormina - Pizza at renowned Villa Zuccaro pizzeria

10. Taormina - Seafood on the beach in Taormina at Re del Sole

Whether you’re planning a short stay in Palermo, one week in Sicily, or a few weeks exploring in-depth the beauties of places like Catania, Taormina, Ragusa, Siracusa, the Aeolian islands, and stunning Etna, the food of Sicily is always a highlight for travelers.

The three thousand years of human history of Sicily come alive at every bite! Sicily’s cuisine is a reflection of the countless different populations who have settled here: from Phoenician wine and ancient Greek honey to the sugar of the Arabs and the chocolate of the Spanish.

Some of the most typical dishes are the ones for which we now use the expression "street food": arancini (rice balls filled with ragout sauce, green peas, and cheese, then breaded and deep fried) or cannoli (fried, tube-shaped shells filled with sweet ricotta cream). But there’s an incredible diversity of food available in every town and city.

There are certain practicalities about dining in Sicily that one needs to be aware of. For tourists coming from different countries, and especially North Americans, these traditions or “rules” may appear strange at times.

What makes Sicilian food special

It is these combinations of thousands of years of varied culinary traditions that make our food so interesting, distinct, and delicious.

Meal times in Sicily

Don't try to eat lunch after 2.30 pm or expect to have dinner before 8 pm.

People in many towns and cities in Sicily, especially smaller places or those in more off the beaten locations, continue to observe the midday “riposo”. It is sort of like the more famous Spanish “siesta” where shops, restaurants, and economic activity in general shuts down in the middle of the day and people go home for lunch and sometimes a little nap. If you are here in summer you will understand why - it’s hot!

Service at restaurants

When you’re out at a restaurant, bring some patience with you. The service can be slower than what you are used to at home, but this does not mean that it’s bad. It’s simply more leisurely.

Meals in Italy, and Sicily is no exception, are a time to relax and spend time with friends and family. Do not expect to be in and out of a restaurant ever in less than an hour. A positive of this type of relaxed service is that once you sit at a table, it’s yours for as long as you wish; no one will come to rush you out or bring the check unless you ask for it.

Ordering coffee and breakfast in Sicily

When you’re after a coffee fix, please do not order a cappucino after lunch or dinner! A cappucino is a breakfast drink and should never be ordered after 11 am!

On the topic of breakfast, we do not eat a heavy meal in the morning. A typical Sicilian breakfast is light - basically a coffee and croissant (called a cornetto in Italy). In hotels catering to foreign tourists you’ll usually find cereal, yogurt, and some cold cuts as well. But do not come with high expectations for breakfast in Italy!

If you visit Sicily in the summer you will see many Sicilians having a different kind of breakfast: a brioche (soft sweet bread) with a lemon granita! Perfect for those hot months.

Tipping in Sicily

Though you will often hear that there is no tipping in Italy, that really is not true. Tipping has become quite common in Sicily, though not in the same way as people tip in North America.

A 10% tip at a restaurant is considered very generous. When you order something at a cafe or bar, like a coffee or cappucino while standing at the counter, a simple 10 cent tip (just leaving your change) is typical.

You will also see Italians simply round up the bill when tipping; if your meal cost 47 euro, you might leave 50.

10 of Sicily’s Best Restaurants

I live in Palermo, but I’m from the interior of the island and went to university in the east. I like to think that this gives me a good perspective on food all over Sicily and means that I’m not biased about one particular region being the best.

So, for this list I’ve tried to give some of my favorite spots in a bunch of major cities that encompass the entire island.

Remember, Sicily has over 5 million inhabitants and each region has different specialties and diverse cuisines. Sicilian food is not the same in Palermo as it is in Modica!

What you can rest assured of, though, is that no matter where you’re visiting, the food here is some of the very best in Italy. It’s pretty hard to go wrong while eating in Sicily.

But if you’re looking for some tried and true spots for a fabulous meal, here are some of my favorites!

1. La Galleria

Palermo

In the heart of the old city of Palermo, this hidden gem of a restaurant is located right behind the city’s gorgeous Norman Cathedral.

On the menu you’ll find typical Sicilian food with an interesting selection of wines. Don't miss the caciocavallo all'argentiera (fried cheese with garlic olive oil and vinegar) and definitely be sure to sample some of the many pasta courses - the tagliatelle with the boar ragout is a particular standout!

The atmosphere inside is cosy, but you should surely opt for the lovely outdoor seating. The tables are along a very quiet street and underneath the canopy of fragrant orange trees. It is quite casual and perfect for a romantic dinner or a meal out with friends.

For anyone staying in central Palermo, this is a perfect spot because you are only steps from the hustle and bustle, but on a quiet side street where you’ll feel like you’ve slipped into a little oasis in the midst of it all.

*If you’re interested in a guided tour of Palermo and some of the nearby towns, check out local guide Gaetano who offers fabulous tours.

Guided tours of Sicily with Giorgio!

2. A Cala

Palermo

Right in front of the ancient harbor of Palermo is a seafood spot you will not want to miss! At A Cala you can either eat inside with the large windows offering a beautiful view of Mount Pellegrino and the docked sail boats or sit outside enjoying the evenings fresh breeze.

This one is perfect for a romantic dinner or a family lunch. Similar places might fall into the category of tourist trap, but here you get the perfect combination of excellent food and superb location.

The menu is, fittingly for the location, mostly fish. One of their best primo piatto (first course) is the "busiate" pasta with clams, red shrimp, pistachios, and cherry tomatoes. The fried calamari is also a must!

If you want the meal to be extra special, show up in time for sunset - best paired with a glass of wine or a co*cktail 🥂

3. Mamma Caura

Marsala Salt Pans

Location, location, location! Located smack in the famous salt pans stretching between Trapani and Marsala, it does not get better than this!

Mama Caura is perfect for an aperitif at sunset and really enjoyable for both lunch and dinner. Enjoying a local white wine from Marsala (try Grillo or Insolia) while the sun sets behind the salt pans is pure magic.

Should you decide to dine here, do not miss a couple of typical dishes: fish cous cous or busiate with pesto alla trapanese - fresh tomatoes, red garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, pepper and...almonds!

Eat outside on the terrace, facing the mountains of white salt, the pans whose colours turn from pink, to orange, and then gold at sunset, and the ancient windmills dating from the 1500s, stark white with their typical conical red roofs. Pura bella vita…

4. Re di Girgenti

Agrigento

If hunger strikes while visiting the awe-inspiring Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, look no further than Re di Girgenti. This wonderful sport serves fantastic meat and fish dishes and is perfect for those looking for all three of food, ambiance, and a view!

The restaurant’s dining room is elegant and at the same time quite eclectic. It also has a beautiful terrace facing directly towards the ancient Greek temples. With several different dining rooms, it is perfect for groups.

One of my favourite dishes is their pasta with pistachio and almond pesto. But the grilled octopus also deserves a mention. For dessert, don't miss their "Greek" almond parfait.

5. Caseificio Borderi

Siracusa

Siracusa is a city of unparalleled beauty. And it’s food is no exception! When you’re here, you should plan to eat outside so that you can soak up the elegant atmosphere and savor every moment.

Caseificcio Borderi is like a tapas bar of sorts and it used to be just a cheese and salami store (a caseificcio is a cheese shop). In line with their history, some of their best dishes are panini (sandwiches) made with the best local cheeses and salami.

For anyone looking for a more substantial meal, you have meat and fish platters which should of course be accompanied by a great Sicilian beer!

The seating is only outside, very casual, and just right for an informal lunch with friends and family.

The restaurant is located in the heart of the fresh market of Siracusa, a few steps from the ancient temple of Apollo, and the island of Ortigia (the city center of Siracusa).

6. Canni e Pisci

Catania

Catania is a city that stands in contrast to Palermo. It is chaotic in places, gritty in others, yet still refined and elegant. It has a youthful energy and is a busy and bustling city.

There is an energy here that you won’t find elsewhere and it can be seen in the food; chefs and restaurants here are always trying new experiments and adding modern twists to traditional cuisine.

Canni e Pisci is dialect for “meat and fish”, so it’s no surprise that that’s what you’ll find here. The food is classic Sicilian with some exotic touches. If you’ve been in Sicily for a while and feel like trying something different, welcome! Here our traditional dishes meet head on with foreign “contamination.”

Excellent are the prawns tempura or the tuna tataki. If you feel like meat, try the veal fillet with mushrooms and red wine.

Located on the ground floor of the XVIII century Palazzo Biscari, it has a very cosy atmosphere inside and a lovely courtyard outside. The restaurant is away from the tourist area and is mostly frequented by local people. For food of this quality, it is surprisingly inexpensive.

If you decide to eat here, don’t miss the opportunity to book a visit to Palazzo Biscari, one of the most beautiful palaces of the XVIII century in all of Sicily.

*For even more info on eating in Catania, check out my guide to 8 great Catania restaurants.

7. A Putia do Calabrisi

Catania

An iconic part of Catania's dining culture, this casual eatery has been a beloved spot of locals for decades, and remarkably, it has remained mostly unchanged over the years.

Situated in an old district that requires a bit of a trek from the city center, Putia do Calabrisi preserves traditional Catania cuisine without making a point of it. While many restaurants in the city and all over Italy are rushing to adopt new trends, the timelessness and lack of pretense here are a total breath of fresh air.

There is no written menu at Putia do Calabrisi; everything is communicated verbally. But even if you don't speak Italian, the waiters will find a way to communicate. Think of it as a bit of an adventure!

The ambiance is rustic, cozy, and reminiscent of a scene from a movie of the 1950s. When eating here, the typical choice is a fixed-price set menu, which includes a starter, a primo piatto, and a secondo. Don’t expect anything fancy, but the quality is fabulous.

And if you're looking to meet some locals, it’s is the perfect place to do so, as you will likely be seated at a table with other diners.

8. Il Sale

Catania

When it comes to restaurants on Via Santa Filomena, and there are more than a few, Il Sale still reigns supreme. While many of the other eateries on this street lean toward rustic, Il Sale offers a fine dining experience.

Thankfully, despite its high-end billing, it still manages to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere, free of pretension. The staff strikes a good balance between relaxed and efficient, ensuring that you’ll be able to enjoy your companions’ company without interruption, while still being well taken care of.

It’s an excellent option for celebrating a special occasion or a relaxed date night.

The items on menu are also almost all home-made, and there really are no bad choices. If you're unsure of what to order, one of my favorites is the Calamarata alla Catanese followed by their pistachio lava cake for dessert!

*For even more info on eating in Catania, check out my guide to 8 great Catania restaurants.

9. Villa Zuccaro

Taormina

Renowned for it’s pizza, Villa Zuccaro is hands down the best pizzeria (pizza restaurant) in Taormina and one of the best in Sicily. The pizzaiolo (pizza maker) has won many awards in the last years both in Italy and abroad. The classic pizzas are all excellent, but you should also try some of his inventions and interesting combinations.

The restaurant has a beautiful terrace where you can dine under huge pine trees. The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant, making it the perfect spot for a pizza dinner with your friends or family.

Located in the heart of Taormina, getting here is easy: you’re just a short walk off the main street of Corso Umberto and right nearby the Cathedral.

10. Re del Sole

Taormina

When dining here, you’re basically eating under a covered terrace right in front of the beach where you can also rent chairs and parasols. It is informal, but still beautiful. With tones of white and blue it reminds one of those easy, simple restaurants in the Greek islands.

Don't miss the grilled sword fish rolls or the mussels soup in tomato sauce - divine!! They are only open for lunch, so don’t make the mistake of trying to go for dinner.

Buon appetito!

Guided tours of Sicily with Giorgio!